After all the panic and scrambling, we've finally slid into Christmas. I'd love to say we've been taking it easy and got all the baking done and gone for a quiet (but cold) bike ride, but that ain't true. For one thing, it's 76 degrees down here. No white Christmas this year.
I've been working on various projects/problems leading up to the holidays. Some people have asked if I am taking off time over the holidays, but I'm not. Worked all of last week and and will work most of this week as well. This puts a slight damper on the holiday mood (at least for me). I've even had a conference call with a supplier booked for yesterday morning (Christmas Eve) to address some crisis. I guess it's my turn in the barrel. I'm sort of paying for that 10 day boat trip in November. Kinda reminds me of when I was in the Army and pulled duty for Thanksgiving AND Christmas back in Germany. I got tagged for that plum assignment because we were a young newlywed couple and had no kids.
Good news is that the newlyweds came home Saturday night. They are home for a few days so we will get to enjoy the holidays with them. It is getting harder each year on how to coordinate the family gatherings. With the various new families branching out, we are looking at 3 or 4 Christmas celebrations. One for us, one with the daughter-in-law's family, one with my parents/brother, one with my wife's parents. We tried to gather everyone over here a few times over they years, but with the new additions, it has turned into a regular circus. Still, will be good to share some Xmas joy with all the parents, brothers, sisters (in-laws), children, nieces, nephews, etc. This morning, the kids are over at the DIL's parents to celebrate Christmas with her sister and long time family friends. We get our turn this afternoon. I've invited my parents over as well. My brother had his annual gathering this morning across town at his house with the entire crew (15+) which includes the new grandchild. They do an early opening with a breakfast casserole as the main dish. Since my crew is older and gets up later, we tend to do a later (2nd shift) event. I find it's getting harder each year to coordinate all this hoopla, but somehow we will manage.
Merry Christmas to all my friends out there and I'm looking forward to another great year.
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| Doggy Christmas! And, no, these are not my two mutts. |
5 comments:
Aw, bummer you have to work so much, but yeah, there was that awesome cruise...
Merry Christmas to you and your whole lot of extended family!
Nice photo, even if not your own silliness.
I feel pretty blessed that we only have to attend one get-together on Christmas Day. I'm sure that will change as we bring in-laws into the family.
I worked up to the 23rd and will go back again the 26th, but I'm not complaining. At least I didn't have to work on the day itself.
Sure hope you were able to enjoy your Christmas, despite all the running around! I read earlier that you're have 76 degree weather! I don't know if I would rather have that or the white Christmas that Abby is having. Guess I'll settle for the gray and dreary that we are having.
Loved the pic! Bet your doggies are glad you didn't put them through the same humility. :)
We kind of have Christmas chaos too. We've always had to juggle our own family Christmas around Mark's work schedule. (And yes, he had to work this year.) Now we're coordinating around 2 kids with significant others and their commitments while trying to squeeze in Christmas Eve with my extended family and Christmas Day with his. We'll celebrate with our kids this Saturday... delayed due to all the aforementioned chaos.
I have no extra time off during the holidays this year either. Had to cash out all my accrued PTO when the company was bought out a couple of months ago and have to start all over creating a cushion.
Glad it all came together for you even if it was a bit crazy. Maybe the coming week will slow down a bit.
Awwww - Sorry I am late to the party. But, Merry Christmas, Agg! And Happy New Year to you and your family.
I'm happy you were able to spend time with the newly weds! And I LOVE that photo of the dogs!
Hope you got through the 4 Christmases ok. Not sure how i would manage to be honest!
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