we broke my dad

My dad has been here for the past week helping us take care of the kids and unpack.

Until he developed a hernia.

And had emergency surgery that same day.

Which I think means he’s not going to help me move these boxes to the attic.

“I’m just trying to give you material for your blog,” he stated proudly.

“Dad, the whole parental injury thing is so done. First, my mom got hit by a car. Then you broke your rib. I appreciate the thought, but my readers are over it. I need something fresher. Do you have anything else?”

Like maybe he could join some kind of senior gardening cult.

Or steal some of the nude performance artists from the Marina Abramović exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art.

Or take his toupee off like my father-in-law. Except my dad is sort of already bald and toupee-less.

My dad is mulling over my suggestions. And in case you think it’s mean to make fun of a man right after emergency hernia surgery, I took this picture the day after and he looks pretty good.

Since Rick and I are sick of “unpacking,” we decided to mix it up a bit and do some “packing” instead. Then we headed to a family Bar Mitzvah over the weekend. It was held at a camp which was very fun except that I felt like a zoo animal. Because it was hot, dusty and everyone kept staring at me.

One relative persistently kept trying to rub bellies with me and I just as persistently kept saying no.  Do you hippos have to endure such things? (Note: I don’t mind when family or friends rub my belly but I draw the line at actually rubbing bellies with someone.)

My father-in-law thought it would be funny to add a little girth to his own mid-section and then pose for pictures….

And recently Summer had the same idea…

Meanwhile back at our camp Bar Mitzvah, another relative who will remain nameless (let’s just call him cousin Adam) said to me, “You look well done.”

Well done? Like a steak?

And then he immediately said, “Oh no. You’re not going to blog about this are you?”

I promised I wouldn’t.

But steaks can be unpredictable.

mama bird notes:

Contributing Mama Diane LeBleu, a cancer survivor, is pretty sure she has the longest mid-life crisis on record. Click on contributing mamas to read more.

The Mouthy Housewives are a year old! If only we had the baby soft skin to prove it. To celebrate our one year anniversary, we’re asking you questions this week. So pop on over and give us your best advice.