I will be getting to a blog, like Pat’s where he gushed about all his wonderful presents, but I just need to talk about the song stuck in my head right now. My heading is a lyric from the song. If anyone has seen the movie Love Actually then you know what song I’m referring to. If you haven’t seen the movie, do it. It’s really a great movie, and Brian even likes it despite the fact that Hugh Grant plays the Prime Minister of England. (and Billy Bob Thorton plays the US president, which I find fitting)
Ok, now on to Christmas. I have a ridiculous ritual of who I spend Christmas with, because of divorce and my relationship with Brian. So, here it goes! Christmas eve Brian and I go to his parent’s house and spend the evening there with his brother, wife, and best friend Chad. (Chad and I were good friends in high school so it’s nice to see him there too) We open presents and have a munchie dinner. Brian and his brother Dan have a tradition that they get a little Lego set that makes one thing. Then they race to see who can do it the fastest. Yes, they are 23 and 27 (I think). I got some beautiful earrings, movie tickets, and a beautiful photo from Jessie (Brian’s sister in law). This year we brought Pablo to his parent’s house, since we both would be spending about 2 days away. Brian’s mom loved it, since her dog recently passed away it was nice to have a pet around again. Sometimes I go to my aunt’s house, from my step mom’s side, because she has a “party” on Christmas eve, but I didn’t this year.
Then, around 8:00-9:00pm I head to my mom’s house where I will spend the night. We open our pj’s we got for Christmas and go to bed. (my sister threw a little crank in that routine this year by going out to the bar and taking care of a drunk friend, but that’s ok) Then we wake up around 8:00 or so and do presents with my mom. This year she had mini quiches and blueberry-lemon tartlets for breakfast, yum! We open stockings, which are all useful things like shower gel, chap stick (burts bees), and lotion. My exciting gift from my mom was a new coat! I’ve had my charcoal grey pea coat since before I started at St. Rose and it’s seen better days. The pockets were ripped out along with 90% of the lining! So, I have a brand-new navy blue pea coat from Land’s End! I also got a couple shirts, a belt, wine, and a necklace. My sister got me some scrapbooking stuff, which I walked her through Michaels (on the phone of course). My mom made out pretty well this year. I went a little overboard buying her presents, but because my sister and I, and her friend Cathy, are the only ones that buy he things I felt that she needed it. So, I got all sorts of stuff that she asked for, and it was so funny, Brian got her this wine opener that she’s been trying to find because hers broke. (it’s just 2 thin pieces of metal that go down the sides of the cork and you pull it out that way, without ruining the cork at all) This present pushed her over the emotional edge and she started crying. It was of course a good cry because her children pay attention and love their mother so much, blah blah… lol. I just thought it was funny she cried over the wine opener.
After that, my sister and I went to my dad’s house. My grandma (dad’s side), my step mom, and my dad are there. We have some croissants & bagels, and get to opening presents! I got some great things, good rechargeable batteries for my camera, a scrapbooking tote to carry all my shit around in, and a 12 piece stainless steel, Martha Stewart cooking set. (pots, pans, all shiny and new with no missing lids or melted handles like my current mis-matched collection). It was a great Christmas. My dad and step mom got themselves a 40″ HDTV. Very nice. I got my dad some great movies, and Dee a little bear collectible thing that she likes, candles, and some hand-painted Irish coffee mugs, which I also gave my grandmother. (I will try to post pictures, I will eventually be making a website with all my stuff to sell)
Then we went to my grandparent’s house (my stepmom’s side). My aunts and uncles were there, including ones from Texas, which was a surprise! We opened presents, which included gift cards, wine, cheese & crackers, and glasses, and the ever popular cash. I gave out my painted glasses, which everyone loved, and my uncle got A Concert for George. It’s a dvd of a concert held after George Harrison died. It has Monty Python sketches (because he was close with Gilliam and Idle) as well as his music played by Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Ringo, McCartney, and his son. My uncle loved it! He had the cd, but not the dvd, which is much better. He is a Beatles freak. He has every cd made. So, this was the perfect gift! We ate dinner, which was amazing as usual. My dad was in charge of the meat. A beautiful but of prime choice beef. We had veggies, twice baked potatoes, and crescent rolls with the meat! Everything was perfect. Brian says he comes for the dinner….I don’t think it was a joke.
We got the cat and went home. Today we will be getting together with my Mom’s side of the family and then eating dinner with Brian’s dad’s side. So, more family to come!
Hope everyone had a great holiday! Miss you and have a great new year!
