‘‘Tis Tis Sunday Before Christmas

[Colliemom]

Morning all. Enjoying reading posts the past couple days. Everybody busy with last minute Christmas things. Nothing needing done here as it’s just the fur kids and myself here. Sent out a few Christmas cards and that’s all. Picked up some things at the store to make my favorite holiday jello salad, some truffles at the Farmers Market and that’s about it. Decided that a pizza is in store for Christmas Eve. Will get it ordered in late afternoon as many places will close early for the Eve. Going to cousins for Christmas Day dinner.

Beautiful weather here yesterday and supposed to be today too. Sunshine and 40 degrees. No snow in forecast for the upcoming week. The dogs and I went for a long walk yesterday, actually did about 5 miles by the time we got home.

Annne, you and I are kindred spirits when it comes to jammies. I wear lightweight cotton sweat pants, pick em up at Walmart. They are so comfy. And paired with a T Shirt, make a good combo. Like you I could go out to the mailbox and nobody knows the difference. I have shorts in same style for warmer summer weather. They aren’t that expensive and seem to last forever. I wear the heavier sweat pants all winter as they keep my legs warmer in the cold weather. But for everyday wear, not jammies.

Talking about messy stores, Therin lies the difference between the bigger name brand stores and the smaller mom and pop local stores. The small stores are more apt to keep things neat. But they cannot compete against the online shopping competition unless they do it as well. The small businesses in many towns especially small town are going out of business because of it. I see a lot of empty store fronts in some towns Here in Northern Michigan and the U.P. Many people don’t realize that Because of the convenience of online ordering, they are supporting corporate America and not the local mom and pop places. Not to mention the hackers who ply their trade by breaching those sites. Those business owners and their employees are their neighbors, friends, people in their churches, active in their communities etc. and their jobs are livelihoods depend on people patronizing their businesses. It is not easy finding work in rural areas and small towns once that business closes. It’s a shame, but it is the way it is. The saving grace for some and it is the case here in Gaylord, has been changing over to the types of businesses that do well against internet competition like small microbreweries, speciality dining establishments, small unique boutiques, bookstores that cater to their customers wants and needs and stores that carry handmade goods.

Velda, glad your surgery went well. Beth, you have been moving right Ali g. Enjoy Q. Tina, enjoy your FL stay.

Time to move on here. Got to get ready to head for mass later. Think this will be a go visit friends day. In the mood for a little ride. Have a nice day everyone.

[Irmi]

Hello Sue & everyone!

Happy Sunday before Christmas!

Velda, I'm so glad you had a second successful eye surgery Friday.

Sue, Steve & I haven't exchanged gifts for Christmas for many years but do browse the stores to pick up a few things for friends. After having our identities stolen earlier in the year, I am very leery about ordering things online. I know millions of people do but five minutes after I ordered something on line, that's when things went downhill for us. Ocala is a very large town with lots of stores to choose from, but thankfully our gift giving is extremely minimal. We have friends coming this afternoon that we stuffed a stocking for. They live right across the street from us, so it'll be fun to spend a little time with them before they go out of town for Christmas. Church was this morning and I'll play for the Christmas Eve service Tuesday night and am preparing for next Sunday's service as well.

I am so excited about a gtg we're having with Liz, Bob, Nancy, Tina, Nan, Donna, Steve & myself. If I overlooked anyone, I apologize. At Nan's recommendation, we're meeting in Alachua FL for lunch. It looks like we'll be traveling in the rain, but at least the temperatures will be mild.

Be safe wherever you are!

[BarbaraRose]

It is cloudy and gloomy today, kind of like how I feel. No motivation or energy. Slight headache. I have been so busy with work and running around all over the past week, I think my mind and body just need a break. I do have to get ready soon for a little party with my friend Candy. I don't plan to stay long tho.

I did make chili and frosted my hair last night. Maybe I will be motivated after the party to get some other things done tonight.

I wear velour pants and a matching t-shirt to bed when it is cold out.

Have a good day!

[Cudedog]

After having our identities stolen earlier in the year, I am very leery about ordering things online. I know millions of people do but five minutes after I ordered something on line, that's when things went downhill for us.

