Christmas Countdown - 2011

[KerWa]

Congrats! I hit 18,000 at some point and never noticed.

Congratulations!

 

[ClaireLovesChristmas]

Hello everyone!

Its been really warm here today, made dinner on the BBQ and had the pool out for the kids! Been a really nice relaxing day! Going to finish the day off with a nice glass of wine once the kids are asleep!

Hope your all having a great day:

 

[xmas365]

Good afternoon,

I am sitting here in an awkward position holding my power adapter in to charge this foolish machine, it is working and I was able to get caught up on all the posts from the last 2 days, my elbow has such a cramp but it is almost 100% charged at this point. I did order a new cord from Ebay though it should be here this week. We have been busy the last couple days with a birthday party, and yardwork, we were going to go to fireworks tonight but the boys are in such rotten moods and overtired from the birthday party I think we will skip it tonight. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Have a good day!

 

[RadioJonD]

Good morning, Christmas Family!

I am very sad this morning - one of my outdoor cats was deliberately hit and killed on the road last night. One of my neighbors is notorious for trying to take them out - he's gotten quite a few over the years as he always speeds up when he passes the house...

PM me his address. Or share it here if others would like to send him a "not so much of a greeting" card. This guy needs "unfan" mail!

 

[Meceka]

I like him pretty well ... I'm embarrassed to say we have a great DVD set of Lloyd that we've had for years and have hardly watched yet. Lloyd has an earnestness in his films that connects with people. I got really hooked on Keaton a couple decades ago when I was on chemotherapy. I saw "The General" in a theater with a live organ, and it seemed liked a metaphor for what I was going through. It was tough to find Keaton films on video then, because everything was under Raymond Rohauer's thumb. Now you can get beautiful transfers on DVD (and we've got 'em!). We were acquainted with Eleanor Keaton in her last years. I escorted her around when she came to my town for a Keaton silent film show. We went to an all-night Denny's for something to eat afterward, and she described exactly how a Keaton-style flat hat is made---that was her job after she married him!

I've always wanted to see one of the silent movies with a live organ - there is a vintage theater in Saginaw that does that every now and then, but so far I haven't made it to one of those shows. What interesting stories you have!!

You might not believe this, but when my younger son was still at home, he realized he LOVED the old movies. He was in third grade at the time. His favorites were Martin and Lewis. He would absolutely crack up. He also loved all the Bonzo movies. So every year for Christmas, he would get videos and tapes with those old movies and the old radio shows. I could not even tell you how many he has. It was so fun watching him grow up and realize how much he appreciated humor. Some of the Buster Keaton videos made him cry. He thought he looked so sad. Now, this is my kid that we could not let watch a lot of the Save the Children ads because he would be in tears. He does not like to think of anyone being sad. Benjamin ended up even liking opera--well, at least some of it: Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. I think it was the bawdy song "Master of the House" that hooked him on opera. In Phantom, he loved "Masquerade." All of that was to say that Benjamin would have considered that you had an extra fine evening!

Thank you for sharing that wonderful story, Seawaters!

Thanks so much for sharing that ... so often when we are enjoying the vintage stuff, we're sad to think that the later generations aren't exposed to it on TV like we were, and that the entertainers we love so much will fade into oblivion. Folks after my generation never even HEARD of Laurel and Hardy, and that makes me shudder, when I think of the great Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings we spent with them and Abbott and Costello and the Marx Brothers and Our Gang and the Blondie movies, and others. And before VCRs, listening to old-time radio or Broadway cast albums on LP or cassette was great entertainment for a teen.

P.S.--I love "Masquerade," too!

I was lucky that my parents had me so late in their life - they passed on their love of movies to me. We used to watch the Bijou theater on PBS and our local television channel used to show movies at 4 every afternoon - 5 movies a week from a series. Sunday mornings they showed a different series all month long - sometimes even cliffhanger serials. It wasn't until we got a satellite dish that I was able to see the silent movies other than Chaplin's. Thank God for AMC (when it was commercial free!) and TCM!!

yes, but unless you actually saw him do it you cannot accuse him. Could be another car was responsible. Either way it is always sad to loose a pet.

Yes, you are right, I can't report him as I didn't see it happen. I do know who it is though, the sound of his vehicle is unmistakable!

I am excited that 3 Marx Brothers movies are on TCM overnight tonight or tomorrow, I have the DVR set to record them, especially Duck Soup. I have loved them since my mid 20's.

I LOVE Duck Soup - the mirror scene is one of my all-time movie favorites - CLASSIC!!!

 

[Meceka]

Good evening, MMC!

