Digest

Blogger's been a bitch the past coupld of days. I guess that's what you can expect from a free service, or any service for that matter.

Wow, where do I begin with the events of the past few days? And really, there's not all that much, it just feels like a world of things going on... pressing down on me... crushing me. In reality, it's mostly good and not that big of a deal. It's just weird how the cosmo tends to leave you in a state of stasis for so long, only to throw everything at you at once.

The Memphis scenario: We're going again. I know, I feel like the boy who cried wolf or something. But we're going, for sure, tickets purchased. It's going to be a weird trip, though. After my Friday rant, I spent two days fuming, and just otherwise getting over the fact that my Mom was being so damn petty and cheap. And I know that a big part of the underlying reason has to do with my husband. You see, we are a southern family. And you see, my husband is not exactly a fair-skinned southern gentleman, although he is from a place even further south than we are. So I get the impression that he's somewhat of an embarrassment to the family. It's never been said in so many words, but it's just the vibe I pick up. If I were coming alone, the ticket would have been bought a long time ago. It's the fact that Wil was coming, too, that made it a problem.

So, I got over the whole Mom issue. I've just come to accept in my life that she's a control freak who operates via guilt trip. But this time, she didn't win, and I know she's fuming.

My Dad sprung for the tickets. They are bought and sitting here on my desk. My trip is a couple of days shorter than originally planned, but that'll give Wil and I a few days at home to enjoy each other's company alone before going back to the old grind. Or maybe we'll do something crazy like take off to the keys for a couple of nights. Wouldn't that be fun?

Anyway. Since dad bought, it seems only right that I adjust my loyalties to lean more toward his side of the family, right? So, for the first time in my life, I'll be spending my trip in a hotel rather than at my mother's house. But you know, I don't feel bad about it. I think it'll make everything a lot easier. And I plan on spending more time with my grandparents than I usually do. Every time I've ever gone home for a visit I've always felt obligated to spend the majority of my time with my mom. I mean, she's MOM right? BUt I don't feel that way anymore. It's scarily liberating to sort of cut this tie, and I have to thank her for it, because, throughout all these years I've always just let her win the battles, figuring they're not worth fighting. But now she made it easy for me, and I feel like a bigger person for it.

Ok, on to the next item on my list...

Christmas shopping:

I've pretty much gat the kids taken care of, and I spent a whole lot less than I ever imagined for three kids. Yeah, there's a few more things I'd like to get J-man, but I can probably do that for less than $100, and with all the stuff I've already bought, I'm only out about $60. Wahoo, Christmas on the cheap! But I still managed to get them all things that I think they'll enjoy.

Now on to the adults. They're always more difficult than the kids. Why is that? I always thought Christmas gifts were more for the children anyway.

So I've got to buy for my dad and step-mom, my sisters and brother, my mom, I suppose, and if we still have something left, something for the grandparents. Oh yeah, and something for Wil.

My dad and step-mom are avid cooks, and I know that on Thanksgiving they were complaining that they didn't have a properly operating digital meat thermometer. If I can find one cool enough, that would make a perfect gift for them, and not too budget busting. Wouldn't it be nice if they made one that had a remote pager thing that paged you when the meat had reached it's perfect temp? Heh, I might have something there. See, I could get rich! :)

I want to get my oldest sister something girlie this year. Working in construction, she always seems to get tools and stuff, which are cool, but I want her to know that I still recognize her as the beautiful woman she is.

My little sis... well, since she reads this, I guess I can't even drop any hints, but I know that there are lots of things she's in need of, and will be in need of very soon. We'll see.

My brother is the one I'm struggling with. I know his style and taste, but anything he might want, he probably already has. And his wife is getting a gift card to her favorite yarn store. She's a huge knitting enthusiast, so I know it's a gift she'll appreciate, and she won't have to worry about lugging something big and bulky home from Tennessee.

So that's christmas shopping.

Today:

I've got the tile guys here finishing off my bathroom. I can't wait to see the final result. And they were kind enough not to smack me upside the head for the mess I created in there. They were even kind enough to tell me that I didn't do a bad job on the part I had started. I think they were just being kind. And since they're friends of my parents, they're giving me a great price for all the work they're doing. Good guys. They're probably going to do my stucco work once we're refinanced, as well. Yay! Progress!

My new furniture is supposed to be delivered today, too. So I've got my day cut out for me. I can't wait for my furniture to get here. It's like early Christmas at my house! We've waited so long for this. We've never owned a single piece of furniture that wasn't a hand-me-down. It feels so good to have something new. And we got it for quite a bargain. Less than a thousand dollars for a sofa, loveseat and chair. Sweet.

Jonas is at Abuela's today, so that he's not trying to help with the tile, and I'm sitting here, in my very empty livingroom, just hanging out and trying to find something to do.

So yes, there's a lot going on, but for once in my life, I feel somewhat ahead of the game.