Coffee and...For Friday, Nov. 25, 2005

Here's the Daily...uh...the TWENTY FIFTH already??? (Uh oh!)
:-)
Well...this thread is continued from:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/558556/

What are you going to have for dinner tonight? (LOL)

~julie~

Good Morning every one,
It is a cold one here 20' but sunny. Had a very nice time yesterday with family , food was good as usual. GGd is adorable, but too smart for me LOL. At 2 3/4 she plays board games with her father. The games has different kinds of 6 animals that only can move so many squares, she counts them from a dice and then moves the animal, when she gets a rabbit he can skip a square, it was fun to watch her, when she was uncertain she asked, show me, Daddy! lol
Sun rising earlier

Get up you sleepy heads! I was up at 3:30am planning my attack. I was out the door at 4:15am = singing all the way to Best Buy. I stood in line for 30 min and about froze my tush off - the line went on forever.....when I finally got in, I rushed to find the camera I was after. A clerk told me they passed out tickets earlier in the morning (people were there practically overnight) and all the cameras were gone = already. And I just got in the door!! I think things like that are really rotten.....

But I went to several other places - one of which was Menards- waited in a long line there too for one of those new fangle dangle fold up ladders and would you believe the lady in front of me took the last one!!!! By that time I just laughed at myself for being such a fool and joining the multitudes of other fools out at that time of the morning.

I am back home now eating a huge bowl of dressing and cranberry sauce - topped off by a diet coke.

Our TG went good, DIL who is sometimes a bit of a problem was an angel and her mother and sister didn't get in a knock down drag out fight- everyone was polite. All in all a pleasant day - with a ton of leftovers. I will eat turkey again tonight, but after that I don't want to even smell a whiff of it....

My car is acting up and I hope it isn't any thing major. It won't start - it says 'security' - what a pain in the patootie. You have to wait 3 min, then try it again. (took me 5 tries at one store!) Plus I have a vibration that started yesterday and by the time I drove home from shopping today, my butt felt like it was getting a massage....grrr if it's not one thing it's another in my life!

I am averaging 4 hrs sleep a night- I suspect sometime soon I will crash and burn....this has been going on for a few days...

good one- I bought myself 2 new crock pots- they were 9.99 - how could I pass it up??? LOL, I enjoy myself sometimes....

sorry, Sarv, you had such bad luck about a camera, never the less you are very brave fighting the crowds

Sarv, being out of the advertised item is precisely why I don't get up and run out to shop on this day. I figure, the stores will have more of the item later, and if I have to pay regular price, what the heck. Sorry about your luck. Glad your TG went well. I didn't cook, so I don't have left overs.

Maria, glad your day went well also. That GGD, sure sounds smart to me. Were you afraid to play with her for fear of her beating you at a game? I smiled as I typed that, as I would have been humiliated to let a child beat me. So did Samson get any "people food" yesterday? I bet you slipped him a piece of turkey!! Those sad begging eyes get me every time. I made biscuits and gravy this morning, and Mr. B. had a helping of his own.

Well, off to get some things done. Am getting down the Christmas decorations today, will put up the tree sometime this afternoon, or tonight. This is a tradition that DGD and I started several years ago. However, the tree will come down, either on Christmas day, or the day after. After seeing it for a month, can't wait to get it down and put away. Did you realize that Christmas, is exactly 1 month from today. I haven't bought a single gift yet. Will check in later to see what everybody has been up to.

Defoe, she probably would have beaten me, am not very good with games, LOL. Samson did not get any turkey since I was not comiing home with any, too bad!

You mean Samson didn't get invited for Thanksgiving Dinner???

No, Darius,you would not have wanted him there either, he would tear the place apart, he was much better off in his crate at home.

Hi All,

Just checking in before I have to get into the Salon. Glad to hear everyone had a great TG day. I also at way too much. Went over to my Aunt's and she really outdid herself. She had so much food this year,,,,,unbelievable. Got home and plopped on the couch for the rest of the evening.

You couldn't pay me to go shopping early on the morning after Thanksgiving. Heard on the news this morning that people were lining up at 6:00 p.m. last night already. Oy Vey,,,,NO Thanks,,,would have to take a handful of my anti-anxiety meds in order to do that,,,LOL

Well, will check in later,,,Have a good day all
Kelly

Hi all
Great quiet snowy TG here and bright sunny day with 6 inches of snow today.

Kelly - I'm with you - whatever i might save by getting out at 5am I'd spend double on meds!!