It is a hot one out here! I hope everyone is enjoying their vacations!!!

Thank you so much for all the sympathy posts - they mean a lot to me!!
It has been interesting taking care of the orphaned kittens - they just opened their eyes not too long ago. None of them would take any of the milk substitute until I put it in a freezer bag with a small tear in one corner. They took a bit then, but not enough. Willie, ShyB's mom, was watching me try to feed the kittens. She called them to her and started to nurse them - it was amazing! Willie has never taken over another cat's kittens in all the years she has been here - nine, now. ShyB was her daughter, though, so I'd like to think that maybe she did it for her.

Yesterday we almost made the entire rent we owe for our booth for July. We usually do real well this month which helps for next month which is one of our slower ones. I've been planning my holiday displays - can't wait to put them out at the end of October!

Have a great evening!!!!!

 

[MerryCarey]

I am excited that 3 Marx Brothers movies are on TCM overnight tonight or tomorrow, I have the DVR set to record them, especially Duck Soup. I have loved them since my mid 20's.

For a few years back in the late 1970s (I think), Channel 20 in Washington, D.C. used to show a Marx Brothers marathon on New Year's Eve from about 5 or 6 p.m. until the wee hours. And my parents would go out to a party, so I had the TV all to myself---heaven!

I've always wanted to see one of the silent movies with a live organ - there is a vintage theater in Saginaw that does that every now and then, but so far I haven't made it to one of those shows. What interesting stories you have!!

I was lucky that my parents had me so late in their life - they passed on their love of movies to me. We used to watch the Bijou theater on PBS and our local television channel used to show movies at 4 every afternoon - 5 movies a week from a series. Sunday mornings they showed a different series all month long - sometimes even cliffhanger serials. It wasn't until we got a satellite dish that I was able to see the silent movies other than Chaplin's. Thank God for AMC (when it was commercial free!) and TCM!!

I've been SO lucky. Where I grew up was a 1926 movie theater with a restored theater organ. In the 1980s and 1990s they would show several silent movies a year with a live organist---what a great experience seeing the films pretty much as they were originally shown in a vintage movie house! And I've been so lucky to be acquainted with interesting people, like Eleanor Keaton, Stan Laurel's daughter Lois, and Gloria Jean. I'm in awe of the memories they have. And to have a husband who loves and collects the same vintage stuff I do!

 

[xmas365]

Good night!

 

[caseydbell]

Evening every one,

It's been a looooong while since I've been on. Listening to MMC radio. Ready for Christmas in July

 

[made582]

All of the food is cooked and my nieces are in bed. I am going to sit outside and watch some fireworks for awhile and then I am also headed to bed. Goodnight Everyone!!!!!

 

[Jeff Westover]

Evening every one,

It's been a looooong while since I've been on. Listening to MMC radio. Ready for Christmas in July

It HAS been a while, Casey. Nice to see you back!

 

[Jeff Westover]

Took my little girls with me to Sam's to pick up our fireworks for tomorrow night. We've got about 90 kids that live on our street and this year we're just going to block off both ends of the street with vehicles and have one giant block party. Everyone will drag out their fireworks at the same time and light them up.

We have new fireworks laws which allow for the kind that can go 30 feet in the air. If last night is any indication it will be an epic year.

My Madelyn, who turned 11 the other day, asked for and got a whole arsenal of new squirt guns including a new Nerf model that takes reloadable clips (she got three clips, too). She has been filling up water balloons all weekend, filling up every ice chest and empty box we've got.

Her efforts have led to an arms buildup in the neighborhood, one of the Dads even going so far as to build fort on his front lawn for the upcoming water fight. I'm going to head to Lowes in the morning and pick up that new nozzle I've been looking at. I know tomorrow at this time I can't be out there with any mere squirt gun and hope to survive.

My son is taking no chances either. He was at a gathering today for a Boy Scout who is trying to wrap up his Eagle project and when I went to pick him up they weren't all huddled around talking about a canned food drive any longer -- they were strategizing for the waterfight. Not too sure what is going to happen but the big tree in my front yard now has a complex system of pulleys and ropes hanging from it and there are already stashed a variety of water bombs and weapons up there. They will have to fight me for the hose so they've got only about 20 hours left to get their preparations done.

I don't think I'll need to worry about watering my lawn tomorrow.

Just a hunch.

 

[caninemom3]

Good morning, Christmas Family!

I am very sad this morning - one of my outdoor cats was deliberately hit and killed on the road last night. One of my neighbors is notorious for trying to take them out - he's gotten quite a few over the years as he always speeds up when he passes the house.

