Christmas Countdown - 2019

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good early morning/late night. MMC! Coming live from a hospital bed just to talk to you and before any of you say told you so...

I'm going to be honest, I've had a scare in the last 24 hours or so. Last evening heading to bed, the rash only continued to spread, became more itchy/burning and I was at my worse. I noticed that I also was delveoping ulcers inside my mouth, which can be life threatening, due to air swelling an closure. I called DH, he immediately came home from work and took me to the ER. I wasn't there long and was given medication to help with the itching, rash, and swelling. Not even one minute after all the meds were started, I began to seize. I was given meds to stop them, but I occasionally still seized. They transferred me to the facility back where I live and was told that they may have to fly me to Pittsburgh if I became too bad. Three different physicians are on my case and came in and told me the same thing. They believe I have what is called Steven Johnson's Syndrome, which is a rare condition, only 20,000 people get a year, from a serious reaction to a few drugs. They state that my case is only considered mild/moderate, but that if it would have became more severe and I would have waited another 48 hours, I would have died. They said thankfully I was smart enough to know when it progressed to my mouth, it was time to get checked, because a lot of people don't and then it's too late.

They've been giving me blood thinners, steroids, and a another new anti-convulsant drug to try for my seizures. They said I will at least be here until Friday, possibly longer and then they'll figure out how long they want me off of work, to make sure everything is working through my system right. It sounds like it could 4-6 weeks.

I thank you for all your prayers and continue to ask for them. I thank the Lord above that he was listening and directed me in the right way.

I am heading to get some shut eye. Good night!

Wow; so glad you recognized that you needed medical attention.
I have a mild allergy to various grasses, pollen and feathers. A bumble bee banged into me and I felt my skin burn and it got all rashy where he bumped into me. I could never tolerate the itch and burning that you experienced (and shared in the photo of your arm).
Continued thoughts and prayers to give yourself time to heal.

 

[Nor'easter]

I'm so excited tomorrow we reach the 4th!! Ok, so not July 4th, but January 4th. Hey they both have a 4 and begin with J and end with a Y. More importantly it's our first weekend of 2019 and that's got to be a little something to be happy about. 51 more and the journey will be over so gotta enjoy them one at a time.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Hey Everyone! I haven't been around too much on this forum the last couple of seasons, but I hope I'm still welcome. I feel like I should post at least once before the 2018 season gets wished away completely.

I'm at that point where the days feel really weird and off now that the holidays are over. I swear, early January is always the toughest. Always. And just when you think you've finally got a hold of it, it still doesn't get any easier. I can't help it. Months go by, from as far back as mid-August, where you can rely on it being "the season" (or at least rely on knowing what's ahead). And then come early January, it just isn't there anymore. It really does take getting used to and having to re-learn what life is like without it. I even have to remind myself throughout the day that it's okay for it not to be the holidays. Admittedly, it's the only time of year where I feel truly alone. Everyone seems to have completely moved on from it, everyone seems like they've been completely moved on from it. Yet here I am, still feeling like it's within my grasp and trying to hold onto it, being that it was here just a few days ago.

I know we can all drum up the 12 Days excuse to keep it going. I know it's nice to see who keeps up their decorations in the neighborhood the longest. You can even stretch it as far as Candlemas if you so choose. Everyone's always suggesting to keep it going in your own way throughout the year. We all have our own little ways. And I do all of those things, with different factors each year kind of determining just how much.

But for me, it's that stark shift from January 1st to January 2nd that is always the definitive moment where it's no longer the season, and where the reality of it being over sets in.

By the middle of the month all of these emotions will have passed. I'll even laugh at myself over it. But like I said, it just amazes me each year that it never does get any easier.

Anyways, I have some things coming up in my life that are going to bring about some major changes. I want to thank everyone here for letting me be a part of this forum. This is the only place that I'm able to fully express my love for the holidays. As well as my missing it when it's over. And the only place where I know that the people I'm telling it to also understand it. So thank you all for that.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Back to our merry neck of the woods.

