Sat Count Down to Christmas

[dayspring39]

Good Morning sleepy heads or busy bees... I have coffee here and tea for Sue... will fix whatever you would like to eat...
No messes since yesterday morning... crossing my fingers!
My daughter came yesterday and played with the kittens... the bigger one ran and played showing off it was so cute... I am having trouble naming them... not sure what to go with...
It will be so good when the radiation treatments are done for your hubby... so stressful for you all Velda... and glad the surgery is done Judy...
Have a great day and enjoy every minute...

[Colliemom]

Good Morning Kathleen and all,

Thanks for making coffee and tea Kathy, I will take tea as I am not a coffee drinker. Made myself some bacons and a egg/cheese omelet this morning and shared a bit of the omelet with Molly as she loves eggs.

Good old lake effect machine kicked in yesterday and now we have about 4 inches of snow out there this morning. I'm sure the winter sports people are dancing for joy although I doubt it is going to stay. Warm temps headed in starting tomorrow with some rain for Monday and again on Wednesday. But it will help the ski resorts get going again. I will go clear it off my deck and by my entrance door and porch, but not sure about drive. Might run blowers just to make sure they are operating right as they have been sitting since last spring although ready to go.

Lyn, I don't think it strange that they bring in snow for the kids to play with. There are places in the north who would probably like to do that right now too I remember years ago when they used to ship refrigerated box cars full of snow down south for kids to play in.

JudyJB, glad you got that trigger finger taken care. Hope it's starting to feel better today I have one that's been coming and going, but so far hasn't given me any real pain enough to go see doctor. Sometimes I forget it's there until I have to open something that's on tight or requires my full hand to really do something.

Last weekend before Christmas so I imagine everybody's busy with last minute preps, shopping or even perhaps having family gatherings. I have talked to many people who seem to be doing their Christmas next week over the weekend rather than the day itself. Hard to get families together with children whom they want to start a tradition at home, have too many family members scattered all over to visit plus do the in-laws and so forth. Going to be a busy weekend next week. At least for those who celebrate the holiday.

Nothing else to report from the north here, so going to wish you all a nice day. Stay safe wherever you are and happy travels to those venturing around the country.

[avalen]

Good morning ladies
Glad you got your surgery done Judy, it won't be long and you can get back to normal.
Getting caught up on my routine stuff now that school is done. So glad to be rid of my problem children and I know three teachers that were also doing the happy dance. Funny story on the way home yesterday, one of our parents gave us a gift , our nurse, my aide and myself. Well, the oldest of the two siblings said, "you Americans talk about rude, that man was not nice, he gave you all a gift and my sister and I got nothing, that is very rude!" (in a very deep slow voice) Can't imagine why he would think he was entitled to something from a stranger. We laughed so hard (after they got off) we cried.
Glad that chapter is over.
Looking good on the weather front here, getting back to a normal winter temps now.
Well, have dishes to do and get started on the rest of my chores, you all have a great day, be safe, be warm, and be well.

[dpf]

Good Morning! IMOH I think Holly and Noel would be perfect names for two kittens adopted around Christmas! But then maybe I’ve been watching too many Hallmark movies!

Count down is really on now. Six days until Christmas and only 12 more days of work! The time frame to Christmas has me a little nervous, but the Halleluiah choir has its voices raised about the retirement date! I’ve been training my replacement for over a week….he’s definitely not a barn burner. The inmates are even seeing it. I’m afraid if he doesn’t change his ways he’s going to lose a couple of very good workers who have worked for me for a long time and would be very beneficial to him.

Today I’m going to get my neighborhood gifts delivered. Decided to go with the homemade French bread and a container of my garlic cheese spread this year. I used to always do plates of homemade candy or a cheese ball with toasted banquettes. Finished making the cheese spread last night and the last two loaves of bread of rising right now. The tree is up but that’s about it for decorations this year. Some of my other decorations would be just a little too tempting for Bronc! I have a couple unbreakable things around that we can practice the “pretty but don’t touch” in case he has a memory lapse he wouldn’t be able to break them. I picked him up from the sitter yesterday and kept him for a couple hours so Ashley could get some things done and he was pretty good about leaving things alone. When you tell him he can’t touch something he automatically thinks it’s hot. Ryan and Ashley are going to a friend’s wedding in Vegas and leave tomorrow and come back on Wednesday. Grandma Sik is going to watch Bronc and we’re on stand-by because Ashley’s sister is pregnant and the projected due date is in a couple weeks…however the doctor thinks she might deliver early. I just hope that the baby isn’t born on Christmas Eve or Day. Every child deserves a birthday that doesn’t fall on a major holiday!

Other things on my agenda today is getting presents wrapped….okay not wrapped but stuffed in gift bags and tagged. Bronc will be the only person who gets to pull off wrapping paper and he’ll probably enjoy the boxes more than the gifts. Make another batch of party mix because we have pretty much devoured the first batch. And tonight I think I’ll be dipping the two small batches of candy that I made. That is if I can find a good movie to watch while I do it.

So I hope everyone has a fantastic day and good health and if not good health a healing day.

[BirdbyBird]

Pat, I will be thinking of you as these last days wind down. Just as I am sending strength to Alice as she holds on these last months of driving her school bus.

[gingerK]

Good morning ladies!

