Nov 20, 2019
Crazy busy days in the office that I know will slow down GREATLY between Thanksgiving and Christmas and I STILL couldn’t wait. Just like that… it was Christmas at our house!
Dharma and I were home alone, Billie Eilish playing throughout the house on all my Alexa devices (instead of holiday music, of course), and before I even knew it I was finished. Dhama was exhausted afterward. It was almost 3:00 am.
Because I typically decorate on Thanksgiving afternoon — and because every holiday deserves recognition — I figured I should at least give a big shout-out to that upcoming holiday…
In closing, the girl that didn’t want to put up a tree is thinking about Christmas tree part duex. Not sure that makes sense when tree #1 still has ZERO gifts underneath.
Nov 18, 2019
After decorating the mantle in the living room for Christmas, I sent a photo by text to my favorite son.
His reply:
“Those lights are ghostly or ethereal looking… giving me a spook!”
A spook? REALLY? Here’s the thing — I knew when I finished I should’ve used the ‘yellow-looking’ clear lights instead of the white LED ones. Yah, the lights are too bright. No, I’m not changing them this year.
Next, he sent me a text… a photo as he’s in the process of putting up his tree…
If it wasn’t for the fact that my granddaughter is about the cutest thing EVER, I would’ve said something besides, “awwww” in my return text. Like… “you haven’t gotten the fake snow cleaned up yet?” Or… “could your walls get any redder?”
Sadly, this grumpy kid got it honest. He is that one pesky neighbor made over. A little lazier (ok, a LOT less type A personality going on), but just as grumpy. Carl can pass a compliment, but he can also take one tiny little thing and hammer on it for 10-minutes. (Sorry Mr. Pesky, you know it’s true.) Ben finds fault in about everything I do — and isn’t afraid to let me know allll about it.
The primary difference between them is that Ben checks the date on every food item before consuming it… and Carl will eat just about anything. That’s it! So two of the most important people in my life are grumpy.
But don’t feel sorry for Mom or me! Because once you get past (or ignore) that rough, crotchety exterior — they aren’t so bad. 🙂
Nov 17, 2019
Our family always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve with chili, presents, and close family. I’m not sure if that started because we had a grocery store (and the closing hour required), or if Mom planned it that way because Nanny did before her.
For whatever the reason, that carried on to me. I hosted Christmas on the Eve for decades. From the first time I was a homeowner until two years ago.
Although I was in different homes, it was the same drill. We just added additional celebrations in other locations.
Then Perry came along with his HUGE family and it was a culture shock for me, you guys. We started going there on Christmas Day where there were lots of kids with fewer packages (we were a small family with lots of gifts). With so many people to feed, there was tons of food. But lo and behold… they have chili on Christmas too!
Then… COCO! Although my house was small, the tree kept getting bigger.
As time progressed, Mom and Carl decided to become Christmas part-timers (one year thinking being warm was priority — the next coming home because they miss ‘the baby’ and family). My house got bigger, the tree and family smaller. The only thing constant became the faces Ben and Perry make, and chili on the menu.
Ben’s time to carry the holiday torch started 2 years ago. Chili is gone as the meal; Dad, Nanny and Pap-pa are gone; and my favorite brother and his wife live a bajillion miles away so the date is not always on the Eve. Mom and Carl are still sporadic as to where they are for Christmas but Katie was added to the mix.
I remember a time Nanny didn’t want to put up a tree and I insisted. Today… I’m Nanny! I ordered a new Christmas tree at Balsam Hill yesterday although decorating is no longer that important to me. I bought it because it’s smaller and I refuse to move furniture this year.
I will decorate, but Ben will host our small gathering on some day (not even sure when). I know without a doubt we will not be eating chili. And you know what? I’m GREAT with that!!
Times change — traditions change.
Families change and life moves along. It’s just as awesome… it’s only different.
Dec 26, 2018
My trees and decorations are already down and packed away ready for next year. Highlights of the celebration on the Eve included Colette letting everyone know Katie is her very best friend — as referenced in her “GERNELL” (journal).
Dinner was prepared by Chef Shelley on a stove she’d never cooked on before. Even though it thad burners that are MUCH hotter with the same settings on the one she’s accustomed to, dinner was edible (barely).
The pesky non-neighbors left directly afterward and are currently enjoying a warm, sunny days instead of the cold, windy, AND rainy days we’re experiencing here in southern Indiana.
Dec 22, 2018
Such a busy time of the year — so I was extra thrilled my favorite brother flew in just for the day for family Christmas.
Perry was absent so it took me 30 minutes (while arguing with Ben) to remember how to set the timer on the camera. For the record, my brother’s head is NOT 3 times the size of everyone else’s. He just needed to take one step back rather than try to be center stage. 🙂
Scott brought Christmas packages on the flight, but left gift cards back in Vegas. Our camera struggle came after a struggle with the printer that ran out of ink trying to reprint those gift cards. The good news is we got a couple (not so great) family photos AND those forgotten gift cards made it under the tree. Whew!
