Technically Behaving

This year at my Dad’s house we are exchanging names between the adults.  There is a $25 limit which I was fine with until my Step Mom informed me no gift cards.  WTF!  No gift cards?  I made the mistake to ask her why and she told me gift cards are not thoughtful.  I beg to differ lady.  What is more thoughtful, buying someone a gift card because you don’t know what on God’s green earth to buy them, or some crappy fruity body lotion from Bath and Body works?  I am a person that truly appreciates gift cards.  I don’t care if they are for Sephora or a gas station.  There is going to be something I want at both places.  I am fearful for what I might receive on this side of the family because none of them know me well enough to buy me a thoughtful present.  I just want to know, where do you stand on gift cards?

My name is Jodi and my uncle is an alcoholic.  With that being said, my last post was a total sham.  I know it was several months ago, but that’s been how long it has taken me to come up with the courage and words to write this.  When you last heard from me I had came home from Rhinelander.  I lied and said it was a fab vacation.  I couldn’t tell the truth at the time.  To tell you that my aunt and uncle fought the whole time because he cared more about a bottle than his family.  While we were up there my cousin almost came up to have me and my mom help her have him committed to a substance abuse program.  My aunt left him shortly after we came home.  September 3rd things finally got to the point where he agreed to go to the hospital and get help.  I won’t go into details, but this summer wasn’t the best for my mom’s family.  I am glad to say, but I got a Christmas card from my aunt.  The picture was so wonderful it made me cry.  My uncle looks like the man I grew up with.  Not at all the person who caused so many tears this summer.   I think I was waiting for a happy ending to write about.  I really thought he was going to die this summer.  I’m glad it went the other way.