Monday, December 11, 2006

Genetic Distribution

Well it took only 4 phone calls, an act of Congress and maybe 3 e-mails but I finally got my family to visit me at my house. Stop the presses!

I told them all that when I lived in NC they visited me more often. Oh well, I am grateful for the few and far between visits. Because the time of the visit was also an issue, I decided on serving an afternoon tea. It was not your ordinary high tea menu but it worked out well. Everyone seemed happy with the spread and so far no phone calls telling me anyone was poisoned. If I have to say so myself, I learned from the best my Mom so I wasn’t as worried about how the food would taste. Rather, I was more worried about catering to the picky members of my family. It all worked out.

Afterwards we took two carloads and went to the Bull Run light display. If you live in the area, it is really beautiful this year and I’ve already been through twice. I highly recommend it. While we were enjoying the display, Sous Chef Mermaid asked her dad (my BIL) what the distance to her step sister’s house was from theirs. BIL explained that is was the same distance to her house from theirs as it was to my house, just in opposite directions. Here is where the genetic code is very important.

Even in the darkened car, I could see the gears turning in Mermaid’s head. They usually travel to BIL’s first daughter’s house sometime during the Christmas Holiday. Mermaid said if they were able to carry all the gifts involved to her step sister’s house which also houses his two grandsons, then it shouldn’t be an issue bringing the rest of the gifts to my house. The discussion started because I asked where and when we’d be having Christmas this year. As you may remember, my Father cancelled Thanksgiving. I offered up my house again and was told by BIL that he couldn’t not cart all of Mermaid’s gifts across the Beltway. I have to cart mine across the Beltway to them.

In any case, Mermaid tried to use the genes she inherited from me to set the scenario so that Christmas could happen at my house but it will not happen. No matter, we will stick to tradition and I will traverse the Beltway for the festivities.

So far we have had one phone call regarding the subject. I am sure we will have to discuss it at least 12 more times before we are tearing into our packages.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love when people underestimate kids and it comes back to bite them.

One of my professors told a story about having to sell his kids Big Wheel before they moved. He told him it was too big for the car. Then when he went to put it in the car to drop it off at the buyer's house, the kid asked "How come it's not too big to sell it, but it's too big to move it?"

Yup, busted.

And the advantage to going to someone else's house, you don't have to worry about how long they're going to linger. You get to just up and leave when you're ready.

Anonymous said...

I haven't been able to figure out why your family is so opposed to coming to your house.

Do you have big hairy dogs or cats or something? Birds, maybe?

Wicked H said...

t2ed: I cannot tell you how much I LOVE THAT KID!!! You are right about leaving when you want, but I would like to host it at least once. Oh well....

Miss Britt: I did have a big hairy dog (RIP Dexter) but they all loved him. The problem is the men in my family, Uncle Fun excluded (BIL #2), have an aversion to driving beyond a 10 mile radius of where they reside. I am expected to do all the travelling...

Anonymous said...

you sure you haven't "said anything" ?

Your wit could be a little intimidating to some

Wicked H said...

Dave: If it is my wit, then they wouldn't invite me to the family gatherings at all. I come by my wit honestly......

Wait. Maybe I am adopted????? Hmmmm

kris said...

Only 12 times? I fear you may underestimate. (Sadly. ;)

Anonymous said...

I am going to cancel Christmas this year :( Just kidding, I don't care where we go. I enjoyed the visit to your house and the christmas lights as tea. We'll have to do it again soon.