Christmas Countdown - 2013

[Christmasstar]

Good morning all!!

I'm buying my first Christmas gift today. LOL I'm so excited! I make most of my gifts whether they're baked, engraved, cooked, crocheted, knitted, crocheted, painted or carved, but some I do still buy. Especially when its something someone has specifically said at some point in the year, "Gosh I would really like to have that one day!"

I'm making myself a gift this year... something kinda weird I've never done before. LOL My grandparents' house in Pittsburgh was my favorite place on Earth. My grandather, my best friend. My uncle tells me in the 50s they bought some chestnuts to roast one day and while sitting at the table my grandfather absently stuck one down in the dirt of the potted flower on the bay window of the breakfast nook. It sprouted. LOL He transplanted it to the back yard.

Now all I remember of that tree was it being the best climbing, shade, reading tree I ever saw. I have no memory of it being a sappling. Years after my grandparents passed away the house sold which broke my heart because I had always hoped to convince my husband to move there. I found out whonthrbnew owners were and contacted them to find out if it would be possible to get one of the chutes that always sprouted in the yard from the chestnut tree my GF had planted. It was a year before I heard from them which I wad told how sorry they were to tell me they'd had the tree cut down and removed.

One day I got an email from the home owner telling me he was sending me something. A few days later a very heavy box arrived containing thick cords of wood. In the box was a note that read, "We had the tree cut down and my father took all the wood to his cabin in upper NY. He had these pieces left of it that hadn't made it to the fireplace yet. I drove up there and got them for you. From what the neighbors told me of your grandfather he was very creative. I'm hoping you got some of that and can make something of these. I'm sorry it's the best I could do."

I could not believe the kindness of that man to have even considered that.

Sooo... my gift to myself - I'm making a large hand carved collage frame with inlays of celtic knot work because my father's side is Irish. The frame will house my favorite photos and lithographs of that side of my family including my son. Hence... my version of my family tree on my dad's side. LOL I really hope I don't mess it up. LOL

LOL Sorry, I'm excited about it. I didn't mean to post another novel.

Hope everyone has a blessed day!!

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love the story! What a thoughtful person who would go to so much trouble to get you a treasure from your past. I would love to see a picture of the frame when it is done.

 

[graywolf70]

Good morning,

I am posting quickly because I have to leave in a few minutes.
I was on earlier when I remembered I had one more thing to pick up for my Christmas shopping in town here. I went and I am now finished with my Christmas shopping!!!!! Wooohoooo!!!! After I went to that store I stopped at the Christmas Shop in town for the first time in 15 years. It is just as I remembered, the seasonal smells, the creaking wood floor, the bells ringing their beautiful Christmas songs. I went there 15 years ago shopping for a Santa Claus for my grandmother, they didn't have any I wanted but I remember the old man taking me back to his studio showing me how he made all the ornaments and decorations. I was there a long time asking him questions about the ornaments and the store. I believe he has since passed on, but walking in there made me remember that day very vividly. I guess I have had interest in Christmas stores for a long time. cheesy

I have to get running, and see what the day has in store for me.

Have a great day!!

Talk to you all tonight.

Love the nostalgia of that!

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk

 

[Christmasstar]

Yesterday's little bit of snow is sticking around because of the cold. It looks so festive! The long-range forecast is calling for a little over an inch on Christmas Eve. Sounds ideal! Even though we're in New England, we don't always have snow on the ground for Christmas.

Yesterday's snow was perfect. There was just enough to cover the ground decently, it snowed all day at varying rates and was pretty to watch, and it didn't make driving dangerous.

we are going to be getting snow every day until Sunday. Today's snow is still coming down, every once in awhile it takes a breather, but then starts again. It is all looking very white and festive now!

 

[prancer]

:good afternoon/evening everyone...anyone getting excited yet:

 

[Christmasstar]

Good Morning MMC!!!!! It's going to be chilly day with a high right around 20 degree's. At least that is about 5 degree's warmer than they were thinking a few days ago. Not much on my agenda today. Just one major project that I need to get done. Then if I have some time left, I might start making some candy. I hope everyone is having a GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!

you are warmer than us, we are at -8c (17f)
Hope you finish with your major so you can get to the sweet stuff!

 

[brent]

{{ Now, Christmas falls on Wednesday this year but kindly Carl has moved the weekly open house back to Tuesday so the staff can be off on Christmas. (Said he wasn't going to do to his people what other merchants did to theirs on Thanksgiving Day!)
But I'll bet Christmas Eve will be a hum-dinger! }}

That's awfully nice of Carl. What a standup camel. Looking forward to enjoying the 'Pines three more times - including today - before Christmas Day!

 

[brent]

Good afternoon, everyone!

