This year I am rethinking the meaning and source of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and find I have to seek them in the past, at least for right now. I find myself, like so many of you remembering past Christmas experiences. I’m usually that frantic woman who starts bugging her dear man to put up the Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving, but not this year. As many of you know, it’s been a rough year in the health department at our household and I don’t currently have the strength or the health to be enthusiastic as usual. I’m sure my husband would be scratching his head in wonder if he didn’t have to look at his sorry excuse for a wife, right now, and understand a nauseous woman recovering from a fractured back is not a pretty sight. The oral chemo has made me ill and we’re praying and hoping it will pass. A month of nausea can bend one’s attitude a bit.
In the meantime, Christmas with all of its festivities, family fun and food is coming at us, as fast as Rudolph’s lit nose can twinkle. I’ve tried to hold it back but it is thundering in on reindeer hooves, faster than usual with a late Thanksgiving this year. Since I have been physically and at intervals, emotionally down, for the last couple of months, I have had a great deal more time to think, ponder and remember the many Christmas times of my life. I know some folks have unhappy Christmas memories but most of mine are ones of joy and family pleasure. They haven’t always been abundant in the material sense, but always blessed. Always Christmas has brought with it the miracle of rebirth and the joys of life.
When I was a child living with an upholsterer Dad and a housewife Mom, my three sisters completed the circle. Since I was much younger than my sisters, my Dad used to take me shopping with him to buy them a family gift. I recall the year we went into our favorite music store in town. It was a lovely store with sparkling lights and always, always a mechanized, colorfully designed front window just for the season. Each year it was a different excitement of some sort to delight young and old. The memory that stands out most in my mind is when Dad wanted to buy my teen-aged sisters a new contraption which was a step up from the radio that was always running in our home. It was called a stereo hi-fi. I was in awe that it played all types of records and had a radio too. It was encased in a lovely light wood frame and I alone knew about it. I love Christmas secrets, don’t you?
We always opened gifts at our house on Christmas Eve. Santa came early to us and always rang sleigh bells on the front porch of our California style ranch house, just as we were eating dinner. He was speedy in his escape, and believe it or not I was a shy child and afraid of running into him so I waited a bit before opening the front door. We didn’t have a chimney and I’m certain my dear Dad was always grateful for that.
Mom and Dad were counselors for our church high school group and I’m certain that’s how I got drafted to sing AWAY IN A MANGER one year, white robe and angels wings complete with curly hair which came at the price of trying to sleep on metal rollers. I remember a cradle beside me with a doll like image of the Baby Jesus. I was frightened out of my mind but got through it.
Then I remember the Christmas I was ten-years-old and dearly desired a beautiful bridal doll I had spotted at our local J.C. Penney department store. That same year a very homely, realistic looking baby doll came onto the market. At least it was homely to me. When gift opening time arrived, I opened what I anticipated would be my bride doll to find the realistic baby doll frowning back at me. I burst into tears and ran from the room. I must have been a spoiled one to display my disappointment so openly. In the interim my eighteen-year-old sister was laughing. She had pulled the prank on me, thinking it would be humorous. It wasn’t.
There were, of course, later years when money was scarce and one year after a divorce when my children and I celebrated Christmas with another single young mother by buying and swinging at a piñata. That was a fun year, although a lonely one as my parents were committed to visiting one of my married sisters. Good times aren’t always dependent on money but unfortunately, they often depend on health. When I was eleven, I had rheumatic fever and spent that holiday season in bed or on the couch in our living room. I’m not unfamiliar with illness and have had it intertwined into my life almost from the beginning.
Worshipping, family and food are all interwoven into my thoughts and memories of Christmas. This year I have been particularly intrigued by why we say Merry Christmas. Maybe it’s because I am not feeling very merry. We used to say Happy Christmas and I understand that is still the accepted greeting in some countries. Whether you celebrate the birth of the Christ child, or another such as Happy Hanukkah, Ramadan or Kwanzaa, I wish you and yours health, joy of life and peace of mind.
Don’t let the falling needles, the pain in your body, that grouchy relative or the flu spoil this season for you. I will try, also.
Weekly Dose of Sue 
Chris, a very blessed and happy birthday. Don’t cough too much! Wouldn’t that be a nice present? Love, Sue
Well..it was tooooo cold.took water and milk to make a hot drink,heated bags in micro,elec fire on..and sat with coats on…so left and had coffee where we do go to,then did a shop.then came home put it away and had picnic at home..we had b.fast on way over so we both weren’t hungry
DH bp was up,he was feeling a bit dizzy and has apot on Monday ….so it was a bit ..well we enjoyed what we could
Thankyou all for your best wishes
Still coughing!
Brenda
I do hope you improve quickly now…it’s so maddening when stuff happens out of our controll.but so good the young one was ok
Tonie
You still good there?
Well gonna make a drink,it’s nearly blimmin midnite and can’t sleep,only slept couple of hours last nite.what with coughing and can’t sleep anyway.
Back tomorrow
Chris
I meant DH has an appt on Monday …..with GP !
Chris, sorry everything didn’t go as planned and worried about DH and his pressure but know you’ve survived another year. We love you, Sue
Hey all:
Prayers for each of you today. I am so exhausted. Can’t be up more than a few minutes and have to lie down again. Sue I am behaving myself :0 Got no choice. I have been nibbling on stuff all day, and not getting far from the bathroom either. I am falling asleep, so must say goodnight. The pain is better today.
Love to all
Tonie
Tonie, sounds like you’re moving in a slow pace toward recovery. Count it in inches sweet lady. Keep drinking fluids, gatorade or something with nourishment in it for healing. Don’t forget hot jello…full of protein. Sounds basically good..Love, Sue
Thanks Sue:
I forgot the Jello, I will make me some later. I had a little tea and toast with a few bites of applesauce this am. Lots of water (seltzer) and otherwise. I need to go to the store tomorrow, but not sure how I can get around 🙂 But, it will happen. Hope you are feeling better today !
Love
Tonie
Chris, did you have a good birthday? I sure hope so. It’s my dear Mom’s birthday today. She was at our concert last night and front and center for a pre-concert scare. An elderly lady miss-stepped or tripped up in the balcony and fell, hitting her head rather hard on the wall/rail area in front. It happened right where my Mom was. She tried to reach out and catch the lady, but couldn’t reach her. Poor thing was bleeding and who knows what else. Within a half hour EMS was there, had her back-boarded, and out. Mom was impressed by how quickly help arrived. I do hope she is ok.
Yes, I am among those who did quite a lot of online shopping this year with a mixture of bags and wrapping. Sure does save time and precious energy and movement. I found bags that actually draw closed (Mylar?) Very useful for strangely shaped packages and quick wrapping. Most who have seen them like them, especially kids. 😉 I’m hanging in there so far. One more concert today. Feeling fatigue, but aches and pains could be worse, so I’ll make it. Probably home and crash afterwards rather than going to the gathering following the concert. I need to recoup so I can continue prep for Christmas. I’ll miss hanging out with my friends, but I can’t afford to be down a day or two (or more) from really overdoing it. As it is I’ll need to keep a day or two rather low key at best. Later, gators!
Well lyn
It was a so so day..I’ve said up above how it went..but we enjoyed what we could.im glad I went felt more Christmassy ….
Woke up today the overflow from the loft was leaking outside so have to get a plumber in tomorrow and then my washer decided not to spin…ho ho ho..!
I do hope that lady is ok..will you get to hear at all
Yep you certainly need some days low key.doesnt it just pile up
I’ll have to looks for those bags on google
Tonie
You’ll gain strength and look back in a week and realise there is a difference
Back later
Chris
Sorry, Chris, missed the comments above. They must not have loaded when I looked in today. Sorry it didn’t go quite a planned.
Hi to everyone,,,,just checking in…..feel bad with a head cold and feeling really nauseous, so no comments, but would like to wish each a good Sunday, and hopefully be back tomorrow…..love and hugs …Jennie xx
OH JENNIE POO, HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOON. GO TO BED MY DEAR ONE.
MY GD CAME OVER YESTERDAY AND HELPED WITH CLEANING ,WRAPPING, AND ARRANGING THE TABLES FOR CHRISTMAS DAY. GOT A WHOLE LOT DONE THANKS TO MY SWEETHEART.
TONIE HOW YOU DOING? STILL RESTING I HOPE.
SUE HOPE LIFE IS GETTING BETTER EVERY SINGLE DAY. YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.
LYN YOU SOUNDS VERY BUSY, DON’T FORGET TO PACE YOURSELF.
CHRIS HOPE YOU ARE FEELING OKAY.
JANET, REMEMBER HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS. HOW’S IT GOING FOR YOU?
WISH I COULD WRITE A SHORT NOTE BUT MY HANDS HAVE HAD ENOUGH FOR NOW
LOVE TO ALL ON THE BLOG. HAPPY SUNDAY!
XXX
SUZANNE…..A BIT BETTER TODAY, BUT NOT QUITE THERE YET….ITS GONE TO MY CHEST, SO A BIT LIKE CHRIS, FEELING RAW…NEVER MIND……SORRY ABOUT YOUR POOR HANDS MY LOVE, I GET PAIN IN MY THUMBS AND WRISTS AND I TOO HAVE TO KEEP IT SHORT……HOW ARE THINGS WITH YOUR AUNT?
KEEPING YOU SAFE IN MY PRAYERS……JENNIE XX
HAPPY TO HEAR THAT JENNIE POO. KNOW THAT CHEST FEELING TOO. I’VE BEEN ON ANTIBIOTICS FOR A FEW DAYS NOW. WAS REALLY SICK WITH THIS FLU. GETTING BETTER NOW SINCE IT’S BEEN 5 DAYS TAKING THEM.
AUNTY IS OKAY BUT IS NOT COMING FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER. SO SAD. BUT IT’S HER CHOICE. WILL TRY AND VISIT HER ON BOXING DAY. JUST DEPENDS HOW I’M DOING.
LOVE YOU JENNIE AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A BETTER DAY THAN YESTERDAY.
XXX
TONIE
BE CAREFULL…….
