Tension? Kinda.

First: Owen is trying to get a dog. An Irish setter. He wants a setter because he's been reading Jim Kjelgaard's Red series, which of course stars Irish setters.
Issues: He hasn't convinced Dad yet.
He has to earn the money.
Doug is worried that he's falling in love with something simply because of a book, which while perfectly acceptable in a seven-year-old is a bit much for a twelve-year-old.
While Mom and I think he has quite a good chance as long as he doesn't muff it, he is constantly falling into fits of pessimism as regards both his ability to raise enough money and his capacity for convincing Dad to let him get one.
I, while willing to support him until he either changes his mind or gets the dog, am getting sick of his paranoid dramas. If I say anything he doesn't like, he just goes, "Ha, I knew it. You actually don't want me to get a dog." I haven't lost it yet, but it is annoying. Little manipulator.


I think that about covers that.

Second: Dad is upset/tense about something.
Issues: No one knows what.
No one could do anything about it if they did.
Therefore no one is going to worry about it any more than they can help.

Third: Grandma Jane is in the hospital.
Issues: No one knows how strong she'll be after she heals.
No one knows whether she'll be strong enough to stay in her house.
No one knows what she's willing to do in the way of living with someone or similar.
Basically, no one knows what's going to happen, and we all have to live with that.


More generally, Mom once again is going to Colorado and hasn't yet decided who she's taking. I would adore to go again, whatever attendant circumstances, but only if Owen's staying home again. :\ As aforesaid, I have had enough--in only, what a week? Uh-oh. Anyway, wish me luck there. Actually, I'd like to stay there with Grandma Jane, keep her company and help where I can, but with her deteriorated condition I think what I can do isn't enough. I am finally putting some effort into learning to drive now, but if she can't drive at all I would have to be good enough to be driving, in the city, from the get-go. My present skill level? Practicing changing gears in an empty parking lot. I don't think we're there yet, sorry.