Homer's Travels: Christmas Eve Musing

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve Musing

Today is Christmas Eve and I hope everyone has finished their shopping and are ready for a Christmas Paper Massacre tomorrow morning. I am definitely in the mood today.

This was helped by our dinner we had on Saturday. The "J" and her visiting parents came over and we had a great evening. I can see where the "J" gets her sense of humor and conversational skills. Great people. We enjoyed some New York Strip Steaks on the grill, German Potato Salad, the Wife's Homemade Dinner Rolls, and, as the wife refers to it, the Cliché Green Bean Casserole. We topped the meal off with a Triple Chocolate Brownie with a dollop of Vanilla Ice Cream and Hot Caramel Sauce - yum. All the food hit the spot.

The wife did a real bang up job this year decorating the house. We had the gas fireplace lit and candles were burning and we were complimented about how homey it felt. Christmas music was playing in the background (Johnny Mathis IS Christmas, ya know). We talked about work, retirement, travel, geocaching, and a bunch of other stuff. We all had a great time. The Wife was surprised at my hosting skills as I am usually a little shy and anti-social at times - not that night.

The Wife had put some scratchers under each plate and after dinner we tried our luck. The Wife is the only one that won anything - a free ticket.

The "J" brought out some presents and said she needed to see our faces so we opened them. She gave us each a "Poor Coco" T-Shirt! How funny! She also gave me some Sponge Bob Square Pants band-aids. She thought I should carry them when I hike - Heh!

We topped it off with a drive down to the historic district of Oxnard to see the Christmas lights. This street traditionally decorates every year. Some of the displays are pretty cool. One house has three life size fiberglass camels. Another had a huge train set that covered the entire front yard. I imagine the electric company sends them all Christmas card every year. I took my camera and was surprised that most of the pictures turned out OK ... sort off ... if you are generous in you criticism. You can check them out along with my other 2007 Christmas pictures right here.

After walking the lights we said goodbye to the "J"'s parents who were heading south to more family. The "J" road back to our place to pick up her car. Before she left, the "J" noticed my camlebak and that brought up a short discussion on the Pilgrimage of Saint James. I am planning to walk the Pilgrimage in 2010 and the Godson has told me, through the Matron Of Honor, that he is interested in doing it with me. The "J" is also interested but we thought she wanted to do it alone. It appears that she may have changed her mind and wondered if she could join me and the Godson. YES! It's kind of weird - when I hike I tend to want to be alone but as I envision doing this Pilgrimage I always see myself with someone. I think this is so big that you need someone to experience it with. I welcome the Godson, and now the "J", to join me. I would really enjoy doing this walk with them. I can't wait! It's going to be fun!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

3 comments:

  1. And a Merry Christmas to you and your wife HD.

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  2. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours, Homer-Dog. I hope Santa brings you some cool hiking gear! :)

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  3. JaG, GH: Thanks! New friends are a great gift.

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