Weekend

We're heading down to Maryland again. My brother has arranged a surprise 80th birthday party for my mother (whose birthday is next Thursday). I got to help with the easy stuff: the invitations, making arrangements for flowers, paying for the cake, buying disposable cameras. I've been avoiding talking to my mother for about a month now - we're down to once a week from our usual three, sometimes four, times a week. I'm too afraid that I'll let something slip.

Micah's out of school today; Thea will be paroled at noon, if I've gotten packed up and the car is loaded. We have to come back Sunday night because both of them have appointments with Dr. Andy the dentist on Monday morning at 8:30 am, and if I cancel it's months for a double slot.