You're right that we understand and you can always pop in any time.
There's no magic button to push to keep the spirit alive; mine drifts in and out, but most of the time I find myself reminded of something Christmas related and think of the merry gang here and it brings me great joy. I have my moments too, especially when I see the once decorated trees tossed on the snowbanks and the stores put out the Valentine decorations before the extended Boxing Day sales come to an end.

The smiles, nods and greetings are exchanged less often with strangers and cashiers seem to lessen.

I remember one time when I was in the Santa Claus Parade and I kept waving to people on the walk home, forgetting that I was no longer part of a float; I was just feeling overly merry. Around here, people are generally friendly, but I'm considered too happy for some people. Waving to strangers may have seemed odd to them, but they waved back and most returned my verbal greeting.

In my city, people aren't afraid to say, "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Christmas" and we have an Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas Walk (Dickens style) with the lighting of the tree; we have a Christmas train and breakfast with Santa, a few of our local Santas are top notch; I gave one a side note about ClausNet where Santas gather and share experiences, wardrobes, etc.

I still wish people a Happy New Year well into February if I haven't seen them sooner.

I remember when I was a closet Christmas all year lover and had to listen to Christmas music during the "off season" with headphones and take out a few musical boxes or read a Christmas book to keep myself connected to such a special holiday.

Then I stumbled quite by mistake onto a Christmas forum called Christmas.com forums; the forums were removed and it's only a place to buy festive merchandise now.

Several of the merry folk here were on that forum, and I became "hooked on Christmas" with like-minded people instantly.

MMC is like a home away from home; each section of the boards are like visiting with a different relative; there's music, food, games, movies, and general chatter; it's perfect.

I honestly had no idea at the time that I'd still have stories to share and yet when I read different posts, they prompt a memory and I feel connected in a family-like way to everyone and just share what I'm thinking like you just did.

Our door is always open; hope yule knock on it more often.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Merry Thursday!

Working on a bit of research for the store and then I need to catch up on some paperwork.

Hoping to get up early, just before dawn in fact, to do a bit of meteor shower watching. Supposedly could see upwards of 100 an hour!

That will be cool; hope the weather cooperates; I live on a dead end street and there's a huge generator taking up what used to be a ball field and a large parking lot with lights that stay on all night; they would for sure spoil my view.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Christmas, Weddings, babies, new jobs, new families, new cars, new homes, joy and sorrow; we gather here to celebrate Christmas and wind up celebrating so much more with each other.

Time for an Auntie original ...

Yule Oral Ability … by AuntieMistletoeDear

After nearly fifteen years of observations, participation and chat experience, I have concluded that there are a large number of individuals suffering (or not) from the same Yule Oral Ability that I have discovered in myself.

The symptoms include:
~Reading Christmas books, novels, comics, letters, cards, etc. after January 31st and prior to Nov.1st.
~Re-reading those same books (etc.) year after year or month after month.
~Keeping a festive journal of plans, gift & decorating ideas along with recipes.
~Counting down the days until Christmas Day arrives (this includes, for many, a new countdown on Boxing Day).
~Talking about Christmas all year long.
~Thinking about Christmas in your head (dwelling in that Christmas closet afraid to tell those around you what you are thinking).
~Recalling Christmases of the past - brought about by someone else’s words, sounds or smells you encounter during the day.
~Music - of a Yule nature - plays in your head or emits from your CD, MP3, iPod, turntable, bluetooth, etc. in the “off season”.
~Others see a pine tree - you see a tree transformed into a Christmas display of lights, ornaments, beads, garland, tinsel or cranberry and popcorn strings.
~ You create scrapbooks, pictoral journals, elaborate yard and/or indoor displays.
~You dream of a white Christmas in June and again in December (even if you live in a climate that never receives snow).
~You nod your head knowingly when you hear a child in a school yard yell “ouch!” after freeing his/her tongue from the frosty flagpole, fence or railing.
~You wear Christmas socks or bells that jingle on your shoes - just because.
~You crave eggnog, hot cocoa and wish you had a fire nearby to roast marshmallows or chestnuts (even if they don’t taste good - bleh).
~You start your letter to Santa early to avoid the Christmas rush.
~The Merry jargon you use is not understood by your family, the general public, and co-workers.
~You have difficulty finding the humour in a joke if it isn’t followed by a jolly HoHoHo.
~You make up festive operas and perform at the Shispering Pines Playhouse where you are served by a three-humped camel that carries eggnog (during the season) or special coffee/tea blends in that middle hump (during the off season).
~You dream of going to the North Pole, meeting Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Elves and Reindeer or helping Santa deliver presents all around the world.

