Christmas Countdown - 2019

[sugar142286]

Happy Tuesday guys. I am happy that we are now under 50 days to go. I wish i had a happier personal update for you like i normally do. I need to ask a favor. I know that i have only known you guys for a few months now, but today I need to ask you for prayers.

My 6 year old ACD chipped her front tooth a few years back, and we had her looked at by our vet, who said to watch it for any worrying signs / etc.. Flash forward to a month ago, and my wife and I noticed that there is a little soft pink bump right behind the tooth on the top of her mouth. The tooth is also slightly discolored, and is loose. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, she is still playful and she eats all of her food and acts normal. But my wife and I wanted to rule out anything more serious like canine cancer or any of that. So she is going to vet today at 2:30 PM.

I haven't been able to sleep hardly the whole night, and even now my stomach is turning in anxiety, i could barely keep my coffee down. I apologize for putting a downer on the always positive spin on these boards. But i really feel like the more prayers the better. Thank you all for hearing my story, and I really hope that this evening i have a good update for you all.

Your friend,

Mark

I’m sorry I’m late replying to this, but I’m keeping you in prayer, Mark, as well as your wife and furry friend.

 

[Edge612]

Good Morning, Guys.

Wowzers!
Christmas Season 2019 is just right down the road. Almost here. The long wait is nearly over!
Wowzers, indeed!

The dwindling numbers:
Days to the Season: 3 (UNDER HALF A WEEK, NOW!!)
Days to Thanksgiving: 18 (Barely over 2 1/2 weeks left!)
Days to Christmas Day: 45 (Now under 6 1/2 weeks to go!)
(Are you mentally ready for this, Foks?

A bit warmer yesterday but still rather chilly. Plenty of sun though, and no precipitation.
Today will see it get warmer yet and we could hit real close to 70 tomorrow before the bottom really falls out by mid week and we drop into the lower half of the 20's for lows.
Right now, another chilly start greets us here, and it's 37 degrees.
Have a Super Sunday, Everyone!

The fun continues with our Special Post Series:
Today (Day 3 before the Season) = Brent (posted above!)
Tomorrow (Day 2 before the Season) = Christmaswarlock
Nov. 12 (Day 1 before the Season) = Auntie Mistletoe
Nov. 13 -- CHRISTMAS SEASON 2019 ARRIVES! --

Thanks Crown! Happy Double Digits November!

 

[KimB]

Happy countdown Sunday.

 

[Martine]

Thank you, Crown. That sounds like a wonderful keepsake. It is upsetting to know just how much of the past gets thrown away. What I wouldn't give now, to go back when my grandparents were moving out of their home and attempt to salvage some of their traditional 40s/50s/60s ornaments for my Christmas Room Tree whenever we get a house.

Seeing your sign must always bring a big smile to your face and to those that experienced it while your grandparents were alive, too. I know it will continue to bring you great joy this Season and I'm excited that you will have the opportunity to put it on display, once again, in a few days!

I feel the same about Christmas items that my family had when I was little but that were simply discarded when my mother passed away when I was 6. My dad wasn’t into decorating at all, so no real reason to keep anything. And these items may have been painful reminders of my mother’s passing for him as well, so I don’t fault him for giving everything away.

I remember a nativity set, old-fashioned flower Christmas lights and cardboard snowy houses that you could string lights through to make up a snowy village. I hang on to those images from my childhood Christmasses.

 

[Martine]

Good Sunday afternoon! We completed our shopping earlier this morning, including ordering a new couch (ours is completely done for) and finding a Winter coat for Loki (he looks adorable in it). Right now David his making a batch of his delicious spaghetti sauce, it smells sooooo good in the apartment.

I am seeing more houses decorated for Christmas. And I just noticed that a neighbour has put up their Christmas tree. Can’t wait to see it light up at night. We’ll be bringing ours out in two weeks.

As skies are getting darker and rain is moving in, we’ll just relax and catch up on the dvr for the rest of the day. Have a great day everyone!

 

[sugar142286]

Mark, I'm praying that all will be well after the vet appointment. My dog had gastritis and spent the day at the vet yesterday. I prayed that he would be OK. I believe in the power of prayer so I'm also praying for you and your wife. Please let us know.

Praying that you’re dog is feeling better now!

 

[sugar142286]

THANK YOU ALL WHO PRAYED FOR US! MY DOG IS OKAY!!

The bump on her gum is called an "epulis", and the vet told us that it was non-cancerous / benign. As long as it doesn't get bigger (there has been no change in size the past month), or get infected or cause issues, he says it is fine to leave. If they ever were to have to do surgery, it is done with a laser and done under general anesthetic, and we would get her back the same day. He told us it was a super easy procedure. So they noted the size of it, and will examine it again next September when she goes back for her yearly shots, just to see if there is any change.

Thank you all so much who prayed and sent positive stuff our way! Now i can get back to continuing to decorate for Christmas!!!

Wonderful news!

 

[sugar142286]

Hello all.
For those who have followed the health and info for my mother-in-law, I want to say thank you.
Sadly, she passed away today after taking a bad turn on Saturday. She will be missed by all, there is no doubt. She was a very wonderful and kind woman with an infectious smile and laugh.

Thanks again for all of the kind thoughts and prayers.

So sorry for your families loss, ITP. Prayers and thinking of you.

 

[sugar142286]

Just realized it’s my 11th MMC anniversary! Doesn’t seem so long ago.

Happy Belated Anniversary!

 

[sugar142286]

I just noticed that Friday will be my 13th MMC anniversary. I will be spending it up at the Minneapolis Holiday Boutique. My 3rd year going with the wife. It's at US Bank Stadium. It's always a great time and this year my soon to be DIL and granddaughter will be joining us.

