Best/Worse/What did I learn/chat about our day!Just Gab'n

Thanks LindaKay, was in several swaps with her, miss her on the threads! Will pray for her and her family..all we can do right?

Debbie yes repairs are done finally...........Now trying to get caught up on projects.
When DH and I got together we started having Thanksgiving at our place. His 3 kids and mine and my DAD. Well I get a call on Thanksgiving Day 3 years ago from my DAD and he wants me to back up all the food and bring it to his house......Because step-mom and her kids want to stay at home. Well I almost hit the floor. Did not back up food and have not had them over since. I go visit him. And now this year kids are not sure but will try...Next year I told DH we are leaving town and that is all there is no more conflicts . This one will come if this one is not........DONE.........I have 2 little ones here that I would like to pass on traditions but so much tension not good for a body.
I am cooking a turkey .

LK Thanks for letting us know about her mom. Many thoughts and prayers are going up.

Dianne! Glad you found us! Dave enjoys getting a meal together so therefore he's the cook. He's not working and there's not much else to do outside to prepare for winter so he cleans the house and cooks me dinner and has it ready about the same time I'm getting home from work. It's very nice, I wish I made the money to keep him home all the time!

Shoot Dianne, Dave's dad told all 6 kids of his kids that same thing as he was slapping everyone with his belt for no reason, he was a long haul truck driver and wasn't home very often, but when he was home this is what they got. He had 'you kids' to work for him and take care of him, no other reason. One of Dave's sisters committed suicide because she couldn't handle it, then her son committed suicide because he couldn't handle being without his mom. It's a horrible horrible thing to do to children and shows how selfish and disrespectful that person is. He still tries to pull that on Dave today, Dave's 49 years old for Pete's sake! LOL He tried pulling that on me one time by telling me I had to lend him my then brand new $500.00 GPS, stood up and yelled this at me! I stood up and told him that I'm Not his kid and he Will Not talk to me that way and I Will Not be lending him my $500.00 GPS unless I go with it, and how Dare him bully me like a coward! He sat down and dropped the subject, he's a very small man in a very large body.

Funny how that works. I don't have any family here but Dave doesn't do anything with his family for either holiday. He was raised Jehovah's Witness and the kids never got Christmas or birthdays or anything else, but ever since the kids all grew up the parents left the church and want to start celebrating these things, Dave's mom will call and mention it, Dave's dad will call and mention it, Dave tells them both "Too Bad, I never got it when it was important so you're not getting it now." His sister was upset because his mom just had her 80's birthday in September, sister put up a big stink that she wanted to have a birthday bash for her, they live in CA so it's kinda hard for us to get there, turns out everyone forgot about her birthday because they never celebrated them.

So Dave fixes a dinner for the two of us and we eat it and do whatever we want to do and don't answer the phone or the door or anything else.

How sad that parents are like that with their kids, then expect they will be treated better than they treated their kids Cuz They're Old Now!! Kids deserve respect too, even though they're younger, and little people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think older people should get respect simply because they're older!!! (stepping down from my soap box now LOL)

Yea I had to step off my soapbox too lol

LOL doncha just LOVE that soapbox? when you step down you're shorter, and for me, at 5' even, I love stepping UP in the world lol

Hi...Well here I am after shopping!
I had lots of fun too...First thing i did was splurge and get brows done...
Yikes hurt like the dickens.

Then went and got two pair of slacks and a belt...Went store to store to get shoes!
OMG, side note...yuk on the styles. I finally went to a neighboring town.
Found a pair that are comfy and oh my very nice, there black with a small heal.

LOL, What did I learn today.

I learned how to set the self timer on my camera!!
LOL, I've only owned it about 8 years, hahah.

Now I am ready for my date and he is late!!
So he'll be rushing.

Oh My goodness, lots to say about the holidays.
I am waiting on my kids to call for their pick up.
So probably won't be back until way later or tomorrow.
I hope you all have a good evening.

OH Betty, This client isn't from Oprah's building. He is working there now.
This client he just finished. The one I went to Paint for, anyway They are celebrating the completion.
And sometime in near future want Steve and crew to come back and remodel the second bathroom!
Really nice people...LOL The designer, well she was kind of a pain, but actually Steve has worked with her several other times.
It should be fun.

