The Dynamic Duo

My boys are home! Well, at least two of them are. Johnny and Jim came rolling in about 3 P.M. to much excitement and barking from the dogs…and me too, I must admit. Out of the back of Jim’s little Ford Ranger came suitcases, backpacks, Jim’s luxurious fold-out camp bed and newspaper wrapped gifts. Also, much to my supposed glee, there was a large, Santa-Claus-pack sized bag of laundry.
Unfortunately, UltraDad is in Ruby Valley for the weekend, but has garnered some nice overtime plowing snow. With any cooperation from the weather, he should be home tomorrow afternoon to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas with us.
“Get me your rubbing alcohol,” Johnny commanded within the first 5 minutes. Uh oh. Another ear infection, which he self-medicates with this common household item. At least it is common in most households; in mine there was none to be found. So we all trooped to the store. Rubbing alcohol plus impulse purchases = $35.00.

Home again, we got ready to watch Boise State play East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl. “Pinky, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“I think so Brain, but perhaps East Carolina and West Carolina are some of those lesser known states…”
Anyway, that’s how MY mind works. Apparently it’s just the name of a University in one of the legitimate Carolinas.

We opened bags of chips and dip, bottles of soda, and UltraMom prepared to make the promised ‘taco salad’, which contrary to what ‘salad’ implies does not actually contain fruits or vegetables other than avocado. She browned the ground beef and rummaged through the appropriate drawer for the taco seasoning. If anyone had asked her, she would have bet $100 that she had taco seasoning. She would have lost the bet. Another trip to the store, and the obligatory impulse purchase of eggnog.
Judging by the small quantity of taco salad remaining after Jim and Johnny finished gorging, it was a success. Less successful was Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl. They scored a touchdown and point after to tie up the game in the last two minutes, then lost when East Carolina was able to score a last second Field Goal. Too Bad.
As I mentioned, Murphy and Rowdy were very glad to see their long lost brothers, and had to let off some steam by having, as I like to call it, a “Poodle War,” wrestling and tackling each other. Johnny commented that they seemed to be spending more time sneezing than fighting. “Time out,” he ad libbed for Murphy. “Let me get my inhaler.”

My Christmas Cantata went very well. We sang it in Carlin; then traveled to the little Methodist church in Battle Mountain and sang it again. Here we were treated to a wonderful soup & salad potluck lunch. I think all of us were a little hoarse, and our choir director nearly lost her voice all together before it was over. I just wish some of my family had been able to experience it, as it was very beautiful and meaningful.

I’m sorry my favorite daughter Heather ,my favorite oldest son UltraBob and favorite daughter in law Tomoko can’t be here to celebrate this holiday with us. I have been coaching UltraBob lately on the finer points of cooking a holiday dinner, and I hope he will write a post to tell us how it went.
Anyway, its past UltraMom’s bedtime, so I’ll bid you all a fond goodnight and a very good Christmas.

UltraMom