Deena, the letter is pretty general -- I want the Spanish version of the letter to go on the back -- but for each unit, the students receive an agenda that outlines the readings, assignments, projects/papers, and/or tests for that unit.

I could give points for having the students give tha agenda to their parents and having them read it and sign it. Then, I could pull out the agenda at PT conferences to make sure the parents are actually reading it...or, if I was really evil, I could announce I was doing a random calling to ask parents if they'd actually signed it.

Oh, I like the agenda thing. You're very smart. (Which is not news to anyone, I know.)

I have a social dilemma.

Some of you may recall two years ago, just after Thanksgiving, my neighbor died of liver cancer. He had been one of K-Bug's softball coaches and was dearly loved by the whole community. From diagnosis to passing was no more than two months and he left behind a wife and two teenage kids (both friend of K-Bug's).

Well, the wife just got remarried - the wedding was held out of state - and they are having an open house/reception this weekend. I have not met the new husband. I have only heard about him through the kids. They are NOT HAPPY. Not just cause it feels too soon (they were engaged before it had been a year after B's passing), but the new husband had always been the couple's gay friend. The mom didn't even tell the kids about the engagement herself. They found out by overhearing a phone conversation. There are other things that make me feel icky about the situation too.

Up until now, when I have seen the mom, I have had the "I'm happy you are happy" attitude. But I don't know how much I can hold on to that. I had RSVP'ed to the reception, but now I'm having very mixed feelings. I just hate faking happiness.

I'm pretty sure both of my kids are going to want to go. DH has already said he has no interest, but he never said he was going in the first place and is a known anti-social person, so he has his out. Me? Gah.

The new husband is gay? Am I reading that right?

Teacup Guy got the job offer!!! The money is good too!

Does the dance of having weekends with my boyfriend!!!

Well, Suzi, I understand your ickiness, but since you haven't met him yet, you're kinda going off of hearsay.

I'd say put in a polite appearance. Yeah, the sitch may be a disaster, but it'll give you a chance to make your own observations, it's polite, and relatively painless. You don't have to fake happiness, but it's not faking to say "I hope everything goes well for your family and that you are happy."

That is your HOPE, right? You don't have to lie and say I'm happy for you. . . but you can express good wishes.

That was how he was identified before their father died. After - well, maybe not so much.

I haven't met - so no report from my gaydar.

Congrats to Teacup Guy!

And to you and your new weekends with the bf.

And Suziq: your neighbor married her gay friend?

If your kids want to go, let them give support to their kids. I assume they're old enough not to need a lesson on those social graces that involve a certain amount of dissembling, but you know that better than I.

As for yourself, I'm of the "I promised to go, so I can't back out without giving a very good reason" school. Which doesn't preclude making up good reasons when necessary. In this case, I'd suggest going to (1) support their kids, (2) set a good example for your kids, (3) have good stories to tell for our amusement on Monday morning.

Suzi, I'd say go with an open mind. But, have a backup planned. Have DH call you 1/2 hour after you arrive. Enough time to assess the sitch, say hello and be seen. Then, you can just say, oh, got to leave, home emergency.