As it is every year, we have our dinner and gift exchange on the 24th and every years something tests the waters of the season. Last year, the dishes all ended up cooked at different times so while a couple dishes were still hot, the rest was cold. The year before that, something else. This year, my son had to work today and we had to push the meal back from noon to 6:00 PM (fortunately the chicken had not gone in the smoker yet when he called. My daughter went over to my son's house and picked up our granddaughter and came over early. About 2:00 my daughter was sick with flu like symptoms and went home. I sent her gift home with her. My son and his wife got here at 5:30 and my wife had already had me make the green bean casserole and the new style mashed potatoes before they got here. The chicken wasn't going to be done until 6:00. But we made due with what we had. I just nuked stuff that had cooled. We had a smoked chicken, green bean casserole, salad, garlic mashed potatoes, corn, homemade dinner rolls, homemade pickled beets, kimchi, pecan pie and blueberry pie to dine on. Of the 6 lb chicken, nothing was left. The kids I found out don't like pickled beets, but all the other veggies were decimated. My wife, daughter and daughter by marriage all received a sterling silver lockets that open up with a picture of my granddaughter on one side and the words "Coming Soon" on the other side. My wife and DIL both cried. My son got a knife set he had ogled but would never buy for himself due to the price, Boo-Boo got enough to open her own toy store. Then, my son went outside and came in with a hard case for my bow! Just before they left, my daughter called my wife crying. She told my wife that she loved her present from Dad. I finally got a gift for them all that they actually appreciated because it was from the heart and was something they all liked! Suddenly, the glitches didn't seem so important anymore. Other than I didn't get to see my daughter's face when she opened up her locket, it was perfect. Once again, Merry Christmas to all!
Well... its about time you finally did something right. LOL Sounds like a perfect day... I am very happy for you. Merry Christmas.
