Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Things actually did work out. I returned the nasty looking rings to Sears, the refund took 3 weeks. Thank goodness the new rings I ordered came in a flash via Fed Ex. I LOVE Amazon Prime! They are beautiful. I popped the question a week ago today. I surprised my now fiancé with a drive to look at the Christmas lights after dinner. I do have to say that she scared the be-jeepers out of me because she started crying and saying this can't be happening. She wasn't answering the question! I kept asking her, does that mean yes? Eventually she said yes. I totally surprised her. After she calmed down a bit we called her Dad and I talked to him. I did it old school, I asked for the honor of his daughter's hand in marriage! I think he was almost happier than his daughter! He's a really nice guy, had already been calling the kids his grand kids.

I am now officially out to my Mom's side of the family. Haven't seen them since my Grandma's funeral. I had talked on the phone to my Aunt #1 who had been so rude to me at the funeral. She held her coffee cup in front of her so I couldn't give her a hug when we left and the 2 conversations we've had since were rather stilted. She had sent me a message in Words With Friends that I should Skype her 3 weeks ago so she could fill me in on my Aunt #2 in Wisconsin. Christmas Eve I Skyped Aunt #1.I got up the courage after a very gay friendly post about Duck Dynasty from Aunt #2's niece. I also came out in my comment to that post. So we video chatted a bit, the kids did too, then she added Aunt #3 to the conversation and I asked if they had seen my post. (The one with the rings.) My fiancé could not believe I did it. Aunt #3 looked it up on Facebook right away and congratulated me. Aunt #1 couldn't look it up and said nothing. But it's out there and I did it! I haven't had contact with my Dad's side of the family in at least 15 years or more and have no idea where any of then are.

We had a very nice Christmas. Today we celebrated Christmas with my future in-laws. Had a very nice time, even though we had to witness da Bears loss.

Ex hb had promised to celebrate both kids birthdays Saturday. (Daughter's was in April, hello!) he showed up on time, spent a whole 3 hours with them and gave them both a couple cheezy dollar store gifts and 1 regift. I was so happy I planned ahead so they would have a great Christmas at home. Ex hb only visited with the kids TWICE this year. That's ridiculous, he lives in Chicago, not Europe!