Merry Christmas :)
Posted: December 24, 2007I can’t believe how fast 2007 went and how much happened this year. I was both hired and fired from a really well-paying job, my mom got her first job as a permanent teacher since graduating five years ago and my parents finally got back on their feet financially. We were never that badly off, but they never could get ahead, even when my brother and I gave them money for bills and treated for dinner as often as we could. That’s finally past us, so I’m glad for that.
We’re heading to my grandmother’s for Christmas Eve. We eat dinner, open presents and spend some time together. We started it the Christmas before my uncle died so it’s a good tradition for us to have because Uncle Gary loved Christmas and always went all out for my grandmother’s present so she will always need as much family around her as possible these days.
My aunt’s coming up for Christmas Day. Joy of joys. We get along so much better when she stays in Baltimore. She’s mad at my mother for spending so much time with my father’s mother instead of her own sister, but due, Aunt Bea does live a few states away. Gas is expensive.
We managed to get through Thanksgiving without any drama. *crosses fingers* Let’s hope we can do the same now.
Monday’s A Bitch
1. How much money did gift giving cost you this season?
Very little actually. I didn’t have the money for much, so I just bought a gift certificate for my cousin and gave my sister $20 towards a new comforter set for my parents.
2. Was getting ready for the holidays more fun, or more stressful this year?
A little stressful. I feel bad I wasn’t able to donate as much money as I used and that we couldn’t do our pollyanna with my cousin, my siblings and my cousin’s boyfriend. No one had the money, but still, I feel bad. Next year, I hope to have a better financial picture.
3. Were there any gifts that you were particularly proud to have put together this year? Which was your favourite?
We bought my dad and my uncle tickets to see the Eagles on December 30. They haven’t been to see the team since the new field open and it’s been years since they’ve seen a live game, so I’m excited to have helped in anyway with the gift, even if it was only hiding the tickets in my room. My sister is putting my name on the gift because she knows what’s it like to not have the money so I appreciated that.
4. What’s your favourite holiday food?
Oooh, I have to say everything my parents make for breakfast Christmas morning. For the last 10-12 years, we’ve had a huge breakfast with everything from scrambled eggs to sausage to toast and bacon. It’s the best meal all the year because absolutely everyone’s here. It’s loud and it’s crazy and no one can eat at the same time but it’s so much fun.
5. If you were to be magically morphed into Santa’s tenth reindeer, what would you want your reindeer name to be? Would you have any notable or quirky reindeer characteristics?
Weird question. I don’t know what I’d be named. Venus, maybe. To go with Comet (and sort of with Cupid), I’d be the lazy reindeer they’d have to drag out of the stall.
