Christmas Countdown - 2011

[made582]

Looks like our trip to the coast will be under overcast skies with a chance of rain.
(Actually, I love driving under cloudy conditions. It's so easy on the eyes.)

Have a safe trip!!!!!!!!

 

[xmas365]

Sidney came home!

Good morning,

Yes, Sidney came home, at about 5:45am JP was crying about Sid missing, when he looked out the window and saw Sid was sitting on the AC meowing to come in, my boys were so happy. It was tough going to bed last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I heard a horrible cat fight in the back yard, my wife and I ran out there to see if it was our Sid or neighbor cats, we looked for 20 minutes and nothing. It was after 11pm at that point. When I let Sid in this morning, he was bloody and hungry,so I am sure it was him I heard getting beaten up, he is passed out under my bed now. But we are all relieved he is home, one of the sweetest moments was when his sister/litter mate Ophelia saw he was home she went up to him and licked him and nuzzled him, she was watching the door all night last night, and Alex (another cat) was crying all night looking for him.

Just catching up on some posts, listening to the sweetest music out there, Christmas music! I have to work tonight but I have tomorrow off, it's like bizarro world, I have an inventory tonight so I had to switch my day off. Maybe I will actually be able to mow the lawn tomorrow, it has been over a month since the last time I mowed, between rain on my days off, Hurricane Irene, previous plans, and being sick I have not been able to get out there, the good thing is it should be the last time for the year being this late.

Once again welcome home Dawg! It's like we all receive an early Christmas gift with you being back here full time. Thank you for your service Buddy.


Have a great day!

 

[lauriebear]

Still Catching up, WHEW!!!!

Hopefully your answer was, "Yeah...right!"

Close, I can't really remember what I said, I think it was like sure me too but I do remember thinking, this guy is weird!!! And yes 11 years later I still kinda think he is - TEE HEE!!!!

Good evening, Christmas friends. Tonight's dinner was out of this world. Hubby made homemade spaghetti. The sauce was superb! In addition, he is cleaning up the kitchen! I met with my financial advisor at Edward Jones and got great news on my retirement!! It just seems like everything is falling into place! I feel so lucky! Have a great rest-of-the-evening!

WOW, that is awesome, for both homemade dinner, kitchen cleaned up, and plans falling into place... I am very happy for you.

We can't see penguins without thinking about Gloria Jean. She starred in a movie that involved a girls' club called the Purple Order of Penguins, so we are always buying her various penguins. She has a clear acrylic penguin that sits atop a base with an LED in it that changes colors, so the penguin transitions from blue to green to yellow to red to blue, etc.

Say it ain't so! And you seemed like such a nice lady, too!

Oh that penguin sounds so lovely!!!!

What, please I love the Yankees too!!! We can't help that they are SO AWESOME!!! Ok, Ok so I am bias... I just get way caught up in baseball & football, but my Yankees get so much hate, ahhhh, woes me, woes me... Tee Hee!!!

I agree!!! When I get on the computer I just seem to end up on here. Even if I was planning to do something else.

I must confess I do not even have a Facebook account, nope, I really don't "get into" that and I also have never went on Twitter, this is the only site I really go to for "inter-action". I guess maybe I am old school but I just do not like what can happen, I read that one of you only use your kids initials I think that is awesome, no way should people trust that information over the internet, a close friend of ours is a cop and the things he sees happen via the internet, well let's just say, I would advise people not even to post their child's picture. I happened to be a victim of ID theft, it was a bad case the woman had been arrested in my name, my SS#, and had a Drivers License in my name with her picture!!! Let's just say you can never be too careful, Lauriebear is my nickname, I don't like using my real name either.

99 days already! It's hard to believe but it's a very welcome sight. As is the cooler weather in NC. We had a small celebration for the 100 day mark with a nice supper and the official start of watching all of our Christmas DVDs. My father in law saves his coin change all year long and uses it as his gift buying money so we rolled about half of that last night. Nearly 200 dollars. It's amazing the way it saves up without even knowing it. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wow that is so cool, makes me want to start one for next year!!! Maybe I'll make a "Christmas Jar" and collect all my change!!!! Thanks for the idea!