Chris
Jen
Sure hope the cold eases .it must be going around all places.if it was
Ike mine you will feel rotten I know…maybe get some antibiotics like I have if you get it on the chest
Perhaps that’s to do with you feeling tired and like sh.t for a few days…
Hope it gets ok for Xmas day
Going to my dads tonite them to collect summat from someone then go to the village pub for a drink
Tomorrow got DH appt for bp with dr…and plumber comming into the roof
So back after then
Chris
Hello everyone. I can’t write much. Back and hip still hurting. So is left arm with the lymphedema. The weather here is going to cooler today, rain tomorrow, warming up on Tuesday with more rain. On Wednesday, thunderstorms. That is why I am hurting so badly. This crazy weather. At least it is suppose to be sunny on Christmas day!
Most of my grandchildren do not live close to me so this year all of them are getting gift cards. Last year I shopped for each one of them. It was tough since I have 19 Grandchildren.
They like gift cards. They can get what they want this way.
I pray for each one of you that God will take care of each need since he knows what each of us need. Chris, I hope you had a good birthday. Tonie, I posted something to you on Facebook. Sue, I hope your nausea is better. I will check on one of those cushions you mentioned. I am going to see about the oxygen right after Christmas.
Jennie, I hope you will be feeling better for Christmas. I have been thinking about getting one of the pillows you talked about. I have looked at some.
Pommum Brenda, I am so sorry about your back. As you have said, bed rest and heating pad is about all you can do. I love reading Tedi’s post everyday. What a cutie he is. It will be interesting to see how you get along with a large dog vs the poms. My daughter has a black lab and he wants to climb up in my lap and love on me but he is so big and has such strong muscles I have to tell him no. It breaks my heart. He will look at me with his big Brown eyes and be satisfied with lying his head on my lap. I pray you won’t be down too long.
Lyn, glad most of your concerts are over and only one more to go. I hope the woman who fell is going to be alright. Ok, I ended up writing more than I thought I would. I need to get my dining room table ready for Christmas. Thank goodness my husband helps. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas in case I don’t get back on here before then. Hope I didn’t forget anyone. I am trying to do better. LOVE YOU all. Donna
Suzanne, I didn’t mean to leave you out. I went back and reread your post. I am glad your GD was able to help you. That was so sweet. I need to get my table ready also. All my grandchildren don’t live close so I miss out on a lot of help..If they were near they would help. I know what you mean about the hands and fingers hurting. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and they can hurt pretty bad. My doctor injected one of my fingers a few weeks ago..It feels much better. I couldn’t even bend it. I don’t know if you have seen the ad on tv about the copper hands gloves but I got a pair and they do really help. So far they have kept my fingers from swelling and hurting. Anyway I just thought I would mention it to you. Praying for you and hope you have a Merry Christmas. Donna
HI CHRIS….YES I AM GETTING THERE, HOPE YOU ARE TOO, YOU MUST BE SICK OF TAKING THOSE BLOODY ANTIBIOTICS. I WISH I COULD COME WITH YOU TO THE VILLAGE PUB FOR A DRINK, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THAT HERE, THEY DON;T DO PUBS, JUST BARS…..CHEERLESS UNCOMFORTABLE PLACES, NOBODY DOES PUBS LIKE THE BRITISH DO THEY?? GOOD LUCK WITH THE ROOF AND APPOINTMENTS WITH THE DOC…….LOVE YOU MATE….JEN XX
DONNA, I’M SO HAPPY YOU TALKED ABOUT THOSE COPPER GLOVES. SAW THE AD ON TV BUT THOUGHT THEY PROBABLY DON’T WORK. HOPE I GET TO SEE THEM AGAIN AND I WILL PHONE TO GET MY SELF A PAIR.
I HAD A LOVELY CHRISTMAS, BUT IT’S A LONG STORY AND I JUST CAN’T TYPE IT ALL OUT. LET’S JUST SAY I HAD ONE SON AND FAMILY COME TO VISIT IN THE MORNING AND THE REST OF MY FAMILY COME IN THE AFTERNOON FOR CHRISTMAS SUPPER. IT BROKE MY HEART TO HAVE MY FAMILY SPLIT LIKE THAT. I WISH I COULD HAVE HAD EVERYONE TOGETHER BUT IT IS NOT IN MY CONTROL. WISH MY DAUGHTER IN LAW WOULD GET IT TOGETHER.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS DONNA, WE ALL NEED AS MANY AS WE CAN GET. HOPE YOU HAD A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.
GOD BLESS. SENDING PRAYERS YOUR WAY AND ANGELS.
LOVE
XXX
Lyn you are right my post coming on later,becos I think it was Brenda said something similar
Well meeting my dad in town tomorrow to get bits for xmas day..dr for DH and then home for the plumber
Just been to a friends house before she goes to see her son in Amsterdam for xmas then sat by a nice fire at a pub…..but couldn’t stay long it was no good for my cough . I love a fire too
Ok folks back tomorrow
Chris
Dear Friends, So many of you are in my thoughts this holy day season. Each one of us seem to have extra needs this year and I am grateful we all have each other from all around the world. It’s a fine thing that happens here.
JENNIE, sure hope you’re able to shake that cold. I know you were worn out from all the activities and going and coming. Is it still terribly cold there? We’ve had rain but not severe cold in a couple of weeks. I haven’t really been out in it so it hasn’t been much of a problem but I do hate to see those I love out running errands in this wet weather and of course, DH never wears a jacket. Our holiday will also be low key as yours sounds to be. That’s okay. The blessing of being together and seeing the children’s faces makes it good. I know you and know you will be or have been cooking and preparing. Hope Claire’s mom is holding her own by improving. Love to you.
CHRIS, looks like a busy day tomorrow for you and DH. Sure wish they could finally find him a med that works for his hypertension. Becoming faint sounds scary and not good. Every time you talk about any of your festive activities they sound so old world English to us upstarts over here. I was wondering if with your coughing spell sitting by a fireplace if it could have been further irritated by the ash in the air with smoke from the fire. What do you think? So sorry. You must be so sore and not sleeping hardly at all. Love to you with thoughts and prayers. Looking forward to you getting some answers in Jan.
SUZANNE, so good to hear about your thoughtful daughter. You did something right there dear girl. I wish you the best during the holidays especially, and hope your aunt’s demands don’t get you down too much. Is the Flexeril still helping or is it not? Seems like you’ve been through so much this year. Thoughts and hugs.
LYNN, I enjoyed seeing your pic of the chorale. You looked lovely and like you were enjoying it with your whole heart.Music and Christmas are so interconnected. Glad you’re coming home early today to rest and prepare for all I know you will be doing with family and extended family. Blessings to you who blesses so many with your gift.
DONNA, sounds like life is rough right now. I am sorry. Boy, that pain every hour sure can get you down, huh? You’re among those who understand, that’s for sure. What do you do for your lymph swelling? Do you wrap the arm? I have a friend who wears a special sleeve apparatus to help. Hope your quiet holiday will still be most surely blessed.
POMMUM, pray each day brings relief. You can’t push it you know. Sounds like your body is upset with you from yesterday. So many fractures is hardly surprising considering your history but that makes it no easier to take. I get a bit concerned when I think of you babysitting a large dog. Do be careful dear friend. I know you’ll enjoy the grands whenever you celebrate together. Your new sewing machine sounds like a dream, but it’s like my musical keyboard which has capability to connect to the computer…I’m at a loss. Have a blessed, quiet and peaceful celebration.
TONIE, there is a time for independence and a time for naught. You can’t push this post operative period without real danger so please be good. I know exactly how hard it is to wait on yourself but do be wise, okay? What a tall order when you feel crappy, believe me, I understand. Let others have the blessing of helping you when they can. Hope the kids in AZ and son’s family have a happy, jolly Christmas. Little ones always do but I know it will be hard for the older kids in AZ having lost their Dad so recently. Love to you and prayers for recovery.
JANET, hope all is festive inside now as well as out and hope you are feeling more settled and less grief each day from this major change in your life. It’s good you could take your small animals with you and I pray you feel blessed.
LOVE TO EACH OF YOU THIS DAY AS ALL ARE SCURRYING AROUND, RESTING OR JUST LOAFING. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Hey Sue, getting back with you about lymphedema arm. I have been in therapy with it for a few months. Going twice a week. She ,my therapist, massages it to get fluid moving. I too have a. Compression garment I wear most of the time. My old one was wearing out and arm was swelling so the wrapping has been done for a few months as I said earlier. I got a new garment about 3 weeks ago and wore it for 3 weeks. My arm started to swell again and the compression was not strong enough or the material. I am going back with wrapping right now to help keep the swelling down. She measured me on Friday to order me a new one so I hope this one works. I do get tired of going to therapy. They are pretty quick about getting it made and sent back. They are made in Germany.
I have one big day coming up on Tuesday with the Pastors and their wives that were in our wedding. My husband does most of the work for it. He will get up at about 3AM This Monday morning, about 5 hours from now and start cooking his pork butts on his smoker. He will have that all done and most of hi sides that go with it by Tuesday morning. He will finish his cooking by 5PM Monday evening. Then he will come in the house and shower and sleep. He will have everything ready by Noon on Tuesday. Like I said earlier, the men eat down at the smoker and the 4 wives will be in the house with me. We have done this now for 16 years. We love them so much. We have done a lot of things together over the years. My menu is very simple, a couple of appetizers and 2 other dishes. All very easy. I can sit down to do it. I have the gifts for the wives and I can put most of my items together tomorrow night and not be rushed. They all jump in and help so I don’t worry about it. They all know it is hard for me. They really don’t want me to do anything. Last year we ate the same food as the guys did. Well after Tuesday afternoon I can rest the remainder of Christmas week. Will chat later. LOVE YOU MUCH! Donna
Donna, your meal and the fact your husband goes to such lengths to prepare the pork…well, it’s amazing. It sounds like a wonderful group of friends and such true and old ones; that means a great deal. Enjoy. I know you will.
I am sorry you are going through such a problem with the lymph systems this many years after your mastectomy. What an ordeal. You have stamina dear lady, that’s for certain. Sometimes we have to work so hard to make life doable, let alone enjoyable. I admire you for hanging in there so well. Day by day, right? Love you, Sue
Donna, your special day sounds lovely! Isn’t is wonderful to have a husband who will cook and help with preparations? I am blessed in that way as well. Do have a wonderful time!
