Our Unique Christmas

   This year we did something we have never done before for Christmas. It turned into something of an adventure. Not likely to become a tradition. :)
   We had not finished purchasing gifts for our immediate family prior to Christmas day and, in the spirit of fairness, could not do our exchange until we had. In a rare turn of events, R was actually able to take the day off yesterday and join the rest of us for a marathon shopping trip. Being a get-what-you-want-and-get-out kind of shopper, this was a bit uncharacteristic for us to do so much browsing.
   We decided instead of doing our traditional mom-slaves-in-the-kitchen-all-day kind of Christmas dinner, we would go shopping, then go out to eat for our Christmas dinner, and finally conclude with our gift exchange when we get home.
   Besides Christmas shopping, there were multiple gift cards to be spent, too. A & I happily mopped up on specials at Bath & Body Works... browsed the purses, sweaters and more at several stores, strolled through craft stores, etc. while the men went to more masculine stores.
   All was going according to plan until about 5pm when we decided we're ready to eat. We had chosen to try out a restaurant we had never experienced before. There was a 50 minute wait, which the children were not too thrilled about, so I took them to the bookstore across the way while R waited on premises. When we returned to the restaurant, R was not in the crowd of folks waiting for a table nor did he answer his phone. Turns out he had accidentally left his phone in the van so I had to wander about the restaurant until I located where he had been seated.
   The food was good, but the longer we sat there, the slower the service became. Our waitress was rather prone to disappearing into the kitchen for 15-20 minutes at a time while I panted for water (was that red pepper on my chicken Alfredo?!) The tables surrounding us were experiencing similar service; we took to sharing ketchup bottles and A1 steak sauce.
   We finished eating at 7pm. A request for a take-out box took 15 minutes to fulfil. The check did not appear automatically and took another 15 minutes for delivery. After the waitress disappeared with our credit card, we exclaimed that our bill was lower than expected -until a closer look revealed it was NOT our bill. Our poor waitress said her manager will have to take care of the issue. A very lengthy pause ensued. Eventually someone showed up to inform us there was a computer glitch and they were trying to "find" us in the system. The wrong [cheaper] bill was removed from our credit card and our card returned; we were apologized to and told we would be taken care of momentarily. How long is a moment? The clock kept ticking while they "found" us in their system and eventually presented us with the correct bill.
   By this point we were a bit incredulous that they didn't comp at least some of our bill for our "pain & suffering". Did I mention that they had meanwhile cranked up the heat and it was blowing lustily under our table? The manager asked if he can do anything else for us, so we asked for a break on the bill. More time passed before he returned with a new bill minus the cost of the most expensive meal. Being both non-resistant and weary of the atmosphere, we accepted that bill and once more handed over our credit card. At last we're just about free! En route to the kitchen, another diner stopped the manager and had a little chat with him. (Putting in a plug for us??) We waited & waited... how long can it take to swipe a credit card? Being familiar with the manager by this time, we noticed him in a huddle taking place in the kitchen. Finally, 1 hour & 15 min. later, we were told our entire bill was 'on the house' and we were free to leave. We departed with haste and later regretted that we didn't at least leave a small tip for the waitress.
   First impressions? Um, none of us are very eager to return to that restaurant. The food was good. Definitely. There might be a good explanation behind the waitress' slow service; we all have bad days. We appreciate the free meal. But I think we'd prefer to pay and be on our merry way sooner.
   We wrapped up our shopping in due time and arrived home later than anticipated. But with no grumpy preschoolers and no school this week, why not party late? I don't think we ever exchanged gifts at 11pm before. JR got a new Bible and a Flight Simulator computer game, JS got softball cleats and a flash drive for his trail camera pictures, and A got an Old Navy denim jacket, brown sweater, crayons, and mirrored wall words- "Live, Laugh, Love". The plan is for R to be getting coveralls (we do 'practical' pretty well at our house) and I will be getting the starter set of the Willow Tree nativity. It was a fun day ...even if we don't care to repeat it any time soon.
   Our next adventure coming up is having the youth over on New Years Eve for an all-nighter. Life is good!