Monday, December 26, 2011

A Christmas day follow up.

I just thought I would give all of you a little update on my Christmas. (Assuming of course that anybody cares.)

Anyhow we had a great time. (In other words there were NO stabbings.)

The spinach dip was a huge hit, as always. And we all ate WAY too much food, drank too much wine, and followed that up with my mother's apple pie, which NONE of us really needed. (I just finished my workout, but it will take several more to work off that damn pie.)

My brother and I exchanged the traditional $50 Best Buy gift cards (I really don't know why we bother every year.), and other gift cards were scattered among the cousins, nieces, and nephews.

My mother cried when she opened the I-Pad my brother and I had purchased for her. That was a little unsettling as my mother rarely cries. She kept saying it was too much, but since, against all advice to the contrary, she refused to abandon us in the woods when we were little and helpless, NOTHING is too much for her.

Afterward my brother and I spent almost an hour and a half trying to set it up for her, since she did not have an I-Tunes account.

Then for some reason I-Tunes would not load properly on her computer, but my brother and I eventually worked through it as my daughter heckled us from the other room claiming that if we would have just swallowed our pride and let her, or one of her cousins do it, Mom would have been gleefully using her I-Pad an hour ago. (My brother and I were NOT to proud. We did not let them try for fear they were right. Totally different.)

Speaking of my daughter, she had decided to open her gift at my Mom's rather than at our house (Bigger audience in case  I screwed it up), and really loved her new camera. She gushed over all of it's bells and whistles, and started to describe them to me is if she was trying to sell ME the camera.  Then she found that it came with two lenses and she was just over the moon with happiness.

(I am only guessing of course, but I think I done good.)

After the opening of the gifts it was time for the insults to fly, and embarrassing family stories, to be told, but everyone was in such a good mood over their gifts that nobody had very much venom at their disposal. (Personally I was disappointed at the lot of them.)

Essentially it was a pretty great Christmas, as indicated by the fact that everybody in family is completely fucking spoiled.

But what can I say?  I love them.

I mean somebody has to, right?


29 comments:

  1. Canadian Country Girl.12:09 PM

    Gryphen - you wrote: "Assuming of course that anybody cares."

    OF COURSE WE CARE!! (Yes, I was shouting it!) Gryphen, don't you know that you are family, whether we are blood related or not.

    Never doubt that we care. You are not only respected the morning after Christmas, but you are LOVED. Another way of saying - thanks for all you do. It is of vital importance.

    Cute illustration.

    XXXOOO

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  2. Irishgirl12:09 PM

    Gryphen, have you been drinking? What time is it in Alaska?

    I'm glad you didn't stab your brother AGAIN.

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  3. Virginia Voter12:28 PM

    When all the Debbie Downers start rambling on about their disdain for Christmas, they need to remember that for most people it is a time for family to gather, eat a great meal, and catch up on the past year. The tree, decorations, and gifts are all just a bonus that we can choose to partake in or not.

    I get so pissed when the self righteous grinches try to dictate how holidays should be celebrated , how much should be spent on gifts, and what kind of decorations are politically correct or not.

    For our family, Christmas is about the kids. I don't buy for any adults other than my husband and in laws. There are just too many of us. The most important thing is being together. It sounds like the Gryphen family had a wonderful holiday...Have a Happy New Year too!

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  4. Anonymous1:20 PM

    im just so glad this gross spending spree is over.
    and i dnnit spend a fucking dime this month ROF...other than on foods and feeds.

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  5. On the cruise my sister took in September-October, I was treated to a dissertation from a pleased iPad user who showed me all the hundreds upon hundreds of apps she had downloaded and what the iPad could do.

    I was almost sold, except that I like my primitive cellphone, my digital camera, my old tower computer, and my two PC notebooks.

    I'm sure that if I'd gone with Apple (and bought its stock) back in the old days, I'd now be happy and rich, but instead I'm still happy and not at all rich. Each to their own.

    P.S. Try my Taco Salad Verde.

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  6. don the bluesman1:57 PM

    Glad to hear that the American family is alive and well. Thanks gryph. Myself, I'm just a bluesman trying to pass it on, my 15 year old grandaughter dyed her beautiful red hair black;her step dad didn't like it,her mom doesn't care; I loved it, let her play my friends strat and I'm getting her a telecaster. Life goes on my internet friend, and "I live the life I love and I love the life I live'
    peace out.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fmC3j6lH4Q

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  7. ManxMamma1:58 PM

    Ditto Canadian Country Girl. We do love you Gryphen. Thanks for all you do.

    PS Your family posts are always your best. They illustrate so well what a mushy guy you are. I wish you and yours a very happy New Year!

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  8. Anonymous2:20 PM

    Best blog post ever...
    http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/a-christmas-message-from-americas-rich-20111222

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  9. Great story Gryphen, and Merry Christmas again! I love the part about your daughter's gift ... she is so lucky to have you as a Dad and I am sure you feel lucky to have that sweet girl. My daughter is home (brought a boy this time, hmmmm?) and we are loving spending time with her.

