July 20,21,22,23,24,&25

Day 158,159,160,161,162,&163
It's Thursday again, and another week has gone by. The summer is flying by, as they usually do, and today is actually the 164th day, but since I don't know what will happen, I can't write about it yet. One thing I can say is that it is Colin's 25th birthday today, and I have yet to wish him a good day. He doesn't want a party yet, as he is concentrating on his concert this weekend, so I'm good with cake on the long weekend in August. We can double up with Aryn and Dad. More on that as it develops.
Glenn is anxious to come home this weekend, so I have purchased no maintenance railing, and am in the process of getting people together to install it. I think we'll do it in the evenings, as the heat of the day is too much to endure, and most people are busy doing their regular jobs ( including me), so I'll see how that goes. I have someone hired to come and install the bathroom door also, so I should be up to speed for now. My car is still in need of brake pads, but I bought them and am driving the 1/2 ton until they are installed. I could drive the Swift, but it isn't air conditioned, so I'm being fussy.
The Anniversary weekend was great, lots of people came to see us and wish us well, and Mom and Dad's tea was great. Thanks to my family for organizing this, it went off without too much bother, although I wasn't in on much of the work, so all I saw was good. Glenn was tired and felt a bit as if he'd been on display, but that was fair because he sort of was. He recovered fast, and was OK Monday. I didn't recover quite so fast, but feel mostly like myself again. It takes a lot of courage to face people when you are in a changed state of being. A lot of people say things that are hard to take, although they mean no harm nor have unkind intentions. They don't understand exactly what has happened, and tend to talk over Glenn instead of to him. The kids were amazingly protective, and every time I checked, one or more of them were beside Glenn, fielding questions, or getting Glenn whatever he needed. I am so proud of them, I can't say enough. They played a couple of songs, and I again felt a bit amazed at the talent they have. Chris sang really well, and Dale and Darcy just picked up where they left off a few years ago. They all are impressed with Colin's ability to listen to guitar riffs a few times, then play them on his own guitar. I guess they should be in bands, they really enjoy themselves. My brother Fred was MC for Sundays program, and couldn't resist teasing the boys. Having listened to them Saturday night, he racked his brain to give the band a name. He was totally amused when he told me he had thought of one, and during the program explained that he had had to think hard for a name. The boys know Uncle Fred well and were not sure what to expect. On Saturday I had introduced them, and had pointed out Dale's quantity of hair, and Colin's lack of hair. So, Fred couldn't resist, and named the band "The Hairdresser's Nightmare"! Chris laughed so hard he could hardly start singing. I thought it was perfect, and you should have seen the other boys faces. That's what family is for!
Glenn was back to therapy, and had his right leg cast for a brace. His foot tends to turn out, so this will keep it in line as it begins to bear more weight and he walks. He is swallowing his ice chips without too much trouble, although he does have to concentrate. I'm going to see him a bit earlier today, we have an appointment with the social worker, who wants to talk long range home care, and to check up on my progress with renovations. He will go to the hospital sometime next week to have tests done where they will watch how well his swallow is working. It has something to do with barium and X-rays. This too has a proper name, but it escapes me at this time. My head is full of stuff, and a lot that I hear just falls back out and doesn't stick at all. I think a lot of that has to do with my age! I'm going to blame it on that anyway.
Jackie's car has problems that a few thousand dollars will fix, so she is in a bit of a dilemma. We will have a discussion with Glenn about that, and pick and choose what to fix, and what to limp through. She needs to get through the next year before she can really think about buying another one, so that too has been filling my head with details. Life doesn't slow down too much I can tell you that. You may be able to put some things off for a while, but they wait for you, and sooner or later you have to deal with them. I've got books that need attention again, so I'll put that on my 'to do' list for next week! If you see Colin, wish him a happy birthday! It was hot the year he was born, I remember bringing him home in just a diaper and baby T-shirt! Time flies, so
'Til next time,
Louise