I'm teaching again today. Hooray. Hoping to work four out of five days this week. I have work guaranteed for tomorrow - at the same school which I am currently located - and then it is usually easy to get work on Friday. Next week is a short one. The students get Friday off, and I am not sure if I will receive a call for Thursday, so I need to work as much as possible this week! In total, theree are six days left until students get out for Christmas and I am really hoping to work five of those six. We shall see!

It was a nice drive this morning. Thankfully, I only had to drive about 25 minute today. I am at the school closest to my apartment. The kids are decent today thus far. Currently, it still looks like a nice overcast day. Temperatures are around 7c/14c with windchill. The forecast looks a bit frightening as there is a snowsquall warning until late in the afternoon. I'll be leaving here in about two hours... I really hope the warning is lifted by that time!

Last night was enjoyable. I made a delicious dinner and then watched the Kings defeat the Canadiens 6-0. A great night! My entire family does not think much of the Habs - to put it lightly - and it was great to see the Kings finally win in Montreal. Good stuff. Tonight, they are on TV again and playing the Maple Leafs. We'll see if Kim will give me the TV for hockey two nights in a row!

I am currently on my prep period, but I really should make sure that I have everything organized for my final period. It's been a good day thus far and I would really like to continue that into my final period.

Have a great Wednesday, everyone! 'Pines Day has come once again. It's great to see familiar faces as we head into the Christmas Season. Carl knows how to throw a party. Merry Christmas!

 

[Ryan]

My sister and I were just talking about stuff that's come into being since we've been born. Great stuff like iPods, CD's, DVD's (not to mention VCR's), cell phones, (maybe I should say 'affordable personal cell phones'). Also the affordable personal computer. We were surprised to learn that the first fax was sent 11/29/24. BTW, my Dad had some slight experience with the very first computers...those room-sized behemoths that worked with punch cards. You wouldn't believe it, but Daddy used to tell tales of the funny/stupid things you could make these computers do. Sound familiar?

I remember the first PC I saw...my uncle had one in his home office and it was amazing! I remember the first time, years later, I was able to play a computer game. It was Bo Jackson's Baseball and it was awesome!

I remember when we got our first VCR in about 1985...it was expensive compared to how cheap DVD and even blu ray is now. It was close to $300 and that was in 1985 money!!!

Does anyone remover the first movie they watched in a VCR?

 

[Meceka]

Good afternoon!!! Hope you are all staying warm today! It sure is freezin in Ohio!!! Ready to go home where I can crank up the furnace & get cozy!! :smile: I haven't been on much but I have caught up since yesterday - I think!

Tomorrow night we go to the TSO concert!! So excited!!! Hoping the hubby is done working in time to come along!!!

This Saturday is cookie day with my friend & her kids! Sunday is candy day at Moms with my sisters/sil/nieces! So much to look fwd too this week!! It's just going so fast! Need to check my supplies to make sure I have enough of everthing!

My FIL is having knee replacement surgery Thursday. I know he's nervous about that. Hoping/praying all goes well for him!! He has been in so much pain with his knees, so hopefully this helps him a bunch! He will be in the hospital a minimum of 3 nights! Could be interesting! ;-)

Ok...quitting time here! YAY! Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmassy day!!!

Prayers on the way for your FIL. Have fun at the TSO concert - hope your hubby gets to go, too!

 

[Meceka]

Graywolf- Glad you can keep a positive attitude about the light situation!! Have fun finishing your decorating!!

Holiday- Praying for your FIL. Have fun at the TSO concert!!!!

Meceka- Good Luck with your research!!!

Snowflake- Glad you are starting to feel better, Buddy!! Keep resting up!! xx

Sugar- Glad the pictures went well!!! Hope you can sleep most of tomorrow, so you start feeling better too!!!

Dawg- Glad you are enjoying the snow and that your power wasn't out to long!!

Brent- Hope you can find a ticket at a great price!!! Enjoy dinner!!!

Thank you, made! I had a horrible time doing my research - ever since I updated my computer it has run even slower and there are websites I frequented a lot that refuse to load now, Live 365 being one of them. I will try again later today. Wish me luck!!!

 

[Meceka]

Back from the dentist - all went well! No cavities! As usual, though, they insisted on picking and picking like crazy until I was bleeding everywhere. I know they have to clean my teeth, but they can stop before there's blood!!!

My mom is still not feeling good today. She just can't seem to warm up, is tired, and still running a low-grade fever. Thanks for your prayers!

I am actually going to go catch up now and then get ready for my good night of TV. SOA finale!!

I'm still praying for your mom!

 

[Meceka]

Aww, that is sweet. Glad they are having fun it it!

Yes, we have some snow, and more coming this weekend! But not near as much as you guys.
The cold weather is especially brutal, for it being so early. Getting down to -13 tonight! High of 0 tomorrow...brrr!


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Your high tomorrow is our low. Stay warm! Hope you are better today!! {{{HUGS}}} for you and Harlowe!

