Don't even know what to call this entry. In this case, no news has been bad news and I just haven't been able to bring myself to write. It's not bad news about me, I'm fine. Jim's mother had been in the hospital for around 3 weeks. Twice they told us we might lose her. We finally did on Friday, August 14th around 6:30am. We and many friends spent all day Thursday with her. By then she was intubated and largley unresponsive except for an occassional hand squeeze and sudden moments of looking you straight in the eyes. The rest of Jim's brothers, sister-in-laws and kids took Dad home after he said, "Why are we all still here? I just want to go home." and left Jim and I there to deal with the fallout. Apparently there is some State Law forbidding the hospital to release the body to the mortuary until the family has spoken with someone about organ donation. Since Valerie died of some massive infection (started with staph in the right leg), no organs, tissue or bone marrow would have been viable (not that she or the family wanted this anyway). After 4 hours and dozens of phone calls made by at least 4 people, we finally got the release and were able to leave the hospital after Valerie's body was safely in the mortuary truck. We then joined the family at the parent's house along with very close friends. The grandkids had been graciously taken off with a sister-in-laws brother and wife. After we had all had time to start processing what had happened, it was time to bring the grandkids back and break the news to them. The boy, Conner was taken off to another room with his mom and dad. The 2 girls, Jacqueline and Nichole were taken off to the backyard with their parents. A few minutes later the 2 girls came into the kitchen sobbing, Jac moreso than Nic. We hugged both of them and Jim held Jac while they both sobbed. That was the first time Jim had really broken down all day. We found ourselves randomly breaking down whenever we were alone in another room. This was so unexpected that everyone was still in shock. Since then they have all seemed to go into planning mode for Valerie's memorial service. The girls and their parents stayed with Dad all weekend and are due to go home today. There are pictures strewn all over the house right now. I hope they put them away before they leave. Leaving Dad in the house alone with those all around him might be too much for him right now. He and Valerie celebrated their 50th anniversay last year and they had lived in that house together since 1974. So, we are all still adjusting and trying to support each other in our grief. You know how boys are with their mommies - Jim is 10 times that with Valerie.

Jac and her dad, David have decided that their bunny Rocky needed a better home. Rocky lives in a hutch outside. He gets taken out often, but he can't run around in the backyard because it's not bunny proof and they have coyotes. Rocky and Blue met in Grandpa's backyard and seemed ok with each other. Both were playing hard to get at the same time. We figured this was a good sign and took Rocky home last night. Once in Blue's house, Blue started to get weird. My house, my kitchen, my yard. By morning she had him cowering in the corner. I was hoping he would not be a door mat for life. Now that they are outside, Rocky is trying to make babies with the wrong end of Blue and she is running away. He is starting to take control and get the upper hand. Thursday we will get him examined, hopefully deflea'd and set up an appointment to get him neutered. This will not keep him from getting the upper hand, but will assist in trying to get him litter box trained more quickly. He left little presents on the floor for us all night.

Needless to say, I stayed home from the Ale in Santa Cruz this weekend to help take care of things and people (an apparently animals, too). That gave me the opportunity to attend a small party with people I went to elementary and jr. high school with. Much needed fun time. As each person walked through the door, everyone recognized him or her. We all basically look the same, only older, bigger and with less hair. We all decided that we needed to do this more often and made a list of people we need to find. Facebook has been great for getting us all in touch with one another. Otherwise, I can't stand it. I have been ignoring all of the application requests as I do not have time for such things.