Best/worse/what did I learn today?Santa Warren Gift exchange!

Susan, sending big hugs. What a nightmare.

I'm having a lot of trouble dealing with the changes here and am also posting at All Things Plants. Come on over there and get more hugs.

I've been sick, mostly in the morning with back pain - maybe kidney or pancreqas. Was better this morning but having some pain and shortness of breath now. Not a lot of pain but very tired from trouble breathing,

InkyDink had a play date with Dana's dogs today. She had a ball for two hours. Dana came to visit me but said it was really to see Inky, I said that's OK as I visit her to see her little dog Amiga.

Tomorrow Maria will go to the animal clinic and bring home shampoo and a sleeping pill for Max. He's doing quite well but has itches and cannot be bathed while awake.

I'll come back as I'm able but find navigating very frustrating while coping with so much pain. Haven't tried D-mail but I'm at ATP and available there.

Meanwhile, Susan, there is nothing I can add but my prayers.

hugs, katie

Judy .. that is just one CLASSY RIDE !! Beautiful job .. specially the 'plates' and the States and Province .. Dianne will be so pleased ..

Susan .. honestly, I am totally mystified by this turn of events .. what is wrong with the judicial system? BLIND justice ! I really can't imagine the gall of them (Marcel and Carolyn), AND, they are bringing up a child in a very toxic atmosphere. Does Childrens Aid know this ?

Don't know if anyone else has this issue .. but, when I click on a pic in the thread, and then click to go back into the thread, it pops me back a page or 2 ?

Betty .. I hope you're keeping busy ..

Going for groceries and to the POST OFFICE today .. the Santa Warren parcel is here .. I just have to catch up with it.
Tomorrow Gord sees the Rheumatologist .. been a 6 month wait ..2 of the dogs get groomed as well .. and, I will be the handler to get them into the groomers as Gord can't use his left hand yet, and, he's a lefty ..
Lorna's Dad is still doing poorly ..

Hope all are well, and, you have some sunshine in your life ..

HUGS

~M~

OMG Susan!!! They must be truly evil to do this. I just wish there were something we could do for you. I thought that maybe you could show them all these posts since last summer but they would only say it was manipulated. I'm keeping you and Bob close in my prayers.....

Wonderful job once again Judy. That sleigh is just over the top!!! I love how you make each Santa Warren gift you send a direct relationship with the recipient. I just love all my gifts from last year and think of you each time I walk into the quilt room. The first thing I see is "JOY". And then scissors. The sleigh you did this year is so personal for Dianne. And her TH. Great job dear friend...

Norm is doing okay so far with the diet. He is not happy with some of the foods and hates almond milk. We must find something else. I would hate to think that would be a diet breaker......

Have company coming today so must clean house. My dearest friend in the world (the lady I have spoken of who lost an eye to melanoma) is coming!!! We haven't seen much of one another since I moved down here to the city and I can't wait to see her. So I'll be back later.... Have a great day everyone.....

Susan, please know we are keeping you in our prayers.

Morning everyone.

Judy I didn't like your parcel I LOVED it. As the kids would say 'its off the chain'.

Including my boys meant everything to me.

The sleigh was out of this world. The fact you spent all that time making the sleigh , researching Ontario licence plate made me chuckle. The Santa Bag was beyond thoughtful. Judy even sent me heat socks - not that I would need them. M and Betty we are going to cold and snowy days. Well M already has snow but has promised to keep it there ...lol,lol

Work gloves are very appreciated. I get wood in the ends of my fingers - like a sliver and it hurts. When I did glass I had them all of the time. It was easier to let them swell up before they popped or I went after them.Loved the book, just what I needed honestly. I will put the computer, bank passwords in it.

Most of all Judy including a birthday gift made me well up.Thank you.

Judy you did good!!! I am very thankful and grateful to have you in my life.

BBL
Dianne



This message was edited Dec 15, 2015 11:42 AM

soooo who has Betty's phone #

Call her and tell her we are all still here!!! Missing her !!!!

Thunder I don't know who would have Betty's phone number. I am thinking Debbie, Barb or Judy might have it.

D

I have it, somewhere - I'll look up Betty's phone #

yes, our tenants are evil. Found out that we don't have to provide them a washer & dryer, so if dryer not working well, too bad. If toilet is cracked, we have to replace it, otherwise it's up to them to fix..... and so on

Hi
Dianne, Just smiling and so happy you loved it all.

Well, I called Betty.
I am so sad to say she is not coming back and she is not lurking.
She felt like everyone opted to go elsewhere and not renew here, it was time she would focus on the people in her area...Betty does not frequent other sights, so we shall keep in touch via ringle jingle.

She was busy with the girls there painting. Herself finishing the pieces she was working on.

