We took Christmas Day off to enjoy the day with our family. Our daughters, our son-in-law, our grandchildren, and friends were here and we had a wonderful afternoon away from Yahoo. It was a very pleasant change from what has become our normal routine. Caroline, our youngest daughter's birthday was Christmas Eve, so we had invited some of her friends to join us for dinner. Joyce always says "there is always room for one more" so we try to stay flexible on occasions like this. We have found that if we just let people know when and where, it usually works out.

Our guests started to arrive about 3p.m. when Christina, our oldest, and her three kids arrived. "Where's Kirk?", I asked. "Is he coming today?" "Supposed to, but he might be late" was the reply. Oh well, we will wait and see. Things started heating up around 3:30. Gage, the 7 year old was the first to start shouting for a partner to try out his new Black Woods race game. Austin, the 1 1/2 year old was upset because he wanted to be Gage's partner but wasn't familiar with the conventions of the new game. Jacoby, one of our friends, came but he couldn't stay, man because he had recently been transferred. Chad, the baby was working on a jar of Gerber's and couldn't be happier. Pretty soon comments were heard from the lounge. "Where should we sit? Are you going to tell us where to sit or should we find a place ourselves?" I quickly put together some seating arrangements for the first session, the opening of presents around the tree.

How wonderful everyone thought. The tree looked lovely, everyone was giving and receiving and feeling happy. Sure there were a few problems in that session. Sure, there are no decorations left on the lower limbs because Austin pulled them all off, but it still looks nice. At least it did until Chad pulled the cat's tail. Poor Hugo let out a holler and flew up the tree ripping off strings of lights as she went. We've since had an offer from somewhere in England to train him for a certain Ryder team. He said something about Chad showing promise in making CATS suffer.

The seating for the second session, dinner, came easily and without incident. Without incident except for a couple of things that is. Kirk had arrived late and in an attempt to catch up said he would drink six shots without getting slammed. Joyce, not believing he could do it shouted "doubles?" and poured the drinks. With a grin of confidence he downed the first one, then the next. Without hesitation he took two more, but this time from the other end of the line. "You dog", said Joyce, as she recognized he was setting up an end play. Just then, the cat, Hugo, sprang onto the table sliding through the monastery mashed potatoes and crashing into the remaining drinks spilling them all over Kirk and baby Chad. Down two doubled. The revenge of the CAT was complete.

The third and final session was to pit the unbeaten against each other. Joyce's prize winning pumpkin pie against Christina's 3 time champion lemon meringue. Double kudos to the winner. The only thing missing was the snow we all were wishing for to complete a picture purrfect Christmas. As we looked longingly out the window, it started raining CATS and DOGS. True to tradition, we had no winners or losers in the final session. Just a lot of people having fun with family and friends. Our last task was to make a wish for the new year. Joyce and I both wished for the same thing.

Dave - OldYank1