Re-Hashing the Holiday

Thoroughly enjoyed shopping for real at Kohl's. Bought many items for Mrs. Leslie, more than were needed, actually. I had an eye for things that might work for either of us. As it turned out, I gave her virtually everything I got. I am keeping a very inexpensive sleeveless cream turtleneck, just a fashion basic. Although I've been aware of the female in me for decades, this was honestly the first time that I felt no embarrassment at all shopping in the women's department. Christmas or not, I think I'll have no trouble recreating this positive experience, perhaps as early as next week, with the "Kohl's Cash" I earned with my purchase.

Christmas Eve was spent with my wife's family. Presents were flying about the room. As it was winding down, I began to get the sinking feeling that I was going to be receiving nothing. This was hitting very close to home for me, after feeling shortchanged (no-changed?) on recent milestones. As I was heading for dark territory of the soul, my mother-in-law pulled out some bags that she'd neglected to put under the tree. One was for me. It was a bright purple fleece pullover, not for the faint of heart, but I will wear it, if infrequently. Perhaps for chimney cleaning or gutter painting. I was genuinely grateful to receive it, though, as I didn't feel so forgotten and marginalized.

Mrs. L and I wrapped deep into the night. Till 6am, to be exact. Not at all unusual. We worked together beautifully and efficiently. At one point, though, a small controversy erupted. She complained about the way I had wrapped one of her presents. Given how hard I was working, I was a bit miffed. I told her that given recent history, she should be glad to be getting the nice things that awaited her. She had no clue what I was referring to. I told her that Christmas Eve had left me a little emotional about the lack of gifts for my birthday, Father's Day, and our anniversary.

She was taken aback. She couldn't believe that I was "harboring resentment" over that. She reminded me that she had told me then that she was saving to give me one big gift (a DVR for the house), and when I said that I didn't want a DVR, that she just decided to let the money go back into the budget. I reminded her that each time she brought up the DVR, I told her I had no interest in getting one, that a gift for me should be something that I desire, unless I say otherwise. That remained unresolved.

She gave me a nice bunch of gifts, men's wear of course, but trendy and colorful. I will wear them happily. In addition, she gave me a 20" necklace, a sterling silver, gold-plated box chain that falls right at my collarbone. Pretty close to a Leslie gift, especially considering her reluctance to go that way. It certainly made me regret starting a fight in the wee hours of the morning. Some other conversations lead me to believe that she looked for some clip earrings before settling on the chain, though she didn't say so directly. I always find a little hope to cling to.

The big gift for the whole family was Beatles Rock Band for Wii. We all had a blast playing with this. I did very well singing, and wailed on the drums on certain cuts, especially from the '66-'67 period. I guess I'll have to wrest the Hafner bass from my daughter's hands at some point to see how I do on that.