Christmas Countdown - 2019

[GWarren]

Morning Merry Members,

The big day is a scant 120 days away and this is the day that Starbucks unleashes their pumpkin spice flavours for all their drinks. Coincidence? I think not. I will be popping by later today to get my first taste of the fall season. Yay!

It's a bit cooler here today with light showers and overcast for most of the day. The evenings are nice and cool and I keep the windows open at night for a comforting breeze.

The FIL hip surgery went well. The only drawback was that his dementia has now taken a bit of step back. The geriatric doctor said that this is unfortunately common for patients with dementia. He's now been in a care home for about a week and thinks he's been there for a bit longer. We went to visit a couple of days ago and he kept complaining that his clothes have disappeared. "They were here last week and now they're gone." "You've only been here for three days," we mentioned. And once he couldn't remember why we was there, because he couldn't remember having surgery.

I really don't know how anyone who doesn't have a support system could navigate the myriad of appointments, medication, and upkeep needed for anyone with dementia. I know that there must be people out there who fall through the cracks, so to speak. I read a recent statistic that one in four are chronically lonely, despite all the convenience of modern technology to reach out to people.

I'm glad for this forum to have a quick chat to talk about the superficial stuff and the serious stuff. That's one of the reason's I love the Christmas season so much too. It's about the feeling of hope.

Enough of my ramblings. Enjoy some spice today and keep that hope in your hearts.

 

[Martine]

Good Tuesday morning! Another gorgeous Summer day but tomorrow rain will be moving in. I'm working the afternoon/evening shift today, so I got supper done this morning and will relax a bit before work. It shows that kids are starting to get back to school, the store is not as busy so far this week. Hope everyone will enjoy a great day ahead!

 

[SnowflakeMom]

Good morning MMC ~
It’s going to be partly sunny today with a high of 70-75, we’re currently at 62 degrees. I just heard on the news that Starbucks Fall food and drink lineup will be hitting the stores today
I visited my parents yesterday and my father is continuing to struggle to do things on his own. I decided I’m not going to take the preschool job because my mother just can’t do it all on her own. It’s okay though, I only took the job because I was just looking to get out of the house for a couple of hours. I thought it would be a good idea to keep myself busy because my middle one will be looking for an apartment soon. So I will be added to the list of empty nesters. Where do the years go?
Anyway, it will just be a typical day of errands and chores. I’ll see my parents this afternoon. Dinner will be tacos. First I’m heading out to take Rocky for a nice long walk.
I hope everyone is well and has a great day!
xx

Sorry to hear your Dad is having issues...

 

[Bradmac]

Good morning MMC ~
It’s going to be partly sunny today with a high of 70-75, we’re currently at 62 degrees. I just heard on the news that Starbucks Fall food and drink lineup will be hitting the stores today
I visited my parents yesterday and my father is continuing to struggle to do things on his own. I decided I’m not going to take the preschool job because my mother just can’t do it all on her own. It’s okay though, I only took the job because I was just looking to get out of the house for a couple of hours. I thought it would be a good idea to keep myself busy because my middle one will be looking for an apartment soon. So I will be added to the list of empty nesters. Where do the years go?
Anyway, it will just be a typical day of errands and chores. I’ll see my parents this afternoon. Dinner will be tacos. First I’m heading out to take Rocky for a nice long walk.
I hope everyone is well and has a great day!
xx

It's great that you can be available to help out with your dad. I know they both appreciate you!

 

[Bradmac]

Morning Merry Members,

The big day is a scant 120 days away and this is the day that Starbucks unleashes their pumpkin spice flavours for all their drinks. Coincidence? I think not. I will be popping by later today to get my first taste of the fall season. Yay!

It's a bit cooler here today with light showers and overcast for most of the day. The evenings are nice and cool and I keep the windows open at night for a comforting breeze.

The FIL hip surgery went well. The only drawback was that his dementia has now taken a bit of step back. The geriatric doctor said that this is unfortunately common for patients with dementia. He's now been in a care home for about a week and thinks he's been there for a bit longer. We went to visit a couple of days ago and he kept complaining that his clothes have disappeared. "They were here last week and now they're gone." "You've only been here for three days," we mentioned. And once he couldn't remember why we was there, because he couldn't remember having surgery.

