I've mellowed this week. I decided that my Dad's snub was less of a snub at me and more of a catering to her thing. He seems to need to watch over my sister and care for her because he views her as frail. Oh well -- I am not going to let it get me down anymore.

My deck was taken down last week, the patio is poured and we will be able to use the back yard again on Saturday. What a relief. I am not motivated because the dog situation is such a pain. I need to get my back yard usable so the kids can play outside so I can clean inside!

My sister is watching my kids again this summer. I don't know if we will make it through this. She is driving me nuts. She stepped in dog poo this week (the pug pooped in the upstairs hall). My sister stepped in it and tracked it down the carpeted steps. She cleaned her shoe when my son pointed it out -- but did she clean up the poo she tracked all the way down the stairs? No. I'm still too mad to talk to her about it. What kind of person does that and LEAVES IT? WTF?

I need to discuss this with her but I'm too aggravated. She is not making it easy -- sniping at me on top of everything is testing my patience. I pray for the strength to not be alienated by her actions. It is hard.