Man, my mom's hearing is going. K-Bug just came home from shopping at Forever 21 and my mom kept hearing "Five for 21".

I can see the "love mom and dad in heaven part."

Ok, thanks for the perspective, Stephanie.

Yay! I have a couple friends with Christmas birthdays. Somehow it seems less annoying than a couple days before or after. DH opened his birthday gifts on Christmas although his actual birthday is the 28th. This usually happens since that is when he sees people. But it leaves a bit of a whole on the actual birthday. To have your birthday on Christmas gives you the option of pretending all the fuss is for you!

Sorry about your friend's loss libkitty. Even when it is expected and natural it is so hard to say goodbye.

I call my mom on my dad's birthday every year since he died. I think it means a lot to her that it not just go by without being acknowledged.

I can understand your mother's acknowledgement of your dad, Andi. Particularly with his birthday so close to Christmas, it brings back the memories. Also, with her recent relationship ending she is probably more emotional than usual. It's good that she can share this with you.

Laura, that is NOT boys being boys. I always had something for my mother, as far back as I could remember. It might have been an ashtray made in art class (she didn't smoke, but they were easy to make) or some noodle art or something! But SOMETHING was given. The (ex)Catholic in me says "Boys, get your bags packed, cuz Mama is sending you on THE LARGEST GUILT trip EVERRRRR!!! (extra "r"s added as bonus to use with a "G" later).

Dunno when your b-day is, but if they don't spoil you rotten by then, I think it's time for them to go cut a switch to bring in the house. (how am I so old school at 35???)

ION: My last gift is being used finally. I've been here at Sister/BiL for 4+ days. I told them they are getting a date night away from lil 6(almost 7) yo Neice. I finally pushed them out the door. Doing a nice lunch, and hopefully a movie. Half Pint is at the computer playing with some new educational games. Her lunch was eaten in record time, and mess all cleaned up. I got a load of laundry in the wash, and 2nd ready to go when it hits the drier. In a few hours I'll be hitting the road back to sea level. woot! A full size bed!!

Hope all have safe travels back to where they need to go. For those who had family angst, I hope the prezzies fill your life with comfort and joy to make up.

Also, with her recent relationship ending she is probably more emotional than usual. It's good that she can share this with you.

There is that. I definitely won't say anything negative to her about it - as it would only upset her rather than help her process.

Urk. It's pouring here. I didn't bring my raincoat. Bother.

We still celebrate my little brother's birthday while we're all home for Christmas- it is on the 22nd. This year there were upwards of 25 people. We set off fireworks, big professional ones, have pizza and fizzy lemonade. We used to get an "Alex present" but I don't think we did this year.

Laura, I'm sending your kids cluesticks for (belated) Christmas.

ETA: Actually it occurs to me that the mug with pictures of my parents, Alex, me and my sisters that we all got were probably our Alex presents, but they just didn't call it that.

Hec and JZ, you have a gorgeous family. Matilda keeps getting cuter and cuter (and I am starting to see a little bit of her mommy in her) and Emmett's big brother love is just adorable.

Fashionable people: I was looking for a waist cincher the other day on ebay, but all of them had the underbust thing, is there any non-ebay suggestions for a waist cincher without the underbust?