A Charlie Brown Christmas

I  hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I took a few days off from blogging, although I've been trying to keep up with everyone's blogs. Not easy. Some of you were still posting lots and lots!

I love Christmas in my house as usually I get presents three times by the times its all done. Meaning, my dad's side of the family opens everything on Christmas Eve. My mom's side grew up opening everything Christmas morning. So, we have my dad's family over for Christmas Eve and open presents. We have our own little Christmas, just the three of us on Christmas morning. And Christmas afternoon, mom's side comes over and we open presents again. Oh yes. I am spoiled.

This year was a small Christmas for all of us. I made cookies for everyone in my family as I couldn't afford to go out shopping this year.

Christmas Eve we had my dad's family over.  I was up early and helping mom in the kitchen. I was allowed to make the deviled eggs myself for the first time. Usually I have her stand over my shoulder to make sure I get it right. Everyone loved them. My aunt and uncle were running a bit late, so my dad and I took my car in to get my grandparents. We weren't sure if Granddad would fit in my car (if my seat could go back far enough for him) until we got there. He did, though. And it was the first time my dad's parents ever rode in any car of mine. I sat in the back with  Granny, and we were both amazed at the leg room we had in the back. I hadn't sat in my  back seat since I purchased it. My mom cooked a mean lasagna (oh my, it was SO delicious!) and we had cookies and ice cream for dessert. Then it was present time!

Christmas Day, my parents had to wake me up, as usual. For some reason, growing up, my parents had to wake me up instead of the other way around to see was Santa brought. Apparently my cat had been sleeping on top of me, and jumped off me when my dad came into the room with the dog behind him, her nails tick-ticking on the hardwood floors. My cat hates dogs and apparently believes they are all out to kill her. Her claws digging in before she jumped woke me up, as it's quite painful. I then went out to see what Santa brought. Yes. Santa still visits our  house, and always will. Y'all can stop looking at me funny. Like, now, would be good.

My mom's family came over in the afternoon. Nana brought Scrabble, and her, my mom, my aunt, and myself played a game of Scrabble. On the second game, Sonny played in my aunt's place. Nana is very good at this game, and I have no recollection of ever beating her at it . . . or Monopoly, but I actually won the second game. I used up my tiles first and only after adding in everyone's extra tiles did I win by score. My mom had cooked a ham for dinner, and we had pie for dessert. We didn't exchange presents this year, it being financially tight for all of us. But we still had a wonderful afternoon/evening of visiting and playing Scrabble. And that's really what Christmas is about. Spending time with your family.

Today (Sunday), I was the first up, at 8:30am. That's not normal, folks. I walked out of my room and realized my parents were still asleep (they did deserve a good rest!), so I fed the dogs and let them out. I then turned on the TV (they have satellite, which is wonderful for the girl who doesn't even have cable) and found Law & Order:UK. I hadn't seen it yet; my parents said they had tried it and lasted about 15 minutes because they couldn't hardly understand the actors . . . being that it's a British TV show and all. I figured I'd like it, because I like British TV, at least what I've seen. I selected the channel and settled it. I enjoyed it. The phone rang at 9:30 - it was Granny trying her new phones she got for Christmas - and that is what finally got both my parents out of bed. My dad sees me watching Law & Order:UK and asks, "You like it?" I said yes . . . and a few minutes later after listening to actors discuss something,  he looked at me and asked, "Can you actually understand them?" "Yes, dad". I mean, other than the occasional slang term (which you can usually pick up their meaning anyway), I understand it. Even with the accents.

Also, I met my BFF in town for lunch today. She's pretty wiped out, as Christmas was stressful for her this year and she didn't get to relax like she had thought she would get to. I gave her tons of hugs, which I know she needed, and we had a nice lunch. She gave me a book, which I can't wait to start reading once I've finished the other book I just got for Christmas.

My mom was going to cook spaghetti tonight. She makes the best. However, she's pooped, and doesn't feel like cooking so it looks like I'll be running into town for some take out. Which is fine for me, as she did a lot of cooking this weekend!

All in all, it was a nice little Christmas. I've enjoyed my 5 days off work, and I really don't want to go back tomorrow night. Vacations are never long enough.