Snow to 80 in 8 days–A spoonful of Holiday Cheer (2/5 update Ch 36 - Final Thoughts)

[that's nice]

I find that capers tend to get in my way. Did you guys use the instead???

LOL No we just didn't buy any.

Now we return to the Christmas meal and what do you think might have been predominantly displayed as part of the many food offerings? You probably guessed it; deviled eggs, two of which had a half of an olive sitting right in the middle of them. Well, instead of laughing off the inside joke as I normally do, this time I decided to turn the tables and I selected those very two olive-laden eggs!!! I can now proudly announce that after approximately 30 years since I met them, I had not the least bit of remorse at poking those olives from the top of the deviled eggs, and placing them on DW's plate for her consumption.

Great story!!!

As is tradition, the presents would have to wait until the reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke Chapter 2. One of the grandchildren always gets to do the honors and it was Drew's turn to read the story to us all.

That is a great tradition.. I might have to steal that for next year.

The snow was starting to ever so slowly accumulate outside. It was mostly smaller flakes, drifting slowly towards the earth, so hopefully there wouldn't be enough total the next day to negatively affect our plans. We weren't quite sure what we would find when we got up the next morning.

DUN DUN DUN DUN

In spite of the strong desire to make a really big snowball and place it neatly in the middle of the rest of her clothes, I quickly pushed that thought aside, forced this over packed suitcase closed once again, re-stowed everything back into the trunk and headed inside.

For your sake... I'm glad you didn't leave that snowball in there.

Everyone else began to stir and get up to check the conditions outside. This is what they awoke to find

Looks beautiful.... except for the fact that you had to drive in it.

So the teenager/dumb Parent exchange went like this:
Me - "Why didn't you put your tennis shoes on before you went out instead of wearing your good Sperry's?"
Wise 13 year old - "I didn't bring them."
Me - "We are heading to Disney, with all the walking involved, and you didn't bring ANY of your pairs of tennis shoes?"
Drew - "No, I can walk around Disney in these. They're comfortable."
Me - "They're wet! You don't have anything else you can wear???"
DW's youngest son - all he can do is stand there looking at me while he shakes his head
Me - all I can do is rub my head and wonder where the tylenol bottle is.......

Oh man... so this is what I have to look forward to?

But first a family portrait before we go.....

Great pic!

As you can tell from the direction of Drew's eyes, and that clump of white in his hand, he has something else on his mind before we finally load into the cars......

Maybe he wanted to use it on the people questioning his choice of shoes.

We finally begin the next leg of our journey; heading to my Dad's house. Even though there is snow everywhere, the roads aren't bad at all, except for being very wet. This is not a problem now, but what will we face as nighttime draws near and the temperatures begin to drop???

I can't wait to hear about the ice skating!

 

[All7OfUs]

Lovely update, Marv! I mean it!, you have a very nice looking family! I don't think I'd ever seen a picture of your DW before- amazing how your kids really take after both of you.

Glad you made it safely (I assume) to your dad's house. I know this was a special visit in more ways than one. We both lost someone special near the same time, my MIL's death anniversary was today. So, I know how much this visit meant to you. Looking forward to hwo you spent the day/evenign with him.

Funny olive bit. Glad you can all laugh about it now. that's the stuff that makes family- family.

 

[nodnol]

Um, Glenn? What are Rich's dough balls? I've never seen dough available in ball form

I'm so glad you asked that. I thought it was only me, the ignorant European, who had never heard of it.

Marv, gerat update! And you are a very nice husband for getting you wife's pyjama out of thr trunk. My DH would just give me the keys of the car. On the other hand, if this ever happens in our family, it is more likely that is with opposite roles...

 

[marvali]

Now that doesn't happen often ( The update, not that I am right because I am right often ) but hey it's a full moon so I guess I should expect that things might be a bit wonky.

The update wasn't that strange, but the moon may have had something to do with TWO in one day!!!

Great family portrait.

Glad you could turn the tables on the IL's.

Thanks! Not the first time olives have been on a couple of eggs, just the first time I actually selected them. Usually since they are still there I get asked if I didn't get MY deviled eggs. This time it was funny watching my DFIL look around wondering where they went.....

The shoes or more correctly the Sperry's.
My DD made it all the way to a campsite to find out she had NO shoes.

