And This Happened

I hope everyone had a good day yesterday.  It was good and a bit weird for us here.  We had the whole crew at the house, my side of the family and his side.  Of course Daddy showed up 2 hours early as usual.  Don't understand that but it's okay.  I was a bit on edge because the niece is back in town and that can usually spell trouble, and she did not let us down.  Sis and her family walked in WITHOUT the niece and someone asked where she was.  Well, Sis unloaded, very publicly and it was not pretty.  The niece has been in California since last fall in rehab, yet again, and seemed to be doing well.  She left about a month ago to go to West Virginia with "a guy", (Sis didn't even know his name).  Apparently she came back here because of a sick friend or something and was home.  Well, Sis said they kicked her out Saturday and she was on a bus as they spoke back to WV.  She stole $300 from Sis's purse, her Transfund card and the keys to their Camero and drove to QuikTrip to pull more money out and then USED again.  Oh Good Grief!  Sis said that was it she was done and doesn't care if she sees her again.  Oh my, I don't even know how I feel about it all.  I would be so torn because it's my kid but I can see how you have to do the tough love thing.  Would make me so sick inside but they still have a child at home, an impressionable child, a GOOD child.  He is awesome so I see it.  I have to say that Sis doesn't forgive well and if you get on her bad side, you are out!  It is heartbreaking.  But then, she turns around and comes up to me to show me her new fancy bauble.  She bought a new diamond ring, the second in the past 6 months and I was under the impression they were broke and she took permanent disability from work.  What gives.  Oh well, I will never EVER understand her.

Easter in it's entirety was nice and finally the sun came out for the kids to hunt eggs.  

Let's SPINNNNNNNNN

Gift Giving, Or Not

Here we are still snowed in and it looks to continue for several more days.  Yesterday was a very busy day and I didn't leave the house.  I painted, wrapped presents and finished my shopping, except for one gift card.  I just wait for the mail person to drop the rest in my mail basket.

Speaking of gift cards, I was in a bit of a quandary with what to do with my niece.  You see, after the Thanksgiving debacle of the missing money and soggy pills I am very reluctant to give her anything for Christmas.  Several years ago we all agreed that we would only buy for the kiddos and she is still considered one of the kiddos.  Well, I bought gift cards for my other niece and her hubby and then for the nephew but I just didn't want to give anything to the niece.  In fact, I didn't even want her at our Christmas brunch at Daddy's but The Hubby made me see differently.  First I must say my mother-in-law told us not to make a deal out of the missing money, to let the situation lie.  Then yesterday The Hubby, after voicing my concerns about Christmas morning, told me that since we have no proof (right) that the money was taken by the niece or her husband we can't exclude her.  He said the best approach is that when us ladies come in we should put our purses in the center of the room, in front of the television and keep an eagle eye on said niece.  Enjoy the food and Christmas morning with Daddy and be done with it.  That still leaves me thinking about the gift thing, but I have decided to get her a grocery store gift card.  So that is the one card I have to buy, very reluctantly.  

Such a sad situation for sure and I so hope she can make something of her life and better herself, but it's not looking good for her.  

Happy Thanksgiving, Not Really

It's over and all that's left is turkey pieces and sweet potatoes.  I may never want to eat again!  My stomach is so full I feel like I'm going to POP!  The day started with me up early to get the turkey out of the brine, rinsed, seasoned and tossed into the oven.  I was on my game yesterday and The Hubby said he didn't know what I did but I should do it again, as he carved.  It was the best turkey I've ever cooked.  

The morning was going well until I saw on Facebook that a friend of our lost his fight with cancer.  Mr. Charles Faudree lost his very long battle with cancer Thanksgiving morning.  He was a world renowned interior designer and one of the most fun loving free spirits you could ever know.  I was lucky enough to know him and love him.

He even was able to come to one of my birthday parties and shake a leg a few years ago.  I am very sad.  What a joy he was.

The day went on with family coming to visit and eat and I THOUGHT all was well.  Remember when I had written a bit on the trials and tribulations on my niece and her drug/stealing issues!  Well, she and her "new husband" were in attendance and I thought during most of the afternoon that he looked, well, a bit on the stoned side.  I probably was not too off.  Anyway, after most had left Afton was looking in her purse and found that it had been opened and one of her pill bottles disturbed, in fact some of the pills were even wet.  That spurred the mother-in-law to check her purse that was on my bed along with the niece's purse.  Lo and behold she had three $20 bills in her coin purse and they were gone.  I am very disappointed with my niece and her hubby.  How could they steal.  Bri caught her in the bedroom several times thinking she was in her own purse, never thinking she was rifling a purse not her own.  That girl and her husband are not allowed at my house anymore!!!!!  I sent a text to my sister, trying to not be accusatory but told her what had happened and to check her purse.  Her response, "I did not have any money." That was ALL!  Good grief, it is your child but she has wiped her hands free of that child for good as we all will now.  My girls are so mad that she took advantage of their MiMi they are blowing steam out the top of their heads.  

Happy Thanksgiving