If you have checked off more than five of the above criteria, face it - you are a Christmas Wacko and have Yule Oral Ability. Oh sure, there are those who might call it a Yule Oral Disability, but as long as it’s keeping you jolly all year long, why would you want to look for a cure. So, that’s why this is called Yule Oral Ability rather than Yule Oral Disability.

Feel free to join me in my Yule Oral Ability Support Group - and share your Festive Yulable Moments here anytime.

Have yourself a cool yule-ish kinda day!

Keep Merry All Day Long!

 

[xmastidings]

Good early morning/late night. MMC! Coming live from a hospital bed just to talk to you and before any of you say told you so...

I'm going to be honest, I've had a scare in the last 24 hours or so. Last evening heading to bed, the rash only continued to spread, became more itchy/burning and I was at my worse. I noticed that I also was delveoping ulcers inside my mouth, which can be life threatening, due to air swelling an closure. I called DH, he immediately came home from work and took me to the ER. I wasn't there long and was given medication to help with the itching, rash, and swelling. Not even one minute after all the meds were started, I began to seize. I was given meds to stop them, but I occasionally still seized. They transferred me to the facility back where I live and was told that they may have to fly me to Pittsburgh if I became too bad. Three different physicians are on my case and came in and told me the same thing. They believe I have what is called Steven Johnson's Syndrome, which is a rare condition, only 20,000 people get a year, from a serious reaction to a few drugs. They state that my case is only considered mild/moderate, but that if it would have became more severe and I would have waited another 48 hours, I would have died. They said thankfully I was smart enough to know when it progressed to my mouth, it was time to get checked, because a lot of people don't and then it's too late.

They've been giving me blood thinners, steroids, and a another new anti-convulsant drug to try for my seizures. They said I will at least be here until Friday, possibly longer and then they'll figure out how long they want me off of work, to make sure everything is working through my system right. It sounds like it could 4-6 weeks.

I thank you for all your prayers and continue to ask for them. I thank the Lord above that he was listening and directed me in the right way.

I am heading to get some shut eye. Good night!

I hope you feel well soon.

 

[xmastidings]

Well I just took the last tree down. So Christmas is officially done for the season here.

Well at least the taking it down part. Most of the boxes are still sitting at the end of my bed waiting for the regular decor to go back out so they go can back in there spots. I’m thinking about painting first though.

Taking down the Christmas decorations, and packing them back away, is never an easy process.

I don’t have it in me, at all, to think about it, let alone starting to doing that.

Feeling for you buddy.

 

[nmc42088]

Tomorrow I have a super long day at work. No one alerted us that our delivery would not come on Thursday this week. It is coming tomorrow morning, so I left early today and will work longer tomorrow to balance it out. I hope everyone has a great night. My aunt also wishes to express thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers

 

[sugar142286]

Thank you so much. I can not believe tomorrow is the big day. I’m going to sit down in a little bit and write a letter to give to my daughter on her wedding day. I’m already tearing up thinking about what I will write. I know I say this all the time but I have to say it again, the years go by much too fast. With that being said I am looking forward to this next season of my life.
I’m not very active on Facebook but I will be sure to share wedding day pictures for those of you that are friends with me. Otherwise I can pm you some pictures. I probably won’t get back here until the weekend. Have a wonderful day my friends!
xx

I can't wait to see pictures! Enjoy every minute. I know your daughter is going to make a beautiful bride!