Needless to say I basically drag her first thing the next morning to the nearest store that might have sneakers ( ended up being a Family Dollar about 10 min from the campsite) and I think I made her wear my Dh shoes so she could go into the store.
Those were the best $7 shoes ( I made her pay for them) we ever had.

Funny story and funny how kids are kids, no matter who or where! That same thing wouldn't surprise me either as it isn't unusual for DS13 to take them off in the car and walk inside in his socks when we get home.

For the record....the 3 in the TRs are mine (ours), dh has 2 older boys. Which doesn't have anything to do with your.... observation....

I think I had seen you mention being a step-mom before. Glad you got my insinuation!

Great story!!! Thanks!

That is a great tradition.. I might have to steal that for next year. Feel Free!

For your sake... I'm glad you didn't leave that snowball in there. I was at least thinking clearly enough to know my clothes would have been equally as wet if I had!

Looks beautiful.... except for the fact that you had to drive in it. It was definitely pretty! More on that soon.....

Oh man... so this is what I have to look forward to? Count on it! See Pat's post above for additional confirmation......

Great pic! Thanks!

Maybe he wanted to use it on the people questioning his choice of shoes. Hadn't thought of that! Or maybe just payback for the one I nailed him with earlier......

I can't wait to hear about the ice skating!

Thankfully no animals were harmed in the making of our journey......

Lovely update, Marv! I mean it!, you have a very nice looking family! I don't think I'd ever seen a picture of your DW before- amazing how your kids really take after both of you.

Glad you made it safely (I assume) to your dad's house. I know this was a special visit in more ways than one. We both lost someone special near the same time, my MIL's death anniversary was today. So, I know how much this visit meant to you. Looking forward to hwo you spent the day/evenign with him.

Funny olive bit. Glad you can all laugh about it now. that's the stuff that makes family- family.

Thanks Liesa! It is tough losing someone like that. We made sure we made it special for Dad! And the olive story is just one of those "events" that we have laughed about over the years....

Marv, gerat update! And you are a very nice husband for getting you wife's pyjama out of thr trunk. My DH would just give me the keys of the car. On the other hand, if this ever happens in our family, it is more likely that is with opposite roles...

Thanks Katharina!

Well she did make sure she was already getting ready for bed before she mentioned it. But I'm sure that wasn't on purpose..... I didn't even want to think what the result would be if she was the one trying to get everything out and back in the trunk! Sometimes it is a whole lot easier to just do things yourself......

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Sorry, no food porn pics from this meal, but we all really enjoyed it and were majorly stuffed as usual by the time we were done.

At least give us a menu here! What's the traditional Christmas meal? Turkey? Ham? Swanson's Hungry Man?

I would learn over time that hoping she wouldn't notice something as insignificant as passing on the deviled eggs was a futile exercise. After Ali informed her that I don't like olives she asked "Why didn't he just take them off???" This has been a long-standing joke between me and my In-law's ever since.

Rule #1: You can't fool mom. I learned that the hard way.

As is tradition, the presents would have to wait until the reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke Chapter 2. One of the grandchildren always gets to do the honors and it was Drew's turn to read the story to us all.

In spite of the strong desire to make a really big snowball and place it neatly in the middle of the rest of her clothes, I quickly pushed that thought aside, forced this over packed suitcase closed once again, re-stowed everything back into the trunk and headed inside.

Did you have the little angel and devil on your shoulder as you debated, or is that just in the movies?

I usually don't sleep very well when we stay at the In-Law's. It's a combination of a number of things; temperature of the room, different bed and pillows, and I'm right up against a wall!

Not to mention the rocks they keep putting on top of your mattress.

After laying there in the quiet as long as I could stand, I slipped out of the bed and headed down the hall. After a quick stop at the facilities (well, quick for a 51 year old I guess) I tiptoed into the den and got my first glimpse outside.

So you don't have someone hired to help you with this? I've heard on other TR's that it's a trend.

So the teenager/dumb Parent exchange went like this:
Me - "Why didn't you put your tennis shoes on before you went out instead of wearing your good Sperry's?"
Wise 13 year old - "I didn't bring them."
Me - "We are heading to Disney, with all the walking involved, and you didn't bring ANY of your pairs of tennis shoes?"
Drew - "No, I can walk around Disney in these. They're comfortable."
Me - "They're wet! You don't have anything else you can wear???"
DW's youngest son - all he can do is stand there looking at me while he shakes his head
Me - all I can do is rub my head and wonder where the tylenol bottle is.......

