A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

And before you knew it, not only was Christmas around the corner, but so was our move scheduled for after that, to move back to the Virginia area for my next contract, which looked like it would last awhile. But first: Christmas. The kids were encouraged to make presents, which they did with enthusiasm.

The One Gramma (so-called by the kids because she lived alone, as opposed to "The Two Grammas" (my mom and grandmother, who lived together), was invited to spend the Christmas Eve with us, as well as Christmas Day.

All the kids adored Mary's mom, but Jenny especially seemed fond of her and was very excited to see her.

Here's a photo of me in my bathrobe trying to assemble John's new train set while one of the kids uses me as a table.

Christmas morning dawned and the kids had ripped into their presents before I could even set up the camera!

Everyone seemed happy with their gifts.

Grandma Steinberg, especially, appreciated the duck basket she received.

Jenny's prize was a big stuffed bear. (She always liked oversized toys.)

And Mom just looks happy it's over.

And yes, I'm sorry to say my un-woke 1982 self got my wife a shop vac for Christmas. On my behalf, I should add that she asked for one.

The day after Christmas, I headed north to Virginia and my new contract and, hopefully, an affordable apartment to move the rest of the family into as soon as possible.