MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Nasoosie]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAY TIME TO ALL!

The day dawned bright and sunny and warm here in Orlando, so I am able to have all my doors open. They are predicting the afternoon will be overcast and cooler, with a 50% chance of rain by tomorrow. But I have nothing to do, no place to go, plenty of food and drinks to keep me for weeks, so whatever will be is just fine by me. I will perhaps get out my violin and practice all those
Christmas songs my mom and I used to play when she was alive. And then I can get some practice time in on my guitar as well.

I see that the Gulf Coast is in the path of a nasty-looking storm, so I am reminding those in that area to keep a wary eye to the sky today. Have some contingencey plans in case of those black twisters.

I talked on the phone with many old friends last evening, and it was wonderful to touch base with so many. Today I am Skyping with Orion and his family, and they will take their computer to Mema's with them to visit with his great grandma. Having Skype is next best to actually being there, although I miss touching and the good smells. It's fun to see my northern house in its winter finery, along with my family.

Finally see some kids outside-----it's been way too quiet here this morning. I sincerely hope many of the presents were outside usable and not just electronic gadgets that will keep kids on sofas. These kids are sporting new jammies!

Here's hoping you all have a wonderfull day doing something memorable.

[chalet05]

Merry Christmas to you all!

Lovely picture, Sue!

Mass was enjoyable last night - lots of music. Pizza was good after as well! Got to see a few Christmas lights.

DD and a niece sent a few photos of their evening at my sister's. I had no idea they were all going to be together as my brother has his issues with my sister from time to time.

Wishing you all a day of blessings!

[JudyJB]

Good morning all! Hope you are all having a good holiday.

I slept in this morning, as I have been doing lately. Plans for today are to go for a bike ride and to pack up and prepare for my flight to Ohio tomorrow. That means not only packing my suitcase, but getting my refrigerator in order and making sure valuables are tucked away. I already have a long list so I do not forget anything. Hate to leave my home all alone in a parking lot for so long. It is still cloudy here, but getting warm and supposed to be almost 80 today so a bike ride should be perfect. Amazing how many rvs are here today.

I sent out a Christmas letter to some friends and family yesterday, so it was nice to hear from some people I haven't heard from in a while. I have a ton of first cousins since my parents both came from large families, so it was especially nice to hear from some of them since we don't see one another very often but grew up together.

Looking forward to seeing three of my grandkids tomorrow! The others I will see via Skype a day later as they open the gifts they sent. My oldest son in California and his wife just got a brand-new 26 foot travel trailer and a new pickup truck to pull it, so they are off for their first camping trip on the weekend. It is fun to see them furnishing it and getting all the required things they need to drive and maintain it. The kids are very excited, to say the least.

[Redetotry]

All is well here, we are forgiven. DH went out and found a store open and bought Andy a really cute new toy. He wrapped it in some tissue and let him open it and we now have a happy dog. It didn't seem important to the other two but Andy clearly was miffed he didn't get something wrapped this morning. It makes such incredible noises when you throw it Toby isn't even interested even though Andy pushed it his way to have a turn. Made me appreciate my DH's kind heart even more.

[Bethers]

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. Thought I posted earlier, but guess I just dreamt it.

My present to Peaches was a walk to the open field where I let her run off leash. It was cold this morning but she had a ball. Yes, she always does.

My broccoli casserole just went in the oven for our 1 pm dinner. I'll cook it most of the way, then put it in the crock pot to keep warm.

To those of you struggling today, big hugs and warmth to get you through. Or you can come visit me this afternoon as I clean or do laundry...figure the laundry will be empty so think I'll take adage of that.

[BarbaraRose]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the frigid midwest!

Had to work yesterday until 2pm. We had a potluck and did our Secret Santa thing. Then Santa (our mailman) came in and I shaved off his beard and mustache! Was glad there were no children in the shop when I did that! Would have had a tough time explaining that one!


Then picked up my dad and went back to my place to change and grab presents before heading to my brother's house. We had a nice little get-together there for the evening.

Woke up yesterday with a cold and still have it today. Slept in until noon but still feel yucky. Nothing much planned for today other than some emails and laundry. The sun is out but only 10 degrees right now. Got a little dusting of snow yesterday whic made everything nice and white again for Christmas.

Have a great day whatever you may be doing!