I phoned her and got her voice mail - told her to FB, email, or call me - told her we miss her

Thanks for calling her Judy, but I don't think I am going anywhere. I like the friendship we have here. Tell her to get back here please? I know admin will get the bugs fixed soon.

I said Inquiry minds want to know when your coming home.
We miss you and are worried. She I'm not coming home.
I said many of us still here. She feels very strong about how everyone has and is moving on so she should too, it doesn't have anything to do with the changes; she was adjusting.

Well I'm with you Linda Kay, I'm not going away...I love you all but
that doesn't mean I don't visit elsewhere.

Anyway, that's what I know, maybe in time she will come home.

Thanks Judy. She will be back soon I hope.
We love to see what her and the girls are working on, and her new crafting ideas.

Thanks Judy for calling Betty. I am not planning on going somewhere else. Maybe Betty will pop in and see how much we are missing her.

Dianne

Yes, thanks, Judy for checking on her for us! This thread is the only reason I renewed my subscription last time, I do hope she'll come back. Yes, others are looking elsewhere, but we're still holding on here, for our friends that don't want to move. I've been on the other sites since they started up, but still come back here to check up on folks. I do hope she will come back, and see how much she is missed here!

I'm like Deb .. this thread is my home away from home .. feel just awful re Betty leaving .. sheesh ..

On a brighter note, and, another Santa Warren she won't see is MINE .. woo hoo .. just got home from the post office, worth the half hour ride ..
DRUM ROLL, am about to open said parcel ..

Pics to come :-)

YAYAYAYAYAYAAY

~M~

Oh Betty, Please come back. This thread and a couple others is the only reason I come to Daves garden.
I am NOT happy with this change on DG

Yaay, finally Marilyn.

Can't wait to see what Santa Warren Pressie you received!!

I know what you all mean.

Sue, I sorry it continues. Tight Armwraps.

M, I love your Lawn Lights, very pretty, woohoo you have deer, lol.

Katie, hope you get to feel better, lol I think its sweet you visit each other's Dogs.

Awe Barbara, I'm glad you have them displayed..I hope you get the learning phase of Norms diet done, probably would confuse me.

Deb, glad you got your shopping in. Yikes on all the car work.

lol, I hope M posted pictures while typed, lol.

Make sure to click on the word WATCH in the upper left corner so you don't lose any threads you want to keep up with.

So several days have gone by and I'm NOT seeing any improvements.

Are ya ready .. says M as she wipes white chocolate almond bark from her mouth LoL

LoLiPaLoOzA, I hit thr jackpot .. thanks so very very much Dianne, your generosity and thoughtfulness has overwhelmed not only me, but Gord and Lorna too.

The MOST exquisite STAINED GLASS LOON is now MINE, and, it is over the top outrageously flippin GAWGEOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You'll see in the pic (s)

I also rec'd JAMS :-) Blueberry ( a fave here), and, FIG which we can hardly wait to try .... AND, new to me .. CASHEW peanut butter .. we tested if, amazing !!!

Add to the list 3 beautifully scented candles .. just beautiful .. each has a word on the front .. FAMILY, RELAX and FRIEND ..
A wonderful cookbook from I do believe the school Dianne taught in ? Great recipes .. and, you know I'll try them :-)
A book that I (and DH) can hardly wait to read about the planes that landed here in Canada (Newfoundland) during 9/11
A beautiful plush Xmas hand towel which will go into the big bathroom, and, I have told DH .. hands OFF !!!
And 3 bottle of Maple syrup .. one for each of us, and, of course, a bag of decadent treats for the doggies (9 missing as of this email) LoL
OOOOOOOOOOoooo .. hubby is a gaggle over the 'HOOLA POPPER' .. one of his favourite bass lures ..
Last but NEVER least a most beautiful, homey and elegant Christmas Card ..
The Ed Sheeran CD will be played (track 11) before the day sleeps ..

I am humbled as well, by a donation to Prince Margaret Hospital in Toronto .. a most prestigious and active Cancer Hospital

Thank you, thank you, thank you Dianne .. I am forever grateful for your kindness and generosity ..
Fell bad Betty won't see the pics, but, I guess she has made her choice ..

Pics attached ..

PS .. Lorna's Dad has been admitted to Hospital I Richmond Hill Ontario.
AND, the much travelled package, at least in my area:-)

Wow M!! You sure got the hilt..
Awesom Dianne, you gave them some fabulous gifts.

Your stained glass Loons are spectacular, wink I recognize the Diannes label.
So Smiling...Haha, lucky pups, nine missing already!

Enjoy all.

You packed another spectacular Gift Dianne! I say another as I have been a recipient too!!! And now that Christmas is here, I can unpack my stained glass wise men and the bell and the candle.... They are soo precious to me.
"M" I do hope you will read the book. Dianne sent one to me and I loved it......

