We drank a toast to time, reliving in our eloquence another Auld Lang Syne.
What better way to wake up on Christmas morning than your sister telling you that she's found her old collection of Baby-Sitters Club books? She already has a bunch, of course, but she found a bunch more in the closet of our childhood bedroom (aka the Unwelcome Guest Room), as well as her old General Hospital scrapbook and glass paperweight that resembles a cow tongue. She is calling it her Christmas gift from her old self. Haha. I got up and made some cinnamon rolls for us, and then Mom got up and started working on Christmas Dinner. It was a big production.
Sara's leaning tower of BSC books
The turkey was already in the oven cooking. Sara made fresh cranberry sauce with orange and lemon zest in the food processor, while I made green bean casserole (which doesn't require much more than just dumping everything in the casserole dish and throwing it in the oven), and we both defrosted the rice dressing mix. Mom generally supervised and fretted. I still just don't know what it is about my mom and her ridiculous expectations. It's astonishing to me to think that she raised four bratty kids but still can't cope with messes or anything unexpected happening. At one point, somebody dropped a roll, and I swear I thought she was going to start crying. Oy. But the food was good, even when the conversation wasn't. At one point, Adam started talking about a stray cat he'd found that died, and Sarah said that he should've put its dead body in the freezer.
After dinner, we all sat around the tree and opened presents. I just typed up some long descriptions of what was given/received, but then I deleted it all because I really don't want to dwell on it. Ever since we were kids, Mom has always made a big show out of the Stuff. In more recent years, it's gotten a little competitive and mean-spirited, and even this Jewish girl knows that that kind of attitude goes completely against the Christmas spirit. I've managed to cut out getting gifts on my birthday, and as a result, I actually look forward to my birthday now. I wish that I could find a way to cut out getting gifts on Hanukkah/Christmas. I just find the materialsim so stressful and depressing. I kept waiting for someone to fly off the handle over what they got, but fortunately, it didn't happen this year.
As soon as that was over, I got out of the house for a much-needed bike ride. The weather was warm and incredibly humid - typical Louisiana winter - and I biked all over my old Smallpartment neighborhood. Of course, this took me by Grandma's old house.
"It doesn't come as a surprise to me. It doesn't touch my memories."
Every time that I've been back to my hometown since we moved away, I biked to Grandma's house and stand in front of it and just stare. I always feel like I'm waiting for something, but I'm not sure what. I think that if I stare at it for long enough, then I'll come to some understanding, but I never do. I still can't get used to seeing it look so different. I still can't get used to knowing that Grandma isn't there anymore, or even alive. Maybe I never will.
Speaking of Grandma, I bumped into Anne M--- while I was out biking. Her parents still live in the neighborhood, and she was pushing her niece around in a stroller. I hadn't seen her since her high school graduation (back here). She said that she thought of Grandma every time she saw her old house. I went back to Mom's house for a little while to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation and eat more sugar cookies (which I have been devouring like crack since I got here). Then I hit the bike again to go to Shabbat services at my hometown temple. It drizzled a little on the ride there, but I couldn't tell if it was rain or just more Louisiana humidity!
It was SO nice being back at my hometown temple. Even though I was completely sweaty and smelly by the time I got there. Even though it was a low turn-out. It still had that same close-knit, everybody-knows-your-name feeling, as soon as I walked through the doors. I saw all my old Jewish Grandparents, some of whom I hadn't seen for a looong time. Mr. G. was the lay-leader, and after the service, we all went out to a Chinese food buffet, just like good Jews! It was the first time I'd ever eaten Chinese food on Christmas! We all had such a good time eating and talking, and we stayed pretty late. I was on my bike, so Terry and Sarah put it in their flatbed and gave me a ride to the Chinese place and back to Mom's house afterwards, and the G's paid for my buffet. See what I mean about a close community? Sure, the folks at the temple in L-city are nice, but it's a much bigger shul, and this is the sort of thing that I'd never expect there.
After I got home, Sara, Adam, and I wound up watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which I hadn't seen in a super long time. Sara remembered it better than me and promised that it was complete '90s hokiness, and was she right. Alan Rickman was hilarious - every single line delivery was just so over-the-top! Then we watched the Disney cartoon version, which has pretty low production value but very catchy music. All in all, it was an enjoyable day... and this Jewish girl is very happy to have Christmas over for another year.