Very cold but sunny here in IL. Dogs are still inside and they are really bored! Shooter is following me from room to room just to see if I might get into something interesting. Will probably send the boys outside to the dog pen but Momma Molly stays in today.

Made two more loaves of cinnamon swirl quick bread. Made 2 last week and gave one to a client for a Christmas gift and we ate the other one--was it yummy! First time I've used this recipe and it turned out great. So made two more for gifting.

Have to run over to my accountants house to drop off some tax papers and my checking account for her to balance. She's been keeping up with it for me because when I do it, I usually screw it up big time. Guess me and numbers aren't compatible.

Got my little tree up but no ornaments yet. I just haven't had time and when I've had time, I've been too tired to even do such a little thing. But it looks pretty anyway, even without ornaments.

Ok, gonna run. Need to get to bank and accountants.

Everyone take care,
Kathy

[Acadianmom]

Kathleen, I must have missed the post about you getting kittens. Kittens are so much fun to watch. I'm glad you got 2 so they could play together. My SIL had a cat toy that you put treats in and the cats are suppose to bat it around and the treats fall out. I got one yesterday for my cats. My dumb cats just look at it and look at me like you mean we're suppose to work for treats. I have trouble with names too. Mine usually don't get a name until I have to bring them to the vet. A hint about litter boxes. All the ones they sell are not deep enough and the cats throw litter all over. I take deep Rubbermaid boxes and cut a square hole in one end for them to get in and out. They still can throw litter out the door but it's not as bad as the short sided boxes.

There have been years that they have made snow for kids to play in here. I haven't heard it advertised this year. It was probably when ice hockey was big and I don't hear much about that anymore. They are saying it could be 80 on Christmas so don't think snow would last very long.

Pat, I think Holly and Noel would be good names too. My sister and SIL like to watch the Hallmark channel and I can only take a little of it. Too sappy for me. Of course we would drive them crazy here because the weather channel is on half the time or I have the TV muted because it was aggravating me. The year my youngest was just over a year old we put the Christmas tree in a play pen. I use to have to tie the tree to the wall to keep the cats from knocking it over. I have a picture of one of them half way up the tree. The only decoration I have this year is a door mat that plays music. That is driving Harold crazy. What kind of party mix do you make?

I usually make cookies, candy and cake balls for my friend and her family. They are on a cruise and going to the beach when they get back. They may get Christmas cookies in January. I saw cake balls for sale at Walmart the other day and should have bought some to see how they compare to home made. Those little suckers are a lot of work. Harold came in with a dessert yesterday that one of his riding buddies gave him. I have never tasted anything so sweet. The bottom is a chocolate cake with a caramel sauce on top, a layer of cool whip and toffee sprinkles on top.

Ava, I take it that your problem kids won't be back after the holidays. Hope that's true for your sake.

Guess I better find something constructive to do or go shopping. I have $15 of Macy's Money that will expire next week.

Martha

[bluepinecones]

Good morning
Will have to come back later to catch up on things on the forum but thought I'd check in quickly.
Down right COLD here this AM - hard freeze last night and again tonight. Then we warm back up and get drenched with rain all of Christmas week. My chances of seeing the rare full moon at Christmas have fallen to near zero.
Finally got all my medical tests results - couple of worrisome new things to track and very discouraged as far as treatments for severe allergies are concerned. Overall it could have been much worse so trying to be thankful for the things that came back okay.
Still short 2 Christmas presents and a birthday gift - dreading hitting stores this time of year and the traffic is awful. Hope I can finish the shopping today so I can stay home during all the rain next week. Think I've just about summons enough courage to fight Wal-Mart on a Saturday before Christmas. My Fitbit is way short on step count; maybe I'll try to walk all the aisles while there.
Have a good one.

[JudyJB]

Had 1/4 inch of rain here last night, so Napa is wet. Sun is out a little today but more rain expected tomorrow and next few days. Chilly, also.

Hand is doing OK but still very sore. I can use fingers but not lift anything or push on anything. Got lots of pain pills but only taking a half at once. Glad it is my left hand and I don't hand to grade anything as typing is slow. I cheated and took a shower last night--felt really good. Am going to wear jacket as putting on bra is impossible.

Kids went away to other side of family for weekend, but they left me a car, so I am going to go over to their house this morning to pick up a package I ordered that was left on their porch. Going to stop at store for a few things and then come home to relax. Might try to get PJs for grandson. He is getting tall and as usual is very skinny. He has had a couple of allergic reactions lately, so they will be taking him in to doctor this week--tingly mouth to certain foods.

Enough typing. Off to run my errands and pick up McDonalds for breakfast.

[IrishIroamed]

Kathleen - how nice to hear you have some new fur babies. Best of luck to you and hope the messes stop.

Ava - woohoo!!! no more trouble kids! And Judy, glad you finally had the surgery. Heal quick.

... Ashley’s sister is pregnant and the projected due date is in a couple weeks…however the doctor thinks she might deliver early. I just hope that the baby isn’t born on Christmas Eve or Day. Every child deserves a birthday that doesn’t fall on a major holiday!...

Pat, my sister was born on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve was for the entire family GTG (aunts, uncles, cousins, grand folks, etc), and then we'd all GTG again on Christmas Day for her birthday. She had a party every year and was never shorted on presents.