Christmas 2011
25/12/11 08:24
Jingle bells. Jingle bells. Jingle bells all the way. You go, girl. I'm up and I got the christmas quiche in the oven. Last night's dishes are still on the table but so what. I'll probably have them done before the family gets up. Speaking of last night's dinner, it was the first time ever that Evan had chinese food. You know how it is to have a child with a peanut allergy. You just never get to go to chinese restaurants where you run the risk of gagging on the main course. Gagging may be an understatement since it can be fatal but we won't go there on Christmas morning. Nonetheless, we were assured by the owner of Li Yuens that she didn't use peanuts in anything so we were off and running. We chowed down on vegetable lo mein, stir fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, and a very tasty fried rice. By the way he ate the darn stuff, it was abundantly clear that he liked it just fine. It reminded me of those commercials on television. Mikey likes it. Mikey likes it. And he did. Not sure if that is the start of something good but it was good to see him at least willing to try something different. And, for something different, I will make a nice sheppard's pie for dinner. He does so enjoy that from time to time. Not sure what my little darling will have but we'll think of something. We always do.
I have to say that from a budgetary standpoint it has been something of a rambunctious christmas. We indulged in fantasies covering the spectrum from scanners to slippers to Sirius radio. And that doesn't even include the stocking stuffers. Oddly enough, there were no presents for me to wrap. I suppose I better find a way to wrap the Sirius car thing so she can have something to unwrap. It was the first Christmas ever where Evan took the initiative to buy his mom and dad a Christmas present without any prodding from his parents. He proudly displayed the presents he purchased and they were thoughtful with the promise of deliciousness. All from Stonewall Kitchen so you know you're good to go. I bought Nan the new iPhone 4s with the personal assistant, Siri. She's not quite ready for prime time but I have to say that she is probably a software update or two away from reading me a bedtime story upon request. Oh, the possibilities. I did ask her to talk dirty to me once and she started reeling off words like compost, manure, etc.. It was too funny. I'm beyond that sort of thing, mind you, but thought it might be fun to try. Just how courageous is my little Siri? Courageous enough to respond to text messages, courageous enough to send me a web site when asked about the schedule of the New England Patriots, and smart enough to tell me that she doesn't understand when I ask the silliest of questions. Siri and I are just getting started.
Speaking of rambunctious, have you seen my wood pile? It is two and half cords piled tidily from stern to bow. It looks to be enough and I would hasten to add that it was a lot of work to stack the darn stuff. I wasn't asking for volunteers paid or otherwise. Nancy didn't care for the fact that I didn't want hep and she was vociferous in her objections to my not asking Evan to pitch in. I told her that it was more work to ask him to help than it was worth. While that may be somewhat true, I wanted the personal satisfaction of having done it myself. Not an easy thing to say to a wife who feels that it is the son's duty to help and the father's duty to similarly engage his son. Her take was that I missed out on the opportunity to have my son help do something that would put him to work, give him a little personal satisfaction in the process, and create a bonding experience for dad and son. All I can say is, maybe next year. Maybe next year.
It was a pleasure to hear from brother Jim last night. He called as he usually does and we never seem to be home so we listened with a keen ear to his message. For a bro who doesn't celebrate the holidays, he was most gracious in his wishes for us and it was good to hear his voice. And a Merry, Merry Christmas to you , brother Jim.
I have to say that from a budgetary standpoint it has been something of a rambunctious christmas. We indulged in fantasies covering the spectrum from scanners to slippers to Sirius radio. And that doesn't even include the stocking stuffers. Oddly enough, there were no presents for me to wrap. I suppose I better find a way to wrap the Sirius car thing so she can have something to unwrap. It was the first Christmas ever where Evan took the initiative to buy his mom and dad a Christmas present without any prodding from his parents. He proudly displayed the presents he purchased and they were thoughtful with the promise of deliciousness. All from Stonewall Kitchen so you know you're good to go. I bought Nan the new iPhone 4s with the personal assistant, Siri. She's not quite ready for prime time but I have to say that she is probably a software update or two away from reading me a bedtime story upon request. Oh, the possibilities. I did ask her to talk dirty to me once and she started reeling off words like compost, manure, etc.. It was too funny. I'm beyond that sort of thing, mind you, but thought it might be fun to try. Just how courageous is my little Siri? Courageous enough to respond to text messages, courageous enough to send me a web site when asked about the schedule of the New England Patriots, and smart enough to tell me that she doesn't understand when I ask the silliest of questions. Siri and I are just getting started.
Speaking of rambunctious, have you seen my wood pile? It is two and half cords piled tidily from stern to bow. It looks to be enough and I would hasten to add that it was a lot of work to stack the darn stuff. I wasn't asking for volunteers paid or otherwise. Nancy didn't care for the fact that I didn't want hep and she was vociferous in her objections to my not asking Evan to pitch in. I told her that it was more work to ask him to help than it was worth. While that may be somewhat true, I wanted the personal satisfaction of having done it myself. Not an easy thing to say to a wife who feels that it is the son's duty to help and the father's duty to similarly engage his son. Her take was that I missed out on the opportunity to have my son help do something that would put him to work, give him a little personal satisfaction in the process, and create a bonding experience for dad and son. All I can say is, maybe next year. Maybe next year.
It was a pleasure to hear from brother Jim last night. He called as he usually does and we never seem to be home so we listened with a keen ear to his message. For a bro who doesn't celebrate the holidays, he was most gracious in his wishes for us and it was good to hear his voice. And a Merry, Merry Christmas to you , brother Jim.