Someone stole my car (the ford)... or tried to anyway

They tried anyway. They popped the ignition and tried to hot wire it with a screw driver. Silly people, the car hasn't been run in months and the battery is dead, in fact there wasn't even one in it for quite a while. Now I admit I didn't have it locked... the Salvation Army is supposed to pick it up this week, and technically, they now own it. But perhaps it doesn't have a broken window because of the open doors. I don't know exactly when it happened but sometime in the last two weeks- since I cleaned everything out of it and I'm sure I would have noticed the stripped out ignition. *shakes head and giggles just a bit*

The police have been notified and will be doing more drive-bys. It makes me sad that people are so desperate. I feel a little less secure in my admittedly not so great neighborhood. Until this point the saying held true that the thieves weren't practicing in their own neighborhood. Oh well. It wasn't a successful attempt and hopefully they won't try again.

Christmas

It sounds like Christmas is just going to be Mom, Dad and me. The usual family gathering of the hoarde on my mother's side may or may not happen, but not until Saturday at least. Since we usually gather at Andrea's parent's house, the fact that she is in the hospital may put a damper on festivities.

They live in the MacMinville area (Dayton actually) which has been harder hit by the snow than Portland. As of Sunday they had 18 inch and an inch of ice crust on top. It was so crusted that the 2 year old neighbor could walk on top of the snow. Therefore, travel to and from their house could be difficult too. *sigh*

I hate how the family has scattered since Grandma's death. Mom's youngest brother is not interested in family gatherings now that she's gone. He, at least, stays in contact with Mom. My Mom's oldest brother has moved back to Montana. My mom's other brother is building a house in Troy, ID for his retirement...he and his wife stay in touch and will be here for Saturday after Christmas if they can make it. It's now just three families instead of five.

Most of my cousins have scattered as well. It's likely that Andrea's brother, his wife, and children would be there, but I don't think that Vicki and Leryl's kids will be there. Of course, my brother and his wife were up for Thanksgiving and are spending Christmas with her family. I don't know if any of my mother's youngest brother's children will come; they are old enough to make that decision themselves. I haven't seen Jeremy and his daughter Nina in a long time. Brittany is pregnant and the family isn't very fond of her boyfriend. (Dad wanted to break his arms last Christmas because he was too "familiar" with her. He's legal age and Brittany wasn't then.) She sent a Christmas card at least. Kevin is still a petulant brat so I don't expect him. My uncle Verlin's (the one in Montana) first family doesn't stay in touch with the family. His son cut off all contact with his father because he dared to remarry. Grandma tried to send him cards and gifts but he moved and left no forwarding address. We have no idea where he is now. THAT is really sad. His sister keeps in touch but is also in Montana so contact is limited. She's at least talking to her dad and has had some good conversations with my Mom. As the eldest, I think Mom is the glue that holds the loose pieces together. She's also just good about keeping in touch. I wish I were better. I'm starting, at least with my card resolution for the new year.