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  10. Olivia2:50 PM

    Thanks for sharing! It sounds like a lot of fun. And yes we care.

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  11. Are you going to share the receipe for the Spinach dip?

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  12. Anonymous3:00 PM

    That a nice picture of you... lol Merry Christmas and have a happy New Year!!!

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  13. Anonymous3:02 PM

    Alright, Gryphen, spill the recipe to the spinach dip. SPILL IT NOW!!


    I sure hope you didn't get your daughter the Canon Rebel EOS 18 mp with two lenses that I WANTED and didn't get.

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  14. Anonymous3:20 PM

    Kajo: Your pork verde taco salad sounds delicious and I will certainly try it. You as well should try a life with Apple. Ditch the PC, get a nice laptop or iMac. You don't have to have the phone, the pad, all of it is not required, but life without Windows and viruses is certainly worth the switch.

    We bought Apple at $16, then sold then bought more at $64. In a world without dependable Social Security for people my age this investment is my retirement. It's been the one constant in my retirement portfolio.

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  15. Anonymous3:24 PM

    Of course we care. We've been waiting with bated breath ever since you posted about the party. So glad everyone went home with all their fingers intact and gift cards in hand. What is it about gift cards? I have a couple in my wallet that I'm saving..for what?
    Anyway, enjoy your New Year's celebration, and do share with us! I bought a spinach dip mix today in your honor!

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  16. Anonymous4:00 PM

    @1:20 Unlike you I did spend this holiday season-mostly small gifts for my children and their significant others and my amazing husband of 40 years. But 75% of it was on goods that were hand made (Etsy) or fair trade (Novica, Serrv, Grounds for Change). Might as well spread joy both forward and backward.

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  17. Anonymous4:11 PM

    Gryphen, I am so glad to hear that your Xmas was without incident...
    What kind of camera did you get your daughter? And, where's the recipe for your spinach dip?

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  18. Spinach dip

    I pkg Knorr's Vegetable soup mix
    16 ounces of sour cream
    1 cup mayonnaise
    1 package frozen chopped spinach
    1 can (8 oz) sliced water chestnuts
    3 green onions (I leave these out because my mom is allergic. But it is better with.)

    Thaw out spinach. Squeeze out excess water.
    Chop up water chestnuts.
    Chop up onions.
    combine ingredients in bowl, stirring carefully to make sure there are no clumps of spinach.

    Chill for two hours before serving.

    Serve with favorite bread. (We like Hawaiian bread.)

    Oh and the camera I bought my daughter was a Nikon D5100. (There is a link to it in my post.)

    There you go.

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  19. Anonymous5:24 PM

    Gryphen, Thanks so much for sharing your Christmas with us. I have been following you for a while and simply adore you. You are a beautiful soul. You care enough to seek the truth and all that rational, caring human beings care about. My sister adores you too, she is in NC (my identical twin) and I told her about your blog and I know she writes comments from time to time. Love to you and your family. Jamie

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  20. Anonymous5:44 PM

    Sounds PERFECT!

    The best part of the holidays, for me, is coming home. Not that I'm a scrooge or let anyone bother me, I love catching up with family and friends, exchanging gifts etc. But it just isn't Christmas until I get home with my husband and kids.

    365 shopping days til Chistmas!

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  21. Anonymous6:07 PM

    I absolutely love your sense of humor Gryphen!

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  22. Anonymous6:50 PM

    Insults? You must mean the Festivus tradition of "airing of grievances". In our house, those usually come before the feats of strength.

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  23. Anonymous7:06 PM

    Thanks for sharing that Gryphen, sounds like all had much fun !

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  24. Anonymous7:13 PM

    Thanks sooo much for the recipe , going to store tomorrow and will make for New Years Eve Party.

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  25. Anonymous7:21 PM

    hope all had a safe holiday season and look forward to the new year keeping tabs on the gop and revving up for obama 2012.

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  26. Anonymous8:05 PM

    Thanks for sharing your receipe and NICE camera. She is one lucky, loved young lady! Tell her we expect to see some pics from time to time.

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  27. Sweet anny11:06 PM

    Thanks Gryphen.

    You never disappoint.

    *Record high temperatures in Fargo yesterday and today. Over fifty degrees today, and still no snow. And none in sight, so it just does not seem like the season to me.*

    So thanks to all who shared their stories, and your posts are always a gift, Gryphen.

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  28. Anonymous7:01 AM

    Cheers Gryphen!

    I was at a hockey game last night and overheard the people next to me rehashing all the family Christmas stuff, and how so and so gets loud when they drink too much, how so and so's eyes roll around in his head when he drinks too much, and on and on. It's great to hear other people's family stuff, and Gryphen, you are like family and have been for the last few years.

    I was sick of sarah long ago, but got hooked on your blog, so thanks for the Christmas write-up. My family is scattered all over the globe, so I can only live vicariously through others. I never knew I would miss all that "crap" I used to think it was.

    Thanks for the LOL family stuff, and also too the recipe!

    You are the best!

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  29. spinachdiprecipespinachdiprecipespinachdiprecipespinachdiprecipe.

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