Today I had my tooth extracted, but my temporary tooth wasn't ready, so I'll still have a gap in my mouth. I just don't even care anymore. It is what it is.
Jeff and I are going out grocery shopping later and then I'm gonna get my cooking started. I don't want to have a whole lot to do tomorrow. I'd like to start relaxing and enjoying my Christmas. I'm excited and ready for the fun. Can't wait to see all the kids' excitement. I know I used to be beside myself with excitement.
Christmas Eve when I was a little girl was so much fun. We'd go over to MaMa and PaPa Howell's and exchange gifts with all of our cousins. We have a very big family and every person was there. There was probably 25 people in that living room. It wasn't big either. And MaMa always had a tree. All the grownups brought finger foods and desserts. We'd eat, visit a little and then open the presents. I tell ya, it seems like that living room and really, the whole house just stretched to accommodate everyone. It never seemed crowded. It was just perfectly comfortable. The old gas heater kept everyone warm. Sometimes maybe a little too much. But it was wonderful.
After we left there, we'd just come home, exchange gifts between each other and get ready for bed. One year I remember that we went to visit our elderly neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts. My dad and Mr. Roberts had several glasses of egg nog, with extra nog. I vividly remember thinking that we weren't going to make it home before Santa would be coming down the chimney. Suz, Crystal and I were as anxious as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Oh, what a sweet memory of that night I have.
I can also remember as a little girl standing at my bedroom window looking for Santa's sleigh. I honestly thought there were a few times that I heard the sleigh bells. On Christmas Eve mama would let us sleep with the candles that you put in your window on. The bulbs were orange. That was so special to us to be able to sleep with those candles on.
On Christmas morning, we weren't allowed to go into the living room to see what Santa had brought until we got mama and daddy up. And we weren't really allowed to wake up as early as we would've liked. Our cousins used to wake up at like 3 in the morning. No way. We were more like 7:30 or 8:00.
Mama would always get up easy, but daddy was another story. It seemed to take him forever to get up. In reality, it was probably only a few minutes, but when you're an anxious little girl wanting to see what Santa left, it seemed forever.
The tree wouldn't be lit and the room would be sort of dark, but you could still make out the presents. Our gifts from Santa weren't wrapped, but we each had a section where our things were. Then Santa would leave a big box full of different candies, fruit and nuts. Clove sticks. Chocolate cream drops, chocolate covered cherries and peanuts. Oranges, apples and Brazil nuts.
Daddy would always ask us, "did he come"? And then just being silly, he'd say, "did he bring, brang, brung"? Just a little silly thing he'd always say. And he still does all these years later. If he didn't ask us that, I'd wonder what in the world was wrong. I think we'll always remember that. Then he'd go outside and shoot off his shotgun. And sometimes ring the big farm bell that was in the front yard.
Mama would be busy getting ready for Christmas dinner. That has to be without a doubt my favorite meal of the year. She still does it and it's still my favorite. She makes a red velvet cake and ambrosia.
So it's time for us to get ready for the day. Get plenty of batteries. Get your toolbox. You know how those darned toys are packaged these days. Make sure you camera is charged and ready to go. If you're OCD like me, get ready for the mess that seems to grow by the minute. Make sure you have plenty of trash bags. I tell myself over and over that it's only one day, but all the while I'm going crazy with all the trash everywhere. I'm really expecting Santa to bring me a great big box of patience this year.
Gotta get going. So much to do, so little time.
Till next time. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve's Eve.
5 comments:
Oh how I loved your memories! So vivid and wonderful:) It is as if I was sitting there in the floor full of people, seeing those candles burning in your window, hearing your Dad say the same thing over and over and that big box of fruit and candy. Memories are so precious and I love them all! I am hoping your tooth problem will be all gone in 2010, that your basket of patience will be full, your home will be filled with peace and happiness!
Love you, Auntie T
Well I feel like I just spent Christmas morning with you!! I love those memories!! I am not finished with everything but I am working on it!! We grow up and make our on memories and some how still try to squeeze in our old memories too!! Have a great day and can't wait to see you tomorrow night!! Love you bunches!
Kelly, thank you for sharing your memories....it was as if I was right there with you, you know kind of like Scrooge when the Spirits come ot visit, LOL! Thank you again, now go get ready & believe me I know what you mean about mess, I don't do it really well either :) ~ enjoy your day tomorrow!
So sweet! Like Cindy said, we try to keep the old memories and create new ones, too. And sometimes -- well, all the time, it's hard to do both! I've really worked to make this a good Christmas season of memories for my kids (they better appreciate it). I cannot wait!
P.S.
I am completely out of trash bags.
Grrrrr!!!
Luv ya much, much ;0)
I have to tell you..that was the very best I have ever read! You had me feeling like that anxious little girl all over again. What great memories your Mom and Dad made for you girls. We all have our own, but thanks so much for walking us through your Christmas morning. How special? I love what he said about Santa coming. I can hear him now saying that. He just has Marshall-isms that are always his own! See you tonight! Love you!
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