So far, not so good

2011 is really not shaping up to be the best year of my life. It started out with my heart deciding to do wonky things, then it segued into my mother having a stroke. Yes, she had a stroke, luckily surviving, and aside from letting work people know, I basically didn't share that news with anyone. Sorry. Anyway, I spent a week in the Bay Area in March ferrying my dad from home to the rehabilitation facility an hour away. Then we got Mom settled in respite care, until my sister and I could figure out what was what.

Mom is recovering, slowly and most likely not completely. It became clear fairly quickly that there were going to have to be some major changes. My sister managed to find a townhome in Alameda and somehow convinced my parents to go to an open house. My mom loved it and insisted that it be hers. My dad, reluctantly, put in an offer and it was accepted. So, we are going to pack up the 2 story, 4 bedroom house they have lived in for the last 40 years, and move what will fit over to Alameda. Not likely to be fun. For anyone.

So, I am leaving on July 4 for two weeks in the Bay Area. I am hoping to see some friends while there, but mainly I will be trying to take some pressure off of my poor sister and help out my dad. Mom...well, Mom is Mom and something like this does not bring out the best in her. *sigh*

Yep. Throwing myself a pity party. Did I mention that a couple I really love are having serious marriage difficulties and that another close friend's 11 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer? 2011 - you really suck.