Oh, and I heartily endorse low rise jeans for hiding at least one extra flab roll around the middle.

I'm hoping dad will turn the tables on her. If he doesn't, I will be sure to harrass her once this current excitement subsides.

Tep, he's not a marathon runner. Hee. He doesn't find exertion good unless it's useful. He's always being useful. In fact, he just finished building their retirement cottage. Thank heavens it's finished.

One of the things that helped me get perspective last night was when you posted that you'd look up information and I thought, Oh! Tep's already been through this several times! Not that I would wish it on anyone even once, but it helped me realize this isn't likely the end. Thank you for that.

I know. It's just that being able to do a bit of lifting is one of the wedding coordinator job requirements, and one I can normally fulfill with no problems. So I feel bad about asking other people to do something I'm paid for. Especially since I already cashed the check and spent the money.

My opinion is that *I* wouldn't risk injuring myself over a matter of principle, money or no.

Oh, and Cindy, the real issue is getting onto and off of the bus--having to fold and unfold the stroller while keeping Annabel from running away, because I can't have her in the stroller while on the bus.

My opinion is that *I* wouldn't risk injuring myself over a matter of principle, money or no.

But if they complained, I couldn't give them their money back. It's gone already.

One of the things that helped me get perspective last night was when you posted that you'd look up information and I thought, Oh! Tep's already been through this several times! Not that I would wish it on anyone even once, but it helped me realize this isn't likely the end. Thank you for that.

You're welcome, dearie. And I looked up the hospital's Web site, and while I as a researcher feel they need to put more information in the cardiac care part of their site, it looks like that's the top-notch hospital in the area for heart patients. So he seems to be in good hands.

Susan, as someone icing her back now, whose back hasn't been quite right for over a year -- make sure whatever you're risking it on is really important to you. Or unavoidable. There's a much bigger monetary hole waiting for you on the other side, not to mention just the pain and the mental anguish that accompanies sustained injury.

I should have made that connection when you mentioned paying for the bus. Travelling on the bus would also suck. Basically, toting babies around is hard and frustrating work.

I remember with each of my kids, getting to the point where we could do some things without a mega-ton of equipment coming along with us. It was wonderful. It will happen someday for you. And it only gets better. Someday, you will not need a diaper bag. It will rock. Someday in the still distant but I-can-see-the-horizon future, I will need no car booster seats.

But if they complained

If they complain you tell them that your church doesn't have Workman's Comp coverage if you throw your back out. Why would they complain, anyway? The users are more than likely just hanging out in the back parking lot smoking and teasing the junior bridesmaids anyway.

Susan, use the ushers. No one will care. If you say it right they'll be lined up to help you since you're already injured and no one will even think of the money. After all the work you've put into this, not moving furniture is piddly.

I live for that day, Cindy. No diaper bag, no leashes, no strollers, no need for changes of clothing or secret stash of valium.