Maria - beautiful sunrise! At first I thought it was a forest fire, which would not be such good news! Our sunrise was just a little pale pink.
sarv - hope your luck turns for the better.

I better get out and move. I could barely get my jeans closed this morning, and we haven't even started real winter yet!! AAARGH!!

And one month from now we'll be cleaning up wrapping paper and all the stress will be over!!
Good day all!

Yikes- one month from today is another big gala!!!! Oh man, I gotta get going!! Don't worry about me not getting just what I want - I had a ball anyhow. Some years I don't go, some I go with a friend, this year was a solo and I had fun anyhow.

I'm trying to do a little pickup, but my energy level is falling and I wish could just fall asleep for a bit, but I just can't settle myself down. Maybe if I watch a movie I will nod off in la la land for a bit.

I have candle burning in my upper level where we had the turkey roasting and it is taking care of the odor for me. I gag the next day smelling that!!

Sure glad I didn't have to go to work today!!! My dh dragged out to work and will be crabby when comes home. Good thing it is a Friday and he can sleep late tomorrow...

Cold here today, but sunny. I just sitting watching the birds and thinking Ishould mosey out and fill the feeders. Maybe later....

Made it through another Holiday. DW allayed my fears of a problem with paying the dinner check by calling my BIL and explaining we wished to pay for our own dinner. He is so kind hearted and always wants to pick up the tab for everything. Has anyone else had that situation ? The place we went to was one of the nicer restaurants with a great setting and wonderful food. DW had Halibut with a crab sauce which was delicious, and I had a toothsome Prime Rib. As it was a Holiday, and a special time with in-laws I succumbed to ordering a drink from the bar. (last time was several years ago). Now I remember why I don't order anything but the occasional glass of house wine or a beer with din-din. The Oban 14 year old Single Malt was great, but at $8.50 a shot it was probably the last time I'll 'order out'. Their cost is about $1.40/oz. but they need to make a living too. Not having the leftovers is a bummer. So to solve that problem we are cooking up a turkey today.

I feel sorry for all the folks that feel they have to go out in today's carnage. If the stores would just lower their prices for a few weeks instead of a couple days it would be sure to spread the crowds out a little.I even hate the thought of having to go to the grocery store for the next few days.

Sarv, it sounds like you have had the worst of all possible shopping trips. Sit back and enjoy a glass of nice cold milk and a package of Oreos. This is a heck of a time for the car to start acting up. Is DH a car fixer-upper ? Do you cook with two crock pots at the same time ? But at that price I'd get a spare too, or maybe a couple.

Maria, glad the dinner was a hit, and GD sounds like a real sharpie. The little ones nowadays seem to be so bright.

Hope everyone has a chance to kick back and recuperate today. It's raining here, still, so I'll spend my time in the shop whittling, and waiting for the turkey to come out.

Good Morning to all!

Sarv...I you had my LOL at your "Black Friday" adventures. You're better man than I, McGee. There is NO way in the hot spot that anyone would get me out shopping in those kinds conditions, ever! :-D But since I'm not a shopper to begin with...I'll never to worry about anyone trying.

Robert, your dinner sounds like it was quite nice. (I'd have ordered your DW's plate...oh...yummy!)

I'm going to have to go backa few days and find out what everyone is talking about. I don't do too well at chewing gum and walking so it's fairly obvious that having to think about threads and Thanksgiving dinner at the same time is more than I can handle.

Dh has been on the phone all morning trying to figure out how he wants to handle his new HD-TV and the satellite dish programming. (He's SO funny!) I bought a DVD/VCR dual recorder the other day...and he decided it *must* be time for us to dive into the HD-TV pool. So what does he do? Goes out and looks at the Sony Vega XBR (You really gotta do the old "X-B-R" commercial in your head to get the full impact...hahaha) Wide screen. OMG!! Those things are expensive!!!

Well after spending the morning on the phone with the Satellite services, he's decided which of those he wants, and now he's on his way to the "TV-store" to order his new TV set. (Good thing I didn't have anything on my 'wish-list' for Christmas. hehehe) I'm just not sure I'm ready to see the crime scenes on CSI in Hi Def! LOL

Yesterday after dinner our son started playing the old family films and video taken over the past 20 years. :-O (That was ME looking at ME!!) I think I must have eaten FAR more than my share back then...I looked like the Michelin Man...and trying to cover it up only made it THAT much worse. LOL But at least I was hearing things like "HOLY COW...Mom! You don't look *anything* like that NOW!" (Whew! :-D)

Now that I think about it...maybe we should have seen the pictures *before* we ate. LOL

I'm hoping that Darius and Molly are both getting their packing...done in Molly's case...and 'going well' for Darius. And I'm the boat with M5 on this one.."Thankful" it's NOT me doing the packing.

