A Pleasant Family Sunday Evening

So yesterday was a typical Sunday. Most of the day, anyway. I always have plans to get a bunch of stuff done before Dinner at the folks' place... but then I end up getting my brain wrapped around something and 5 hours has gone by, I haven't showered yet and I'm late to dinner.

Yesterday it was figuring up the next several months worth of finances. Some of that creative juggling I mentioned a few posts ago. And, like I suspected, it'll work out just fine. I'll be able to handle all of my move expenses without burdening my credit cards or otherwise going further into debt. Money for a car is a totally different matter, but I'll deal with that when I get to it.

Amway, so there I was poring away over my computer, and I get a call from the folks at 4:45. Only I quickly learned it was really 5:45... I hadn't even known until that moment that Daylight Savings kicked into gear yesterday. Oh well. I ended up missing sharing dinner with them, though Mom left some cooked spaghetti noodles out for me. I'd already planned to bring some of my own spaghetti, anyway, cuz mine has the ground turkey, so it worked out. I just ate in the living room while we all talked.

We usually play a game or watch a movie after dinner. But last night, the Pope's passing was plastered all over CNN, and discussion about him led to many other discussions... about World War II... about the rationings and blackouts that Gram lived through... about living in a military family... about when Pop was born... about when I was born. It was a very nice evening. Gram was more involved and consciously present in the conversation than she's been for a while. Not that she's unconscious or anything... the woman has all her wits about her. But when the conversation isn't about something she finds particularly interesting, she tends to zone out. As do we all... but I'm afraid that a lot of modern topics go right over Gram's head.

We had a good talk a few weeks ago, just Gram and I, about not liking to rock the boat. She and I are an awful lot alike in that respect. She could totally understand the issues I was going through with my neighbors. And I could understand a lotta the things that she internalizes because she can't stand conflict. I know it could be called a lotta things: weak, wuss, passive aggressive... it's not something I'm overly proud of. I wish I COULD stand up more for myself. At least I know I can stand up for somebody ELSE. And I know Gram feels the same way. We both feel that our tendencies to avoid conflict sometimes actually cause more problems than they solve... but it takes an awful lotta effort to overcome.

Either way, I think it helps to be able to commisserate with someone who truly understands. I don't think Gram realized that I'm the same way... always having to defend herself and her actions (or inactions) to others who are far more pro-active. But then, I already knew that Gram and I were kindred spirits on a lotta things. :)