And since I don't have any money to do the X-mas shopping thing, I just feel like X-mas is coming, but isn't including me this year. Every year that I can remember, I always had fun shopping for other people. I would love to surprise them with something that was either not on their list or something that's a variation of a list item. I like to be creative.

But this year, no such luck. I can't even find the stuff from last year that I was going to make presents out of (for Mom and Dad). I wish I coulda found it, because then I wouldn't feel so left out on the whole X-mas thing.

So, I have searched my house this year, instead of stores for the perfect gifts for everyone. Unfortunately, I only found one truly "perfect" gift for someone. Something that I know for a fact is not on that person's list, but they need nonetheless.

As for everyone else that would normally get a gift from me, they will have to ask for favors. It's so weird feeling that I can't even think of something non-tangible to present to them for X-mas this year.

But, I knew this day was coming, so I should have been preparing longer in advance. Oh well. My mistake, and their loses. I just think being there, with them, will have to be enough this year.

As Erich put it, he doesn't want me to go further in debt for some insignificant "trinket" (maybe that's the word he used, I don't know for sure). He couldn't allow knowing that he helped increase my debt. That's a very sweet thing, and all I can say is "thanks".

Carisa