I'm feeling like a bit of a selfish jerk right now. I just made a conscious choice not to invite someone to go out to dinner with a bunch of us for my birthday this weekend. I feel bad because her husband has had some health issues lately and I think they could both probably stand a night out, but going by her FB feed, I don't really want to spend time with her right now at least not in a group. I feel like in a smaller group, conversation could be steered to non-incite-y topics, but I'm afraid in a group setting it would get at least awkward, if not ugly. And while I will have both righty and lefty friends at this dinner, I feel like everyone else will behave (no discussing politics or religion, as they say), but I'm not confident that she could be trusted not to say anything, well, jerk-y. I should note, I very much doubt that they will know that there was a dinner they weren't invited to. Maybe if I offered to take them to lunch or dinner one day next week I'd stop feeling like a jerk?

And ION, my mother is coming home from the rehab facility tonight. So my life's not my own quite yet, but it will be at least a teensy bit better since I won't have to spend every night visiting and can actually spend some time at home as a change for the less exhausting (knock on wood - see, I learned my lesson!)

IOON, I'm amused to note that the computer recognizes "teensy" as a word.

And now I should get going on the half million errands I need to run before I go pick her up from the rehab facility.

I'm glad your mom's coming home, Epic.

I'm glad your mom's coming home, too, Epic.

And I don't think you're being a jerk, if the reason you couldn't invite this person is because she wouldn't be able to keep from angering people at your birthday dinner. (I have a couple friends who I make sure not to mix with my other friends. Sometimes you have to Prattkeep your friends.)

Totally agreeing with Zenkitty. Your celebration is, dare I say it, for YOU! There is no room for guilt when you are planning an enjoyable event. If you feel compelled to do something nice for them, I'd vote for a hot dish on some other night.

Northerner help me out. Is it "hot dish" or "hotdish"?

Wait, Jesus (sorry, watched a lot of Black church, today) Juliana is expecting?!?!?!?!?!??!

Juliana, I don't even know who the other half of your "We" is, but mazel tov.

Juliana, Kate and sj. It's a Buffista baby boom.

Hi, Cindy!

~ma and hugs all around. I read along today, but I'm out of spoons and couldn't keep track of everything.

sj, I haven't had enough spoons in I don't know how long, but I did know you are expecting. Keep on keeping on, Mama.

Ginger, wait, Kate is also expecting?

You people have been fornicating (or marriage-ing, or something-ing) without me.

Why do I suddenly want a candy necklace?

Also? Way to go, Buffista spirit babies!

Ginger, wait, Kate is also expecting?

She is! and well along with #2!