Christmas Countdown - 2017

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Well, back home today and tomorrow and then I head out to a conference tomorrow afternoon. Get to come back Wednesday and my travel is done! It has been a hectic month.

The concert was amazing, but I'm glad it is over. Being back with my little girls is all the fun I need.

I woke up this morning thinking about Christmas. I know it is because we are getting close to 100 days to the season, but I just am unusually fired up this morning. Maybe the Christmas bug is biting me a little earlier than usual...

Well, I am about to head out and play outside. See y'all later!

One of the things I enjoy when I'm travelling is singing loud to the music emitting from my car speakers. I can still drive extremely well while singing along with my tunes unless I make an error in the lyrics and that's when I bite my cheek because I'm chewing gum at the same time. HaHa.

I have been fired up for anything Christmas all month; more often than usual for me. Someone tested me on Friday about how many days remained until Christmas and her young teenage daughter was amazed that I knew the answer.
May the Christmas bug bite you and all our merry members quite regularly!

 

[CGYager]

Is it too early to put up the Christmas tree? If its real yes, but the artificial tree is going up!

You mean some actually take them down?
I actually have two that stay up all year long...

 

[CGYager]

One of the things I enjoy when I'm travelling is singing loud to the music emitting from my car speakers. I can still drive extremely well while singing along with my tunes unless I make an error in the lyrics and that's when I bite my cheek because I'm chewing gum at the same time. HaHa.

I have been fired up for anything Christmas all month; more often than usual for me. Someone tested me on Friday about how many days remained until Christmas and her young teenage daughter was amazed that I knew the answer.
May the Christmas bug bite you and all our merry members quite regularly!

Good Morning Auntie. One of the things that Wal-Mart employees have gotten use to over the years is being able to ask me two questions...
1. How long I have to go to retirement (currently 2 years, 7 months and 29 days)
2. How long until Christmas.
They always know the answer will be coming immediately.
Have a fun day...

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good Saturday morning! This last vacation weekend will have absolutely perfect weather. It's rare to see a 0% chance of precipitations. We may go see fireworks tonight, not sure yet. For now we're just relaxing and trying to figure out Windows 10
on a new computer I got David for his birthday. Have a great weekend everyone!

I gather you've been taking fun advantage of some of the Canada 150 celebrations. For my next vacation (week after next); I'm finally taking the challenge of driving in Toronto. The traffic is crazy and it takes an hour just to get from the HWY. down to where my brother lives in Liberty Village. I usually fly in and then take city transit or walk to various destinations. My brother is taking me sailing and to a few jazz venues. Might pick up my older cousin on the way out to bring him to visit my parents for a few days provided he has a means of getting back. He's 87 and can't drive unless a licensed driver is in the vehicle. He wants to go golfing with my dad. He's like a second father to me and although we chat on the phone regularly, we don't get to spend time together in person.

I've participated in a few 150 celebrations, but I'm not fond of large crowds so I skip some of those events.

I've "lucked out"weatherwise on my last vacation and hope for clear skies on the next one too so I'm not stuck inside doing domestic chores.

Enjoy your last day of "freedom" and David's new computer.

 

[NcGunny]

Good morning all It a damp early Sunday morning here in UK ...(well it is summer lol lol ) not long now till the 100 day marker and the "ber" months

Lol..its always a damp morning in the UK Nash!! I got to go to Wales for a few weeks once for some cross training and I swear it never stopped raining the whole time I was there.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Just turned the page to August in my calendar as I plan for next week...where did July go? Not complaining! It's been a great month, and now we're headed into the first longer-named month of the year, a sure sign cooler weather and the holidays are just around the corner!! Soaking up every single second of it! Today we're saying goodbye to some friends and watching a resident from the retirement community I work at throw out the first pitch at the local baseball game-he's 100 years old and has been practicing for months!! We are so excited!! Hope everyone has a GREAT day. 1 week we'll be at 100 and I'll celebrate by starting half marathon training again! Woohoo!!

That's an exciting opportunity for the resident to throw the first pitch at the ball game. The summer is speedy by so quickly. After August, we hit the "Ber" months. I love the Fall colours and the smell of chimneys, but right now I'm thankful for the nice weather (not as much rain as the first part of the summer) because I don't have to bundle up in heavy winter garb to go shopping, etc. I have a new car and look for any excuse to get out for a spin.

I work out regularly, but I'm not a runner; I'm inspired by those who participate in marathons. If only I had the stamina to run and not cheat by jogging ... kudos to you.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

TGIF, Christmas friends!

