For Xmas day we had a nice, quiet day with the family and alone. The only guest was my sister's boyfriend, who brought her here and stayed. So there was a family lunch, and I rather liked that no one was crying or apparently upset - no frustrated ambitions for the day. Which has probably been the case for several years now but especially stood out to me this time.

Last week I finally got to read to Pazi again. Have been missing doing that for months and months, so it felt good to return to sharing stories with each other. Was also satisfying to at last get to the end of The Austere Academy, so next time we can start on book 6.

*walks past laundry and into family room*

Mother: What's up?
Me: ... I walked too far.

Well, yesterday was a bit of a wash.

Got up at a decent hour, did the bulk of my routine, lay down for a refreshing non-nap of about 30 minutes.  Then as I was making lunch, I somehow threw my right shoulder out.  OWWW.  In an instant, I turned from a moderately healthy and active 30-something into a little old lady of 83.

Today's the day my mother and her husband left on their long vacation in Europe. Since I have never yet been able to afford a place of my own this is I think the first time I've had an opportunity to direct my own life without anyone else looming over me.