[mitch5252]

.
I woke up crying. (And no fixins' for a Bloody Mary and didn't want to open an entire bottle of champagne for one mimosa)...(Fox News story about a serviceman homecoming set it off)

So I tried my hand again at homemade biscuits...this time, not so successful. I used butter and water instead of Crisco and skim milk...tasty and flaky, but not so purdy. And in my own little celebratory way, I ate one AND a half before tossing the rest.



Next year, Abby and I will be somewhere warm.
Don't know where yet, but none of this sitting around being mopey.
I hate mopey.
I'm open for any and all suggestions (preferably a public campground (state or national park))

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

.

[chalet05]

Mitch, they don't have to be pretty to be good!! I bought a 'thing' of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls for this morning and then decided I didn't even want them. Maybe for New Year's. Or they may show up at the Quartzsite GTG - beware.

It has been a fun day with family texts, forum and FB posts.

Have my quilt in the hoop ready to get at it; have software loaded on latest computer for digital photo frame and have been captioning Alaska photos in the photo album of printed favs. Bought ingredients for a version of Beth's chili but haven't gotten to that yet.

[Acadianmom]

Merry Christmas

My son & I left Louisiana Saturday and got to Jacksonville, FL on Sunday. My son got us into one of the military campgrounds. Spent yesterday afternoon with grandson, his mother, aunt and uncle. Today they brought him to the campground. The base had a Christmas dinner for anyone that wanted to go. Not a bad Christmas dinner for $7.50 and the best part is I didn't have to cook it. My son and grandson are at a movie and I'm in the parking lot watching the weather channel and playing on the computer. My DH called when the bad weather went through Louisiana telling us to get a motel room. It looks like the worst rain won't get here until tomorrow and looks like it will go north of here. Grandson will probably spend the night with us.

Mitch, home made biscuits freeze too. When I was working I was on a kick to learn how to make yeast rolls. I would bring my experiments to work with me. My co-workers took one of the failures and put it on a plack and hung it in my office. Wish I still had it but it burnt when our office burned. And, no I wasn't baking at work.

Hope our Alabama sisters don't have any damage from this storm.

Martha

[HorizonSeeker]

Mitch, I understand the crying. First Christmas is really tough. Spent a lot of time in the bedroom crying. My second Christmas I spent in Vientianne, the next one in Mexico, the one after that in Panama. After a few years it gets easier. Today I have done nothing really except be here for my brother. He spent the day at the hospital with his wife and the doctors are talking discharge. Our Christmas will be on Saturday when Linda has had time to rest. by the way, with enough homemade apple butter there's no such thing as bad biscuits.

[Dawn309]

Mitch, I definitely understand. I have spent days crying. Poor Zeee. She has gotten me through this. I have bowed out of all family gatherings this year. Today was finally better, but I feel really wrung out. I think all the bad weather today helped. Gave me something else to think about. I never got out of my pajamas today and I never do that.

Are you coming to the FL GTG. I cannot remember who all is going to be there. I need to make a list. I hope you are. It would do you good. This has been such a horrible year for you.

[linann]

Merry Christmas to everyone. It has been a really odd year for us. Will talk about it later. Hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying themselves.

[VickieP]

Had a great day with family (24 including 3 little ones, little as in young, NOT little like Mitch ), so now I've got my feet propped up in the recliner & Ronnie is snoring.

Hopefully we'll have another seat at the table filled with Mitch's little butt next year. I tried to get her to come this year, but just tempted her with our menu for today, with hopes for next year!

"All the food was good, baked Ham, baked turkey, fried turkey, rice dressing, cornbread dressing, pea salad, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, stuffed celery, chicken & dumplings, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, yeast rolls. Sweets were peanut butter cookies, pecan cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, M & M cookies, chocolate pie, 2 lemon pies, 2 pecan pies & a pumpkin pie. Does that sound yummy enough to convince you to be here next year???"

[mitch5252]

With you being SO mean to mean, why would I ever come to visit?
Okay, maybe on my way back from someplace warm with palm trees.
However, a year can bring so very many changes, as many of us know.

But I still think you're a Doofus and well, some may think I love ya. It's not true, but some may think so...
(thank you, Beth, for founding this Forum and giving me HER...)

.

[VickieP]

With you being SO mean to mean, why would I ever come to visit?
Okay, maybe on my way back from someplace warm with palm trees.
However, a year can bring so very many changes, as many of us know.

But I still think you're a Doofus and well, some may think I love ya. It's not true, but some may think so...
(thank you, Beth, for founding this Forum and giving me HER...)

.

Mean to mean? Oh you give me so many opportunities!