RW Intrudes

The following days, were spent busily wrapping, (or in my case popping presents into Xmas bags. I couldn't wrap one handed.) trying to get some sleep (without the aid of pain meds.), fending off early phone calls, (some people did not know I worked from 1800 to 0630 hours). I was polite and a little grumpy, but I swear I did not bite anyones heads off and S%$# down their necks. (Though the thought was there.)

Previously I'd spent a great deal of time on the phone making arrangements for my disabled siblings to spend Christmas day in their respective CRU's or at lunch with the Salvo's (thank you to those, delightful people.) But fended off calls about Boxing day. Re explaining that if my sisters and nephew could be dropped off at my parents home on Boxing day, I would ensure that they arrived back at their residences in the late afgternoon. Preferably after Dinner. Why? you ask. Well read on.

Christmas day is not celebrated in this house, and has not been for many years. You see I'm a non custodial parent of my eldest two lads. Deadmaninc, (Gobbledock as I call him. Deady as he calls himself.) and Blue. They both live with their father and are reasonable teenagers. But the arrangements have been that they spend Christmas day with his family and Boxing day with mine. (Though if he had his way, I'd not see them at all and he's been known to say that if had been able to conceive and give birth he would have.) Anyway I digress. I was ordered by the courts many moons ago to hand my sons over on Christmas day. Again why? I was asked by the judge to promise I would not go out and get a job. I could not make that promise. He could and did. He got the kids. Thats it in a nutshell. No other reasons, though with hindsight (Which is useless now, if I'd known that he was an alcoholic and had threatened the kids into not saying anything. I would have made the promise and worked part time on the side.)

Christmas Eve, I was supposed to work. But did not as hubby had to work elsewhere. So my employers covered the shift. I spent the evening crying. I usually do! Its hard even after all these years, everyone says get over it. I have most of the time. But Christmas eve is hard and Christmas day, I keep busy, so I don't think about not having my sons around. As I could not cook a roast, we cheated and went to the chicken shop and brought precooked veg and chicken. Hubby made the gravy and I microwaved the peas. We still had our lunch, just minus the trimmings. We spent the bulk of the day, catching up on sleep and housework. Boo happily played with his new DS that the fat man saw fit to provide him with.

We were in bed early.....