Heroes, flannel and jet lag

Most people observing my weekend would think "Boring." I disagree; for me, it was perfect.

Friday night and Saturday, I did some fall cleaning. It's like spring cleaning but more fun, because in the fall you get to figure out where the Christmas tree is going to go.

Hey, that gives me a nifty idea. When the Tucson contingent is here, we should put up my tree. That would make me happy. Putting up the tree alone would make me sad, but putting it up in a house full of love would be awesome.

I also got out my fall/winter clothes. I need to have my winter coat cleaned. And, as luck would have it, I have plenty pants and skirts for the season, but not enough tops. Good thing my bras are pretty.

I spent almost the entire weekend in yoga pants and a flannel shirt. The same flannel shirt I wore in college - you know, the blue plaid one in all the pictures? If those sleeves could talk ...

But on Sunday, I had to put on some Big Girl Clothes, because I was going over to Dad's to celebrate my sister's birthday and do some laundry for free. I have found that when I don't look tidy like a Stepford ex-wife, visiting my family is more of a discussion of How Margaret Doesn't Fit In and Youngest Child/Greatest Disappointment. So I primped. It's just easier that way.

So I arrived at Dad's with little fanfare, threw in a load of wash (I haven't done towels in about three weeks) and hunkered down for a visit. Then, my nephew arrived. Carrying two faux guitars.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I was saved by a 14-year-old and his game console.

Alex brought Guitar Hero. Now, I bring this up not because I'm any good at any video game. I bring this up because I'm the only one who'll play with him. Such activities are "beneath" my tight and right sisters, and Dad gets a little intimidated by technology. So Alex and I spent most of the day holed up in the front room, battling it out via music and watching movies - Caddyshack and Fletch. I had more fun than I've had in a really long time with my family. Don't get me wrong, I love them like crazy. It's just that sometimes I don't think they like me very much. Having Alex want to hang out with his old aunt, knowing that he had no doubt I would play with him, is the best feeling ever.

I love being an aunt. I love that I have nieces and nephews that go well beyond blood relationships. And I love that they love me back.

For the record, he handed me my ass on a platter in Guitar Hero, but he still can't beat me in Horse.

Now if only I could adjust to the time change ...