December 1, 2003 - The Family Thing

The game worked like this, we'd go down the list one album at a time and he would give me hints. I was supposed to guess the artist and album. I had a nearly perfect record for the first 20 or so albums, but then it got more difficult. Still, he gave great hints, so my success rate was pretty good. By the time we reached our destination, we were using the map light. I think we got through 100 or so, during the long journey.

Now, the idea had been to go to dinner as soon as we got there with my dad, because I was still signed up to work that evening. But Dad told us that we had to wait for my brother and his wife, who were driving down from Vermont.

"When will they be here?" I asked.

"I'm not sure."

"When did they leave?"

"Sometime today."

So in the meantime, I downloaded AOL Instant Messenger and RealPlayer, both of which I need to do my work. We debated what our options were. By the time it rolled around to 6:30, it looked less and less likely I'd have time to get dinner with everyone and get back on time.

I was just about to go across the street to get a sub when my brother and his wife pulled up. Since we only had an hour, we decided the best place to go was the local Chinese buffet, where we could begin to eat right away, instead of waiting for our meal to be prepared. The buffet was fine with my brother, who says this one is superior to the one near them in Vermont.

I was in a good mood because I'd weighed myself earlier, upon arrival. I weighed a pound less than the last time I visited. This is in keeping with my goal to not gain weight over the holidays this year. Last year, I backslid quite a bit, which is terribly depressing when you're trying to lose weight.

The Gryphon got along with my brother right away, which didn't surprise me. My brother is outgoing, and The Gryphon tends to be friendly. It's a good thing they were getting along, because as soon as we got back to my dad's place, I had to sit down at the computer and start work while they all went upstairs to enjoy some television and hang out.

My dog, Una, was happy to hang out upstairs because her momma is my brother's dog, Pulsar. The last time she saw her was in September, when my dad and I visited Vermont. She and Pulsar have been getting along very well ever since they had a fight by Pulsar's swimming hole. I think Pulsar was sick of Una being so wimpy; never swimming, never playing rough. So she started a fight, and Una fought back. Now, they nuzzle noses each time they meet.

I'm very happy my dad got himself a new computer. This means that I can come home for vacation and still make money.

My sister and her boyfriend showed up while I was working and I went upstairs briefly to introduce them to The Gryphon before going back to work.

Everybody else is on a different schedule from me. By the time I finished, most everybody had gone to bed. The only one still up was The Gryphon. Since tomorrow was Thanksgiving and I figured everybody was up and about early, I figured we ought to get some sleep, too.

It's always good to get some sleep before a holiday with the Wilsons.

More on the Wilson family Thanksgiving:

December 2, 2003 - Turkey Day

December 3, 2003 - Shopping Expedition

December 4, 2003 - Alyce's Eye for the Straight Guy

December 5, 2003 - Sunday Socializing

Musings an Online Journal of Sorts By Alyce Wilson
December 1 , 2003 - The Family Thing
Thanksgiving centerpiece	Thanksgiving vacation, The Gryphon came with me to do the family thing in Central Pennsylvania. He'd already met my mom and dad when he came up for my 15th class reunion, but this time he would be meeting my brother and his wife, and my sister and her boyfriend. Since he had some things to finish up at work on Wednesday, I picked up The Gryphon at about 1:30, and we headed out from there. The car was packed full, the dog was seat-belted; we were ready to go. We got caught in the midst of the crush of people leaving town for the holidays. Fortunately, The Gryphon had a great idea. He'd brought along my copy of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
The game worked like this, we'd go down the list one album at a time and he would give me hints. I was supposed to guess the artist and album. I had a nearly perfect record for the first 20 or so albums, but then it got more difficult. Still, he gave great hints, so my success rate was pretty good. By the time we reached our destination, we were using the map light. I think we got through 100 or so, during the long journey. Now, the idea had been to go to dinner as soon as we got there with my dad, because I was still signed up to work that evening. But Dad told us that we had to wait for my brother and his wife, who were driving down from Vermont. "When will they be here?" I asked. "I'm not sure." "When did they leave?" "Sometime today." So in the meantime, I downloaded AOL Instant Messenger and RealPlayer, both of which I need to do my work. We debated what our options were. By the time it rolled around to 6:30, it looked less and less likely I'd have time to get dinner with everyone and get back on time. I was just about to go across the street to get a sub when my brother and his wife pulled up. Since we only had an hour, we decided the best place to go was the local Chinese buffet, where we could begin to eat right away, instead of waiting for our meal to be prepared. The buffet was fine with my brother, who says this one is superior to the one near them in Vermont. I was in a good mood because I'd weighed myself earlier, upon arrival. I weighed a pound less than the last time I visited. This is in keeping with my goal to not gain weight over the holidays this year. Last year, I backslid quite a bit, which is terribly depressing when you're trying to lose weight. The Gryphon got along with my brother right away, which didn't surprise me. My brother is outgoing, and The Gryphon tends to be friendly. It's a good thing they were getting along, because as soon as we got back to my dad's place, I had to sit down at the computer and start work while they all went upstairs to enjoy some television and hang out. My dog, Una, was happy to hang out upstairs because her momma is my brother's dog, Pulsar. The last time she saw her was in September, when my dad and I visited Vermont. She and Pulsar have been getting along very well ever since they had a fight by Pulsar's swimming hole. I think Pulsar was sick of Una being so wimpy; never swimming, never playing rough. So she started a fight, and Una fought back. Now, they nuzzle noses each time they meet. I'm very happy my dad got himself a new computer. This means that I can come home for vacation and still make money. My sister and her boyfriend showed up while I was working and I went upstairs briefly to introduce them to The Gryphon before going back to work. Everybody else is on a different schedule from me. By the time I finished, most everybody had gone to bed. The only one still up was The Gryphon. Since tomorrow was Thanksgiving and I figured everybody was up and about early, I figured we ought to get some sleep, too. It's always good to get some sleep before a holiday with the Wilsons. More on the Wilson family Thanksgiving: December 2, 2003 - Turkey Day December 3, 2003 - Shopping Expedition December 4, 2003 - Alyce's Eye for the Straight Guy December 5, 2003 - Sunday Socializing
Moral: When it comes to family, it's all good. Copyright 2003 by Alyce Wilson Musings Index
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