Finally he just got home.

Judy you look WOW and have a great evening.

WOW Judy!! You look good!!! Have fun!!

Holy/holy Judy, you wash up good!!! lol, just kidding, wow to the outfit, Steve is out late trying to figure out how he'll spiff himself up to be able to do you justice...beautiful outfit and this is the first time you've worn it???

Guess even though she was a pain, Steve's got to smile nicely and take in her suggestions then do what he wants to do right?

Lordy he gets a lot of work from those buildings, can still see the view of the waterfront!!! have to go there again and enjoy more of the city.

Amazing how we have these high tech things and can't figure them out..Jeff brought me a camera about a month ago and put it on the charger, told me everything it does, mini, would imagine easy to misplace, it's still sitting next to the charge and I use my old camera..he'd say I'm afraid of change..lol

Crissy no wonder you and Dave stay home most holidays. Remember you telling me the story of his childhood and yours..better win that lottery so Dave can stay home!!

Just got home, yawning away, cut a few piece of material, ooops, have to recalculate so going to leave it alone until the weekend, don't have a lot of extra material to make errors

Hot chocolate is calling

hot choooooocolate........ yummmmmmmmmm I can hear it calling me, too!!

Judy - you look faaaaaahbulous Daaaaaaaahlink!! I love that Royal Blue top with the *Bling*!!

HaHahaCHAAAA CHAAA...Judy...YOU LOOK MARVELOUS!!!

Steves eyes are going to pop right out of his head!

Yes they are Debbie!

LOL Betty, our families are insane, but his far more than mine, there are just soo many of them!

I keep forgetting to get hot chocolate at the store! Gonna put it on the white board right now!

WOW Judy, Betty is right although I never doubted ,you do clean up good!!!!! I used to take offence when people said that to me cause I am a jeans and T sort of girl but then I realized they were paying me a compliment.
Glad to see you are home sis. How is Shannon doing?
Dianne

Oh Judy, you get gussied up real good!!!
Hope you have a great dinner!

Dianne, her mouth is sore....and we were notified she needs 5 more teeth worked on, on TOP of the wisdoms removed. Today was trip #3 for repairs. Dang radiation treatments caused major issues with her teeth.

Dang Judy ... YOU lookin' GOOD gal ! You sure found the perfect belt to go along with your blouse... I can't match a thing...

Went to work Rainy Day/Monday and thought I'd wear an older sweater... AFTER the sales meeting found 3 stains and a 2 inch hole in the underarm... go figure... went to 3 stores and couldn't find anything to match the pants I was wearing... So I'll need you to take me shopping since I can't match anything on my own... LOL

Thanksgiving and Christmas sure can cause it's share of stress for all... (((HUGS))) I suppose mine do the same...

Debbie - Big hugs for you my gal...

Dianne - You are Right on ! I do like Patricia Cornwell.... I read a bunch of her books... "got into them" about 9 years ago... and I think I've read that other author.. Have you read Rain Gods? I think you recommended James Lee Burke... anyway it's been a Great book so far...

I'll brb !

Mary

Well.... I'll chime in...on the "Holidays... Tradition, Stress, and Coping" headlines....

Susan... I've only just met one person for whom Thanksgiving is 'bigger' than Christmas... in my 'neck of the woods'... Christmas is still a much bigger celebration...

I was fortunate to have wonderful holiday memories growing up.

Practically through my whole marriage... we've had holidays at MIL/FIL's and sometimes visiting my sister in FL or her visiting me. Mom passed away the night after I left DSis for Thanksgiving visit in 2004.... 11/27/2004. (tears).....

So I feel I've lived through DH's family. And as you've heard me say... "MIL and FIL are GOOD PEOPLE !"....
However last year DD's broke the last straw... and Christmas was extremely stressful because I stood my ground and told DH I wouldn't live with them anymore... unless they could treat me with respect and appreciate what I do for them.....

It all came to a "head" after Christmas and we've been trying to co-exist ever since.

So this year will be a stressful one in our household. I tried to figure out what to do to make everyone happy... but to make ME happy as well.

