Christmas Countdown - 2011

[Seawaters]

Good morning, Christmas friends. It is a fall-y day here in northern California--chilly and overcast. I have more conferences this afternoon and only four more tomorrow afternoon. Dinner is in the crockpot--split peas, cubed ham, onions, chicken broth, shredded carrots, and potatoes simmering as we speak. When the peas are cooked, I will use the hand-held blender to smooth out the potatoes; then I will bake the cornbread and dinner will be served!!! It smells delish already! Talk to y'all later. Has anyone actually received the cookbook yet?

 

[kerstig]

Hi every one! i feel so very tired, i can't even see straight!
I hope i will be able to get my work a bit organized before christmas, because it's stressful right now, having just started a new education, not entirely sure what they expect from me... i just want to do every thing right, but still have time to enjoy this time of the year! any de-stressing, improve enjoying tips?

 

[whitney37354]

I also don't like it when I see my mom and dad looks "older." It's weird and scary, ya know? I'm not ready!!

Me either! Mom was talking to some people the other day & I caught a glance of her from the back. She looked just like my maternal grandmother, who I was very close to before dementia set in & she died a few years after that. I almost cried, but then I just tried to think happier thoughts!

Every year I think that "this Christmas" will be the last one with my paternal grandmother. I take a good look at her & try to remember everything about her. She is 87 years old, with just a couple of health issues & her memory isn't as good as it used to be. I'm 38 & my memory isn't as good as it used to be either. I only see her a couple of times a year, though she lives pretty near to us. Other children & grandchildren take advantage of her & I just don't want her to feel that way about us. DD should see her more often & I feel bad about that, but I can't come up with an acceptable solution to the problem.

On to happier thoughts! In the last 24 hours, I've gotten confirmation of Thanksgiving Day plans from MIL & my mom. Breakfast with DH's family, & dinner with my family (sans my sister, who is working 11-7 at the hospital). We're having chili for Thanksgiving dinner this year! Mom is still not at 100% after her double-knee replacement (will be 8 weeks next week) so we're doing something simple this year. Dad said he'd take her to the buffet down the road for lunch so they could have some turkey & dressing too! I'm sure DH will make pumpkin pies on Wednesday night. I need to get to the store to be sure he has everything he needs. I don't want to be in Wal-Mart on Wednesday night with stressed out cooks!

Mom has also said she wants to continue our annual Black Friday tradition of taking the grandchildren to Fantasy of Trees. She can walk without assistance, but she'll take the walker to keep other people away from her fragile knees & for extra support while walking around the convention center.

This weekend is going to be very busy: wedding rehersal, scrapbooking, wedding & reception, & church. If I can get through Sunday night, I can get excited about the long Thanksgiving weekend!:merry:

 

[MerryCarey]

A rainy, dark Thursday ... I'm champing at the bit for my workday to end. I'm taking tomorrow off---a personal pre-Christmas day. I'm going to be busy packing up crocheted winter hats for the homeless shelter, wrapping and packaging Christmas gifts, writing Christmas cards, looking for a table to use as a base for my 2nd Christmas tree, shopping for a new hand mixer for holiday baking, and/or working on a podcast segment (the same one I've been busy with, but the end is in sight). If it gets too hectic, I will just chuck it all to watch a Christmas movie and crochet ...

Good morning everyone! I can't believe it's a week to Thanksgiving! It's going to be a bit challenging this year--I hadn't posted this earlier because I don't want to bring down the mood, but my stepfather passed away Tuesday evening. He'd been married to my mom for 30 years and I thought of him as one of my parents. He'd had bypass surgery in January and never really recovered--just kept getting weaker and weaker. It was really hard for him, because he'd kept working up until the surgery (at 79, he was _still_ working construction!) and he was getting more and more frustrated because he couldn't do the things he loved, like carpentry, fishing, gardening.... But this still came like a bolt out of the blue. I was looking through the Heifer International Holiday catalog, and we're going to give a share in stocking a fish pond in an underprivileged area in his honor, since he was such an avid fisherman. I think my mom will like that, and I'll feel like I'm still giving him a Christmas present. Sorry to be such a downer--I hope everyone else is having a wonderful build up to the holidays. Give the people you love a great big hug and enjoy them today, because you just never know.

So sorry to hear of your loss, Anne---you and your family are in my thoughts. I think the fish pond contribution is a lovely idea in his memory.

Talk to y'all later. Has anyone actually received the cookbook yet?

