CHRISTMAS!

Is it really over? ;( I get the after Christmas blahs. I don't like it when it is over. All the stores now have big green and red storage containers everywhere to replace the long awaited Christmas room of decorations and wrapping! ugh
I must say since I am a teacher-I am loving my break. ;)
Christmas morning was wonderful. All the loved ones in this house getting everything they wanted and then some-including myself and hubby. We spoil each other at Christmas and make sure and try to get everything each other desires. He always goes overboard-but why complain? And no-this is not what Christmas is about-it is about giving-well-that is what we do-GIVE to each other with love. I love to buy for him as well.
I got up and made blueberry muffins (package of course) and coffee. We opened our gifts-we asked the girls to go a little slower this year so we can really WATCH them and it all not be a blur. They reluctantly agreed but realized how much better it was to take it just a little slower!
J went to her dads to open her gifts there and eat lunch. He had her back for dinner. I had plans. I thought it would be nice that we meet my sister and her family at Shoneys. We always spent Christmas night at my dad's house and since his passing-it has been too hard. I thought this was perfect solution. We agree to meet at 6:00. My sister later calls me and tell me she isn't feeling well. That was okay-now it was just my family. We were all set on that scrumptious Shoney's buffet of turkey and all the trimmings. I had made a light brunch to tide us over after the muffins. Many people sent delicious baked goods for us to snack on...but we were careful to remain hungry. We get dressed and head to the restauraunt. It is closed. Now I will say I was disappointed but glad to see that Christmas was respected enough for it to be closed (for some reason I thought Shoneys was open on Christmas). We look at each other and laugh and say "Mc. Donalds!"! All the kids were fine with that-they were just hungry! I even tell them they wouldn't have to share a drink-and they could order OFF the dollar menu-hey-it is Christmas!Now-again I agree that everything should be closed for special Holidays but in this society-they generally are not. Mc. Donalds was...I was suprised because they are travelers on Christmas day and I just knew the infamous fast food place would be open. I am thinking in the back of my head if we were going to have to get a pizza at the gas station and microwave it...and it wasn't sounding bad. We drove to the next town-ghost town-everything closed. No place to eat. No one is upset. It then just becomes a joke about remembering Christmas 2007 dinner. I am not a cook. We are better off eating out . And I think it is cheaper, less messy, and no leftovers that go to waste. I also know how to eat out cheap. ;) We then go to Springfield (a small city) which we are positive something will be open-we drive up a main street-nothing. Until finally, we see lights...what? No way! Could it be? SONIC was open! It wasn't open in the two previous towns-but it was here! YES! And guess what? It was BUSY! Yep-I am not the only mom/wife that took their family out for that special Christmas memory. So-there we were eating our coneys, chicken strips, cheese sticks, tater tots and slurping our drinks happily. I am just thankful my hubby has low expectations and is just happy being with his family and the girls pulled it together and were grateful just to be eating. We just laughed about it and went on...in the grand scheme of things-who cares? Their bellies were full and we helped the economy in 2007 ONE MORE TIME!
The girls are gone for four days to their other parents. Hubby and I are working on making a better home life situation with our blended family-I know you are thinking we could quit eating fast food on Christmas and that would be a start-but that isn't what I am talking about-that is minor and as said before-not a problem with this family. ;)
I have had some great times with hubby and friends. Relaxing over coffee at a local rest. with a friend I work with and her little one. No time schedule and good conversation.
Today Jean 1 and I had OUR day. We had sushi, exchanged gifts of love, saw a movie.."P.S.-I love you" (good chick flick and even hubby would have liked it) and had a deep discussion about life. I love these times with my friends. Thank you Jean1 for my special necklace and goodies! ;) LOVE them!
Hubby is working on our extra room. He is off until Wednesday and so am I. I do value this time with him. This weekend will be "ours"!
Jean3 will soon be living close to us-so 2008 will be better for that alone!
I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and is ready for 2008! Bring it on!