I mean... sometimes I feel like an Orphan... what with clinging to DH's family so I decided to have Thanksgiving at MIL/FIL as usual...but then Friday morning I will drive to FL (alone, with DH, or with DH/DS) to be with my sisters family.

I will have a chance to meet neice's fiance, maybe his parents, see sis and probably also Dad and his wife. It's a lot of driving for a short trip... but at least I will get to see some of MY SIDE of the FAMILY for a change.

((HUGS))
Mary

Well I have to work thanksgiving :( so dh probably will not do a big meal...maybe roast a few chickens...so I can have leftovers, and we can make soup...Yummmmm. darling son # 3 birthday is the 27th...working then too :( the guys will probably have Pizza for supper. I have the following Monday off, so we will probably have a big dinner then and a birthday cheesecake, and pumpkin pie (sons favorites)...

we used to have big family get togethers for both thanksgiving and Christmas, but now there is not so much family. and those there are, are not any where near us....spent time at in laws, and grands on both sides of hubby's family, mine have all been gone a long time...and we spent time always with my Momma....

ways have changed though, as kids have grown..grandparents all gone...only my Momma left, and she is far away. My kids don't want to do anything this year, we will probably not even put up a tree..

My "soldier boy" usually always comes home for Christmas, but not this one. We will be going to his house for a visit, as he Deploys shortly after...We do not know the date, can not know for security reasons...just know after Christmas...so hubby and I will go to his house in NC. we will leave the 23rd after I get out of work...two other sons planning on going up sometime in Dec for a few days...they don't want to be there when he has to leave....and I can certainly understand that.....will be very emotional time...DIL, will be in need of support....we will be there.. Hopefully he will be home for the next Christmas... excited to see grand daughter, not happy to have to see son "go". this will be a very "different" Christmas.

Mary - good for you making the decision to go visit your sis this year. The drive will seem like nothing when you think of all the fun and good food you will have while being there.
There has been many a time I have stopped and pondered why people bring so much stress and unhappiness upon themselves over the holiday season.My mam who came from a Welsh family with 13 kids living when they emigrated to Canada always had her side of the family for either Christmas or Thanksgiving. Now you are talking approx 60 people and everyone HAD to sit down to eat. Talk about chaos! One family member or another would blow their stack about something during the day and then the sniping at each other would start.No happy memories from those celebrations. I have always envied families that can get together and enjoy each other's company.
I've baked cranberry oatmeal cookies so when you all get up they are ready.Doubt if I will sleep tonight now so will try to have a nap later.
Hope the weather is better for you this morning Debbie. It finally stopped raining about 2 am. Will Mike be with you for Thanksgiving or does his crew work to a time line? I so understand Shannon's plight!
Yesterday I had a UPS delivery and Stormy really frightened the guy.My DH was in the village about the same time and flagged the driver down. We were expecting some books(what's new for us eh?)Oh the driver knew our address alright it was the place with the giant white dog.lol Stormy is just a little over 100 lb but is very tall. The driver was afraid to get out of his truck and just sat there with his jaw dropped to the ground when I put Storm into a Down, Stay.Then of course the driver wanted to give Stormy a treat so pulled out a Dentastix (driver informed me this treat was for 'special' dogs)and of course Stormy wouldn't take it. That really blew the young fellow's mind! Stormy doesn't care whether he eats or not unless of course it is purloined Christmas cake.
Must tell all of you how envious I am of your skill to make bread. I am yeast impaired. Honest - I am not kidding! I can even screw it up using my Breadmachine. I've just given up. There are just so many hundreds of disasters a gal can take. Years ago a crusty old neighbouring farm lady came down to 'teach' me how to make bread - well the pieces that I touched didn't rise 1 iota and those that she touched were perfect. So there ya go proof that I am officially yeast impaired.
Susan I truly hope you hear something about any of these jobs tomorrow. My goodness this has been a long drawn out process for you.Sending positive thoughts and vibes!
Time to stoke the woodstove and read for a bit.Remember to do something nice for yourself today.
Dianne

Good morning to all. Coffee is on. Of to do more sewing before I need to drive kids here and there.

Warm cranberry oatmeal cookies ready.Enjoy your time sewing Laura. Is this the only time of day you get to yourself?
Dianne

Hmm good cookies. Yes and late evening.