I got an e-mail notification from PayPal that mine has been shipped---I'll be watching the mailbox!

 

[kerstig]

It is a fall-y day here in northern California--chilly and overcast. I have more conferences this afternoon and only four more tomorrow afternoon.

good luck on your conferences and enjoy your chilly fall!

I was so tired yesterday and then last night when I got finished I didn't even come to the site. I had supper and went to bed. Still really tired today too but this is my Friday.

hope you get to rest a little and will feel better soon! it's terrible to feel tired all the time!

Good afternoon, everyone! It's a perfect Fall day here; cool, cloudy, and breezy. I have to do some Thanksgiving shopping after work, and then Mom and I have to do some work at Church, so we will get to enjoy the weather.

On a brighter note, my husband and I are going to Pennsylvania for a few days after Thanksgiving, so I have something cheerful to think about. And I finished the fleece jacket I was making for Christmas!

hope your mum gets to be less upset! and you get to enjoy lots of the fall! what kind of fleece jacket did you make, it sounds great! and pennsylvania sounds great!

Going grocery shopping later today to start stocking up on some items I will need for my Christmas baking... Kitchen is done enough where I can actually do baking tomorrow night have planty of room for everything..... so tomorrow night will be spent baking with christmas music playing on the radio..

i'm glad your kitchen is done, are you satisfied with it? enjoy baking in it! starting to stack up on baking supplies for christmas sounds amazing, it makes so glad to hear! maybe tomorrow i'll design my christmas cakes, so i can start prepping the decorations whenever i have time!

Apparently, I am attending a Santa Claus parade this weekend! It's Kim's nephews' 5th birthday celebration this weekend, and as luck would have it, the Cornwall Santa Claus parade! Kim and I are heading to her hometown on Saturday morning until Sunday evening, but we are both looking forward to the parade.

sounds like so much fun! enjoy!

I'm doing some more decorating while I clean my apartment today. It's starting to look quite festive. I'm running out of room though. I might have to start decorating my neighbors apartment soon.

hahaha! quite a good idea, so you'll get an entire festive environment enjoy decorating!

It's going to be a bit challenging this year--I hadn't posted this earlier because I don't want to bring down the mood, but my stepfather passed away Tuesday evening. He'd been married to my mom for 30 years and I thought of him as one of my parents. He'd had bypass surgery in January and never really recovered--just kept getting weaker and weaker. It was really hard for him, because he'd kept working up until the surgery (at 79, he was _still_ working construction!) and he was getting more and more frustrated because he couldn't do the things he loved, like carpentry, fishing, gardening.... But this still came like a bolt out of the blue. I was looking through the Heifer International Holiday catalog, and we're going to give a share in stocking a fish pond in an underprivileged area in his honor, since he was such an avid fisherman. I think my mom will like that, and I'll feel like I'm still giving him a Christmas present. Sorry to be such a downer--I hope everyone else is having a wonderful build up to the holidays. Give the people you love a great big hug and enjoy them today, because you just never know.

I'm so sorry for your loss... hopefully you can have the holidays in his loving memory, it will be hard for your mother as well! Of course don't apologize, we understand! We will send you good thoughts and lots of strength!

Yes, it got rough here last night. I didn't even know it was coming. I was fishing leaves out of the pool till dark. After that storm, the pool is COVERED OVER in pecan leaves. LOL!

The tree guy called my mom, and he is planing to harvest her pecans today, so I'm taking the afternoon off to go over there and work. Hopefully, we can get most of her pecans to the market today.

how did the pecan harvesting go? before now i had never heard any one talk about pecan harvesting

Not-so-good News: I still want to throttle my insurance company/OBGYN. I came to work with a message waiting for me from my OBGYN telling me that I don't have said medicine on my file. MY BUTTOCKS!! So I FINALLY called them at 8:30, specifically told them WHO originally put the order through blah blah..."oh! there it is" (ya think?!)

Said nurse said she'll call me to tell me what the insurance company says. God I hope it goes through but NOW I can't possible get it until TOMORROW after work!!

i hope it got through by now, and you have some positive news!

Thoughts and prayers going out to all our friends in the south, seen on the news about the tornado and severe storms, hope everyone who lives in that area is safe this morning.

Our news didn't report any storm! i hope every one is alright! Stay safe every one!

47,736 left. We are going go have to step it up. This will be close!

Sir, i will do whatever i can!

