This past week has been a trying and difficult one. I spent Tuesday night haring across the desert to Scottsdale. My brother-in-law's wife's mom passed away, and her viewing scheduled for Wednesday night, the funeral for Thursday. I had Wednesday off - thursday was packed for all of us, so off we went on Tuesday.

We stayed at nephew's lovely house, collapsed about 2am. Got up at 9ish because after all you can't change your rhythm overnight. Went to see BIL, had lunch with him and then dropped by the old house to see Great Aunt.

The house has been completely altered - it's no longer the house hubby grew up in, not the house we used to visit and take over three or four times a year - it's now more of a private old-folks home, or a halfway house for injured people. Not comfortable at all for us to be there. We got Great Aunt out and took her to the bookstore, and took her to see some other relatives, and took her to see her sister in a nursing home (that's hubby's mom).

A lot of the day was depressing, with some flashes of joy.

And at the end, we went to the viewing of Leona. She looked waxy, not real, and brittle. But pretty good for all that she was dead. (It's not my style, though, having a party of sorts with a dead body lying there for all to see. Burn me up, toss me in the ocean, and party all night long with loud music and champagne and balloons - that's what I choose.) When they started to recite scripture, we took off, heading back across the desert for home.

And then. Thursday night, my dad calls to tell me that Mom's in the hospital with pneumonia. Again. So I drove on my other day off this week - yesterday - down to San Diego to help get her released. My brother, his gal, and grandkids and great grandkid were all there to celebrate her birthday (which is actually today). I cried a lot...I can't say mom's quality of life is terrific. I just can't. But I love her dearly. She has such a gentle spirit, but that spirit has a backbone of steel.

Not to mention there is a presence at work that isn't friendly. I'm not sure if it was brought in by a fairly new employee, or if it wandered in on its own, but there has been much anxiety, confusion and irritation for the past couple of months. Must take care of it soon, before the holidays come - or I foresee some petty nastiness taking place, which could end very badly.

As for writing - it's coming along. Slowly.

There, Jenn. I think I've caught you up on my life.