 

[sugar142286]

Happy Friday Eve!!
The cold that I thought was mild has turned into a full fledged one..I woke up not feeling too well. I took some meds and hopefully they kick in soon. Just work for me today and hopefully I will be going to bed early tonight. Hope you all have a great day!

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[sugar142286]

So excited for LittleCS, she got this for Christmas
View attachment 54381
Congrats to her and Justin !

Congrats to LittleCS!

 

[sugar142286]

Hey Everyone! I haven't been around too much on this forum the last couple of seasons, but I hope I'm still welcome. I feel like I should post at least once before the 2018 season gets wished away completely.

I'm at that point where the days feel really weird and off now that the holidays are over. I swear, early January is always the toughest. Always. And just when you think you've finally got a hold of it, it still doesn't get any easier. I can't help it. Months go by, from as far back as mid-August, where you can rely on it being "the season" (or at least rely on knowing what's ahead). And then come early January, it just isn't there anymore. It really does take getting used to and having to re-learn what life is like without it. I even have to remind myself throughout the day that it's okay for it not to be the holidays. Admittedly, it's the only time of year where I feel truly alone. Everyone seems to have completely moved on from it, everyone seems like they've been completely moved on from it. Yet here I am, still feeling like it's within my grasp and trying to hold onto it, being that it was here just a few days ago.

I know we can all drum up the 12 Days excuse to keep it going. I know it's nice to see who keeps up their decorations in the neighborhood the longest. You can even stretch it as far as Candlemas if you so choose. Everyone's always suggesting to keep it going in your own way throughout the year. We all have our own little ways. And I do all of those things, with different factors each year kind of determining just how much.

But for me, it's that stark shift from January 1st to January 2nd that is always the definitive moment where it's no longer the season, and where the reality of it being over sets in.

By the middle of the month all of these emotions will have passed. I'll even laugh at myself over it. But like I said, it just amazes me each year that it never does get any easier.

Anyways, I have some things coming up in my life that are going to bring about some major changes. I want to thank everyone here for letting me be a part of this forum. This is the only place that I'm able to fully express my love for the holidays. As well as my missing it when it's over. And the only place where I know that the people I'm telling it to also understand it. So thank you all for that.

Happy New Year Everyone!

We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for Christmas cheer and we are always welcoming! Stop in!

 

[sugar142286]

Tomorrow I have a super long day at work. No one alerted us that our delivery would not come on Thursday this week. It is coming tomorrow morning, so I left early today and will work longer tomorrow to balance it out. I hope everyone has a great night. My aunt also wishes to express thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers

Continuing to think of you guys!

 

[sugar142286]

OMG Sugar (((Hugs)))....Wish you a speedy recovery Sugar....Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers my friend

I hope you feel better soon. That sounds like a frightening experience. Sending get well wishes your way.

sugar you are facing so many health scares, I really hope that your body recovers quickly. It’s a good thing that you are in the medical field yourself and could see when your reaction to the medication became dangerous. Sending positive thoughts your way.

Hoping you have a very speedy recovery! Take care x

Whoa. That’s so scary. Thank goodness you took the corrective action when you did. I’ll keep praying for you, your husband and children, and the medical professionals treating you. Sending hugs to you. - HIB

Thank you Sugar! When he was born the drs never thought he would live longer than he 3 weeks in the NICK because he was born with lymphodema

I will pass this along to my aunt. I don't want to see her suffer anymore losses

Praying! I hope that the drs can figure out what they can do for you as far as medication that won't cause a reaction. Keeping your family in prayer too

Prayers are being said for you and your family. Take good care Sugar, sending hugs.
xx

((((HUGS)))) Praise the Lord you got to hospital when you did . Will be praying your recovery will be quick and doctors will know exactly what to do for you. Looked up Steven Johnson's Syndrome, nasty thing to get, although we always knew you were a rare ornament here a MMC and the thought we might have lost you is just to hard to think about. Now you lay back, listen to the doctors and get better. ((((HUGS))))

Oh wow...how scary Sugar...continued prayers for you.

