General Discussion & Chat: Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #76, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Well......Today is a resting day between 2 long trips. Gonna go check out some sales....

On the morning of 12/24 I left for NJ, as I do every year, to spend time with my sister and all her married daughters, their husbands and 11 grandchildren.
I am much a spectator in this scenario, where all the "madness" is taking place. The ages of the children are from 15mos-16yrs. The older ones coddle the little ones and "play Mommy"....it helps...

I only bring small gifts to the children and something to my sister. Mostly I give them age-appropriate books to read. Many of them are avid readers.
The older daughter's family (2 kids--a 12, going on 25 daughter and an overly indulged son--age 7) are hard to get something for, as they have everything and appreciate nothing.

I got the boy a trivia game on a CD to do with history and past presidents and it also had 100 clips on it showing a lot of stuff. Obviously, it wasn't something he wanted.....
When everyone was gone and we were cleaning up the LR, he had tossed the box under the sofa. I HATE ungrateful kids.....and it is the overly indulging parents that have molded them that way.
***Note to self----NO gift for him next year!

Spent one night at my sis's and drove home yesterday afternoon/evening. Logged a total of 370 miles...No jams...No problems...three hours each way--doing 75mph all the way on I95 and the NJ Turnpike.

Tomorrow, My daughter, Aina and her Mark and I will head down to Warrenton, VA for another, similar get-together with all the cousin's side of the Family. Same thing--lots of kids and food, This is a 2hr. drive each way. I still have to go to Map Quest and get detailed directions--as I am driving....again...
The fun thing they do is the Chinese Gift Exchange (limit $15)--where you can take gifts from one another till everyone is happy, or stuck, with what they got. The young kids do not take part in this. Just the "big kids" and us "oldies".....:o)

After all this, life will resume in a more relaxed way. No plans for going out for New Years. Aina and Mark and i will get together at their apartment (it's decorated...) exchange our X-Mas gifts and eat all kinds of goodies and drink wine and Champagne. NOT waiting up till midnight!
Next morning will be a new year----and, again, I will feel--like--"Where did this year go so fast???? Wasn't it just Summer and me planting my Garden...mowing my lawn every week????" What's that old saying?...."Time and the Tides wait for no man!"

Wishing you all the best in 2009!

Gita
edited to say--this is NOT from my yard. Have saved this for a long time...someone sent it years ago....



This message was edited Dec 26, 2008 9:40 AM