Scrooge
I feel like a royal Scrooge this Christmas. I haven't sent out one Christmas card or bought one Christmas gift. A combination of factors contribute to this. Somehow I'm not really in a Christmas mood, and I'm feeling the need to hoard my hard-earned pennies. Of course, I always feel like that after paying my tuition. Added to that, I wasn't even sure I'd get to go home for Christmas. I did find out yesterday that I got leave so I'll get to go. I still don't feel like Christmas shopping though. Last year I went all out. This year I'll scrooge, and maybe next year I'll splurge again.
I am really excited that we're going to go to Michigan to my mom's side of the family. My childhood Christmas memories are associated with Christmas in Michigan at Grandpa's. I recall the bitter disappointment the first Christmas we didn't go when I was 6 years old. I was the cause since I had contracted chicken pox at school. I remember thinking it just couldn't be! Now it's the exception instead of the norm to go to Michigan for Christmas, so I feel a childlike excitement all over again. Sadly, this will probably be the last time we will all be together since my uncle and his family are all moving to Wisconsin. Since they are Amish, they don't travel very often so who knows when I'll see them again. Additionally, my grandmother is not in very good health any more so it will probably be the last Christmas I spend with her.
I've been thoroughly enjoying my freedom from textbooks the last week. This past weekend was the first time in a long time I didn't have to study for something. My sisters came down on Saturday night to visit. We had a very lovely time being our warped selves until "The Incident" ruined it.
The Incident--I still shake my head in bewilderment. My youngest sister had just recently totaled her car and had found another to replace it. She quite proudly showed me her find, and we used it to go out to eat. I was elected to drive since I know the area. After eating and driving around a bit, we returned to my apartment. As I was turning in to a parking slot, IT happened. I'm still confused about exactly what happened, but either the accelorator stuck or I hit the gas instead of the brake. At any rate, the car lurched forward instead of slowing to a gentle stop. I slammed on the brakes and screeched to a halt. But, alas, not before bumping the curb, whereupon the airbags took it upon themselves to deploy--not to save our lives, but to ruin them for a time. After recovering from the shock of it all to register a complete thought, I felt more deflated than those hapless air bags. In fact, I was totally miserable. I had just ruined my sister's new car. The dash had erupted and the top had flown up to break the windshield. The key could not be turned or extracted. The body had not a scratch on it, the engine was totally intact, but those dreadful airbags had made a mess of the steering wheel and dash. After contacting a neighbor back home in Kentucky who happened to work for the dealership where Jolene had purchased the car, we were able to start the car by jiggling the steering wheel, but we still couldn't get the key out. At least they were able to drive the car home without having to tow it. It will cost $1100 to fix it.
As a side effect, I managed to injure my hand. It's been quite painful. As the swelling subsided a bit, a knot appeared and it seemed to get more painful. So I had to consider the fact that it might have been fractured. I got it x-rayed, but no fracture was evident. The doctor had me wrap it with a compression bandage to help with the swelling and give it some extra padding. Within a day, I could tell a difference. The color is changing from blue to yellow now and I can type much more readily. As all painful and embarrassing incidents, this one too shall fade into the infamy of my past with the occasional gleeful resurrection by my malicious siblings.
I am really excited that we're going to go to Michigan to my mom's side of the family. My childhood Christmas memories are associated with Christmas in Michigan at Grandpa's. I recall the bitter disappointment the first Christmas we didn't go when I was 6 years old. I was the cause since I had contracted chicken pox at school. I remember thinking it just couldn't be! Now it's the exception instead of the norm to go to Michigan for Christmas, so I feel a childlike excitement all over again. Sadly, this will probably be the last time we will all be together since my uncle and his family are all moving to Wisconsin. Since they are Amish, they don't travel very often so who knows when I'll see them again. Additionally, my grandmother is not in very good health any more so it will probably be the last Christmas I spend with her.
I've been thoroughly enjoying my freedom from textbooks the last week. This past weekend was the first time in a long time I didn't have to study for something. My sisters came down on Saturday night to visit. We had a very lovely time being our warped selves until "The Incident" ruined it.
The Incident--I still shake my head in bewilderment. My youngest sister had just recently totaled her car and had found another to replace it. She quite proudly showed me her find, and we used it to go out to eat. I was elected to drive since I know the area. After eating and driving around a bit, we returned to my apartment. As I was turning in to a parking slot, IT happened. I'm still confused about exactly what happened, but either the accelorator stuck or I hit the gas instead of the brake. At any rate, the car lurched forward instead of slowing to a gentle stop. I slammed on the brakes and screeched to a halt. But, alas, not before bumping the curb, whereupon the airbags took it upon themselves to deploy--not to save our lives, but to ruin them for a time. After recovering from the shock of it all to register a complete thought, I felt more deflated than those hapless air bags. In fact, I was totally miserable. I had just ruined my sister's new car. The dash had erupted and the top had flown up to break the windshield. The key could not be turned or extracted. The body had not a scratch on it, the engine was totally intact, but those dreadful airbags had made a mess of the steering wheel and dash. After contacting a neighbor back home in Kentucky who happened to work for the dealership where Jolene had purchased the car, we were able to start the car by jiggling the steering wheel, but we still couldn't get the key out. At least they were able to drive the car home without having to tow it. It will cost $1100 to fix it.
As a side effect, I managed to injure my hand. It's been quite painful. As the swelling subsided a bit, a knot appeared and it seemed to get more painful. So I had to consider the fact that it might have been fractured. I got it x-rayed, but no fracture was evident. The doctor had me wrap it with a compression bandage to help with the swelling and give it some extra padding. Within a day, I could tell a difference. The color is changing from blue to yellow now and I can type much more readily. As all painful and embarrassing incidents, this one too shall fade into the infamy of my past with the occasional gleeful resurrection by my malicious siblings.
posted by Sara | 1:39 PM
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