As others have pointed out, the quick drop in stature of your son is

As you can tell from the direction of Drew's eyes, and that clump of white in his hand, he has something else on his mind before we finally load into the cars......

So who was the target???

 

[Flossbolna]

Not to mention the rocks they keep putting on top of your mattress.

Marv certainly would be so delicate to be bothered by the one pea under 20 mattrasses!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Marv certainly would be so delicate to be bothered by the one pea under 20 mattrasses!!

Absolutely!

 

[marvali]

At least give us a menu here! What's the traditional Christmas meal? Turkey? Ham? Swanson's Hungry Man? Hmm, will have to ask someone because I don't remember everything. Since we had Turkey at Thanksgiving, it is Ham at Christmas. I remember creamed corn, potato salad, yeast rolls, green beans, a tray of pickles/olives and pecan pie/coconut cake/fruit cake balls. I might suggest the Hungry Man dinners for next year though.....

Rule #1: You can't fool mom. I learned that the hard way. Haven't we ALL!!!

Did you have the little angel and devil on your shoulder as you debated, or is that just in the movies? Only one of them was warm enough to follow me outside, but I yielded not into temptation anyway....

Not to mention the rocks they keep putting on top of your mattress. I hate it when that happens.....

So you don't have someone hired to help you with this? I've heard on other TR's that it's a trend. Not yet! You do that sort of work???

As others have pointed out, the quick drop in stature of your son is It didn't take long, for sure!!!

So who was the target???

I have a picture of him right after with arm in motion, so it wasn't me. I think it was his oldest brother although he might have made more before we actually got him in the car.

Marv certainly would be so delicate to be bothered by the one pea under 20 mattrasses!!

Absolutely!

Believe it or not, I WOULD be, and actually had this very discussion with DS18 over Christmas! He was oblivious to the Princess and the Pea story. It is the very reason I don't wear pajamas even in the winter. Anything long on my legs works its way up or gets twisted and bothers me where I can't sleep! Have to make sure the sheets are all straight too!

 

[onescgirl]

Your TR is moving so fast even w/out many updates. I'm having a hard time catching up!!!

Wow, these recipes look awesome! You guys have inspired me to add my favorite as well:

1. Pick up phone.
2. Dial number for local pizza joint.
3. Order 1 large w/ pepperoni & sausage, and 1 large cheese for the kids.
4. Wait one half-hour in your family room at 70 degrees.
5. Answer door when doorbell rings and delivery man shows up.
6. Exchange money for pizza.
7. Enjoy!

This my favorite recipe! We like this dish served with a side of bread sticks too.

Well after the early activities, my future DMIL had brought a huge picnic spread (her norm regardless of the meal) for all of us to eat. Part of that meal was deviled eggs (which I love) with a half of an olive (which I DON'T love) on top. Not wanting to hurt the feelings of this woman I had just met by poking the olive off the top of the deviled eggs, I figured nobody would notice that I just didn't get one to start with.

The rest of the day went smoothly and eventually her family headed for home, and things returned to normal. Shortly after, Ali spoke with her parents and her Mom asked her if I didn't like deviled eggs, because she noticed I never got one! Now this is the lady who if you ate three plates full of everything she fixed, and she asked if you wanted more of something and you turned her down, she would ask "What? You don't like my cooking???" Well yes, very much, which is why I refuse to eat another bite and return it all back where it came from!!! I would learn over time that hoping she wouldn't notice something as insignificant as passing on the deviled eggs was a futile exercise. After Ali informed her that I don't like olives she asked "Why didn't he just take them off???" This has been a long-standing joke between me and my In-law's ever since.

Now we return to the Christmas meal and what do you think might have been predominantly displayed as part of the many food offerings? You probably guessed it; deviled eggs, two of which had a half of an olive sitting right in the middle of them. Well, instead of laughing off the inside joke as I normally do, this time I decided to turn the tables and I selected those very two olive-laden eggs!!! I can now proudly announce that after approximately 30 years since I met them, I had not the least bit of remorse at poking those olives from the top of the deviled eggs, and placing them on DW's plate for her consumption.

