December 19, 2008, McKinney, Texas, 8:45 p.m., C.S.T.:

Dear Journal~

Rat-Nose here.  Sorry if I haven't written; been busy.  Between scads of homework nearly every night, trying to find gainful employment, and trying to find the parental units the right gift for Christmas, I just haven't had much time to do anything, let alone, go to the bathroom or eat.  Hope you understand.

I had a pretty good Turkey Day; however, it was sad without Grampy being with us.  He died back in August, which was when I last wrote; how I miss him!!  He was seventy eight.  He had a heart attack while in the hospital; the docs and nurses tried to save him, but to no avail.  It was too late.

Ma is still sad, especially now that it's nearly Christmas.  Her father loved Christmas; now the family seems so much sadder now that he's gone to Heaven.  He's with Jesus now.  I miss him, too; he was quite the character!

One of grampy's favorite tricks was to take out his false teeth and try to tell me a story without his teeth in his mouth.  It was freekin' hiLARious; I'd laugh myself until I thought my sides were going to split!  He'd also do these crazy dances, and he was the family jokester; he was really something!

Christmas was the time where he especially shone.  He always loved being the center of attention.

Now we will be together again come Christmas, but there'll be an empty place at the family table:  grampy.  It will no doubt make me cry. 

Other than grampy dying back in August, I have since started back to school.  Am in grade ten now.  It's a pain.  At least they have a different teacher for choir; the guy they had was so tone deaf he'd make Bob Dylan sound like an opera virtuoso!  LOL

I swear, though, the teachers at school are insane!  I think they dream of ways to pile on more homework on us kids; they don't like to see us having fun or loafin' around.  Sadists!!  They drive me butt-crazy!!!!

Miracle of miracles, though:  I figured they'd pile it on thick before we got out of school today for winter break (Christmas break):  nope.  No homework whatsoever!  Ahhh!!  Two weeks of nothing to do but veg out and enjoy the loot we are getting for Christmas!  WHEE!!!!

Yep.  We're on Christmas holiday now.  Two glorious weeks of relazin' and maxin'!  Today, after I got out of school, as an example, I went to the skateboard park, worked on improvin' my skillz.  I did pretty good until I hit that rut; scraped the shit out of my chin, my face; it hurts now like a boil!  *OW*  Did a beautiful face plant!  I got a face burn for Christmas!  *OW*  BAH the humbug!!

When ma saw my face upon my returning home, all she did was roll her eyes and shake her head.  She was not amused!

Tonight, we looked at Christmas lights.  We left the house at six; just got back not even ten minutes ago.  We went to Interlochen in Arlington; it was fantastic, absolutely breathtaking!  I loved it!  After looking at lights, we went to the local Sonic, where I had hot chocolate and four cheeseburgers.  (Hey, man, I was hungry!!  I'm a growing boy! LOL)

On my way out; tired.  And sore.  OW!  Catch ya later; this is the Rat-Boy signin' off!  Catch ya on the flipside!

~Rat-Nose.  :)  *OW*  My poor face!!  :(