I woke up to an empty house this morning, except for our “kitten,” Bianca, who was purring at my feet. Everyone else had disappeared. Jon got up at 3:45 a.m. to take his girlfriend to Florida for three months (she’s an equestrian and trains there); Mark left at 5:00 a.m. to go to the gym and then to “Fourbucks” (he received way too many Starbucks cards for Christmas!). I woke up at 7:00 a.m. and thought, Do I blog today?
I called my husband at work and asked him! And do you know what he said, “No, honey, because yesterday was New Year’s Day (remember the Rose Bowl?), and today is the day after the holiday, so you don’t blog!” That poor man has been in management with UPS way too long because he made ABSOLUTELY no sense to me. I barely passed logic in college and philosophy was a HUGE stretch for me, so I didn’t even bother trying to figure that one out!
I thought it would make great sense to blog today because it’s Wednesday, it’s a new year (2008), and I wanted to share my Christmas leftovers with you (no, not the ones in the refrigerator—they’re long gone)…the pictures of Christmas!
Our theme this year for boomers is FREEDOM (I feel like Mel Gibson in “Braveheart” when I say that!), but it does take a brave heart to change our ways, doesn’t it? Mine started with Christmas dinner. I didn’t cook (nada, niente, nulla), and I gave up writing Christmas cards (although I still like to receive them). Hint!
Jeremy and his “new” girlfriend, Danielle, cooked the dinner at our home. They scoured the internet for recipes and came up with delightful new concoctions. My son is a gourmet and so is Danielle, so my taste buds were dancing all through dinner. And we served everything buffet style (I didn’t even have to set the table—no white tablecloth to iron—although we did use the fancy Christmas china with the gold trim (at my request!).
Then we opened gifts…this is when I get to act like a “little” girl. It’s fun now that my “boys” are older and they pick out such thoughtful things for us: Jon and his girlfriend, Kim, gave us a gift certificate to one of our favorite restaurants; Jeremy and Danielle gave us articles of clothing I would “never” pick out for myself: an EMS jacket in “brown” (I wear black!), and a great shirt for Mark in his proper size (medium—not large). We were thrilled! I actually forgot what we gave to the “boys.” Oh well, there weren’t any complaints, so I guess we did okay.
And it came to an end all too quickly: the leftovers are gone, which means I need to go grocery shopping; the house is quiet, and I’m back to my routine?!? I renewed my gym membership for 2008. Oh, did I fail to mention? I didn’t bake this year—not one cookie! We certainly received lots of them from neighbors and friends, so I still have the Christmas “five” to lose, but at least I didn’t eat cookie dough (except Ben and Jerry’s).
So what’s left? Memories—lots and lots of memories—which I treasure the most. I left Jon a note this morning by his computer along with the Kaplan’s LSAT book he requested (yes, we’re going to have a lawyer in the family and a doctor; Jeremy is going for his Ph.D).
When the tree is put away and the ornaments are safely stored, I realize it’s not what I received, but what I left behind: two boys—now men—making their way into the world. Now those are some mighty great “leftovers”!
16 Comments
Very sweet - your boys sound like great young men. Funny about you not eating the cookie dough! I hardly baked this year either, compared to what I usually do.
Welcome back Mel…errrr Connie…and all of our Boomer Babe Blog Readers (and Writers!) Glad you followed your non-corporate instincts and opened the New Year with your boomer blog posting…the year would have started out poorly without your sage wisdom. Thanks for sharing your holiday memories with us, it’s always a joy to hear from you. Onward to a GR8 2008!
Dianne, Dianne, Dianne,
You have a new look to your blog–I love it! It’s so you…I mean that! I love that you’re allowing comments, so I’ll jump on over after I finish three book proposals and take my hotel test (I’m an independent contractor and they’ve added Italy to my 2008 list–can you believe that?). If that isn’t incentive I don’t know what is?! It will probably take me five hours to complete the whole thing, so no lunch break! My son laughs at me; he always tells me that I can’t pass logic tests…(A is to D as F is to Z…what’s the next sequence?). Really? Do we want to know such nonsense? Each year I update my credentials, I think why do I put myself through this: “FREEDOM” TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR FREE! Yep, that’s good enough for me!
HUGS and CONGRATS ON THE NEW BLOG!!
Thanks, Allison! I guess I do have an itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny bit of logic in me (somewhere!). What’s up with corporate America (do they go to work and not work?!?!). Who’s delivering those packages, I wonder? My hubby sits behind a desk, so maybe he’s lost touch with the little brown packages! Anyway, I was a “good” girl today and now I must go back to taking my test!
HUGS!
