Christmas: December 2005 Archives

The holidays have kicked my butt big time. Seriously.

When I was a child I remember Christmas Eve being the longest day ever. Time seemed to stand still. All the magic and joy and wonder of Christmas left me breathless and excited. I can't remember being asked what I would like to have. We never knew what we would get from Santa it was always the biggest surprise. We did know that whatever he brought us would be the greatest things ever. On Christmas Eve at my grandparents we would get a light supper and we could have anything we wanted to eat. Even if it was just chocolate cake or red velvet cake. I think the glass of cold milk made it all okay. That we could eat anything even cake may be the one greatest memory of my childhood. My mother and grandmother were a stickler about meals and we never not got to pig out on junk food except at Christmas. Christmas eve at my grandparents found all of my mother's brothers and sisters and their children. Over the years there was a mix of boyfriends and girlfriends and fiances. My grandfather took those moments during the exchanging of gifts to embarass the visitors. Girls ALWAYS got some skimp lacey split crotch panties and the guys got some wild boxers or something to ensure blushing. It made my grandfather's day to do this and everyone never knew what to expect because he singled out one poor hapless guest do it to. Coming from blue collar working class people my grandfather rarely drank but sometimes might have a vodka and orange juice on Christmas Eve. My grandmother, being Baptist, was totally upset by any drinking whatsoever but whatever my grandfather did on Christmas Eve seemed okay. I can't remember her getting upset. One year my grandfather decided the occassion called for wine. Oh!!!! He was really high class. Only the best of Mogan David for him. One year he got so sloshed we children sat in amazement as Santa came through the front door bearing gifts and my grandfather hoisted him up like a bride crossing the threshhold and carrie dhim and the toys away. Christmas Eve was always the same every single year. The family would gather at my grandparents. Everyone had to eat. The supper dishes and kitchen had to be cleaned. Then we would all be called into the living room. We kids would scramble for a place on the floor waiting for our pile of brightly wrapped packages to begin piling up as my youngest aunt crawled under the tree and began doling out the presents. The opening of the gifts was done in order of youngest to oldest. Can you imagine being the oldest grandchild and having to wait while 5 or 6 younger grandchildren open 20 or more gifts? As more and more grandchildren were born it seemed to take forever to get to be my turn. Once we opened the gifts we could not play with them. We had to sit and watch everyone else open their gifts "because they waited and watched up open our gifts". Afterwards the gifts were packed into cars, people gathered int he kitchen and nibbled and snacked then everyone went home. By the time we got home we had to go to bed so Santa could come. Christmas morning!!!! Ohhhhhh, we had the hardest time sleeping. We were not allowed to be up before 5am. I remember one year my uncle tried to stretch it 4:30 and it was a no go. At 5am the house came alive. We tore into the gifts from Santa with delight and joy. Santa presents were NEVER wrapped. Only gifts from family and friends called for wrapping. Bicycles, skates, minibikes, so many things we were given. The year I got my first pair of skate I was out on the sidewalk at 5am and had bloody knees by 5:15am. Oh that was a great day -not! You have an idea of the kind of Christmas I enjoyed as a child. It is that same sense of wonder and magic that I want for my own children. I want to see the excitement, the belief in magic and complete and total innocence of believing Santa will come while they sleep. While Christmas Eve is for Santa Christmas Day is for the Lord. Never once in all of the excitement and secrets and magic was it lost that the true meaning and celebration of Christmas is birth of my Savior. If you have never read the Christmas story from scripture please take a moment and read my sidebar. May you be blessed now and in the new year. May you find God's peace that passes understanding. May He bless you and keep you for all the days of your lives. Merry Christmas to you all. We are going to Peking Gourmet Inn this evening. I will feast on Peking duck, spring onions and plum sauce. Then I will turn my attn to Jeo-Yan Shrimp, not with the normal dipping sauce they serve with it but with the creamy yellow garlic sauce instead. My mouth is already watering. I wish I could bring you all with me. This is one tradition I will NEVER want to miss.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Notice: My hosting company had to add some security measures to prevent a massive amount of spam I was geting from Asia Pacific. It has affected the way my journal software performs. When posting a comment please only click to post 1 time. You may have to return to my home page, click the comments and refresh the page to actually see your comment for the time being. Please only click once if you can help it. ********** I am strayng from my normal Christmas fare this year. I am blaming it on being pregnant. I just do not have a taste for ham at all. I think beef will better suit me -and I hope Steven and the girls as well. It seems I am blaming alot of things on being pregnant these days. Traditionally I would serve ham, turkey, dressing with gravy, sweet potatoes, collards, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, red velvet cake and orange cake. Similar to our Thanksgiving dinner yet different. I am planning to serve for our Christmas day dinner the following menu: A Christmas Menu 25 December 2005
Standing Rib Roast (Prime Rib) with horseradish sauce
Yorkshire Pudding
Herb Potatoes
Asparagus Spears with lemon and butter
Spinach Salad
Red Velvet Cake Breakfast will be served with fresh baked cinnamon rolls, fruit, and mimosas (made with sparkling white grape juice for the children). What will you be serving or expect to be served?

