Second Christmas
It sounds like something Hobbits would invent, doesn't it?
We got into Warminster last night at about 10 minutes past nine -- seven hours thirty minutes door-to-door, which, given the torrential rains in Maine, the rush-hour traffic leaving Hartford on 91, and the reduced speed limit on the Tappan Zee, is rather impressive. (And no, we weren't breaking any speed records; it's just not as far as we tend to think it is, it seems.) Polley and Ralph, a.k.a. Mom and Dad Maltese (hee!), were very happy to see us, and we unloaded all our presents, had some wine, got into comfy clothes, and had ourselves a merry little (second) Christmas.
And once again, it was awesome. We added Fraggle Rock Season 1 to our growing collection of Muppetastic DVDs, as well as the unbelievable Collector's Edition of The Wizard of Oz and the three Wallace and Gromit shorts that started them off. I also got this book I've been eyeing, because I know shockingly and ashamedly little about the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and I want to learn. Jim got a couple of video games (er...and there was much rejoicing, I guess) and Mom and Dad gave us our big gift, a gift certificate to Fore Street which is a place we've been dying to try, and can now have a major blowout meal for Valentine's Day (yay!!). Last but not least, the Western picture. (Y'all can see it at our place, when we get home; it will go next to the American Chopper photo, I reckon.)
Becky drew me in the holiday gift exchange all the kids set up, and she's definitely the coolest, most creative gift-giver. I got three things from MoMA -- a Japanese textile bracelet, a funky spiral bowl that folds up, and this super hinged cutting board for sliding whatever you slice right into the pot. And, of course, one of her homemade lampshades, which is just awesome and we're going to put on our bedside lamp immediately. She's so talented; she could sell these things, they're so adorable.
We got Mom and Dad a barbecue cutting board (Dad), a Cole Haan clutch (Mom), and several books, plus a framed photo of us from the wedding and two photos unframed, one of the entire family and one of the men out on the beach (in black and white). Thinking about it now, I feel like we didn't do a very good job, but, well, there's always next year.
We also just sat and talked and had a great time staying up way too late, and today we're going to do lots of grocery shopping to prepare for the holiday! Jim got his hair cut this morning and it looks really good, plus I think the ladies at the barber shop were overjoyed to see him. Tomorrow we are thinking we might trek to Cherry Hill (not far) to go to Total Wine, which Dad says is the greatest wine store ever -- right up my alley.
This holiday is turning out pretty darn-tootin' fine. We're very lucky to have two -- no, really, one big melded family that is so loving and wonderful. Very lucky indeed.
We got into Warminster last night at about 10 minutes past nine -- seven hours thirty minutes door-to-door, which, given the torrential rains in Maine, the rush-hour traffic leaving Hartford on 91, and the reduced speed limit on the Tappan Zee, is rather impressive. (And no, we weren't breaking any speed records; it's just not as far as we tend to think it is, it seems.) Polley and Ralph, a.k.a. Mom and Dad Maltese (hee!), were very happy to see us, and we unloaded all our presents, had some wine, got into comfy clothes, and had ourselves a merry little (second) Christmas.
And once again, it was awesome. We added Fraggle Rock Season 1 to our growing collection of Muppetastic DVDs, as well as the unbelievable Collector's Edition of The Wizard of Oz and the three Wallace and Gromit shorts that started them off. I also got this book I've been eyeing, because I know shockingly and ashamedly little about the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and I want to learn. Jim got a couple of video games (er...and there was much rejoicing, I guess) and Mom and Dad gave us our big gift, a gift certificate to Fore Street which is a place we've been dying to try, and can now have a major blowout meal for Valentine's Day (yay!!). Last but not least, the Western picture. (Y'all can see it at our place, when we get home; it will go next to the American Chopper photo, I reckon.)
Becky drew me in the holiday gift exchange all the kids set up, and she's definitely the coolest, most creative gift-giver. I got three things from MoMA -- a Japanese textile bracelet, a funky spiral bowl that folds up, and this super hinged cutting board for sliding whatever you slice right into the pot. And, of course, one of her homemade lampshades, which is just awesome and we're going to put on our bedside lamp immediately. She's so talented; she could sell these things, they're so adorable.
We got Mom and Dad a barbecue cutting board (Dad), a Cole Haan clutch (Mom), and several books, plus a framed photo of us from the wedding and two photos unframed, one of the entire family and one of the men out on the beach (in black and white). Thinking about it now, I feel like we didn't do a very good job, but, well, there's always next year.
We also just sat and talked and had a great time staying up way too late, and today we're going to do lots of grocery shopping to prepare for the holiday! Jim got his hair cut this morning and it looks really good, plus I think the ladies at the barber shop were overjoyed to see him. Tomorrow we are thinking we might trek to Cherry Hill (not far) to go to Total Wine, which Dad says is the greatest wine store ever -- right up my alley.
This holiday is turning out pretty darn-tootin' fine. We're very lucky to have two -- no, really, one big melded family that is so loving and wonderful. Very lucky indeed.