Donna:
Man, send me some of that pork butt, you have a Pig Pickin don’t you ? 🙂 Good ole Carolina BBQ sauce, beans n cole slaw ! If I could eat it I would be in heaven !! LOVE me Carolina BBQ. I make some every now n then. Have a good day tomorrow and enjoy your company
Tonie, I love the Carolina BBQ too, and I have found an easy way to make it. I put my pork butt in the crock pot, I do trim off some of the fat or I’ll have a pot full of just melted fat. I add liquid smoke to give it that smokey flavor. When it’s falling off the bone, I take it out and pull it or even mince it, then put it back into the crock pot and add the sauce. I let it just stay “warm” for an hour or so. It really turns out well, in fact, what I take out the first time is all I get. I can’t eat fast enough to compete with my guys and they both love this.
SUE……CLAIRE’S MOM, IS HOME, AND IS ABLE TO TRAVEL UP TO HER DAUGHTER’S (THE OLDER ONE) FOR XMAS EVE, SO TIM AND CLAIRE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HER AS BOTH DAUGHTERS LIVE CLOSE BY TO EACH OTHER, ALSO IT MEANS TIM AND CLAIRE WILL GET A TRADITIONAL XMAS LUNCH BEFORE GOING TO WORK AT THE “CRISIS CENTRE” ON THE 25TH AND 27TH…….TIM IS STILL VERY UNHAPPY AT WORK, BUT HE HAS A CHANCE OF BUYING ANOTHER HOUSE IN HIS VILLAGE, TO RESTORE AND SELL ON, HE IS GOING TO LOOK AT IT TODAY WITH AN ARCHITECT FRIEND, AND IF ITS NOT TOO BAD, HE WILL BID FOR IT, QUIT THE JOB AND START MAKING A LIVING IN RESTORATION….PRAYING FOR THAT….ITS HIS FORTE.
I WILL TALK TO YOU BEFORE XMAS…..LOVE AND HUGS….JEN X
Jennie, good to hear Claire’s mom is doing so well. That’s very hopeful. I hope Tim does his remodeling if that is what he wants. Going to work in a job you don’t like can make life such a drudge and that’s one thing it should never be. They are such a kind couple to donate so much of their holiday time.
I look forward to talking to you anytime you call…you know that. Take care of that cold, especially if it’s now in the chest. Watch your temperature and be sure to drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel up to it. Much love, Sue
LOVE TO EACH OF YOU MY FRIENDS, HOPE THE EXTRA WORKLOAD OF CHRISTMAS IS NOT TAKING TOO MUCH OF A TOLL ON YOUR ENERGY……REST AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN, AND DON’T FEEL GUILTY FOR DOING IT….ESPECIALLY YOU TONIE…HOPE YOU ARE RECOVERING WELL, AND THE ANIMALS ARE ALL OK……..LOVE JENNIE XX
Jen
Tim can make the start to a new future and close to home for the first one.magic!
Hope your cold gets better now before xmas
Mine has of the cold but still stuck with the cough and same raw chest
DH bp was down to normal when at drs so no change!!
190/110…… Then normal at drs !
Plumber came and fixed things after an hour in the attic
Met my dad in town this morning to get xmas day stuff
So it’s been busy today
Just woken up fell asleep reading a book
Chris
Chris, wouldn’t you know it? Too bad your DH’s doc didn’t get to see him “in action.” Glad your leak got fixed. Glad your Dad was up to a trip to town for Xmas. Glad you slept a bit. I know how hard it is for you to sleep at night. Take care, stay warm and please get more sleep. Thinking of you. Love, Sue
SO HAPPY YOU GOT THAT LEAK FIXED CHRIS. THINGS ARE STARTING TO LOOK UP! IT’S GREAT YOU SAW YOUR DAD.
IT IS – 20 HERE THIS MORNING SO TRYING TO STAY WARM. HOPE THE WEATHER IS BETTER THERE.
LOVE YOU BIG. TAKE GOOD CARE SWEETIE AND TRY AND GET MORE REST.
XXX
Sue
The amoxicillin seem to make me tired…also seem to increase my tingling from parathesia
Only a day to go.i take 500g 3x a day
How’s you then?
Chris
I’M TAKING THE SAME, AMOXICILLIN 500G 2X A DAY, AND IT GIVES ME THE RUNS. BUT AT LEAST I’M STARTING TO FEEL BETTER.
SENDING PRAYERS TO ALL.
LOVE FROM LA BELLE PROVINCE.
XXX
Tonie
Did you really go shopping today????
Hope all ok
Chris
Hello All:
Yes, Chris, I went shopping today. I am so exhausted from it. I leaned on the cart and walked around the store, by the time I got thru and sat down to wait on Carol I was covered in cold sweat. My back really hurts from the standing, but my tummy is okay. I will be resting the remainder of the night. (as I have since I got home). I have to go to the Dr tomorrow, but that is it, go and come home. It has been cool and drizzly here, supposed to be in the high 50’s on Wed. The kids’ Dad lung collapsed last night and he had to go into surgery today. One of DS kids has strep so he can’t go and see him yet. Makes him sad cause his Dad keeps calling and asking him to be there.
Sue, it is hard to be humble and ask for help, but have been and will continue to do so. I realize how serious this was and is and my recovery will depend on how I act.
I am so glad to have you all as my friends. I love you each and everyone. I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas, Joyous and remembering the real reason of LOVE without bounds that we celebrate.
Janet, thinking so much of you this year and the joy you will have around you.
God bless you all
Tonie
Tonie, I agree with Chris you are very brave and a little bit crazy. I think it takes both to keep going in this life; especially with all the challenges so many of us face. Hope you got stocked up and now are resting up for the trip tomorrow. Thinking of you and yours. Prayers for your kids as they watch over their father as best they can. I know they feel terribly torn by their own lives and their obligations to their own families.
I went to the GP doctor today and we both feel I’m doing better. I did throw up today but I think it was from a dry throat cough. I still have problems from the esophageal burns I got in radiation therapy. My X-rays were all clear but we’re going to do a Ct scan on Friday morning when I will have to drink some gunk and wait for an hour. I told them I couldn’t sit in a share and would need a bed for the wait. I think they just want to be sure I have no mets and we want to get the tests in before the end of the year for insurance. After the New Year we’ll have to meet our high deductibles. Awe life…ain’t it grand????? Love you and Merry Christmas. Sue
OH TONIE, I LOVE YOU. YOU MY FRIEND ARE GOING THROUGH SO MUCH RIGHT NOW. SENDING HEALING PRAYERS FOR YOU MY SWEET PEA.
XXX
You are one brave lady Tonie Chris
Tonie, please rest, and no more shopping OK?
Christmas is a very special day but it is just a day …. and joy of Christmas can be celebrated on another day too, when your family are with you. My Mum did that in the spring with her siblings when they got older and couldn’t be together in December, but they still exchanged gifts and had their dinner together. Take care! Much Love … Pommum Nana B
Chris, your British pubs sound so warm and friendly but how are they different from a bar? I once had a co-worker who returned to Canada from England for medical treatment for her husband, but they couldn’t wait to get back to England when his condition was stable so they cold go to the pub after work! It must be people without a small family that go to the pub every night … and isn’t that expensive? It seems like a whole different way of life!
Jennie and Chris – I hope you both are rid of your bug and feeling better at Christmas!
Jennie, sounds like your son will be much happier at his new job and that may be better for his health too.
Janet, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the season in your new residence!
Donna, hope your arm is feeling better by Christmas Day and please say hi to Teddi on Facebook. It has been such a sad time for Teddi and his friends as they are missing Bella very much. Her mother in LA ad my friend Judy from PA are coming back in February and I may have already told everyone but they thought I might go back with them to PA and go to Westminster Dog show in NYC … I can’t imagine I would be up to that with my back and my neck!
Lyn, I’m sure you are very busy but please take time to rest!
Suzanne … I can’t wait until I have a Granddollie old enough to help me and I’m sure she loved every minute! Please don’t work too hard!
Sue, sure hope you are feeling better each day and I know your family will be there to help you! Wishing you all the best for 2015 ….a much better year for you I’m sure!
I wasn’t too concerned about Christmas as I thought eldest son and family were coming just for lunch, but it seems there has been a change of plan and they are now coming for Christmas Dinner as well as DH’s parents! Brad said he is bringing a salmon to cook which sounds lovely, but I think it just might be too much of a change from tradition for Great Grandma and Grandpa so we took a drive to Costco and bought a turkey breast to stick in the oven for anyone who is missing their turkey dinner. The ride there was not good … my neck hurt with every bump and I used a scooter in the store and we were away home again as soon as we could and I was back in bed with my heating pad as soon as I got home. We were there right at supper time so the line ups were short but I know I will pay for the trip tomorrow … but it is done!!! I will get DH to start helping me set the table tomorrow and get the gifts ready and under the tree. We are having dinner with youngest son and exchanging gifts on New Years Day. They just called from Nova Scotia and told us our special needs four year old grandson jumped up on the airport baggage belt in an slow moving area and was running down the belt and had just got to the area where the belt picks up speed when his mother managed to jump on and grab him!!! They said that everyone was just starring at them in disbelief, but we are so thankful neither of them was hurt … never a dull moment with Connor around and he is so quick and agile and handsome and loving … and we love him to the moon and back! We have decided to keep Golden Retriever Fergus, destroyer of hardwood floors at his own house and DH will go over about five times a day and he will be well walked and fed his Christmas dinner. The last time he came on holiday we put slippers on him (and even used duck tape) and he spent his time tearing them off, so we think this is the best solution and he will be much happier in his own home than a kennel. He usually comes for holidays in the summer so we take him to the cottage and he really thinks he is on vacation! I have a felt red stocking to finish before Christmas Eve so I think I can baste it is bed this evening. Take care everyone!
Love and Hugs … Brenda
This post is from Pommum Nana Brenda ❤
Pommum Brenda, my goodness, I hope you are not feeling too badly today and can make it through the next several days alright. At least you will have some help. Thank goodness. And oh that little GS! Thank goodness he’s ok! Yes, it is unfortunate more people aren’t more educated and tolerant of those with differing or special needs. Do take care of yourself and take care around Fergus. 🙂
Pommum, I get the impression that the British pubs are much like what I found in Chicago. There was a pub on every corner, and people tended to have one they went to. After dinner, the whole family went to the pub, parents and children alike, they talked, watched tv, and just seemed to be an extended family. I have never been one to like to hang out in bars, but I enjoyed the pubs. I never did drink alcohol, so they kept me fresh coffee going and pepsi’s. Everyone looked out for everyone else, I always felt safe and “at home.”