Oh, Sugar, I'm sorry you're going through so much suffering. Thank goodness you knew when it was time to get help. I pray God will continue to guide you toward healing. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Oh my goodness, that had to have been scary! I'm so glad you knew when to get help. Keeping you, and your wonderful family in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you much love, strength, and lots of hugs. {{{{HUGS}}}}

How scary!! Sending prayers your way!! It sounds like you are where you need to be. Take care of yourself!

I hope you feel well soon.

Thank you all so very much for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. Today was difficult and trying. I awoke to worsening rash and alerted my nurse. I called my husband, because they wanted to give me the same medicine that caused me to have a seizure the other night, but the nurse promised he would stay by side and if something happened, he would have other medicine to give me. I awoke a few hours later to my husband, which I could tell he had been crying. He's very protective and worries greatly about me. He's been very worked up about the whole situation and we talked about having me transferred to Pittsburgh. 3 different doctors have different plans of care and no one can seem to get on the same page. I didn't even get to see a doctor today until 2 pm. Once we did see the docs though and they did better explain things to us, we are happier and are ok with what they have planned. I went through 3 different IV sites though today, because of the swelling and now all of my medication is by mouth, except for my blood thinner. If I end up needing IV again, they'll have to do a PICC line or central line and I don't want that! Hopefully I'll get to go home tomorrow and be off for a few weeks to recuperate.

I thank you all again for the thought and prayers. I'm gonna hit the hay soon, but will keep you all updated!

 

[nmc42088]

Thank you all so very much for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. Today was difficult and trying. I awoke to worsening rash and alerted my nurse. I called my husband, because they wanted to give me the same medicine that caused me to have a seizure the other night, but the nurse promised he would stay by side and if something happened, he would have other medicine to give me. I awoke a few hours later to my husband, which I could tell he had been crying. He's very protective and worries greatly about me. He's been very worked up about the whole situation and we talked about having me transferred to Pittsburgh. 3 different doctors have different plans of care and no one can seem to get on the same page. I didn't even get to see a doctor today until 2 pm. Once we did see the docs though and they did better explain things to us, we are happier and are ok with what they have planned. I went through 3 different IV sites though today, because of the swelling and now all of my medication is by mouth, except for my blood thinner. If I end up needing IV again, they'll have to do a PICC line or central line and I don't want that! Hopefully I'll get to go home tomorrow and be off for a few weeks to recuperate.

I thank you all again for the thought and prayers. I'm gonna hit the hay soon, but will keep you all updated!

Continuing to pray! I hope they can get the meds straightened out

 

[prancer]

Thank you all so very much for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. Today was difficult and trying. I awoke to worsening rash and alerted my nurse. I called my husband, because they wanted to give me the same medicine that caused me to have a seizure the other night, but the nurse promised he would stay by side and if something happened, he would have other medicine to give me. I awoke a few hours later to my husband, which I could tell he had been crying. He's very protective and worries greatly about me. He's been very worked up about the whole situation and we talked about having me transferred to Pittsburgh. 3 different doctors have different plans of care and no one can seem to get on the same page. I didn't even get to see a doctor today until 2 pm. Once we did see the docs though and they did better explain things to us, we are happier and are ok with what they have planned. I went through 3 different IV sites though today, because of the swelling and now all of my medication is by mouth, except for my blood thinner. If I end up needing IV again, they'll have to do a PICC line or central line and I don't want that! Hopefully I'll get to go home tomorrow and be off for a few weeks to recuperate.

