New Traditions

Dennis and I held an open house every Christmas Eve for more years than I can remember.  Our house was always filled to overflowing with mostly family but a few friends and no-one seemed to mind how crowded it was.  It was a joyful time.  Then we also had our immediate family for dinner the next day and, again, a very joyful time spent with people we love.

This year was my first Christmas at home since 2000 and I had no plans to repeat the traditions of years past but the family has carried on those traditions and added more.

Cindy and Don had a bunch of us over for Christmas Eve and, new to the list, was a fun evening of karaoke.  Kyle made us his signature drink (I can't tell you what was in it but it was very colorful and tasty).  Kim and I left early because she was going to spend the night with Nick, Bev, Nolan and Nash and she wanted to see them before they went to bed.

Another brand new tradition in the family is having breakfast Christmas morning at Nick and Bev's house.  We've all fallen in love with Bev and welcomed her into the family with open arms.  I couldn't ask for a finer lady for my Nick and his little boys.

Kim drove me up to Cindy's because it would be dark by the time dinner and socializing was done.  Cindy and Don put on a wonderful Christmas dinner for us and then back to karaoke.

For me, it was an easy few days with very little work for me to do.  Cindy carried the biggest load but she sure had lots of help from Don, bless his heart.  Sharon and Jim were there for dinner, too, and it was a little sad for me seeing them after 5 years.  I had always thought there could never be anything that would break Sharon and me apart from our sisterly relationship but it's definitely broken.  Cindy worried about me feeling uncomfortable with Sharon there but I told her that I'd be fine but it seemed to be very uncomfortable for Sharon.  She's not well and has been having mini strokes so I don't know if that's why she seemed so different.  She was very cool towards me and that's to be expected.  Jim was his usual sweet and friendly self.

All in all, it was a lovely Christmas time for us and I see clearly how life does go on nicely even when the traditions change a bit.  It's still family getting together, eating, drinking, and being merry!  Shelley called and we all got to talk to her, John, Jake, Nicole, and Sam.  Shelley's Christmas is a little different every year because it's held somewhere different each year with one group of relatives or another.  Hopefully they'll spend next Christmas up here with us!

Oh yes.  I accidentally insulted sweet Kyle last night.  We were comparing Tyson to Pillar (not sure of the spelling but he's a baseball player) and I said I thought Tyson was much better looking.  What I hadn't heard was someone saying that Kyle looked like Pillar, too.  Of course, Kyle thought I was saying that Tyson was much better looking than HIM!  I seem to go through my life being misunderstood, damn it!  Sorry, Kyle, you know your Gramma thinks you're gorgeous!