I am just getting WAY TOO excited that Thanksgiving is next week!!! We will have 3 straight days of celebrating! Thanksgiving with the family, Black Friday (no shopping but enjoy the Christmas entertainment at the malls) and Saturday chill in front of the tv for a marathon of Christmas shows and movies! It will feel like a 3 day Christmas party!

I'm so glad to hear how excited you are! We talked about how much you love black friday and thanksgiving, and i hope you really enjoy yourself!

 

[RadioJonD]

Hi every one! i feel so very tired, i can't even see straight!
I hope i will be able to get my work a bit organized before christmas, because it's stressful right now, having just started a new education, not entirely sure what they expect from me... i just want to do every thing right, but still have time to enjoy this time of the year! any de-stressing, improve enjoying tips?

You wanting to be the very best you can be is certainly understandable, kerstig!

If you are experiencing a seemingly lack of support remember that you have started at a time of year when most everyone is focusing on the upcoming holidays. Perhaps key people are taking leave before the end of the year. You may not know what to expect until the environment returns to “office” mode.

Until then, try to focus on what you do know rather than what you have yet to learn.

Your desire to achieve will certainly be mentored in time. Relax!
Observe. This time of year can give one incite to people that isn’t apparent the rest of the year. **
*
*

 

[momnan30]

You wanting to be the very best you can be is certainly understandable, kerstig!

If you are experiencing a seemingly lack of support remember that you have started at a time of year when most everyone is focusing on the upcoming holidays. Perhaps key people are taking leave before the end of the year. You may not know what to expect until the environment returns to “office” mode.

Until then, try to focus on what you do know rather than what you have yet to learn.

Your desire to achieve will certainly be mentored in time. Relax!
Observe. This time of year can give one incite to people that isn’t apparent the rest of the year. **
*
*

Totally agree with RadioJonD on the idea that work and school and of course home environments are not to be evaluated for "normal" between mid November and perhaps even mid January. There is so much going on and so much on everyone's mind what with making merry and getting the wishlists accomplished!
Good luck, Kerstig- keep faith!

 

[sugar142286]

Remember that exam i had to do? I got an 8,8 (out of 10 ) so i'm very very glad, and proud

Congrats on the exam results!

After work today I go with brandi to Dr to have the last sonogram until the due date which is just 6 weeks away. the dr says right now he weighs about 4pounds which is big for that early...my mom always laughed about me because I was due on Jan7th 1975 but I was born december 2nd 1974 5 weeks early and I still weighed 7 pounds,I would have been like 10 or 11 pounds if I was on time. Anyway I am looking forward to see what he looks like now.

Hope the ultrasound went well! I bet you can't wait to meet him! :wink:

 

[sugar142286]

Good afternoon, Christmas family! One of my plan this afternoon was to get caught up on here, but needless to say, I didn't. I've only read about 2 pages and now I have to go to a class at work for a few hours. I won't be home until at least 8:30. I plan on getting on this evening again sometime after EA is settled for the night.

I ended up sleeping most of the afternoon, which I shouldn't have done since it is my day off, but I was tired since I haven't been getting much sleep and since I haven't been getting much sleep, now my cold is coming back.

Well, I hope you're all doing well. I will talk to you all later on. Have a great day/evening!

 

[made582]

It's going to be a bit challenging this year--I hadn't posted this earlier because I don't want to bring down the mood, but my stepfather passed away Tuesday evening. .

I'm so sorry to hear this. My prayers go out to you and your family.

 

[made582]

Well the bathroom is done and now I'm on to the kitchen. My neighbor came over a few minutes ago and said it felt like someone was watching him the whole time. I only have 86 Santa's out so I don't know why he would feel that way.

 

[vsuclaribnl]

WOW, I have FINALLY finished reading all the posts!!!

I was more than excited to ring in the Season last night. I played my first Christmas song of the Season - Jingle Bells by the Barenaked Ladies - I just love the the slow build up into the fun music that helps celebrate the Season.

I love the Barenaked Ladies!
Decorations that bring back memories are the best kind to have.
Have fun shopping, one of my favorite things to do at Christmas!

Me too. Their Christmas album is fantastic!
They certainly are. I smile whenever they are on!

Barenaked Ladies are my FAVORITE BAND EVER (followed closely by the Beatles)!!! Barenaked for the Holidays is one of the best Christmas albums out there!!!

I just hit 7,000 posts! YAHHH!

Congrats sugar!!!

