The Holidays

The circus left town a few days ago, and I can finally breathe. Actually, it was a fantastic Christmas this year and everything went very smoothly. I was spoiled rotten by everyone, it was like being a kid again. I got a red Blackberry Pearl and I'm really loving it! Imagine...first with a memory stick, and now with a Crackberry! I'm becoming quite the electronics junkie, if I do say so myself.

Christmas eve was spent with my mom, brother, BIL, Greg and I and at the last minute I invited Sal, her hubby and baby Liam. It was really nice having a baby around at Christmas time and he was a doll. Thankfully, Buddy is really good around little kids.

I'm starting to think that my mom is on medication as she has also been on her best behaviour. She genuinely seemed to have a great time, and there were no arguments whatsoever. A first on Christmas eve, although it helps that my brother has been sober for over a year now. (I'll have to take a few lessons from him in the new year.) A big thanks goes out to Pez who sent me a lovely purple lunch bag so I won't have to use liquor bags anymore :)

Christmas Eve dinner was very good. I had won a free turkey at Zellers because I had spent over $300 (one stop shopping AND a free bird!) There was a drumstick left and that was basically it. Perfect. No leftovers!

Christmas Day we went to Greg's dads' place for dinner and more gifts were opened. I got The Joy of Cooking (2006) to replace my 1953 version that I picked up at a rummage sale. The 2006 version has omitted the picture of how to skin a squirrel, if anyone was wondering. The cookbook is very impressive with 4500 recipes for the Way We Cook Now. I am absolutely going to try some out, especially since another New Year's resolution is to start cooking again. (And stop eating pizza...a guilty pleasure of mine.) Dinner was fabulous and quiet which is unusual because the last time we were invited for dinner there were 25 people at the table. It's not unusual for the whole neighbourhood to be at the in-laws house every night. I don't know how they put up with it. I'd move. Anyway, dinner was quiet, but shortly after we finished eating, 18 people showed up for dessert. We had brought Buddy with us, and although MIL2's mother initially was pissed off, at the end of the night she told me we could bring him back any time. I think she was worried that Buddy might jump up on her and pull off her artificial leg (!)

Boxing Day we had our annual Open House which started back in the days of the Condo. 30 people came and stayed for hours! Kids came and were banging away on Greg's drums. My brother showed up with a lovely woman who turned out to be a dental hygienist from the dentist we go to. My mom (of course) hung around so she could check her out. Two-Four was on her best behaviour and did not offer to 'Do' any of Greg's cute friends. (The first year we had the Open House she got S#!&Faced and every guy that walked through the door she'd jump on his lap at the first opportunity and proclaim 'you're cute! I'd Do ya!' She's had to live that one down, but it was kind of funny!) 10 people crashed at our place that night, and the bar was pretty much emptied, but everyone had fun.

I'd like to say that Boxing Day was the end of our festivities, but we had an other gathering to go to on the 27th at Greg's sisters' place so we could spend some time with the grandparents. I had packed up Greg's brothers gifts before we left so we could drop him off at his apartment on our way home at the end of the night. He'd already spent 3 nights at our place, received gifts from me, and food and booze but in the end I was 'Greg's Bitch-wife who was making him go home." Gee...thanks.

The next morning, Greg woke me up, told me to get dressed that we were going to drive Two-Four, SIL and her Useless Tool of a BF home. We took the opportunity to head by the trailer, and although there is at least a foot of snow on the roof, it does not appear to be leaking.

We have spent the last two days not answering the phone, or door and we didn't go to our neighbour's open house, even though they came to ours. Just couldn't do it. Last night we watched The Sound of Music which is only about the 25th time I've watched it. Love that movie!

That's Christmas in a nutshell.

And today is last day of the year.

All in all it's been a great year. We got a new puppy and he's a darling. Greg and I both got new jobs and we're loving them. We've spent a full year in the house and are very happy here. The kitties are also happy here, although they would probably be happier without Buddy trying to play with them. I managed to lose 15 pounds this year. Not as much as I had wanted to, but better than nothing. Next year, I'll lose another 15. How's that for a doable Resolution?

Most importantly, Greg and I are still going strong and this makes me the most happiest.

Wishing you all a Wonderful, Happy and Healthy 2008!