A Break from Tradition ...

[mrdreamjeans]

My sarcasm about Thanksgiving in yesterday's post was unjustified. After a rocky morning, the rest of the holiday turned out just fine. My sister recognized how stressful things have been for me recently and had a bedroom available to me ... no couch this time around. I stayed with Mom here at my sister's house in Austin while the rest of the family had dinner at my nephew's group home. The two caregivers and the boys in the house made dinner for their loved ones. Colleen brought me leftovers from the meal which suited me just fine ... turkey, salad, steamed veggies and sugar-free blueberry cheesecake. Yum!

The highlight of the evening was meeting my niece's new boyfriend. She's 22 and he's 39, a varsity football coach where she's a first year teacher. We had a lot of trepidation about Cait dating someone so much older ... and someone with whom she works ... but we like him. I laughed for ten minutes after my brother-in-law greeted Cait's beau with a cocked shotgun. The look on the guy's face was priceless:)

Today has been low-key. We're celebrating my parents' 55th anniversary. Dad bought Mom a dozen red roses and put her wedding ring back on her finger. It was a sweet moment. Colleen's fixing a nice dinner to finish out the day of honoring our folks. We've also watched football all day:) My team, Texas A&M beat the University of Texas on their home field in Austin by the score of 12-7. It is the first time A&M has won in Austin since 1994 and they've only won here 9 times in 80 years. It's a big to deal to Aggies, though I know most of my friends will let out a big yawn if they read this far:)

The house has been quiet, a rare occurrence when we visit Pflugerville, but it suits my mood perfectly. Everyone has behaved themselves ... no arguments ... This holiday break has certainly been a break from tradition.

Comments

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

I'm glad your day turned out okay after all. I wish I could find a quiet corner where we could hide away for a moment to talk and maybe be a little bit supportive of one another. All hell has broken out here. I don't even know if it's possible to pick up the pieces. If I did not have Charlie beside me now, I don't know if I could survive. There is small chance things will improve.

Of yes, just for the record my beloved son-in-law is 17 years older than my daughter. They celebrate their 12th anniversary in January.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that things are so tough there right now. As you've counseled me, remember that you are doing things for the right reasons and out of the kindness of your heart. I have had a couple of good weeks with Dad, but yesterday was hellish ... and the behavior out of the blue. He made a scene in a restaurant because we wouldn't let him order lemonade or pie .. then last night I reminded him about his cell phone and it went right to him cocking his fist, his face in a mask of hate ... I put my hands at my side and said, "Ok, Dad, take your best shot. Go ahead, hit me." He didn't ... however, it just reminded me I have to take steps to change the situation. As soon as Mom can do things again, I'm outta there. I hope and pray that Charlie and you will make the decision that will protect you, your home, your happiness and your health. Hugs ... my friend..

[cimarrondfw.livejournal.com]

I really appreciated the time we spent chatting on the phone. I hope both of our situations improve considerably soon. I know ours will. In spite of all the backbiting, the good part is she is gone.

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Yay! Hugs from Somerville, Mass.!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday! Our circle of friendships certainly enrich our lives, don't ya think? :)Big HUGS!

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Yes, they certainly do, over and over! xoxo!

[apparentparadox]

I know one guy who would greet his daughter's new date with the statement: I'm not afraid to go back to prison.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

LOL!! That is priceless! I'm going to have to share that with my brother-in-law:)

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

About 10 years back my sister (who'd gotten divorced* a couple of years before) brought her boyfriend down to my brother & sister in law's farm to "pass the sniff test". I remember how, after an evening of talk & she & Carl retired to their trailer, my brother & I looked at each other with horror writ across our faces when we realized that our baby older sister was bedding down with someone she wasn't married to.

This was followed by our mutual realizations that neither one of us were ones to talk.

__________
*You can tell that you've listened to just the right amount of country western songs when the only way you can spell "divorce" is think of Loretta Lynn song...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Everyone was counseling Cait that 17 years difference was too much. I started to chime in, then remembered that I am 19 years older than Tim and certainly have no room to talk:)

[bearhedded.livejournal.com]

My parents were 17 years apart in age. When my friend, Jo Anne was about to get married to a man 17 years HER senior, Mum nearly tried to dissuade her! Never knew the reason...and I think they're coming up on their 30th anniversary...and Steve's nearly 70! Oi!

