The tree is up. It looks like it was decorated by a horde of angry five-year-olds with a boxful of crafting material. I think it's the best tree we've ever had. Every single ornament-looking-thing in the house is on that tree. Instead of a star, we have my brother's hand-knitted Mexican hat topping the tree. Garlands, bells, lights, baubles, paper cutouts, school project, everything we've ever made, bought, or brought home in any other way, is attached, more or less precariously, to a branch. Sis found cutouts of my hand I had made as a three-year-old ensconced in snowy Belgium with my great-aunt and -uncle, and added them to the tree. It was unsettling to compare my hands to those small, clumsily colored shapes from a memory so distant it se
ems like a dream. Bro, after much protest, agreed to let us put up the paper frame with a picture of him in elementary school, as well as a construction-paper wreath doubling as a fractions worksheet. Sis, for her part, added a gold paper lantern and a plastic star from her preschool days.Mom said it was the most beautiful tree she's ever seen.
Also, and for the first time in our lives, we went shopping as a family. We visited every shop listed on the Notecard Of Places That Need Going To For Top-Secret Christmas Business. Things were bought. Bargains were had. Even Dad, who never, ever shops, who hasn't bought anyone a present in over eight years, came up with gift ideas for everyone, and is spoiling us rotten. He even humored all of Mom's comments and avoided possibilities for two different fights. I swear, that month off made him a new man. That, or it was the serious kick in the ass he needed. Mom still needs to gain several pounds on the tolerance scale, but I'm glad she's a lot more relaxed.
Oh, and Dad let me back the car out of the garage, and it went as perfectly as could be. I am quite happy. This whole driver's license thing at the end of the month seems possible, after the four hours I've spent turning around in that church lot. (You know, the one with all the twists and turns and hairpins and SLOPES [oh god I hate slopes, they are scary] and trees, none of which I've hit so far.) I can get up to 3rd gear now, I'm glad we have a standard and not an automatic, that way I'll know how to drive both and I won't be stranded in France the next time we visit. Plus, Mom officially approved of the Plan To Finally Let That Kid Drive So She Can Stop Bugging Us And Drive Her Sister To Trumpet Lessons, so it could not get any better. (Hm, I guess she does deserve major points for that.)
I must say, I am amazed. Maybe miracles do happen.
Also, and for the first time in our lives, we went shopping as a family. We visited every shop listed on the Notecard Of Places That Need Going To For Top-Secret Christmas Business. Things were bought. Bargains were had. Even Dad, who never, ever shops, who hasn't bought anyone a present in over eight years, came up with gift ideas for everyone, and is spoiling us rotten. He even humored all of Mom's comments and avoided possibilities for two different fights. I swear, that month off made him a new man. That, or it was the serious kick in the ass he needed. Mom still needs to gain several pounds on the tolerance scale, but I'm glad she's a lot more relaxed.
Oh, and Dad let me back the car out of the garage, and it went as perfectly as could be. I am quite happy. This whole driver's license thing at the end of the month seems possible, after the four hours I've spent turning around in that church lot. (You know, the one with all the twists and turns and hairpins and SLOPES [oh god I hate slopes, they are scary] and trees, none of which I've hit so far.) I can get up to 3rd gear now, I'm glad we have a standard and not an automatic, that way I'll know how to drive both and I won't be stranded in France the next time we visit. Plus, Mom officially approved of the Plan To Finally Let That Kid Drive So She Can Stop Bugging Us And Drive Her Sister To Trumpet Lessons, so it could not get any better. (Hm, I guess she does deserve major points for that.)
I must say, I am amazed. Maybe miracles do happen.
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