I think I'd rather pick my nose, since I can't pick my family ~

So my cosmic twin over @ Escape Into My thoughts, did a Christmas post, well because as she put it, " she had to !!". She told of her loot. Her excitement. The excitement of her girls upon getting their Nintendo DS. Then sent a shout out for the loot of everyone else.

I have been going back and forth, since Christmas about whether or not to post about it. I'm trying to blog without sounding angry, sad and disappointed. I'm trying to let it go. It was what it was. I had no control over it. But every time I think about it I get angry all over. So there really is no way around it. I will try and be gentle.

Christmas caught me of guard. Well actually the weather caught me off guard. I was housebound for a little over week. Let me just say being housebound makes it a tad difficult to purchase gifts. Oh sure, there's the internet. Which I did end up doing for a majority of my gift buying ( my son, mother in-law ). Before the storm hit I made it to the craft store to purchase glass ornaments, paint and ribbon for my side of the family. The side that decided this year to draw names (which I think is AWESOME when your family is rather large). This side also (and with many a discussion and turns on the teeter totter) decided that ornaments were to be either purchased or made for the person whom you drew. Something very special and specific for them. I can handle that. I love to craft. I was to make one for my Aunt. My hubby got my grandmother. Our son got my cousin ( his 2nd cousin). Which meant that I had 3 ornaments to design and paint. My grandmother was the easiest. She loves purple, in any shade. I hand painted flowers on one. The other was like the night sky with stars. They turned out great.

Being that my Aunt and cousin were celebrating their first Christmas as Grandma and Daddy (respectively), I purchased paint in the colors of the baby's nursery. I sat at the table for hours and days painting. Designing. Perfecting. Writing a specific little 4 - 5 line poem marking this wonderful even for them. Again, I love doing this stuff and get lost for hours on end. I really enjoyed it

Come Tuesday evening it was discussed that Christmas Eve at my mothers would be cancelled due to the weather. Yes, it would be weird. But safety first. Our lives are more important. We can do it another day. We were expecting another 4 - 6 inches in snow with freezing rain to top it off. Ok, it is what it is. I can deal. Was I disappointed ? Honestly, not really as I have always wanted to just chill at home without having to make apperances here and there.

I made potato soup. Homemade bread. We ate. Watched A Christmas Story and chilled. When it started to snow I called my mom to see if it was snowing there ( we live in different states about 25 - 30 miles from each other). It was. Then I heard it. The noise. The laughter. The voices. I asked her what was going on.

My Aunt, her hubby, my cousin and her hubby, and my cousin, his wife and the baby were all at my moms, having Christmas !!!!!

" Well," I say to my mother, " It would appear you got your Christmas after all. " She agreed. I couldn't get off the phone fast enough. I proceeded to make cookies. I proceeded to stew and boil, until I had to go for a run in the garage just to NOT think about the whole situation. I was and still am majorly ticked !!!!

Then I find out that, out of all of us, two of us were clear on the whole ornament exchange thing. You remember, the one that was to be specific for that person. Well, it seems the other 6 people just purchased ( more like one person) enough ornaments. Brought said ornaments and placed them in the center of the table and you picked. Almost White Elphant-ee, if you will. What the hell ?!?!? So that set me off again !! Yes, I know, I did a nice thing. Very thoughtful. I put a lot of time, effort and thought into what I did. That's what should matter. To that I say a big fat

WHAT-THE-EFF-EVER !!!!!

My mother has been a complete nightmare, with her snide remarks. My 1 cousin emailed me indicating that they missed us on Christmas Eve. To which I responded, that as far as I knew, Christmas Eve had gotten cancelled due to weather. That I received no phone call saying that it was still on. I think my mother hates me. Secretly, is jealous of me. Wants to send me into therapy with bi-polar attitude on life. Honest.

Oh yeah, my loot. Books, Snowman Christmas decoration (no, not an ornament), a Hobo wallet, chef calendar, Chef canisters, candle, Wall Flower, $$, Frog zipper pull, Paula Deen combo calendar/recipe book.

Next year ?!? There won't be a next year. If they want they can come to my house they can. Total relaxation. NO GIFT EXCHANGE DUE TO FLIP FLOP BRAINS. And believe me, I will put that on the invite.

Ggggrrrrrrrrr ~ I need to run now !!!! Hey, at least I'm up with my commitment !!!! So I can thank them all for that !!!