The ties that bind.. and gag

Family... You have to love them. I mean HAVE to. I just don't like them too much.

Mom called and invited me to her house to quote "get drunk". I begged off. In fact I told her I quit drinking. Considering how rarely I drink now I don't really see that as a lie. One of my aunts, her boyfriend, and a friend of my (now deceased) brother are sitting around w/ mom and her hubby getting trashed. I give it 5 to 1 odds that it's gonna end up either : 1. a huge fight or 2. a sob-fest.

Mom thinks I need to socialize more. *eye roll* She doesn't seem to understand that what she considers social I consider drug and alcohol abuse. C'est la vie.

Tomorrow my son and I will go to grandma's for dinner. That presents it's own set of challenges. Mom's family comes in 2 classes. Drunken.. or rabidly religious. We are having dinner with people that are just a few degrees away from dancing with rattlesnakes. It's going to be.. uh.. interesting.

This will be the first Christmas without grandpa. For that reason alone I'd go to grandma's for dinner. The fact that my brother also died 2 months ago .. well I think a family get together is needed (if a bit foolhardy).

In other news:

All this freaking stress is killing me. I have more blackheads than an Usher concert. Gak. MUST use mud mask before dinner.

All the gifts are laid out. Santa has been here tonight. Tomorrow the loot.. bring on the loot!! Or so my 7 yr old son sees it.

Our landlord/adopted grandparent/friend had a small stroke a few days ago. He is out of the hospital today, so my son is over there taking care of him. I have a good kid. Really .. I do.

I hope you all have a great holiday.. happiness, love, and a banking error in your favor.

I love you Les. G'night all.