December 25, 2008

• Sometimes plans just go awry. I had surgery on my foot Dec 8--a neuroma removed and a 3 inch titanium plate with 8 tiny screws put into my formerly wrecked, arthritic big toe, so I'm non-weight bearing for 6 more weeks. Mr. B has been the champ, cooking and taking care of livestock, but yesterday, whilst finishing up the last minute stuff, he developed a snotting, snorking, honking, miserable cold and I wrenched the ACL on my good leg. Rather than drive the 50 miles to Boise on lousy roads (snow and wind all last night) we opted to stay at home, rather then join the kids and grandkids for a big waffle breakfast and grand opening of presents. I doubt if they miss us as much as we miss them. But I made blueberry waffles with bacon and coffee with a dollop of amaretto, the house is warm, and we have each other to moan and groan in harmony, as well as a Border Collie that is driving us nuts wanting to go out and play in the snow. I started the bread machine going, so the house smells great; soup will be the next project. I hope every Monkey is warm and safe and happy, and that you all have a Merry Christmas. (and get off the computer and go in and talk to your Aunt Ethel, even if she drives you crazy)
• Merry Monkeymas! I came over to Vancouver to spend Christmas with the old folks. Just made it on Tuesday before the snow started again. We're comfortably snowed in, having a nice low-key Christmas day. The power went out last night and has only just come back on so things are looking up. We'll be off to the neighbors down the block for a big pot-luck Christmas feast this afternoon. As GramMa said, hope all Monkeys are safe, warm and happy. *offers Aunt Ethel another rum-laced eggnog*
• and I wrenched the ACL on my good leg. Oh hell, that's the last thing you need. I hope you feel better soon. Merry Blueberry-waffles-with-bacon-and-coffee-with-a-dollop-of-amaretto-mas!
• Mr Medusa & I went to his mom's for xmas eve dinner and gift exchange. as always, a nice time, great food, fun white elephant gift exchange (I got the typhoid fever!!!) today (xmas) we were to go to Mr Medusa's dad's house for another feast but that was last-minute switched to sunday (why? I don't know...) so today: home, no guests, no obligations. neither of us has showered or brushed teeth or done anything productive other than have breakfast (v.yum french toast) it's SOOOOOOOO awesome :D also, we got some nice loot. mostly food or cooking-related. hubby totally considered getting me some really gorgeous aquamarine earrings, until seeing the price tag...oh well
• and merry whatevermas to all!! BH I hope you have a speedy and painfree recovery!!
• Haven't you heard? Aunt Ethel had an unfortunate accident last year...
• Hey Medusa, how did "no drinking til xmas" work out?
• Big hugs for BlueHorse and love to you all. You'll be delighted to know I'm still getting away with it all unscathed in defiance of the law of karma.
• homonculus, we did amazingly well, all things considered. We did about 2 weeks of no alcohol on weeknights. neither of us has gained pound one this holiday season :)
• It's Boxing Day here, so merry Christmas to evertyone for whom it is still Christmas! We had a quiet extended-family day involving eating, napping, and playing with the kidlets. Look after yourself, BlueHorse, and listen to the doctor!!
• Christmas was yesterday, Swedish stylee. Speedy recovery GramMa and Mr GramMa! Seasonal greetings and warmest wishes for joy and peace to monkeys everywhere. *hugs*
• OMG! Auntie Ethel! Here ya go
• We went out for sushi last night for Xmas eve, and today we're cooking up a storm (brisket, sweet potatoes, radicchio wrapped in prosciutto with Gorgonzola cream sauce, salad, et al., read further details when they're posted here, and spending the eve and the day with our friends Giselle and Tom (hence the G&T you always hear about on the dinner blog), and exchanging presents. Phone calls to the family across the country, otherwise, a pleasant, relaxing day to be enjoyed at home. Merry Christmas (or holiday of your choice) to all youse Monkeys!
• Boxing Day here too - although really there is no Christmas or Boxing day here in Japan. There was a holiday n Tuesday for the Emperor's Birthday. Pretty much everyone was working. Squigs and I hung out at home and we had oden for dinner with Daddy later. Squigs got to open a present though on xmas morning:
• Also I hope you are back on all limbs as soon as possible Granma.
• We're having our usual joyful noise of a Christmas. I got Rock Band, so it's noisier than ever, and we're about to have our annual Trivial Pursuit extraveganza. Get better, GramMa!!
• Many thanks for all the get well wishes. Now, on to a great New Year!!
• On indeedy - I'm starting a new pants-optional job in January, which has the added advantage of being an excellent excuse for not ironing or vacuuming. The darkest days are over here in the Northern Hemisphere, at least, and I hope we all fare better in 2009 than we did in 2008. Keep them hooves up, GramMa!
• Exactly where is a pants-optional job advertised? I may be qualified. And I've cross-trained in going bra-less!
• The mrs. and I went snowshoeing through the frozen wilds of Minnesota, courtesy of my parents who nicely sent us snowshoes for the holidays. Then on Dec. 26 it freakin' rained, and now we have very little snow, lots of ice, and no reason to use our snowshoes. Stupid global warming.