Christmas Countdown - 2011

[made582]

It's been an interesting day here at work. There is construction going on in the suite below us, and they've been drilling at their ceiling (our floor) all day. The Doctor can barely hear what the patients are saying, and nobody can hear on the phones. Plus I think these construction workers are going to drill right through the floor shortly.

I hope you don't fall through!!!!!!

 

[made582]

Lastly, and ending on a bit of a nervous note, please send good thoughts to my dad. Tomorrow I am going with him to a surgical consult, as he found out this past week that his carotid artery is 90-95% blocked. He doesn't seem nervous about it and told me not to worry, but I'm having a hard time keeping myself together. If he has to do the surgery, I will be even more scared...but I just want him to be okay. He is a huge jokester though and a seeming eternal optimist...so I'm trying to be lighthearted about it, at least until the consult tomorrow!!

My prayers are on the way.

 

[trackrebel]

gabulldawg......congrats on the upcoming baby!!!!!!!!!!! I wish You all the best!!!!

 

[caninemom3]

Wow, I don't think I'll ever go 6 days without checking this thread again! Two hours later and I'm finally caught up!

First off, Happy belated Mother's Day to all the moms here, whether you have human kids, furbabies, or both!

Second, congrats to kerstig on graduation and gabulldawg on your upcoming baby!!! That is such great news!!!

Third, Bradmac I am so sorry for your loss. I will send good thoughts your way and hope you are okay.

To say I am glad last week is over is an understatement! I am 8 days into my 12 day Kohl's work week, and my new every-other-week schedule at Hallmark starts this week, so I don't work there until next Tuesday. I am already enjoying the time off and look forward to getting a lot of stuff done this week!!

My birthday party on Saturday was so much fun, and every time I get my friends together I'm reminded how lucky I am. I really do have the craziest, yet most loving group of friends in the world! They are all also friends with each other, and the main group (that I call "The Crew") keeps getting bigger and bigger each year!

Also this past week, I found out one of my good friends (who also happens to be my direct supervisor at Kohl's) is pregnant! This will be the 5th "niece/nephew" that Travis and I will have by the end of the year! (My best friend up here had her baby in Nov, one of our friends in The Crew had hers in Dec, two of our friends are due in July and Aug, then this friend is due mid-Dec!) Seems at this point that he and I won't have to worry about kids for a while since all of our friends will provide us with enough to spoil.

Lastly, and ending on a bit of a nervous note, please send good thoughts to my dad. Tomorrow I am going with him to a surgical consult, as he found out this past week that his carotid artery is 90-95% blocked. He doesn't seem nervous about it and told me not to worry, but I'm having a hard time keeping myself together. If he has to do the surgery, I will be even more scared...but I just want him to be okay. He is a huge jokester though and a seeming eternal optimist...so I'm trying to be lighthearted about it, at least until the consult tomorrow!!

I'm sure I forgot some things in this update, but I think this is long enough for now. I'm waiting for Travis to get off work so we can go pick a new pair of glasses out for me (I got the ones I ordered last week and I HATE THEM! ), then going to my parents' to celebrate my birthday! My uncle is coming down from Jersey and I'm very excited to see him too!

Have a good Monday, everyone! <3

I know how scary it is when a parent is ill or has to have surgery. Your dad and your family are certainly in my prayers xo As far as I know, the surgery your dad is going to have, my father had done on both sides at once........and he was in his late 70s at the time. He did just fine and lived many years after that !! xo Big (((((HUGS)))))

 

[caninemom3]

In Honor Of Bradmac's Baby, Big Ben xo

GOD LIVES IN THE POST OFFICE

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith
________

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , ' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

________

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God


-- Author Unknown

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

David is my favorite also!!!!

Now I don't feel so silly. You do hear people call in all the time to tell him he's their favorite. =)

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

The juice machine broke when I used it at the hotel! I pushed the button for orange juice. It came out into the cup. Then the apple juice beside it started coming out! THEN it filled up the catch tray! The lady behind me swore and ran off LOL. Then it was spilling onto the floor! It wouldn't shut OFF!

