This has been a long holiday weekend for us with having Kelly only 3 days last week and giving her Friday off. That meant I got to shower, shave, dress and feed Gary 4 days straight and even though I've been doing it most of the 10 years since his stroke, I've grown accustomed to having Kelly here 4 days a week to do the difficult part of his care for me. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Gary slept in late since he had stayed up to watch Survivor and Criminal Minds the night before. By the time he finally got up and I got him showered it was nearly noon. We did not make plans to do anything special for Thanksgiving, so I took him to the casino for breakfast - his favorite meal since he loves his pancakes. We played a little, and just before we headed home, I stopped to take him to the family bathroom. We had nearly a ten minute wait as it was locked when we got there - and someone told me they thought a woman took her husband in who was in a wheelchair. I tried to be patient while waiting but also knew if they didn't get out of there soon, we would have an accident mess to clean up. After a casino employee asked me how long we had been waiting, she knocked on the door and said something to the person inside, and out came another employee with a sheepish grin on her face. It appeared she had locked herself in there on her break and was probably on her cell phone where she could have some privacy - that was until we came to use the bathroom! Very frustrating when people tie up those bathrooms that we so desperately need when Gary has to go. After we got home, he napped most of the afternoon and went to bed early. Most of Friday, Sat. and Sunday were sitting home doing nothing - me cooking and cleaning, him sleeping and our son who was off for the weekend, slept most of the time also. Boring weekend!!

I will be happy for Kelly's return today so I can get out again. I'm starting to feel like a caged wild animal. I have to drop off my Christmas cards at the post office, mail a package to my Mom with some Christmas cards in it for her to send if she wishes to do so, and some stamps for her. I didn't make out a lot of Christmas cards - less than 20 total, mostly to immediate family and a few close friends. And, since the majority of these people are on facebook, I didn't have to write any lengthy letters. Good thing as my carpal tunnel from playing computer games is getting worse with the cooler weather and arthritis setting in the hands. Most of my Christmas shopping was done online last week, so I'm waiting on packages to arrive, so I can individually wrap them, and box them to ship off to the kids in Colorado. Mom is getting a Walmart gift card again, as that seems to be the only thing she really can use to get whatever personal items she needs at her assisted living place. I'm looking for a new lift chair for Gary as his old one has a few good sized tears from hitting the wall with it, or running into it with the power chair, and it's always been a bit uncomfortable for him. He actually prefers my big leather recliner but it's much more difficult getting him in and out of it, since it's not a lift recliner. As for myself, I'm still in need of a vacation, and may just take one for myself after the first of the year - even if it's only a weekend trip nearby - it's still a much needed break!!

Sarah