PRAYING FOR YOU BRENDA. HARD TIMES RIGHT NOW EH?
LOVE YOU BIG AND THINK ABOUT YOU OFTEN. YOU DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU.
XXX
Well Brenda
Pubs are more low key and relaxed…it’s difficult to say really
They date back to 1600s and some late 1900s they have fires on in winter and pretty gardens to sit in the summer…they are friendly,the pub is generally owned ,lived in and worked by the same fella.they are part of the community and well used by them.kind of a hub
He gets to know all and chats,they have their regulars they get to know and I can’t really say anymore it’s just different
They have bars in Australia like in the USA and they are different… In the pubs .most people just pop in for a pint at the end of the day or a meal .children aren’t allowed unless they are eating with parents
Well it could be expensive if you drank a lot and stayed all night.but the are popular places
A lot of towns here have bars like the USA and it’s different somehow ,not so busy and everyone knows everyone else and they chat if you want
Also if you want you can play Darts of cards. Or sometimes they have their own old unheard of games from days of old. they have their pub teams for the same and football or cricket also
So that’s it really..a good nite is when they have a quiz nite and everyone joins in with barracking!
JEN…what you say?
Oh and take it easy xmas day .if you can!
Sue
Drink lots of water after that gunk for ct scan
Chris
Chris, Great explanation of pubs for all of us who don’t live with them. As far as drinking the gunk for the CT scan, I’m concerned about keeping it down since I’ve thrown up today and yesterday and it’s planned for early morning. What will I do? Guess we’ll see.
Please have a blessed Christmas. Love, Sue
Morning all:
Pommum I am being good. No worries. I am supposed to walk as much as possible. I slept very good last night and was ready to go this am. That lasted long enough to feed, make breakfast and clean the kitchen up. Now I am back on the bed resting until time to go to the Dr. So glad Connor didn’t get hurt. You take care and enjoy your dinner and holiday.
Have to share some bad news. I have to report the murder of Chickie Sue and Sadie. They were killed the night of my operation. By a weasel we think. It is sad times around the henhouse Egg laying is at an all time low, and moral is just not the same. Chickie Sue was a leader and an adventuresome soul who took them to places they wouldn’t go otherwise. Please join me in a moment for their memories.
So now I have to replenish stock again this spring. Everywinter it is one or two gone. I see home improvements in the future. I have to wrap presents some time today, probably after I get home tonight. Just hate doing it. I actually want to stop and get some bags and do it the easy way 🙂 Please take care all and be good to yourselves. Love to all
Tonie
Tonie, I will grieve along with you for my namesake…poor chickie Sue, and Sadie too. I think once you’ve recovered from this surgery and start your new life with actual funds, you’ll see many changes in your life. Just be good for now and take care of yourself to heal properly, okay? Love you, Sue
Aw, sorry about Chickies Sue and Sadie. 😦 Yes, spring for the bags, Tonie. Totally worth it. 🙂
So sorry Tonie, but maybe come spring you can have Chickie Sue the second!!!
Tonie
I expect you’ll be tired tonite after the long trip to hosp,appt and back….sad tales from the hen house,they had such personalities
Sue
Maybe they can give the stuff to you differently if you tell them how it is.your poor tum is just so reactive now .is it the iodine for the scan?
Be thinking of you and just forget it all till it happens tomorrow
Chris
HELLO….FOR A FEW DAYS, I AM SIGNING OFF, I AM WASTED AND NEED TO REST, WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT EXHAUSTING OURSELVES ALL BECAUSE OF ONE DAY….WHAT IS THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN IF IT ALL DOESN’T QUITE GO TO PLAN??? TONIE …SO SORRY ABOUT THE CHUCKS….SUE YOU KNOW HOW I AM FEELING REGARDING YOUR SCAN….LYN, I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD….DONNA, SUZANNE AND JANET AND ANNIE…..I AM THINKING OF YOU AND ALL YOUR PROBLEMS HEALTH AND PERSONAL…..CHRIS, WE HAVE SPOKEN, BUT STILL CONCERNED FOR YOU.
SO IF I DON’T MANAGE TO GET BACK WITH ANOTHER POST, PLEASE GIRLS, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES, AND I WISH YOU ALL PEACE AND LOVE, AND MUCH ENJOYMENT WITH YOUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND FOR THOSE ON YOUR OWN, RAISE A GLASS AND MAKE A TOAST TO YOU, YOU DESERVE IT FOR WHAT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR MOST OF US……MUCH LOVE AND GENTLE HUGS………………..JENNIE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Jennie, my day is not going to be as planned this year, but there will still be lots of good food and the little ones will have fun! Many of us have too high of expectations for one day of the year and get upset if things aren’t perfect but that is not what Christmas is all about!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Love ~ Brenda
RIGHT ON BRENDA! COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF. YOU TAKE GOOD CARE.
JENNIE SWEETHEART, YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO BED AND SLEEP . THE LOVE WE GET FROM OUR FAMILY IS WHAT COUNTS. ENJOY DEAR ONE.
LOVE YOU BIG JENNIE POO.
XXX
BRENDA…I DIDN’T FORGET YOU….WHEN YOU ASKED CHRIS ABOUT UK PUBS…..WELL IF YOU GET ONE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE ANYWHERE IN THE UK….THEY ARE LIKE NOWHERE ON EARTH…COSY, GOOD FOLKS, LOW BEAMS, LOG FIRES, GREAT BEER, AND AMAZING FOOD….CAN’T BEAT IT…………..LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU SWEETHEART…JENNIE XX
Chris/Jennie I always wanted to go to a pup and have some Shepherd Pie and berry crumble, you can keep the beer 🙂
Sounds like lots of fun Chris and Jennie!
I think Tonie and I should just hop cross the pond some day and have a chat with you sitting by the fire 🙂
Yea Tonie me too.DH has the beer..he likes it after the Aussie ones…but me I have coffee or a shandy,or water
I fancy a pub lunch tomorrow now…you tempter..I’m on a diet!
How did you go?
Chris
Did good Chris, I was very tired, it is an hour drive to the office each way. He said I am looking good. My Pathology report on the removed part was awful, so much was going on. No wonder I had so many gut problems. I need to have a colonoscopy by Feb he says to make sure the rest of me is ok. Something to look forward to 🙂 . SO.. just be good and recover well. My Sis in law made me some chicken n rice soup last night, it was SOOO awesome ! I woke up at 5 am and was really hungry and had another bowl of it :). Good healing stuff that is.
I will be at my sis home for Christmas Eve. It will be like old times. She lives in the homeplace, my brother will be there, nephew and his kids and grandkid, friends and all. Lotta love in that old house. I have to wrap all my prezzies today, so I need another rest period before that. Have a Merry Christmas my friend.
Love
Tonie
Take care Tonie and enjoy your Christmas as I’m sure it will bring back many happy memories.
Christmas Blessings to you and your family.
I’D LIKE TO JOIN THAT PARTY TOO. WOULDN’T IT BE FUN TO ALL GET TOGETHER AND JUST CHAT BY THE FIRE IN THAT PUB.
XXX
Good morning all, and Merry Christmas Eve. I’ll be heading up to Oklahoma tomorrow morning for Christmas with my Mom. I don’t think she will be able to come out of the nursing home for the afternoon, so Christmas dinner will be strange indeed, especially considering this may be her last one with us. I had hoped to have the DVD they recorded of our concert to watch with her but they’re not ready yet.
We had our party at the daycare last week and the kids were all so cute singing their little songs. I do miss having Isabel (my goddaughter) there. We were supposed to have an outing Sunday to look at Christmas lights but she had fever, cough, and vomiting which turned out to be bronchitis so can’t get together until after I return to town. Lily thought she might be well enough for pancake breakfast this morning but not yet. 😢
I’m still in quite a bit of pain from my car wreck. Doing PT but it is slow and grueling. Did some of my shopping online. Got toys for the youngest nieces and nephews, the older ones are getting gift cards- I just ran out of “steam”.
I will go to candlelight service this evening and then to Ryan and Lanae’s home To watch “Polar Express” and have popcorn /hot cocoa with their kids.
Hope you each find joy in time with friends and family-sounds like most of us are going pretty “low-key” with the festivities this year.
Love to all-
Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas to you, Annie! And safe travels! I’m sorry you likely won’t be able to take Mom out of the home, but time together will be meaningful regardless. Take care of yourself. Many blessings!
Annie, my shopping as done online this year and it worked very well.
Merry Christmas Annie and enjoy this precious time with your Mom!
Merry Christmas to all! I will share my Christmas blessing and hugs to all today as I’m sure there are those who will not have the time or energy to check in tomorrow. 🎄 (I hope my little Christmas tree icon shows up. 🙂 )
Have a Blessed Christmas Lyn!
Thinking about you sue today,hope it’s not too bad for you
If I don’t get back all have as good a Christmas as you all can.best wishes to all
Chris
Merry Christmas Chris!
I am really hurting today so this will be very different Christmas at our house! I usually try to do so much but just can’t do it this year…. seems each year I can do a little less. This year I have not even made a Christmas cookie and my son so looks forward to the shortbread every year, so I do hope home made Christmas cookies will be back once again next year ( those speeding reindeer got us all this year it seems) but there will still be lots of treats! I tried very hard to get two red felt stockings done so the two youngest members of our family would have their “family” stockings to match the others, but I have been struggling with a new sewing machine and well as back and neck pain and now it seems a flare … so Santa will fill them next year. I just called and was told there was enough stocking to go around again this year, so it can be a winter project to finally get them finished! I have had my stocking since very little and as each new member of the family came along, either by birth or marriage, they got a matching one and even Teddi’s little Bella had one, as well as his full brother Bailey Boo in PA, and my brother and his family and all my cousins’ families. They are quite plain compared to the ones you can purchase now, but we thought they were very special way back in the 1950’s … and so the tradition continues! The new little ones around the Christmas table are so precious, but I still can’t help but be a little sad for the faces that are missing.
Sue, thinking of you today and hope everything went well!
