It's Christmas Eve! It's official. Family craziness has just begun. Mom can't be in the same room with Dad, although I still live with MY ex (it's days now, before he moves to his apartment downstairs). Dad high-tailed it to my sister's house for Christmas day, and a few days after, to stay out of Mom's wrath. Oddly enough, at my sister's house, she will have her 3 kids come to visit (although the day AFTER christmas), She has her husband's son living with them, her mother-in-law will be visiting, her husband's other two kids will come by with their husbands or significant other, and her husband's ex will also spend the day there. I believe my brother, his wife, and his son (but not hers) will join that part of the family for the big day, too. At my house, I get the luck of having mom (never sure if this is good or not, the ornery bitch), my youngest sister, her dog, Bear, my kids, my ex, and any assorted friend who cares to drop in. Carrie will head over to her traditional location at another friend's house.
Let's see. At my sister's ex's house, there is his current wife (#3). I think the police haven't been called to their house yet this year for domestic problems. ,their two very spoiled children, and I think they may bundle up to visit his mom (the mother of NINE kids!), or his dad (who lives half time in London....divorced because he just didn't want to be a father any longer, and now has two more kids with his newer, younger wife). Noteably, the son who is up from UCSB is choosing to stay with his brother (newly engaged) rather than at his dad's house, because he gets to babysit the two brats.
My older sister's middle child will be home for Christmas. We are hoping this will be the first of many. After the holidays he finishes up training (he is a Ranger) at Ft Knox and then heads out to Afghanistan. I know it will be a very emotional holiday for his family. Thankfully, he just returned from visiting his girlfriend in Kenya, where she is serving in the Peace Corps (her blog: http://jennynakata.blogspot.com/). The youngest of my older sister's 3 kids will be coming down with his oldest brother, with whom he is staying, to hang a day or two with the SoCal gang.
Bottom line: my family is my family. We all love each other, although some are easier to love than others. We, for the most part, keep good relationships with our ex's, and continue to enjoy the relationships in crazy, extended family.
Oh, I forgot, my Dad's girlfriend is feeling well enough after her surgery on her left hand (she fell, broke the wrist and now has nerve problems) and her illness that she will travel to visit with HER mother, who is 103 years old, and her two siblings, who refuse to be in the room at the same time. *sigh* What is with these people? You suck it up because you are FAMILY, and you need to get along in some semblance of normality. Now Dad's girlfriend still keeps in touch with her ex.. I think that is a good thing.
My last ex, he's not bothered to respond to the last few messages left for him. No comment. He's deleted from my contact list. I don't need someone who won't treat me like family, including its feuds and bad table manners.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
scam or not?
I've not been so prolific lately. Just been dealing with life and all it has to offer.
Two things on my mind lately and neither are Earth shattering. The first is the work ornament exchange I am hosting this week. It's a fun party and one I don't spend too much time worrying about. It's a pot-luck, so no major cooking for me and all I have to do is have a clean (enough) house and toilet paper in the bathroom. The lights are up, the tree is up, and there will be a bit of furniture rearranging to make things work. The thing I am trying not to worry about is that (apparently) people at work have been worried that hosting this party is too much for me. Yes, I recently finished school, and yes, mom takes some time with her health, and yes, my son was recently hospitalized, but everything is pretty settled now and the party isn't that big a deal. At first I was bothered that I had gotten a phone call from someone asking if I was still up to hosting and that she would host if I needed her too. The call bothered me overnight, but then I realized that making those types of phone calls are hard, and it really is just a show of concern and compassion. I guess I should be thrilled that I have co-workers who feel that concern for me, but it still somehow felt like a vote of no-confidence.
The second thing that is on my mind is Scott. He's a homeless man who is trying to get off the streets. I met with him at my front door last month and we talked for a bit. He and some of his homeless buddies are trying to raise funds to have a permanent address. They believe it will take $5,000 to be able to do that, and have raised and saved over $3,000 towards their goal. He asked if I could help out, and would even accept change from a change bowl I had laying about. I collected my change and some bills from my wallet and sent him on his way, after also giving him some juice to drink.
This morning Scott was at my door when I returned from dropping off one son at school. He was happy that he found a job, but needed help for transportation until he got his first paycheck. He promises to pay me back the $25 he's asking for. I didn't have cash at home, so I drove him to my bank and got him some cash, then drove him to the BART station. Maybe I am a fool for giving him cash. My gut, though, tells me he is speaking from the heart. I do not want to be the heartless person who has no compassion for someone in need, but I also don't want to be the chump who gets taken advantage of. This time I gave Scott a few grapefruits, which he says he loves. I guess part of me is reflecting on my friend, TD, who is homeless in Salt Lake City. I'd like to think that someone is giving him a break now and again.
Happy Holidays, whichever holiday you celebrate.
Two things on my mind lately and neither are Earth shattering. The first is the work ornament exchange I am hosting this week. It's a fun party and one I don't spend too much time worrying about. It's a pot-luck, so no major cooking for me and all I have to do is have a clean (enough) house and toilet paper in the bathroom. The lights are up, the tree is up, and there will be a bit of furniture rearranging to make things work. The thing I am trying not to worry about is that (apparently) people at work have been worried that hosting this party is too much for me. Yes, I recently finished school, and yes, mom takes some time with her health, and yes, my son was recently hospitalized, but everything is pretty settled now and the party isn't that big a deal. At first I was bothered that I had gotten a phone call from someone asking if I was still up to hosting and that she would host if I needed her too. The call bothered me overnight, but then I realized that making those types of phone calls are hard, and it really is just a show of concern and compassion. I guess I should be thrilled that I have co-workers who feel that concern for me, but it still somehow felt like a vote of no-confidence.
The second thing that is on my mind is Scott. He's a homeless man who is trying to get off the streets. I met with him at my front door last month and we talked for a bit. He and some of his homeless buddies are trying to raise funds to have a permanent address. They believe it will take $5,000 to be able to do that, and have raised and saved over $3,000 towards their goal. He asked if I could help out, and would even accept change from a change bowl I had laying about. I collected my change and some bills from my wallet and sent him on his way, after also giving him some juice to drink.
This morning Scott was at my door when I returned from dropping off one son at school. He was happy that he found a job, but needed help for transportation until he got his first paycheck. He promises to pay me back the $25 he's asking for. I didn't have cash at home, so I drove him to my bank and got him some cash, then drove him to the BART station. Maybe I am a fool for giving him cash. My gut, though, tells me he is speaking from the heart. I do not want to be the heartless person who has no compassion for someone in need, but I also don't want to be the chump who gets taken advantage of. This time I gave Scott a few grapefruits, which he says he loves. I guess part of me is reflecting on my friend, TD, who is homeless in Salt Lake City. I'd like to think that someone is giving him a break now and again.
Happy Holidays, whichever holiday you celebrate.
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