The holidays are quickly approaching... way too fast. I don't even want to hear or see the "C" word or anxiety comes over me. How many of you are wishing to runaway from it too? Or maybe someone could wake us up when it's over?

THis time a year ago we were scrambling to get settled in after an exhausting move. From one island over and then from a hostile landlord who harassed me 24/7 and played games with our new rental lease so we had to pack up and find another one on the spot. 

MEANWHILE I was scrambling to get Mom moved over from 5,000 miles away, her and her cat (which btw, getting a pet entered / moved into Hawaii is a whole other nightmare- fees, fares, and extra requirements 6-9 mo ahead). Then a few days after mom and her cat arrived (cat was required to fly on a separate flight, btw *rollseyes*) while I was busy getting her setttled and set up with senior care (transporation, doctors, etc), my estranged father passed away. 

Some of you may remember the emotional and physical roller coaster that then ensued over the next several months as I had to play detective and track down his death certificate in a foreign country (from afar). 

My point being, over the holidays I was wreck and what did my spouse do (yup, "spouse", because husband is too kind for a title)? He invited his sister and all of her family to come stay at our house for 8 days. They totally took over our house, too. 

So I'm still "recovering" from that whole ordeal.... and the journey with my father's death still continues one year later as I'm about to take a trip overseas in Dec to visit *those* relatives and his grave -Ironically during THAT holiday that starts with a C. Boy, if I think I hate "C' now, I'm really going to hate it after this, huh? But I figured I'll be in a Muslim country so at least I won't have Santa and jingly songs everywhere to overwhelm my senses. Nope, I'll be on a completely different emotional roller caoster. I'll be sure to take notes of everything, because I want to write a book about this. 

My older brother called last night and said he broke the news to his wife that he's divorcing her. He's been staying with a friend and took that friend with him to the house to get some valuables in case she decided to smash his stuff. He said to me the holidays are coming up and asked what to do. I told him we'll be gone but he's free to fly out and crash here if he needs to get away from drama. At least mom will be here to yack his head off. Sheesh.... I can't imagine what it's like to be going through a divorce over the holidays and how depressing that must be. 

Sending a pre-laoded hug out to everyone who's feeling as much dread as I am. It's here when you need it!