Cranky Swamp Yankee

Good news all around today!!! I'm impressed that you aren't letting MIL push you around. Personally, when my first grand daughter was born, I was there. I held the little one twenty minutes after she was born....but I was THE GRANDFATHER, for crying out loud! I see no reason for anybody else, other than the father, spending hours upon hours in a waiting room "thumbing through outdated magazines".(I really LIKE that expression!)
I'm also glad to hear that NIECE is going to get the help that she needs.

Don't you just love holiday traditions? They make me feel so warm and secure and comfortable! Good things.
As far as your statement, "food is fuel"...well, for me nothing could be farther from the truth. For me, food is a fetish. I could easily overeat myself to death, especially now that I am a diabetic and have a RAGING LUST for carbs!!!!! I am not overweight, but that is due to a fear of death and chronic exercise!
Good post, Jon!

Of course you deserve a Roomba, whether the freaking cat has one or not! You made me laugh when you wrote about going over a string ten times and then giving up and jamming it in the hose. I do the SAME THING!
Great post, Sunny!

Sounds like a lot of work, but it also sounds like you're enjoying every minute of it. Creativity is it's own reward, isn't it?!
I agree with you about drummers. I could NEVER do it!

I have a real problem with the intolerance shown by attempting to burn down a church, but, as far as Muntazer al-Zaidi is concerned, I'd happily loan him a pair of my baseball spikes if he'd promise throw them at Bush!

A truly amazing and wonderful story. Thanks, Laurie.
It's just further proof that being "human" has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with love.

We just went through a similar scenario with my wife's older sister. She died from Alzheimer's disease. Margie was never an easy person to get along with, but, as the disease progressed, she became increasingly belligerent.
When we would stand our ground against her, she would break down and cry like a little girl. She broke our hearts.
My heart goes out to you!

I don't know what you're talking about. You have a right be yourself and speak your mind, as do we all. I'd advise against giving into whatever outside pressures you may be feeling. Be Randy. I like him. I also like his wit and insight...even when I disagree with him. (As my father was fond of saying, "Everybody is entitled to his own stupid opinion!")
Don't change, my friend!

I LOVE the obscure font!!!!!!!

Live every moment as if it were you last...it just might be!

You already have the Christmas spirit, kid. You just don't know it. It's all around you, and it's coming through you right now. You're writing in this post gives that fact away. You speak here about love - loving your mom, loving Bill, loving your friends, loving your dad. That's Christmas, sweetie. And that love manifests itself in so many different ways, including Barbie Dolls.
You've got it inside of you, kid. I know that for a fact. You've got this HUGE heart beating in your chest. Just listen to it. That's where Christmas is! That's what Linus is trying to tell us each year!
Have a great time in Texas!
Merry Christmas, Chimpy!

I find both exercise and meditation feed my spirit.
What you say here about finding spirit in folks who bother us is interesting. Thanks!

WOW! Talk about A LLLLLLLLOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGGG rant!!!
Your aunt sounds an awful lot like my mom, with whom I have extremely limited contact.
I don't particularly care for my mom. I'm STILL working on issues dealing with her in my childhood.
It sounds to me like I wouldn't like your aunt much either. She sounds to me like an EXTREMELY self-centered, negative and non-caring person. I think she, like my mom, could be toxic to me.
So, what's the worst thing that could happen if you told her exactly what you think? She would get pissed off and stop speaking to you? And this is bad thing because...????

You LIKE snow???!!!!!

Unfortunately, some mental illness is hereditary. If there is a chemical imbalance in the brain that is causing erratic behavior, that imbalance can be passed on.
However, it sounds to me like your niece's problems stem from how she was treated. Sounds more like nurture, not nature.
You CAN love her and spoil her and let her know that you care for her, even though you are far away physically! There are inventions called the internet and the telephone that work WONDERS for that sort of thing!
Sometimes, moderated pain is needed to heal. Pain often accompanies change. And change is necessary for life. That sort of pain is always worth it!
She will need somebody who cares for her. She will need to know that she is lovable and that somebody, indeed, loves her, no matter what. What a GREAT opportunity this could be to make a difference in a young person's life!