Oh and we are 7 weeks away from baby due date... we have decided on the name... it's going to be Jordan after my father in laws middle name. I really have a feeling he is going to make an early arrival...talk about nervous!!! next weekend is the baby shower and we have already finished the room. I hope I remember everything I learned in class!! I don't get queezy easy so I don't worry about passing out or anything. does that really happend in real life I wonder or it is just on tv!! Have a good night everyone 4 am comes awful early!

Love the name, Neal!!! You will be a great dad, no worries!

We were trying for Giant - Jet game tickets but they cost SO much money we decided not to do that... I cannot believe how much the tickets were now. It is so crazy the prices.

DF and I were trying to go for those tickets too and almost got them for their pre-season matchup, but we just couldn't get the money together in time. The Jets are DF's favorite team and the Giants are my #2 (after the Colts, although I've been following the Giants since I was 6) so it would've been a great time!

For those of you with young kitties know this problem all too well!

I LOVE this picture! Luckily my little Sangria was never a tree jumper, nor did she really mess with any of the ornaments. She does like to lay underneath it, though. =)

twas almost a month before Christmas and all Thu the forums,
everyone was excited, as Crown 84 counts em down for us!
Jeff was busy with a new pod cast,
and was havin fun wholeheartedly,
RJD, Jayish and CJ498 was spinning tunes,
for our World's Largest Christmas Party.
MerryChristmasTV and DvdGuy made sure we watched what we wanted,
as George Broderick, Jr. drawed us.


MerryCarey,Christmas-A-Holic, merrymistletoe, and Christmasstar
strung tinsel and holly all around the room,
when from outside we all heard a big BOOM!!

We all ran to the windows and threw up the sash
and we saw the front of the Pines had became hash!
thanks to made582, Undrtakr and gabulldawg who,
tried to make a fire, and used gasoline too!

Rodmonster was laughing, Maureen was shaking her head
as AuntieMistletoeDear Yelled "We'll make the smores over
the fire place instead!

Chef Matt and Seawaters was baking away as
Spyells, shellie12 and kerstig wrapped more presents without delay.
Caninemom3 and snow in texas was stringing popcorn for
the tree. Michelleloveschristmas, judesmama and Mumof2
was caroling away in sweet harmony!

JanaBanana and One Spoiled Brat put the tree up,
Bradmac said "I have eggnog, anyone want a cup?"
Elf Ernest grabbed some, Santa did too and when
kekemapa35 got hers she smiled and said "thank you!"

As for me lilnoelelf, I looked around in awe,
looking from the tall to the small.
as Santa turned and bent down to whisper in my ear
"this is what it's about,being with "your Christmas family"
spreading cheer 24/7 365 days out of the year!


Hope y'all have a blessed day see ya this evening!:yahoo:

Even though I wasn't a part of this poem, I absolutely loved it!!!

And I got another full time job

Congrats Britt!!!

I don't want to bring down the mood, but my stepfather passed away Tuesday evening. He'd been married to my mom for 30 years and I thought of him as one of my parents. He'd had bypass surgery in January and never really recovered--just kept getting weaker and weaker. It was really hard for him, because he'd kept working up until the surgery (at 79, he was _still_ working construction!) and he was getting more and more frustrated because he couldn't do the things he loved, like carpentry, fishing, gardening.... But this still came like a bolt out of the blue. I was looking through the Heifer International Holiday catalog, and we're going to give a share in stocking a fish pond in an underprivileged area in his honor, since he was such an avid fisherman. I think my mom will like that, and I'll feel like I'm still giving him a Christmas present. Sorry to be such a downer--I hope everyone else is having a wonderful build up to the holidays. Give the people you love a great big hug and enjoy them today, because you just never know.

I'm so sorry for your loss Anne, and that's a good point. Reminds me that I need to go visit my grandparents this weekend. It's been longer than I intended and just like you said...you just never know. =(

 

[Kimothy]

gabulldawg~I bet you're on pins and needles about your baby (boy, right?). I hope he arrives safe and sound and HEALTHY!!


Those who've passed 10,000 posts~I've got a lot of catching up to do! :wink:


Unfortunately, it has gotten to the point where I gave my OBGYN nurse the phone number for the Publix pharmacy in Tampa. I've got a feeling I'll more than likely be picking up the medicine there. :-(

Since we're getting a brief (but needed--to me) cold front this evening, I figured it's the perfect time for creamy tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner.

