Christmas Countdown - 2011

[gabulldawg]

The good news is I finally found Egg Nog At the Publix supermarrket on lunch break,,,the bad news is I walked out spending 60 bucks just for 2 days worth of groceries! Is this what inflation is? I grew up in the hey days of the 90's when gas cost 98cent a gallon and milk was cheap..now groceries are outragious. I can't believe how much things cost now. I bought some eggnog of course did not bother to look at the price I was just excited to finally find some!

 

[gabulldawg]

@Gabulldawg: Yes I know it will be a long flight. But at least I will be used to it at the end of it.^^ I will see a lot of things, since I will start at New York and my journey will end in San Francisco.

At my work the end of one month and the beginning of another is always a very stressful time. Today we all want to work but have to wait until our computer tools are up and running. Somehow I doubt it will happen until the end of my work day. Anyway at least my bosses are great they let us surf the internet (without saying anything), as long as we do the best we can in our job and are punctual.

I love flying myself! It's not as fun as post 9/11 of course. I just like the feeling of speeding down the runway and watching things get smaller and smaller! Are you flying from Switzerland for New York? I use to fly London Heathrow to Boston or Atlanta when I lived in the UK and it was 6 hours to Boston, 7 hours to Atlanta.

 

[Bradmac]

Oh My Goodness!

That stealthcam is the coolest thing EVAH!!

 

[snowflake22]

I posted this in the Christmas Blossoms thread, but I figured that I can post it here, too... It's not Egg Nog, but I certainly enjoy it much better!

Saw it in the stores for the first time this year... I don't eat Rice Krispies often, but of course I will make the exception for the red and green Holiday Rise Krispies. They just taste better!

Oooh! Yum! I'll have to make some festive holiday Rice Krispy Treats! Thanks, Brent =)

Good evening everyone! What a crazy few days! Yesterday evening, I had a lovely pedicure with a good friend, the massage chair felt amazing and I got a cute design on my toes. Even though when I got home, DF questioned why because I'd "not be wearing sandals for a few months"...oops! Hadn't really thought of that beforehand, lol. But it was stiill a good time out!

Glad you had a fun evening with your friend! Did you get cute little Christmas trees on your feet?!

Today at Kohl's, we started playing Christmas music and put out all the store decorations! It was so great...I walked in at 6am and a Christmas tune I didn't recognize was playing and I just went nuts. One of my friends from clear across the store yelled, "CHRISTMAS MUSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!" to which I yelled back "YAYYYYYYYYY!" lol. We are a bit special. =p But all day I was in a good mood because every 4 songs, a Christmas song would play! I love that now all of my friends are starting to get into the spirit and it's not just me!

Sounds like a fun day at work! I heard Christmas music while I was in line at WalMart last night, and it made me smile!

I worked at Hallmark tonight and we are almost completely prepared for Open House this weekend. How many of you are going to an Open House? I put some ornaments on hold...I'm getting "Close-Knit Sisters" for my two matrons of honor/BFF's, the Baby's First Christmas Winnie the Pooh ornament for DF's best friend & wife, the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ornament (the car with the tree on the roof) for our good friends, and then Snap Happy Friends (penguin and polar bear taking a self picture) for DF and I. I'm excited!!

I'm going to one near my house, and I'm so excited too!! I want to get the snowmen ornament that plays "We Need A Little Christmas" & A Christmas Story's "Oh Fudge" one! I already got The Peanuts "Christmastime Is Here" and "Santa Comes To Town". It must be hard to work there and not buy all of that cute stuff! I can always find a gift at Hallmark, it's a great store.

Music Choice just switched over to christmas music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY! Can't wait to go home & check it out! Thanks, Made!

The first song was winter wonderland by air supply.

Good evening ,Christmas family

Not as tired tonight as last night. Getting ready in about 4 minutes to see if Sounds of The Season on Music Choice has switched to Christmas....

I might be adopting another furchild. My sister called tonight and it seems there is a little Chihuahua who needs a home.....someone in her current home is allergic.......so....I am thinking about it. I know..some of you think I am crazy.....Maybe I am. I have just always felt that my "calling" is to care for the furry kids on this earth the best that I can and give them love and all the things they need...

