G'day all
Well, it is a few days after christmas, and I still have a couple more "christmases" yet to attend. I have been taking pictures, but not yet downloaded them. I will do that soon and put up a photo post for y'all! For now, I will just give you the written update 
This year I wasn't really all that excited for my birthday and only a little more so for Christmas. I think this is because I am so stressed about finding a job, so I wont have to move back in with my parents. The good news is that I realized I paid my last month's rent and can count that in my budget, therefore I do not have to give my 60 days notice to the landlord for another month!
Christmas Eve was spent by sleeping in, and then going to the afternoon service at my grandparent's church. It is really sad that it used to be all six sisters with their husbands and children, yet has now become my grandparents, one aunt, my parents, myself, and one cousin. After that my parents and I stop home to grab something quick to eat, and then go to our own church candle-light service. Once we return home, we pop in White Christmas to watch as a family -though daddy feel asleep about ten minutes in!
On Christmas day everyone slept in -me later than the rest since I stayed up late to do more crocheting- and woke up to hear the phone ring. It was my aunt calling, already drunk, to ask if we liked our present from her. All three of us talked to her and had the exact same conversation, but somehow the call lasted two hours. Mom had made cinnamon buns in our breadmaker (which we think might been dying) the night prior for us to have for breakfast, though other years dad pulls out the fryer to make donuts. After that we opened our gifts, and then got ready to go to my brother's for another christmas.
Normally we have our gathering at my nana's or occasionally at my aunt's, but this year my sister-in-law offered. My aunt and uncle don't like leaving their dogs home alone for a whole day, which is what happens when we go to my nana's; my nana has recently had hip surgery and can't handle the long drive to my aunt's place near Toronto; and, lastly, my brother had to work until four so my aunt's was out for him too. Not that anyone cares, but I get car sick and usually spend the entire time at my aunt's curled up in one corner of the couch resting.
Also, my nana and aunt always plan our gathering around my aunt and uncles as well as my brother's work schedules. It was fine this year, but it is hurtful to hear my nana say that she wants to ensure they can come, yet nothing about hoping I can too. For example, the times I was still away at school, a few when I had to work, another was even on my birthday -and no one bothered to so much as call to wish my a happy birthday! Why is my brother is wanted so much more than me? 
Anyways, imagine eight people, three dogs, and a cat all in a rather small house. There really wasn't anywhere to get away from each other considering we were trying to stuff four people on a couch, three on a love seat, while nana got the only chair... even the floor was taken up by animals! Oh, and not to mention that my aunt's oldest dog went out of his way to terrify my brother's puppy. We talked until dinner, which was really yummy but pretty silent since we were pretty well talked out and starving. After dinner we decided to have a break before dessert, so more talking commenced. It took a good hour or so before our hostess finally figured out that she was to initiate the gift opening. She has been part of the family for years now, and yet our tradition for the hostess to play elf or appoint someone to do so wasn't important for her to remember. After that, more talking though I hinted a couple times it might be an idea to have dessert as it was getting late and my aunt and uncle still had to drive home.
We ended up being there for six hours! That is more time than all my previous time in their home combined, since they rarely invite me to visit. Plus, no one really talked to me as per usual. The guys usually only talk to each other about things like war and guns and history; my nana, aunt, and mom about other topics that not only don't interest me but know nothing about; my bro jumped into the guys conversation when he wasn't playing with the dogs; and my s-i-l joined the "women talk" when she wasn't in the kitchen (she refused help). Whenever I attempted to join in the conversations I was talked over, given a 'look' for asking what was considered a stupid question, or listened to but never replied to. 
Since this always happens I come prepared with my latest crocheting project, a book, and my cell phone. I rarely am ever rude enough to pull out my book, but sometimes I get so fed up that I find another room to hide in and read -and no one notices until its time for dinner. Most often I just pull out my crochet which makes me look like I'm being social, but gives me something to do besides being bored. And every so often I will secretly check my phone and reply to texts I get from friends -no one pays enough attention to me to notice that either. I really wish I already engaged because then I could drag him to these things and have someone to talk to, or no longer be considered the "child". I am only six months younger than my sister-in-law, but being married she's one of the "womenfolk" and allowed to be part of the adult conversations. I'm only ever asked how is school/work, how is the job hunt, and do I still like my apartment.
As usual I am posting what I received for Christmas, so I will not forget what people give me. I have already done a few thank you emails and phone calls to the people I did not get to see when they dropped off prezzies. I got a lot of wonderful gifts, and I'm really thankful to be the recipient of them.
My Haul
Parents: 3 movies, christmas cd, college graduation picture plaque, pjs, socks, laptop protector case-thingie, calendar, yarn needles.
Grandparents: shirt, money.
Aunt P: My Shakespeare, cineplex coupon.
Aunt C: YBF make-up case, balance bracelet, cineplex coupon.
Aunt M: heart and stroke lottery calendar.
Nana: oven mitt, potholder, socks, movie, footprints book, toothpaste, soap.
Aunt J: oven mitt, decorative santa.
Sib: pen and note card set, word of the day calendar, bath set, booklight, legwarmers, faith bracelet.
Nanny K: fashion scarf, earings.
Papa: scented candle, money.
Caro: picture frame
SUMR
I read that post and a few others related to the topic, and I still believe my decision to NOT swear is the right one for me. The first post had one of my favourite verses which is: Phillipians 4:8 "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." To me, that is like the difference between being optimistic and pessimistic. Think about good things, look for the good in all things, and good things will happen to you. Yes, there will be some unfortunate situations because no one's life is perfect, but by maintaining a positive outlook things are never so bad as they may first seem. Yet if you dwell on all things that go wrong or are bad in your life, than obviously your life is going to suck. 
She obviously told dad that I asked about it previously since he knew and I didn't tell him, but he thought it was Friday. 
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