I think that was a Niagra Falls Juice Machine. All the hotels have them there as a preview before you see the real Falls! :wink:

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

I am watching Sister Wives (awful, I know - I love reality TV!!) but it's a Christmas episode... feeling in the spirit!

I watch that sometimes. I am so curious as to how they can be happy with that lifestyle but they seem be content! To each their own. cheesy

Then I also turn on those "Housewives" show. I don't know why I bother, most of them are very shallow women!

Now I do like The Duggar Family. I would never want that many children but I admire their morals, their love for God and respect for one another.

It's been an interesting day here at work. There is construction going on in the suite below us, and they've been drilling at their ceiling (our floor) all day. The Doctor can barely hear what the patients are saying, and nobody can hear on the phones. Plus I think these construction workers are going to drill right through the floor shortly.

Sounds like my house right now. We have painters outside scraping away and beating on stuff before they get started painting. Very noisy and somehow my granddaughter took a 2 hour nap through it all!

no, that was my eldest. Lisa loves Christmas as much as I do. we were talking the other day about how we are going to decorate her new apartment!

Aww! That's good that she loves Christmas! She should join us!

When she looks right at me, I swear I sometimes see her smile. (Maybe I'm just crazy, lol!)

You are not crazy! My cats and dogs always smile at me! People think I am crazy for saying it but you can just tell! :wink:

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

Lastly, and ending on a bit of a nervous note, please send good thoughts to my dad. Tomorrow I am going with him to a surgical consult, as he found out this past week that his carotid artery is 90-95% blocked. He doesn't seem nervous about it and told me not to worry, but I'm having a hard time keeping myself together. If he has to do the surgery, I will be even more scared...but I just want him to be okay. He is a huge jokester though and a seeming eternal optimist...so I'm trying to be lighthearted about it, at least until the consult tomorrow!!

I understand you being nervous. My father has Waldenstrom disease, a rare form of cancer that is in commission right now but every time he goes for his 6 month check up I get nervous that it might come back.

Prayers will be with you all through this!

 

[Meceka]

Hey, ya'll.

I'm sorry, I don't want to be a downer, but I wanted to say a few words about my best friend.

I found this morning that my old labrador, Ben, had passed away during the night last night. He had just turned 15 years old, and he had to walk around slowly, but he was always happy. I only wish I could have been there for him as he left, just to comfort him. I owed him that much.

I feel guilty because I've been so busy, I didn't spend much time with him lately. He was always a good boy and a good friend. He loved to hunt with me, and when he was younger he caught the frisbee a thousand times. He walked with me every step I took outside, and was never mad at me for not having as much time for him.

There was some discussion lately about whether or not pets have souls and go to Heaven. I have no doubts that Ben had a wonderful, beautiful soul, and is at this moment running and jumping and chasing birds. I can't imagine that any pet who has the capacity to love someone as much as Ben obviously loved me, lacked a soul and the ability to shrug off the pains and infirmities of old age and live forever in happiness.

I'll miss my old friend dearly. I have to believe he's now happy and young, and waiting to see me again. You've been a good boy, Big Ben, and I love you.

Brad, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful testimony to your best friend - there is no doubt in my mind that he knows how much you loved him and is waiting for you ((((Hugs))))

 

[Meceka]

The Lord Christ made all creation and animals are part of that creation. I happen to personally believe that animals souls are more pure than those of humans, always innocent. An innocent soul will never be anywhere but by the side of the Master no matter if the soul was human or "animal".

I so agree, CM3!

 

[Meceka]

Lastly, and ending on a bit of a nervous note, please send good thoughts to my dad. Tomorrow I am going with him to a surgical consult, as he found out this past week that his carotid artery is 90-95% blocked. He doesn't seem nervous about it and told me not to worry, but I'm having a hard time keeping myself together. If he has to do the surgery, I will be even more scared...but I just want him to be okay. He is a huge jokester though and a seeming eternal optimist...so I'm trying to be lighthearted about it, at least until the consult tomorrow!!

I went through a lot of consults with my dad - I know how stressful it is. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad - ((((Hugs))))

 

[Meceka]

Good evening!

