It always seems that there is going to be a long stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so as usual, I delayed even thinking about preparing for Christmas until we got a week or so into December. Then time really begins to fly as I scramble around trying to get everything in place. This year has been no exception. Ashleigh was on her game and went shopping with my Mom and Denise on ‘Black Friday’ (while I worked) and then did more shopping with Derek that weekend, wrapped her gifts, and was pretty much finished with preparations by the end of the weekend. The two of them even got the tree out and put it up on that Sunday, November 25. It wasn’t hard to get to as it had never been put away from the basement the year before.
And nevermind that we didn’t actually get it decorated until the following weekend on Sunday December 2. Jackie, Grace, Derek, Ashleigh, and I all assisted in getting it completed. The star on the other hand was missing in action and wasn’t added until Friday, December 14. But as I write this, the warm glow of the comforting tree fills the family room in all its radiating beauty.
Grace, Jackie, and me - proud of our handiwork
Ashleigh and whatsisname
Can you tell that Grace was in charge of the candy canes?
In the meantime, we amused ourselves with the Christmas spirit and otherwise by doing a couple of fun things here and there - none of it advancing my futile efforts to get the shopping done. Everyone got together for a nice dinner at Montgomery Inn on Saturday, December 8. Jackie and I met Denise, Adam, Mom, Bob, Bryan, and Erine at my Mom’s house and then we all headed out to the restaurant in Cincinnati. Mom and I each had hefty gift certificates, so we enjoyed it all the more. I had a BBQ beef brisket, pulled pork, and ribs combo which I must say was scrumptious. I also had a nice time following the dinner, playing pool at Mom’s until almost midnight. I didn’t do too bad, but Bryan did defeat me in several games.
Jackie and I ready to stuff our faces with BBQ
Mom and Bob in mid-stuff
Denise and Adam get horizontal
Erine and Bryan behaving
Bryan and Mom protect their assets
The ugly aftermath
The pretty one
Typical of most post-BBQ activities, Adam mounts a metal steed after dinner
The next day, I went to the annual Eagles children’s Christmas party with Jackie, her Mom, and Grace. The Bengals are completely out of playoff contention so I didn’t mind spending my Sunday here. In fact, it was fun to re-visit this event that I used to attend as a child. It had certainly been more than twenty-five years since I had been there. There was always the obligatory visit from Santa, the gift that he would hand out, and the photo (or attempt at one) on his lap. Instead of the sing-along that I remember, they had several stations of arts and crafts to occupy the kids. Grace drew a picture of me on her paper ornament.
Practicing for Santa
Grace sketches an uncanny likeness of me
Ashleigh and Derek had taken Grace to The Beach Waterpark Holiday Fest the previous Sunday and she didn’t have any interest in Santa Claus (and also freaked out on the sled slide), but on this day Grace was initially excited to sit on Santa’s lap. So much so in fact that she tried to run up to him out of turn to hop on his lap and had to be tended to by one of Santa’s elves. As luck would have it, the very last time she tried to approach him when it wasn’t her turn - and was subsequently stopped by Jackie - she chose that particular moment to burst out crying and refused to sit on his lap when it was her turn. After a bit, I talked her into making a return visit and we were able to capture a good photo of her atop ol’ Saint Nick. All of this put me in the mood to get my picture on top of the jolly fat man - and I did just that (as seen at the top of the posting). Then we played pool.
Tended to by an elf…what could be worse?
It finally happens
Another exciting Christmas event that had nothing to do with getting ready for the holiday occurred on Friday, December 14. I had another book-signing thrill, one that even topped my meeting Jenna Bush a few weeks earlier. Caroline Kennedy made an appearance at Joseph-Beth Bookseller in Cincinnati. You can read more details of our encounter here.
The snows came early this year - at least relative to last Winter when we didn’t see any real action until February. There was a relatively heavy snow on Wednesday, December 5 and Ashleigh was off school, so I made her perform the hated chore of shoveling the driveway. This only meant that it was my turn when another six inches or so dropped on us on Saturday, December 15. It had been years since I had actually had to shovel. I had always been afraid of having a heart attack when I was grossly overweight, but this time I got along okay…except for the lack of traction on my shoes which made it difficult to keep my balance on the ice. (For the record, I never did fall)
Snow woe
Heart attack free
Being done with their shopping, Ashleigh and Derek have been able to plow through nearly every Christmas movie they can find in the basement, while I still sit here with neither my shopping or our annual Christmas newsletter completed. Oh well, I’ll have it all done by crunch time - I always do. Maybe next year I’ll learn to start in the Summer…like my Mom does.
See my meeting with Caroline Kennedy here…
2007 will continue with the completed Christmas newsletter…
Gee I had my shopping done a long time ago. It’s real easy when you don’t buy anything for anyone!
I went shopping on Black Friday once. Never again, I don’t care if they are giving stuff away, I would never do that again.
I am hoping Santa brings you a new selection of T-shirts for your upcoming trips!!!
Bob
December 20th, 2007
his name is derek.
ashleigh
December 20th, 2007