Xmas practice

At 7:15am I woke to pee and couldn’t return to sleep. Seeing no benefit to laying awake in bed, I got up and moving after less than five hours of sleep. I felt pretty good, surprisingly. I made coffee and walked Ykraps. The weather outside had changed dramatically. The pond was flooded and so was our back yard. Yesterday’s snow changed to all rain overnight, at times coming down very hard. However, this morning, the temperature was already dropping and blizzard like conditions were predicted for later with an additional 3 inches of snow predicted. Geesh!

Save for a few party plates/dishes, the house looked pretty good for having hosted a big party the night before. After returning from my walk with Ykraps I sat down to blog Friday. While blogging it started snowing and blowing. It was awesome! After an hour or so on the PC I decided to get my run on. While preparing, Mindy asked that I bring her coffee. I did, just before I left for my run.

Once again, It was awesome running in the winter storm. I was covered with snow by the time I finished. I was surprised to learn that Mindy was still in bed when I got back home.
She didn’t get up until 11am! I don’t know how she can do that. We had nothing significant planned until dinner at her mom’s. We lounged around the house eventually cleaning up what was left of the party mess. Mindy and I organized and wrapped a few gifts too.

I thought that I might go Xmas shopping but didn’t feel like battling the snow and wind. Wise choice! I built a fire and watched the NFL. Jimaken called earlier to ask if we wanted to pick-up the kids at his place that way we could see his new digs. We agreed to make the drive. He lives off Godown Rd north of Case. We left around 2:45pm with intentions of picking up the kids and then heading directly to Gloria’s. We were planning an abbreviated Xmas celebration at Gloria’s since Mindy’s brother won’t be in town for the actual holiday. Subsequently, we had a bag of gifts to take along too.

Jimaken’s house is nice. Looks to be about 30 years old. The kids were anxious to show us their rooms. We left Jimaken’s around 3:30pm taking the scenic route towards Gloria’s driving south along Riverside Drive. It was a nice cruise. We arrived at Gloria’s just after 4pm. And just like all Xmas’, the family was gathered in the lower level, which best I can tell, is the only time it happens. Family tradition, I guess.

Many of the holiday traditions that Mindy’s family honors are similar to many of those we once honored in years gone by. But with divorce and isolation much of that has ended.

We gathered with the family in the lower level for about an hour before dinner was ready. Unlike the traditional Xmas gathering, we didn’t do the gift exchange before eating. With the exception of Craig & Jeff, we’ll be back here doing that Xmas day. Gloria made boneless chicken breast, chicken pot pie casserole, mashed potatoes, and rolls. All very delicious. I had more than my fill.

After dinner we retreated to the lower level where everyone exchanged gifts with Craig & Jeff. Sometime after 6pm we headed back upstairs for dessert – gingerbread & cheesecake. I thought that we might have “icebox cookies” but no.

Mindy was beat and ready to get the kids home and ready for bed. It was very chilly outdoors with the cold wind still whistling away. We arrived home near 7pm. Jacob joined me in walking Ykraps. The bitter west wind was bitingly cold as we headed back home. Mindy had the kids bathed and in bed by 8pm. Earlier in the evening I set up the DVR to record Family Guy and American Dad so that I could watch SNF.

Mindy and I headed to bed between 9:30-10:00pm. I hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep since Thursday.