 

[vsuclaribnl]

Hi all,

I had intended to update all of you on the happenings in my part of the world the last week +, but I'm not sure if I will...

I have been really depressed and stressed out lately. Working two retail jobs has really taken a toll on me, and nothing seems to be able to bring me out of it. I can't even listen to Christmas music!! Customers at both jobs have been ruder than I ever remember in my many years of retail work; my boss at Kohl's has been relentless, there are never enough hours at work to do everything, not to mention that our weekends and weekdays are so filled with other things that there never seems to be any time to relax. There is a lot more going on but I feel like I am really bringing this down with only this little bit of info so I guess I will stop. If you have any Christmas spirit left, can you please send some my way? I would really appreciate it. I don't like feeling this way around this time of year.

Thanks guys.

 

[Christmasstar]

Another local radio station just switched over to all christmas music this morning so now we have 2 stations to listen to.

the only other thing that would make that perfect is snow but no such luck yet...

while out taking the car to the mechanic I looked through the radio stations and could find none that were playing Christmas music. :-?

On the bright side, it has been snowing on and off all afternoon!

 

[Christmasstar]

my stepfather passed away Tuesday evening. He'd been married to my mom for 30 years and I thought of him as one of my parents. He'd had bypass surgery in January and never really recovered--just kept getting weaker and weaker. It was really hard for him, because he'd kept working up until the surgery (at 79, he was _still_ working construction!) and he was getting more and more frustrated because he couldn't do the things he loved, like carpentry, fishing, gardening.... But this still came like a bolt out of the blue.

so sorry for your loss

 

[merrymistletoe]

Good Morning, friends~

Hope you're doing well this morning!

I really didn't want to get out of bed, just wanted to throw the covers over my head, rest, and watch Christmas movies all day!

How's everyone doing with their Christmas shopping? I really need to kick it into gear. I haven't done much yet.

Our company Holiday Party is the week before Christmas this year. Our company always sponsor a charity or school, we make a generous donation, as well as volunteer our time. It's really quite wonderful. One year, we went to a low income school and did crafts with the kids, read books to them, and a friend of mine played Santa-it made their day! They all wrote a letter to Santa, and we each sponsored a child to try & make that wish come true. To see their eyes light up like that was truly amazing. I think I have a picture from that day somewhere, if I find it I'll post it :smile:

Anyways, need to start getting ready for work. Just wanted to pop in & say hello!

Have a great day!

View attachment 1031

your Christmas party sounds great. hope you feel all better now!

hope today is better than yesterday!!

thanks star!! it was

Just looking at the weather,it looks like NC SC and North GA got slammed with tornadoes,I hope al our neighbours in those areas are okay! Crown and mgramsey are in those areas I think and a few others !

yeah. i'm here too dawg!

so sorry for your loss

ann i'm so very sorry for your loss! i will be praying for you & your family.

 

[Kimothy]

hi all,

i had intended to update all of you on the happenings in my part of the world the last week +, but i'm not sure if i will...

i have been really depressed and stressed out lately. Working two retail jobs has really taken a toll on me, and nothing seems to be able to bring me out of it. I can't even listen to christmas music!! Customers at both jobs have been ruder than i ever remember in my many years of retail work; my boss at kohl's has been relentless, there are never enough hours at work to do everything, not to mention that our weekends and weekdays are so filled with other things that there never seems to be any time to relax. There is a lot more going on but i feel like i am really bringing this down with only this little bit of info so i guess i will stop. If you have any christmas spirit left, can you please send some my way? I would really appreciate it. I don't like feeling this way around this time of year.

thanks guys.

(((hugs)))

 

[merrymistletoe]

hey everybody!! feeling better tonight. was really just wore out yesterday.
heard a Christmas song on the radio coming home from work that makes me laugh & feel so happy..."i want a hippopotamus for Christmas". i think it's so cute!
we are sooo wide open @ work. getting ready for our Christmas open house. i've made so many silk arrangements my hands literally are bruised on the inside from the wire cutters. gotta have them out one way or another ya' know?!
listening to Michael Buble' cd now. it's really a great cd.
can't wait to start shopping for gifts. will do alot online but maybe a few outings to stores.
hope ya'll are all doing good tonight. tried to get on this morning but my computer was acting up. talk to ya'll later.:merry:

 

[gabulldawg]

Good evening all, really really rough day here...so I better get to bed soon so I can get some sleep and recover!!! talk to yall tomorrow!