DH's mom has been in a nursing facilities a couple of times. Surgery leaves her weak -- and there has been way too much of it.Can't say she loves it, but they really help her learn how to deal with injuries - and /or weakness. They actually help her back to a normal life.

and because it deserves a separate post. While we putting in the floor- I got a large splinter in my ass.

Not as good as Erin's Knife story, but pretty funny.

In response to someone's question (I did a massive skim), my birthday was the 16th. It was the first time in several years that I lived in the same place for 2 consecutive birthdays.

Todd and I met up with my family down in Indy. the women-folk went shopping (Mom got me some pants and 2 fitted vests that I think will work under my blazers for a slightly more polished look, especially at school this year. I'm still looking for 30s-esque pants, especially ones that are washable.) Todd and my brother went to Star Wars (they were unimpressed) and then Dad joined us for dinner once his class ended.

We saw a sign on the drive down, advertising, among other (grammatically-correct) things, nacho's. Which was particularly humorous as it make the "you can't have that, it's nacho's" joke grammatically correct.

I am in lesson plan hell. In addition to everything else, they changed the way we do our lesson plans at the school and have forced us to use a "once size fits all" format. Let me just say, like clothing, one size does not fit all.

{{Design Family}} much healing to your mom.

We are back home - this was an excellent weekend. Some high points:

1. Mal & Iris were likely separated at birth. Much cuteness was perpetrated.

2. Raq and family are most excellent hosts and have a wonderful new home.

3. I am not allowed to play guitar on Rock Band. Not. Allowed.

4. Sparky and DH are fantastic family & hosts and good friends. We had Tasty Chicken, which is most excellent. Sass is truly teh best puppy.

5. Many photos will follow.

the low point:

6. Came home to find the freezer completely defrosted all over the floor. Picspam and thank you notes will be deferred for a few minutes. Anyone want grilled chicken/fish/shrimp? D?

Is there a repair person in the house?

Drew, much ~ma toward handling the many aspects of your family situation. Skilled care in an environment designed to enable it is a blessing, and I hope your mom will come to see that.

1. Mal & Iris were likely separated at birth. Much cuteness was perpetrated.

Which you documented with photographs?

{{{{{{{{ND&Kristin}}}}}}} {{{{{{{Sean}}}}}}}

I accompanied some of the residents on a cruise on this paddlewheel boat: [link] Nice meal served (of which I dared not eat more than six bites), adorable Dixieland 3-piece band. A good time was had by all, with the minor exception that I discovered that while on a boat, I need to be looking at the horizon/scenery because putting my attention on where my clients are walking and/or the plate in front of me = not a pleasant sensation. Still, they had a good time, and I didn't puke my guts up or otherwise embarrass myself.

I decided to stop at the nearby grocery store, to check out their deli counter. I rather like their fried chicken, but for some reason as I was standing there, I had a vivid sensory memory of the ham salad my mom used to bring home. They didn't have any fresh ham salad behind the counter, but there were some little tubs of it in one of the cooler cases.

Sadly, I was unaware of the shift to serving ham salad as a dessert course.

It must be for dessert, if it's that sweet, right? There's honey, sugar, HFCS, more sugar, and about three other items ending in -ose.

I am currently stuck in a booth, entertaining myself with random xkcd strips. The more I read this strip, the more I love it.

Lord, I feel stupid. I think when I hit the accelerator this afternoon I jammed my leg-- it's not bad, but I've got these slight shooting pains going from foot to my hip that are making my leg twitch and ache.

Feh.

< /whine>