*** Last night for the first time since the Model T was invented, The Husband & I went to a "Christmas Party" - and this was a gift to all the employees of the truck company thst he happens to work for. When he was sick last year, we didn't make the party...but this year we found that everything was fine & dandy so we got ourselves somewhat dressed up (even better than getting the "cleanest" dirty shirt out of the laundry hamper...) and made the trek to the restraunt where the party was held ***

Since we seldom get out and about, we were somewhat suprised by the amount of traffic out on the one road to the location we were headed. Sure, Sure, there are 1,298,496 drivers out on the roads right now because of the Christmas Holidays, and yes, probably 1,298,493 of them still have some late - last minute gift giving to attend to. But we thought that it wouldn't be all THAT bad jus' tryin' to get to a restraunt...shows what we know.

We ended up being the first one's to the place (A first for us!!) -- And were greeted as if we were some big - wigs attending a LARGE function...actually we went to a Texas Steakhouse location not too far from the Beach, so it wasn't as tho we were going to a Black-Tie Ordeal...but we felt nice that the staff at least were expecting us. We walked over to the area where the staff had set up chairs and tables...we had a nice dinner, talked with several of the other drivers, an' waved at others as they came in, and said bye when everybody got thru with their food. All and all a pleasant evening.

The funny-odd thing, was that the MINUTE we got into the car, The Husband's cell phone rings...I'm reaching into the back seat to grab the bag The Husband keeps the cell phone in, I'm trying to get my seat belt on, and tell him where we're suppossed to turn out of the parking lot to get across the Bizzy intersection to get to another big Blvd., and then get to our house. All this in about 25.8 seconds. AND answer the phone without sounding winded, or really ANGRY..Ends up it was the youngest, asking , "What're ya doin?" --- (Think Beavus & Butthead here...) ~~ "Uhhh....uhhhh..." He knew we went to this dinner....he knew it'd be at least 9 p.m. before we'd get outta the place, and he STILL asks..."What're ya doin?..."

I've decided that the ranting I did the other day about leavin' town, moving to a small and remote location and all-together shuffling off all parental obligations was after all A VERY GOOD THING ~~ I MEAN -- it's the first evening that The Husband & I go to a dinner party and we have to give our location and estimated time of arrival to one of our adult children...because to his way of thinking, we've been gone long enuf, and, so therefore....GET HOME NOW!!! At first I thought I'd over reacted on the rant of leaving home and going to someplace like Dodge...or another small place in Kansas...but looking back on it, the rant was quite the good idea, and may produce some sort of leaning toward some other location for residence. >> Without one of the cell phones ringing and hearing some idiotic question being asked of me.

Am I wrong in pondering this?

Well -- since it is The Holidays, I will attempt to refrain from any other outbursts and try to enjoy the pretty lights all around the neighborhood, and look joyfully at the pretty decorations the stores have set up for the shoppers. I will also refrain, or at least attempt to remain cool, calm and collect once I've got a ride to a store to do actual Christmas Shopping...The Very Fine Automobile is still sitting in the carport (no mechanic ever came to look at it...whatta suprise..) and so am waiting for The Husband to get back from an out of state freight haul , then take me to someplace high class and expensive...something like Big Lots....oops...oh, ya know...The Mall or somewhere..

If I survive this shopping experience, I may take up the offer from our middle son...who told me, "One day, ma, ya know -- I jus' may get you a bottle of Gin...you keep sayin' you're gonna have a Gin & Tonic if things don't straighten out...Won't YOU be suprised If I haul off an' git ya one?!!"

More on this later...

Lady of The Tulips -- who heard of 389 presents that "Would be Good" to get for assorted members of the family. This is all Well and Good -- Does any one know of where finances can come from in order to get said presents?? Jus' would like to know >> sigh >>