The night before I had prepared, cooked and arranged everything from table decorations to chocolate mousse. This morning the list in my head had me vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom and toilets. I showered and woke Merv and Mel. Christmas greetings of kisses and hugs followed by breakfast and dressing before opening their presents. The late John Lennon sang his famous Christmas tune. Nothing unusual there.
Then the gremlins came out to play! I opened the fridge and it was dark inside. No welcoming light. It's Christmas Day; a blown light globe is not a problem. Not until I heard Merv calling out from the lounge. The TV had stopped. I knew what the problem was. I ran out of the house to the meter box to flip back the RCD switch. It wouldn't budge!
Back inside the house I turned off switches and pulled plugs. Back to the meter box but there was no joy. I ran around the house pulling plugs in bedrooms and turning off the Wi-Fi. I sigh, run back outside but still there is no joy. My mind races to the last time this happened on a Saturday night. I had rang a local electrician and he wanted $300 to come out and have a look! I hung up on him and fixed it myself. It it's $300 for a Saturday night I started to sweat at what a Christmas Day call out would be. I take a grip of myself and figured I was missing a switch somewhere. I tried the microwave which has its own cubby hole. I stood on a chair with the large awkward appliance balancing against my shoulders while I use a wooden spoon as my extended arm to turn off the switch on the back wall. I slide it back and run outside. It's not the microwave.
I stand still but my mind is racing. 'Cupboards,' my mind screams and I flung open the door which houses the dishwasher power point. I sigh with relief. There is water dripping from the bench above onto the power point. I pull the plug. I run to the meter box and flip the RCD. Yes, I have power!
I then run around the house plugging in and turning on every power point, except of course the dishwasher. Merv settles down and watches the TV again. It's only 9:30am, too early to open a bottle of wine, I make coffee instead. I have lost 15 minutes but it's OK.
My mobile buzzes and Dustin explains he will be late to pick up Mum. He has left Grace's present at home. I gulp my coffee and ask why he hadn't put the present next to his car keys. He explains he had and he continues to give me a minute by minute account of his actions. I don't have time to listen and cut him short. I toy with the idea I can pick up Mum and then pick up Vicki while cooking the turkey, preparing morning tea (most of the preparation had been done last night and the presentation on plates was all that is needed). I already sound flustered!
Mel is peeling, trimming and cutting up vegetables. The potatoes are finished and the turkey is in the oven. Hours later I realise I had forgotten to cover it with foil but by that time it is too late. Needless to say the turkey was moist and tender.
I throw the morning tea onto plates and platters and arrange them on the table. It looks OK. I am ready to leave if necessary but I haven't yet swept the front path. Our huge ponytail plant flowers prolifically just before Christmas. The bees encircle high above while the pollen loaded flower puffs flood the paving and cling to the doormat. Yes a hazard for the elderly and disabled. I get the broom.
I ring Dustin, a miracle has happened and he has made up 15 minutes. I sigh again and finish my cold coffee.
I finish prettying the table and leave Mel in charge of Merv while I shoot out to pick up Vicki. She is over 30 minutes away. That is an hours round trip and however long it takes for her to be ready. I arrive to pick her up and the staff are not expecting me! I had rang the day before with specific instructions. Vicki greets me and within 15 minutes she is in the car and we are heading home. We chat as we drive.
It is now almost 11:30am and I remember the turkey is cooking (without the foil), the potatoes are prepared but not in the oven. I sigh, almost time for wine. As I enter the house to get the wheelchair for Vicki I hope everyone is enjoying morning tea but I find morning tea is untouched. I lose my cool. Will nothing go right this morning?
Vicki is on the ground on the driveway. Family members had attempted to help her out of the car. Why didn't they wait? I have transferred Vicki many times, I know what works for her. Vicki is shaken and unhappy. We get her into the wheelchair and in the house. Everyone is rather sheepish after my outburst and make their way to the table. Poor Merv is sitting in his Lift chair and can't move. I had forgotten to turn on the power point for his chair. I turn it on and leave him to get up by himself. I grab the bottle of wine and a glass. Better not drink straight from the bottle! While everyone makes coffee (I ask for one also) and eat cake, biscuits and cheese I busy myself, grabbing the turkey out of the oven and pushing in the potatoes and pumpkin. Done. It will be awhile before lunch, which is OK, morning tea has finished just before 12pm!
We play 'Secret Santa.' Everyone has fun, a giggle and will take home a present. Mum and Vicki swap their presents for someone else's which is more suitable for them.
I settle for another glass of wine but stop there, I will be back on the road in a couple of hours. We finally have lunch at 1:30pm after chatting to family members on the phone and watching taped Christmas Carols on the TV.
Merv gives thanks for
our food before we grab our neighbour’s bon-bon and together pulling and yanking as
it explodes sending paper hat, joke and plastic trinket over the table and
becoming lost on the floor.The turkey is tender, the ham is moist. Dinner goes ahead without a hitch.
We chat happily enjoying each other's company. This is what Christmas is all about; family
enjoying time together. It's not long before I am taking Vicki home. Dustin and Grace take Mum home.
It has been a lovely Christmas celebration.
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