How's Life Been?

Expensive weekend! That's what happens when you have so many siblings and relatives and get tired of your furnishings so often. It's not very often that so many in my family get together. I'm the youngest son with 4 older brothers and 5 sisters (4 older, 1 younger). We got together primarily for an early Mother's day but it was also one niece's birthday and her sister prom.

It was quite a surprise that my nephew was there. Now, this is going to sound very strange. I haven't seen my nephew in just over 20 years! He's my oldest sister's only son and the last that I had seen him was when I was probably in 3rd grade and he would have been around 5. My sister got divorced close to 20 years ago and her son ended up living with his father. I don't think my sister was destined to be a good mother but there were other complications at the time though that resulted in her ex-husband getting custody. I don't know how often she's seen him over the years but there was really no reason that the rest of the family didn't see him more often. It's actually incredible actually that I haven't seen him. He told me that the high school that he attended was just 1 mile from my previous residence. I feel cheated and sad that I missed out on his growing up and having a relationship with him as I do with my other nephews and nieces.

My nephew has turned out to be an articulate, handsome, fine young man. He graduated from college and works for a county agency with kids and is an assistant lacrosse coach (since when was lacrosse played in Orange County??). I'm determined that we'll keep in touch.

Total spent Friday:
$0 expensed lunch
$13 dinner for 2 at Buca di Beppo (unpleasantly noisy but good food, had $25 gift certificate)

Total spent Saturday:
$300 mother's day gift (mom prefers cash, as do many Asians)
$80 niece's birthday gift (also prefers cash)
$60 spending money for other niece's prom which was that night
$11 drycleaning
$13 dessert and coffee for 2 at The Library in Long Beach

Total spent today:
$20 more misc. supplies for fence/gate project (which is finally finished!)
$70 groceries
$570 3 home decor pieces (2 plant stands and a fountain of a Balinese goddess)
$23 appetizers for 3 at Tony Roma's (Mother's Day menu only which sucked!)