Happy Belated Anniversary as well!

 

[brent]

I feel the same about Christmas items that my family had when I was little but that were simply discarded when my mother passed away when I was 6. My dad wasn’t into decorating at all, so no real reason to keep anything. And these items may have been painful reminders of my mother’s passing for him as well, so I don’t fault him for giving everything away.

I remember a nativity set, old-fashioned flower Christmas lights and cardboard snowy houses that you could string lights through to make up a snowy village. I hang on to those images from my childhood Christmasses.

That must have been very difficult to deal with in so many ways, Martine. It's amazing that your memory can still be transported back to those Christmases ago, though. What wonderful childhood memories!

 

[Classic Christmas]

Received about 4-5 inches of snow the last 48 hours, and it's cold enough to stick around. Looking very seasonal here, for the start of The Season in a few, short days.

Enjoy your Sunday, Fellow Fans of Christmas!

 

['Tis the season]

Wow that weekend went fast.

 

[KimB]

Our mall is dying. 20 years ago, it was thriving. Two things happened. The first was online shopping and the second was NASCAR developing a large area of Daytona Beach. They put in some specialty shops and that part of town is booming. Now, more houses are being built away from the mall area and they have a huge shopping center.

I did see that the mall was decorated for Christmas and Santa will be there beginning next week. All the stores had their Christmas stuff out but in lesser quantities then years past.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Our mall is dying. 20 years ago, it was thriving. Two things happened. The first was online shopping and the second was NASCAR developing a large area of Daytona Beach. They put in some specialty shops and that part of town is booming. Now, more houses are being built away from the mall area and they have a huge shopping center.

I did see that the mall was decorated for Christmas and Santa will be there beginning next week. All the stores had their Christmas stuff out but in lesser quantities then years past.

We had a similar thing happen to our oldest mall and the oldest plaza in my city. When it was the new mall, it was a popular spot for youth and adult shoppers. The Galaxy Cinema is the biggest draw these days. Half the shops have closed up. The only food available is from an A & W outlet. Two of the stores closed down and reopened in other areas of the city. There isn't even a bank there anymore.

I got to the mall closest to me and the shops at the two strip malls at the opposite end of the city from the original mall's location.

There are about 4 vacant buildings downtown.

We have over two dozen restaurants not including Subway and I can't imagine they're all busy every day of the week in a city with 56,000 people, including low income and homeless.

I only dine out about twice a month and that's if friends are going and I feel like joining them. There are several restaurants I have never eaten at.

The malls will decorate next week in time for the Santa Claus Parade which is on Sunday this year. Once Santa arrives at the parade, other Santa's helpers show up at the Mall.

 

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

I bought another box of Christmas cards; why I needed seven, I can't say for sure, but I liked the look of them and most are retro so I couldn't resist. I usually have a variety on hand because I like to pick cards that the receiver will enjoy over the holidays.

Enjoy the rest of your night. Stay Jolly!

 

[KimB]

My cards aren't very creative but I have plenty of them. I also forgot I ordered stamps from eBay and ordered more from USPS. I have enough to last me at least five years and that's using them all year round. When I was in the mall I couldn't resist Hallmark. I didn't buy anything but I saw a few things that really tempted me.

My nieces have six kids between them. All of their kids are grown and are having kids of their own. Once my nieces' children turned 18, I stopped sending presents. Instead, I would treat them to a trip to Florida to visit me. Those days have ended. But today, I had the urge to buy them all a card. I also have a cousin who has ten kids. Again, I was tempted. We shall see.

 

[Meceka]

Thank you! Getting there!

You're welcome! I'm glad you are getting there!!

 

[Meceka]

Hope you feel better soon Merry!

Good to see you, @xmastidings! We've missed you! I hope all is well with you and yours!!

 

[Meceka]

Special Post: Day 3.

We all joined My Merry Christmas to discuss something that is near and dear to our hearts. In this forum, although I may not post as much as I have in previous years, I always feel home. This will always be my online home and I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are so lucky to have each other.

We are now only three days away from our yearly tradition of gathering around our computers and counting down the minutes to the Christmas Season in realtime. Most of us have never met, yet we consider ourselves family. Christmas has not only provided us with a place to discuss our favourite Season, but it has provided us with a place to gather, talk, laugh, and love like one big family.

While we have our traditions at MMC, we also have our family traditions at home. These traditions can often bring us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Today, I had the opportunity to pull out some old musical lights that were a staple to visiting my grandparents' home at Christmas. I don't think anything makes me reflect more than the twinkling and slightly faded instrumental sounds of the 1970s era lights. My grandmother past away two years ago, four days before Christmas - on the darkest day of the year. When my grandfather past, it was easily the darkest day of my life. I've never met two more caring and loving people in my life.

My grandmother (and grandfather) loved Christmas. They are the true reason I am here today sharing my love for our Season with you all. And, now, the more I think about it, it seems fitting that I will forever have their musical lights to help me light my way even through the darkest of times.

As Binger said, "this family shares the feelings which make us unique in a world of cynics and dysfunction." These times are dark for many, but we must remember to always have an open mind and love one another. We all always have each other to light up our days. And, soon, the entire world will have Christmas to light up itself, once again. Soon, we will hear the magical sounds and feel the most ultimate joy we can feel throughout the year. Soon, we will, once again, do our best to make the rest of the world's hearts become filled with love and hope. Soon, we will join together and be able to say those two magical words.

There are only three days remaining. The Christmas Season is almost upon us.

Awesome post, Brent!