Morning all,

Talk about yummy cookies, love anything with cranberries in..lordy even do a beautiful Christmas piece for the table with candles and floating cranberries, will have to look for a photo so you can use your leftovers cranberries Dianne.

Roger came from a family of 11 children and each Aunt/Uncle had same or more so used to big family gatherings as did I when I was young, wouldn't be Christmas unless every family member was a grandma/grandpa's house..still to this day my kids at Christmas tell there kids, got to be at grandma's house because you don't know how many more Christmas's she'll be around and laugh, grandma passed on at 99 so my kids were in early 30's when she died..long time for same story from them remembering 2 or 3 yrs. of age until 30..lol so now another generation begins and they tell their kids same!!! I don't ever remember our get togethers as being stressful though, we had a wonderful tradition for Christmas Eve and all after doing Midnight Mass were in top form, maybe a few under the belt helped that.

Mary, glad you are going to visit your side of the family..last night I thought of you so very often, on my way home from work I listen to a religious show and they had guest speakers talking about 'stepmothers' omg it was the best radio show I ever listened to so will go in hunt of it hoping that it can be downloaded or a link to the broadcast.

Thunder, hard time for you and your family, as I've said many times, don't know how parents and wife/husband can function on a daily basis knowing their loved on is in danger. I often think of nephew Scott and wonder how he's doing, little news comes of him..guess it's the mission he's on..prayers for you and yours. I am sure he'll enjoy you being close by this Christmas with he and family but can understand how emotional it will be for him to leave you all, tears will fall for sure...hugs to you and a thanks you to your son for keeping us safe ...

It's 41 this morning, said we'd be getting a few flurries, let's hope not.

Will skip lunch today and go to the Kayak Store and get Jeff's main Christmas gift..got to tell you they are always joking that one got more than the other so once I purchase the snowmobile pass and Jeff's kayak stove there will be 12.17 difference so will ask for a Tim Horton's gift card in the amount..that will bring a chuckle to all..

Judy you must come and tell us how your evening went...


MARY:

There are several interesting write ups on this link, when you get the chance perhaps you might read on being step-mother and perhaps a bit in another write-up on how the children feel...it's a maze for sure but something might click that will help


http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/parenting_roles/blended_families/smart_stepparenting.aspx

And another Mary

http://www.successfulstepfamilies.com/

A gift card for $12.17 to make up the difference! You are too funny, Betty! The people at Tim Horton's will think you're nuts! LOL

That got a chuckle out of me a gift card for $12.17.....Too funny.
Have a great day to all still sewing,cannot seem to stay away from computer. Laura

Well, they wouldn't be able to say he got something more than I, they like to joke and are 40 and 41..at christmas though they are both 41..and then I have to listen to 'you are not my older brother, we same age'..lol

Quite a time with them, then it goes on to 'mom made you your favorite pie, not me' meanwhile there probably isn't a pie type I don't make just so they haven't anything to joke about, besides joking about the meal, either being undercooked, overcooked or burn..that being said, they both commented that Thanksgiving meal was perfect..was waiting for the other to deny, but didn't..

When they were young, Jeff would open all his gifts, I'd ask Greg why not and he'd say 'know I got the same just in a different color'..went on till they hit about 16 and their interests changed...
All their joking is done as a 'term of endearment' touching for sure..

Soooo I try to get one up on them, have envelopes with receipts..will know exactly to the penny this afternoon when I pick up the Optimus multifuel stove for Jeff then Tim Hortons I go, sure hope they can do odd figures on coffee cards, am sure they can...




There's a story there, always a story right?

Roger loved snowmobiling and both he and I got a new one about every 2 years, boys were getting to the age that they always wanted to take our out, that was a no no, much too powerful so this one year friends down the lake called to say he had a 'heart attack' and didn't feel he wanted to snowmobile anymore and that his machines were only 2 years old and as he loved me boys would give us a good deal on them, this was early November so we said yes and he kept them in his garage..needless to say there weren't too many gifts under the tree.

