Yay knee scooter! I used an office chair that the back had broken off of when I had foot surgery. I was a terror on wheels.

Phew, called my brother for his birthday, and as anticipated he didn't pick up. I left a cheery message about his agedness (same as me for the next 18 days) and about spring training and stuff.

Well, I emailed my doctor about whether there was anything that could be done for the pain in my hand in the month and a half until the surgery is done, and it turns out that pretty much everything that would help is something that can't be done this close to having the surgery, so I should "hang in there" and take Advil and ice it and wear a brace to sleep, which is all stuff that I've already been doing.

I got the same regarding my foot. I'm still planning on some alcohol therapy the weekend before.

Burrell & Laura, I'm sorry you had to go through (or are still going through) that, but you have helped me stiffen my resolve on something. I got a PM on FB about a week and a half ago from my cousin's son, saying that he was moving to CA (from Michigan) and looking for a place to stay while he gets settled. This is a cousin I haven't seen in over twenty years and her early-twenties son who I've never met. I'm currently going through Mom's stuff to see what goes and what stays, and I happen to be at an in-between stage where both the bed in the master bedroom and futon in the spare room are absolutely covered in STUFF. I could make space for someone in an emergency, but frankly I'm not okay with sharing my home, giving keys and alarm codes, to a young man I don't know and whose FB feed made me delete his friend request. Especially to an open-ended request that I was afraid would be weeks rather than days. So I said sorry, but I don't have room and he seemed okay. But then he messaged again last night, to ask again and clarify it would "only" be for a couple of MONTHS, while he gets settled in. I replied this morning, saying again that I don't have the space and that I'm still dealing with the loss of my mom (another [close] cousin's suggestion). I feel (slightly) bad, because I'm actually pretty close with his grandmother (my aunt), but I don't know him. And my (close) cousin and I feel like this doesn't sound like Aunt, just like (MI) Cousin. The idea just makes me really uncomfortable. So, anyway, standing my ground, though risking bad feelings with the MI branch of the family. I have to believe my own peace of mind is worth more than potential animosity with cousins I wouldn't even speak to if not for FB.

Hil & Suzi, sorry you guys are hurting. I hope it lets up on you before your procedures.

I accomplished pretty much nothing over the weekend, except clearing some space on the DVR. I feel like I'm supposed to feel bad for being such a lazy lump, but it was so great to veg, I just don't.

I have to believe my own peace of mind is worth more than potential animosity with cousins I wouldn't even speak to if not for FB.

Hell, yes.

I have to believe my own peace of mind is worth more than potential animosity with cousins I wouldn't even speak to if not for FB.

Hell, yes, it is.

frankly I'm not okay with sharing my home, giving keys and alarm codes, to a young man I don't know and whose FB feed made me delete his friend request.

And that's a hard Hell No. Don't even feel bad, girl, he should've taken the NO the first time.

I am with Zen in the hard HELL NO. Beware long term guests you aren't completely comfortable with who may have to be evicted to get them out of your house. Any offer to pay you will definitely turn him into a tenant, so don't fall for that, either.

Thanks, you guys, it does help to know you don't see me as the selfish (or paranoid) party here.

Don't even feel bad, girl, he should've taken the NO the first time.

He said his mom told him to ask again, so if this isn't the end of it, I'll say something to her about knocking it off.

What they said! Epic, no way should you open your house to this young man. If he wants to move to CA he needs to have more of a plan than finding a free place to stay.

No improvements here with the sibs or my kid. DH and I want to run away and join the circus or something.

Any offer to pay you will definitely turn him into a tenant, so don't fall for that, either.

Geez, I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks, Sparky.