Glad the day mellowed out.....I watched a kitchen full of control-freaks make gravy!!!!!!

And they did it WRONG!!!!!!!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Nothing controlling about that final remark! LOL! My only concern for my niece is that the guy is good to her. My first response was to say that anyone who is 39 and never been married is either Gay or damaged. Cait's guy comes triplets and comes across as late 20s. Maturity-wise they aren't that far apart in age. Bottom-line ... All I can do is be supportive of my niece ...

Safe journeys today as you negotiate snow, marathons and tech! HUGS!

Happy 55th Anniversary to your folks!

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

. Did you sing that Wynona Judd's song?

. You need to tell your brother-in-law to quit that redneck shit. I'da pulled out a grenade and pretend to demand his daughter's hand or else Ha!

Football: Should I cover my mouth? :-)

Re: Happy 55th Anniversary to your folks!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You hang around me and there's a football game to be watched:) Better to cover your eyes. LOL!

I'll pass along your good wishes to my folks.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You'd think I'd be one for crowds and group events, but I'm not. I like crowds who sit in an audience and pay money to watch a performance. As I get older, I like even less standing in lines , being in full movie theaters, being shoved about at sporting events, malls or crowded bars. Give me quiet, nice music and a special friend to celebrate with and I'm happy.

Hope you had a good holiday. I'm still at my sister's house. My niece, her boyfriend and my sister are decorating their Christmas tree, my folks are supervising and "Silver Bells" is playing in the background while I am writing to you.

Big HUGS!

[bearnight.livejournal.com]

"a cocked rifle" RFLOL The stereotype is TRUE! We "Northerners" are more civilized; we greeted my sister's boyfriend with a financial application.

I don't understand this "A&M" reference. Does it involve men in tight pants? Straight boys and their sports are so cute.

Glad to hear everyone is pitching in to help out.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

A "financial application" was my brother-in-law's second test:) There might be 17 years of chronological age between Cait and John, but after meeting him, they are definitely closer in age in terms of maturity. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

A&M is my university. Some schools field teams that play a game called football. It involves 22 men, divided into two competitive teams. The players have names such as tight end, split end and wide receiver. They pat each other on the butt a lot, wrestle and pile on each other for long periods of time. I find it refreshing:)

HUGS!

[bearnight.livejournal.com]

Afterwards do they retreat to a "locker room" where there are lots of towel snapping and dropping of soap?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

If we're lucky:)!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Nice to hear that your holiday went well. "A Quiet Day in Pflugerville" sounds like the tongue-in-cheek title for a short story, but thank heaven for even the minor miracles.

Glad that your team won - YAY!! ....hey, wait a minute, aren't you an ex-Aggie yourself ?!... and were you an A&M fan before you impersonated an Aggie in front of God and everybody ?! ;0)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The holiday went well. Yesterday was hellish with my father. I've disengaged from him totally today. Colleen is driving them home this afternoon and I am staying an extra two days. I have an appointment with an Austin dermatologist on Tuesday to see if we can figure out the skin problems I'm having ,which are being worsened by the stress of family life right now.

I'm happy our football team won. In the musical, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", we won too:) The reward was a trip to the whorehouse. There are no ex-Aggies, just former students and they make a big deal of that distinction. You can't attend A&M without becoming a football fan. So, yes .. I am an Aggie, a fan and and I've been an actor impersonating an Aggie. *grin*

Hope you had a great day in Milwaukee. It's 77 degrees here in the early afternoon and I wish for the frost of the morning I left Madison. Big HUGS!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

It's been in the 40's and 50's here, mostly overcast and slightly foggy. Thanksgiving in Milwaukee was great - a pleasant, semi-sunny day, perfect for singing while driving.
Next crisp frosty sunny morning we have, I'll think of you.
Sending good thoughts your way when you visit the derm-doctor !
Lotsa Hugs !!