Christmas Blessing to all ~ Pommum Brenda
My dear friends, I wish each of you health, wisdom, peace and the blessedness of God’s love and family love on this Holy day. You’re a wonderful group who reach out to me and each other in the midst of your own suffering and I count myself fortunate to know you and love you. Sue
Much love to you dear Sue! You are a precious treasure! Thought if you during candlelight service last night and said a special prayer of blessing for you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas!
Annie dear, thank you for the blessing for me and my family. Pray your Mom is doing as well as she can and that your heart is holding up to the pain of having her ill. Much love and a blessed Christmas to you and your dear family. Love, Sue
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours Sue. May the Lord bless you with strength and a lack of pain to enjoy your family at this special time of year. I love you very much. And appreciate you more than you will ever know.
Love
Tonie
This is for everyone. I made it through yesterday with my meal with the pastors and their wives. Everything got done and the wives all pitched in and help put everything on the table. It was all very good even if I did make it myself. I made a cheese ball with specialty crackers and meatballs with a sauce I made. Also had a Watergate salad ( pistachio pudding with coolwhip and marshmallows, and crushed pineapple with pecans all mixed together and kept cold in the fridge all night til served.) And main course was called antipasta squares. It is all the sliced meats and cheeses with roasted red peppers layered in a casserole dish with crescent roll dough on the bottom then eggs beaten and poured over everything covering the top with more crescent roll dough. Baking it at 375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes making sure dough does not get too brown. Take it out and let it cool then cut it in slices. It was all good. For dessert we had cream puffs and homemade coconut pie. I serve hot Apple cider. Now it is over! My biggest party of each Christmas. Now I can relax! My husband took care of the men. They had B-B-Q and all the trimmings. As Tonie said, good old Carolina B-B-Q, sauce and Cole slaw and all the stuff that goes with it. I don’t really know what he is fixing for us tomorrow. Turkey breast , mashed potatoes and stuffing!. That is what we usually have. WISH you all A very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!. LOVE each and every one of you!! Donna
PS: please take it easy!
Donna:
Sounds like you had a wonderful time of it. So sweet you all get together that way. I still want that BBQ 🙂 I would like the recipe for that antipasto dish. I will add it to my recipe collection to put in the book.
I had Christmas Eve with my sister, brother and his wife, nephew and his family. Chicken n dumplings, potato salad, chicken casserole, green beans, deviled eggs, fried chicken and country ham. My mothers traditional supper that my sister has continued all thru the years. I had a bite of this and that and it was great. Sat up much too long and had some pain last night but nothing bad. My son and family are coming up Sat so we will have Christmas again with them. I have some finger foods to fix for us, nothing major. Some left overs from last night as well 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful day.
God bless
Tonie
Tonie, enjoy those leftovers. WOW what a feast and every one sounding delicious. Have a safe, merry, restful Christmas dear lady.
Beth cooked us a beautiful dinner last night and I had a bite or two also. Prime rib, ham, baked potatoes and potato salad, two vegies and rolls with red jello for the kids. Jim’s over there right now having brunch with them. I’m a bit nausea and decided I’d best miss it for now. Love, Sue
Tonie, what a spread for your family. Sounded good. As I was reading it I was thinking how nice it was to see what people eat in different parts of the country for Christmas. My sister always cooks like our grandmother did every year. Grandma had 8 children and 34 Grandchildren. My sister is the only one who can cook exactly like our grandmother.. I will send you the recipe for the antipasto dish.
Well, I hope you are feeling better. It has been so wonderful getting to know everyone over the past 18 months or so. It may be longer. Continue to rest and heal. I will be praying that you will get your energy back soon. That was a major surgery girl. Before long you will be back out with your animals. Just don’t overdo it. I am sorry about the chicks. You can’t help but miss them. You saw them everyday. Have fun with your family on Saturday.
To the rest of you Merry Christmas and I love all of you! Will be back soon. Donna
Donna, sounds wonderful. Now how about telling us ignorant folk the difference between Carolina BBQ sauce and others, please? What a wonderful feast. Hope you have time to rest today and enjoy the leftovers. Merry Christmas. Sue
Sue, I did rest today. My husband cooked a good old traditional Christmas meal. Turkey Breast and B-B-Q with slaw and mashed potatoes with gravy stuffing and a winter salad and iced tea. After fixing all that he even cleaned up and washed the dishes. He is great! I have really done nothing today but rest. His oldest granddaughter and her new fiance came and ate with us. He just proposed to her 6 days ago. They have been dating for over a year. Her wedding will be 10/10/2015. Almost a year.
Winter salad is sauerkraut drained with chopped onion bell peppers pimentos, and Apple cider vinegar sugar and olive oil mixed and heated together and poured over the other ingredients and mixed well and served cool. It is so good especially with stuffing or anything starchy.
Now for Carolina B-B-Q sauce. The difference is the regular sauce is thick and sweet. Carolina’s is a vinegar based sauce and has spices and is thin and can be hot or mild. I like the Carolina mild. Most people eat it on a bun with slaw. You can also eat it sliced or chopped on a plate with slaw and French fries or chips. Either way it is good. Of course you have to wash it all down with a big glass of good old iced tea. So there you have it. Did I make you hungry or just feeling sicker?
Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Love you! Donna
TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF MY ANGELS, I WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH LOVE, JOY, LOTS OF LAUGHTER AND A LOW PAIN DAY FOR ALL OF YOU.
NOT SURE WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT YOU.
LOTS OF LOVE GOING YOUR WAY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL ON THIS VERY SPECIAL DAY!
XXX
Merry Christmas Suzanne, you are loved by each of us. Hope the New Year is better for you and your aunt, also. Love, Sue
DITTO………………………………..Jennie xxxxxxxxxx
Merry Post-Christmas, everyone! It was a beautiful, restful Christmas Day here yesterday. Much needed. DH and I were up early with the pets and enjoyed cinnamon buns and coffee before taking Sadie for a Christmas Day walk. She was such a happy pooch! It had been rainy here the last 2 days and she hadn’t been able to get out for one. The kids were up and here by 10:30, DD bringing her best bud in tow. DD and her buddy fixed us brunch – eggs with red pepper, jalapeño pepper, onion and cheese with cinnamon swirl toast. I made us each a festive adult beverage – sparkling wine (DH chose Asti) with cranberry-pomegranate juice (2/3-1/3 roughly). We opened gifts afterward. I felt badly because I didn’t know DD would be binging her buddy and we had nothing for him to open, so I did share with him the gift I’d prepared for his whole family – a container of cookies, of course! We cleaned up a bit, then DD and friend had to go to lunch with his family (her friend’s brother is her boyfriend). SB took a nap, as did DH. I sat down and enjoyed a big, beautiful book that was my gift from DH (and myself). It was written by a gentleman who graduated the year behind me in high school and is about my hometown. It contains pictures and facts, stories about how the town was established and buildings important to the town through the years and what is there now. I’m a little over halfway through it now after reading and paging through all day. It contains over 900 pics alone! A beautiful book, very well done, and a real keepsake. I’m a little heartbroken about a lovely mansion I never knew about that was torn down to make way for a bank. Not even a beautiful grand building, a run of the mill design. In fairness, the owner did offer the house to the Historical Society if they moved it to another location, but the Society was in its infancy and simply didn’t have the fund to make it happen. According to the book, the home was very thoughtfully built and much attention was given to details including the choice and style of woodwork within. (No inside pics, unfortunately.) But getting back to the day. DD and friend, with boyfriend/brother in tow returned in the afternoon to make us Christmas dinner – a delicious lasagna, complete with garlic bread. SOOOO yummy! There was no room for any of the yummy cookies I made. The kids left shortly after to go see the movie Into the Woods. Oops, I forgot to mention, SB worked 3 – 11pm – a coworker had promised to bring him Christmas dinner. He felt bad that he had to work. DD also saved him some leftover lasagna, which I heard him warming up when he returned home. DH and I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies that I’d not had time to watch yet – A Christmas Carol – then he watched his own choice of movie while I paged through my book. I did clean our ensuite, but other than that, my day was spent relaxing and enjoying family and food.
Now, I’m trying to gear up to run errands and prepare for tomorrow – Christmas with DH’s family, held here at our house. DH will help, but we all know where the lion’s share of the thought and care ends up… Tomorrow, DH family Christmas, Sunday will be Christmas at my Mom’s. A little prayer for strength, stamina, and postponement of pain and fatigue would be appreciated. I had more time for some restorative rest after concerts, this, however is going to be rough. I’ll rest whenever I can, I promise, and pass of what I can to DH. I know it will be worth it, but we all know how hard these endeavors can be on our bodies. I know my DH doesn’t get it. He’s never experienced a full body rebellion like that.
Love to all! Probably see you on the flip side.
Lynn, dear, I know it’s not quite the flip side yet and I suspect you are doing to fall down in a heap when it arrives tomorrow evening. Spreading out the holiday is so enjoyable but so much work. I had to chuckle when I saw your not on FB this AM about having too many Christmas cookies left over. Around here we send all leftovers down to the jail where the deputies gobble them up and SIL take any leftovers down to the lumber yard where the same thing happens. SO many folks don’t get homemade that often. I know you’ve had some nice breaks tucked into your schedule and hope they will continue today and tomorrow. Enjoy and then rest, okay? Sounds quite wonderful actually.
Beth, Jim and GS all have colds now. We’ve had much rain but nothing more fierce. I gave Beth a new down coat from LLBean for Christmas and she wore it while we opened gifts then said, boy is it too hot in here for anybody else? Silly. Last year I gave her a cashmere infinity scarf that she loves so much she had to sleep in it Christmas. It’s fun how our children are always our kids even as adults, huh? Sorry SB had to work but glad DD and buddy were there. Is buddy shot for boyfriend? I’m sure his family loved having cookies made by your artful hands. Need to move along here but have been thinking of each of you and how you celebrate. Kind of a Christmas I was glad to see pass and that’s not usually like me at all. Prayers for all of us to have a better 2015. As ever, Sue
Good morning all:
Sue so glad you had some time with everyone Christmas Eve. I was really worn out yesterday and mainly rested all day. I have broken out in some sort of allergic reaction to something, I have no idea what. My brother brought me Benedryl yesterday and it put me out for a couple of hours. I am going to the store today and need to pick up more. I have no idea where this is coming from. No changes.
