The Holidays in Review…

Hello Boys & Girls…  It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

 

I thought we might do a little review business, as I haven’t been here in a while.

 

Christmas Eve:  Christmas Eve day, I felt like crap.  I had a mini melt down of sorts, that I’m not truly sure was emotional or physical.  My best guess was a bit of both.  You see, I was typically overwhelmed with what I still had left to do by the time Mike got out of work. Plus, I really think my blood sugar dropped pretty low.  I was fuzzy in my thinking, shaking, carelessly doing dumb things like losing things and stubbing my toes.  Eventually I broke down and cried and had a slice of cheese and some crackers and juice.  Low and behold, I felt markedly better!  All said and done, I wrapped and packed (was sleeping over at the parent’s house), dressed up a little and loaded up the car only about 30 minutes later than I should’ve been.  We had dinner at my Aunt Yvette’s house.  Dinner was low key but immaculately spread out on a pretty table.  She even made me banana pudding for dessert.  Well, not JUST for me, but she and I love it and as I hadn’t had any since my Grandma passed away 6 years ago, it was a special treat.  My aunt and I have a bit of a tradition.  Honestly, I can’t really remember who started it, but we have a friendship ball.  It’s a silver filigree ornament that opens with a latch and you can put stuff inside it.  We’ve passed it back and forth for different occasions now for many years.  The gifts are endless, as long as they fit! lol Earrings, play tickets, necklaces, money, etc.  This year, she passed the ball back to me with a something sentimental in it: my Grandma’s favorite Christmas pin.  Actually it’s two crocheted little bells that she would pin to her coat.  Yvette had gotten them when the split things up after Gram passed, but she wanted to share the holiday memory with me this year.  It warmed my heart to have a bit of Gram with me on a special day. Yvette and I sometimes get on each other’s nerves, but we also know just how to pick the other one up when we need a bit of help. J

 

I was really disappointed that I didn’t get to go to Midnight Mass, as has been my norm.  Mike pooped out, and then we had a mix up with the church schedule as one church celebrated their Midnight Mass at 9pm, and we ended up missing it entirely.  So, Mom and I went back home, and we helped Santa put out all the Christmas goodies.  Then we settled in to watch mass televised from the Vatican.  My brother, Chris, thought we were nuts, but that mass is the most important one of the year to me.  I needed it for my soul, even if it were televised. 

 

Christmas: Christmas day was very laid back and really quite nice.  As I said we spent the night with my parents and brother, Chris.  Around Noon, Mike went to meet his ex-wife for the Kid pass off.  I was SO happy once Grace got there.  To me, it’s all about her anyway.  Soon after that, Brian and Lisa got to Mom and Dad’s so we could finally open gifts.  Even under the gloom and doom of a harsh economy, my parents never fail to amaze us with their generosity.  We are definitely a blessed family when it comes to our parents.  Mike and I decided to bring most of Grace’s Santa presents to their house.  We did leave just a few surprises at home for us to uncover when we got in later.  All in all, we all received some great gifts.  My own personal Christmas Elf (Mike) did me proud this year.  We don’t typically exchange a lot at Christmas, as most of our money goes to the rest of the family.  This year he went above and beyond, to my delight.  I have to admit, I’m a big kid when it comes to Christmas. lol  However, he did really put some effort into the gifts I received.  He gave me an I-Home, a digital picture frame and a box set of the Sookie Stackhouse novels that True Blood is based upon.  The books were a total surprise and his very own idea!  He also took into consideration that chemo would be coming, and he filled my stocking with lotions, lozenges, and lip balm.  Chemo dries a person out!  He thought about each and every gift and that was gift enough in itself for me!

 

New Year’s Eve: I was really unsettled as what to do on NYE.  Some of my cousins got the idea to throw a little party in the back of my aunt’s bar.  I was all for that.  It sounded fun.  Then, one thing led to another and the little get together became family and friends.  They added a DJ.  Then they added a $25 cover charge to cover liquor expenses and I could see this turning very rapidly into an all out soirée.  I wasn’t really sure I wanted to be there.  Part of the reason is that Mike doesn’t drink, and I didn’t think he’d enjoy their choice in music either.  He’s a straight up classic rock to some metal sort of dude.  I also wasn’t sure if we’d fit in to the crowd.  We were setting ourselves up to be the oldest couple in a sea of young people.  I don’t typically mind, but I just wasn’t sure.  Slowly Mike and Brian (my brother) convinced me that I needed to go.  They said Mike didn’t need to pay the cover, and Brian was picking up my fee.  So….. I said ok.  And DAMN I’m so glad I did.  I had such a good time.  Mike said he did too, but he really didn’t look it.  I have to say, I felt a bit selfish in that I really didn’t care as much as I felt I should’ve, but I was having fun!  I knew I’d be cooped up soon, so I took advantage and let loose.  That’s rare for me. I usually need the control.  But, after a few glasses of sangria I was loose, Baby.  Really loose. Being silly, laughing, dancing, hanging out with family, and taking tipsy photos (still not down loaded yet lol).  Fun stuff, really. J  I’m glad they pushed me into going.