The beat goes on...

So much has happend in what seems to be so little time.

Bob's dad has pretty much settled into the nursing home. We've been out to visit him and it really does seem to be the best place of its kind we've seen. He is fairly addled -- Irene said he had trouble remembering her name the other day. We had suspected that might be the case, but he eventually came up with it. I think it about broke her heart, but her daughter Jean said that she would be joining a support group out there, so we're glad of that. We had dinner with her on Sunday, and she is doing as well as she could be, considering she is lonely and scared. So many problems...

My mom is really in many ways no better than she was during the spring. She still has much pain left over from the PHN. We've tried multiple medications, but nothing seems to really help consistently. She plugs along as well as she can, but it has taken an amazing toll. We try to keep her in good spirits, but she is really having difficulty.

In the meantime, our friends continue to prove to be the best chosen family we could have. We recently had to replace our beloved stove, a 42-year-old family heirloom and wonderful appliance. To say the least, the replacement was rocky. Our friends Rose and John came to our rescue on Monday night by (John) helping Bob to move a cabinet and install the hood/light. Rose provided dessert and company as the men worked away in the kitchen, complete with serious murmurs and power tools.

Also on the bright side, we decided to treat ourselves to new mountain bikes for our 50th birthdays. A mountain bike is something I never really thought I wanted, but Bob bought one and enjoyed it so much I thought I'd better try it. We're working on a little customizing, including replacing the knobby tires with more road-appropriate ones. I still need a rear rack and want to add those little handlebar extensions. I think I'm going to enjoy it, despite the necessity to steer, shift and brake on my own. Besides, it's yellow! We got them at REI, very good deals and half the price of the 2007 versions of the same thing.

Flamenco class has begun again, and in the category of same good/different bad, I must say that I was skeptical last week, but this week managed to actually lose myself in the music and I must say, did pretty well. The ibuprofen I must take when I get home is a small price to pay.