The humiliation continues...

Kristen and I normally have fun when we visit each other's homes. Oh, sure, there's the occasional argument over who won Connect Four, or who's right about so-and-so starring in such-and-such movie. Generally mundane interruptions in the funness. Until Saturday night.

Friday evening Kristen arrived while I was still working in the library. She brought in my (early) birthday presents. I received an assortment of pink-themed goodies, including a sweet book bag that Kristen had bought and decorated herself. It says "Word Nerd" on it with a fancy border. It's tied for first place with one other present...the blue and black crossbones Airwalk shoes I'd desperately wanted and couldn't find!! Woohoo! We then ate Chinese at Mandarin restaurant in Rice Lake. Pretty tasty stuff. Except I saw Cara's ex-boyfriend and I wanted to puke. But then we rented some scary movies (to be watched Sat. evening), and then went home. We had ice cream. And I watched my very first episode of The Gilmore Girls.

Saturday we were up bright and early to attend a craft fair taking place at my old high school. We didn't buy anything, and the high school had been remodeled, so it looked absolutely nothing like my memories. Kristen was also insulted by a vendor. But I'll let her tell that story on her own blog.

Next we drove down to Eau Claire to meet Jolene at our favorite place, The Olive Garden. I had the chicken alfredo, in case you're interested. After lunch, we drove over to Oakwood Mall and roamed around. The girls each bought a chocolate fondu set. Jolene went home, and Kristen and I roamed around Borders, wanting to buy books but lacking the money.

So then we went to my mom's house to watch the scary movies we'd rented. Mom was going to make tacos and desserts. But Amanda had already taken off with friends of hers, saying she'd be back soon. She never did show up, until apparently Sunday morning. Well, Mom, Kristen, and I started watching the scary movies and eating our treats. After the second movie, my brother and his girlfriend, Nikki, started arguing upstairs. They were screaming at each other. Nikki took off out of the house to go somewhere else. Aaron followed her, and they stood screaming at each other on the street. Surprised no one called the cops. Then Nikki came barging back in the house to tell Mom that Aaron was keeping guns in the house, and she described where they were being kept. (Upon searching, no guns were found, but I digress.) Nikki and Aaron went outside again, still hollering. Kristen informed me that she was leaving. I didn't blame her. But I didn't want to leave my mom and Jersey. So Kristen drove back to my grandparents' house (after remembering to grab her chocolate fondu set, of course), and I stayed to make sure things were going to calm down. I finally got Jersey to fall asleep and put her to bed. Aaron came home alone. Nikki walked to a friend's house. I got to leave (around 20-25 minutes after K left), and got home to find my grandma worried, my grandpa wondering if I'd brought home the ice cream (true story), and Kristen in tears.

Worst. Night. Ever.

People never truly understand another person's dysfunctional family, and usually that's fine. I was quite content with my closest friends not being a witness to the Cops worthy freakshow that is my family. But no. It was so humiliating for not only a friend to bear witness to the drama, but to have her frightened of it.

I would have bribed her with ice cream to not hold the experience (and psycho family) against me, but I'd forgotten it at the hell-house. And I was too busy walking as fast as I could in the dark streets and watching for attackers to remember the strawberry swirled goodness. Fortunately, I didn't need to bribe her because she is such a dear friend. And I hope she will not be scarred for the rest of her life.

I tossed and turned all night. I had nightmares about walking at night and fighting and worrying.

But today we tried to ignore the images of last night and had a nice lunch in Rice Lake. We roamed around stores, where I didn't buy anything. She bought herself two sweaters and a pair of pajama pants that highlighted her crotch and buttcrack. Pretty damn funny. And then off she went, driving home in the rain.

And now I'm off to wallow in the hazard wasteland that is my life.