Welcome to my very own Currier and Ives Christmas house via Norman Rockwell. We are resplendant in our decorated glory with snow covered lawn which is melting and ice covered back deck which is not melting. This is us happily looking out the window watching Steven locate and dig up the septic tank because we have shit backing up in the downstairs bathtub!! I swear if one of those girls has flushed something upstairs and it is causing these problems they will get NOTHING from Santa. Nothing, I say! In other news my head cold has now moved to my chest and I feel like death warmed over. I pretty much slept the past few days and did little to nothing else. I am headed to the doctor this morning. All I can say is woe to him if he tells me I can't take any medications because I am pregnant BECAUSE I know that is bullshit BECAUSE I read too many blogs with women who take far more than some cold meds and have normal healthy babies! If I can get some relief I'll be able to make the rounds and visit all of your lovely journals tomorrow, -maybe. **I have to proofread Gracie's birthday post before I publish it. Look for it later.

Steven's brother and his lovely wife welcomed baby boy #4 into the world yesterday afternoon. I am REALLY ready for my turn, next!! This cold that was given to me by grimey little children living in this house -has kicked my butt. I can do little but lay around on the couch and nod off at the oddest moments. Oh, yes, getting plenty of rest for the weary. Maybe I can answer some email and write a few more comments today. I am in super slow motion! Thanks to Hope for sending me this one. The Night Before Christmas For Mothers It was the night before Christmas, when all through the abode Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode. The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds, While visions of Nintendo and Barbie, flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV, With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee. So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?" With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, She descended the stairs, and saw the old man. He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug. "Oh great!!" muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug." "Ho-Ho-Ho!!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake. Your gift was especially difficult to make." "Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone." "Exactly!!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone." "A clone?" she asked, "What good is that? Run along, Santa. I've no time for chit-chat." It was the mother's twin. Same hair, same eyes, same double chin. "She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess. You'll relax, take it easy, watch the Young and the Restless." "Fantastic!!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true! I'll shop. I'll read. I'll sleep a whole night through!" From the room above, the youngest began to fret. "Mommy?!? I'm scared, and I'm wet." The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart." "Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part." The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune, As she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon. "You're the best mommy ever. I really love you." The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too." The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal. That's my child's love that she's trying to steal." Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear, Only one loving mother is needed here." The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed. "Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head. I sometimes forget it won't be very long, When they'll be too old, for my cradle-song." The clock on the mantle began to chime. Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time." With the clone by his side, Santa said, "Good night. Merry Christmas, Mom. You'll be alright."

