I haven't felt much like writing lately. Mom is the same, still waiting for a bed in the state hospital. She's up the the usual, telling me she's not eating, then telling me she eats about 50% of her food. That's not great, but not terrible, either. She now has diabetes and completely freaked out when the doctor started her on the meds for that. Her concern that she'll die of diabetes complications hasn't stopped her from refusing the meds, though. I've cut way back on my visits. During the last visit she kept telling me to leave, then as the nurse was letting me out, she grabbed my arm and started crying. Her manipulations are exhausting.

Hubby, Peanut and I took a short trip to visit Dad and Stepmom. It was much needed by both of the adults. Peanut took to my parents after an initial bought of shyness and had a wonderful time with them. Grampy remembered Peanut's love of sticks and carved the perfect one for him. We had a blast making a leaf pile in the back yard while Peanut tossed and kicked leaves around. We visited my aunt who has a buyer for her house and my old crew of school friends. One friend just had an adorable baby, another is pregnant, and the other just moved into a gorgeous new house.

It was so nice to spend time with my parents and feel like a family. We all were sad to leave. Peanut was so upset he refused to even look at Grammy and Grampy once he was buckled into the carseat. All the way to the airport, he asked if they were coming with us or if we were going back to their house.

I really, really need to watch my potty mouth around Peanut.

He loves to play warbird computer games with Hubby. Hubby flies while Peanut shoots everything in sight. Their plane had some difficulties yesterday.

"Oh, dammit. It crashed."

Hubby and I are still laughing.

As badly as things go with Mom, Peanut helps me keep it all in perspective. The latest with her is that a person from DCF is now involved and thinks she'll eventually go home. He put her in contact with the community oriented support team (the ones she refused at her last discharge) again. Both the social worker and I have told him we don't think she'll ever be stable enough to live on her own, but he didn't care. As the social worker so aptly stated "He didn't hear you, did he?" when I filled her in on my conversation with him.

Peanut is amazing. He's a ball of energy and attitude. We have the nicest snuggles and the best conversations.

We're in bed and Daddy farts.

Me "Phew."

Peanut "What's dat? What's stinky?"

Me "Daddy farted."

P "Daddy stinky. Daddy big stinky."

M "Is Mommy stinky?"

P "NO! Daddy stinky. Not little stinky, BIG stinky!"


Yesterday, he and Daddy called me from the park.

"Mommy, I flying. I Superman. Up and awaaaaay! You coming home?"

M "I'm at work. I'll be home after work."

P (with a smile in his voice) "Tah-night?!!"

My birthday present from Mom was a voice message the day before. Something about how badly she's doing and wouldn't be able to call me on the actual day, so happy birthday anyway. No one at work knew or remembered it, so I let it go. A coworker's birthday was the week before mine and another person brought in cake and coffee to celebrate. Maybe next year a drop a few hints.

I did receive several nice phone calls from my parents and Hubby's parents. When Hubby explained to Peanut it was Mommy's birthday, he asked for cake. Right on!

In good/bad news, the camper went back to the manufacturer for repairs. We noticed a musty smell during our ill-fated last trip and Hubby thought there was more warping (it came with some warping which we assumed was from humidity). When Hubby brought it back from the mechanic, one of the tail lights didn't work. He pulled up the interior carpeting and saw all sorts of water damage and mold. Apparently the back hatch door doesn't line up with the opening and rain is getting in. The company was making a delivery in our state, so they sent the truck to our town and Hubby drove the camper to them. Apparently some other people with the same model year had serious water damage and received new replacement campers. A new one would be awesome, but we'll be happy if they replace all the damaged and mildewed parts. And fix the leak.

The grand finale of the week, though, was me getting rear-ended Friday morning. Luckily it was after I dropped Peanut off. I was stopped at a traffic light and just after it turned green, BAM! The other driver admitted it was his fault and we exchanged info. At first it looked like just the hitch and bumper were damaged. I found out otherwise later that night when the hatch wouldn't open with keyless entry. I managed to open it using the key, loaded my groceries and went home. Once at home, I couldn't get it to shut.

The other driver's insurance company has been interesting. I called Friday night with the claim info (which Hubby got from the other driver) and notified them of the damages. The rep was helpful and entered everthing into the system. He told me the claims people would call the next day and gave me a number. When they hadn't called an hour before closing, I called them. That rep was not so nice or helpful. According to her, we could only have our car inspected, but not assessed, nor could we get a rental because fault had not yet been assigned (bullshit). I didn't want to drive the car and in order for them to send an adjuster to us, we had to give them a 4-day window. (I don't believe it. Years ago, when Mom had a fender-bender with my old car, my insurance company made an appointment for the adjuster to come to my house. And that car was driveable.) Hubby spoke to another rep today and it was a whole different story. Our car has been inspected, is at the mechanic's, and Hubby is driving a rental. I guess it all depends on who you speak to.

The mom situation is crazy, too. More on that later.