cellboy

1. I am back tonight, for I decided to leave my sister's home early, since I have to work tomorrow (our corporate office is closed tomorrow. But not us. Not fair, but oh well)

2. The drive up yesterday, Saturday, was not bad at all. Traffic did back up for about 30 minutes, due to an accident (a Scion was crunched up like an accordion, on the side of the freeway near Vacaville. Those poor people! I hope no one was too terribly hurt or killed. What a terrible holiday weekend for them! Those small cars, especially Smart Cars give me the creeps. Easy prey for a large truck)

3. That evening, my sister had two of their favorite sets of friends come over for a couple of hours for some cocktails. It was good seeing them, and some of their children (who are now grown up, and married. Now I feel really old!).

4. My younger nephew and his new wife also arrived. After the guests left, we all had wonderful BBQ Rib Eye steaks for dinner. Plus yummy desserts! My brother-in-law is the best when it comes to BBQ's. And my sister is a fabulous at cooking and entertaining.

5. After, we lounged in the family room. My nephew and I helped my brother-in-law haul out the heavy Panasonic TV out of the cabinet, and fill the empty space with his new flat screen TV.

6. Today, I helped my brother-in-law wire the TV to the VCR, amplifier, etc. Being that he is on the onset of Parkinson's it was a bit difficult for him to do some of the lifting, and wiring of the equipment. The new TV is great! I really need to crack down and get rid of my heavy Sony Trinitron and get a flat screen TV soon. That can be one of my goals for next year. Get a new TV!

7. Since my other nephew and his wife and two kids had to spend yesterday and today with his wife's family (parents, and step parents), the real celebration with the whole family (except me) will be tomorrow.

8. So today, it was just me, my sister, and her husband doing the gift giving thing between us.

9. I had a nice time. We reminisced about Christmas when young. Good times with our parents, living in Canada, the snow, the cold, the horses and sleighs going down the streets. And how we still miss Mom (who died a few years ago), who just loved to entertain at Christmas time. She really was the hub, the center, of the family. My sister asked me if I was happy and all. I said yes. I really did not want to get into details and make today a bummer. I am happy, but these holiday's tend to be a bit melancholy for me lately. In the past, I have celebrated these times with boyfriends and partners. And included these men in my life with my family, who in spite of my parents not really being thrilled with my lifestyle, accepted them into their homes, and their lives. In turn, got to know, like, accept, and love them, them as a member of our family (I guess my parents were adult enough to respect me no matter what).

10. I miss all of that. Hopefully, that will happen in my life again. I still feel so blessed, to have what I have, and have had, when it comes to life's experiences, family, friends, and partners.

11. I wouldn't trade my life with anyone. I'm content ( I sound like a 90 yr old reminiscing! LOL)

12. Anyway, Merry Christmas!