Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Yearsssssniiiiiifffff!! I have the avian flu. It aviated from Ohio by way of my in-laws. I’ve been able to fend off every germ and bug that my little Petri dishes have brought home from school since the summer just by using Airborne but these are serious mid-west germs that were packin’ heat…or something like that.

We had ten fun-filled days with family in town and we survived to tell about it! It helps everyone in the mix that when they come to visit, they rent a condo down at the beach. Vacation for them and our house stays somewhat normal during the routine hours of the late pm and early morn. If not, I think I’d be typing this with a pencil wedged in my teeth pecking away at keys while strapped to a bed in a mental hospital lined up next to the rest of the family. That could be fun too.

As usual, there was way too much. An abundance of food and chocolate and gifts. There was an abundance of wine, but that’s still sitting in the wine rack minus one bottle that HAD to be opened for Christmas dinner for my mom and I to share: Click here. Seriously. So funny I had to buy it and it was pretty good stuff. The inlaws aren’t drinkers so we had to sneak into the closet to get tipsy have cider instead.

Depending on my avian flu, there is a party planned for tonight. I’m such a wild child that I have to get my party on or it’s just not New Year’s Eve. Or maybe it’s because one of my best friends is in town from North Cackilacky and threatened my life if I didn’t spend the evening whooping it up with her and some mutual friends…I can’t remember. Tomorrow brings new, crisp calendars and blank sheets ready for new goals. Christmas will be put away with ideas to make it better and more organized for next year. Time to break out the dust rags and the linen scented air freshener and pack away the pine and cinnamon.

A new beginning for all.

I am attempting to blog again. Whether or not I will be successful remains to be seen. Let’s see…now where was I? Oh yes. So what has the “B” household been up to that I can write about and not make you nod off on your keyboard and short it out after the drooling begins? I was invited to a cookie exchange hosted by a neighbor whose kids attend the same school as Trey. Other school moms would be there too. I thought it would be all “Wisteria Lane-ish” and I was looking forward to a good cocktail and maybe a new friend outside of my regular circle. Well yes, there was a cocktail offered but only three of us partook. Half of the attendees were Mormon and I was feeling judged. Whatever. They ate chocolate so ha! That’s a no no in the LDS world. It turned out to be a bunch of ladies who only sort of knew each other talking about…the school. BOR-ING. Ok, I get it to a point but the whole night?? We were away from our kids so why not try to do something fun and girly and not talk about the flooded playground and the gay fourth grade teacher? Sheesh!

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I’ve been trying to motivate my six year old to take the training wheels off his bike. My poor neurotic son is just like me so he doesn’t want to make any mistakes and how can you make a mistake if you don’t try? Just for the record, I forced myself to try over and over until I accomplished the delicate balance needed when I was five and needed something to do while at the babysitters. Anywho, the training wheels weren’t even so he’d be riding down the street tilted to one side and I figured if we didn’t correct it soon enough, he would think that THAT was the correct balance needed and be doomed to a life of roller skates to get around until he learns to drive. I couldn’t convince him, his dad couldn’t convince him, no bribing or taunting by the older boys in the neighborhood got him to venture out. Bill’s family arrived for Christmas on Friday. I suggested that the men work on a sneaky plan while the girls subjected themselves to torture while shopping and try to get Trey to at least think about graduating to the world of two wheels. Bill’s mom says as we get close to our neighborhood after being out all day, “So, do you think Trey’s learned how to ride his bike yet?”
“No way. He probably got frustrated after he couldn’t get it the first time and stormed into the house.”
We pull up and that little turkey isn’t just riding his two-wheeler but turning corners, zigzagging up the street and stopping on a dime. I shouted out, “I TOLD you you could do it!!!” That booger. I knew he could, I just thought he’d take longer. The video does show him storming off after he lost his balance once. At this point, I was crashing into cars and scraping up elbows and knees. He’s such a perfectionist.

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As Trey used to say, today is Christmas ‘even’. We’re headed off to my dad’s tonight, a tradition I’ve held every single year since my parents split back in the late 80’s. There will be a huge spread for a smaller crowd. The fireplace will be lit, Christmas carols playing and the kids will be flying around the place in anticipation of opening gifts. My sister and her daughter live at the house so my kids actually have a cousin to see once in a while. When I was little, Christmas was a full house with a gaggle of girls in patent leather mary janes and fancy dresses sneaking candy before dinner and fighting about everything and nothing at all. I wish my kids had a big extended family like I did but I’ll take what I can get and if that means one extra kid dressed in comfy clothes and not as much fan fare, so be it. When we get home, my little ones will open their traditional one present and find brand new freshly washed pj’s and new slippers to accompany them to bed. Tomorrow will be filled with family and wonder and chaos and lots and lots of food. I love Christmas. I wish families took the time to be together as much without the holiday needed as an excuse.

Merry Christmas!