I went to brothers home for dinner last night. His wife is such a good cook. We had Spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp, pork roast, Sweet potato souflee, salad and some red jello salad with marshmellows and fruit. Had a bit of all, except the shrimp were the best. Then home to sleep again. I will be glad when I can stay up longer.
Tomorrow DS and family will be here. The kids are wanting to ride Baby. No saddle yet, but I can throw a blanket on her and let them get led around. SHe has filled out nicely and looks good now. No more bony protrusions.
I pray you are all well and happy. Have a wonderful day. I am off to the store and swing by to see Ms Alice for a bit.
Love to all
Tonie
Tonie, I greatly hope your rash is getting better by the hour. After you and I talked about it yesterday I talked it over with Jim and we two nurses think since nothing else fit as the cause…it might be something you received or had done to you in the hospital. Be sure you mention it to the doc so it’s on your records, especially if you ever have to have surgery again…heaven forbid.
Hope you feel up to enjoying the grands today and hope they get to ride Baby. How will she take that? Sounds like you have been surrounded by wonderful food from the family. Hope you’re able to enjoy small bits of this and that to celebrate the Holy days.
It’s my hope and prayer that both you and I will regain our stamina and be back on our feet full time very soon. Let’s make a sacred pact, okay? Much love, Sue
Sue:
The rash is going going almost gone. I woke up yesterday and was covered in sweat, like I had sweated out a fever. Wonder if it was some sort of virus ???
Anyway, the kids didn’t want to ride, they were too interested in playing and petting her off and on. She was really interested in them though, she perked up when she saw them. She had a lot of kids who rode her at her old home.
I too am praying for us 🙂 I overdid it Saturday of course, and had to rest a lot yesterday. I did go to Sunday school, but not to service last night. It was good to be back. I need to work on cleaning this house up some. Take down the tree n stuff, but just so not into it :). Sean put my tv up for me, Santa done good on that 🙂 Now I can watch the video feeds on my tv instead of my computer. Very nice. He was impressed. He took the kids to see their PawPaw yesterday. He said that he wasn’t going to last long. He has really gone down in the last week.
Take care and keep resting.
Love
Tonie
Well all
All your food sounds so good
Tonie
Slow down if you can
Well wanna know my xmas!!?
Christmas morning woke up and called my dad..his heating and hot water was off?so,had to,ring the emergency co. And it all took loads of calls and they couldn’t find the communal boiler key.well that got sorted out and heat all on
Then my DD decides to bring her 15 yr old westie along..well she is blind deaf can’t lie down for her hips and is incontinent.well I didn’t know she was bringing him and she phoned my mobile to say she was at my dads entrance and the dog had messed everywhere .there was a scramble to wipe and clean
Ok….so I had met my dad in town two days ago to get stuff for xmas,the lady next door had put it all in the freezer not the fridge. ….. No food….then the dog started messing the carpet again..we were inthe communal lounge so bowls out and cleaning..you know the smell……people passing all embarrasing ?Why did my DD have to bring her..well she is having to put her down and didn’t want to leave her alone …but oh dear what a day.it finished soon after ,as my dad was tired and they had to get the poor dog back
Today
Suddenly my recorder to the tv as I was looking at it switched off ..that was it broken.had to see what it was all about..moving cupboard to find wires and it was all dusty had to clean and vacuum took a time .still didn’t work so I took the thing out and ill do without can’t be bothered with it anymore. DH bp is high
So here I am fed up wondering what disaster tomorrow will bring
Just got in to bed now and gonna read
Chris
BLOODY HELL CHRIS…….ARE YOU TELEPATHIC OR WHAT…..XMAS EVE, NO HOT WATER, DH HAD LEFT THE BLOODY TAP RUNNING AND IT HAD ALL GONE……XMAS MORNING, THE TV WENT OFF, CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY MY LAPTOP AND THE PHONE, MANAGED TO SORT THAT OUT IN TIME TO PHONE THE FAMILY….MY MOM WANTED TO KNOW IF I LIKED MY PRESENT….OH YES SAID I, JUST WHAT I WANTED, ANOTHER POT STAND, PUT IT IN THE DRAWER WITH THE OTHER TEN….OH YES AND AN APRON….HOW COME HER OTHER KIDS GOT NICE PERSONAL THINGS….BEEN LIKE IT FOREVER, AS YOU MAY HAVE GUESSED I AM NOT THE FAVOURITE.
WELL I HOPE THINGS IMPROVE FOR YOU MY FRIEND…..HAD A BAD DOSE OF DIVER TO ADD TO THE LIST, JUST WANT TO GO TO BED AND STAY THERE, HOPE THE NEW YEAR IS BETTER, AND NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR US ALL………………….LOVE TO EVERYONE……………JENNIE XX
Jennie, oh my gosh. It sounds like you and Chris were both in a Chevy Chase version of the Nightmare before Christmas. I am so sorry. And I knew my Xmas would be iffy but had higher hopes for you. Thought yours would be so nice and quiet but apparently fate had other ideas. I’m sorry about all the plumbing gafs. Terribly inconvenient on any day or when you feel well but on top of the rest…ugly.
Jennie, I’m sorry your Mom hurts you. You know sweet friend, some things and some folks never change and usually it’s so ingrained…they don’t know they’re being the way they are. Bad habits of behavior and hurtful habits…Why didn’t you ask her why she keeps sending you something so worthless over and over? Is it just not worth the turmoil? I suspect that’s why, huh? I do hope your gut is in a friendlier mood now and you are able to get some nourishment without discomfort. Rest and get well, okay? Love as ever, Sue
Chris, oh my goodness. Your Xmas defies all description. You had it all except fire…oh what a time of it. To have to clean up after an incontinent dog is so awful and embarrassing for you in a sort of public place but having all the food frozen after you had planned…oh my. You must have felt like someone had placed a holiday curse upon your whole family. One day it may be humorous to all of you but for now…not too much. Small wonder DH’s B/P was up. I hope life has calmed down for you by now and that you get to cook some of that food in a more pleasant setting with some PEACE and quiet. Wouldn’t that be a nice Christmas gift? Prayers for that along with hugs my dear, Sue
Dear Friends, first of all let me tell you I had my CT scan yesterday and the abdomen and lungs are clear. No metastatic disease; thank the dear Lord. I made it through half of the gunk I had to drink and they gave me the contrast die in the vein. I was so relieved to get the call from the doctor last evening. She knew I’d be worried over the weekend. This still leaves the question of why I am nauseous so much and that is being narrowed down. It appears to be the damage in the esophagus from the radiation or perhaps all the pain I’m still having in the tightness of the muscles in the left shoulder every time I move as well as the back fracture. It could have just been all too much for me to handle and nausea is how it expresses itself. I probably need PT to get the back and shoulder back in shape, although I have been doing exercises at home so we will see. I think it’s the esophagus because I gag whenever I blow my nose or brush my teeth. I have ever since I had radiation therapy. Answers still needed.
We had a lovely Christmas Eve and now Beth and GS have bad colds and even Jim, who never gets sick now has a cold and sore throat. He has the immunity of a bull and never catches anything but he did have an inmate at work who had a fever last week so that’s probably where he got it. As far as Christmas Eve, it was enjoyed by all. I made it through about half of it but unfortunately had to lie down. Beth worked much too hard taking over my role as primary cook but she got some good experience. It all looked delicious. Everyone ate heartily.Everyone enjoyed their gifts, especially the children, of course. I kind of pooped out all day Christmas Day. I have to get my stamina back and am trying to stay up or sit more of each day now. I didn’t realize how weak I got over the last three months. Prime example of not using it and losing it I’m afraid.
I’ll chat with each of you individually but wanted to fill you all in on what was the latest here. George got a little squeak toy that he had to “kill” and hide in the corner. He’s so funny. Poor old Jake is losing so much sight I had to guide him out the back door last night to pee. It’s hard to watch but otherwise he seems to have energy, etc. Love to each of you and congrats for surviving a stress filled holiday. Sue
Sue …..glad you made it through the festivities, despite your problems, it sounded like fun, I suppose having Grands helps to forget the pain at times……I hope Jim soon recovers from his cold……I have really bad pain in my left eye today, started as soon as I woke up, its now 3-15pm and no sign of it going, feels like someone is stabbing me, and there is no warning………….
Like George, Sacha was delighted with his new toy, and has done his best to “see it off” hopefully it will last a bit longer…………have a nice New Year celebration love, and I pray there will be less for you to deal with in 2015…..I love you……Jennie xxx
Jennie, I am so sorry to hear you’re having more fierce eye pain. Please get in to see the doc tomorrow…be pushy. Hope the snow doesn’t curtail that in any way. Apparently we may get snow and strong winds starting tonight so winter is hitting all of us. I know that eye pain just shoots right into your brain and pray you have something to take for it and they find the cause. I love you and worry. Take care sweet friend, Sue
Donna, thanks so much for that wonderful description of you Carolina sauce. I’ve read about it but never had it. Boy, do you guys know how to cook and eat. I’m always overwhelmed by the talent and the way so many southern cooks pass down family recipes, etc. My folks were southern and I guess most of my favs are from my Mom when I stop and think about it such as chicken and dumplings, chicken fried steak, etc. She liked to try new things, much as you and Tonie do, also. That pasta dish does sound delicious. Don’t you just love all the things you can do with the crescent roll dough? Now it sounds like time for all of us to rest, don’t you think? Love, Sue
Sue
Such good news from your scan and so good of your dr to ring you…just gotta find a way to heal it now somehow
My escapades aren’t on a match for yours last xmas ..what a year you’ve had! 2015 better be a good one for us all
Jen
Well what ya know eh…similar xmas.
What a day!
Bored of it all now….
