Hoo boy, this is gonna be a long story, and I may jump around a bit. Apologies for that, I'll try and keep on track. Anywho... where to start...

On Thanksgiving, my grandmother broke her shoulder. My dad wouldn't take her into the emergency room, saying that "Mammaw didn't wanna go," (Which is true, Mammaw said she didn't want to go to the hospital) and he wasn't about to force her, either. I can't drive, so I couldn't take her in. I wasn't even aware that her shoulder was broken! So, I tried to at least make her comfortable. I also cooked the dinner and cleaned the house while my dad just lazed on the recliner. My mum and brother came over and saw Mammaw's shoulder, then promptly fought with Dad for his negligence. Mum was gonna take Mammaw to the hospital, so Dad hid the car keys.

Eventually, we got Mammaw to the hospital. Her shoulder was badly broken and she required 'round-the-clock care. My brother and Mum took me aside and explained everything that needs to be done as they know that I'll end up being the primary caretaker. My dad's track record of being responsible is poor at best. Alright, he's just utterly lazy. So, my grandmother's care is now solely in my hands. The responsibility is in the hands of this autistic Rodian. Needless to say, I had my work cut out for me.

So, I haven't had any time to work on anything. All projects have fallen by the wayside. I clean the house, cook, take care of the pets, take care of my grandmother, run errands when I can, pay bills, shovel the walks when it snows, accompany Mammaw to her doctor appointments and physical therapy, and even wait on my dad as he's too damn lazy to do anything for himself and would rather bark orders. Hunting for an apartment is outta the question for the moment as there's no way in hell that I'm gonna leave my Mammaw at the mercy of Dad. Dad doesn't even know how badly Mammaw's shoulder is broken as he never goes with her to the doctor.

A few weeks ago, things got even worse. My dad lost his liscense for a DUI charge. This charge was from the summer and he had lied to Mammaw about it (along with lying to Mum). Well, the cops came by that night a few weeks ago to do a breathalizer and take his liscense, so he was forced to 'fess up. Mum and my brother were also there. What resulted was yet another huge fight. Dad tried to rationalize mixing stolen sedatives with alcohol, while my brother and I told him flat-out that what he did was stupid as hell. Mum was snapping at Dad for lying to Mammaw. Eventually, I grew tired of the fight, put on my coat, and went for a nighttime walk to clear my head.

Well, now Dad can't drive and he lost his job. My brother and I are utterly disgusted with him. Mum contacted the local Office of Aging to get someone in to help Mammaw and relieve me of some of the constant stress. She explained to the agency what to expect and to overlook any attempt Dad makes to shift the blame. 'Fore the agency sent someone over, Dad went on a cleaning spree (yeah, he decided to do something for once). Then he started taking all the credit for all my work in order to look good for the agency. Thankfully, the agency wasn't fooled.

After all that came the Christmas holiday. Again, I cleaned, took care of Mammaw, did what shopping I could, decorated, and other responsibilities. No rest for the weary. Two days 'fore Christmas, Dad once again decided to put up a cherade that he was taking responsibility, and he cleaned the livingroom. Santa wasn't fooled. Dad got nothing for Christmas. He's done nothing to earn my respect, let alone a gift.

So, there you go. That's what's been going on. My grandma's shoulder is almost healed and she's attending physical therapy and regaining her independence. My workload is getting a bit lighter, but I have some things I need to concentrate on more than a webstrip; getting an apartment. Until I can secure a place to live and get away from that deadbeat leech of a father, I'm not gonna be working on the webstrip. Right now, finding a place to live is my first priority. Only then will I have the space and peace I need to work.

The new year brings change, so here's hoping it will also bring a place for this Rodian to finally call home.