Today is my mother's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom! She called this morning at 6:00 to tell me that we were having school today - no more ice on the roads. I sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Each of her siblings except Uncle Steve who is in the psych unit of the VA hospital called to extend birthday wishes. For so many years it was she who called them and they never remembered her. I guess my dropping the rope finally got her family to acknowledge hers and Barry's existance. How sad.

It reminds me of these people I work with who act as if they can catch what the disabled child has. Did you know that autism is contagious? How about Down's Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy?

The real deal is that we exclude or ostracize people when they are different from us or have some unique thing that makes them stand out. I've been treated that way a time or two, haven't you? I know that I've judged people before I got to know them. I think it's human nature. But the way I look at it now is that people are people. Why not just let them be? Thanks, Depeche Mode.

I got my final evaluation from the principal today. I got the big thumbs up. I also got to run my ideas for next year by her while I had her ear. I figure it's time to go on the offensive.

I've got two pies and a present wrapped for Linda's bithday to take down tomorrow for the Al-Anon convention in Huntsville. I guess I need to find out if Jane is driving her car or truck to see how much I need to downsize. We leave tomorrow afternoon. Marian will be attending on Saturday with Mona. Yay! I'm glad that Marian is coming. I just love her! I'm not so sure about Mona though. I don't think she likes me at all. I don't look like her friends do- not thin enough. Nefertiti is supposed to be calling her sponsor to see if they might be able to come down on Saturday- I won't hold my breath. Ruby called tonight to see if I was going to a meeting at the Betterway House. I just told her the truth- I never intend to go back there if I can help it. While I was at it I told her of the convention, too. I think it will be a fun time.

The paradox isn't going. I wish he'd change his mind. But I figured he wouldn't go any way. Now I'm wondering if he isn't because his mother and sister are. Too bad. There's a twist to all the e-mail going through here. For some reason the insert address keeps slipping down to the wrong names and he's gotten e-mail meant for Linda a time or two. The first time I didn't think much of it but this time I took notice. Thankfully there wasn't anything embarrassing in it. Whew! Gotta be more careful.