That sounds upsetting, Theo, and I'm glad no one else is making a big deal of it! It probably helps that they see that you care about this, but don't spend too much time beating yourself up and/or get psyched out about driving the Big Van.

The first rain of the season is pattering down and washing away the dreary dust of summer. The air smells good but drying the laundry in the sun isn't going to happen to today. Instead I will keep digging through boxes of old photos to find pictures of my Dad for the memorial next week. All my cousins will be flying in and staying at his home in Half Moon Bay.

I am looking forward to seeing them and dreading the drama my sister will bring. There is no such thing as a family gathering without her having a big emotional meltdown. In July she bawled for an hour because Dad forgot to specifically give her a photo credit in his slide show. He had to publicly apologize. Lord help me if I accidentally choose one of her shots in my collection of pictures. Ladies and gentlemen, my sister is over 55 years old and acts like a bratty child. It's exhausting.

I had another round of "No Mom you can't drive yet" . A physical therapist came today and the PT asked if she had a follow up with a neurologist. No one suggested that. But she also pointed out some impuslivity and concentration issues mom is having and said mom shouldn't be driving yet.

Plus we both pointed out if she is driving and back to her normal routine she loses in home therapies. She is not super thrilled with this but she did get in contact with her GP about a referral to a neurologist. She also either didn't get or was resistant to the fact she may not be aware her judgment about her abilities is off and that is from the stroke.

She wants me to go home. At this point I want to go home and go back to work. If I lived in town I would just come by and check on mom during the day but I can't do that so I'm here.

In other news I've read most of the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews and have started Three Muskateers. So reading yay.

Katerina I am so sorry you have to deal with your sister and her drama.

My family isn't one for meltdowns usually, but my cousin's memorial service is this weekend. Here's hoping for Grace and wisdom of all our family members.

Askye, one of the things strokes can temporarily affect is judgment. I'm relieved that you are there to help.

Askye, you are doing the work of a super hero being there for your mom. It sounds as if she is not the easiest of patients.

Perhaps you could disable her car? I've heard that removing the distributor cap or unplugging the wires to the spark plugs will stymie someone who should not be driving. These tricks cause no damage and are easily fixed. Or you could take the keys and say they'll be returned when the doctors give an all clear. She won't like it, but nobody wants her to have an accident. It's not just her, it's about public safety.

I don't know why my sister has to be so difficult and unpleasant. She did tell me that getting really angry was better than sex, so at least I know why she thinks it's okay to repeatedly scream at me in public. I've been avoiding her, but family time means we have to put up with one another.

Crochet hooks are good for maneuvering the drawstring through the sleeve. Knitting needle or chop stick will do in a pinch.

I have tried Sophia's safety pin trick before, but one I read on the internet that I'm going to try is using a plastic straw, and stapling the straw to the string. We'll see!

she thinks it's okay to repeatedly scream at me in public

She is wrong. I mean, I expect you know that. But it should be reiterated.

Katerina I am so sorry you have to deal with someone who thinks getting angry and yelling at people is better than sex

That is really wrong.

Mom is not at the point where I need to disable her car. I hope it doesn't come to that. She is mostly ok but there are things like...I took her to the bank and post office, etc and even though it was 15 mins to the bank she pulled out her check book right as we left and was trying to write a check while I was driving. Her handwriting isn't that great. She did stop and realize it was too soon. But then as we got to the bank she was trying to write while I was driving and with the checkbook just on her lap. I suggested she wait until we were at the bank and I could find a surface for her to write on.

That doesn't seem huge but little things can cause problems.