Does it seem as though debit cards must be bad for the Salvation Army bell ringers??? You used to walk out of the store with change in your pocket….. Now I never have cash on hand. hmmmm.

Tonight is dinner at Fries and Peanuts with our best friends. At least I think we said Fries and Peanuts. Lately I find I can’t remember discussions the next day. I used to have a fabulous memory but not anymore. Even at work I’m constantly saying, “oh, I’ll have to check” and at home I’m constantly saying, “I don’t remember”. I guess this is either early onset Alzheimer’s or stress. I’m hoping just stress.

I wonder how Mom and Dad will seem to Judi. It’s been a couple of months since she saw them. Last Sunday I realized it had been two weeks since I’d been at their house because I had missed a Sunday being sick. I had seen them at our house in the meantime but that’s a different thing. Dad seemed even slower than ever. Is it that I just forget, or is there really a difference week to week? Hard to know. I start thinking they’ll be o.k. in their house for awhile longer and then I go over there and think ‘oh, there’s no way….”

This Sunday I am going to attempt to have the boys and Ernie go to church with my father and me. This will be sort of a little Christmas present for my father as I think he will be very pleased. I haven’t told him yet—it will be a surprise. I’ve been giving Ernie lectures about not getting giggly during mass and trying not to look like it’s killing him when you shake hands with people and say ‘peace be with you’. Oh, and not smirking. That’s going to be a challenge for him. He’s a born smirker. I think Owen will be fine. Then there’s Leo. Nobody can look sullen and painfully bored like my Leo….and mind you, we sit in the front row smack dab in front of the priest. Should be interesting…..wish us luck…..