[Sundae]

We're getting by. Dad & I can put it out of our heads, but Mum can only forget for a while, then it hits home again and there is more sniping. She shouted at my Dad in the street today, "GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS!" like he was a 3 year old. He was looking for his hanky to wipe his glasses. I know it's because she was worried he would slip and not be able to break his fall, but doing it in public with such a level of venom shows she is on edge.

Anyway. Onto more fun things.

Just when I thought I had received all I was going to, and already far more than I deserve, a HUGE box comes to the door. I mean it's a really big and heavy box! I answered the door this time, and the postman checked his address, because I had such a look of slack-jawed amazement on my face. "What now?!" said Dad jovially as I staggered in with it (how did you get it to the Post Office, babba?)

On opening there was gift upon gift.
A loan of 10? 12? books - too lazy to go to my room and check. A veritable feast for the likes of me, and I haven't asked for any books for Xmas, so this fulfills a real seasonal need. Oh AND a handwritten mini-critique of each.

Then the geographically appropriate gifts - Parkin and locally purchased brandy snaps. Then the name-specific jar of Cherries in Kirsch (Kirsch is my real name). Then the amazing and flamboyant carnival mask (closest she can get to a cock - I know the feeling) and UV body paint to go with it. Then a turkey dinner for the Diz cat.

I have no idea how I lucked into such largesse this year. I honestly can't believe it. And neither can the 'rents - Mum was giving her own side to the story over the fence this morning to our neighbour. "They must all think we're poor!" Sigh. Trust Mum to find a negative. Then again, the alternative is saying I am loved by other people, which I know pleases her immensely, but she could never say because it's too much like boasting.

I didn't take a photo of the Parkin, or the books, sorry.