That's wonderful, CM3!! I wish there were more people in the world like you. You have a very big heart, and I admire that. What is this little sweetie's name? xo


Xmas......We are missing you very much and praying you are safe xo

CAH - Praying for your cousin xo (((HUGS)))

MerryCarey - Praying you are back home xo ((HUGS))

Britt - Always a delight to see and read your posts !! xo ((HUGS))

Sugar - Thinking of you working nights UGH ......and of course thinking of Sweet Ella ((HUGS))

Snowflake - Clancy, Wish, Ivy, Smokey and Lily all say hello !! ((HUGS)) to you and Harlowe xo

HUGS back! xo



Well... Guess What Christmas Family?? Music Choice Sounds of The Season is now PLAYING CHRISTMAS MUSIC !!!!! Hooray !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am such a sentimental sap....I always get a tear or two in my eyes when The Season is "officially" here to the rest of the world....xo

Don't know how much I will be here tomorrow. It is the anniversary of something that happened 19 years ago which I will not talk about on the Countdown. I did a blog about it if you want to read about it....
~I'll be thinking of you~ XO

I am going to go and totally enjoy hearing Music Choice playing Christmas music ! First carol out was Ding Dong Merrily on High by Julie Andrews !

((((HUGS)))) Christmas family xoxo

Happy November, Christmas Family !!!!! It's Getting Closer !! ((HUGS))

AWWW! I love it, CM3! Please send them my way when they're done, Har & I have plenty of treats to share! xo

Today is my favorite sons birthday...hard to believe my "baby" is 24 now!

Happy Birthday to your son! Hope he has a great day!

Got a cake decorating class to teach this afternoon (grade 4 & 5 kids, 7 of them) It is fun, and as much a lesson for me as for them since this is the first class I have ever taught.

Table is slowly filling with baked pieces of gingerbread that will hopefully all fit together to make a house when done.

Sounds like lots of fun, Christmasstar! Good luck & enjoy your day too!

Hope you all have a fantastic day!!!

 

[gabulldawg]

I meant to say I also bought 3 2 liter Coke's today because they had polor bear themes on it,It can't be thier holiday because it did not say so,but I did think of CM3 when I saw it.

 

[brent]

Today is my favorite sons birthday...hard to believe my "baby" is 24 now!

Got a cake decorating class to teach this afternoon (grade 4 & 5 kids, 7 of them) It is fun, and as much a lesson for me as for them since this is the first class I have ever taught.

Table is slowly filling with baked pieces of gingerbread that will hopefully all fit together to make a house when done.

Hope you all have a fantastic day!!!

Happy Birthday to your son!! Enjoy teaching those kids, too. I'm sure they will have a fantastic time!

 

[lilnoelelf]

Hello Christmas Family!

I'm really getting excited about the different exchanges this year! going out this weekend to get the ornament for my "exchange partner" I am tore between two if I cant deside they may wind up with two Cause I like them both! and I'm picking up the gift too. One of my daughters came up with a wonderful Idea for the exchange so I think I will use it!

All is going ok here, fall is in the air and I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving! as I type this My youngest is watching the Polar Express He LOVES that movie and The Grinch. The cartoon not the movie. we tried to put the movie on for him and he said "No not the Grinch Fake MY grinch........Picky lil thing for almost 3 ROF LOL

I hope all is well with my Friends here and y'all are blessed. I'm going to get off here for now and fix some lunch. Take care!!!!

 

[brent]

I think Thanskgiving is always either the last thursday of NOV. or the 3rd thursday of November. sometimes it's like on the 28th then sometimes it's early like the 23rd! In Canada thiers is in October although Im not sure how they come about a date. Maybe a fellow Canadian can help us out!
Hope you have fun on your summer holidays to the states... For a first time flyer you sure will have a long flight! But it will be exciting I'm sure!:whisper:

Our Thanksgiving is always the second Monday of October. It always happens to coincide with your Columbus Day!

 

[sugar142286]

We had a great time in the mountains! It rained on us Friday, so we stayed around the house and had homemade soup.

