Crappy Christmases

I absolutely love Christmas time. To me, there is nothing better than spending time with family, baking with Grandma, buying presents for special people in my life, and eating holiday treats like cookies and fudge. When I was little I always went to bed early because I knew Santa wouldn’t visit me until I was fast asleep. I would put the cookies and milk out, plus carrots for the reindeer, and scurry up to my bed where Daddy tucked me in. Even now as a teenager, 15 years old, I still get the same excitement and joy for Christmas morning as I did back then.

Until Christmas Eve last year, I never thought anything could ruin my Christmas. When we got out to Grandma’s, everything went as it always does. Socialize with family, eat main meal, eat dessert, clean up, and open presents. That’s when it all went downhill. Last year, my grandma asked me for some ideas to get my parents for Christmas. I told her our manual can opener was really old so maybe an electric one for the counter. Unfortunately, Grandma tried to be funny. Correction, that’s why it all went downhill, Grandma shouldn’t try to be funny. I opened up my first present and there it was. Staring me in the eyes was a brand new, white, electric can opener. As I started opening the box, I asked if this was a joke and if there was something different inside. There was something inside, alright... certainly not different, though. It was a brand new… white… electric can opener… Grandma found this hilarious. I wanted to cry. I understand that may be greedy but a can opener!? Come on!

Luckily, Grandma redeemed herself this year. I love to bake and cook so one of my gifts was a Babycakes cupcake maker. PERFECT! I use this handy machinery close to every day. It makes the obvious cupcakes, but also mini pies, appetizers, brownies, muffins, and so much more. The cupcakes are about two inches in diameter at the widest point so they are perfect for popping right into your mouth. Not only are they convenient, I have yet to hear of a cupcake that wasn’t delicious.

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Christmas Traditions

Christmas in my family is done almost exactly the same way each year. On my mom’s side of the family, we do Christmas at Grandma’s house on Christmas Eve. Call time is usually about three thirty in the afternoon so we can socialize and catch up with family. My aunt endures the journey from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids, my uncle joins us, and a longtime family friend celebrates at Grandma’s house also. Grandma never has everything ready when people get to her house so we sit at the table and talk about how I’m doing in school, what Jake’s doing now, how’s Mom’s cancer, etc. Grandma yells across her kitchen to try and stay in the conversation while finishing the mashed potatoes and gravy or vegetables.

When all is said and done for the meal, we sit down together, say a prayer, and dig in. Grandma makes it blatantly clear that we are to eat enough food so our stomachs are filled within millimeters of exploding and then and ONLY then are we to stop eating the main course. I say the main course because we stop eating to let our stomach digest enough of the goods to make room for the betters. (Of course I mean cookies and dessert.) Grandma brews a pot of coffee in hopes that someone has acquired the taste but again, like last year, she’s the only one drinking it. I, the youngest at the gathering, encourage everyone to hurry up so we can mosey into the living room and open our presents.  

This is where some variation occurs. My brother and I sort out the presents to each family member and depending on the year, either I start or Grandma does. This year, Grandma started because I started last year.  It’s frowned upon to tear your wrapping paper and if you even think about throwing the bow away, you’ll hear about it from Grandma. Same goes for boxes. Anything that can be reused is reused often the next year. After Grandma goes, it’s Uncle Bennie’s turn; then my dad, then my mom, then Aunt Tammie, then my brother, and last, myself.  After presents we might enjoy more of Grandma’s homemade sweets or we might leave. It all depends on the year.

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I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry

I sincerely apologize for my lack of blogging. If I had an excuse, I would use it… but I don’t. In the time since I last blogged, I got the stomach flu twice, ended up in the hospital both times, celebrated Christmas with my family, rang in the New Year with my brother and his friends, entered into hell week for show choir which actually lasted about two weeks, and made way too many cupcakes. I started some new medicine as a preventative action against the stomach flu as well as influenza A which has made its way to my dad, brother, and brother’s girlfriend who all live in the same house as myself and luckily have not infected me… yet. (Knock on wood.)

Having diabetes is an added challenge when it comes to illness outbreaks, especially during the winter.  I become a slight “germaphobe” from November until mid to late March. Carrying hand sanitizer is a must, changing clothes when someone coughs or sneezes on me is almost instantaneous, and wiping down desks, railings, and doorknobs is a habit. Getting sick is extremely dangerous for diabetics and being a high school student makes it worse. Each missed day of school adds more pressure to get back on track. Unfortunately for me, I’m still trying to get caught up from earlier in second trimester.

Again, I’m sorry I haven’t been blogging regularly and I promise I’m as disappointed in me as you are. My grade has been affected and my parents have hopped on me about it. You have my word that starting on Monday, January 13, 2013; I will keep up with my blog.

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