Yikes, good luck, ita.

I'm so grateful my own health is good, because it's hard enough juggling my folks' situation. I don't know how only children or people with chronic health issues of their own do parent-care, I just don't.

Last night I stopped by my folks' place to discover that Mom can't even get out of a chair without help. She's fallen four times in the last three days. And the PT insists that Dad not help her to walk: she must use the walker, because if she falls she'll hurt him, too.

Dad hadn't paid his February rent. Had lost all his forks because he keeps getting meals delivered and then sending his own flatware back to the kitchen with those dishes. Keeps printing out lists of available apartments despite the fact that Mom cannot go to the bathroom unsupported. And last Saturday they went for a drive and ended up on the Bay Bridge.

So the new doctor wants him to stop driving and get a neurology exam. Which will be a fun discussion, and I suspect that I'll be the one getting the car sold.

And despite repeated meetings with the residence staff, they're still over-charging us for the amount of care Mom is getting, and haven't credited us for the last two months' over-charging.

The only good thing to happen this week is that the title company accepts me as the only signature on the paperwork to sell their own condo.

And no word on the job situation. I haven't spoken to my boss, because I still feel a bit betrayed about the entire thing. I've decided not to jump ship right away, though: I'm going to wait until they tell me I don't have the job before I start sending out resumes. If I'm going to keep doing this parent-care thing, the relatively low-stress environment and regular hours of a government job will make a big difference in my quality of life.

Consuela, I'd suggest setting up a rent autopay for your parents, but if they're over-charging that's probably not a good idea.

Jeez, Consuela that's a lot. But that certainly has to erase any lingering doubts that they absolutely needed to be in assisted care.

Good luck today, ita!

Here are some picture that I think you'll want to use on Provacateuse.

Consuela, I'd suggest setting up a rent autopay for your parents, but if they're over-charging that's probably not a good idea

That's the plan, but it depends on selling the condo, so they have enough cash on hand. Right now he keeps having to sell stock in his 401K to move money into his checking account.

Also, we do have to stabilize the level of care they're getting.

Good luck ,Consuela. The only thing I would suggest is getting the résumé in order and startingb looking at what is out here. Get your brain thinking aboutg possibilities.

Someone's lunch is being heated in the microwave across from my office.

Their lunch smells like dirty socks.

Consuela, first of all, ugh. That is so much! Also, does anyone have a medical reason for why your mother is falling? I think with dementia it is often hard to diagnose physical things, but sometimes they can be treated.

Their lunch smells like dirty socks.

Maybe they are doing laundry in the microwave.

I got a big plate of Indian food for lunch, and didn't finish it, so now the rest is sitting in my trash can and smelling up my office. You're welcome!

Jesse, do not dispose of food in your office trash can! Do you not have a kitchen to smell up?

Consuela, it definitely sounds like your father has more at his disposal than he can safely be trusted to control. I hope the testing works well and simply.

GodDAMN, Hec. That woman almost convinced me to get a fade. She looks amazing. The kind that makes mortal humans wonder why their lives don't look like staged and retouched professional photographs.

My baring my mistakes went as well as one could expect. I just lay it out there that it was all my fault so no one had a chance to dig in and blame me for anything. And I also explained how my future behaviour would change to avoid a repeat performance. Worked like a charm. Except for the email I replied to with the completely wrong topic...I am going to have to triple check everything before hitting save or send until I get my neurons back under control.