Welcome back, Connie. I am also trying to get back into my routine today. This was a nice way to launch back into normalcy. : )
Suzie
Oh Suz,
I’m on the logic part of my exam…I needed a break. Why is it so hard for me to put two and two together? This may end up being a six-hour test! What a way to start out the new year; I think I should have gone to the gym instead!
I’ll let you know if I pass!
HUGS and WELCOME BACK BOOMER SIS!
Connie, thanks for gtting the ball rolling withus boomer babes again. It’s good to be back reading, especially about you and your family. Do you love your boys, or what?
I share that love of family with you. Mine are all still with me until this Sunday when our youngest leaves again for Florida. The nights that all five of us were under the same roof were such a gift. Knowing everone is safe and sound brings me tremendous joy and peace of mind. I know we can’t keep them with us forever, but it sure is nice getting this little slice of heaven when they are all home. Sigh.
Now get to the food store and get some good food in that house for you and hubby.
Oh Connie, I just took a logic exam for my first grad class a few weeks ago. It was HARD! But you’ll do well. Your a Boomer, for Pete’s sake!
It’s so good to “hear” all your voices again! Happy New Year!
Hi Connie!
Sounds wonderful! Your boys are handsome and sweet.
We, too, spent good quality family time together. Confession: we got hooked on a t.v. show and spent several evenings watching the season’s tapes of “our show”, analyzing and speculating on what will happen. Weird how something so simple can be so much fun!
Hugs and blessings,
Dana
Passionate for Life in 2008!
http://www.passionateforlife.com
Dotise, Flea, Dana!
I passed my test–yahoo! My boomer brain is working again and it is even “logical”–who knew!?!? Now, who wants to be my traveling partner to Italy? This is going to be a GREAT 2008!
Poor hubby didn’t get fed and neither did I, so I’m off to feed the both of us.
HUGS!
Connie,
It’s so good to have you back blogging!
Glad you have a nice Christmas. Did your PO box fill up again this year?
Hugs,
Sue
Connie - you are too sweet and most hilarious. So glad you passed the test but I’m very curious to know more about it . . . test for what? ANd if you’re really desperate . . . since no one jumped on your plea for a traveling partner - you know I’d carry your bag and keep you in line
Sue and Dianne,
You two are my kind of “girls”–one likes coffee and the other likes to travel. E-mail me at conniepombo@hotmail.com and I’ll tell you about my “mystery” life, which is probably why I’m not writing more books! I always wanted to be a travel journalist and this allows me to do both! FUN, FUN, FUN…it suits my personality! My husband likes it too (BIG SMILE!). For Christmas I received a laptop (I had the hand-me-down from the “boys”), and I have an American Tourister laptop carrier on wheels so I’m good to go. Now I just need to renew my passport. I guess I’ll have to revisit “Eileen the Passport Queen!” Umm…I wonder if she’ll remember me?!
DOUBLE HUGS!
Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. Great pictures, wonderful memories.
Happy New Year!
Connie, Connie, Connie,
I guess I’m a day late… does that mean I’m doing “left-overs” here? LOL!!!
What a nice Christmas together. Your boys (like I’ve said before) are so handsome and how could they miss with a momma and daddy like you two? Your boys look so happy with their girls (Is that a nice answer to prayer or what? Thank you, Jesus.) And a PhD.? Wow - how great. My little bro is finishing his up his PhD. in Cancer Research at Temple this year. I’m so proud of him!
And guess what? Jared is looking at colleges all ready. Yep, can you believe it? I can’t. I’m starting to sniffle all ready in between the excitement!
It sounds like you did simplify your Christmas this year - hurrah for you. It’s still a bit hectic around these parts with my youngest being six-year-old, remember those days?
Anyhow, I’m looking forward to our book event on the 12th! Can’t wait to sit down and chat with you afterward at dinner. It’s been too long!!!
Hugs and more hugs,
Susan
Jan and Susan,
You two crack me up! I’m the shutter bug…snapping pictures during events (I’ll have to tell you about the wedding I did for a friend one time). Oh, I forgot this: I didn’t clean house (that was a real stretch, but I forced myself not even to pick up a Swifter (but I did clean afterwards). I’m only sharing this because Jer said, “Mom, the house looks great!” See there’s proof (no one notices if you don’t clean before a party). I rest my case.
Susan, you’re not late…silly girl! Yes, I do remember the six-year-old stage and I loved it. Wow, your brother a PhD in cancer research (he is a smart cookie!). We need more like him. Okay, I’m on the book signing thing (did you get my list of restaurants?). We’ll chat then and catch up!
HUGS!