Abundant Blog Fodder for the New Year
There’s no place like home, and after a road trip that was a full day longer than It should have been, there’s really no place like my own bed.
Christmas in Vermont was like a carefully wrapped piece of magic in a red quilted stocking hung with care. It’s wonderfully nostalgic and comforting to spend time with family, to share traditions with my son and two nieces, and to break bread with my adult self while in my childhood home.
My parents, as usual, were extraordinary hosts who did things like call in their favors with Mother Nature to ensure a white Christmas, and then plow all the flakes into mountains so Aaron could race in an orange sled; they fill their cupboards with food we love, and humor me by allowing my two huge German Shepherds to shed all over their house.
We had a grand time and with so much merry making, I was surprised to find my mother a tad distraught. When probed, she explained there was something on her mind that really needed addressing and she went on to issue a formal complaint … about my blog.
She’s upset that so many posts in 2008 were dedicated to picking on her, but none were dedicated to dear Dad. All is fair in love and blogging, apparently, and she thinks I should spend equal time teasing my father in this rather public forum. My dad, after realizing she was serious and that I may just spend our holiday time digging for daddy dirt, proceeded to walk through the door every night with multiple bottles of wine in-hand. Looking back, I realize his sudden desire to turn me into a chardonnay swilling maniac had nothing to do with holiday cheer and it had everything to do with impairing my memory of the last ten days. He even threw in a little rum-laced eggnog for good measure. I must have forgotten how dangerous it can be to underestimate my father.
As we head into 2009, I’ll be digging through the recesses of my aging mind to appease my mom and tease my dad. I’m not a New Year’s resolutions kind of girl, but this does seem like an appealing goal.
Once I’ve unpacked our suitcases, filled the fridge and tackled the pile of work that didn’t disappear while I was on vacation, I also want to tell you about the interviews I conducted with my grandmother, aunts and mother as I started the memoir writing project I’ve mentioned. I have hours of tapes to transcribe and wrap my brain and emotions around.
I’d be remiss not to also mention that our last night in Vermont was spent with the Prick Doctor. Yes, I finally met the man with the needles and of course he’s worthy of a post, or two.
The New Year does indeed promise a plethora of blog fodder and musings, (hopefully my friends and family will still be speaking to me by year-end), and I’m looking forward to catching up with all of you.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
Welcome back! Your family sounds lovely. I hope to be like them for my children.
My sister gave me a book for Christmas, Writing the Memoir” by Judith Barrington. It’s very good. Glad to hear you have the material from your grandmother.
Wishing you the best in 2009!
phhhsts last blog post..Spin Cycle: 2009 “Resolutions” and Positiviality
Welcome back! I am glad you had a good time!
Hopefully, everyone will still be speaking to you at the end of ‘09.
WickedStepMoms last blog post..I resolve
Happy New Year! I’m glad you had such a good time in Vermont. I can’t wait to read more about your Father, and the Prick Doctor of course
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goodfathers last blog post..One hundred
Now, Mrs. Tricia’s Mom, your very wonderful daughter is paying loving homage to you (and I love reading about you). Although I have to say I’m interested in hearing more about Mr. Tricia’s Dad – I never really had a father, and while I’m a tad envious of those who have a good one, I love hearing about them.
I’m glad you had a good holiday and am so glad you’re back!
Jans last blog post..Spin Cycle: New Year’s Resolutions
Oh man, Christmas in Vermont sounds heavenly. I’m telling you: I so miss my Midwest during the holidays.
Even though I know Vermont is East…but you know what I mean, am I right?
Also, I thank the Lord every day that my family does not (I think, I hope. I pray) read my blog.
San Diego Mommas last blog post..PROMPTuesday #36: The Senses
A white Christmas? Wow!
The prick doctor. Heh.
Cheri @ Blog This Mom!s last blog post..2009 Might Be a Very Loooooong Year
I know what you mean: I complained about my parents’ dog in my blog and woohoo! World War 3!!! Blogging and family go together like peanut butter and jam….
garys last blog post..the holy grail: make your own peanut butter cups!
from tricia’s dad ‘ be careful payback could be very,very dangerous love dad
Can not wait to hear all about it! Glad that Vermont was wonderful BUT I am not sad that I missed it!!!!!! Too cold, too much wet snow, schlepping kids in snow suits, hats, mittens, boots, etc… whatever!
Amys last blog post..2009 – A New Year, A Year For My Family
Can you belive that Tricia’s dad responded to this blog…..
OMG if you knew him you would all know how amazing that it is.
He hates computers. So yes Tricia be careful because not only is he reading it he now feels like responding to it. We will have to get him his own avatar.
Hmmmmm….. I wonder what it could be.
XOXOX
This really is so fun to read. Can’t wait to hear more about — and from — your dad. (And you, too, of course, Tricia’s Mom.)
patoiss last blog post..The Weekly Wonderings #91: The Annual Edition
OK, so I need to know now. Did Dad actually sign on as Donna and comment or did he dictate as my father would have done?
Smart Mouth Broads last blog post..NEW YEAR’S BABY!
SMB: He actually typed himself!!! And as my mom wrote, it is really rather miraculous. Unfortunately for him, the computer is logged in as Donna. Maybe we should have a vote and choose an avatar for him. How much fun would that be!
My number one reason for NOT telling my family (especially my Dad) about my blog. I’d be disowned for sure. LOL
Midlife Slicess last blog post..It’s That Time Again, Kids!
[...] you’ve stopped by recently, you may recall that Dear Ole Mom filed an official complaint … about my blog, and she has demanded that I spend as much time teasing my father in [...]
Tricia, you have such a fun family. If my parents were alive, and availed themselves to a computer, I know they would devour every one of my blog posts, and my Dad in particular would be commenting.. and I’d fear his teasy words for sure. I miss them both. I’m happy for you that you have this wonderful connection with yours. I’ll live vicariously through yours and your parents’ loving, public teasing, if that’s OK with you.
Hilarys last blog post..Thank You, Blogger
Happy Happy New Year!!! Sounds like a good time and picking on parents is the best. heh heh.
movin’ down the roads last blog post..All the Beaches