Very funny!
When Brad & I 1st started dating, his mom made me a coconut cake for my birthday. I do NOT like coconut & didn't want to say that so I just choked it down. For several years I got a coconut cake for my birthday.
Brad must have finally told that I didn't like it, because I sure didn't.

As is tradition, the presents would have to wait until the reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke Chapter 2. One of the grandchildren always gets to do the honors and it was Drew's turn to read the story to us all. After sharing with us what the Christmas season is really all about, then getting through the pile of awaiting presents, the grandchildren moved on to other interests and the rest of us began to focus on the worsening conditions outside.

I LOVE that tradition. I think I will steal it too! Thanks Marv!

Everyone else began to stir and get up to check the conditions outside. This is what they awoke to find

Beautiful picture! For some reason, I thought you were in HH. But, I know there wasn't that much snow there?

So the teenager/dumb Parent exchange went like this:
Me - "Why didn't you put your tennis shoes on before you went out instead of wearing your good Sperry's?"
Wise 13 year old - "I didn't bring them."
Me - "We are heading to Disney, with all the walking involved, and you didn't bring ANY of your pairs of tennis shoes?"
Drew - "No, I can walk around Disney in these. They're comfortable."
Me - "They're wet! You don't have anything else you can wear???"
DW's youngest son - all he can do is stand there looking at me while he shakes his head
Me - all I can do is rub my head and wonder where the tylenol bottle is.......

This is hilarious!!!!

But first a family portrait before we go.....

You have a beautiful family! Your boys look so young. Your middle one definitely does not look old enough to be in college.

Sheesh Marv, I didn't know I was going to have to do so much reading on this report. But a very nice writeup.

Agreed!

You can probably guess my idea as an alternative pair of pajamas. And you can probably guess how it would've gone over.

It is the very reason I don't wear pajamas even in the winter.

TMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

I have the same problem. I got some cute pj's from Target, and thought, "Oh, these will be so nice and cozy to wear all winter. And hey, for only $2.99 (I love clearance!) how could I go wrong?"

After a good 3 weeks of trying them out, and getting ZERO sleep because I was constantly unwinding myself, they just aren't worth it. Basketball shorts work so much better!! Anything that doesnt' climb up and strangle you in the night!

 

[glennbo123]

TMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You took the words, er letters, right outta my mouth.

I have the same problem. I got some cute pj's from Target, and thought, "Oh, these will be so nice and cozy to wear all winter. And hey, for only $2.99 (I love clearance!) how could I go wrong?"

After a good 3 weeks of trying them out, and getting ZERO sleep because I was constantly unwinding myself, they just aren't worth it. Basketball shorts work so much better!! Anything that doesnt' climb up and strangle you in the night!

Just like indian scouts or cheap underwear....always creeping up on you when you least expect it.

 

[marvali]

Very funny!
When Brad & I 1st started dating, his mom made me a coconut cake for my birthday. I do NOT like coconut & didn't want to say that so I just choked it down. For several years I got a coconut cake for my birthday.
Brad must have finally told that I didn't like it, because I sure didn't.

Now that reminds me of a story I had forgotten about. One of the first times DW came to my parent's house my Mom was in a cycle of making a Banana Cake, which I loved! She blended the bananas and put in the layers before she baked it so you got the taste but no chunks, and then thin slices were put on top of the icing (I think it was cool whip and something else together). She asked DW how big of a slice she wanted and before she could respond I said "She doesn't eat bananas Mom." Mom apologized and said she wished she had fixed something else. DW got mad at me and told me I shouldn't have said anything.....she would have eaten it anyway! I told her it might work that way at her house (with olives ) but not at my house. My Mom wouldn't have expected her to eat it and would have been upset to find out she did. Mom did make sure that in the future, even if we had banana cake, there was something else there that DW DID like!

I LOVE that tradition. I think I will steal it too! Thanks Marv!

Glad I could help!!!

Beautiful picture! For some reason, I thought you were in HH. But, I know there wasn't that much snow there?

I saw that before but thought you just had a typo. No, we were in the central part of the state, not too far from Poolrat Pat!

This is hilarious!!!!

Keep on living....

You have a beautiful family! Your boys look so young. Your middle one definitely does not look old enough to be in college.

Thanks! They get that from me. Nobody ever believed I was as old as I was when I was growing up either. I laughed when I was 31 and got carded going into a bar and asked if they were kidding??? The boys hate it but I just tell them that one day they will appreciate that trait!!!

TMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nah, I just sleep in shorts all year round. Don't like anything on my legs (well of the clothes variety anyway........). Just add another blanket if I get cold, but not usually a problem.

 

[marvali]

I have the same problem. I got some cute pj's from Target, and thought, "Oh, these will be so nice and cozy to wear all winter. And hey, for only $2.99 (I love clearance!) how could I go wrong?"

After a good 3 weeks of trying them out, and getting ZERO sleep because I was constantly unwinding myself, they just aren't worth it. Basketball shorts work so much better!! Anything that doesnt' climb up and strangle you in the night!

Exactly what I'm talking about! I've tried to wear them before and usually end up just taking them off and throwing them in the floor so I can get to sleep. Back to the shorts the next night or until I go brain dead again!

This doesn't mean I have to start gagging when I brush my teeth now does it???

Just like indian scouts or cheap underwear....always creeping up on you when you least expect it.

 

[All7OfUs]

Just like indian scouts or cheap underwear....always creeping up on you when you least expect it.

Ooooh that was guuuuud!!

I tried to grab the bottoms of the pant legs with my toes, and pull them back down, but was doing that like every 15 minutes. It JUST ISN'T WORTH IT!!

Exactly what I'm talking about! I've tried to wear them before and usually end up just taking them off and throwing them in the floor so I can get to sleep. Back to the shorts the next night or until I go brain dead again!

This doesn't mean I have to start gagging when I brush my teeth now does it???

Actually if you're brain dead in the morning due to making war with your PJ's all night, you might be better off in the gagging department. Then you don't have to think about all that minty foam trying to annihilate you.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Do my eyes deceive me or are there 2 updates here Marv?? Hold on, let me double check...yes! You posted 2!! I missed it due to a puking DD9, and I'm soooo not good vomit!

Where to begin? Hmmm, let's start with this:

What a great picture of you all! I love your DS Drew's expression, it is soooo mischevious. I suppose the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh Marv?

Oh I hear ya on the packing of suitcases. I am completely type A when it comes to packing and if DH forgot to add something or needs something from my perfectly packed suitcase, well, it ain't pretty! Although I do love that the idea of placing a snowball in your DW's suitcase crossed your mind! When we travel to Disney, we break it up into a 2 day drive so I always have 1 bag that is purely for our 1 overnight hotel stay. Then the rest of our bags are underneath. I feel your pain Marv, I do!

The dialogue between you and your DS had me laughing hysterically! It is sooooo like a kid to give those answers. I didn't understand the change in his status at first (ie, who he belonged to), I thought I must have missed a line or something? Then I got it and laughed! It's like when I say to DH "Do you know what YOUR DD's did today??" Suddenly they're his...

Love the olive story, love it! Now you know what to get your in-laws for Christmast next year, a HUGE case of olives! I detest the taste of them, really truly detest them so I can understand your dilema.

As for your sleeping attire, I'm going to have to ask you to refrain from divulging those kinds of details! TMI is exactly correct, we don't need to know that Marv, really.

I get carded too! It's the ONE thing that makes me not feel my age! Oh wait, you probably meant you got carded when you were like 21 though, right?

 

[onescgirl]

Are you watching the 85 high speed chase? It's interrupting my Soap!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

This my favorite recipe! We like this dish served with a side of bread sticks too.

It's amazing how popular that one is! Sometimes the simple things are the best.

Nah, I just sleep in shorts all year round. Don't like anything on my legs (well of the clothes variety anyway........).

TMI!!!!!!!!!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Thanks! Not many pictures on this part of the trip! Probably three more updates before we get to the Disney part of the trip! Lots more pictures then........by March anyway!

oohhhh great, this is going to be like a certain TR of a writer who likes to take her top off for others upon greeting them. i can see the first WDW update farther away than that.

i think it took her about 4 months to get there.

 

[All7OfUs]

oohhhh great, this is going to be like a certain TR of a writer who likes to take her top off for others upon greeting them. i can see the first WDW update farther away than that.

i think it took her about 4 months to get there.

Hey! I resemble that remark! And this... from someone who MIGHT get a guest appearance in the next chapter!!!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Hey! I resemble that remark! And this... from someone who MIGHT get a guest appearance in the next chapter!!!

sorry i take it back.