Nancy's appointment wend great yesterday. The doctor actually sent for me in the waiting room to explain to me that she's not to wash clothes, clean house, cook or anything for the next 5 weeks. Needless to say, I ordered my apron today. I wonder if I can charge that on my insurance?

Mom is in the mountains this weekend and I'm so jealous. LOL

I hope y'all have a great day!

I'm glad to hear the appointment went well and that Nancy has you and the children to help out a bit. I recall the time my mother broke her tailbone and my dad had to do some of the chores. Since she was restricted to her bed for the first few days, she couldn't even make coffee for herself. My dad asked me to make her coffee and help out a bit with a few chores; he did the cooking. My mom prefers instant coffee to anything else and has a very specific way it must be made.
Once the hot water is poured into the coffee mug, you have to place two ice cubes in it and give it a stir and then take one ice cube out when it's half melted. This way it's ready to drink at the right temperature for her. That's when I realized why my father asked me to make her coffee. Something good came out of that situation, my dad became the regular cook in the house. He enjoyed it so much and is still a pretty good cook.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Perhaps the apron counts as a medical deduction on your taxes, given that at the end of your five week tour you were sick of the housework.

When my brothers and I were younger; we shared different chores and rotated them so we only had that one chore each day for a week and then a 2 week break. We called dish duty, KP (kitchen patrol). The easiest chore was vacuuming and we had an electrolux and also used my dad's industrial vacuum from his clothing store; I called it R2D2 because it resembled a robot and I liked Star Wars. We all agreed the chore we didn't like was shovelling the walkway and driveway in the winter. I tried to call in sick after a snow storm, but it didn't go over well.

 

[Christmasstar]

Good morning MMC!

Going to be another hot day here I think we're finally getting our one week of summer in LOL.

Off to church in a couple of hours. After that I've got my daughter over for lunch and when I go pick up my other one from work and take them both home. Then I'm going to get that box of Christmas lights out for a little better look. I even have my son excited he says we're going to have the most lights of anybody in the whole neighbourhood and he's probably right.

I love to crank up the tunes on the radio in the van too. People can give you the strangest looks when you're sitting in your vehicle at a light singing loud with your songs and they are Christmas ones.

My arm is getting better every day and I hopeful when I go to the doctor on Tuesday that she gives me the green light to go back to work.

Our fall fair is coming up in September and the book of things You can enter is sitting on my kitchen counter while I practice some of the recipes. They actually have about five recipes written in the book that you have to do. Of course there's also lots and lots of stuff you make on your own which to me is more of a true test of showing off your skills then just copying a recipe.
So the recipes in the book I am doing up now to practice and see what they're like so my family gets a few goodies to eat and hopefully they turn out good. I really don't like their lemon curd recipe mine is so much better. Oh well it is what it is.

Hoping you all have a fantastic day

 

[Edge612]

Morning MMC! July is winding down as is another week. Seems like every time we turn around it's Sunday again. A beautiful morning here. 58 degrees and sunshine with low humidity. We've had a bunch of these mornings this summer which is nice for a change. Humidity should return mid-week with showers/thunderstorms. Till then the weather should be nice. Have a great Sunday!

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good morning MMC!

Going to be another hot day here I think we're finally getting our one week of summer in LOL.

Off to church in a couple of hours. After that I've got my daughter over for lunch and when I go pick up my other one from work and take them both home. Then I'm going to get that box of Christmas lights out for a little better look. I even have my son excited he says we're going to have the most lights of anybody in the whole neighbourhood and he's probably right.

I love to crank up the tunes on the radio in the van too. People can give you the strangest looks when you're sitting in your vehicle at a light singing loud with your songs and they are Christmas ones.

My arm is getting better every day and I hopeful when I go to the doctor on Tuesday that she gives me the green light to go back to work.

Our fall fair is coming up in September and the book of things You can enter is sitting on my kitchen counter while I practice some of the recipes. They actually have about five recipes written in the book that you have to do. Of course there's also lots and lots of stuff you make on your own which to me is more of a true test of showing off your skills then just copying a recipe.
So the recipes in the book I am doing up now to practice and see what they're like so my family gets a few goodies to eat and hopefully they turn out good. I really don't like their lemon curd recipe mine is so much better. Oh well it is what it is.

Hoping you all have a fantastic day

Sometimes when a police vehicle crosses my path, I hope they realize I'm singing and not chatting on my cell phone so I over exaggerate my singing hoping they can read lips. Wonder if they'd ever pull me over to hear the song.
I rarely follow recipes when I'm cooking. I make meatloaf and homemade soup and a ragu sauce that tastes great with pasta, potatoes or rice. I don't bake cakes, pies or cookies, but I make homemade chocolates and fudge for the gang at work and for Christmas visitors now and then. Hope you get a ribbon or two at the fair.

