This is how it used to work when my grandparents were still with us – Christmas Eve we’d (meaning my brothers, parents and me) would open our presents after dinner sometime between 7-8 pm and then we’d go to Midnight Mass. On Christmas day we’d go to both sets of grandparents for dinner and more presents. Times have changed, though. And maybe that’s why even though we had a great day, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas to me.
We slept in, then started cooking; we made mashed potatos and broccoli/cauliflower casserole. Half of it was to bring over to my parents’ and the other half is for our intimate Christmas dinner for just the two of us tomorrow.
Around 2pm we left for my parents’ and arrived just before 3pm. For two hours we ran back and forth working on my brothers’ computers. Joe ended up reinstalling my one brother’s Windows XP entirely because he had too many parasites that couldn’t be removed. We keep telling him it’s because of the porn sites that he visits, but I guarantee you he’ll screw up his machine again. My other brother had a few minor issues with some programs – his AIM is acting all weird and even uninstalling and reinstalling wasn’t helping so I introduced him to Trillian. He was really mellow and pretty entertaining as he was doped up on Vicadin from the oral surgery he had earlier in the day.
We ate dinner around 5pm, and in usual fashion, there was plenty to choose from – lasagna, fried chicken, three kinds of potatos, my casserole, meat loaf, salad, corn, peas, potato salad and more. It was all delicious too! We sat around a bit more and then opened presents.
Much to my surprise, my brothers seemed to actually enjoy their presents, which I think I mentioned before were books. I got the older brother “Idiots Guide to the Internet” and the “Odd Todd Handbook”. The youngest brother got “Faster Smarter Windows XP” as well a book on photography and another book on playing the guitar since he wants to learn. I gave my Mom season 3 of MASH on DVD, my Dad some pajama pants and a Beach Boys cd, and my cousin a Blockbuster gift card.
Between everyone I got – way too many candles, the complete first three seasons of Friends on DVD, a Target gift card and money. Joe got candy, a Speedracer DVD, a Target gift card and money also.
When Joe and I got home we made hot chocolate and opened our presents from one another. He got me the fifth season of Friends so now I need season 4 to make my collection complete (until they release the other seasons anyway). He also got me Wipeout Fusion for the Playstation 2 which is my favorite game. I got him an Indiana Jones box set and a headset to use with his Socom game on the PS2.
And now I feel like a 10 year old going on and on about what I got for Christmas. LOL! So I leave you with a photo of my parents’ house decorated for Christmas. Goodnight!