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I totally get this lingering feeling after there has been a dust up. I wonder if even though our rationale mind knows it's not our circus, if the teenager in us who was the people pleaser, peace maker, problem solver for the family dysfunctional behaviors feels like somehow it is our circus. I will give your DH and his sister credit it that they did apologize to each other. Did anyone apologize to you or the other sisters for creating this tension? And does it feel uncomfortable because their apologies end this round, but don't convey a sense of I'll do better next time? Does it feel like the cycle is blow up, apologize because we're just like Dad, forget about it, blow up again some other time, because we're just like Dad?

Greetings all

It is overcast here today. More like winter. The sun came out for awhile yesterday and there was a fabulous sunset underway as I left the gallery. Sales were modest but enough people came in and out to keep me entertained. I also listened to a lot of junky old Christmas music on Pandora. I swear I found an Aretha Franklin version of Little Drummer Boy but I can't find it again to save my soul. Oh well. Everyone go listen to her version of Joy to the World.

Liz I hope the "food fight" is over by now. Dispute about a piece of meat? I remember an Ann Landers column from years ago where at the husband always got the chicken breast but one day the wife ate it, resulting in a huge issue. Glad the golf clinic was useful.

Peps nice that there are things you can do for your dad that he appreciates. There is nothing like good chocolate. And agreed on the deflection tactics. No need to cause upset. Love the fancy chocolate story.

DD you guys sure know your way around the music scene. I bet there are some good Christmas concerts. The Messiah?

Paula sounds like you are getting closer on the Church seach. Best of luck. Meanwhile, church of the swimming pool works.

CC that is the painting that includes your home right? Nice that it works.

So we are watching The Beast In Me on netflix. Psychological thriller. Pretty good. DH is busy with finding exercises to improve balance and leg strength. I think he is concerned because he had trouble getting up off the floor awhile back. Well welcome to 70.

Studio time is needed today and laundry. The pot roast was a hit but the dogs are demanding their fair share.

Diane S

DH did admit that the stupid argument was his fault and he apologized for blowing up. He and his sister admitted that they both had tempers like their father. Which means that as long as there is an apology they get over it immediately and act as if it never happened. I hate conflict like that and when it happens I feel lingering after-effects. Probably a result of my alcoholic nasty drunk Mother's outbursts in my teen years. It was not a good time.

I learned not to tell someone with dementia that someone they cared for had died. When MIL forgot her husband had died, at first her children tried to remind her of his death but every time it was like she was hearing it for the first time and she experienced terrible grief. I learned to say that the person had just gone away for a while. Neither MIL nor deceased DH would question further - maybe somewhere deep in their brain they had a feeling that they wouldn't like the answer to where did they go.

201.8

Seeing the 1 in the ones' place relaxed me. Scale Brain is weird. I'm "okay" being anyplace in the 201s, but it seems that 201.9 is my emotionally acceptable high weight. Maybe that is a good thing, as it will keep me on track????

Got a message from one of my dad's care takers yesterday telling me that my dad is asking for chocolates. His beloved Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups have been purchased and will be dropped off with his new tube of toothpaste later today. I get a spark of joy being able to do things that please him and bring him happiness in the moment. He has been really focused on "escaping" this week. He even talked about moving in with my aunt, who has been dead about 5 years. My brother, much to my chagrin, told him that moving in with our aunt would not be possible because she had passed away. That opened up a whole new can of worms because my dad doesn't remember and it bothered him that "No one told him" and was questioning why people are keeping important information from him. My response would have been, "That's something I will look into for you, Pop. That might be a really great solution for you." It works in the moment and he honestly won't remember the conversation in 15 minutes.

We never did get sunny skies here yesterday. I got some sun when I drove Molly to the vet office about 15 miles south of here. Good news is the fog is lifting and I can see blue sky today AND... Molly's tests came back showing she was not having a silent heat cycle. Whew.... I really do not want to miss breeding her this time around.

Brother is on his way back here from Reno. I guess that means SIL will be released from Hospital today. Not sure though.

Liz's DH brother sister altercation reminded me of my own dysfunctional food story... BFF always checks out my cupboards for goodies when he visits. Just something he does and I've never minded. Several years ago I was given some super fancy artisanal chocolates by a student. Not only were they beautiful, but rather costly, too. Well, BFF ate the last one of my chocolates and I lost my **** It was utterly ridiculous on my part. When he said he would buy me more, I barked back, "You can't afford them!". It was such an asinine comment we both broke out laughing and I had to apologize and admit that my eating disorder had gone in to maximum overdrive. To this day we use the "You can't afford it" line to crack each other up.

Not much going on here today. I will stick close to home and work on Buster and Grizz and do some light cleaning, but that's it. I think plans will need to revolve around my brother's schedule with his wife.

Sounds like a fantastic painting. A lot got done in your house this week!