In general, it was a white Christmas. A melted white Christmas, but snow was still on the ground. As usual, we were running late. Also, as usual, everyone decided that our house was the house to come to for Christmas visitation. So, on Christmas eve I ran around like a crazy person, came home and entertained for several hours (everyone was having too good a time visiting to leave) before finally sitting down to wrap the final gifts and stuff the stockings. Which means I didn't go to bed until about four in the morning. It wasn't really "bed" either since I had given that up to my mom. It was the couch. A sectional couch which means that every two feet had a "break" that was guaranteed to put a crick in your neck. As some of our men and women were far away from home, sleeping in worse conditions, I refrained from complaining.
(continued in Flash Traffic)
In reflection of the original order regarding issued items to prepare for the "Big Red One's" (here after referred to as "BGR" for brevity and OPSEC") visit, when we went to the supply clerk he was all out of fireplaces. Thus, we were left with a DVD of a fireplace on the big screen TV. That actually gave the appearance of a huge castle fire place. However, BGR was unable to make his appearance through the apparatus and was left coming through the front door. Helpfully, we had placed a plate of Christmas cookies (home made, ingredients drawn from supply - MREs with appropriate palatable items in short supply) and a glass of milk nearby to indicate the appropriate portal for the BGR to utilize during the visit.
Upon review of the preparations, my niece (Sgt Knowitall) had suggested we put an ice cube in the milk to keep it cold. I suggested that it was fine as it was since BGR would be cold, thus, he would appreciate a nice glass of warm milk with his cookies to warm him up. We then contacted NORAD to determine Santa's ETA to our AO. After evaluating the maps, intelligence and last reported sightings, we sent off an email to TC for detailed arrival times. We received a direct reply from the BGR that he would be here "very soon". So we hurried the troops to bed with the admonishment that he "knows when you are sleeping and he knows when you're awake." Lights were out at 2200 sharp.
Typical of any operation with world wide logistics to maintain, we also were unable to obtain a sleigh and eight reindeer plus one. Instead, we were issued a small light up sleigh with four reindeer and "Rudolph" with a blinking red nose. We placed this in the front yard to direct the BGRs arrival at the appropriate house. We were authorized to use the four wheel drive vehicle to make the trip for the BGR somewhat palatable if requested. Fortunately, the BGR had arranged his own transportation so we were not called upon to perform PSD (persona security detail) or drive him to his next post.
Many of us were wondering what rating we had been given and whether we would appear on the "naughty" or "nice" list. Bags of coal were expected all around. However, the BGR was generous and prolific in his gift giving. We were all happily surprised when we woke to the reveille of children's shouts, "Wake up! Santa was here!" at 0800 sharp complete with Sgt Knowitall niece yanking the blankets off like a bad de ja vu of boot camp. Presents surrounded the tree and the cookies and milk had been tasted.
As instructed, I had prepped the coffee pot the night before. The CO was kind enough to push the "start" button at the sound of reveille. The smell of coffee mingled with the cookies and pine tree. We drank three pots between us. Bleary eyed, we took up our usual order of battle with the children sitting on the floor, the adults on all available cushioned seating with two more at the ready to pass out gifts. Trash bags were at the ready to keep the area clean and free of debris. As they say, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. There after it was organized chaos.
Speaking only for myself, I had a wonderful Christmas. Each small gift was amazingly thoughtful. My niece, Sgt Knowitall, had selected (by herself, without adult assistance) a small silver bracelet for me. Each link is approximately 1 inch in length with the words "freedom, victory, truth and peace" engraved on each separate piece. The Sergeant was concerned whether I liked it or not when she saw a few dew drops in my eyes. I assured her it was my favorite gift. I was also issued a pair of leopard print slippers. Though they may not be authorized with the daily uniform, they do seem to be appropriate for Castle duty and are extremely warm. I highly recommend them to the other female denizens for similar duty.
After gifts were distributed and the area policed for any remaining debris, I started Christmas dinner. Alone with no others assigned to the DFAC for KP duty as I was attempting to relieve the other travelers and parents of the need to abandon their comfortable posts. All went well and dinner seemed about to be delivered timely and all dishes prepared in a concurrent fashion when Pvt Murphy appeared and nearly struck disaster.
As I was reaching in the cabinet for the marshmallows to place on the Candied Yams, a box of tea bags from the above shelf fell out into the boiling pot of water for the mashed potatoes. I abandoned the bag of fluffy white sugar to retrieve the tea bags, but it was too late. The water was already a murky brown. So I tossed the box of tea into the trash and prepared the pot for boiling water again.
As I returned with the pot to the stove, approximately half way across the kitchen, I watched the afore mentioned bag of marshmallows slowly fall out of the cabinet onto the still hot stove. Plastic and marshmallows began to melt and burn. After a second of, "Holy Star of Bethlehem", I tossed the pan of water into the sink, ran to the stove, grabbed the bag and threw it on the floor, spilling marshmallows everywhere. The remaining debris continued to smolder, smoke and generally smell up the place so I grabbed a spatula and pan off the rack, scraping the offending malodorous mess away as best as possible.
Of course, all troops in the vicinity came running to investigate so I directed them to open the doors and windows to let the smoke out. Fortunately, no actual flames were seen and there was no need to wield the fire extinguisher so dinner was saved. After re-organizing the efforts, preparations for feeding the troops continued apace and was delivered hot and unburned to the table only two minutes past the hour.
After a brief grace, we chowed down and had an uproarious re-counting of the near disaster. Most agreed that, if something had to burn on the stove, marshmallows smelled the best. During the hilarious AAR, we discovered that the fire alarm had not gone off and the batteries were likely in need of replacement. A fortuitous discovery which we rectified forthwith from supplies commandeered from various stockings.
Finally, all visitors were dispersed to their home bases. The troops, having overindulged in food, candy and general merry making, made for their bunks. I was then able to settle down with my comfy leopard slippers, my wireless headphones connected to the laptop (a wonderful gift considering the scruples of the demesne had chewed the last five pair of "wired" headphones to pieces) and watched a movie on said laptop as I lay in bed. Only to fall asleep within the first thirty minutes and sleep the sleep of the contented for approximately twelve hours. Partially explaining my "long" absence from the blog.
It was a wonderful Christmas and I hope all of the Denizens and friends of the Castle had the same. I pray for the safe and earliest possible return of our troops and thank them for their service that allowed my own "troops" to experience a safe and peaceful holiday. Here is wishing everyone a wonderful and, I pray, peaceful New Year.
