Dan and I are still here we averted the last crisis and his mood is pretty good for the most part… he has a class reunion supper tonight about 60 miles away - i have debated and debated should i take him… I think him seeing his past and "healthy" people will not be "good " for his esteem - he always held "health and fitness in high regard " he was never over weight , still isent - but was muscular - still is on his left side but his right side has withered and then the awkward arm ( affected side ) is very evident and the wheel chair obvious and the fact he can't even talk to his former class mates will probably just be a sad reminder of who he was.. so i have opted out of it… been thinking for weeks about it though…and since at this moment in time he is in a stable mood - then leave well enough alone… He is excited about a upcoming trip to AZ - he wants to gamble … so maybe i will just throw him at Sarah ( lol) just kidding … but we will be over to her neck of the woods and drag her out to blow some money no one has… but it is our stroke guys only form of recreation, it is the only time when dan seems the least bit happy…. and the caregiver he has the younger gal seems to still be working out - she is able to get him up and walk him out to the garage so he can "clean". he made her bake cookies for him then refused to eat any -- he was just seeing if she would… i warned her dan likes to test… - she did good she took a cookie in and said damn it dan i baked these for you - the least you can do is eat one… so he did… she used the exact language she needed to - to succeed with dan… it won't work all the time but over all it is the best method is the "tough" bull- sh-t type ….. one has to always watch his mood though --- waves on the water is more stable than his mood sometimes…. my job is going well…. still yanks my chain i pay 1.50 for the privilege of working , but it is what it is and i will slowly get increases .. and it is my field for sure, i am adapting to the technology ( some) but man o man are we busy …. he is a very busy atty. -and i actually like him as a person.. and i know he pays as much as he can since his primary business is court appointments ( public defender) - although it has been picking up… in terms of business… and he takes home tons of work and works in the evenings on the cases to. so i feel for him… I do as much as i am able to , but am still learning the craft … and am picking up tons of little things in criminal defense i didn't know - but also am surprised at the things i knew in corrections but have forgotten - while being out of the work force for so long…. … what is the saying - it is what it is--- i am still bone tired , dan still enjoys just staying in bed 75% of the time( a good deal sleeping) the dogs keep barking at the neighbors lol… who are terrific …. Erika is back from MT -- with ND weather being what it is hard to say how much we will see her in the future … so enjoying her now… although she prefers to stay at aprils - my house is to depressing for her i think …. beth is trying to get out of the house period…. but rent here is NUTS !! so she is trying to figure out a way to make the basement "her own" which is fine by me… I don't go down there much … everyone is trying to get out of this house that is so erratic at best ..lol - i wish i could go to… i do have the MRS. America pageant in Tuscon planned in late august to go and support eliza if i can - i have bought the tickets and am hopeful i can actually make it - but it will all depend on dans health - mood- ect.. so i am working constantly on strengthening the bond he seems to be forming with the new caretaker….. but still it is stressful just thinking about it.. i have not attempted to be away this long from him ever - i think it will be 6 days - i have done 4 …. hmmmm. …. guess we will see…. anyhow a So-So- update ( in dans words) …nancyl