Irmi:

I remember reading about your identity theft on an earlier thread. It is something that is never too far from my mind when ordering online.



Anne

[Irmi]

Anne, just before we left for our cross country trip this summer, we bought a KOA camping club card as we knew we would probably be staying at some of their campgrounds. On their online application, it needed a credit card number and we used our Discover card and they also needed our phone number. Five minutes later, we received an email from Discover that new cards were being sent, per our request. We never requested new cards plus the fact they were being sent to Atlanta GA. Lots more happened after that, including the rest of our credit cards being hacked and our phone number was stolen. We've learned a lot and are very careful about ordering online or not ordering and paying for lots of things with cash. It's scary how fast these things happen.

[Acadianmom]

I decided to go to Lafayette, hoping it wouldn't be too bad. I was wrong. Christmas shopping makes me want run over people and not just on the road.

My favorite nightgown is from Eileen West 100% cotton with cap sleeves. Try to find them for less than about $75. I check at the mall when they have sales. I have more camping themed pj that I have bought or been given than I will ever wear out in my lifetime.

The stores that aggravate me around here are the Dollar General stores. They are understaffed and the aisles are usually full of boxes. They put a squeaky toy at the register so you can call someone to check you out. I would be afraid to work at one of them.

Having my credit card hacked is my fear. I get e-mails every time I use one but if I was on the road that wouldn't help. I have a limited balance one that I use to get gas and if I'm the least bit worried about a site. I froze my credit about 3 years ago so I can't even get a new card unless I unfreeze my credit.

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

Just got back from the party. It was a lot of fun and met some new people as well as seeing some of my regular friends. They had a gingerbread man decorating contest. I had seen something on FB awhile back where someone had turned their man upside down and made it into a reindeer, so I tried that. I ended up winning the contest by a unanimous vote! Wow! Won a bottle of chocolate wine, which I have been looking all over to buy.



Found out who my little nightly visitor is. She is here now eating on my deck. A very skittish but pretty white cat. She seems very hungry! A bit thin but hard to tell with her longer fur. She has a very loud sad meow! No collar. She runs when I go outside and sits under my car and cries. Poor thing!

[Cudedog]

Anne, just before we left for our cross country trip this summer, we bought a KOA camping club card as we knew we would probably be staying at some of their campgrounds. On their online application, it needed a credit card number and we used our Discover card and they also needed our phone number. Five minutes later, we received an email from Discover that new cards were being sent, per our request. We never requested new cards plus the fact they were being sent to Atlanta GA. Lots more happened after that, including the rest of our credit cards being hacked and our phone number was stolen. We've learned a lot and are very careful about ordering online or not ordering and paying for lots of things with cash. It's scary how fast these things happen.

Thanks for the information. I always sincerely appreciate it when someone posts their story - it always gives me food for thought, and what new things to look out for.

My favorite nightgown is from Eileen West 100% cotton with cap sleeves. Try to find them for less than about $75. I check at the mall when they have sales.

I haven't worn a nightgown for longer than I can remember, although the nightgown you describe sounds nice. I thrash in my sleep, and a nightgown just ends up twisted around my body like some kind of rope.

Also, I guess I am kind of a cheapskate. Men's sweat shirt and sweat pants from Walmart around $7.00 each. Men's 100% cotton thermal underwear, top and bottom, about $8.00 each. About $30.00 for all four pieces.

Anne

[MandysMom]

Cute rain deer Barbara!
Velda

[Acadianmom]

Barbie, that's a beautiful cat. I bet you can win her over. Your reindeer is cute. I tried some chocolate wine at the last campout and didn't like it.

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

The reindeer looked better when I first made it. Frosting got smooshed in a baggie on the way home. It was fun tho! The chocolate wine is very smooth and creamy! I tried some at our Thanksgiving dinner that someone had brought and have been looking for it ever since. So happy I won a bottle of it!

I would like to befriend this kitty, but she seems very feral so will see. Will also put a notice on Nextdoor to see if anyone is missing a fluffy white cat.