 

[CGYager]

Happy Sunday morning to all my MMC companions. I was off from work last night, so I can wake up fresh this AM. It was a very long week. The Zoo has a new volunteer coordinator and she neglected to let me know about posters that had to be delivered for the Jungle Jubilee. So, for the past few days, I'd get off work at 7AM, come home, change (just a little), get some java and hit the road. Usually finishing around 11AM, so I could get home and back to bed before the next shift. Finished up around 11:35 on Friday morning. Yesterday I was going to attend the wedding of a good friend's daughter, but I did a slight pull in my back on Friday night and so called to say I could not attend. Then, I slept from around 10:30AM on Saturday until 2:15AM this morning. Guess I was a little more tired than even I thought.
Today should be decent weather, so the yard beckons once again. And so July comes to a close and August begins to dawn. I love it!! Also means the NFL Hall of Fame game is this week and the beginning (kind of) of another season or gridiron greatness. Have a fantastic week everyone...

 

[CGYager]

Good morning MMC!

Going to be another hot day here I think we're finally getting our one week of summer in LOL.

Off to church in a couple of hours. After that I've got my daughter over for lunch and when I go pick up my other one from work and take them both home. Then I'm going to get that box of Christmas lights out for a little better look. I even have my son excited he says we're going to have the most lights of anybody in the whole neighbourhood and he's probably right.

I love to crank up the tunes on the radio in the van too. People can give you the strangest looks when you're sitting in your vehicle at a light singing loud with your songs and they are Christmas ones.

My arm is getting better every day and I hopeful when I go to the doctor on Tuesday that she gives me the green light to go back to work.

Our fall fair is coming up in September and the book of things You can enter is sitting on my kitchen counter while I practice some of the recipes. They actually have about five recipes written in the book that you have to do. Of course there's also lots and lots of stuff you make on your own which to me is more of a true test of showing off your skills then just copying a recipe.
So the recipes in the book I am doing up now to practice and see what they're like so my family gets a few goodies to eat and hopefully they turn out good. I really don't like their lemon curd recipe mine is so much better. Oh well it is what it is.

Hoping you all have a fantastic day

Greetings Christmasstar. I do the same with the car CD player. Want to know something? People give you even weirder looks if you are singing to some old Disney feature toons. Just try singing "I Have No Strings" and watch the reactions... lol
Church and yard work are on the books for me today. Enjoy these last couple of July dates...

 

[CGYager]

Morning MMC! July is winding down as is another week. Seems like every time we turn around it's Sunday again. A beautiful morning here. 58 degrees and sunshine with low humidity. We've had a bunch of these mornings this summer which is nice for a change. Humidity should return mid-week with showers/thunderstorms. Till then the weather should be nice. Have a great Sunday!

Howdy Edge. We have you beat here with 66 currently and a high of 83 expected, but it is expected to drop to the mid and even low 70's later this week (hopefully). Enjoy your Sunday morning and the last gasp of July for 2017...

 

[Crown 84]

Good Morning, Six-Day Season Seekers.

Seek and ye shall find our next Milestone, if you are willing to wait just 6 more days.

Days to the Season: 106
Days to Christmas Day: 148

Yes, my Friends. We have now passed UNDER the ONE WEEK mark to Milestone marker number 12, the 100-DAY SEASON WINDOW.
Then, next stop -- DOUBLE DIGITS to our Season of choice.
(My goodness!)


Yesterday was not bad, with the humidity down a bit and temperatures in the low 80's. Had a brief early evening rain.
Today is supposed to top out in the mid 80's with no chance of rain forecast.
We start off this morning at a cool 67 degrees here, the lowest it's been in many weeks, and it feels quite refreshing outside.


Have a Super Sunday and enjoy the remainder of your Weekend, Everyone!

 

[Edge612]

Good Morning, Six-Day Season Seekers.

Seek and ye shall find our next Milestone, if you are willing to wait just 6 more days.

Days to the Season: 106
Days to Christmas Day: 148

Yes, my Friends. We have now passed UNDER the ONE WEEK mark to Milestone marker number 12, the 100-DAY SEASON WINDOW.
Then, next stop -- DOUBLE DIGITS to our Season of choice.
(My goodness!)


Yesterday was not bad, with the humidity down a bit and temperatures in the low 80's. Had a brief early evening rain.
Today is supposed to top out in the mid 80's with no chance of rain forecast.
We start off this morning at a cool 67 degrees here, the lowest it's been in many weeks, and it feels quite refreshing outside.


Have a Super Sunday and enjoy the remainder of your Weekend, Everyone!