I really don't know how anyone who doesn't have a support system could navigate the myriad of appointments, medication, and upkeep needed for anyone with dementia. I know that there must be people out there who fall through the cracks, so to speak. I read a recent statistic that one in four are chronically lonely, despite all the convenience of modern technology to reach out to people.

I'm glad for this forum to have a quick chat to talk about the superficial stuff and the serious stuff. That's one of the reason's I love the Christmas season so much too. It's about the feeling of hope.

Enough of my ramblings. Enjoy some spice today and keep that hope in your hearts.

I'm sorry your FIL is struggling with dementia; it's such an awful condition. I'm glad his surgery went well, though!

 

[Bradmac]

Good Tuesday morning, Christmas friends!

Day 2 with no kids in the house, and it's still a little strange.

I think the vet missed removing a couple of stitches when Lulu went back for her follow-up appointment. Nancy found them over the weekend. Now I'm taking Lu to the vet this afternoon. It's been weeks! I hope it doesn't hurt her too much.

I hope y'all have a great day!

 

[Yuletide Junkie]

At my age ... and because I'm carrying the medical and dental insurance for both of us ... and because I'd be throwing away 12 years' tenure with vested retirement and 20 days' vacation ... not an option.

Sorry to hear that. The situation doesn't sound healthy.

 

[Yuletide Junkie]

Anyone up for a cup of coffee? Late night Yabba? I just made a fresh pot. I’m not tired at all. Not sure why. Yabba!

Yet another mystery for the ages....

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good morning MMC ~
It’s going to be partly sunny today with a high of 70-75, we’re currently at 62 degrees. I just heard on the news that Starbucks Fall food and drink lineup will be hitting the stores today
I visited my parents yesterday and my father is continuing to struggle to do things on his own. I decided I’m not going to take the preschool job because my mother just can’t do it all on her own. It’s okay though, I only took the job because I was just looking to get out of the house for a couple of hours. I thought it would be a good idea to keep myself busy because my middle one will be looking for an apartment soon. So I will be added to the list of empty nesters. Where do the years go?
Anyway, it will just be a typical day of errands and chores. I’ll see my parents this afternoon. Dinner will be tacos. First I’m heading out to take Rocky for a nice long walk.
I hope everyone is well and has a great day!
xx

Sounds like you made a decision that will get you out of the house for a few hours and help your mom out and having extra time with your dad. It's great that you live so close.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Morning Merry Members,

The big day is a scant 120 days away and this is the day that Starbucks unleashes their pumpkin spice flavours for all their drinks. Coincidence? I think not. I will be popping by later today to get my first taste of the fall season. Yay!

It's a bit cooler here today with light showers and overcast for most of the day. The evenings are nice and cool and I keep the windows open at night for a comforting breeze.

The FIL hip surgery went well. The only drawback was that his dementia has now taken a bit of step back. The geriatric doctor said that this is unfortunately common for patients with dementia. He's now been in a care home for about a week and thinks he's been there for a bit longer. We went to visit a couple of days ago and he kept complaining that his clothes have disappeared. "They were here last week and now they're gone." "You've only been here for three days," we mentioned. And once he couldn't remember why we was there, because he couldn't remember having surgery.

I really don't know how anyone who doesn't have a support system could navigate the myriad of appointments, medication, and upkeep needed for anyone with dementia. I know that there must be people out there who fall through the cracks, so to speak. I read a recent statistic that one in four are chronically lonely, despite all the convenience of modern technology to reach out to people.

I'm glad for this forum to have a quick chat to talk about the superficial stuff and the serious stuff. That's one of the reason's I love the Christmas season so much too. It's about the feeling of hope.

Enough of my ramblings. Enjoy some spice today and keep that hope in your hearts.