Saturday we rode the Blue Ridge Parkway, then crossed the mountain into Tennessee. At the top of the mountain we stopped to let the kids play in the snow...and me, too. Later, we went into Pigeon Forge, TN and accidentally stopped at The Incredible Christmas Place. I LOVE THAT PLACE!! They had a lady hand-painting ornaments...from the inside! She had a skinny brush with an angled bristle, and she painted the most beautiful scenes; snowy scenes, nativities, etc. Mama bought us a beautiful nativity scene ornament!

Sunday, on our way out, we stopped at Lake Junaluska to feed the ducks our leftover bread. The kids a great time doing that. There must've been 200 ducks & geese!

I wasn't able to get online while we were away, so I've been trying to catch up on this thread since noon last Thursday. I have tried to skim closely, and I hope I haven't missed anything important. Please let me know if I have.

I hope y'all have a great day! cheesy

Welcome back, Brad! We all missed you on here! Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[lilnoelelf]

Brent and gabulldawg the american Thanksgiving is on the 3rd Thursday of November and Welcome Back Brad!!!!

 

[brent]

Good afternoon, everyone!

Happy 'Pines Day!! A great deal on the Fired Twinkies today! I wonder if the special is to celebrate the fact that this is the first of two November 'Pines visits where we are not in the Christmas Season!? Speaking of which, that Countdown to the Christmas Season looks mighty fine at 11 Days! In two days, we'll be in single digits! What a way to welcome Friday! Another reason to look forward to the weekend!

As you may have guessed, it was a fairly busy morning in the office. Lots of grants had to be processed. I spent a bit of time searching for jobs as well... Speaking of which, I may have good news, but I cannot announce that until everything is confirmed. My fingers are crossed that I can today! This announcement makes me even more excited for the Season to begin, too! If that is even possible!

My dad awoke me today at 7 AM. He was all packed and ready to head back home. Although we do not do a whole lot while he is here (shop, sports stores, watch hockey and football), I enjoy having him around. Even as a 26-year-old, I still cherish spending time with him. He should be more than halfway home now, too... The nine hour drive is defintely something that I do not look forward to! Even so, I can't wait to head home for Christmas and see my entire family.

Kim and I haven't discussed anything about our decorations yet. I think we may this evening, now that we have time to ourselves. Plans for the evening? She needs a winter coat and I have to go to the gym. So, I think I will visit the gym after work and then make supper. We'll go to the mall to find her a jacket/coat after dinner. Don't worry, I'll bring my Blackberry in case I spot some wonderful Christmas decorations! The Season is nearly in full swing!

Have a great Wednesday, everyone! Enjoy the 'Pines!

 

[snowflake22]

Good Morning, friends!!

Hope you're all having a good Wednesday so far~

I'm starting to get really excited for Thanksgiving, been planning out my menu... and excited for the weekend after, of course...
That's when we get out all of our Christmas decorations!! :???:
I went to Home Depot yesterday, and HAD to stop to look at their Christmas decorations. Of course they had so many neat things! I actually found some of the pre-lit LED battery operated garlands- maybe I'll get those! But, the coolest thing was a gorgeous pre-lit tree that had a touch of snowy glitter & pinecones. Sparkly! Stunning! Of course I thought I already had my dream tree, then I saw this one...ugh! What to do?! I don't think they have sales either, do they?

Harlowe has been doing pretty good. Her Dr. called us last Friday & said that the internist thought she may have had some sort of spontaneous gall bladder contraction where her post test results may have been affected. She suggests a few different things- a liver biopsy, Lactulose trial, and another medicine called Actigall . It's just frustrating because we've spent so much money trying to figure things out for the last 5 months, and we're still just guessing. My husband feels we have to draw the line somewhere. Especially since she's doing so much better. As is, she's now on 4 different medicines again & that's getting expensive. Don't get me wrong, we'd do anything for her! I just wish they could pinpoint something definitive. Please say prayers for her & us so we don't lose our
minds :-?

Has anyone seen any more Christmas commercials? I've seen a few more, and am loving it! 'Tis The Season!!

Thinking of you all- have a great November day!