99 days til Christmas for you all
99 days til Christmas
Cross one off, jump all around
98 days....Oh wait I'm getting ahead of myself a little bit.

This was so cute!

booooooo!

Oh, you too, ugh, why so many haters... Tee Hee, I love it.

Ha, I've seen some customers do that lately! Have you been in my store? lol Yes, we are still setting up as well...the official Christmas set was on Tuesday and overnight Wednesday, so hopefully by next week, the sets will totally be done. And yeah, it is a struggle to not spend money...I have been doing very well though since being engaged...I only spent $25 last month and that was to get a friend a gift card for her birthday!

It is so hard not to spend $, especially for all of us Christmas / holiday lovers! Good for you, though. Saving for your wedding is a must How are the plans coming?

Right I agree, but how about those wedding plans!?!?!?!

I recently watched A Hollywood Christmas, and it was excellent. But, it's more of a documantary hosted by Jane Seymour about how Christmas movies began back in 1898, up until modern day. It shows many clips, as well. Very interesting & nostalgic!

I never heard of that documentrary I will have to look it up is sounds really good!

Good Morning, Christmas friends!


I came home from work to a very nice surprise yesterday..my hubby bought me the Veterinarian Office & Telephone Company St. Nicholas Square village pieces! Stinker tricked me, too. =) Told me there was a plumbing leak in our master bath, I of course was upset & ran upstairs to get towels & found them sitting on our bed with bows around them. I am a lucky girl. He made my day!

That is so sweet, what a get idea too to trick you but in a good way!!! YAY for hubby!!!!

Noooooo!!! The evil empire, as I like to call them! But I'm accepting of anyone's choice of team...as long as they are okay with me rooting against them any time I can! lol

OK, OK, I get it, you are all just jealous!!! I will defend my pinstriped team to the end!!! HA, HA, HA - just kidding, I get you I feel your love of your team as I do mine...


Plans are good! I think we really are gonna go with the Yorktowne even though we have two appointments with other venues on Monday (we have until Wednesday to tell the Yorktowne definitely yes or no, and one of the places we're visiting on Monday is DEFINITELY out of our price range, we think). I'm loving trying on dresses, and honestly other than that, there hasn't been much planning going on. Once we get the venue booked, I think we'll get a little more serious. We still have over a year left.

Awesome news!!! How did it go at the other two? Did you book Yorktowne? How is the dress search coming along? What about your wedding party? What theme are you going with?

 

[brent]

Hey Guys! I got home at 2 am local time(est) and the first thing I noticed when I got off the plane was that my good friend From massechusetts who I have not seen in years showed up he is a dean of history at a set of colleges in Amherst. We have so little in common especially politically but when we are together I can talk to him forever because he is so smart and I ask alot of questions. Brandi of course is very pregnant now,I could not wait until I got back to find out the gender and it's a boy! it's so good to be home I have not been to sleep yet and I will try to stay awake all day..brandi is getting ready for work,the schools here are out thursday and friday for fall break so we will have a long long weekend before we both go back on monday!

Xmas 365-I hope you find your cat soon!

Thanks again everyone who kept me company and left me notes of en couragement while I was away,some days were hard like when I found out my little dog I have had for 10 years died,pookie was a dashound who was my baby girl...and I have to tell you it has hit me hard again being in the house and not having her lick my face when I got home,but I know she is in a better place now! I hope everyone will have a great day!

Congratulations on the baby boy to be! That is awesome news!! Sorry to hear about your dog, but at least you have some great memories! Glad to hear that you arrived safely!

 

[Holiday]

Good morning! Dreary/rainy in Ohio too!

gabulldawg - WELCOME HOME!!! So glad you're back!

ballcoach - so sorry to hear about your dog! You just never know - enjoy the next months ahead!

xmas365 - glad your cat is home & safe!

Christmasstar & Crown - enjoy your trips!!!

My big "trip" tonight is going to see "The Help" - can't hardly wait for the popcorn!!

Looking forward to the Pines tomorrow!!!

 

[lauriebear]

Yes, I am still catching up!!!! OMG!!!!

Me, too!

Oh, boy... Oh no, Oh boy... (TEE HEE)



Thank you, CAH! Palmer is doing loads better this afternoon - hungry and playful

AWESOME news for Palmer hope all is still going well with the little one.