The day has gone by so fast! I got a lot done, but most of it I didn't have to do at this time because what I was looking for was on the kitchen table - oh, well. The "office" is now much more organized and so is the living room.

Have a great evening and pleasant dreams!!!!!!!!!

 

[gabulldawg]

Good evening everyone! I came home and took a nap so who knows how long I will stay up tonight. I had such a busy 4 day weekend I guess I was just exhausted. How was everyone's Monday? I hope everyone had a good one. Here it is HOT,made it up to 93F today and is going to get 97 tomorrow. I have started the countdown until I leave for Bosnia in about 27 days,I am trying to think ahead so I will not forget anything and not have to Rush at the last minute! have a good night everyone!

 

[Seawaters]

She just knew what Christmas was all about!!!

my second daughter was due on January 12, so I too looked forward to an after Christmas perk. Only she surprised us and came on December 14! I was not ready, as I just wanted to enjoy Christmas before getting ready for another little one to join the family. Guess she really wanted to join in the fun!

 

[Seawaters]

Holiday,
If you need more to do, could I interest you in a job in my classroom?:lol:

Good morning! What a beautiful Ohio day...finally!

CONGRATULATIONS gabulldawg! What great news! I love that thought of no after Christmas blues for you! Awesome!

I hope you all had a great Mothers Day & a great weekend! Ours went by in a flash. Planted some flowers Friday night. Saturday took my parents & my bil's Mom to Bowling Green to watch my niece graduate from college. She had to give a speech at graduation, so that was really cool. On the way home we stopped in Findlay to visit with my brother & family as my nephew & his girlfriend both graduated on Saturday w/ doctors degrees (Physical Therapist) from Findlay. We left at 9 am & got home at 7:30 pm - 3 hours of driving time, 2 hours of sitting in the gym time....was a long (but fun) day! Yesterday we went to my hubby's Moms for lunch, to my nieces for supper to celebrate Mothers Day - then hubby & I rode the bike path after, took the dog for a walk, picked up our convertible from storage (YES!) & got home a little after 10 last night! Needed to come to work to rest. HA! (NOT!)

Make it a great day everybody!!

 

[Seawaters]

Good friends are your friend, no matter what. He is still walking with you. You just can't see him right now. What a beautiful love story!

Hey, ya'll.

I'm sorry, I don't want to be a downer, but I wanted to say a few words about my best friend.

I found this morning that my old labrador, Ben, had passed away during the night last night. He had just turned 15 years old, and he had to walk around slowly, but he was always happy. I only wish I could have been there for him as he left, just to comfort him. I owed him that much.

I feel guilty because I've been so busy, I didn't spend much time with him lately. He was always a good boy and a good friend. He loved to hunt with me, and when he was younger he caught the frisbee a thousand times. He walked with me every step I took outside, and was never mad at me for not having as much time for him.

There was some discussion lately about whether or not pets have souls and go to Heaven. I have no doubts that Ben had a wonderful, beautiful soul, and is at this moment running and jumping and chasing birds. I can't imagine that any pet who has the capacity to love someone as much as Ben obviously loved me, lacked a soul and the ability to shrug off the pains and infirmities of old age and live forever in happiness.

I'll miss my old friend dearly. I have to believe he's now happy and young, and waiting to see me again. You've been a good boy, Big Ben, and I love you.

 

[xmas365]

I just realized tomorrow is my girlfriends 23rd birthday. whew!! glad I remembered it. Now I have to think about something to get her besides flowers. We are moving on into mid may before you know it the summer months will be here.

Nice save!

I was just talking to my wife about how much I hate the summer, and it is starting to seem LC is the same way I am in the heat, he HATES it. It is only reaching the low to mid-70's so far but it is miserable for me and LC so far. It will only get warmer. :-?

 

[xmas365]

(Hmmm..... Ever hear of a stale new week?)

Maybe the week after the holiday season is over. cheesy

 

[Seawaters]

Sheesh, now I am crying again!!!

In Honor Of Bradmac's Baby, Big Ben xo

GOD LIVES IN THE POST OFFICE

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith
________

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , ' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

________

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God


-- Author Unknown