 

[Meceka]

Hmmmmm what to brew for Lovemas? What will everyone else be drinking??? Lovemas. Next Friday at 11:30pm ....... Yabba!!!!!!

If I am able to be there, peppermint mocha coffee - festive and yummy!

 

[Meceka]

Good morning all!!

I'm buying my first Christmas gift today. LOL I'm so excited! I make most of my gifts whether they're baked, engraved, cooked, crocheted, knitted, crocheted, painted or carved, but some I do still buy. Especially when its something someone has specifically said at some point in the year, "Gosh I would really like to have that one day!"

I'm making myself a gift this year... something kinda weird I've never done before. LOL My grandparents' house in Pittsburgh was my favorite place on Earth. My grandather, my best friend. My uncle tells me in the 50s they bought some chestnuts to roast one day and while sitting at the table my grandfather absently stuck one down in the dirt of the potted flower on the bay window of the breakfast nook. It sprouted. LOL He transplanted it to the back yard.

Now all I remember of that tree was it being the best climbing, shade, reading tree I ever saw. I have no memory of it being a sappling. Years after my grandparents passed away the house sold which broke my heart because I had always hoped to convince my husband to move there. I found out whonthrbnew owners were and contacted them to find out if it would be possible to get one of the chutes that always sprouted in the yard from the chestnut tree my GF had planted. It was a year before I heard from them which I wad told how sorry they were to tell me they'd had the tree cut down and removed.

One day I got an email from the home owner telling me he was sending me something. A few days later a very heavy box arrived containing thick cords of wood. In the box was a note that read, "We had the tree cut down and my father took all the wood to his cabin in upper NY. He had these pieces left of it that hadn't made it to the fireplace yet. I drove up there and got them for you. From what the neighbors told me of your grandfather he was very creative. I'm hoping you got some of that and can make something of these. I'm sorry it's the best I could do."

I could not believe the kindness of that man to have even considered that.

Sooo... my gift to myself - I'm making a large hand carved collage frame with inlays of celtic knot work because my father's side is Irish. The frame will house my favorite photos and lithographs of that side of my family including my son. Hence... my version of my family tree on my dad's side. LOL I really hope I don't mess it up. LOL

LOL Sorry, I'm excited about it. I didn't mean to post another novel.

Hope everyone has a blessed day!!

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk

Great story! The frame you are making sounds beautiful - I hope you share a picture of it when it is completed! Have a blessed day, too, graywolf!

 

[Meceka]

Your temps sound crazy cold!! :cold: You stay warm & get feeling better!!

Glad to hear Har is doing well. Buster is doing ok! He's happy them dogs are gone! But he's definately slowed down & he sleeps a lot. But he's ok! Pretty good for a nearly 18 yo dog! He's not crazy about these cold temps outside!!

And you are right - it goes way to quick!!!

I'm glad Buster is doing well!

 

[Seawaters]

I feel the same way, Xmas.

I love when you share pictures of snow, CS. It is always so beautiful. I love the snow!!!

 

[Meceka]

Good afternoon, Christmas family!

I'm trying to get ahead on work tasks and stay warm - so far I haven't accomplished either goal. Oh, well, I will keep trying!

Be safe and MERRY!!!

 

[Seawaters]

Excellent idea, MC!!!

You have excellent taste!



Me too! I remember leafing through those catalogs while writing my Christmas list---and writing down the page number so there would be no mistake about what I wanted!



Thank you for sharing that story. I really enjoyed reading it. Have you considered making a Christmas ornament of some sort from a small piece of it? Maybe you could carve a chestnut as a reminder of how it all began.

 

[Seawaters]

This DOES sound perfect!

Yesterday's little bit of snow is sticking around because of the cold. It looks so festive! The long-range forecast is calling for a little over an inch on Christmas Eve. Sounds ideal! Even though we're in New England, we don't always have snow on the ground for Christmas.

Yesterday's snow was perfect. There was just enough to cover the ground decently, it snowed all day at varying rates and was pretty to watch, and it didn't make driving dangerous.

 

[MerryCarey]

I remember the first PC I saw...my uncle had one in his home office and it was amazing! I remember the first time, years later, I was able to play a computer game. It was Bo Jackson's Baseball and it was awesome!

I remember when we got our first VCR in about 1985...it was expensive compared to how cheap DVD and even blu ray is now. It was close to $300 and that was in 1985 money!!!

Does anyone remover the first movie they watched in a VCR?

Yes, pretty much ... I bought my first VCR in the fall of 1984, IIRC, and recorded the Jeremy Brett series of Sherlock Holmes on PBS. I also taped the George C. Scott version of "A Christmas Carol," and "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." And the 13-part "Hollywood: The American Silent Film" series on PBS. The first tape I bought was a budget version of "The 39 Steps" starring Robert Donat.