Getting ready to head out to the store - it is very foggy out right now, so it is a good thing we don't open until after 10.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Mary, I am so very sad at this news. On the other hand, just give ME the address. I swear I am ready right now to come to where you are and settle the score and I mean it !! How DARE anyone hurt an INNOCENT creature..........GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR As one of my very favorite comic book characters says......"IT'S CLOBBERIN' TIME !"

 

[ballcoach]

Man, it sure was hot outside today!!

Bout time to head to bed, going to read the board for a little while....see everyone in the morning!

 

[shellie12]

hi just to say
HAPPY 4TH JULY TO ALL YOU AMERICAN MMC
HAVE A GOOD DAY

 

[MerryCarey]

Took my little girls with me to Sam's to pick up our fireworks for tomorrow night. We've got about 90 kids that live on our street and this year we're just going to block off both ends of the street with vehicles and have one giant block party. Everyone will drag out their fireworks at the same time and light them up.

We have new fireworks laws which allow for the kind that can go 30 feet in the air. If last night is any indication it will be an epic year.

My Madelyn, who turned 11 the other day, asked for and got a whole arsenal of new squirt guns including a new Nerf model that takes reloadable clips (she got three clips, too). She has been filling up water balloons all weekend, filling up every ice chest and empty box we've got.

Her efforts have led to an arms buildup in the neighborhood, one of the Dads even going so far as to build fort on his front lawn for the upcoming water fight. I'm going to head to Lowes in the morning and pick up that new nozzle I've been looking at. I know tomorrow at this time I can't be out there with any mere squirt gun and hope to survive.

My son is taking no chances either. He was at a gathering today for a Boy Scout who is trying to wrap up his Eagle project and when I went to pick him up they weren't all huddled around talking about a canned food drive any longer -- they were strategizing for the waterfight. Not too sure what is going to happen but the big tree in my front yard now has a complex system of pulleys and ropes hanging from it and there are already stashed a variety of water bombs and weapons up there. They will have to fight me for the hose so they've got only about 20 hours left to get their preparations done.

I don't think I'll need to worry about watering my lawn tomorrow.

Just a hunch.

That sounds like one whiz-bang, water-soakin' Fourth of July in the works. I can't wait to hear the "dispatches from the front" of the Great Water Battle!

 

[kerstig]

Thank you so much for all the sympathy posts - they mean a lot to me!!
It has been interesting taking care of the orphaned kittens - they just opened their eyes not too long ago. None of them would take any of the milk substitute until I put it in a freezer bag with a small tear in one corner. They took a bit then, but not enough. Willie, ShyB's mom, was watching me try to feed the kittens. She called them to her and started to nurse them - it was amazing! Willie has never taken over another cat's kittens in all the years she has been here - nine, now. ShyB was her daughter, though, so I'd like to think that maybe she did it for her.

I'm sorry for your loss! The idea of killing an animal willingly is just revolting :S Hope the orphaned kittens turn out well, it's cute Willie is taking care of them....

Took my little girls with me to Sam's to pick up our fireworks for tomorrow night. We've got about 90 kids that live on our street and this year we're just going to block off both ends of the street with vehicles and have one giant block party. Everyone will drag out their fireworks at the same time and light them up.

We have new fireworks laws which allow for the kind that can go 30 feet in the air. If last night is any indication it will be an epic year.

My Madelyn, who turned 11 the other day, asked for and got a whole arsenal of new squirt guns including a new Nerf model that takes reloadable clips (she got three clips, too). She has been filling up water balloons all weekend, filling up every ice chest and empty box we've got.

Her efforts have led to an arms buildup in the neighborhood, one of the Dads even going so far as to build fort on his front lawn for the upcoming water fight. I'm going to head to Lowes in the morning and pick up that new nozzle I've been looking at. I know tomorrow at this time I can't be out there with any mere squirt gun and hope to survive.

My son is taking no chances either. He was at a gathering today for a Boy Scout who is trying to wrap up his Eagle project and when I went to pick him up they weren't all huddled around talking about a canned food drive any longer -- they were strategizing for the waterfight. Not too sure what is going to happen but the big tree in my front yard now has a complex system of pulleys and ropes hanging from it and there are already stashed a variety of water bombs and weapons up there. They will have to fight me for the hose so they've got only about 20 hours left to get their preparations done.

The water fight sounds amazing like so much fun! I bet you'll have a great day today!

Wish all of you a lovely 4th of July!

 

[DoubleA]

Have a great 4th of July everyone!

 

[happyelf]

Happy 4th July to my friends across the water. Hope you all have a fantastic day!:merry:

 

[Christmasstar]