Christmas

My sister did not make it for Christmas Eve as originally planned. Her daughter wanted to party with her friends from school instead. We will be keeping my niece after Christmas for a few days anyway.

I gave money to my niece for Christmas. A crisp new $50 that she could spend however she saw fit. The boys received a couple of remote control cars. Trevor received a camera he asked for. He has yet to use it. Luckily I did not spend a lot on it. Riley received a recorder. They both love to hear themselves talk. It will be useful at school. I was pretty frugal this year. I even think next year I can do even better. They are reaching the age where they want cash and to buy what they want.

My Dad used to write us checks for $200 for Christmas and birthday. My sisters and I loved those checks. One year I bought a leather jacket I wanted that I would never have purchased or received otherwise. I wore that jacket for years. Or I would use the money on a ski weekend or just to pay off my holiday bills. I will miss those checks. I am told that people don't remember what they received each year, but I remember those checks. He also gave everyone books, but I can't remember the titles. He always gave Tom a sports book, something along the lines of the best sports articles of that year, or a famous athlete who might have done a memoir that year. We stayed away from political writers as Tom and my family somewhat disagree on politics.

Tom and I exchanged gifts. Our instant hot water was broken on our sink. I have had the cold water turned off as the heater box leaks under the sink. It has been unplugged for over a month. I know Tom has been missing it. I burn my hands doing dishes without the cold tap. My brilliant gift was a new instant hot water for that sink. Tom hands me a big box to open. Its an instant hot water heater for the kitchen sink. Ack, we have given each other the same gift. I make him open mine. They are the same brand and exactly the same. One of them will have to be returned. I laugh that we both had the same thought.

Tom had the brilliant idea of buying me another new computer. This one is a desk top, I was getting so mad every time I would go into the office to use my computer and it wouldn't be there. The kids had swiped it to play games. I would have to hunt to see where it had been left. I hesitated over the new computer, but the desk top was a very thoughtful gift. The big screen is nicer than the lap top's screen.

Tom loved the books I picked out for him. He dug into one right away. Later in the day my family arrived for our second Christmas. Tory and Mom received shoes from me. They had been to my store to pick them out, so the shoes were just what they wanted.

I was happily surprised by the drop in of one of my sister-in - laws and her family. She and her husband stopped by. They said they might but were not sure with many obligations that day. Her oldest daughter had recently been married. the new husband had grown up in our town and surprised us with a visit. We played a game and partied late. After they left some friends dropped by who had been visiting their family in the area. We watched A Christmas Carol with George C Scott playing Scrooge. My girlfriend fell asleep in her husband's arms on the couch during the movie. Their youngest child slept through the whole visit on the couch in my front room. My boys played upstairs with their friend and the new games their father had given them for Christmas.

I tidied up the kitchen and put away most of the fancy dishes we had brought out for the table. Tom had cooked a 21 pound Turkey he had received from work. My mom had brought some delicious side dishes; baked green beans with french onions, candied yams, and a ribbon salad made of a rainbow of different colored jellos, fruit, and cream cheese filling. We had provided sides also of baked broccoli and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing and Tom's perfect gravy. There was enough food to feed twice the company we received. Mom even brought her home made eggnog already spiked with bourbon. I live for that eggnog.

My sister had called the day before for the eggnog recipe. she was going to serve it up at her family party in New York. It is worth the potential heart attack, it is that good. Whole milk, half and half, whipped heavy cream, whipped egg whites, sugar blended into the yolks, then add the booze. I feel my arteries shrink with every Divine sip.

Thanks to my mom washing the fancy dishes and silver, the kitchen was in good order at the end of the night. I just had to put everything back in storage for another year. The tree which has been up since before Thanksgiving with no water, came down a day later. The branches snapped off as I removed the ornaments, it was so dry. I will need to tackle the storage of ornaments issue this week. Right now they ornaments are in Christmas boxes sitting on the pool table waiting to find a more permanent location.

I dwell again on putting in a pull down stair to the attic to get some storage for Christmas, not in the garage. I would need flooring to cover the rafters. I miss my friends that would help me with these projects and knew what they were doing.

Riley was swept away again by his friend for a few days of play. It is so nice to have friends that take my children for the entertainment of their own kids. Riley and his budy will play computer games and never be sick of them. Tom wanted Riley back, but I was content to have peace in the house. I picked up a friend for Trevor so both boys had overnight playdates. I had to deliver extra meds for Riley to stay longer at his playdate, but we met at home depot where I bought more lightbulbs for the house. I didn't have to drive all the way out to the country where he was staying to deliver his pills. Trevor was delighted to have his old friend visiting. I barely saw the boys, only when they made an appearence to raid the kitchen for food. Otherwise they camped out in the game room, or in front of the TV while I was at work.

Because the boys were gone most of the vacation, or had friends, peace reigned over the holiday. The house looks like we have had a breakin with the piles everywhere of new toys, empty boxes, and Christmas cards, but work has given me a place to go and escape the mess. Tom took two weeks vacation during the holiday and loved just being able to vegitate and be left in peace also.

New years was quiet. Riley was still with his friend in the country. They were going to a youth group New Years party at a church. Trevor's friend was picked up in the afternoon by his family. One of my friends asked if she could come and hang with us. We watched a House marathon on TV until midnight when we swithced channels to see a rerun of the ball drop in New York three hours earlier. We toasted the year, then turned the TV back to the House marathon for another hour, when I finally had to go to bed.

On New Years day we hung out watching NCIS marathon and White Collar. Around Three I called to see what the plan was for Riley. They wanted to meet us at church the next morning, Sunday. I loved that plan. Tom was mad that I didn't want to jump up and go get him that instant. He hadn't really wanted Riley gone, but from the plans I knew Riley would have more fun at the Teen party than hanging out watching TV with his old fuddy duddy parents.

We met after church at a local Krispi Kremes for the child exchange. I could tell Riley had enjoyed himself. He was in a good mood and said thank you and gave the parents a hug without complaint. They asked if they could keep him longer, but it was time for him to come home and their son starts school in the morning. Riley and Trevor still have three more days of vacation.
They both have a little homework to do before they go back to school.