Well all ..hope your days are good and don’t follow mine and Jens
Chris
Chris, I agree with all you said. God bless us everyone in 2015. Sue
Chris….bored of it too, even took my cards down and some of the smaller stuff….will leave the tree till New Year, can’t get warm, and it snowed last night, first time this year…….hope you are feeling okay, and catch up soon….love Jennie xx
Hi, all! Finally catching up after an intense couple of days. Chris and Jennie, on my! Not the best of Christmases for either of you. Wish you could have enjoyed a quiet day like we had here. Sue, I’m sure Beth didn’t mind the extra this year as long as you all could be together. Obviously she loved her coat. 😉 My Mom, DD and I all love soft things. We’d have been tempted to sleep in that cashmere scarf, too! I can’t believe Jim is sick! That never happens. Tonie, so glad you are seeing some improvement from that nasty reaction. I agree with Sue and Jim, your doc should know about it. Suzanne, thank you. 🙂 Donna, I like both kinds of BBQ sauce. Now I’m hungry for good BBQ! But not too much as I’m still full from lunch. We had all of my DH’s family today. 16 of us. Yesterday I was cleaning, organizing, and moving furniture (with DH) all day! Rough day. Definitely a muscle relaxant night! And DH massaged my back for me a bit, too. Today, morning food and last minute preps, then we were off and running with the first arriving around 11 in the morning. No one went home hungry, and I still have a ton of cookies left over! I’ll take cookies and desserts to my Mom’s tomorrow for our Christmas there. I am beat and feel a bit like I’ve been hit by a truck. Thankfully no one expects me to make any dinner. Plenty of left overs if anyone gets hungry. Poor Sadie barked and barked at people today. All were kind about it, but it did get to be a bit much. Poor pup was just overwhelmed, but it wouldn’t have helped to keep her elsewhere. So, she hung around me all day. Now she’s napping. 🙂 Time to rest my body and hands. This’ll be another night for the muscle relaxant for sure. And, the festivities continue. Best to all!
Lyn, Sorry I misspelled your name earlier..getting old you know…me, not you, although I suspect you feel it tonight. Moving furniture huh? 16 is quite a few to entertain. I’m sure there is a lot of wonderful food floating around your kitchen tonight. Does everyone of your relations cook as well as you do?
I expected you to be exhausted, no surprise there but also no regrets. We each make so many compromises in this way of life, don’t we? Hope you get caught up tonight so you can enjoy the last soiree tomorrow with your side of the family. Such a very busy time of year.
Poor Sadie. All those strange faces and voices plus so many legs to walk around. George is being a real pain today. Beth and SIL gave him a little squeaky toy and he now has it killed and buried in his kennel and growls whenever we come near. Looks like the toy will have to go. Great grey hunter at work here. Rest now dear friend, and do enjoy tomorrow. Love you, Sue
Haha, no worries, Sue. I’ve had so many spellings of my name. 😉 Yes, relaxing this evening. Tomorrow should be low key on my end. I’ll take lots of our “extras” along tomorrow, hopefully depleting my stores. Also just talked to college buddies whom we will now be seeing on Monday evening. – At their house. I can just bring whatever is around here along, she’ll cook. We haven’t seen them in years except at the odd music audition or festival – no time to catch up there. Should be a great evening with good friends. Our kids will attend as they can/wish. They are all of an age where they have their own activities. Oh dear. George protecting his kill.
Well….just a quick “Happy New Year” to each and all, in case my eye doesn’t clear up, cos I am finding it difficult with the glare from the screen and all……so thank you for your friendship and support this last year, you have all been amazing, and I count my blessing to have such a great bunch of gals I can call friends……………..love and hugs Jennie xx
Jennie, you are a vital member of this group and we love you dearly. Sue
Jennie dear:
Happy New Year to you. Prayers that your eye will clear up and all will be well soon. WE love you as well. Another year behind us all. Hard to believe.
Love you
Tonie
Lyn dear, hope you’re kicked back today except for the social times, hope those leftover cookies that I’m sure are fabulous, are being gobbled up. To see your family, Mom, etc. and then to see friends of long standing; that is the holidays, right? Just please be good to yourself. Our weather will be changing this week down into the 20’s, snow perhaps, winds 70mph and the rest. WIsh Jim felt better. Cold and cough still bad. He’s not sick often but with a history of asthma I always worry. Knowing him he will still go to work and spread his germs. He is the only RN with one other one to help. Can’t call in sick easily even if he would. We’re still sitting in a cluttered house from Christmas but it’s good to have it end this year. It was nice, don’t misunderstand, but a lot for me this year.
Nausea still there in the morning but gets better as the day goes on. Take care my dear, keep those hands warm, rest and get that pet therapy. Love you, Sue
Hi all
Quick post
Been busy today,catching up with housework.
Blood tests for DH tomorrow and meeting GS
Sue
I hope Jim picks up and you don’t catch it.good the nausea is lessening
Lyn
You deserve some rest
Donna
All your food sounds so good
Jen
Catch up next week
Tonie
Hope you ok
Chris
Sweet Chris, always thinking of everyone else. You take care, too. Love, Sue
Hi, gang, tired all day here – big surprise. But successfully packed, time spent with family at Mom’s, packed again and back home. I had 3 trays of cookies which I combined into 1 to take tomorrow evening and put the rest away. Still a lot of cookies… And still cake and pie leftover from what my niece brought and left here yesterday. Crashing this evening with Lily in my lap. Will probably have to pick up meds for DD tomorrow morning (she’s been sick but hoped not to have to take antibiotic – now she needs it), should walk the pooch, but will take it easy until time to leave to visit those friends. Rest well, friends!
Lyn, all sounds good. Glad you had a good day and equally pleased you’re taking such good care of yourself. Jim still sick with miserable cold but went to work anyway. So him.
How’s the room in your freezer holding out? Later, love to Lily as you both rest. Sue
Hope you all are recovering from holiday entertaining and such. We did get to bring Mom out of the SNF/Rehab for the evening on Christmas. She enjoyed dinner with the family (chili-Dad’s recipe made now by my brother) and all the time visiting with kids, grandkids, and great grands. I drove her back that night and we sang along w/Christmas CD In the car while taking a brief “detour” to look at Christmas lights. Tucked her into bed, rubbed some nice smelling lotion on her back, and hung the angel ornament I’d given her where she could see it. She was tired but very happy. I put picture on Facebook I think most of you have seen by now. This afternoon before I drove back to Dallas I stopped by to see her- she looked so frail. It is just heartbreaking but I’m so glad we got to spend Christmas together and I pray her suffering is soon over.
Great news on your scans Sue- so very relieved for you!
Prayers for each of you that the coming year will bring much joy and peace to your lives and that we can all live and love well.
❤️ From an exhausted but grateful “Princess Crabby Pants”
Annie dear, so pleased to see your pic with your Mom and I have to agree. You do look much like each other. She’s also lovely. Saw the pic this AM of her with some grands. Looked like she was enjoying them very much. So you got to play in some snow, huh? Hope you enjoyed all of your family and treasured the times which go by all too fast. I know this is a difficult time for you and pray for you to have strength and courage and also the same for your dear Mom. Love you and now I guess you’ll be heading back to work, huh? Take good care of you, Sue
Sue, such wonderful news on your scans …. the best Christmas present of all! I lost a message on Boxing Day, but I will try again!
It appears Christmas was a challenge for many of us including Chris and Jennie!
Annie! I am glad you got your Mom out for a bit but I’m sure the day was bitter sweet, as you believe it will be her last Christmas.
Christmas in our corner of the world is a turkey day for most, with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, often turnip or squash, and different salads ….. and later Christmas cookies, fruit cake, plum pudding and maybe some pies once the first course has settled. At my parents, we often cleaned the kitchen after the main course and then sat down again for tea and dessert.
Our youngest son is away visiting as you all know, and with me not being mobile, my other DIL stepped up to the plate and brought the entire meal to our house. It was not our traditional Christmas dinner … and it was delicious! We had baked salmon in maple syrup and a large ham, plus a wonderful pasta dish from a recipe she got an Italian co-worker, and rice. I did very little, but still it was too much! I supervised DH setting the table and then had to go back to bed to rest, and then got up for dinner and made it through most of the first course until the pain in my neck and back sent me back to bed again. Dessert was delivered to me which was a pound cake covered in whip cream and a strawberry sauce … youngest Granddolly loves strawberries!!! Eldest Granddiolly came and asked me why I need so much rest! I tried to explain …. and she then wondered if it was because of my crooked fingers!!! I managed to make it to the Christmas tree to watch the little ones open their presents, which were clothes as requested by their parents, with a few small surprises. I picked all their presents out online and their Mom seemed quite pleased with everything! DH and I bought each other a new printer with a scanner I hope I can manage, so maybe I will have some pictures for FB’s ‘Throw Back Thursday’. Little Bella’s human Mom Deedee sent us a beautiful photo book of the “wedding” between Teddi and Bella, including their “honeymoon” pictures and of course it made me cry, but what a precious keep sake. She took their marriage very seriously as Teddi is receiving a small urn containing some of Bella’s ashes when Deedee returns to visit in February. She is also bringing a lock with their names engraved, to lock on the Love Lock Bridge downtown. She plans on then throwing the key into the river, but being a California girl she doesn’t realize that will be impossible, but it will get done during warmer weather. She has also ordered a down filled coat as she was chilly the beautiful sunny September week she was at the cottage, so I hope we can keep her warm!
It is very late, or I should say very early, but I got up to heat a hot pack for my neck. I must be at the clinic tomorrow at eight AM for my infusion and I have no choice but take a wheelchair … but better days ahead! Wishing a Happy and Healthy New Year to all!
Love and Hugs … Pommum B
THAT IS WHAT WE HAD TOO POMMUM B. WE ALSO HAD A BROCCOLI CASSEROLE TO GO WITH EVERTHING ELSE YOU SAID. I JUST LOVE TURKEY DAY. DH COOKS THE TURKEY AND STUFFING AND THIS YEAR HELPED A WHOLE LOT WITH THE VEGEIE DISHES AND THE CHRISTMAS SALAD. IT WAS ALL DELISH. WE BROUGHT AUNTY HER PLATE YESTERDAY AND SHE GOT SO EXCITED. SHE STILL IS NOT DOING WELL BUT WAS HAPPY TO SEE I ALSO BROUGHT HER BAGS (TO FREEZE) OF TURKEY ALREADY CUT UP SINCE SHE CAN’T SEE. ALSO DIFFERENT FOOD I HAD MADE FOR HER. BACK TO SEE HER TOMORROW DEC 30. IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART TO SEE HER THAT WAY.
WELL I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY. SUE I’M SO HAPPY ABOUT YOUR SCANS. GOD BLESS.