22 days until Thanksgiving!

 

[KWasser]

I went to the local mall yesterday to discover they had put up strings of white Christmas lights hanging from the ceilings throughout the mall, AND they were now playing Christmas music in the mall itself! I asked a mall employee and she said they had just put up the Christmas lights 3 days earlier, but just switched over to Christmas music that day (November 1st).

The individual stores inside the mall hadn't switched over to Christmas music as far as I could tell, but plenty of them had Christmas sale signs and a few Christmas decorations (like JC Penney, which had some wreaths hanging up and a display of Christmas toy trains for sale).

No radio stations around here yet airing Christmas music (November 1st is when a lot of stations switch over though, so I'm keeping an eye out. Or is it ear out?).

I still haven't seen many Christmas commercials, though Wal-Mart and K-Mart are STRONGLY promoting their layaway programs...

 

[MerryCarey]

I meant to say I also bought 3 2 liter Coke's today because they had polar bear themes on it,It can't be their holiday because it did not say so,but I did think of CM3 when I saw it.

The six-packs of glass bottles with Santa on them are out too! We got some last night.

Coca-Cola is doing a promotion where they're donating money to the World Wildlife Federation to save the habitat of the polar bears. Part of the promotion is changing their red Coke cans to white and adding a polar bear design. Of course, Coke got the idea for polar bears and supporting wildlife from Polar Beverages here in Mass.! (And Polar was using polar bears in its advertising long before Coke started putting them in their Christmas commercials.)

 

[trackrebel]

all of the stores sell christmas decorations now and i guess the announcment for the weihnachtsmarkt in my city will be put out this week....next week is st. martin s day over here and all the kids will be walking thru the night with lanterns and sings songs and the grown ups usually drin mulled wine....the rest of the world seems to be catching up to us now

 

[Crown 84]

.....When do you have Thanksgiving in the States? I thought it was supposed to be at the end of October......

It amazes me that no one has correctly aswered this question for Cetacea.
Thanksgiving in the US is always the 4th Thursday in November. No exceptions.
(It has been that fixed date since 1941.)

 

[shellie12]

hi snowflake
Harlowe has been doing pretty good. Her Dr. called us last Friday & said that the internist thought she may have had some sort of spontaneous gall bladder contraction where her post test results may have been affected. She suggests a few different things- a liver biopsy, Lactulose trial, and another medicine called Actigall . It's just frustrating because we've spent so much money trying to figure things out for the last 5 months, and we're still just guessing. My husband feels we have to draw the line somewhere. Especially since she's doing so much better. As is, she's now on 4 different medicines again & that's getting expensive. Don't get me wrong, we'd do anything for her! I just wish they could pinpoint something definitive. Please say prayers for her & us so we don't lose our
minds
hi snowflake i feel for you . really do, i went though 7 months with my sandy . costing a pure fortune not that the money mattered wood do it all over again. you think they have it sorted then they come back with something else. i keep telling then what to look for ( as i had done my time as a vet nurse) not one of then listerned to me till it was to late. a week after the results showed up what i had said all long.. i always will think i should have fought harder.. some of then have not a clue. they are guessing and trying this and that.
But if the wee thing is doing good. thats a god sent.
Actigall is used for treat gallstones ,helps break them down (if i am thinking of the same thing)
As i said i feel for you. it wood put your nerves away.
will say a wee prayer to st therese. goodlick girl and really hope harlowe stays doing good. and hopefully these might help this time

 

[gabulldawg]

What a day! I just went out to my car and someone broke into it and slide the electric seat all the way up to the underneath the steering wheel and ripped out and controls so I can't even get into it because I am so tall. I don't even think brandi could get into it and she's 4 '11!! because its all the way up to the controls! guess I have to call the cops!

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

What a day! I just went out to my car and someone broke into it and slide the electric seat all the way up to the underneath the steering wheel and ripped out and controls so I can't even get into it because I am so tall. I don't even think brandi could get into it and she's 4 '11!! because its all the way up to the controls! guess I have to call the cops!

Grrrrrr!

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

Snowflake, I hope Harlowe gets well soon!