Week 17

The last regular season game for the Patriots.  A first round bye is on the line.  And both my boys are home.  Best part of the game right there.

     In honor of the occasion, I made a muffuletta.  I also baked some potato skins.  I had to make sure my growing boys were well provided for.  It’s not often these days that I get to watch the Patriots with both my sons.  Those opportunities are growing less often.  Carpe diem.

Merry Christmas 2018

Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday.  The family is here.  Demi has outdone herself.  The decorations are amazing.  The food is tasty and plentiful.  Drinks are flowing, and so is the conversation.  It is great to catch up with my brother, sister in-law, and his sister in-law.
     The boys are playing with the cousins.  They are also old enough to converse with the adults.  My parents get to visit with everyone.  Gizmo got to bop about.  This is the true holiday.  The presents are nice.  But the family, the loved ones are what is import.  The boys get it.  This will likely shape their future holidays.

Christmas Eve 2018

The popular argument these days is is Die Hard a Christmas movie?  Not only is it a Christmas movie, so is Die Hard 2:  Die Harder.  That was our family movie of choice for this evening.

     I was just happy I could participate some.  Day 4 of diagnosed pneumonia is tough.  I tried to stay in quarantine, but I was getting cabin fever.  I even moved to the bedroom floor to stave off bed sores.  I came down to make tea or toast, so I could chitchat a bit.  It warmed my heart to see the boys helping Demi with the centerpieces.  

     The boys exchanged their gifts, per tradition.  They both were thoughtful of one another.  Demi and I exchanged this year too.  I wanted to give her the hat I bought her with the “L” in the font matching my tattoo.  After Die Hard 2, Caz actually went to bed.  So Coco left to play XBOX.  Demi and I watched the first showing of A Christmas Story.  Then I turned in.  I needed my rest.  Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

Birthday 2018

This year, Caz is off at Auburn.  Coco is working.  Coco was also battling the IBS, which kept him in bed late.  Caz called to wish me a happy birthday.  Coco’s first words to me today were to wish me a happy birthday.  I felt like this was a glimpse of birthdays yet to come.  It is just going to be Demi and me.
     I would say the Demi and I will thrive as empty-nesters when the time comes.  We had the most amazing day.  We started out hitting a speed bump.  The first place we tried to grab a bite was closing.  After that, it was smooth sailing.  The Duxbury Rural Historical Society hosted a Christmas Open House.  The theme was the Wizard of Oz.  It might seem like an odd holiday pairing, but the decorators made it work.  The Emerald City theme really sizzled in the arrangements they came up with.
     We finally did get a snack at the Oysterman.  We got a harvest salad, fish tacos and oyster stew.  It was just enough to keep me going but not impact dinner.  I hadn’t really eaten all day.  Demi was just gnoshing.  The Army/Navy game played on the TV.  We had excellent conversations.  It was almost over too soon.
     The final stop was the Heritage Garden Museum.  They staged a holiday spectacular on their ground.  It is called Gardens Aglow.  Christmas lights were alight everywhere.  Lighted paths directs observers through the different areas of the park.  A group of fire pits allowed families to warm up or to toast marshmallows for S’mores.  A donut truck sold homemade cider or chocolate donuts.  Cafes sold hot chocolate, mulled wine, cider and assorted treats.  Santa held court in an antique Cadillac.  An old fashioned carousel, spun children around and around.  A father & son duo carved ice sculptures with cutouts for poses.  Demi and I held hands while meandered through it all.
     Dinner became an audible.  We weren’t starving , so we waited until we got closer to home.  We dined well at Solstice.  Dessert stole the show.  My warm gingerbread with eggnog ice cream tasted amazing.  Apparently, Coco was out shopping for my birthday present while we were eating.  The three of us met up at home later on.  What a day!  Both Demi and I were astounded at how perfect a day we had.  I think the days to come, birthdays or not, will be perfect too.

Yard cleanup 2018

It would be really nice to have help out in the yard.  I have done most of the leaf removal thus far.  I have two sons.  Shouldn’t it be like old farm life?  That is one of the perks of having children, right?  I jest.  But I sure could use the help.
     One son is off at college.  The other son is working.  I get it.  They are off doing what they need to do.  I think they believe that I want to be out in the yard working.  I recall the battles when thy were younger, when I marched them out to help with chores.  They think I take great pleasure in taking them away from playing.  I would really rather be doing other things.  But this is what I need to do.  I take care of what needs doing.