Thanks Crown! July is winding down!

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good Morning my Merry Chums!

I don't think I've told you about the hawk(s) in my backyard. I spotted the nest back in early May when the trees weren't adorned with as many leaves as we have now.

The first time I spotted the hawk, a BlueJay landed on a branch in the same tree and wasn't at all disturbed by the hawk.

O'Malley and I hear the screeching at the same time every morning and every evening. I used to think they were giving themselves up to announce their presence, but since learned that they're actually warning other hawks that this is their territory and/or communicating to their mate and young.

I've watched birds sit motionless on the ground near the cedar shrubs sometimes for several minutes, when the hawk has come to call and it reminds me of how perfectly still old Dexter (huge white shepherd/hound cross) was when we heard the coyotes at my cousins property by the river.

I have 3 Robins visiting regularly and I've watched them grow and fend for themselves. I believe their mom was killed by the hawk. Robin usually build their nest high in trees and these youngsters are nesting in the cedar shrub; I'm guessing they took over a chickadee nest. Sometimes the circle of life is sad, yet I understand that the hawks deserve to live.

Many years ago, they brought a few hawks in at the airport to control the seagulls and reduce the risk of take off and landing mishaps. I'm guessing these hawks are a kin to those original birds of prey.

Anyway ... going to hop in the shower soon and then call my mom and see if she's up to going somewhere for lunch. I love taking her out; she's a bit sluggish starting out due to mobility and vision issues, but by the time we're heading back, she seems more spry. We have concerts in the park at the waterfront every weekend so I'll suggest that as an option. It does her good to get out of the house and it gives my dad a bit of a break.

Keep a merry thought in your head!

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Greetings Christmasstar. I do the same with the car CD player. Want to know something? People give you even weirder looks if you are singing to some old Disney feature toons. Just try singing "I Have No Strings" and watch the reactions... lol
Church and yard work are on the books for me today. Enjoy these last couple of July dates...
View attachment 37949

I love Disney soundtracks and could easily sing along to songs from musicals as well. Think I got this singing bug from my dad. I used to be told to "sing softly, dear" because my voice isn't that good, but since becoming an avid viewer of THE VOICE, I have more confidence in my singing than I did back then.

 

[Martine]

I gather you've been taking fun advantage of some of the Canada 150 celebrations. For my next vacation (week after next); I'm finally taking the challenge of driving in Toronto. The traffic is crazy and it takes an hour just to get from the HWY. down to where my brother lives in Liberty Village. I usually fly in and then take city transit or walk to various destinations. My brother is taking me sailing and to a few jazz venues. Might pick up my older cousin on the way out to bring him to visit my parents for a few days provided he has a means of getting back. He's 87 and can't drive unless a licensed driver is in the vehicle. He wants to go golfing with my dad. He's like a second father to me and although we chat on the phone regularly, we don't get to spend time together in person.

I've participated in a few 150 celebrations, but I'm not fond of large crowds so I skip some of those events.

I've "lucked out"weatherwise on my last vacation and hope for clear skies on the next one too so I'm not stuck inside doing domestic chores.

Enjoy your last day of "freedom" and David's new computer.

I actually have avoided most celebrations, be it Canada's 150th or Montréal's 375th, because I hate crowds. Even going for a show at the Montreal Just for Laughs fest this week, I did not feel well when there were too many people around me on the streets. Your upcoming vacation sounds great, especially sailing. You're brave to want to drive though, I've only passed through Toronto with someone else driving and it would drive me nuts. Enjoy your day with your mother today.

 

[Martine]

Happy Sunday morning to all my MMC companions. I was off from work last night, so I can wake up fresh this AM. It was a very long week. The Zoo has a new volunteer coordinator and she neglected to let me know about posters that had to be delivered for the Jungle Jubilee. So, for the past few days, I'd get off work at 7AM, come home, change (just a little), get some java and hit the road. Usually finishing around 11AM, so I could get home and back to bed before the next shift. Finished up around 11:35 on Friday morning. Yesterday I was going to attend the wedding of a good friend's daughter, but I did a slight pull in my back on Friday night and so called to say I could not attend. Then, I slept from around 10:30AM on Saturday until 2:15AM this morning. Guess I was a little more tired than even I thought.
Today should be decent weather, so the yard beckons once again. And so July comes to a close and August begins to dawn. I love it!! Also means the NFL Hall of Fame game is this week and the beginning (kind of) of another season or gridiron greatness. Have a fantastic week everyone...
View attachment 37948

You sure had long days there, between work and volunteering. I hope your back is better today, especially if you plan on doing yard work. Hope you will find time to relax and have a great Sunday CGYager.