The book about the people who landed in Newfoundland when their flights were diverted there on 9/11. I honestly feel as a former teacher and a true Canadian that this book should be one that should be mandatory for all school kids.

I made the rookie mistake of going back up to see something while I was posting. GONE!

Dianne
D

HAD to share :-)

www.youtube.com/embed/Gw8P8L1LfDM?rel=0


MERRY CHRISTMAS from a real Cannuck (via Ireland)

~M~

Dianne and Judy are both purveyors of delightful treasures and delicious yummies.

MIL is back in the hospital...trouble breathing.

I am sorry that my posts upset Betty into not posting here. That was not my intention, but we all know about the road to Hades and intentions.

I will have to check out the book on 9/11. Hope everyone has a great night.
see ya later,
Jean

And here I thought it was MY posts that caused Betty to leave!!

Great gifts. I am starting to go over the stuffed animals for Christmas.

Three young people from Quebec are here on a sailboat. They were hitching into town so I picked them up and helped them with their errands while getting my errands done, too. Made for a fun couple of hours. Inky Dink escaped and went to play with Dana's dogs. So we all had a good day here. I'm cooking rice and liver for dinner - making up for only giving the furbabies dry food last nigh.

I'm still a little tired but a lot better.

hugs, katie

And here I thought it was MY posts that caused Betty to leave!!

Great gifts. I am starting to go over the stuffed animals for Christmas.

Three young people from Quebec are here on a sailboat. They were hitching into town so I picked them up and helped them with their errands while getting my errands done, too. Made for a fun couple of hours. Inky Dink escaped and went to play with Dana's dogs. So we all had a good day here. I'm cooking rice and liver for dinner - making up for only giving the furbabies dry food last nigh.

I'm still a little tired but a lot better.

hugs, katie

Back in from snow shoveling .. we have a south easter blowing in over Lake Superior and it is going to be treacherous driving to say the least.
Need to get the dogs to the groomer, then off to take DH to see the Rheumatologist.

I'm thinking none of us said anything in the least offensive to cause Betty to up and leave .. we expressed an opinion ..
And .. I see the site is still scroogey ..

Katie, glad you are feeling better ..

Jean .. your ML is sure having a time of it .. sad to say I do think Lorna's Dad is headed into a 'bad place' for a bit .. when her Mom left the hospital last night .. her Dad was hallucinating !! This from a man who last month was mentally 'right on it' .. but, he hasn't eaten in some time, so, I think once he gets some IV fluids he'll perk up .. then I do believe decisions will have o be made .. sigh .. poor Lorna ..

Off I go

BBL

~M~

Morning everyone!

"M":, I love you box of goodies you got from Dianne! That loon is beautiful!

Betty, I hope you pop in to see these beautiful gifts.

Sending prayers for Lornas dad and Jeans MIL!

Sending prayers Jean and "M" for your loved ones. And for you and Bob also Susan.
Happy to read you are doing better Katie. Sounds like you had a good day!!!

I'm sorry Betty has left as her posts were always so full of life. But I don't think it was because of anything we posted here. I just pray for her and her health which I really think she needs to address aggressively. It just feels like her doctors just pass her around and don't do anything for her issues. That alone can make one not want to continue on....

Had a wonderful visit with my dearest friend yesterday. It was so good to see her again....

Busy day today getting ready fo wrap all the purses etc...Hope yours is a great one...
Barb

I agree Barb, Re Betty. When there are things going on that you just know aren't right but you continually get pooh poohed by Drs., especially when they are saying the same thing. you get to feeling pretty hopeless.
I was trying to get all the tree skirts finished and distributed because I really didn't think I would see Christmas. I forced myself to make that trip to TN because I needed to see my grands and greats just one more time, even though I could barely walk under my own steam by this time. It seemed that since I had the pneumonia last August, I was going down rather rapidly.
It can all be rather demoralizing.

Good Morning.

M, and Moonbeam, Oh goodness prayers being said. I hope The Doctors can help MIL and Lorna's Dad.

M, I hope your back is feeling better from all the shoveling, yikes
seems your getting everyone's snow.
We are getting more rain! Not that I mind but lol it is just weird.
Oh my gosh, you have a busy day. Safe travels.

Barbara, how fun, I love to wrap presents. I know everyone will love your purses.

I had to giggle at the box your gifts traveled in, I used a box from gallon liquids..lol the kid at Staples shipping was a bit baffled. It was the first box I didn't wrap the outside with paper, Just glad it got there in one piece. And yours took a ride the neighborhood, so glad you liked all the goodies.

Well, hands on the hips looks like were keeping the Shrub tree, lol..well I guess with a few decorations it will be pretty.

