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Blog Entry 8 of 9 a morin eye view
Do you ever wonder… Why sheep don’t shrink when it rains? I honestly do. Here you’ll find no rhyme (unless I’m feeling poetic), reason (unless I have one) or consistency (unless I accidentally post the same thing twice) in my cyber contributions. I’ve long ago accepted defeat to my arch-nemesis Punctuality, so expecting postings on a structured basis is discouraged. I do, however, invite you to check in periodically as I write about things that pique my interest while prowling the city. As a photographer this blog may also be frequently used as an outlet for pictorial expression. If you have a thought or two of your own bouncing around the old noggin, I recommend starting up your own blog and giving everyone the no-holds-barred account of life in your corner.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~Kristin

I went, I saw ... I survived The Family
Contributed by: Kristin Morin/YourHub.com   on 12/3/2008

I did it.

I may be slightly black and blue around the edges, but I survived the trip to Michigan and the Thanksgiving holiday with the family.

In all honesty, I had a great time in 'the old country'. My family is pretty close and I was sorry to leave them all behind at the airport. But just because I enjoyed my vacation, doesn't mean it didn't have its ups and downs.

High: My mom bought a ridiculously adorable kitten who kept us entertained trying to investigate a gift bag and pouncing on my poor old dog.

Low: My grandmother not speaking to my uncle at Thanksgiving dinner upon learning he's getting back together with his not-so-faithful wife.

High: Seeing old high school faces at the local watering hole.

Low: Having old high school faces tell The Boyfriend old high school stories about me at the local watering hole.

High: Donning festive hats and chopping a Christmas tree.

Low: My mom and little sister regressing five years and having a throw-down argument about cleaning the bathroom.

Minor disfunctionality aside, I knew it was going to be an interesting trip right off the bat.

My family picked me up from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids about 1 p.m. Nov. 22 and whisked me an hour south to my dad's hometown of Kalamazoo. (If you could see me right now, I'd be pointing to the lower left corner of my palm, using my hand as a map of the Great Lakes state - it's a Michigander thing.)

My cousin was having a college graduation party and he's best known for two things: talking loudly and consuming substantial amounts of alcohol.

Not long after our arrival, the keg was tapped and the doorbell started announcing the arrival of other guests.

When my grandpa and his girlfriend, Thelma, showed up, I went over for the customary smooch, then somewhere between the story about him buying his girlfriend's treadmill then turning around and selling it for twice what he paid for it and his run in with the police 10-odd years ago over a pocketed cigar at a local Hardees, was this gem of a comment...

"So I hear your little sister is engaged...guess you dropped the ball, huh?"

Thanks, grandpa.

The party was fun, it was nice to see some extended family members, but it was my little sister who had too much fun - moaning all the way home and finally laying down on our own driveway and tossing her Tollhouses.

As the week wore on, I visited friends around the campfire, The Boyfriend came into town to meet the family, we did some holiday baking and enjoyed a 24-person strong Thanksgiving.

One evening we played a rousing few rounds of Catch Phrase with my family and a couple of my sister's friends. It was one of the most ridiculous experiences of the entire trip. It went something like this...

My sister's friend, Will: "Um, what sheeps are made of..." (yes, sheeps)

My brother-in-law, Joe: "Wool!"

Will: "No..."

Joe: "Cotton!"

Will: "Yes!"

Next time around.

Will: "It's a country in France..."

Everyone: blank stare.

The week drew to a close and my family turned slightly sentimental. Coming back from the Christmas tree farm, my dad reached into the backseat, said he was going to miss me when I left and started patting and tickling "my" leg.

The Boyfriend: "Uh...that's my leg."

My dad: "Oops, I thought it was kinda hairy."

Awesome, dad...awesome.


Post your holiday stories on our Web site and you could be reading your own words in our print edition.


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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: Kevin Villegas
posted on 12/4/2008 @ 3:32:18 PM
Rated Blog Entry
I would like to subscribe to your grandfather's newsletter, please.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Lisa Arata
posted on 12/4/2008 @ 10:19:26 AM
Rated Blog Entry
fantastic column!
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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
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