it ain't easy being impressionable....

We survived a family vacation. I have tons of great stories that I will relate over the next few days, but right now I have something I have to get off my chest. Or something like that- but you will see in a minute. (I wrote this late last night BTW)

We set up the tree tonight. Actually, I did it last night- the decorating took place this evening after dinner. It was filled with the usual assortment of mishaps and accidents, but one thing stands out. The new dog, Sheila, a Jack Russel Terrier, does not like the tree. She has made several high speed passes at it trying to bring it down. It now is supported by a pair of wires to the two walls of the corner it sits in. After it was moored in place, she took to sniffing and squatting. Since we are deep into the "try to train the dog" phase ( a phase that has never been successful in the past, and will probably pass soon) Mary was randomly yelling out "NO PEEING IN THE HOUSE". The dog knows what this means, and she knows it's meant for her. She would sulk out of the room and then reappear a few minutes later. She never did pee in the house near the tree (.....near the tree).

It is now real late, and I have a problem. At first I thought it might just be the 'ole prostate feeling it's age and beginning that phase of my life. Slowly but surely I developed that uncomfortable full feeling. I wasn't sure exactly what was causing it- perhaps a virus or some sort of infection, but then I remembered the wife's admonishment. I want to report that I have been a good boy and have not peeed (sp?) in the house. I also am afraid I am going to burst and flood the house. At this point all I want to do is pee.

It looks like I will have to venture out into the yard. Wonder if Sheila wants to join me.

Who wants to decide that kind of stuff?

My mother in law is in a really bad way. She has had several strokes, and she has been in the hospital for 3+ weeks. My poor wife is beside herself dealing with this, and then she has to deal with us. What a woman. I should be so strong.

Her mom has been moved to a nursing home. She has left strict instructions not to try any heroic measures to save her, as she cannot stand being the way she is now. She was a Marine wife to a lifer- an RSM . She is used to being independant, and her current state is anything but. So my wife has to make decisions like should she have a transfusion, or should they tube her to help her breathing. Who wants to have to make those decisions? It's one thing to say no life saving measures, and totally another to look at your mom in a hospital bed suffocating, and have to say no, she wouldn't want a tube.

She goes up and down. This weekend was down, and today was more of down.

I think when my time comes I will crawl out into the forest, just to save my kids from having to watch and make those kinds of choices about me.