Okay, I’m back. Let’s catch up.


Christmas Eve: cooked, cleaned, went to see Grannie, got cold and wet coming back from Grannie’s, skipped communion, cooked a scrumptious shrimp boil, received sweet gift from hubby, ate scrumptious shrimp boil, slept.

Christmas Day: The traditional family dinner took place at my house. The not so traditional family had a blast!!! Wanda-the mom, Jimmy-the step dad, Dicki-the hubby, Michael Anne and Nichole-the step sisters, and I-the hostess began by locating our place marker at the dinner table. Each of us was represented by a nut. I took pecans still in the shell and gilded our initials on them. Then I attached the nut to a gilded leaf. It was the final touch on a beautiful traditional table. However, this was a clue to the day’s events. Stay tuned. The step sisters are not as bold as the rest of us, so to encourage them, we offered everyone a prize for participation and CASH prize for the winners! Karaoke was the game and here were the rules. To warm up, each was allowed one song of their choice. To follow each was given one song we chose for them. The grand prize and runner up were both awarded on entertainment value (since none of us can sing except hubby, and he forfeited so others wouldn’t feel bad.) We drew names out of a gold sparkly hat to determine who would be first. I drew number 2. My step dad started with Okie from Muskogie. He went for the serious approach. That was funny in itself. I began with Lonestar’s Amazed. Gestures, emotions, and audience participation all brought on a great response. Mom, donned in a ten gallon black cowboy hat and size 14 men’s cowboy boots, sang Friend’s in Low Places. The comedic approach raised the bar a bit. Michael Anne chose Lorrie Morgan’s, Watch Me. She was a bit embarrassed. Nichole chose Like a Virgin and asked for props. I gave her a red velvet bustier (worn over her sweater), red gloves and one red earring. She did a right good impression of Madonna for such a low key gal. Then things got rough. We made Jimmy do Let’s Get it On. His “OOOOHHHH” in the song was hysterical. I was forced to do Livin’ La Vida Loca. Not to be outdone by Madonna, I wore a black metallic jacket, black and silver scarf, and black and silver fedora. I shook my Bon Bon, as Ricky Martin would sing also. Everyone tried to concede after that performance. But still there was cash involved! Mom did Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I gave her Barkley as Toto and a picnic basket. Michael Anne had to do D-I-V-O-R-C-E in a zebra cowboy hat. And finally Nichole had to sing Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun in a pink fur hat and feather boa that would have delighted Cyndi Lauper. I won the grand prize. Nichole came in runner up. I reminded everyone to take home their place marker (the nut) to remind them of how we all acted that day. As if we could forget…

Oh, and by the way, There will be pictures!