Too old for Santa, holiday shenanigans – even beer parties

By Chris Roosa

Contributor

“We’ll come for Christmas!” they said. “It will be fun!” they said.

like a beached whale and an elephant trying to share space.

CALAMARI NONNA ROSA $14

CALAMARI FRITTI $12

ANTIPASTO $18

BRUSCHETTA $9

EGGPLANT ROLLATINI $11

MOZZARELLA FRITTI $9

GLUTEN FREE FOCACCIA $5

SPAGHETTI VONGOLE $23

SPAGHETTI COZZE $21

PASTA POMODORO $15

SPAGHETTI POLPETTE $17

RIGATONI

SAUSAGE & PEPPERS $20

LA PUTTANESCA $20

MATRICIANA $20

GNOCCHI SORRENTINA $20

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE $20

The first of the clan arrived five days prior to Christmas Day. “Where’s your tree?” they wanted to know.

“Christmas won’t be festive without a tree,” they moaned.

I had given away every Christmas ornament, four years before, when my husband turned 80. It was apparent that his balance had become a problem. I didn’t want him climbing the ladder to the attic just to bring down jolly ol’ St. Nick along with all the ornaments.

He doesn’t snore much anymore. Instead, he lies on his back and spews out this continual obnoxious noise like a whale blowing air through its blowhole.

“The whale” has all these electrical devices throughout the house. There was some kind of monitor on my side of the bed. It was motion sensitive, so every time I moved, the screen lit up, glaring directly onto my face.

I thrashed for several hours, trying to ignore the mammal next to me, blowing air in my ear while this bright light illuminated the whole room. I finally gave up.

ZUPPA DI FAGIOLI

Our house made soup with white beans, spinach and cherry tomatoes $6

CREAMY POMODORO

Basil Soup $6

RIGATONI ALA VODKA $20

LASAGNA $20

MANICOTTI $20

All of our entrees come with a side of angel hair pasta, gluten free options available.

GARDEN $5

CAESAR (anchovies available upon request, add $1.50) / $6

CAPRESE $12

PEAR AND GORGONZOLA $14

PROSCIUTTO & MOZZARELLA $14

ADDITIONS

Chicken $7 Shrimp $8

POLLO PARMIGIANA $21

POLLO MARSALA $23

POLLO LIMONE $21

POLLO FIORENTINA $23

VEAL PICATTA $25

VEAL MARSALA $25

VEAL SALTIMBOCCA $25

VEAL PARMIGIANA $24

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA $21

SIDES

POLLO $7 SHRIMP $8

VEGETABLE OF THE DAY $5

SPINACH $5

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS $7

POLPETTA $6

So, I borrowed “Christmas” from a friend. She had every bell and whistle and no one to share it with. She even delivered the tree, lights and bulbs to my front door.

My daughter-in-law said she loved holiday decorating, so I gave her my blessing and as she diligently worked, I watched – from my recliner. While sipping my wine.

Two days before Christmas, the rest of the kids arrived – along with luggage, two extra dogs and presents to wrap.

There was tons of laughter, plenty of food and gallons of “spirits.” Do you know how much beer adult kids can consume?

Waste Management probably felt our house had held an alcoholic binge party before we all joined AA. Bottles and cans filled our trash barrel. There was hardly any household garbage in the barrel, just remnants of a beer-fest. It was almost impossible to roll the barrel to the curb while it clinked and rattled all the way down the driveway.

On the last night the remaining couple slept in our master bedroom. Hubby and I had to sleep, scrunched up, in the double bed.

When we were newlyweds, it was cozy and embracing. At our age, it was

It was probably the first time I’d ever seen the sun rise.

One couple left Christmas afternoon. The second couple stayed five more days. Nine days of company! By Tuesday I was suggesting that they go sightsee in Savannah, shop at all the outlets, or feed their dogs to the alligators at Lake Somerset. Anything to keep them entertained, I always say.

I felt like a really bad mother. Joyous to see them arrive. But just as delighted to see them leave.

In the recent past, I would sob when they left. At our age you never know if or when you’ll see them again.

After this festive visit, I just smiled when they pulled out of our driveway, waving a big farewell to them, while jumping up and down with excitement.

After their departure, I told my husband not to speak a word to me! No talking for at least 24 hours. No cooking, no sharing that double bed ever again, just silence.

It was time to get back to our simple life of iPad, television and daily naps. The Christmas “cheer” would last us for months.