Back Home for a Bit

Leaving campus for the last time as a student last Friday was bittersweet, but honestly, it was much more bitter than sweet. I have no real job, no real grad school plans yet; just working as a live-in nanny for the family I have been a part-time nanny for for the past two years. After making 6 quarts of turkey chili for my Bible study's Christmas party and enjoying food and fellowship with them, I got ready to leave for Florida Saturday morning.

About the first hour into the drive home on Saturday, my mother called me to inform me that my sister is being sent to an inpatient center in Maine because her mental illness is such that neither of my parents know how to live with her and she refuses to live with my mother. Then I get a call that evening from my dad who says that he has talked to his friend's wife who is a counselor and she says that 5-day a week counseling at home will be better, so Mary is no longer going to Maine. Sunday morning rolls around and mom convinces dad to send Mary to Maine at lunch after church, so mom goes out and buys all of the clothes Mary will need. That evening, my dad is unsure again. On Monday, my dad informs my mom that he bought the plane tickets for him and Mary to go up to Maine, but he tells Mary of the plans that night and she flips out and says she wants to do the 5-day a week outpatient. So now she is not going to Maine. It's been terribly stressful, especially with my parents fighting about it and the psychologist and psychiatrist not being on the same page either.

Ed is really playing mean this week. I am so tempted to work out all 7 days a week. I know, I have the power not to, but he is so forceful when I am at home in the environment that it all started in. I met with my nutritionist and she suggested that, instead of paying for the expensive weekly therapy that will probably be required if I move home for grad school, I should just ask my parents to use that money to pay for my own place. It's either fight for what I have worked through with Ed and pay lots of money to do it, or have my own place and continue only going to therapy occasionally. Having my own place seems a lot easier and less stressful.

In other news, I am making all of Christmas dinner (remember the fiasco with Mary refusing help on Thanksgiving and saying that I would do all of Christmas?). I wish she would help. Cooking with people is one of my favorite activities. There is something bonding about working together to create what provides vital nourishment to our bodies. Oh well.

The Christmas menu is (drum roll):

Honey-praline baked ham
Corn pudding

Green bean casserole

Candied sweet potatoes (no marshmallows!)

Frozen sister Schubert's rolls (I gotta have a little break somewhere)

Banana pudding pie