P.S. I haven't woken up at Mom's house on Christmas morning since... 2006!
Sara's leaning tower of BSC books
The turkey was already in the oven cooking. Sara made fresh cranberry sauce with orange and lemon zest in the food processor, while I made green bean casserole (which doesn't require much more than just dumping everything in the casserole dish and throwing it in the oven), and we both defrosted the rice dressing mix. Mom generally supervised and fretted. I still just don't know what it is about my mom and her ridiculous expectations. It's astonishing to me to think that she raised four bratty kids but still can't cope with messes or anything unexpected happening. At one point, somebody dropped a roll, and I swear I thought she was going to start crying. Oy. But the food was good, even when the conversation wasn't. At one point, Adam started talking about a stray cat he'd found that died, and Sarah said that he should've put its dead body in the freezer.
After dinner, we all sat around the tree and opened presents. I just typed up some long descriptions of what was given/received, but then I deleted it all because I really don't want to dwell on it. Ever since we were kids, Mom has always made a big show out of the Stuff. In more recent years, it's gotten a little competitive and mean-spirited, and even this Jewish girl knows that that kind of attitude goes completely against the Christmas spirit. I've managed to cut out getting gifts on my birthday, and as a result, I actually look forward to my birthday now. I wish that I could find a way to cut out getting gifts on Hanukkah/Christmas. I just find the materialsim so stressful and depressing. I kept waiting for someone to fly off the handle over what they got, but fortunately, it didn't happen this year.
As soon as that was over, I got out of the house for a much-needed bike ride. The weather was warm and incredibly humid - typical Louisiana winter - and I biked all over my old Smallpartment neighborhood. Of course, this took me by Grandma's old house.
"It doesn't come as a surprise to me. It doesn't touch my memories."
Every time that I've been back to my hometown since we moved away, I biked to Grandma's house and stand in front of it and just stare. I always feel like I'm waiting for something, but I'm not sure what. I think that if I stare at it for long enough, then I'll come to some understanding, but I never do. I still can't get used to seeing it look so different. I still can't get used to knowing that Grandma isn't there anymore, or even alive. Maybe I never will.
Speaking of Grandma, I bumped into Anne M--- while I was out biking. Her parents still live in the neighborhood, and she was pushing her niece around in a stroller. I hadn't seen her since her high school graduation (back here). She said that she thought of Grandma every time she saw her old house. I went back to Mom's house for a little while to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation and eat more sugar cookies (which I have been devouring like crack since I got here). Then I hit the bike again to go to Shabbat services at my hometown temple. It drizzled a little on the ride there, but I couldn't tell if it was rain or just more Louisiana humidity!
It was SO nice being back at my hometown temple. Even though I was completely sweaty and smelly by the time I got there. Even though it was a low turn-out. It still had that same close-knit, everybody-knows-your-name feeling, as soon as I walked through the doors. I saw all my old Jewish Grandparents, some of whom I hadn't seen for a looong time. Mr. G. was the lay-leader, and after the service, we all went out to a Chinese food buffet, just like good Jews! It was the first time I'd ever eaten Chinese food on Christmas! We all had such a good time eating and talking, and we stayed pretty late. I was on my bike, so Terry and Sarah put it in their flatbed and gave me a ride to the Chinese place and back to Mom's house afterwards, and the G's paid for my buffet. See what I mean about a close community? Sure, the folks at the temple in L-city are nice, but it's a much bigger shul, and this is the sort of thing that I'd never expect there.
After I got home, Sara, Adam, and I wound up watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which I hadn't seen in a super long time. Sara remembered it better than me and promised that it was complete '90s hokiness, and was she right. Alan Rickman was hilarious - every single line delivery was just so over-the-top! Then we watched the Disney cartoon version, which has pretty low production value but very catchy music. All in all, it was an enjoyable day... and this Jewish girl is very happy to have Christmas over for another year.
P.S. I haven't woken up at Mom's house on Christmas morning since... 2006!