I thank you all again for the thought and prayers. I'm gonna hit the hay soon, but will keep you all updated!

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Sugar ((Hugs))

 

[Martine]

Good middle-of-the-night Friday everyone! My sleep maintenance insomnia has returned, when I sleep for about 4-5 hours and then wake up and can't fall back asleep until about 2 hours later. I also keep having very vivid dreams about work. We're in inventory mode and it's a stressful time, no doubt that plays into this. At least Loki joins me on the couch when I get up in the middle of the night and HE actually falls right back asleep on my lap.

So we learned that David's shoulder surgery is scheduled for the 31st. We were surprised, we thought it would come more around March. I'll be taking a week off to make sure I can assist him until he gets used to having his right arm immobilized. This surgery brings both hope and anxiousness. It's a 30-minute athroscopic surgery and he will supposedly be awake during the procedure, so it's not an invasive surgery. But there's always a concern about how the recovery process will go. I'm just hoping he will handle the pain well and that after months of physio, he'll be able to use his right arm normally again.

Hope everyone will enjoy a great day ahead!

 

[He_Is_Born]

Thank you all so very much for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. Today was difficult and trying. I awoke to worsening rash and alerted my nurse. I called my husband, because they wanted to give me the same medicine that caused me to have a seizure the other night, but the nurse promised he would stay by side and if something happened, he would have other medicine to give me. I awoke a few hours later to my husband, which I could tell he had been crying. He's very protective and worries greatly about me. He's been very worked up about the whole situation and we talked about having me transferred to Pittsburgh. 3 different doctors have different plans of care and no one can seem to get on the same page. I didn't even get to see a doctor today until 2 pm. Once we did see the docs though and they did better explain things to us, we are happier and are ok with what they have planned. I went through 3 different IV sites though today, because of the swelling and now all of my medication is by mouth, except for my blood thinner. If I end up needing IV again, they'll have to do a PICC line or central line and I don't want that! Hopefully I'll get to go home tomorrow and be off for a few weeks to recuperate.

I thank you all again for the thought and prayers. I'm gonna hit the hay soon, but will keep you all updated!

Continued prayers are going up for you, your family, and the doctors treating you. I’m so very sorry you are going through this. May today bring some better news.

 

[He_Is_Born]

Good middle-of-the-night Friday everyone! My sleep maintenance insomnia has returned, when I sleep for about 4-5 hours and then wake up and can't fall back asleep until about 2 hours later. I also keep having very vivid dreams about work. We're in inventory mode and it's a stressful time, no doubt that plays into this. At least Loki joins me on the couch when I get up in the middle of the night and HE actually falls right back asleep on my lap.

So we learned that David's shoulder surgery is scheduled for the 31st. We were surprised, we thought it would come more around March. I'll be taking a week off to make sure I can assist him until he gets used to having his right arm immobilized. This surgery brings both hope and anxiousness. It's a 30-minute athroscopic surgery and he will supposedly be awake during the procedure, so it's not an invasive surgery. But there's always a concern about how the recovery process will go. I'm just hoping he will handle the pain well and that after months of physio, he'll be able to use his right arm normally again.

Hope everyone will enjoy a great day ahead!

I feel your pain about work related dreams. Once I got promoted into management, I felt like the character Lloyd Bridges portrayed in the movie Airplane. That’s not an optimum way to sleep for sure. I’m retired now and those dreams are gone. Hopefully yours will be too.

 

[Edge612]

Good TGIF MMC! Nice to reach the 1st Friday of the year isn't it? I will tell you though that working these past 2 days and making today the 3rd seemed long enough. What is a 5 day week going to feel like? lol...got spoiled during the holidays. But I do like my job so it helps. And now I'll appreciate Fridays and weekends more through the winter and into the spring. Have a great 1st TGIF of 2019!