Ten Things Tuesday- Christmas Memories

I am a little late today, but my clock/calendar says it is still Tuesday so I'm good.

Christmas has never been my favorite holiday.
Growing up, it was never all I thought it would be.

I never got a pile of gifts and a belief in Santa.
My mom didn't believe in that.

Sometimes I get caught up in the not so fun Christmas times.
They weren't all so bad.

This weeks Ten Things Tuesday is about Christmas memories.
The good and the bad


1. My grandma died
  The coroner listed the date of the death as December 22, but they weren't sure. She was found by my aunt on Christmas Eve.  24 years ago this year and I still remember that day.

2. My cat climbed the Christmas tree
   She was a pretty rotund kitty and as she neared the top, the tree started to fall. My mom caught her and the tree.

3. Kiddo's first Christmas
   We had a tiny 3 foot tall artificial tree. I turned on the lights, put her in her carrier, and set her in front of the tree. She was mesmerized.

4. Honeyman stringing up lights in the garage
   We always go to Christmas Eve at the inlaws. Not a ball of fun. But, we do it. Anyway, when we got home he backed the car into the garage and he had put up Christmas lights. We didn't see them when we left because we usually keep the car out except when the weather is bad.
He was so excited to see our surprise.

5. Picture time
   My mother-in-law used to always have this thing about family pictures at Christmas. Ever since my brother-in-law got divorced she has never done family pictures, even though he always has his sons. It is weird, but we just don't question it.
Anyway, when Kiddo was a toddler she was hungry, but she couldn't eat because pictures came first and other people were late. We had to wait for them to do pictures. She was not happy in those pictures.

6. A robe and nightshirt
   When we were kids we got 2 gifts from Mom and Dad and  they were not always toys. One year all three of us got a nightshirt and a robe. Maybe it was because I'm the youngest, I don't know. But, I didn't mask my disappoint too well and Mom got mad.
Give me a break! I was a kid and I wanted something fun.

7. Pissing off my mom from 200 miles away
   We don't go to my parent's home for Christmas. We go out about a week later. It has been that way for years. Last year they got it in their heads I was going to be there. I never said I would because I never do. About noon, I wasn't there and my sister called from Mom's and asked me because she didn't think I was going but the parents were sure. Mom blew up. I could hear her screaming. I felt bad for my sister. Later I called and talked to Dad and I didn't even talk to her. She was still pissed.
It's a gift!

8. A boyfriend getting me something he likes
  Technically we weren't together at that time. It was all very complicated. But, anyway he gave me a keychain with Taz on it. He loved Taz(Tasmanian devil), I did not.

9. Christmas Bells
    My mom has this group of bells that she hangs up every Christmas. A few years ago, she didn't. That was the only year I remember she didn't put them up. It always seemed a sure sign of the season when the bells went on the door.

10. Going to Grandma's
     We always went to Grandma M.'s for Christmas. Except one year. We got to go to Grandma B.'s. We never went there because it took hours to get there. But, one year we got up, opened gifts, and got there in time for Christmas dinner.
Grandma and Grandpa were so happy.


Do you have any special memories of Christmas?