For the first time in at least 18 years, I will not be celebrating Christmas in my usual fashion. I will not be organizing a family photo, addressing and mailing hundreds of cards, decorating every room, trimming a live tree or hosting any parties. I will not be buying gifts and wrapping for hours. (Ok, I might buy the dog a new toy.) I will not be coordinating schedules to accommodate other people. I enjoy doing most of these things but this is not the year for it.
I am not skipping Christmas. I'm already listening to holiday music. I will help my oldies trim a small tree. I will keep my mother and sister company while they do their annual candy making. I will help my mother prepare a holiday meal. I will enjoy the children's Christmas show and the choir's cantata at church.
Tradition and rituals are important to me. This will be my first Christmas making some new ones.
Showing posts with label cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cards. Show all posts
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
House of Cards
When I was a child, several of my friends used to play that game where you built a structure out of playing cards. Sometimes the house would get pretty tall but it only takes one slip up for it all to come crumbling down.
The oldies were heartbroken when they had to sell their home in Holly Springs, MS. They understood the logic and they were grateful to us but it was hard. From Indiana, the husband coordinated with various repair people, as well as constant conversations with the Realtor. We (along with his brother and sister-in-law) made numerous trips to Mississippi to pack, clean, haul, etc. (I've told you how much stuff she packed into the dungeon. Imagine 30-plus years of stuff in this house. Now double it.)
Still, I was sympathetic to the loss of their home, their town, their beloved neighbors and friends. One of the gifts I bought for the mother-in-law this Christmas was the book, "Home to Holly Springs" by Jan Karon. She never got to read it.
The reason I'm thinking of this today is we are pushing mid-February. About 8 months ago, the oldies took a trip to visit friends and relatives in Mississippi. They returned and requested a family meeting -- never a good sign. They informed us that they had signed a contract to build a house in a new subdivision in Sumrall, MS. (Very close to Hattiesburg, where she was from.)
The Belle was strong willed but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The husband went a little crazy. In addition to the financial risks and the lack of a nearby VA facility, his constant argument was this: "It's a house of cards. It's one fall or one car accident or one medical emergency away from complete disaster." Somehow, he managed to convince her that this real estate deal was an extremely bad idea. Somehow, he let her believe it was her decision. Then he got to deal with the builder, more attorneys, etc. and unravel this disastrous deal. Plus, get their money back.
If the deal had proceeded, this is the week the house was supposed to be done.
She did go home to Mississippi. Just not the way she planned.
The oldies were heartbroken when they had to sell their home in Holly Springs, MS. They understood the logic and they were grateful to us but it was hard. From Indiana, the husband coordinated with various repair people, as well as constant conversations with the Realtor. We (along with his brother and sister-in-law) made numerous trips to Mississippi to pack, clean, haul, etc. (I've told you how much stuff she packed into the dungeon. Imagine 30-plus years of stuff in this house. Now double it.)
Still, I was sympathetic to the loss of their home, their town, their beloved neighbors and friends. One of the gifts I bought for the mother-in-law this Christmas was the book, "Home to Holly Springs" by Jan Karon. She never got to read it.
The reason I'm thinking of this today is we are pushing mid-February. About 8 months ago, the oldies took a trip to visit friends and relatives in Mississippi. They returned and requested a family meeting -- never a good sign. They informed us that they had signed a contract to build a house in a new subdivision in Sumrall, MS. (Very close to Hattiesburg, where she was from.)
The Belle was strong willed but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The husband went a little crazy. In addition to the financial risks and the lack of a nearby VA facility, his constant argument was this: "It's a house of cards. It's one fall or one car accident or one medical emergency away from complete disaster." Somehow, he managed to convince her that this real estate deal was an extremely bad idea. Somehow, he let her believe it was her decision. Then he got to deal with the builder, more attorneys, etc. and unravel this disastrous deal. Plus, get their money back.
If the deal had proceeded, this is the week the house was supposed to be done.
She did go home to Mississippi. Just not the way she planned.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Stag
The oldies do everything together. I am amazed/impressed/repulsed/awed. I have no judgment; it works for them.
The husband has a pretty stressful job. I can often add to his tension. Throw in kids and oldies -- well, this man deserves a break. His release is golf. Then, it's cards with his friends.
There is a section of our club that used to be called the "Men's Grill." There was a sign out front that said, "Men Only." A few years ago, they dedicated the grill to a great man's memory and changed the name to "Jordan's Grill." They made it available to the secondary sex.
The card room is part of/right off the grill. There's an unwritten rule that when the guys are in there playing cards, it's off limits to women. Do you know the concept of an invisible fence for a dog? It's kind of like that. You'll get a little (beep!) warning before you venture beyond your boundaries. If you move forward, you will get zapped.
I go in anyway, although not very often. Everyone acts happy to see me but I suspect that they wish I was wearing one of those zapping collars.
The husband has a pretty stressful job. I can often add to his tension. Throw in kids and oldies -- well, this man deserves a break. His release is golf. Then, it's cards with his friends.
There is a section of our club that used to be called the "Men's Grill." There was a sign out front that said, "Men Only." A few years ago, they dedicated the grill to a great man's memory and changed the name to "Jordan's Grill." They made it available to the secondary sex.
The card room is part of/right off the grill. There's an unwritten rule that when the guys are in there playing cards, it's off limits to women. Do you know the concept of an invisible fence for a dog? It's kind of like that. You'll get a little (beep!) warning before you venture beyond your boundaries. If you move forward, you will get zapped.
I go in anyway, although not very often. Everyone acts happy to see me but I suspect that they wish I was wearing one of those zapping collars.
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