Yay - another Tiger fan!!! I am very excited - love, love, love them!!!!!!!!

That is awesome news - being a fan of Baseball too this is Great for the Tiger's, I went to the old stadium in 1999, and to the new one in 2009, I love their history.

That's really bad that there is no information at the "information" desk! :lol:

HA, HA, HA - that was funny!!!!

Label me Nuts!! But I want to start decorating for Christmas!! .. like now hahaha:wiggy:

Um, me too then!!!

They went bankrupt a couple of months ago.

I didn't know this, thx for the info.

I've been a MMC Member for quite some time, but always a "reader" and not a poster. I'm not sure exactly what is motivating me to "take the plunge" but I feel like I already know many of you from reading your posts for years. I've always been a great lover of all things Christmas, at one time a loner in my thoughts until I ound this forum a few years ago and realized I wasn't the only yuletide nut out there - in fact we seem to be all over the world. Over the years my wife gave up resisting and began enjoying our families "stretched-out holiday season. For years, my family (wife and two girls) have gathered in front of the TV every Friday night at 7PM starting the first Friday in September (our unofficial start to the season) to watch a Christmas movie - in accordance with the official schedule posted on the refrigerator in mid-August. I've had to warn my girls that they might not want to tell their friends at school about our strange little tradition until they get a little older as they might not understand - my older daughter started high school last year and told her best friends how early her family starts celebrating Christmas and most of them thought it was great and were jealous. Last weekend we visited Rosemary Clooney's former house in Augusta, KY because they have a whole room dedicated to the movie White Christmas. Lots of original costumes and the feathers from the tune "Sister" that some of you might remember. Great Stuff! Anyway - thanks to all of you for feeding my Christmas cravings over the years - I feel like I'm coming out of the proverbial "Christmas closet".

Sorry I am a little late... Wow that sounds like a nice place to visit I didn't know she had her home in KY... Were you allowed to take pictures?

 

[mgramsey]

Hey Guys! I got home at 2 am local time(est) and the first thing I noticed when I got off the plane was that my good friend From massechusetts who I have not seen in years showed up he is a dean of history at a set of colleges in Amherst. We have so little in common especially politically but when we are together I can talk to him forever because he is so smart and I ask alot of questions. Brandi of course is very pregnant now,I could not wait until I got back to find out the gender and it's a boy! it's so good to be home I have not been to sleep yet and I will try to stay awake all day..brandi is getting ready for work,the schools here are out thursday and friday for fall break so we will have a long long weekend before we both go back on monday!

Xmas 365-I hope you find your cat soon!

Thanks again everyone who kept me company and left me notes of en couragement while I was away,some days were hard like when I found out my little dog I have had for 10 years died,pookie was a dashound who was my baby girl...and I have to tell you it has hit me hard again being in the house and not having her lick my face when I got home,but I know she is in a better place now! I hope everyone will have a great day!

Welcome home and Congratulations! Enjoy every second with your son. Your time with him will pass quicker than you can imagine.

 

[lauriebear]

Harlowe is in my prayers xo

Hope Harlowe is doing better SF22.

Looky here! So fitting for football today and Christmasy!

Go Cowboys!!!!

I am not taking away the true meaning of the star but thought it was cute that they put the Cowboys star in it. =)

That is way too cute and cool!!!

Thanks everyone for the warm Christmassy welcome - it's a great group of folks on here- definitelythe friendliest forum I've ever seen and all about my favorite subject - Christmas! So far on our Friday night movie night we've seen Surviving Christmas (Ben Affleck), White Christmas (the night before we visited Rosemary Clooney's house), and Elf. Next Friday we're slated for Jingle All the Way. Almost getting chilly enough here in Ohio for putting a couple of logs on the fireplace - have resisted so far but we're getting close...that'll really make me know that we're getting close.

That sounds so cozy with a little hot cider or butter rum or hot chocolate, oh boy!!!

 

[lauriebear]

Ballcoach, my thoughts and prayers go out to your little furbaby. Take care

Is that your little one? Bear Bear!!! How absolutely ADORABLE!!!!!!

