The Definition of Close

K and I did a little Christmas shopping today. Mostly for ourselves. 

So really I guess it should be called what-we-are-going-to-wear-for-Christmas shopping.

We stopped to have lunch at a 50s style burger joint. Not a good decision. Their computer system was not working. That meant they only wanted cash. 

Ha. Who carries cash anymore?

We waited about a half hour for the system to come back up, but it never did. The poor waitress was so frazzled, dashing all over the place trying to keep everyone happy. K and I felt like we were in the middle of "Diner Dash". The waitress finally agreed to let me go to an ATM and get some cash to pay the bill. While I was at the bank, I discovered that the money had already been taken from my account.

Now I had to go back and explain this to the waitress. And her boss. Who did not speak English.

Oy vey.

It took about another half hour to straighten this mess out. In the meantime, they locked the doors so no one else could come in. The waitresses were finding it impossible to figure out the bills without a computer. 

I'm not sure what this says about the younger generation's math skills.

At one point, they lost control of the front door - people were unlocking the door to leave, new people were coming in, waitresses were chasing them down to let them know the restaurant was closed. It was madness. I volunteered to lock the door for them after a large group left, since the waitresses were all busy trying to figure out bills. One of the girls looked like she was going to cry. She thanked me several times for helping her.

By the time we finished straightening out the bill, we ran out of time to shop and had to go home.

Went over to Sissy's for a most delicious pork roast dinner to celebrate my BIL's birthday. As soon as she gives me the recipe, I'll share it. 

It was so good, the Man and J just kept smiling through the whole meal.

The best part?

Italian Rainbow Cookie Cake.

We look for reasons to order this cake.

Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, Groundhog Day, Arbor Day...you name it, we'll celebrate it.

Just to get this cake.

 Chilling out after dinner, watching one of our favorite Christmas movies, "Elf."

I love these pictures. Our family is so very close - aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, grandparents. 

We enjoy spending time together, making memories and having some fun.

Cousins intertwined on the couch and the floor, dogs lying against each other and J, pillows scattered all over with people nestled in to the warm, soft sofa.

Close. 

Defined in these pictures.