Today is Christmas Eve. My sisters are in town and my parents are on the way. Everyone agreed to meet for Christmas in Texas this year on account of the birth of Mati-Lo-Flo.

Traditionally, it seems that my family has an explosive edge to it. There’s always some sort of drama, some sort of beef to be dealt with.

This morning, I threw gasoline on the fire. First of all, it was the morning. That’s bad in general because not everyone is a morning person. Second, it’s a small house.

So I’m sitting on the couch nursing Matilda. Jennifer is next to me. Robin comes up over my shoulder and mentions that she hears the washer going and may she use it next; she’s got a full load to take care of. With what I thought was a grin that would read as “I am 100% joking,” I said, “Sure, there’s a washateria right down the street!” …Of course, she took it wrong. I immediately said, “hey, hey, I’m just joking! You’ve already used the wash a couple times. Of course you can use it,” but it was too late.

So Robin got pissed. The problem was that she stayed pissed. Then I got pissed and stormed out for a walk. When I came back, she and Jen were all chummy by the computer. They were fixing Robin’s website. (This website had been a huge bone of contention– a big worry. Jen had made the whole thing many years ago for free. Robin wanted it wiped clean and re-done.) Ah the irony of seeing them sitting there, happily working away. Typical, really. When Robin and I are annoyed with each other, she and Jen are the best of buds. When Jen and Robin are pissed at each other, I’m the friend. It’s always consistent and rarely cool across the board. Tiresome.

So I left the house. No one was talking to me but Pat and Justin, though he slept through all of it.

I guess, in the end, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been sarcastic. I should have been sweet and gentle and giving. My sense of humor can get me into trouble.

Anyway, so now I’m up at work. Pity party. wah wah wah Maybe I’ll get something done. Maybe something will happy to quash my completely sour mood.