Celebrating Xmas part one

Because we planned to take Dad to breakfast at 9am, I got up & out of bed at 705am. That left me ample time to walk Ykraps, coffee, computer, run, and then shower. It was snowing ever so lightly and 28 degrees when I headed out with Ykraps - a typical day for late December. I took Mindy some coffee around 730am and just before heading out on my run. Like most Sunday's, I ran just three miles. The only difference being I stayed in the subdivision. I was home by 815am. Mindy was just finishing her shower. I really expected her to be further along. I asked if she fell back asleep. She said not. While she primped and prepped, I hopped in the shower. Not too unusual, I was ready to go well before she. Let's see ... jeans and a black t-shirt. :) I was busy organizing things in the kitchen when the doorbell sounded. Oops! The fact that dad was meeting us at the house slipped my mind. We chatted briefly waiting on Mindy to join us downstairs. Dad didn't do much on his actual birthday, which was the day before (Saturday). I agreed to drive to breakfast. Dad rode up front with me, leaving the venue up to us. We chose Perkins. It's just a quarter mile north of Bob Evan's on Rome-Hilliard Rd. We were there shortly after 915am. I dropped Mindy & Dad off at the door before circling the building and parking the Honda. I joined them in a booth moments later. Jessica was our server. She was sporting a southern twang. However, it wasn't detectable all the time suggesting that she's a recent transplant from the south - perhaps Grove City. :) We all ordered similar entrees, although not exact. One difference, I ordered pancakes. We talked about the family, whether Dad's heard from Uncle Kenny and whether he'd be home for Xmas. He would not -staying in Florida. Talked a little about brother Bob's Xmas party and how he might feel about Pauline joining us. Dad said he's already discussed that possibility with Bob and he didn't seem to mind. His only concern was that Mom and Dad didn't sneak off to one of the kids rooms, or worse yet, their master suite. Ewh! Dad shared that he bought himself a new 32" flat panel 1080P LCD TV along with a Blu-ray player. Did some bargaining with the sales dude and got a good deal. Honestly, dad's new set-up is far more advanced than ours. We overheard another family talking who was sitting at the booth just to our immediate west. The young woman in their company - looked to be mid-30's - was going on about how poorly she felt. We overheard her brother explaining all the different shots she did the night before. The next thing we knew, she was lying down in the booth. I half expected her to earl, although she never did. We finished up our breakfast just after 1030am. Dad shared that he'd be Xmasing with April's family later that evening. He left for home straight away once we pulled up at the house. Mindy did some holiday wrapping while I did a little reading in the familyroom. Reading slowly morphed into a much deserved nap. Ahh- felt terrific! I slept for only a few minutes, but that little nap helped a whole lot. Mindy made a run out for more Xmas gifts mid-day. I stayed home napping, watching football, and playing on the PC. Among other things, I emailed my sauerkraut ball recipe to brother Craig. I was going to load my new Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 software , too, but didn't want to spend much more time on the PC. I knew we were going to Gloria's to celebrate Xmas with Craig and Jeff, but I didn't know what time. When asked, Mindy said she wasn't sure either. Mindy was gone for a couple of hours. I don't recall the exact time she got home. The kids must've shown up with Jimaken around 3pm. They were excited to tell Mindy & I that they were getting hamsters for Xmas and would likely pick them up on Tuesday. We readied and left for Gloria's at 4pm. Mindy never did confirm the time everyone was expected. I worried that we might be extremely late, or possibly even early. That's just me. I worry about things I can't control. Craig and Jeff were already there when we pulled up. No one else. However, even as we were unloading our gear, the others arrived too. The afternoon's celebration took place in the lower level just like every other Xmas. Despite not calling ahead, Mindy somehow knew we'd be ordering pizza for dinner. Larry tried calling Jossepi's Pizza but got a ring no answer at each of their locations. I knew the Hilliard store closed but didn't think the others had. I suggested that they might be having their holiday celebration. We later learned that to be the case. In lieu of Jossepi's, we ordered from Donato's. They delivered five pizza's in a hurry - less than 20 minutes, or so it seemed. I hadn't had a Donato's pizza for years. Got sick on some ten years ago and haven't been able to enjoy it much since. The pizza was adequate but nothing like I expected. But then again, it's wasn't as much about the food as it was about family. We were there to celebrate Xmas with C & J, who were heading south in a couple days to spend Xmas at their vacation home in sunny Florida. And while I emailed my sauerkraut recipe to C & J, I also printed off a hard copy, too. Jeff had a few questions regarding the ingredients and the preparation process. Come 6pm, it was time to do Xmas presents. C & J passed out gifts for the little one's first. They do a good job, always finding the cutest clothes for Bella. Next, everyone gifted C & J (actually the kids). Gloria then gave them their gifts. Lots of red. Apparently that's their new color of choice. While Xmasing, the Bengals game whirled in the background. I watched the game fairly closely. And while I'm not a huge Bengals fan, I do root for them week in and week out unless, of course, they're playing my team, the Vikings. The Bengals tied the game late after trailing for most of it. But some or another they lost in the very end. I felt bad for all of Bengals fans out there. It was after 7pm and time to think about heading home. We still needed to pick-up Rocky. In fact, Lindsey called a time or two checking on our whereabouts. We left Gloria's around 730pm. Honestly, my biggest concern was getting home in time to get settled in for the Viking game, which was slated to kick-off at 8:20pm on NBC (bing-dong-ding). Rocky ran out to the Honda as soon as we pulled up. He was obviously excited about visiting the kids. I felt a little sad leaving Landon behind, but he didn't seem to mind. I played with him briefly through the window. The house was out of control, as always - dogs going bonkers along with that telling odor that permeates everything. Rocky was cranked up. he was talking a mile a minute sharing all sorts of troubling information about the goings on at their home. Mindy and I were concerned, but also mindful of his history of telling tall tales. We weren't home long before I was off walking Ykraps. I noticed within minutes that my black fleece was missing. Oh no! Not my favorite black fleece. I asked Mindy to phone her mother and ask if she saw it lying around anywhere. Rocky & Jacob chose to go along. Mindy had the kids in PJ's well before the game began. We let them stay up since there wouldn't be any school the following day. However, we still wanted them to get a good night's rest before our big ski outing Monday. The game kicked off before 8:30pm. The Vikings offense struggled from the outset, but the defense was stout holding the Panthers to 6 measly points through the first three quarters. We couldn't get out of our own way. In fact, it was very similar to their performance two weeks ago on SNF against Arizona. I'm sure the kids heard some choice swear words. I really need Mindy to watch that. I'll be talking to her about it. :) Despite the dsfunction, the Vikings lead 7-6 heading into the 4th quarter. Rocky & Bella asked to sleep in the guest bedroom. We obliged. Rocky, however, couldn't fall asleep. I eventually caved and let him rejoin us downstairs as long as he didn't talk. For him, that's an awfully tall order. Somehow he managed. Mindy headed to bed mid-4th quarter after the Panthers took a 19-7 lead. The game was all but over. I stayed tuned in to the bitter end. Always do. We eventually lost 26-7 in what was an ugly game for a Viking fan. But, I guess you'll have that on occasion. I decided to let Rocky sleep on the familyroom floor. He looked comfortable. Feeling sad and depressed, I headed for bed.