We believe in Santa in my house. The boys got toiletries among other stuff in their stockings this year. They both really got a kick out of Santa giving them deodorant. neither of the boys are really into sweets so they get a mix of things every year.

Aw, Sue. I'm glad it was delicious, at least!

Santa in my family home gets more half-assed by the year -- good thing I've started contributing. I may just take it over from my mother next year, now that my father can't. Edit: And by "it" of course I mean the stockings.

This was the first year in a while that I got a stocking with goodies. I was quite giddy this morning.

replied, smonster

We haven't done stockings (or Santa) in years and years. Santa used to come while we were gone at our grandparents' house, and be waiting for us (we'd come back a few days after Christmas, they lived a few hours away)

We did not win the lottery. However, we did drink a huuuuge bottle of wine with dinner, and I got almost everyone to try the whipped cream vodka (in coffee or in hot cocoa). Made even my mom's sugarless hot cocoa taste pretty good.

Thanks for the advice, comfort, and support. My brain says I can deal with this ... it was just one more thing. And the doctor HAD to call on Christmas Eve - couldn't wait until Monday. It did put a damper on the weekend.

I went to the National Cathedral for their Lessons and Carols service and an organ recital. Lovely music helps and the reminders of the Christmas message help.

Next year is the Year of the Dragon (if I remember correctly), which I'm hoping is better.

My brother is so shitfaced right now, it's hilarious. I've been trashed with him before, but a) I'm only tipsy and b) he hasn't eaten since Xmas dinner.

Also, the boys are zombified from the celebrations and on their fifth wind.

OMG, at 5 I was on the back porch and the little girl came down with her dad to see if the boy next door could play. (They are like 4-5?) He could not -- I'm guessing he was alseep, because 5 pm on Christmas -- and the little girl lost her ever-lovin' MIND. She screamed all the way home. Poor boo. I'm sure she needed a nap herself.

Backflung, Burrell.

I have to say that the fact that my mom doesn't really like computers or the Internet makes gift giving for her easy and very gratifying. This year my dad wowed her with a Snowman figurine (The Snowman and cat in front of a fire), and my sister got her an old book she wanted (Raleigh's Eden).

Mmm, Year of the Dragon. Could be good.

Todd, I'm so sorry about the shocking news. I guess the only upside is that it possibly explains why your eye was not healing as well as was expected.

I know three people who have been diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes and two of the three have managed it with only dietary changes.

One of them (the insulin dependent one) told me she was actually glad to get the diagnosis because "the hammer was bound to drop" given her family history. It was a weird sort of relief to get on with the managing of it.

I'm wishing you the best possible outcomes and great support as you move forward.