WTF?

Not really sure what to make of the holidays this year... My daughter and I flew to Anchorage last Monday on our first ever shopping trip- just the two of us. About 5 hours into department store overload, I get a phone call from my husband that his father in Ireland just died and that he has to go home. So, he makes arrangements to drop our son off at a friend's house, gets the neighbors to watch our dogs and bales for the old country. My daughter and I spend the evening trying to cram 3 days of clothes shopping for the whole family into less than a day. Talk about burnt! We flew home the next day and the house was like one of those sci-fi movies where a team of space travellers enters a drifting craft void of all signs of life- cup of tea half finished, clothing strewn about, lights left on- that sort of thing. Like they merely stepped out for a cigarette and would be back any second.

It took a few days to settle in and get the house back in order. Tried to work on some art projects but couldn't get my brain around it. Talked alot with my husband on the phone who was emotional to say the least- tough, burly fisherman that he is- and heard all the details about the burial and could hear the music and drunken singing in the background. It was quite the wake. Anyhow, the only flight he could get home to Kodiak was today- Christmas Eve. Yesterday was clear skies and beautiful. Today, fog to the ground and its blowing a blizzard. Needless to say he didn't make it in. All flights were cancelled. He's booked for an early moring flight but I seriously have my doubts. It's looking like he may well be spending Christmas in a hotel room in Anchorage, alone. Suck. All I can say is that I hope the hotel has a well stocked bar.

Now if you think thats pathetic, it gets even better. Today I busted my 9 yr old daughter shoplifting! I FLIPPED! Yeah I remember doing stupid shit like that when I was a kid, and most adults my age have similar stories, but the fact that its Christmas Eve... She got marched right back in the shop and had to own up to what she did. Ofcourse the owner's son who works there is one of the nicest guys I know- even when he's trying to be menacing he's sweet. She was so embarrased and ashamed. So now what? Its Christmas Eve. She's officially in the top ten on Santa's naughty list! Do I fill her stocking with rocks? Cancel Christmas? Or as my hardass husband suggested: Let her open all of her presents then take every last one to the Salvation Army? I did put her to work doing chores, took away her favorite distractions: tv, video games, access to the computer, her friends and music, and grounded her from them all. Do I let her open her gifts and then ground her from playing with them as well? This sucks! Kids need to come with very detailed instruction manuals that have an extensive chapter on trouble-shooting.

Anyhow, I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday (free of family drama -as if thats even remotely possible) and all the best in 2008! Cheers!