 

[MerryBells]

Hey Guys! I got home at 2 am local time(est) and the first thing I noticed when I got off the plane was that my good friend From massechusetts who I have not seen in years showed up he is a dean of history at a set of colleges in Amherst. We have so little in common especially politically but when we are together I can talk to him forever because he is so smart and I ask alot of questions. Brandi of course is very pregnant now,I could not wait until I got back to find out the gender and it's a boy! it's so good to be home I have not been to sleep yet and I will try to stay awake all day..brandi is getting ready for work,the schools here are out thursday and friday for fall break so we will have a long long weekend before we both go back on monday

Welcome Home! Welcome Home! I'm glad you had a safe trip, and that you're back home again. :???:

 

[MerryBells]

My husband and I went to the produce stand yesterday evening to get some corn shocks. We've had so much rain here that none of the corn shocks would stand up; we had to wire them to the porch columns and the flagpole. Hopefully it will rain itself out before Saturday, because I promised Mom that I would take her to Baugher's for lunch, and to buy some pumpkins.

 

[brent]

Good Morning.

Tomorrow is Hump Day and I'll miss the 'Pines!
Oh, well. Perhaps a break from that crazy camel is a good idea.
At least I'll know the count is in Brent's very capable hands.

I'll do my best. These are very big shoes to fill!

 

[brent]

Good afternoon, everyone!

I had a bit of a busy morning. First, the fire alarm in the apartment went off last night at 2:30 AM. We all had to exit the building. We think someone pulled it because there was no fire or smoke and we were allowed back in about 2 minutes after the fire department arrived.

This morning, I had to fax some information in regards to a possible job. Still waiting for total confirmation, but it looks good. Also, I made Kim some breakfast. She's been frustrated searching for a job, too. We both have two degrees (I also have a diploma), but no full-time job. Impressive how the world works, isn't it?

Overcast with a bit of wind. Seems to be a pretty nice day. A break from the near 80F we had yesterday. According to the 14 day trend, this could be our last time in the 70s, as the temperature begins to taper off into more seasonable weather. Oh well. It's been beautiful while it lasted. Lots of rain in the next few days, too.

Not much else to say. Looking forward to taking over the count tomorrow for a few days. I enjoyed doing it last year, and I'm glad to be back to do it again this year. It will be nice to return to the 'Pines - although Carl doesn't let me sit in Crown's chair. He always gives me the evil eye and tongue when I try to do that.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone!!

 

[lauriebear]

Hi every one!
We got the keys to our house!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

We had a a lot of rain last night and it was great! We sure did need it. The drought has been so bad that now we have a limit of selling 2 bales of hay per customer at the price of $10.50 each! I can't wait until this is over and the animals can have plenty to eat!

I'll be doing a rain dance for your area my friend, funny we had such a wet August & Sept...

That's okay. I ended up counting Skunks while sitting very still on the front porch of my apartment. With all of the cat food people leave out we have a very healthy population around my apartments. I had one walk pass me that I could have climbed onto and rode like a horse.

Wow that is some skunk!!! TEE HEE, I had a picture a a cowboy riding a HUGE skunk!!!!

Saturday I took Mom to eat at The Partridge & Pear in Pigeon Forge, TN. It's next door to The Incredible Christmas Place & across the parkway from The Inn at Christmas Place.

I had the Boxing Day Club. Turkey, bacon, & cornbread stuffing with cranbery mayo on sourdough bread. It was good & not too expensive. The decorations were nice. We were seated in the sunroom & there were pear trees painted on the ceiling & swags over every window with pears in them.

That sounds like fun, glad you enjoyed!!!!

Good morning, Christmas friends. I was not able to get on earlier because I had an EARLY appointment this morning. I am off until lunchtime, so I wanted to check in. The doctor read the bone density scan and I do have osteoporosis. I will begin a hormone regimen, plus calcium and Vitamin D. Have a great day, everyone!!!

Sorry to hear this SW.

got back to work today again and it felt good........the co-workers even shared one part of my regular route, so I dont have to do too much for the beginning after the sickness.....how nice of em

That was very nice of them, glad to hear you are back on your feet.