LOVE TO ALL
XXX
Suzanne, my goodness everyone’s turkey dinners sound so wonderful. You’re such a kind, considerate niece to care for your aunt the way you have. I know she will appreciate those delicious leftovers. I know life can be so very painful with it’s changes and aging of ourselves and loved ones. It just hurts so much sometimes, huh. I wish it didn’t but all of us know too clearly how painful change and health problems can be. How have you been feeling? Now it’s time to rest up and enjoy your beautiful winter which I hope you’re surviving in warmth and comfort. Probably deep snow where you are but only rainy here. Love you gal, Sue
Suzanne, We cooked a turkey breast and fresh cranberry sauce December 24, so we knew we would get our turkey dinner no matter what transpired on Christmas Day … it just doesn’t seem like Christmas without that turkey. My Mom always made the stuffing in her crock pot and we like it that way too and there is no worry about it not getting hot enough inside the turkey. The only other year we didn’t have turkey was several years ago when there was only going to be four of us for Christmas dinner, so the butcher talked us into prime rib instead. DH and I ended spending the afternoon in emergency getting my dislocated shoulder returned to where it belonged, and our son and DIL cooked the prime rib … that was a Christmas to forget! We have a turnip casserole that has become a family favourite, but have had butternut squash too. I am so glad you had help this Christmas and you Aunt is very fortunate to have such a thoughtful niece. PM xoxo
Pommum, so wonderful to get such a long entry from you with so much news of family, friends and delicious food. I know how difficult it is for you to type and treasure your remarks. Sounds like you made it through your celebrations as much and as well as possible. Knowing you I am sure you pushed yourself as far as possible then had to lie down. I know that feeling quite well and empathize so very much. Time dear girl, time will deal with much of the healing and then all the other problems which challenge you each day. You are such a wonder. I am pleased your DIL took over so much of the cooking. It’s good experience and time for some of our younger daughters and DIL’s to take over and make their own traditions.
I am sad to hear little Bella’s family is still so deep in grief and pray for them. Our pups are such a part of our hearts in their love and innocence, aren’t they? Bella was indeed one in a million. How sweet and kind of them to give you the photo album.
I hope your husband has completely recovered from the auto accident and has no residual. I pray your fracture and neck are getting better each day and know how much you are hurting. I am eeking my way along at the pace of a snail and praise the Lord for the clean CT scan. That’s one fear that I was glad to be rid of for now. Sometimes we get hit by so many things all at once it is overwhelming and we just have to let it wash over us and face it another day. One day at a time dear friend, one day at a time. Love, Sue
HELLO….WELL SOUNDS LIKE EVERYONE HAS BEEN BUSY AND ARE NOW EXHAUSTED, I KNOW I AM…..GOT A LOT OF STUFF PUT AWAY, CARDS AND SOME OF THE SMALLER STUFF…..LEFT THE TREE TILL AFTER NEW YEAR….ICICLES ON MY BATHROOM WINDOW THIS MORNING……GOT SNOW AND FROST ON TOP SO GARDEN LOOKED ENCHANTING TODAY, BUT MY POOR FEET ARE ABOUT FREEZING OFF……….
SUE……PRAYERS AND MANY THANKS SAID FOR YOUR GOOD RESULTS, JUST WHAT WE ALL NEEDED TO HEAR.
LYN…..IN NEED OF SOME OF YOUR BISCUITS.
DONNA …BET YOUR COOKING IS AMAZING, EVERYTIME YOU POST, YOU MAKE MY MOUTH WATER.
TONIE……DID BABY GET A XMAS DINNER…..HOW ARE YOU, AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR WEATHER…..DEEP SNOW?
BRENDA….DEFINITELY COMING TO YOU NEXT YEAR FOR XMAS LUNCH…..GLAD YOU SAW SOME OF YOUR FAMILY.
ANNIE…..WHAT A TREAT TO SEE YOU WITH YOUR MOM, I FELT SO HAPPY FOR YOU.
CHRIS…..YES NO DOUBT WE CAN CATCH UP AND HAVE A GOOD MOAN ABOUT ALL HE THINGS THAT WENT WRONG…DUH!!
WELL I JUST GOT WORD THAT MY SON IS FLYING OVER NEAR THE END OF NEXT MONTH, WHEN CLAIRE GOES TO VEGAS WITH HER FAMILY AS A TREAT FOR HER DAD, THINK IT WILL DO HER MOM GOOD TOO, SHE IS ON THE MEND. ALL I PRAY FOR NOW, IS GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS, AS ITS A LONG DRIVE TO THE AIRPORT HERE IN FRANCE.
HAVE A GOOD REST ALL OF YOU…..NEW YEAR TO FACE YET………………LOVE TO ALL…..JENNIE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Jennie, Feel like chatting with you first this AM, for me, because I know it is nearing your bedtime and the end of your day in France. You shared such a charming picture of your snow and frost; I know not so charming when you’re toes are freezing, too. We just have rain and colder nights coming. Wish we could share some of this water with our poor neighbor to the south, California, as they are drought ridden.
As much as I love the holidays, I am pleased to see this one 2014 go. I am sitting here nursing along my morning nausea with a bit of cold apple oatmeal and ginger tea trying to talk myself into facing the shower. It was wonderful to hear from so many of you dear friends this morning. I know we each wondered how the others were doing facing the holidays with so many health challenges. I hope your eye is less painful and I am sorry you can’t get in to see the specialist sooner but understand. So many of these very specially trained physicians are tightly booked. He must be good.
Hope you’re getting some rest in between the putting away. It will be good to see Tim, as it always is a treat. I spoke with our son yesterday as he called to see how my CT scan had gone on Friday. Fun to hear about their families Christmas and all the comings and goings of my grands back in TX. That age, college and high school, is such a humming and busy time. Makes me feel quite old and out of the mainstream.
Hope DH is feeling well. Mine is blowing, sneezing all over his co-workers today as he wouldn’t dream of calling in sick. Rest well dear girl. Love you much, Sue
Hello peeps !”
Just got to catch up on all your antics this am. Chris, I do hope you are doing better and your dh’s bp is gone down. Yep DD could have made a better choice on bringing the dog for sure. They do make diapers for dogs like that.
Jennie, hope you are better. No snow here ! THe weather has been really warm with rain and I will take that over snow anyday. We will be cooling back down this week, in the 40’s and 20’s. Sue that is some cold weather for ya’all huh ? Our roughest months are Jan and Feb. I really pray we have more rain than snow.
Lyn, sounds like you had your usual busy hectic Christmas. But is there any other way ? I am looking forward to next year when ALL my babies will be where I can get to them.
Annie, so glad your mom got to be out with ya’all. That is a good pic of you two, you look like her. Glad you got to be with your family.
Pommum. Hang in there gal, prayers for your recovery. So glad they all pitched in and made the dinner a success. Kids are so funny in their ideas aren’t they ? My little granddaughter thought I had a baby when I was in the hospital 🙂
Suzanne, sounds like you had a really good Christmas dinner. I know it is sad to see a loved one going downhill. Especially when you are close to them.
Donna, Janet, hope your day went well. Janet we want to hear about your Christmas this year.
I have so much to do in this cluttered little house ! I just need to drag myself out and get to it. I am so pleased with my TV I bought myself for Christmas. ANd it was so nice to lay on my couch yesterday and relax watching movies. I need to get me a bunch of totes and get started on packing things up to move into the next home. I have decided to wait until spring to do that as it will be chancy getting things done during the winter months.
Happy New Year to you all.
Love
Tonie
Tonie, I also hope you and I both only get rain and none of that slippery white stuff. We get ice which is far more difficult to get around in…yuk. Hope you and Baby enjoyed playing with the grands. I am so relieved to hear your rash is fading. That is so irritating and to have it while you have company and are striving to regain your strength..whoosh, too much. Which I had magic answers for you and so many here as well as myself for the secret to healing quickly but those two words…heal and quickly…don’t seem to go together. Maybe it’s all a huge lesson in patience. If that’s the case, just think how very patient we all will become. Remember you are loved and rest now. Sue
Have a new computer, if this gets on will write more. Janet
Oh good it showed up. Made me reregister. Christmas was very busy, Son and family came down from Arliington (the one in Texas). They arrived Christmas Eve and stayed over until Sunday. We had a great Christmas, presents and Turkey and ham and all the usual stuff. The family went to NASA on Friday. I really would have liked to have gone, but needed to recuperate. But I did go with them on Saturday to Galveston. Went to Moody Gardens, also drove around a lot. GD wanted to see how things had changed. She graduated from Texas A&M Galveston two years ago. We ate at The Hobbit Cafe in Houston on the way back home. Food was good and the atmosphere was fantastic. Spent yesterday recuperating from that trip. Have absolutely no stamina.
I don;t know if I mentioned it before, but my house in Weatherford sold on Dec. 12. It gives me a little nest egg, but it also the first time in 60 years I haven’t had my own home. It’s rather a strange feeling, like having no roots.
To everyone a Healthier New Year. Hugs all around. Love you guys. Janet
Janet…we have much in common, although we own our own home, I have no roots either, moved over 35 times in my life, then had to leave my country to please my DH, now I am in France……sometimes I wonder where I will end up, and it is scarey, you are at least in your own country, so better for you, I know its rough having to leave where you love to be, but knowing you,I bet you’ve made it all look great……..love you….Jennie xx
Janet, from the sounds of it, you had a busy, family filled holiday. Is the new computer a Christmas gift?
I am sorry you are feeling grief and longing for your home and can somewhat understand. It seems so many of us have had to lose so much along the way due to health and also aging, it is never easy. I think there would be something wrong with us and our sense of loving life if it was easy. I pray time will help you as you settle in. So much loss comes to us and it hurts so much, I know. I can only send up a prayer for strength for you and for time and your new home to heal your heart. Much love dear lady, Sue
I’ve been thinkin….al those merry makers for the New year ..well is it a naivety on their part, or is it being blinkered on my part…or summat like that. The Load seems to heavy to be wiped clean and a fresh start
Perhaps it’s getting older that does it!
Sounds grim…!
Everyone looks happy .or is there more to it and only looks happy.all have a story
Well it’s nearly 5am,awake again
Fed up of having to sit up to sleep puts pressure on bottom of spine.
Cold weather now last few days all white and frosty but sunny,no wind .always feels warmer in the house with no wind
Ok folks back laterer
Chris
Chris, wish your cough would allow you to lie down. I know…that cold wind just seems to seep into every crack and window. Stay warm and hang in for that coming appt. Hope DH is okay. Love, Sue