::crosses fingers:: Here's hoping that my secret santa has gotten her gift. Stupid Royal Mail.

Thank you to Secret Santa number 1, Lisah from Balmer. Everything you sent is so cute, and you have primo taste in chocolate bars. So glad somebody in my fake hometown loves me, even if I'm strange enough to wish they made Bodymore Murderland T-shirts(oops there goes that Chamber of Commerce thing) "The Greatest City in America" is probably a friendlier choice! And the Hawaiian socks! Very fashion-forward.

YAY!!!! I was so excited when I got the name of my santee from Nilly. I hope the shirt fits. I couldn't not get it.

You may not be able to tell, for my handwriting is shameful, but I put my return address as B(ody)more, MD.

The chocolate is from my friend's shoe and chocolate store (Ma Petite Shoe) mentioned in Laura Lippman's last book.

I'm so excited you finally got it!!!

Whoever has SA as their SS this year is very fortunate, indeed! She was my SS last year and I'm STILL loving the Christmas cds she sent me!

And a note for my 2004 SS - I did receive word from Dani and no worries! Take your time.

Aw, Nicole, thanks. That's very kind.

This Christmas, more than others than I can remember, has made me realize how much I love and hate my family.

I live about 8 hours away from them so visiting only happens a couple of times per year. This Christmas I was struggling with the choice to stay here in Michigan or move closer to my family. I have extended relatives close to where I'm at now, but I seen them rarely to never.

While talking with my dad about this decision, he told me he would support my decision and told me that I was always welcome to come home. We discussed the fact that this could be good for me because, although I would pay some rent to my parents, I would be able to save up more money than if I lived on my own and pay off some debts quicker and save money for a newer car (mine's a '92). I was feeling good about this until I talked to my step-mom.

I brought up the question of what she would think if I were to move in to my parents house. (I would take my brother's room in the finished basement.) She told me that for short term, 1-6 months, it MIGHT be okay, but not for any longer. She likes her space and doesn't want us kids to move back in. She also said that my chance to move in was right after I graduated college. (I'm 24 and single, so it's not like I have a family or kids that I'd want to move in...just me.)

I suspect that her reasoning behind the "it was okay then, but not now" story is that because I've been on my own for 2 years now she would not be able to boss me around the house. Two years ago, if I had moved back in, she would have been able to have more power over me. As the oldest of 4 kids (brother and 2 step-sisters) I've always been, in some way, competition for my dad's affections. I'm "daddy's little girl" and she's the wife and I think she thinks that if I moved in, I would "get my way" from my dad. I respect and love my step-mom, but she holds some kind of unspoken grudge towards me because of that fact. But the truth, in my opinion, is that she's jealous of my dad's affection towards me.

I love my family very much and sometimes it breaks my heart that they are not closer, geography-wise. So, my dilemma at this point, besides this being a big life decision, is whether or not I will become some sort of conflict between my parents. I love my two step-sisters as well. One still lives and home (6 years younger than me) and the second visits often (4 years younger and thinks she knows everything about everything), but the second step-sister also constantly insulted me while I was visiting.

So, I'm at the point where I'm not sure whether or not I want to move in for a short period of time or just move closer. There are other factors in this including finding jobs and paying bills.

To conclude this rant, Christmas was very neutral for me this year.

Beathen, btdt. Sorry, babe. Lisah, you are so right! "Bodymore," it was! :) My happies aren't like other people's.

My happies aren't like other people's.

Well...they're rather like mine so there you go. I don't know if that's a comfort to you or not.

I got yummy treats from Ginger! Baked goods are Da Bomb.

Still no Secret Santa package, though, so whoever you are, if you're tracking, well, there you go.

Still no Secret Santa package, though, so whoever you are, if you're tracking, well, there you go.

Ditto