Stephanie’s birthday is December 5th, and we always waited to put up the Christmas tree until after her birthday. Of course Stephanie now lives in Missouri, and she will not only be there on her birthday, but I will be in Michigan. To make matters even more complicated, she was very put off that the tree would be done without her, as Amanda and she commandeer that job every year. So the tree was done today, and they both appear to be happy.
Of course that is a big change in tradition, but there was really no choice. To not do it today would not change the fact that it was going to be impossible for them to get together and do it in a timely fashion, so they talked to the “decision makers” (each other) and made the decision. It is really their thing, and there was no way any of us guys were going to get in the way.
Okay, when I say that, I mean “in the way of the decision,” not plain old “in the way.” Quite obviously we live with Ben who has NO CONCEPT of personal space, which is something we hope he grows out of by his 20’s. So we (Scott and I) let them decide, and then we (Scott and I) got out of the way. Ben also let the decide by being oblivious to the purchase of a new tree, and then messed with every ornament while shooting them all with an antler from a fake reindeer that we cannot seem to find. That last part appears the only lasting tradition we have, other than the holiday chants “Ben, NO,” and “Ben, STOP IT!” Oh the holiday is upon us!
But the good news is that the tree is up and decorated……and Ben is still alive, and quite surprisingly, not grounded. Tomorrow however is another day and yet another opportunity. We will see how he does, but in all honesty, he is up against tradition.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+