Up and Over

The hurdle to finally post has been crossed. There has just been so much going on I haven't been able to update.

Leading up to the whirlwind that was my holiday vacation, work was CRAZY. Preparing any sort of closing for any sort of agency that deals with television is nearly impossible, you see, because TV does not stop for the holidays. In fact, it is one of the most watched times they have with crucial advertising in things like football games, parades, and awards shows. So after assembling all of my holiday schedules ahead of time, though Jan. 8th(!!!), Pickle and I were off to California to visit my parents and brother. (That very Friday night after my full day of work.) CA was fun, fine and the mellowest of our stops across the country on our multi-family, multi-coastal expedition. I guess this was because I was the most comfortable with my family in my-sort-of home. Some highlights included cleaning out the entirety of my bedroom so that my parents can "downsize" to an apartment in San Fran after the brother goes to college. This seem unfair to me. I am only 22 and do not have the space for all of the stuff that I have accumulated in my life. I wanted to be able to have a small drawer of underwear, t-shirts, and PJ's, but no, there will not be that for me! I will be officially an outsider and will have to bring my own t-shirts, underwear and PJ's from now on. I know some people who get to keep their high school rooms until they are 31. These people also end up living back at home, so I guess my point isn't very convincing. But still, I didn't feel ready and had to suck it up and make decisions.

Some other highlights included getting the cutest and cruelest Christmas present of all time. When I woke Christmas morning, Pickle and I went to the tree and as I was looking at the stockings and what Santa brought my brother, (Yes, we still get a few presents from Santa.) Pickle spotted a little cardboard dog carrier with my name on it from Santa! Oh my! Could it be?!?! The one thing I have wanted, but cannot have...my precious pug?? I peered in the box and did in fact see a small furry pug, and noticed its belly moving up and down, but also with a strange noise coming out of it. I looked closer and realized it was fake! It had batteries in the bottom to make it "snore!!!!" Very cute. Very disappointing. February. That's when I will start looking for real. Olive the real pug will be mine shortly. In the mean time, I have named my snoring stuffed animal Pimento.

My parents were very welcoming and generous to Pickle. It is something that means more to me than they know. Even my aunt who has never met her sent her a present! Including such an important aspect of one life into another important life is vital. My dad even said I looked so happy and that made him happy. We have also been a particularly happy family due to positive news from my sister regarding what's brewing in her belly!!! (even though that was after a scary thing for her) YAAAAY! She deserves this new year to be better than last. For. Sure.

Pickle also got to meet a large portion of the Canadian/Dutch family at my dad's cousin's (2nd cousin, I think, but I can never keep track and who really cares!) 60th Birthday. She is just a month younger so they are close. He headed up the dancing while Pickle, my mom, my brother, and one boy second cousin watched as the rest of them danced their butts off to disco. A family fave. Some of those second cousins are step-second cousins so it was really the second time I have ever seen them, and that first time was probably when I was 10 or so. But, it was cool to get everyone together all grown up, and to include Pickle in this extended family affair.

After CA Christmas, we went to DC where we would stay at Pickle's Dad's house in Northern suburb VA for a few nights. Pickle's twin brother and Dad picked us up and waited for 2 hours with us for our bags. At least one of the bags was filled with presents entirely for her side of the family from the both of us! We did some good sleeping in and eating there, and met the twin's girlfriend who came in later. They hosted a birthday dinner for them. (The twins have a Dec. 30 B-Day.) It was pretty uneventful except their lack of presents. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but this is my blog so I will say what I want. My parents spoil us rotten and have too much money than they know what to do with, so they showered both me and Pickle in gifts. This was not the case for this Christmas. Pickle got 1 Birthday gift and 1 Christmas gift. I got 1 Christmas gift. We gave bigger gifts and more gifts to her dad, step-mom, and brother in general, but that's OK. A little different that's all.

Off to the other side of the family in MD! First stop, Grandma Ginny. I feel it's OK to use her name because it creates such a nice little portrait of the funny little lady, and I don't think anyone could ever have anything against Grandma Ginny. It just has such a nice ring to it, don't you think?

At Grandma Ginny's, we were joined by Pickle's Mom. (Brother and his girlfriend still with us.) The first night we got the bed in the guest room. The best place. The second night, New Year's Eve, we had to sleep on the floor. This house was full of traditional holiday spirit with lots of gifts, especially for the twins and their birthday. Thank god, because if I had been the primary gift-giver for Pickle, she might be disappointed if I can't deliver like I did this year next. They are always very welcoming to me and even asked what the best thing to call me was, when being introduced to family friends. We decided that just "nat" was fine and I didn't need a title like girlfriend, roommate, or partner since none of those really seem right. On one hand, when we go to the crazy neighbor's party with lots of old people who are probably conservative, girlfriend might seem like a slap in the face, but roommate is belittling our relationship. Well. Whatever. At least Pickle's Mom and grandma brought this up, which was thoughtful.

We spent New Year's Eve at home with Grandma Ginny, Pickle's mom and step-dad. Nice champagne and wine and TV and calm. We refused to go to a "house party" with her brother where we would have to "crash" on the floor. No thanks. Grow up. There were also some smug comments about my dreams meaning that I am missing a penis didn't help. Freud can suck it. I'm not missing anything. I am SAT-IS-FIED, thankyouverymuch.

And I must pat myself on the back for not smoking during this portion of the trip. Grandma Ginny and her husband smoke. Inside. All the time. And so does her mom and brother! Whew. I think I am finally getting to the point where cigarette smoke bothers me. At times, I thought it smelled bad and not good (much different than, "I remember that smell...I think I would like it..."), and a couple of times I thought the smell was giving me a headache. Go me! I think it really sucks that it hasn't even been a year since I quit. If I could put it so far behind me and say, that was sooooo long ago, I think I would feel better to a certain extent. I guess I'll have to wait until April.

After Grandma Ginny's, we went back to Pickle's mom's house in Annapolis. What a cute little town! Why have we never visited her there before? Much better than suburban VA. The brother finally felt superior enough to not talk to us or bother with us! This included the 2 hour car ride to the airport where he didn't talk to anyone (even his girlfriend) Those twins are competitive like whoa and I'm just hoping that all of his attitude was not because of mine and Pickle's relationship. Pickle and I don't think so, but who knows. We can't seem to figure out if one semester of grad school has turned him into a monster or what his problem was.

And after a late night arrival back to our house (yay!), Pickle turned around the next day to go on her semi-annual sales meeting in Florida. She is away on business for a week and the overheated apartment is so scary, lonely, and sad without her! I am keeping myself busy with babysitting every night and intense back-to-work things, but last night I stayed awake for a long time listening to all the noises. I had to keep the window open for fear of overheating and my little Pimento's snores did not cover it up. I miss her and need a return to our routine desperately.