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I have been so negligent, I thought a quick update was in order. I have been in a state of occasional bliss having much of my family around me. The epicenter of the family, lately, has been Murphy, my adorable poodle puppy. As I write, he is nearly buried in a cozy afghan; I can only see the top of his head. Like me, he hates to get up in the morning. I think he would be happy to snuggle in bed half the day! UltraDad was able to be home for Christmas, thanks to two of his enterprising sons. They drove 6 hours to pick him up as he finished up a night shift Christmas Eve morning, and as Udad slumbered in the car, his entrepid sons transported him back to Idaho for a family Christmas. Heather made it out, sans Heath, about noon on Christmas day, and we had a wonderful roast turkey dinner.
We really like to savor our gifts, and follow my family tradition; each child takes turns selecting a package and brings it to Dad. He reads the tag and the package is directed to its recipient. Everyone watches raptly as the present is opened and marveled at. Of course this all takes a while, but after all the anticipation, it seems too bad to have it all over with too quickly!
We wowed UltraDad this year with a marvel of a digital camera (Cannon Powershot with 10x optical zoom) followed by an extra compact flash, batteries, photo album, paper and a photo printer. He wowed US with shopping he had done on his own! I told him he was a much better shopper than I, and that HE should shop for the kids next year, whereupon Heather piped up that she liked it best when we both shopped. I made out the best as package after package was labeled “To Mom From Dad”; a cozy robe, mixer, can opener, food dehydrator, and two new computer programs. Jim’s gifts all centered around an outdoor theme to fit in with his new, unshaved, unshorn, mountain-man image. A new backpack, tent, headlight, survival books, etc. Johnny’s major gifts weren’t under the tree (he & Jim ordered late his new video camera and I have pledged to help buy him a new suit), but I made sure he had some stuff to unwrap anyway.
And, drum roll please; the gifts from Japan! That is a real highlight. We missed our traditional Christmas morning phone call from that region, but did get to talk a bit a day or two later. I got a box of my favorite pigeon cookies, which I am hoarding for my greedy self. There was a box full of fun snacks. Anything that looked as if it may contain fish or seaweed, Dad latched onto and Johnny studiously avoided. Its all good to me.
UB also did some git ordering on Amazon and I love his creative gift tags. I am saving them as I did last years. Here are a few for your enjoyment:
“Jim: The fearsome commy’s guide to Moscow. Learn about the hotspots of your college town. I didn’t know about the kremlin when I was there.” (Jim goes to school is Moscow, Idaho) The gift? a book on camp cooking.
“JIm: this lice injecting beard tangler is advertised as the perfect gift for the hairy bearded hippy” The Gift? A book on Outdoor Survival
‘Johnny: We are sending Motoji to keep you company in your long flight to Japan,handy travel size.” (Johnny and Motoji really hit it off) The gift:a movie: Napoleon Dynamite
“Dad: We thought this private jet would be very useful for those quick visits home. Just add airstrip” The gift:a book about Digital Photography
“Dad: Being far away from home, you probably miss fixing balers; this handy device will allow you to break almost anything at will. Guaranteed runs to town for parts” the gift: a book on his GPS
“Mom:We have been concerned tht you have been losing too much weight and my become invisible. this uncamoflauge jumpsuit should take care of the problem should it occur” the gift? a book of Japanese mystery tales
“Mom:Tomoko chose this colorful pair of slacks and is quite confident that it will make you stand out in any crowd” the gift? a novel by Tomoko’s favorite Japanese novelist; fortunately translated into English
Now, a week later, UDad is home again for a few days. I’m glad he made it cause we have been getting boatloads of snow lately. I’m trying to soak up all the family time I can cause all too soon Jim will have to return to college, Johnny will be winging his way to Japan, and Udad will be back to work in Nevada. Just me and Murphy. He’s gonna hate it. I’m not too sure I will like it all that much myself.
Happy New Year!
Ultramom
Just heard from the Japanese family that there is a saying that if you dream of certain things on the first day of the year, and remember the dream in the morning it means you will have a good year.
Dreaming of Mount Fuji is the best sign, followed by dreams of hawks, and then eggplants (really curious as to where that last one comes from)!!!
I wonder what it means if you dream of buying a design book for $1000 (marked down from $1600), then having it stolen by a blonde teenage girl who turns into a middle aged, shape-shifting woman? That was my first dream of 2005. Hmmmm…
Hmm. Haven’t had any dreams I remember yet in the New Year, but had a doozy Christmas night. I was at my sister, Debi’s, and had Murphy, my new puppy. He is small, but in my dream, I could hold him easily in the palm of my had. Debi’s house is large, but in my dream, it was like a castle,full of secret rooms and mazes. In the large family gathering, I kept misplacing Murphy, but easily found him again. UNTIL I didn’t; we all searched everywhere and I finally found him and ran back to show the others. But when I opened my hand to show everyone, instead of my cute puppy, I held a piece of peppermint candy. Analyze that!
In sweden, on mid-summers eve, the person you see in your dream is supposed to be your future spouse. Unless you are already married I guess… the beliefe doesn’t get into that really.
Did Murphy go potty in my house when he got away?
That story had such a sad ending...I don’t want everyone to leave you! I guess you will have to move to Emmett and you and Murphy can keep me and Anya company. I love you all my ultra relatives, but expecially that Tomo!!!
test comment, mom and johnny let me know if you receive e-mail notification.
Did I say let me know if you cecieve e-mail notification, and then never writer another blog post again?!?
final test