Christmas vacation

Hello again. I had a good Christmas weekend. I left work on time and drove to my parents' house 45 minutes away. When I lived with my parents I did that twice a day. I watched TV and talked to Mom who had to fill me in the visitation will be Monday and funeral Tuesday because that was the earliest Dad could get a coffin. Christmas Day I opened my kitty calendar from Mom, autumn floral sheets from my brother, and a money envelope from Grandma (with my Mom's handwriting). After nightmares of Mom having Grandma sign her own cards with her memory problems, I suggested that we write out her cards and just tell her that she did it. After pointing out that Grandma did not remember when she did do them, Mom agreed.
We watched Christmas movies and Mom's football games. Dad recorded a DVD onto a VCR tape and we had to explain the movie was finished, he was looking at the menu that replays the same scenes. I made cocoa and Mom asked me to finish using her old liquid chocolate. Mom never bought liquid chocolate because it cost more than the powder. Anyway, I asked Mom if she was trying to poison me. Old food can mean a year old in my parents' house. Let me put this way, my Dad slabs on butter and eats green moldy bread. It's disgusting to watch. Mom said her chocolate was bought last summer on sale. I just used the rest of it and had to add powder for it to taste right. At least I got marshmellows fresh out of a bag. My brother and I put together my computer cart to judge the size. I asked Mom her plan to transport it to my apartment. She had no plan.
Sunday we drove to my aunt's new pad in Omaha. We first entered the development with 3 story, 3 car garage houses. My cousin called it track housing in reference to track lighting. Then the houses came down in size gradually to my aunt's split level duplex with 2 car garage. Very nice place. My sister got lost and phoned with her cell phone. I opened more presents after dinner, with a battle over who sits next to me by 3 nieces. Of course we all played battle to hold the baby niece. I got flannel sheets from my sister and $25 in a Younkers jewelry box from my other sister. One sister suggested later to no longer exchange gifts between siblings, just give the nieces and parents gifts. I voiced my objection while my brother just followed along with my sister's idea. Mom said my vote did not count. I think she was sarcastic but it still hurts when she dismisses my feelings. My other sister saved the day with her objection. My cousin asked why stop the exchanging. I said my sister feels guilty with her cheapness. She defended she was trying to save us money. My other sister said we do not need to save money. My sister asked her husband's opinion. My other sister explained that he does not mess with her family gifts and she does not mess with his family gifts. I guess that settled the argument.
Monday my brother stuffed my computer cart into his car and we took it to my apartment. Parents' had a meeting with the preist. Then I realized I did not bring my keys. Oops. I called the lock out # programed into my cell phone and went over to the office for the spares. I had to explain why my keys were not locked in the apartment, they were at my parents' house. My brother saw my place for the first time. He liked it better than the last one he saw I lived in. The visitation went well and saw many relatives. I snapped a bunch of pictures and let my niece take a few. I turned on photo screen for better aiming for her. Mom was disappointed no townspeople came, just relatives. My sister said most townspeople who knew Grandma are either dead or in nursing homes. Besides it was just visitation, not the funeral service. Mom fussed over Grandma's bangs were too straight and not the way she wore her hair. Sorry, I never noticed. Grandma's brother came from the nursing home, but her sister did not. Her other 2 brothers came too.
I got up early to ready myself for the funeral. My sister's car hit a large rock and tore the oil tank. A church member who was in my sister's high school graduating class picked them up. My sister asked Mom who the guy was. My Dad likes to drive the weird or scenic way to places, and rarely goes the same way every time. This time he drove past the church that burnt down. During dinner, my baby niece slid through her high chair in a scream and I caught her (and tablecloth) right before she hit the floor. I held her a while before her Daddy picked her up from my lap. Sometimes Aunt is not good enough.
The preacher conducted the service with fond memories of my grandparents. I was sad he never mentioned her guitar, but I guess none of the relatives who spoke to him about the service brought it up. He did talk about the role reversal that occurred after Grandma's strokes and later dementia very much. I guess he was impressed of their strong love for each other. Grandpa was proud of his homemade pies and cakes he baked. Grandma would place something to cook and forget about it. She had a lot of trouble of someone serving her needs. I saw Dad take off his glasses and wipe his eyes. Even though he rarely shows emotion, I know he feels them.
Grandma had an ivory hearse take her to the cemetery. We followed in our cars. No limos for this family. We stood under a blue canopy for the blessing and someone gave out the pink roses off the bouquet. He left the red carnations. At Grandpa's internment my aunt took off the red roses and left the pink hollyhock. I thought it amusing they had hollyhock on a bouquet, many think it is a weed (like my Mom). We drove back home another weird way, a 1/4 mile shorter. Mom begged for us to take some of the funeral flowers with us. I took a pink plant and a red plant. I almost drove my sister to my job to get her a rental car until their's was fixed. We packed up my stuff and leaving when the phone rang. The insurance company said to go through whoever the dealership uses. So I spent a few more minutes with my family before leaving. It was a long day. At least Mom hardly complained. I think I heard her once tell Dad that something was his job because it was his mother. Good girl. I think this is long enough. Post later. Happy New Year.