THE ULTIMATE FAMILY DINNER!

Hung out at Chapters for a few hours, and read about the Bart Corbin murder case / a teen fiction book about vampires in California. I bought four books for other people, thereby using up my giftcards. Then I decided to go to dinner, and had a fun time talking with Auntie / Uncle / Holly / Jon / Steph / Harmony / Myles / Brittney. (Peter couldn't make it as he was in Seattle) We thought up various family competitions: Jello-wrestling, singing, cackling, drink-offs, free-for-alls, dancing, etc. I missed the affection I had for a brief while - it WAS tender, and I wish I could find the words to tell him so! Myles brought his camera (he even took shots of Brittney eating - they shared food and drink, too!), and we posed for it - I even brought out my COUGAR shirt to show Harmony. Steph joked that she could borrow it, while my dad thought the grammar was wrong. I don't see anything wrong with using "ROAR" as a command or imperative, haha! Certain "2" jokes were brought up, while Auntie thought Steph and I looked alike - Steph thought that wasn't too nice, as a joke. She was supposed to go to the Flying Beaver to celebrate Jessica's 19th birthday, but Vivian hadn't messaged her yet.

Jon said Eric H. was going to Hong Kong or Mainland China - wow! Eric did tell me that he had a new job offer, but I didn't know it was so far away! Apparently, there's a Sunday Dinner tomorrow at Jeremy's; this is a low-key "word of mouth" dinner, and of COURSE his good friend the hamsterette will be there! (this is after I told my sister that I needed a relatively quiet week, even with Committee stuff - I can do it for ONE MORE DAY!) Steph asked why K couldn't make it to the skills competition - he had to work, so it's a good thing that Christon could take his place! Discussed auditing books, the committee meeting, Pho, fixing glasses, BOTH hands, my correction of my own grammar (no sentences ending with prepositions!), the double meaning of "Epiphany" (12 days of Christmas / sudden realization), church, worship practice, FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS (violent deaths, oh my!), theological books, and more.

At the townhouse, we consumed coffee / Kahlua / ice wine (9.5% alcohol) / SEE YA LATER white wine, mango pudding / candy / shortbread / Grand Marnier fruitcake / more goodies! Brought the two-pound weights and the ten-pound dumbbell out, and we started semi-working out, haha. Jon played Chopin and other pieces on the piano and violin while we watched sports (54 / 22 / 30) and a real estate show on Channel 34. Stupid scheduling means we don't play again till Tuesday! Auntie thought Steph's framed baby picture was ME, while the one up above had to be my mom - one out of two ain't bad! When my sibs said that I was pretty red, Myles HAD to bring out the camera - thanks, dude. Talked about camera focus, aperture, karaoke, singing to your bride during your wedding (Holly loves Peter, but she doesn't want him to do that!), Chopin dying of tuberculosis, his girlfriend George Sand (the writer), and more. We couldn't get two Hos (Harmony and Holly) out of the kitchen since they were washing our dishes, despite an attempted repeat of my BOUNCER act the other night! (I grabbed Harmony around the waist and escorted her out - I already knew it was her ticklish point from last year, haha)

After everyone left, I asked my parents (while they were still in good moods :P) whether they'd received K's emails - they had, but hadn't had the time to respond yet. I understand, truly. Got extreme buffalo wings Pringles (the States has ALL the interesting flavors, like Flaming Hot Cheetos! :P), fruitcake, cappuccino mix, and other stuff to take home. It wasn't too bad, but I have to work on being loving in general too. Steph is concerned, I guess! Now I'm kinda sad since it seems like confidence is lacking - I need it, but I have to learn to be supportive, too. Time for bed, methinks.