Christmas was marred this year by a lot of fighting and bad feelings. Sister and youngest niece were fighting a lot when they got to my parents. Niece not happy that sister invited new boyfriend to family event and boyfriend was half an hour late for lunch. So that wasn't fun.

Then they had originally planned to come to mom's and open presents in the morning. That worked out fine. Everyone was happy with what they got/gave. We were supposed to eat lunch at 1:00, but sister's boyfriend was late so it was closer to 2. Lunch was great. The girls were supposed to go to thier father's house at 4:00 to celebrate with him.

About 1 he starts texting the youngest saying "I'm home, come on over" She explained we were waiting for boyfriend to get there and he got really upset, saying he expected them for dinner and if they were going to eat a big lunch, they wouldn't appreciate his dinner, etc, etc. Jerk. He puts a big guilt trip on both girls for not rushing right over, even though he originally set it up for 4 and he knew they were eating with us first.

Both girls feel really bad and don't want to spend time with either side, because it's more hassle than it's worth. He's mad because sister has boyfriend and brings him to family deal, even though he has a girlfriend, but he says he didn't go to her house and spoil her kids xmas. Just a bunch of babies. The girls are more mature than either parent.

The oldest was saying this might be her last year at a family xmas, because of the hassle and she feels bad. I told her I didn't care if we didn't have it till January, I just wanted to see her, I didn't care what day it was. I also told her that the plans were made and agreed to long before the day and if someone get upset when they change them that's their problem not hers. Other people's disappointments/feelings are thier problem not hers.

Anyways it was awkward and not the best. I guess next year we are going to try some other time to get together. That's fine with mom and me.

I got all the things I asked for and more. Mom decided to splurge because she got some money from grandma's estate recently. Gave me and my sister $1000 each on top of more presents than usual. Gave the girls and extra $100 from grandma.

This was the first xmas without my grandma so that was hard too.

After the girls left to see their father, I left too. I find the new boyfriend very boring, and didn't care to hang around. I went back over a couple hours later after they left and played games with parents.

I finished reading the library book Cast in Ruin by Michelle Sagara. Sci/fi - excellent.