For those celebrating, and to my honey….. Happy Valentine’s day.

That’s All
Lyrics & Music by Alan Brandt and Bob Haymes, 1952
[brackets indicate Edie Adams' variation on the song]

I can only give you love that lasts forever
And a [the] promise to be near each time you call
And the only heart I own for you and you alone
That’s all, that’s all

I can only give you country walks in springtime
And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall
And a love whose burning light will warm the winter night
That’s all, that’s all

There are those I am sure [who] have told you
They would give you the world for a toy
All I have are these arms to enfold you
And a love even time can’t destroy
[And a love time can never destroy]

If you’re wondering what I’m asking in return, dear
You’ll be glad to know that my demands are small
Say it’s me that you’ll adore for now and evermore
That’s all, that’s all

[the following are not part of the original composition and what makes Edie Adams' version so special and unique]

I love you
Yes, I love you
That’s all….

This is Lily’s first Christmas. It’s actually been a sedate Christmas, without a lot of hoopla.  We’ve been so busy, we only put the Christmas tree up on Sunday.  We’re also keeping the gift-giving for ourselves pretty low key.  Seriously, how many yachts can you give to each other?

Last Sunday, my sister Julie and her husband came over for our 2nd iteration of “Christmas Excellence.”  We cook a fancy dinner, break out the fancy-shmancy wedding china, drink, eat, and be generally merry.  Not to be forgotten, there’s also the gift exchange. Last year, it included watching the He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special (against my will), but it was a late night, and we skipped any kitschy stupid Christmas specials.  Sometimes, I think I can influence people with my mind after all.  Too bad I couldn’t prevent last year’s tragedy — that He-Man/She-Ra “very special episode” was horrendous.

He-Man & She-Ra Christmas Special (1985)

I worked from home on Wednesday, as the kids had an early dismissal from their school.  In the evening, we met up with my sister-in-law and her family at church for a Christmas Eve service.  Afterward, we drove over to my in-laws’ place for dinner and another gift exchange.  Also, the cousins got a chance to run around with each other and make lots of noise, er, I mean, merriment.

Christmas morning, Nums made blueberry muffins, and we exchanged gifts.  One of the cooler gifts I got this year was Season One of the old Muppet Show.  I’m waiting for an opportunity to watch it this weekend, if I get a chance.  I loved the old show when I was growing up.  It’s probably dated now, but who cares? Life is about being corny sometimes.

The Muppet Show - Season 1

What a weekend. We just returned from a 5-day road trip to Michigan, celebrating Thanksgiving with our friends Paul & Biji. Hoping I was off on Tuesday and could rest all day, we had hoped to leave Tuesday night, but I ended up working on Tuesday after all. I took a cat nap while my wife packed, then we loaded up the kids and luggage, toys and other paraphernalia, and hit the road around 5:45am.

Wednesday morning

I drove the first 6 hours while everyone slept, and we made a few pit stops as we drove from New Jersey across Pennsylvania on I-76, and crossing Ohio.  Nums drove across Ohio and got us into Michigan.  We finally reached the house around 6:30pm.  We had pre-arranged babysitters to take care of the kids, freshened up, and a group of us went to see the Piston-Knicks game over at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  The Knicks played horribly, but we had nearly court side seats, the company of friends, and no kids to wrangle.  Fun time. Afterwards, we picked up food to go, relieved the babysitters, and had a very late dinner at the house.

Thursday morning

We woke up early to have breakfast with Paul’s family at his parents house.  In the late morning and afternoon, Paul and I wrangled the kids, while the women shopped for food.  We all took turns, and more people slowly showed up, to help cook and clean up afterward.  At last count, there were about 30 people over their house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Friday morning

Thinking I had to work all day, I logged in to find out that I didn’t, and promptly shut off the laptop that morning.  We spent the rest of the day hanging out, watching movies, and relaxing.  In the evening, a number of folks all met up for dinner at the local Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and drinks.

Saturday morning

More hanging out, more movies, and relaxing.  In the evening, we went to Longhorn Steakhouse for a last dinner with everyone.  We also did most of the packing up, to speed up the departure early Sunday morning.  The kids also got baths, because they were starting to stink. 

Sunday morning

We hit the road around 5:30am, and didn’t get stuck in traffic until the middle of Ohio and somewhere in Pennsylvania.  I can’t tell you how much being stuck in traffic sucks with tired children in the backseat, and having spent hours in the car.  We eventually reached home around 8:30pm that night.

I just realized/ woke up / found out / had an epiphany / looked at a calendar, and Monday is Columbus Day.  I don’t know about you, but it’s a day off for me.  A 3-day weekend has snuck up on me, and it’s not a bad thing.  My wife is working, the kids are going to school, and it’s just going to be me at home.  I can run around in my boxers, eat Cheetos, play Star Wars on the home PC, have lunch with my wife, fold the laundry, unfold the laundry, go drag-racing, eat Thai food, hang out with friends, throw eggs at the neighbors, or put in a few hours at the 7-Eleven.  The world is my oyster that day, and I’m not doing any work that day.

What will I do that day?  I don’t know, and I don’t care.