Juliann, I may have to eat my words now!!!! kARENS RIGHT,, SOMETIMES WHEN I KNOW ALL THE LITTLE MONSTERS ARE COMING i HAVE NO EXCUSE TO RETREAT TO MY BEDROOM, NO HEADACHE OR ANYTHING, BUT MOM MAY JUST BE NOT UP TO IT, BUT SHE WON'T SAY NO AS MOMS NEVER THINK OF THEMSELVES, And the age is now a factor, at 62 I don't always have the frame of mind I use to at the drop of a hat, its hard for me to understand that but its a fact that as we age our patience is tested, we have to acknowledge our age and be happy with just knowing we don't always have to perform as we did, especially if we aren't feeling well....since my husband was having so much going on over the summer and fall my children saw the strain it was putting on me and him,what they did was change things a little, have family gatherings but recommended other places for the gathering. Or change it to another date. I never thought I would say no to a family gathering but this summer I had to accept I wasn't up for it. THAT WAS HARD,,,once I did recognize it I was better, it took a load off. hope this helps, take care, I hope mom is better!! GINGER