Karen, sending Armwraps, I just so glad you are feeling better. Getting the run around is so awful. I sure hope your health continues on the up side.

Laundry is done again...yippy, every time I go in the basement to switch, I lug up a box of decorations.
Today, I plan on finishing my shopping.
Got to take MIL to the ear dr.
Breenie not feeling well, I think she just needs a good sleep. working 2 jobs is taking toll on her. Her days start @430 AM to 8-9 PM.

Well, I best be running got to get s few things done and then stop at Walgreens first. Later today I must make myself sit and do the Christmas Cards.

Have a good day and safe travels Everyone.

Judy the sleigh has found a spot on the island I have in the kitchen. It looks beyond wonderful there.Thank you, thank you. Once I get my phone fixed I will take a pic to show you.

It is a gray day here but no rain yet. I bought a new mat to try out with the boys. I had wanted to order it from Oric but with the exchange and no free shipping so I decided to wait. When I was in the small village east of me I saw a mat that looks just like the Soggy Doggie mat. It feels great on my barefeet. It has a huge paw print on it ..... I've liked it so far and with fingers crossed Chaos hasn't decided he needs it to chew on.

Ok I think everyone is accounted for in the Santa Warren exchange. Warren is smiling with a great big grin. Do you want to do it again next year?

Well I only got about an hour's sleep last night. Time to bring out the Rx sleep meds. I have also been almost afraid to fall asleep because I am having terrible dreams. Sigh. The dreams have Warren in it and mostly the people we taught and partied with in the 70's. Its just so weird and very unsettling.

Katie I bet you are glad to be home. So happy you were able to help the Quebec. Very brave of them to sally forth on the boat. Did they say where they were going next?

D and her TH

Sorry to hear you are having bad dreams, I know Warren must be in your thoughts a lot!

Edited to say, add me for next years swap!

This message was edited Dec 16, 2015 3:14 PM

As long as there is Santa Warren swap and I'm still around, I would always want to be a part of it. Fond memories are building from our first one forward.....

SO like the Santa Warren Exchange .. sign me up for next year too :-)

Holy cow have we had a day !
Took the dogs in for 9am .. white knuckling it as I was driving on ICE ..once we got onto the road to the city, it had been salted and sanded.
Dropped off the dogs, the groomer is just a block up from the Lake shore, and, good old Lake Superior was ANGRY .. looked like it was boiling, waves crashing over the breakwall .. went up a couple of blocks to the hospital for Gord's apt .. parked in the parkade .. I am totally not a fan of parkades .. at any rate .. as they are building onto the hospital we had a wee hike to the docs office .. and were both soaked when we got there.
Had a good apt with the doc .. he concurs with the diagnosis of PMR
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/basics/definition/con-20023162

It can last a year, 18 months or 2 years .. Gord is at the 18 month mark ..it then resolves itself and I guess ya feel better .. he had a great physical .. and, is going to start a very slow taper OFF of prednisone .. fingers crossed he gets off of it ..not a good drug for the long term.
Lorna's Dad (unbeknownst to us) fell on his knee last week .. he already has 2 replaced hips, both of which are not good ..
He is kind of confused at times, and now feels Lorna's Mom has not visited for days .. upsets her but she realizes it's because he is weak,
Appreciate your thoughts and prayers, and I return them in kind .

WELL .. Ho Ho Ho ... Santa sent us a ton of heavy snow .. have been shoveling it and Lorna is plowing it .. dogs are newly groomed and ROLLING in it LoL
The ride home was even worse than the ride in .. white out conditions .. flippin well about kissed the ground when we pulled into the driveway !!!

Still smiling from ear to ear re the Santa Warren box .. had some bread with the CASHEW peanut butter and Fig jam on it .... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ... YUM !!!!!!!! decadent ..

Best mozy

HUGS

~M~

Wonderful report "M"!!! Here's praying it puts your mind at ease regarding Gord. Keeping him and Lorna's dad in my prayers....
You can keep the ice there thank you kindly!!!!

Took today and played hookey from housework. I read a book!!! It was a thriller set in England by Rachel Abbott called "Stranger Child".. I got so engrossed and I just couldn't put it down.... Tomorrow is another day and the house will still be here LOL

Wish there were a way to temper your dreams Dianne. I hate nights like that where my mind doesn't shut down and thoughts are weird....

Since the folks I enjoy and care about on this site are here on this particular forum, I will renew my subscription for another year also.

Dianne, I would certainly be pleased to remember Santa Warren for another year.

This was my first year in the Santa Warren exchange, it was so much fun getting goodies from Betty, and getting to meet Judy when I delivered her presents! Please include me in next year's exchange, too!!

Deb

Morning everyone. A frosty 34 here this morning. Guess I can't complain too bad as it is the middle of December.

Glad you made it home safe and sound "M".