Well today has started with a bang... Dropped a solid steel pressure cooker lid on my thumb... Currently in the waiting room at the hospital in emerge. It's super sore and swollen but I think it's just bruised..

OUCH!!! It wasn't broken was it?

Yearrrr! Since today be talk like a pirate day, I be doin my post in pirate yammar...yaarrr!!
I be waitin on the land lubbers to call me back bout me job. I havent heard anything from them scallywags since thurrrrsday. Ieee better be getting the job or else people be walking the plank!

Now back to regular old James. lol

So yeah. I checked my email and nothing about the job yet. Doh! Just a waiting game now. I heard Paul Anka on the radio coming to Caesars Windsor! Oh and he will be singing CHRISTMAS songs!! Woo. Well back to work I go. Hope you have a happy Monday! Christmas season is almost here!

Now that was a good rendition of a pirate, shiver me timbers!!!!

Good night my mmc friends hope you all sleep sound. talk tomorrow

I love this....

I am so, so sorry to hear this. We have a 5 year-old golden retriever and we've had her since she's been a puppy.

I have a 3 year old golden!!!!

 

[snowflake22]

Good morning,

Yes, Sidney came home, at about 5:45am JP was crying about Sid missing, when he looked out the window and saw Sid was sitting on the AC meowing to come in, my boys were so happy. It was tough going to bed last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I heard a horrible cat fight in the back yard, my wife and I ran out there to see if it was our Sid or neighbor cats, we looked for 20 minutes and nothing. It was after 11pm at that point. When I let Sid in this morning, he was bloody and hungry,so I am sure it was him I heard getting beaten up, he is passed out under my bed now. But we are all relieved he is home, one of the sweetest moments was when his sister/litter mate Ophelia saw he was home she went up to him and licked him and nuzzled him, she was watching the door all night last night, and Alex (another cat) was crying all night looking for him.

Thank God!! This is fabulous news! :grin: Sounds like he was missed by one & all!

 

[brent]

Xmas365: Glad to hear that Sidney is home safe! That's a great story. The bloody part is not very good, but it's always heart warming to hear when pets return home!

 

[made582]

Yes, Sidney came home, at about 5:45am JP was crying about Sid missing, when he looked out the window and saw Sid was sitting on the AC meowing to come in, my boys were so happy.

I'm glad he came home and I hope any wounds he has heal quickly.

 

[made582]

This morning, I had to fax some information in regards to a possible job. Still waiting for total confirmation, but it looks good.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!

 

[gabulldawg]

A BIG Welcome Home to gabulldawg! When is the Li'l Dawg due?

Thanks,the due date is January 3rd!

Yay! You're home, glad you made it, and I am sure Brandi is especially happy, and congrats on finding out about your boy. I am so sorry to hear about Pookie.

We have friends that always joke around and say, "When you're with friends the 2 things you don't discuss are politics and religion if you want to remain friends." I can definitely see that, my grandfather and I are on different ends of the political spectrum, I avoid talking about that like the plague when he is around. cheesy

THanks!! and I know what you mean,I have family I would never ever discuss stuff like that,but funny enough I have friends who we all discuss politics with and we remain respectful but we can debate,I have never had one offend me or make me mad..same as with my friend who is visiting now from Mass...I joke around with him constantly about his views luckily he has a sence of humor. Now there are some friends who can't take it and I understand that and we won't talk about it,but my dad has always said never talk about those 2 things too!

Good Luck!!!!!!!!

 

[lauriebear]

Good evening,

I made it through the full day at work, still so far behind. I have tomorrow off, I have to drop off LC's old clothes off at Goodwill, and then I have to go to my Dr's office for them to fill out some forms for me missing so many days, and then I am going to a store where I can trade my old DVD's for new ones, which is a great if you get sick of your old DVD's. I am feeling a little bit better just tired, now I am watching DWTS with the wife, which will give me brownie points when the Bruins games start up next month.

Have a great night! :elf:

Yeah brownie points you gotta love'em... I do that with my hubby he LOVES these shows called Housewives of NJ and Orange County... I just can't get into them or that type of show, but I watch them with him, he laughs at it and just chats on about it. I laugh because he likes them and must people think he watches them for me!!!

did you know you can talk like a pirate all the time on face book?
Go to your profile page, scroll to the bottom and click on the English sign on the bottom and a chart will come up allowing you to choose another language. Click on English, Pirate and watch what happens when you go back to the top of the page.

