The Christmas Review.
It was a Merry Christmas indeed.
Christmas dinner attendees were my mother (the host), both of my brothers, their girlfriends, and myself. Most of the conversation was jovial, with the brief exception of Danny's wildabeast gf's antagonist behavior. Which was skimmed over with aplomb by Gordy's gf. Kudos, and a golf clap for you, Alicia.
There was a bit of wine, and some more, and then old home movies. That was nice. Danny's gf looked bored to tears, and Gordy's gf was a good sport. We like Gordy's gf. She wins, hands down.
Presents? Well, I couldn't be materialistic and shallow... But here I go!
I was pleased with every practical present that I received. And even the cats were thought of. I love my family, and in their hearts the intention is pure 24k gold.
...That being said.
I sent a 4 page Amazon Wishlist link to both my mother and older brother. Mom came closest by purchasing a 10cup rice cooker instead of the 5cup I asked for, but neither family member technically got anything that I asked for.
As a matter of fact, about a week ago my mother called me on my day off at 8am and asked if it was ok to buy something not on my list that I may need because it was on sale.
Now, before anyone thinks that I am an ungrateful sort. Please re-read the post with the jovial tone its really intended in. I love them. I love the fact they thought of me and the cats at all. All the presents were wonderfully practical, and I'm sure I'll be thankful for them at some point during their usuage during the upcoming year. But you just have to understand, if you think I'm weird and crazy, the apple just didn't roll too far from the tree.
Another example. Extended Italian Family Christmas. Its going down this Sat. My sole food responsibility is pie. One apple, and one miscellaneous. I intend to make this purchase either tonight or tomorrow, no big. Mom calls me today and tries to tell me not to buy the misc. pie because the pumpkin pie from last night only has one slice gone from it. I tried to be polite about it, but really? Mom, how gauche! I'm not a prude, and I'm sure no one would really give a shit, and if it was just the D&D guys on a Sun night I'd force feed them the pie, but I know her sisters, and I am not taking the vaguest chance of their little snipes. Good natured loving snipes, but please my rep isn't golden to start with. Pie isn't a small fortune. I'll just buy two. The starving children in Africa won't wither away because you wasted a pumpkin pie from Christmas if I don't take it....
*Le sigh*
And the cat toys. It was cute to see their delightfully dialated pupils when I opened up the toys last night at like 10-ish. It was not so cute when Pork found the one with the jingle bell at 6-ish am. It was also not nice to come home to a.)puke in the bedroom, b.)someone telling me fecally that I should've scooped the box before I left, and c.)whomsoever decided that their hairball treatment made much more of a fashion statement on the middle of my carpet. Thanks guys, I missed you too.
Now my debate. Do I buy the things that I had really, really hoped for now? Do I wait until after New Years? What would Jesus do?
Christmas dinner attendees were my mother (the host), both of my brothers, their girlfriends, and myself. Most of the conversation was jovial, with the brief exception of Danny's wildabeast gf's antagonist behavior. Which was skimmed over with aplomb by Gordy's gf. Kudos, and a golf clap for you, Alicia.
There was a bit of wine, and some more, and then old home movies. That was nice. Danny's gf looked bored to tears, and Gordy's gf was a good sport. We like Gordy's gf. She wins, hands down.
Presents? Well, I couldn't be materialistic and shallow... But here I go!
I was pleased with every practical present that I received. And even the cats were thought of. I love my family, and in their hearts the intention is pure 24k gold.
...That being said.
I sent a 4 page Amazon Wishlist link to both my mother and older brother. Mom came closest by purchasing a 10cup rice cooker instead of the 5cup I asked for, but neither family member technically got anything that I asked for.
As a matter of fact, about a week ago my mother called me on my day off at 8am and asked if it was ok to buy something not on my list that I may need because it was on sale.
Now, before anyone thinks that I am an ungrateful sort. Please re-read the post with the jovial tone its really intended in. I love them. I love the fact they thought of me and the cats at all. All the presents were wonderfully practical, and I'm sure I'll be thankful for them at some point during their usuage during the upcoming year. But you just have to understand, if you think I'm weird and crazy, the apple just didn't roll too far from the tree.
Another example. Extended Italian Family Christmas. Its going down this Sat. My sole food responsibility is pie. One apple, and one miscellaneous. I intend to make this purchase either tonight or tomorrow, no big. Mom calls me today and tries to tell me not to buy the misc. pie because the pumpkin pie from last night only has one slice gone from it. I tried to be polite about it, but really? Mom, how gauche! I'm not a prude, and I'm sure no one would really give a shit, and if it was just the D&D guys on a Sun night I'd force feed them the pie, but I know her sisters, and I am not taking the vaguest chance of their little snipes. Good natured loving snipes, but please my rep isn't golden to start with. Pie isn't a small fortune. I'll just buy two. The starving children in Africa won't wither away because you wasted a pumpkin pie from Christmas if I don't take it....
*Le sigh*
And the cat toys. It was cute to see their delightfully dialated pupils when I opened up the toys last night at like 10-ish. It was not so cute when Pork found the one with the jingle bell at 6-ish am. It was also not nice to come home to a.)puke in the bedroom, b.)someone telling me fecally that I should've scooped the box before I left, and c.)whomsoever decided that their hairball treatment made much more of a fashion statement on the middle of my carpet. Thanks guys, I missed you too.
Now my debate. Do I buy the things that I had really, really hoped for now? Do I wait until after New Years? What would Jesus do?