Some of my husband's medications caused confusion that was similar to dementia. His conspiracy theory was the hardest one to handle. My older cousin who will be 89 in October, wound up moving to the other side of the residence where patience receive support to take their meds and have their meals provided. My dad has visited him twice and the last time he was pretty sure that Reg was pretending to recognize him. It's a struggle for sure to see our loved ones in that state of mind. Selfishly I have not called or visited Reg in over a year for the fear that he will forget who I am. We had a close relationship and he was like a second father to me. He and his wife wanted me to live with them when I was going to College and were heartbroken that I chose to live with two cousins closer to my age. They got over it though and were extra generous spoiling me with wedding gifts. They paid for my dress and my husband's suspenders and left fancy loungewear on our honeymoon suite bed. I want to have good memories of him not sad -heart-tugging ones. I have a feeling he wouldn't have slipped into dementia if he was involved with regular conversations with people. Left on his own too long with his grown up sons only visiting the odd time throughout the month wasn't enough to keep his mind sharp.

Keeping your family in my thoughts.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good Tuesday morning, Christmas friends!

Day 2 with no kids in the house, and it's still a little strange.

I think the vet missed removing a couple of stitches when Lulu went back for her follow-up appointment. Nancy found them over the weekend. Now I'm taking Lu to the vet this afternoon. It's been weeks! I hope it doesn't hurt her too much.

I hope y'all have a great day!

Could have just handed Lu a pair of scissors and a mirror and let her remove them herself. When I was five and had my the first set of stitches under my chin (from a bike incident - flipping over the handlebars on a bike that was too small), my mom found me in the bathroom lining up the stitches along the rim of the sink. She asked why I was removing them. I reminded her that the doctor said they could come out in five days and I had a birthday party to go to and didn't want them in my chin anymore. I was also scared that they would hurt as much coming out as they did going in. HaHa. The things my mom put up with from me. Then we had to make a dash to the flower shop because it was Sunday and the part was that afternoon and nothing was open in those days except the corner store. I remember buying my cousin a lovely floral arrangement that resembled a puffy fluffy puppy face.
Thanks for bringing that memory forward.

 

[brent]

Congrats on your heavy duty drinking cup! Will you be bringing it to The Pines to celebrate, this Wednesday?

Yes, it will make an appearance tomorrow. It holds 8 1/2 drinks - or "beers."

 

[Crown 84]

Was walking through Belks today and saw this nice fall display.

But then, I spotted these boxes on a nearby cart!

 

[brent]

Congratulations, Brent! Great photos!

Thanks, Meceka! I don't normally like photos of myself, but I'm happy with those.

 

[brent]

Was walking through Belks today and saw this nice fall display.

But then, I spotted these boxes on a nearby cart!

That's wonderful, Crown. Judging by my calendar, we are only about a month away from something special.

 

[brent]

Other than Crown, I don't know if anyone else has posted and early blossoms. I found these at Costco yesterday.

 

[brent]

I also spotted these:

And this!:

 

[brent]

Tinseltown - Ottawa's year-round Christmas Store! ... I know it's cheating. When Kim and I went in yesterday, they had just received a new shipment. We're beyond excited to see it soon!

Here are a few photos:

Christmas Vacation, anyone?

 

[brent]

Hello everyone!

I'm just trying to enjoy my final week of the summer holidays. It goes by way too fast. Today, I actually went into school and re-organized my desk. I don't really have a classroom to myself since I'm one of the younger teachers, so I have will have to figure out how I will be moving from classroom to classroom.

Three more weekdays are left and I still have a lot of preparations for next week. I guess that's technically my fault as I could have used much of the past month to prepare, but I really needed to wind down. Oh well!

I hope you all are having a great Tuesday!

 

[brent]

Well, Well, Well! Look what I saw at Crabtree Valley Mall this evening.
(Looks like we will be able to launch the Christmas Blossoms 2019 thread late next month in traditional style!)

There is a black cover over the entrance behind the door glass. What you are seeing is a reflection of what's across the hall. You cannot see into the store at all at this point, but I'll keep my eye out each time I go by.
(Maybe I'll get a sneak peek at some point!)
This is the earliest I can recall the store starting to set up here.

It's been quite some time since we've been able to launch Blossoms with A Christmas To Remember... This will help increase the excitement even more! Wow!