The invite read 6-9pm. The last guest left at 12:02am. An hour later we went to bed. We put very few left overs in the refrigerator. What surprised me was we had plenty of beer and wine leftover but not one cola left in the cooler. The ornament exchange did not go well. Many people did not bring an ornament. What to do? I quietly asked that people take their ornament back with them. Some did, some didn't. I don't know who left the few ornaments under my tree. I did send everyone home with ornaments I made from Georgia cotton and little stockings filled with candies, children recieved a santa hat. Is it just me or is it terribly wrong to show up at a party empty handed when the invite specifically asked for a small inexpensive christmas tree ornament then proceed to eat and drink your fill and breeze out the door? Does pointing this out here in my journal make a not so gracious hostess? Yesterday we nibbled on a little of this and that. Today we are having the leftover ham in a potato and cheddar cassrole. The few sweets are going to school with Gracie for her party. That's it. All the food is G - O - N - E. This was my last hurrah. I am whooped. Sunday was spent mostly on the couch or napping. We cleaned a little here and there. Put things away as the dishwasher finished each load. Other than that not much happened here. Steven and I both have come down with head colds. He ran a low grade fever yesterday evening. I am trying to struggle through med free in an effort to give the best care to the baby. I have about 6 weeks left to go and I promise you I am done. The house is decorated. The party is over. Gracie's birthday is Saturday. I have plans to do nothing but vegetate and incubate until Christmas Eve at which point we will go out to dinner for the best Peking duck ever. January 2nd all the decorations start to come down. After that I plan to do NOTHING until this baby is born. I am exhausted. I can only hope people enjoyed themselves as much as we did. Of 40 guests who RSVP'd to attend we had 30 guests in our home. The most special guests were this lovely lady, her husband and 1 of her gorgeous daughters. I did not get to spend nearly as much time with her as I wanted to because I had to mix and mingle and be the hostess. If I had my druthers I would have locked her away and we would have talked all evening. Not only is she as sweet and lovely as she appears in her words. OMG people, she is gorgeous! And her hair! She has yummy sex-kitten long curly hair that is gorgeous shades of blonde. She is also generous. She brought us cookies! And baby gifts! And Gracie a birthday gift. My biggest fear - she thinks we are lame and boring.

Prepared Thursday 2 gallons boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce (to be served ice cold) 3 batches peanut butter blossoms 1 batch chocolate chip cookies 2 - 2lb cheese balls with raspberry jam dill and chive dressing for smoked salmon black and green olive tapenade french onion dip 3 batches sausage and cheese balls This morning I have baked a Red Velvet Cake and a Pistachio Cake. It snowed/iced/rained last night and this morning. No school. My kitchen is toasty warm and I am loving every minute of the cooking I am doing. As I cook throughout the day I may update this post with what I am preparing. *******UPDATED******* Lil' Smokies Crockpot Appetizer (Beef) Pigs In A Blanket (Pork) Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Beef) NotYoMomma's Nachos Cheese Sauce Fudge

Mistress Mary refered to my decorating for the season as crazy. I thumb my nose at her. I am finished with everything (except wrapping) including my cards and shopping. Nananananana ... *sticks out tongue at the not prepared Marylander* Here are a few photos of my decorating. My tree The girl's tree. Gracie's birthday is the 17th. The non-christmas wrapped presents are her birthday presents from us, my mom and my sister. Up the staircase The front hall It began snowing this afternoon It is still snowing tonight It is supposed to snow all night

Completed: 405 feet outside garland 60 red bows 22 outdoor wreaths 10 indoor wreaths 2 full size Christmas trees 1 small tree 3 smallish trees 6 miniature trees 1 crache 27 feet indoor lighted garland 1 decorated mantle 8 small poinsettias 1 xlg poinsettia 4 floral arrangements 3 Christmas village settings 6 beds with Christmas linens 1 nutcracker back deck decorated 12 foot outdoor sculpted cedar lighted 144 feet of house lights 128 feet net lights on boxwoods 2 xlg arrangements for front porch 15 lighted window candles 2 mailbox decorations (1 for us, 1 for neighbors) Fruitcakes ready for mailman and neighbors 20 handmade ornaments finished for Christmas party 30 gift stockings stuffed for Christmas party too much food bought to prepare for Christmas party some presents wrapped Kids Christmas photo taken Left to do: Clean house mop floors wax hardwood floors prepare buffet meal for party pick up bags of ice pick up beer/wine/colas wrap some more presents This is why I do not have time to post daily or to visit daily. I am so sorry but I am trying to get around a few at a time. I am so very tired when I sit to read I fall asleep. After next week everything will slow down until Christmas Eve. Oh, and it is supposed to snow 4-6 inches tomorrow. The Doctors visit was ok. The glucose test was so-so. I have to walk more and eat a higher carb diet until the baby is born. Did I tell you I am so very tired? I am. Judy, you need to have java scripts enabled to see my banner graphic. It is my house in the winter with snow falling.