Well, not really. But Kyle and I didn't send out cards this year.
So, to sum up...
Kyle and I did our presents on Christmas Eve and then spent the next day at his parents. It was quiet and lovely. That would be the last of that for a week.
On the 26th, I left for Chicago with my Aunt. We drove, which wasn't bad. I prefer to drive. We headed back home on Friday the 2nd and arrived back in Austin on Saturday.
Long version?
I loved Chicago. There were street names that sparked vague memories. Soldier Field looks confused with its old dignified columns competing against the new, round, glass and steel. Really, there was nothing else to do with it that would have pleased anyone from Chicago. The Art Institute had the photography of Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) on display. The Museum of Science and Industry had the Christmas trees from around the world display. I soaked up everything I could and left wanting more. Just like Chinese food.
I enjoyed seeing most of my relatives. Well, all but one. My Aunt's oldest son is a complete ass. His name is Mike (Michael) and he reaffirmed my idea that there isn't a Michael in the world I can get along with. After restraining myself like a good girl all day at the Art Institute, I finally lost it after dinner that night. He just seemed to completely blow out of proportion something my Aunt said. While I understand there may be issues there that I'm not aware of, that doesn't excuse his behavior. I don't like the way he yelled at her and his wife, red in the face, shaking his finger. I got up and told him the conversation was over and that he couldn't talk to people like that and left. Mild, for me, I know. But I had already figured out that the best way to punish some one like him is to deprive him of his audience. It worked. Man, was he pissed. Heh.
All of the other relatives were so wonderful and welcoming. My Aunt Tina and her family were fun to be with even though Tina wasn't feeling well. Her kids are smart, which makes them a bit of a handful. But if you keep them busy, they behave quite well. Eric, Michael's brother, just had a new baby with his girlfriend and they were amazingly hospitable for two people low on sleep. Eric has a serious talent for drawing floor plans and works in construction. He wants to be a contractor, but I wish he'd check out architectural school. He's my age and we've always gotten along swimmingly.
It was amusing to see that no one was surprised by the fact that I haven't spoken to my mother in about four years. I think most of the reason I haven't seen any of these people in years is due to her horrid personality.
So, I'm glad I went. I'd go back, but I would want Kyle with me and more time to explore the city and the museums.
What have you guys been up to? Cha'Sae, is Christmas different for you now? I can't remember hardly anything about your church. Hows about a description?
Deb? Did you get to spoil the kids? What about your parents, did they spoil 'em, too?
Oh, and Happy New Year!
Oh don't even get me started on the cards....we MEANT to send out Christmas cards this year. We GOT OUR PICTURES TAKEN. That is in big letters so you can immediately understand the gravity of that statement...just imagine getting pictures done with four wiggly kids. Now, imagine that as a present for my mother, we threw in my sister's kids as well. Yes, there were seven kids in one picture! Then we got one taken (for my mom again) of me, Jaki, Scott & Jason. Also a family picture for each family.
They turned out so incredibly poorly done I can't even tell you. It was this little local place that did the boys' soccer pictures, and they had decent prices for portraits so I decided to give them a try. I should scan the proofs so you can see what a shitty job they did. The woman literally just told us to get in front of the camera while she pointed it. She did absolutely no posing whatsoever. In the kids' picture, Hannah's (Jaki's baby) hair is in Bianca's face. In the adults pic, Jaki looks like she's about 3 feet tall and the bottom of the picture cuts off right under her chin. Her family picture just looks like they're relaxing on the couch together (duh, we can do THAT ourselves!) and our family picture came out with black spots on Fighter & Macha. They were on the negative, so they said "Well you can pick another picture." Uh, no, because this is the only one that turned out! OH, and the one of all the kids wasn't even focused right; the back row is blurry!!
We made due and got my mom her pictures but that's when we discovered what shitty pictures they were and I refused to pay them any more than I had to to get my mom's presents (it was two days before Christmas at this point-we had to wait so long because getting 11 people together for pictures is nearly impossible!) So now we *still* have no family picture to send out with cards. Growl.
So there's my big rant. Now I can talk about you heehe. You went to Chicago! That is so cool! I'm not surprised to hear that your family treated you well...sounds almost like you "joined the club" when you quit speaking to your mom. Hey, speaking of "michael's," someone ordered a pizza the other day and the name on it was "sicaro," and considering how well most of the people at my work spell, I was a little worried. Never saw the guy though. I decided if I was there when he came in, I was going to pretend I didn't know him no matter what he said. LMAO. Ahh..anyway. :P Can you tell I'm half asleep? Oh, I delivered to a "Fox" one night, too-some older guy. It's funny working around so many last names, brings back a lot of memories!
Cha'sae, I was thinking of you guys on Christmas and wondering what you were up to. I wondered if things would be any different for you this year (aside from the fact that you've got a new family member of course!) And we got your card *big grin*. The kids look wonderful, Skylor is SO handsome, Nika looks JUST LIKE YOU, so beautiful!
The kids did get spoiled; Scott's mom sent us some money for Christmas. I won't be tacky & say how much but let's just say when I saw the check I couldn't breathe for a minute. That really helped out. Oh and my parents got me tickets to see Metallica! I'm so excited. The concert's not until March though. :) I can't wait!
Scott's birthday was yesterday. I'm married to a 37 year old. We got to talking at work the other day and I had a horrible shock...one of the guys I work with has parents who are *younger* than my husband. This guy is 16! I was like, holy shit, Scott is old enough to have a 16 year old! And then I realized, technically, so am I. Turning 30 hasn't been scaring me, but somehow being old enough to have a 16 year old is scary LOL.
So what's everyone been up to for this new year? I'm working hard on getting the kids on a schedule with their schoolwork and all. Thomas should be starting speech therapy soon, and having two of them going to speech is going to be rough on getting everything else done. Things are going better, we're getting into a groove. All 3 boys are doing so awesome on their reading; I am just thrilled with this curriculum. We are going to get them into some sort of activity with some of their Christmas money; Macha's going to take horseback riding lessons and the boys want either marksmanship, archery, or fencing, but they can never decide for sure. :)
Anyway, gotta go wake them up & get the day started. Loveyoumissyou!
Posted by: Debbie | January 14, 2004 at 09:02 AM