Christmas was a wonderful time. We drove out to the island on Thursday morning. The trunk was not overflowing with presents. We do a secret Santa every year. We have one person to shop for. The present has to be less than $150.00. Traffic was great. Even though it was the last day of the strike, traffic was smooth all the way to the LIE.
We stayed with Pat and Anthony. Their house was richly decorated with Pine and lights. It looked great and made me want to decorate the apartment. We are never here for the holidays, so we never get a tree. On Friday and Saturday we finished up the last minute shopping for Sasha and I. we never made it to the stupid mall. I am happy we did not go there, is it the second largest mall in the country and well it just plane bothers me. Too many angry jersey people going out of their minds while they over send and trash the mall until there is nothing left but dust balls. I hate the consumerism behind Christmas.
On Christmas eve we went to Levittown to spend it with the family (minus my parents who cancelled at the last minute) I wont get into that one except for – I was very disappointed and unhappy this year because of it. Dinner was great. A typical Long island Italian dinner. (yes, they call sauce “GRAVY”). There was a lot to drink and the appetizers were wonderful.
We each brought a grab bag and played a game. You draw a name and then that person picks a present, or if they want someone else, then they can take theirs and have that person pick a new one. There was a lot of fighting over scratch off tickets. I got a bean bag head rest for the car and I loved it! There is nothing like slamming your head into a cushion when Sasha goes from 50 to 100MPH. I don’t mind it anymore. For my grab bag present I found a joke gift from the book store called the game of Guilt. I figured that Sashas’ family (all families) love to dish out the Guilt, so it was a great hit when it went to the right person. There were a few people there whom I did not know and one of them got the Guilt game. She didn’t understand it and thought it was stupid, so Pat insisted that they swap. She gave the woman a cheap and tacky wine rack. Pat was pleased and knew she could give to it someone in the family (one in particular who loves to dish out the Guilt).
At midnight we got up and kissed everyone and wished everyone a merry X-Mas. We stayed until 2 AM and then returned home.
For Christmas day we went over to Alisha and Jordons for dinner. There were 20of us. Dinner was great. We had filet minion with a mushroom sauce. Mashed potatoes with leeks and green beans with roasted garlic.
We handed out or secret Santa gifts. Almost everyone received electronics. I got a pair of earrings and a necklace from Tina Tang (NYC Jewelry Designer). After that we returned to pat and Anthonies and gave Sasha’s mother her gifts. She gave us hand rolled Jasmine Tea, dried hot peppers, Lush Soap and magazine subscriptions. We got her a lovely mesh silver bracelet, T-Vo, and a bright pink Flamingo stuffed animal. It was a great night. Sasha and I got some great cook books, one of which is entirely devoted to spicy hot dishes from around the world. I got him a great charcoal wool coat. A new hat, a tea thermos, cigars and an X-Box carrying case. Sasha got me a wonderful Lilac colored sued coat from Elian Fisher. The other clothes from him I did not like, so I returned them. I will go to the outlet in town every two weeks until I use up all the return money. Great jacket though…..very pretty.
We stayed until Wednesday. We went to see memoirs of a Geisha. It was so so.
I must say, this years Christmas was not a normal one.
My brother was in Sicily with his wife and family. My parents changed their minds about joining us for Christmas so they spent it by themselves. My uncle and his family spent it also alone because my parents were going to come down. Christmas dinner was celebrated at Alisha and jordon’s instead of Renee and Babes (first time ever). Now we are home- and the cats are happy as hell to see us and so are we.
My brother is returning from Sicily next week with more gifts from Sicily. For me wine, hot pepper liquor and hot pepper and anchovy spread. Cannot wait for that.
I am also boycotting my parents house until they come down to see us. They have not been down in 2 ½ years and their reason was because of traffic. We don’t seem to mind driving 2 and ½ hours one or two times a month to see them. So, there is no excuse for it anymore. Its getting old as hell. they are Alienating themselves from everyone and thats not a good thing. its very unhealthy.
I hope everyone had a great holiday and also a safe and warm New Years!!!!
We are going out to Telluride, Colorado when Sasha returns from Florida.
On a stronger note we just received the movie “FEAR AND TREMBLING”
This movie was great. It totally depicted how Men in Japanese work place treat woman. When I watched it – it was too similar to my experience at my old job as well as in Japan. I highly recommend you to watch it. It is a new release. Look for it. It is a shocking piece.