And see here I always thought facebook didn't have a thing of interest for me, shame on me!!! Tee Hee!!!

I am finally caught up!!! Anyway, today was a VERY busy day for me! My husband and I are taking the kids camping until either Thursday or Friday depending on the weather, so I packed all day and baked a banana nut bread to take along. I also cooked a chicken pot pie for dinner, all with two screaming kids all day by myself since my hubby was doing running around. It was an interesting day, let me tell you. I give credit to the stay at home moms and dads. I could never do that everyday! I would go crazy. I need a break everyonce in a while. (Sorry, but it's true. Even though I don't want to go back to work and I do LOVE my kids, it's nice for a break). So anyway, I obviously won't have interent there. I soon will be getting an Iphone, which will be so nice because I can then get on the internet on my phone whenever I want and check my posts on here! So...I will be behind AGAIN, but that is life. I am looking foward to spending the next few days with my family. "Talk" to you all at the end of the week. Have a nice week, everyone!

Hope you had an awesome time camping, do you bring your golden? We do, she LOVES marshmellows and we have to keep them from her but that nose sure knows how to find them. I think most people feel as you do about staying home, I think even stay at home mom's & dad's need that away time too, my one friend said it kept her sane - by the end of the day she didn't want to see or hear any talking dinos or alien type thingys or turtles, she needed a little time away from it even if it was only once a week.

Hey, y'all. I hope everyone has a great evening. We had the Thanksgivingy leftovers tonight. I cannot describe how tasty!!!

Why not???? That is SO unfair! ***pouting profusely***

Good Morning Everyone!!!!!!!!! It is going to be around 80 degrees here today in central Indy. The air conditioner may have to be plugged back in while I'm running the dryer. I never menetioned it on here before but my niece in seattle has been battling juvenile idiopathic arthritis for the last year and an half. She has been on countless medicinies and nothing seems to help her. It has actually spread from just her knees to 12 joints now. She had been taking weekly shots of Methotrexate and Enbrel for the last month but they haven't seemed to help her either. So they did an mri of her knees last week and it showed the inflamation was far worse than anyone had thought. So they have decided to give her infusions of remicaide starting today. We are praying this finally helps her becuase she has been through a lot for a 7 year old. It's espically been hard on her at school. She can't do PE most weeks and she really can't play during recess. Her teachers have been great but the other kids just don't understand why she can't do things. Well I have some work to do so I'm off to get things done. I hope everyone has a GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Made I am so sorry to hear this. Other children can be hard on her, but has your family ever thought of getting with the teacher and school to have an educational session with her class (or a few of the classes). We did this for a young boy here locally, so the other children would have an understanding that just because we do not "look" sick doesn't mean we may not be, he had a heart condition, it really helped, and maybe with her doctors, or care givers, they can even participate. I find most children once you teach them that there is a sickness they have more compassion then we give them credit for.

Good Tuesday morning, my Christmas friends!

We've been busy, busy, busy around here. Nancy's mom had back surgery last week and is still down, and now her dad is very sick with a urinary tract infection. He had to be hospitalized yesterday, and Nancy stayed with him last night. But she said he seems alot better today after some IV antibiotics and fluids. We've all been trying to work our regular jobs while taking turns working at the store to keep it running while Bernie is out. Whew!!

Dove hunting season closed last Saturday for a few weeks, and it re-opens in a few weeks for a couple weeks, then closes till Thanksgiving weekend. Then it stays open till just after New Years. It's hard to beat a cold December morning at daylight in a peanut field when the birds start flying. I love it!

And my pool turned cloudy! With everything going on, I haven't been paying it much attention. Now I gotta dump a bunch of chlorine in it.

I can almost remember when I could go home after work and watch TV. LOL!


I hope y'all have a great day! cheesy

Wow you guys sound like you have your hands full, I'll be keeping your in-laws in my prayers.

Just a reminder that Merry Podcast #10 is out! Please give it a listen!

I haven't ever listened to these I am going to have to - thanks for posting it.