We went to my Dad's yesterday to help him decorate for this first Christmas after my Mom's passing. I thought it was going to be horrible but it wasn't. My Dad made chili for his little worker bees. My sister has typically made these type of family events very stressful and tense. I have to commend her -- she has improved. It was funny though. She had to do everything the exact way that my Mom used to do it. This is normal, but what was not was her claim that she remembered EXACTLY how Mom used to do it. I mean EXACTLY!

She didn't let me do things because I didn't do it right. My comment to her was "You like it when I just sit here and talk to you while you do it don't you? You are happier doing it all yourself." To give her credit, she was honest when she replied "Yes, just talk to me while I do it."

Somehow she doesn't realize how that robs me of the satisfaction of completing the tasks, but oh well! I told her she was much easier to be around than I'd expected from her. She didn't even get it that this was not a very nice compliment. She is in her own world.

She then had her hubby stripping wallpaper at home instead of helping us. I made my hubby and kids help because I'm evil that way. Her hubby came over for chili and she did the old "Dad your buddy is here!" I added "Your other buddy is in the livingroom putting lights on the tree!" It was then that she apologized and said how Dad and her husband hang out a lot now and she wasn't thinking about how her comment sounded. I said she need not worry -- they won't hang out much once she has kids.

I know I seem hateful. I guess I am. I just am sick of her and her new hubby being the center of the universe. Tim has been part of this family for more than the 12 years we have been married. He has known us for 19 years. It pretty much sickens me that he is being taken for granted and sort of replaced. Tim doesn't say anything... but it gets to me.

On the bright side I told my Dad that I'd like him to come out for dinner with us after 5pm mass. I miss seeing him there now that he joined the choir and hits the 10am. After Christmas I think we will have to 10am just to see him sing. I'm proud of him.