Back then you could get your drivers' permit at 16 and Greg was turning 16 that New Years' Day...the month of November passed slowly, we had snow and it took all Roger and I could do from telling the boys about what they were getting at Christmas, we were so excited, don't think any other Christmas had been better re gifts..December came and finally Christmas Eve, the snow was falling, the boys wanted to go out and visit with friends on the bay taking our machines, it was a definate NO, it was Christmas eve, so when we said we were going over to Harvey's for a short visit, they were not impressed, even more so when we said they had to come along...both Roger and I looked at each other, thrilled with our purchase, had been telling the boys all December that things were hard the past year and not much would be under the tree...

Before leaving forget why but I think Jeff didn't want to go so Roger told him it was because there was a special gift sitting at Harvey and Barb's for Greg, a gift that would be his christmas and birthday gift..so now he was more than excited about coming along..

Imagine this, everyone in their own thoughts, drive up to the house, 2 snowmobiles sitting on the lawn BUT just in front of the snowmobiles was a sports car, convertible ...Jeff gets out and he's jumping up and down, yelling and screaming, 'look Greg, you got a car for christmas and your birthday...more yelling, more excitement..Greg was in awe, omg, I got a car, I got a car....had to say , ' no car, look behind' there sat two snowmobiles, no one was as thrilled as they were when they saw the car...both Roger and I were do disappointed..it wasn't until we told them to get the snowmobile gear out of the trunk and drive them home did we see their excitement...quite the night..lol..to this day, Greg lives on his snowmobile and get a new one every year and almost every year when thinking of their dad, this story is told to their children...

Good morning, everyone - coffee's on, and there's blueberry & raisin/oatmeal muffins for you - Enjoy!!

Speaking of visiting over the holidays - Christmas 2005, my daughter was complaining cuz she had 3 households to visit - ours, her father & his wife, and her in-laws (in the country, but I think they were in town that year, visiting them). I told her that there are many out there who Wish they were in her situation, and that we might go to Toronto the next year to visit my FIL (I'd never met him in person) and for her to enjoy this year, cuz she might not have us to worry about visiting us for Christmas 2006.
Well..... as it happened, we moved to Calgary the following May, so she didn't have us to visit for Christmas 2006....!! LOL

This message was edited Nov 18, 2010 8:54 AM

Thank you for sharing that wonderful memory. A sports car to funny.........

LOL Betty - whose cars were they? YOURS? LOL I can just picture your disappointment when the boys were shown their True gifts and didn't react the same way...... siiiiigh

No, it was Harvey's, he had just bought it and had just arrived at the cottage when he called to say it would be a good time to bring the boys over to pick up their snowmachines...

Judy...You look great! Hope you had a good time!

LOL Betty. I too bought a machine for DH one year, stored it at a friend's and he was going to drive it down Christmas Eve. Rained buckets that year so no show of the sled. I ended up putting the ownership into the snowmobile gloves I had bought DH. I can see those boys now whooping it up about the car. It is pretty much 4 wheelers down here now, how about where you live Betty? We have no groomed trails so many trailer their machines to the US for a day's outing.
Dianne

Depending on the weather Dianne we have great trails, of course a lot of snowmobile driving is done on Georgian Bay. Greg puts more miles on his machne a season than most drive cars

Debbie, not a must but if you pass the cracker barrel restaurant in your travels over the next week or so could you see what Christmas sweaters they have, i.e. design and also price...Wayne here is searching all over to a nice one for his daughter..

tks


ok..back to Dianne, had to answer a call and change screen..

The snowmobile passes are expensive for trails and if you don't get snow then too bad, loss $$..I have to pick up Greg's pass, always get it for him as one of his gifts, it's $200. this year if purchased before Dec.1st, if not goes to $240. I personally think that when they have winters that the groomers don't do trails they should give discount because the money raised via passes isn't spent on upkeep and grooming but they don't... big fine as well if you are caught on the trail, they now have hundred of snowmobile wardens patrolling.

Few flakes in the air, don't think it will amount to a whole lot..hope not!

Susan, how right you are, many have nowhere to go or nobody to come visit, really sad though..friends of Greg and Melanie rather than purchase gifts for family rent the Legionand pay for food, get friends together i.e. Greg/Mel, cook dozens of turkeys and prepare food and on Christmas morning, wether you have friends or not open the hall to anyone who wants to come for free..it's their way of saying thank you for all they've received the past year.