Psychotomy

A couple weeks back, we were at my parents with Des, and kiir suggested that we could bring soup for xmas dinner. My parents looked at her like she was nuts. (So, apparently, did I). Actually, first, there was a discussion of Des getting some stuff, like the mashed potatoes mostly, b/c the dressing is likely to be too crisp, although he may get some inner bits (we don’t du stuffing, it’s in a separate pan, because we all like the crispy edges and top and stuff) … he might get some cranberries (and then play with my mom’s white furniture ;) … he certainly isn’t going to be getting any turkey (see the part where I’m allergic to the shit, and he don’t get none til he’s at least 12 maybe 18 mo)

The ‘spuds’ have always been out of a box of flakes, b/c, as my mom recounts, they did 5 lbs of potatoes for 3 of them and fought over hte last spoon. My dad confirms the story, or I’d ignore it entirely. But since we’re not convinced flakes are real potatoes, I said I’d make the damned potatoes, boil, mash, squish squish squish. 10 or 15lbs. So, I might have been looking at her funny about “I’m making 15lbs of mashed potatoes AND bringing baked potato soup???” (although she may have been thinking of the corn chowder not the baked potato).

Later, she pointed out something that I have never really noticed. Things that I would throw a shitfest at her mom about, I take from my parents. Xmas dinner, for the last few years, for me has been: Potatoes. Some dressing, when my mom makes some with v eg broth instead of hte turkey. And leftover fried shrimp. (growing up, xmas eve was fried shrimp ; they still do it, and i basically get my share with xmas since i can’t have the turkey). There’s pies after and such. But basically I get side dishes and random (not very good) leftovers.

Now, it’s a step up from the first year or two when they gave me Tofurkey that they found at some shop. B/c that stuff was vile. But if my Mother-in-Law tried to give me those offerings? I’d come off the wall. I’ve threatened to walk out and drive to a restaurant, before. Hell, I offered my youngest SiL a ride if there was nothing good to eat at the third sisters wedding rehearsal.

Fuck, I made my old job threaten to FIRE ME before I went back and sat through a mandatory lunch meeting b/c I couldn’t eat the offering (I couldn’t eat anything, though, so it’s a little furhter step).

But my parents? I just keep saying OK, and not really liking dinner. Kiir can see it, my parents haven’t noticed or think it’s b/c i want the turkey (don’t get me wrong, I DO want turkey), I guess.

So, I’m taking the foreman grill and a cut of salmon this year. Probably still not doing the soup, b/c I’m still not sure where in the car it’d go with Des, gifts, des’ stuff, kiir, me, and 15lbs of mashed potatoes. Hell, I don’t really know WTF I’m putting 15lbs of potatoes, to be fair :o

Posted in: general by attriel /