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December 27, 2003

So this is Christmas...

So... how was your holiday?

This year's holidays were their usual unusual self. There were was food, gifts, telephone harassment, and screaming matches on the front lawn that caused the neighborhood busybodies to peek out of the venetian blinds. Strangely no one went to the hospital... but then again, there's always New Year's.

On Monday night I hung out with James and had dinner with his parents. His mom was worried that there would be nothing that I could eat. So she proceeded to make and offer me every veggie in the house. I wasn't all that hungry, but I appreciated the effort. Afterwards I helped James finish wrapping his christmas presents and we watched 'Chicago' and 'Finding Nemo'. I wasn't really talkative, I just didn't feel like it.

On Christmas Eve, My mother and I headed over to my grandmother's (father's mother) house to help her get things ready for the big day. After a little shopping, where I bought more things for me than I bought for others, we headed to the house to cook.

That's where my diet finally died.

I had been doing so well on it until then. But there's only so long you can sit there and dip Bugles that have been filled with peanut butter into a chocolate candy coating before you eat one.

or two.

or twelve.

Seriously, my diet went out the window that night. I think I've gained 10lbs in the last few days. It doesn't help that I've made no effort to even try to think about maybe working out. I haven't walked, I haven't jogged, and my last crunch was from Nestle.

I had a steak and listened to April Winchell's most recent show. Mom and Dad gave Joey his presents. He was thrilled with everything, and I'm glad... even if he's a teenager. (Mom, if I acted like that as a teen, I'm having you nominated for sainthood.) As we were packing things up to leave, my grandmother handed me my present. Since all of her grandchildren are now older (the youngest, Joey, is 15), She's stared to give cash as presents at Christmas and on birthdays. She doesn't have to fight crowds and we get exactly what we want. Kind of a nice deal.

I thank her, tell her she didn't have to get me anything and that I'm sure it's my favorite color and size as I peak into the envelop. Seeing a single bill adorned with president Jackson. I don't want to appear greedy and I know she'd said she was broke because of the holiday bills, but frankly she usually gives us each at least 50 bucks. I realize that it's the thought that counts and give her a hug and thank her again as I slip the envelope into my bag.

We leave and mom asks how much I got. I tell her that I got twenty dollars and she accuses me of lying.

"Honest, Mom. Andrew Jackson was on the twenty dollar bill last time I checked."

"Be serious. Your grandmother gave you, your sister, Jason, and your Aunt Buffy each $50 and spent $50 on Joey when they went shopping. I saw what she gave Diana."

I open the envelope and show her the bill. She laughs.

"I guess she doesn't love you as much as the rest of them."

Thanks, mom.

Christmas day was mostly uneventful until Buffy's friend decided to call up repeatedly and either threaten our lives or hang up. To make matters worse, he was using Joey's cell phone to do it. After asking him to stop calling, pretending to be a wrong number (he fell for it twice. dumbass.), and then Diana screaming at him and calling him names that would make a sailor blush, he finally stopped calling. It was followed by Buffy and Diana getting in an arguement. Diana got mad, grabbed her purse and walked out the door, slamming it hard. As Tammy went after her, I couldn't help it.

In my best Tiny Tim impression I looked at everyone and said "God Bless us all. Every One."

The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful, though there were still minor outbreaks of arguing, during which I just headed to an empty bed and fell asleep until almost everyone left. As usual.

Shilo, Patrice, and I went to Concord Mills, where I wasn't allowed to go anywhere I wanted to, but went into every shoe store there was. I have a couple of questions though...