Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Never Let 'em See You Cry

Jesse went skiing (the rat) while Toby and I went to WF to spend Christmas Eve with Mom and to Electra for Christmas Day with Toby's family. We arrived in WF Monday afternoon to find Mom trying to dig a hole to bury her cat, which had died. This was not just any cat, but Miss Jonesy who was probably 14 years old. if not older. I remember years ago when my baby sister called me and asked me why Dad always let me have cats, but would not let her have one. My answer, "I did not ask Dad if I could have cats; I just brought them home." (come to think of it, I did that with Toby too.) And so, my sister brought Miss. Jonsey home where my dad took over the care of the cat and spoiled her rotten. Miss. J was probably the fattest cat I have ever seen and the meanest. We had been expecting her to die for years, but she managed to keep her overweight self going for a long time - she was a heck of a cat. My brother, Pete, was there with Mom being very practical about the cat's death. Still, it was sad - in a funny sort of way. She very conveniently died on an old rug. So I folded the rug around her and carried her to the dumpster - crying as I went. It must be my hormones.


The weather Christmas Day was beautiful, and Toby's family is always fun. His sisters are excellent cooks and provide a wonderful meal. His nephew and brother-in-law cook tenderloin on the grill - yummy! The kitchen sink backed up, and we all took a turn on the plunger to no avail. A plumber was called in. When he arrived, he turned on the disposal and had his turn on the plunger as if we were all idiots and had not tried that yet. When he crawled under the sink, we all got a nice view of the crack of his...bottom. He left the kitchen in a mess and did not fix the sink. Another plumber drove over from WF, but did not bring his tools and had to go back and get them - is that odd? At least the second guy fixed the sink and all of the dishes could be done.


Every year, we play the dirty Santa game with Toby's family. Every year, I say that I am not going to to that again. I don't think I can explain the hurt that it causes. It is deep and complicated. So, I laughed and joked and acted like all was well when I actually felt like crying (those darn hormones again). The Grand Babies were the highlight of Christmas keeping everyone entertained. It was good to see everyone, but I'm so glad Christmas only happens once a year.

8 comments:

inpassing said...

Lou, I looked at the 2nd picture up close because I couldn't figure out why you guys went to the mall. Then I realized it must be Judy's house!! My goodness that space was huge and open and all decked out.

I agree with you on the Dirty Santa. It seems like such a pointless attempt at "gifting" someone.

Oh, and sorry about Miss Jonesy. I know that was just something that was a part of your dad that is gone now, too.

We need to do lunch.

Bag Blog said...

Inpassing, Once again, I thought your daughter was a trooper at the in-law's house. Sometimes, just her presence there, gives me the encouragement I need not to throw a big fit or cry. Sometimes I want to do those very things on her behalf, but that would not be a very good example, now would it?

Lunch sounds good.

Bag Blog said...

By the way, it is not the dirty Santa game or the gift giving - it is much deeper than that. If it were just the game, I would laugh.

Buck said...

...but I'm so glad Christmas only happens once a year.

Ditto, in spades.

Looks like everyone had a good time, tho, Lou...judging solely by the pictures. Even with all the bad stuff mixed in.

Anonymous said...

"Christmas Day was beautiful, and Toby's family is always fun...excellent cooks...wonderful meal...yummy!"

"...need not to throw a big fit or cry"

Can i sit at a table next to that lunch date? I won't bother, i'm just waaay confusulated. Reading between the lines was never my strong suit.

Jo Castillo said...

Lou, sorry about Jonesy. Glad the weather and food was great. I know what you mean about Christmas. This was one of the best we have been through. Gene's dad died on Christmas Day in 1965 and we have tip-toed around it all these years. This year we stayed home, Gene's baby brother came and we just pigged out and laughed with the kids and him.

You will get there.....

Hugs,
Jo

Anonymous said...

Wanna here about my in-law dirty santa...I cried yesterday at lunch and had to go back to work with a co-worker asking are you ok? I will email you the story...

Bag Blog said...

Jo, thanks for the kind words. My dad died two years ago on Dec 2nd. It is the little things that make me miss him.