Are you prepared for the next glutto-rama?
It’s assaulting us like a tidal wave! New Year’s starts tonight when we prepare for New Year’s Eve, in hot pursuit of the New Year’s Day football frenzy!
But Christmas 2016 is over. Gone.
Here’s hoping you had a Christmas that you will always remember!
Ours certainly was.
Let’s say, well, our Christmas was “different” this year.
And what made it a success was not having any pre-meditated expectations.
Fred and I spent Christmas Eve alone, by ourselves. It wasn’t the plan. We didn’t pout. It was a good evening.
Our “No. 1” son is too far away to come home. His wife had to work the day after Christmas. We sent packages. They sent packages. Everyone got taken care of. You know the routine!
“No. 2” son and girlfriend planned to come. Their packages were all wrapped and packed in the car. But, “Two Son” had an unexpected heavy workload on Christmas Eve day, and his company assigned him a full schedule with many miles to drive. Late in the afternoon, “Two Son” called to say it would be midnight before they could arrive, so we moved arrival to Christmas Day.
Daughter (in town) was behind in wrapping, and since I had chili prepared, Fred and I decided to enjoy it anyway, and go to church.
Daughter never did make it. She and granddaughter wrapped gifts and granddaughter bailed out for a more attractive invite at boyfriend’s for the evening.
We said, “Oh forget it. We are happy.”
After festivities, we went to bed early with books in hand.
Christmas morning, I arose early. Old habits never die after years of experiencing kids up before dawn on Christmas day. At 5:30 a.m., I slid a turkey in the oven, and a ham in the cooker.
“Two Son” called later, and he growled into the phone. No voice. Very sick. I advised “two son” to stay home and he was not a happy camper. I knew that he would come anyway if I acted sad. I took it like a soldier!
We were fine. Not sad. They could come next week.
Daughter and family first did Santa Claus at their house. Little Elroy, who is 5, rose bright and bushy tailed at 5 a.m. Daughter got everything ready about 3 a.m., then went to bed. Good timing! Two hours sleep is better than none.
Around noon, about the time that Daughter’s family was to arrive, the wind and rain arrived. Then, the electricity went out.
It was dark. Fortunately, the kitchen stove burners are gas. The oven, though, is electric. Out came the candles. Out came the dim flashlights with the depleted batteries.
Check. Buy batteries!
By one o’clock, everyone was here — “everyone” being the five of us.
This was getting funnier by the minute! What a wonderful opportunity to adapt to the situation!
No electricity. Open the drapes. Let the light in. Light candles.
Heat the cheesy potatoes in a fry pan. The turkey and the ham were cooked by 10:30 so were still warm. The salad was cold and fine. The dressing went into another pan on the stove. I made gravy in the very dim light.
Forget the china that I have resurrected every year for 40-plus years. Out came the heavy duty paper plates. Paper cups followed.
Candles, plenty of food, atmosphere! What more could we ask for?
The electricity returned much later. We didn’t care. Who needed it!
(Thank you faithful utility workers for taking care of it; I am sure your dinner was also interrupted!)
And you know what? It wasn’t perfect but it worked!
We experienced a blessed Christmas with everyone safe and sound in their own respective places.
I hope you experienced a good day as well.
Now it’s Happy New Year time.
HAAAAAPPPY NEWWWW YEARR!!

“A Woman’s View” is Judi Tabler’s reflection of her experiences and events. She is a wife, mother, writer, teacher, grandmother, and even a great grandmother.