Well, since Peety is on vacation and so is everyone else and I have yet to get a computer at work I guess I will write an update this evening. First of all, mom is finally back home. I am very thankful and I know that it was ya'lls prayers that saved her. She had a small pulmonary embolism that went into her lungs. My sister said it was small and only a small part of her lungs will die. She will probably be on oxygen for a long time. It could've been large and could've killed her. It makes me sick to think about it. Basically my Christmas was mostly spent worrying about mom. We basically had Christmas on Monday when mom got back from the hospital. I am glad she is back. Anyways the past 3 days have felt like a lifetime. My sister arrived in Dallas on Saturday afternoon. She stayed the night at my place and we watched Twister and Gladiator on the big screen. That was when I learned she has seen maybe a handful of movies in the past ten years. Is that possible? Before I get into the family dynamics of my dysfunctional family let me give you a previous highlight - my brother-in-law and my father don't get along. My sister, Melinda, and my brother-in-law, Greg, don't care for my step-father. My step-brother and my brother-in-law have had issues in the past. I am timid and want everyone to be happy, even though I have unspoken issues with every member of my family. So it is like a time bomb whenever we get together. I was actually glad the explosion took place on Christmas day night and not when mom came home. I suppose I could bring up the argument, but let's say that I was not an active participant, even though before Christmas dinner me and my sister agreed to let my brother-in-law say something to my father, just for knowledge sake about an issue. So after the words were out and the threatening was over we ate a terrible dinner at the hotel near the "falls" and were on eggshells the rest of the night. My genetic family is like the classic repressed white America - if you have issues, deal with it yourself and pretend everything is roses. I have to laugh at it, cause if I didn't I'd probably be crazy. I wonder if my footed PJ's are here yet ;-) Anyways, Sunday was like a spirit of peace enveloped the house. It was as if we all knew how precious family was and no one wanted to argue anymore. I got to play with my 2 nephews and 2 nieces and I was Santa. We all got some good presents and just chatted most of the time. The weather was incredible and I walked around the neighborhood with Tommy, my cute 18 month old nephew. Everyone got along, everyone. I wondered what it was but something I noticed that has also never occurred in that house - the TV was never turned on. We had good turkey too that Melinda and Greg cooked. I had 2 legs and a wing. I love being the only guy who likes dark meat. I finished the evening by saying goodbye to my mom and tickling my nephew and nieces. Christmas started off a nightmare a week ago and ended up in peace. The way it should be. Ok, no, it was bad. I was lucky the last day was good. This does not equal my other Christmas of being sick all Christmas, but it was close. Maybe next year everyone can come to my house and we all can pretend everything is roses while my fire is roaring and my tree is twinkling - like originally planned.

Thought of the Day
"Those lights aren't twinkling Clark."
-- Christmas Vacation