He may have gotten something for her privately. That wouldn't surprise me at all. But CJ, me, KCD and his wife - we all found things for him.

Yeah, it is a bigger issue than Christmas. I keep trying and trying to be open about this guy but I just don't like him. He treats Kelly well but there isn't anything outside her that he gives visible effort. Including a job.

Deep breath. Refocus.

CJ is out spiffying up his car with new all weather floor mats, a fancy license plate holder (with flames!), and a bacon air freshner.

Merry Christmas! We've had a nice day here. All my siblings came and there was much unwrapping of presents. We do the Santa thing in that there are presents from Santa under the tree, but I don't try to hide the fact that Santa is just a game, not a real guy. Like this year the kids were telling me that they are his elves and their job is to actually deliver the gifts. Isaac said that he uses a grappling hook to get onto the roofs. Anyway, Santa presents were the biggest hit of this year: Lego hobbit hole set and Angry Birds AT-AT Attack game.

And now family has all headed to various other events and we are alone to play with toys--or play online--and eat treats.

Speaking of bacon, I finally found (in Jamaica) someone who remembers the Canadian ad with the kid lured downstairs by the smell of bacon, with the tagline of "Bacon gotchya, eh?" That line comes up surprisingly often.

I scored a knife (from Belize!) and a nice bright pattern on black ruched top. Which is very close in feel to what I am wearing today, actually. So--decent mind-reading job there.

So glad to read about everyone (most, anyway) having a nice day Chilling in the tropics, looking out at my mother's orchids and water feature, and debating whether or not any athlete today could come as close to tossing a match into kerosene as John Carlos did (present from me and the sis! was a book by him).

Gay marriage is a big issue, but there's not violence on both sides (not that readily come to mind). So it might be moot.

Okay, here's to say if pictures can upload via tablet. Wish me luck, and keep having a good day if you were before, and flip your script if you weren't. Important, that.

Merry Christmas, people who feel that way!

meara, I can't believe what a clusterfuck your travel has been. What a mess!

including my nieces in the wine-drinking for the first time that I can remember.

My grandmother offered my little cousin champagne. He was all "?!?!?" He's 15. (Also at least 6'2".) But she was like, "I was having a glass of wine with the family at that age!" Which is kind of legit, but it was really funny to see his reaction.

Our Christmas was successful - the service of carols and lessons was gorgeous (if I do say so myself), gift giving and receiving was excellent, and now I am home. I had a slight breakdown of sadness last night, but was fine today. And now I have a lovely fake shearling throw to cuddle, and a promised plane ticket to Puerto Rico in March, so that should be great.

Boo sadness but yay Puerto Rico and shearling, heyyyy.

I am in Chicago and taking a horribly expensive cab ride to have dinner with family friends (one is my age and lives near the train to ohare for the morning, but at the moment they are at the parents house in suburbs). So that is ok. Sad I broke my Christmas tradition of movie watching with my sister, but so glad to not be snowed in. Whew. (Perhaps I shouldn't exhale just yet, since I still have to get home, but)

Merry Christmas peoples!

We're getting ready for dinner and just took hilarious family pictures.

OMG, I should have stayed at my parents' again. Miiiiiiiice.

So the creatures are stirring?

YES. I yelled at it and it went away.

Classic: My mother just called to see if I had accidentally taken home the necklace my father gave her. I started going through stuff, and finally remembered: He didn't give her a necklace! I did, but she had that one.