I won Wizards!

Sorry its so long, but I skipped a day.

The past two days have certainly been eventful. My brother came home from Indiana with his fiancé Laura for the holidays. Last night I met up with them and my Mother for dinner, I was highly anticipating this night. Upon arriving after a slightly more difficult day than usual at work I forgot about the “hill-o-death” my Mom now lives on with her boyfriend Steve. Stewart struggled the whole way up, but he made it—I exit the car, and I slip and fall. Whatever excitement I had to see my brother was completely replaced with anger and hate for the snow, the winter, the ice, everything cold, and my now hurt hand. I burst in the door, “I need a white Russian, and make it tall! Oh and hey Jason” We had dinner, chatted about this and that, but mostly about Jason and Laura’s ten-month-away wedding. Of course there were awkward moments when the tension between my mother and I was noticeable, but we got through it.
Today, I got up early to head down to Rockland where my Grandparents from Florida are staying with my Aunt Robyn and Uncle Bill for the holidays. I don’t get to see them enough so I am taking advantage of them being so near. My Grandma and I had coffee and caught up a bit. This was actually a great conversation as it usually is with my Grandma. We have been through some tough times that only we can understand. The holidays can be a hard time on us, and even though she’s “all powerful Grandma” she needs someone to confide in also. I know I do a great deal of complaining and well…I guess I am overdramatic at times, it makes me feel better that I can give something back and help her too.

We went to the mall, and attempted shopping. My grandmother has trouble breathing so we took it slow. I got some new garb, and carried the bags for Grandma. Of course she needs to buy an eight piece set of glass bowls; I thought my hand was going to fall off for a while, but I zipped my lip. We went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and met up with her friends from Florida who were also visiting their family in Rockland. Her name is Judy, she’s from Minnesota and I couldn’t help but mimic her accent every time it was obvious. She’s a sweet lady, and seems to generally care for my grandmother and I. She asked me a million questions and I could feel my mind begin to worry 1) What did she think about my answers? 2) Was I making a good impression? 3) What the hell am I going to do when I graduate (she asked) Judy and her two daughters generally seemed interested in my artwork, and schooling. It’s always nice to discuss my passion, but I know I have to tell myself to shut up after about five minutes.

I spent the afternoon wrapping presents and torturing my little cousins. We went out to dinner at the local diner that we’ve been going to since as long as I can remember. The owner and the waiters pretend to care about, or miss us. I find it funny, and pleasant; it’s like we are celebrities. We came home, and I made everyone cappuccinos for another intense game of Wizards! Um, well…I don’t want to brag…but I kicked their asses! I totally one! By a landslide! It felt good. What a great note to end on, J. Flagg is a winner—for today anyways.