This post will have like 20 photos or more in it.
So the good news, if you don’t want to read much.. (as I know some don’t), you can skim the blog and look at the photos. Then comment on the photos haha. It will take a while to get it all posted… but I’ll do it anyway.
Today I got my laptop back, it’s fixed.. but has things that weren’t damaged before… that are now damaged. I am going to call them.. but I decided I would do some things first (check online stuff).
Before I start… in my last post I said I updated www.jshox.com but I also updated the music page. www.jshox.com/music.html. Warning to the weak– it has a swear word! *puts hand over mouth* The song use to be a favorite of mine, and I saw it on VH1’s I love the 90’s.
I think I’ll type all about my Christmas weekend first, about the most recent things… Then.. post photos.
The weekend was good, let’s rephrase that. The time up until Christmas evening was great. Everything afterwards.. well pretty much sucked.
We drove up on Friday night, arrived late. We drove a Toyota 4Runner that my dad got from his work so that we would be able to use 4 wheel drive (for the snow and whatnot) if needed. We didn’t need it too much. It snowed the first night, Christmas night and the day after.
On the 23rd we celebrated Michael and Heidi’s one year anniversary of being married.
Christmas eve we had a visitation with Alexis and Hailey. It was good.. for like 7 hours. I feel like I don’t know the kid.. I’ve seen her two or three times in the 7 months of her life. Right when I’m like.. ‘okay.. this is normal to have you around’ the visit ends.
Christmas day started fine. My brother and Heidi bought gifts, even though my parents and I all said to Not get anything– because they do not have the means to do so. I got ear muffs.. but I let them know I wanted them to return them. For one, I have no need for them– and for two they need all the money they can get at this point in their lives. That.. from what I’m told.. is what started to put things in motion… apparently.
The evening rolled in and I attempted to build a snowman, but the snow was too fluffy. Sooo I tackled my parents in the snow. (yes I have pictures of this)
Later on that night as a family we were playing a game of Risk. I attacked my brother (as you do in the game) and my brother blew up at me. Started calling me names, asking me to fight him– then stormed out side and cursed some. It was a pleasant experience… to say the least.
The deal is.. my parents have been helping my brother and Heidi for some time.. financially and in other ways. Pretty much I feel the pulse of the family all the time— regardless of what is going on. I offered to help them manage their money… but I guess I just need to separate myself from the financial side of those two. I am pretty good on managing money… and when I see the way it is being spent I want to go crazy, pull out my hair, call them up and just ask ….. why?
It isn’t just about the earmuffs. That was just boat finally hitting the tip of the iceberg. Without going into it.. for privacy rights of my family… they admittedly don’t spend their money wisely but hesitate to let anyone help. It’s a classic case.
It didn’t end that night. The next morning before we left to Portland my brother came outside and said “we are done with fighting”. No apology or anything… so yeah. That didn’t ride too well with me… I was however glad to get home.
A sour twist on Christmas weekend.. some in the family are calling this “the worst Christmas ever”. I guess that is fitting.. as on the 24th Heidi said she had the worst Anniversary ever.
Bleh.
On the lighter side… you will see tons of pictures.
The bomb of the week is — unless a miracle comes along (in the form of a phone call), I am enrolling in Portland Community College for this semester for classes as of the 2nd. Money is tight. For a full semester at PCC it will cost about $1000. In loans alone to finish the semester at Cascade I will have to pull about $7000 out.
More bombs coming in the future.. when I figure out a way to drop them 😉
Today I got a haircut (it is about time). Saturday I will be driving to Cali, near San Francisco. I plan on taking pictures. Why am I going so far south? Well… the white Mustang I had.. I gave to my father. He sold it and has been saving up money on top of what he got.. for another car for himself. There is a car he is interested in so we are going to look at it.
AND now for the pictures.
The first night, I snapped this picture.
We drove to a nearby town and I was able to snap this picture on the way.
Christmas morning we went to a coffee shop and I treated to coffee. I almost took this sign with me…
I drew this in the snow. Happy new year 🙂
Christmas morning.. what better than a snow covered Christmas tree?
My attempt at being a photographer.
Heidi just got a puppy.. she named her Nala (like in the Lion King). Nala fell asleep on me but woke up for the picture.
I told you I tackled my parents.
Yes, both of them.
He was pretty cold… if you couldn’t tell.
Willie in the background, Heidi and Hailey.
Grampa and Alexis
She calmed down…
Aww, look at those eyes.
I told my dad to move over and straighten out so that I could get the picture of his Yankees shirt and Alexis.
She matched me!
She is cute isn’t she?
Well I think so.
So thats your update. Enjoy it.. I won’t be around for a few more days.
Praying everyone is well.
“It is a common delusion that you make things better by talking about them. – Dame Rose Macaulay
“Every great advance in natural knowledge has involved in the absolute rejection of authority.” – Thomas H. Huxley