It's snowing here now...the fine little flakes that normally mean it's going to last a while. There are Cardinals and Chickadees and Nuthatches at the feeder here under the pines outside my window. And, at least, the snow is putting me into a Holiday state of mind. Oh...now I see some snowbirds, too! Cool!

Well...there are some dishes brought back from dinner last night that need to be done up...and some plants in the basement that must surely need water by now. So I'll just be on my way.

Hope everyone has a very nice day...

~julie~

Well, the snow hasn't started here yet,,,but it must be on it's way then if you already have it,,,,,I am Freezing to death today,,,my fingers are like Icicles,,,,bbbbrrrrr

Kelly

my grandson with my GGD

Maria,

She's such a sweetie,,,absolutely beautiful.

Kelly

Emma with her Mother

Maria, what a cutie she is, and her mother and your GS!

AW, sweet

Woohoo! GOB's and 'Ettes, Top o' the mornin' to you! I had a pretty good afternoon/evening last night in the ER. We had the usual contingent of carving knife lacerations and one really remarkable one of a fellow who had reached down into a garbage can (even after his wife warned him of the broken glass) and lac'ed himself quite profoundly. He almost took his thumb off and avulsed his index finger and continued the carnage down into the web between index and thumb. He's sooooo lucky that one of the docs on duty yesterday had a residency in plastics and does a DARNED fine job of suturing. I've always said, if I'm going to get lac'ed, I want this fellow to put me back together. We did him with just a local nerve block and all pieces came back together quite nicely. Among the other usual cases we see in an ER, we had a few gall bladder attacks (thanks to all the high fat foods y'day) and a couple of MI's.

I'll tell you though, the turkey and ham and fixings I made went over well. When all was said and done, betwen the ER crew, the on call OR crew, the medics, fire people and police officers that came and went all day, there wasn't a thing left to have to drag home. One of the girls baked 8 (12") pies, including triple berry pie and pumpkin, apple and pecan. One of our lab techs who is quite the cook himself made this wonderful pumpkin soup that he brought in a huge dutch oven. We kept the coffee pots going and one of the restaurants in town donated 6 cases of Martinelli's Sparking Cider so we had quite the repast. A receptionist made 20#'s each white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate truffles that were to die for !!! Come to find out, her Mum is a chocolatier and she learned the craft from her Mum. There was so much chocolate, her hubby brought her to work and helped carry all the candies in. 60#'s of truffles is a lot of chocolate!

Well, I've got to get in gear, get my stuff ready for work today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day, don't spend too much money or energy shopping.

Hugs to all, ~Babs~

Wow, Babs! What a feast!!

Babs,

Sounds scrumptious.

Kelly

Maria, aren't kids the greatest at that age. They are like sponges and just love to learn everything. Poor Samson didn't get any Turkey....

Sarv, Kudos to you for even attempting to face the shopping madness. I couldn't do it... Are the crockpots you bought for you or presents?? Great price either way.

Defoe, if you want left overs come on down. I have plenty...

GG, never a days rest for a beautician???? Glad you had a nice dinner at your Aunts..

Bal, I have a close friend that insists on paying for everything each time we go out. We have tried to talk to him about it but it doesn't really help. So most of the time we thank them kindly for inviting us but tell him we have other plans and cant go. We truly enjoy their company just feel a little strange with them picking up the tab everytime.

Julie, last year a week before Thanksgiving our tv died. I was at work and DH calls to tell me he is going to go out and price a few at some stores to see exactly what is out there and then we can discuss the prices when I got home. Well I walked in the door 4 hours later and the 32' TV that died had been replaced with a 65' widescreen. We didn't talk for a few days over that one. Then when my dad was excited he could see the screen and the football game I gave in. His eyes were getting so bad and he had only been able to listen to the games for a while.
I am also with you and M5 on hating packing and moving. I am already stressing it and I have a year to plan. YIKES I think I am going to need Magoobu to fly in a help. She can take one half of the house and me the other. Its going to take two OCD people to handle my DH's packing style.

Molly, I am glad you had the chance to squeeze some turkey in with your packing and moving. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers during your absence from DG.

Darius, are you making headway with the packing? I hope the water problem didn't cause any damage to your books and stuff. Thinking of you all the time....

Thanksgiving Dinner was great. Ate to much and with only 14 people I was able to sit down afterwards and visit for a while. Usually I am in the kitchen trying to get things cleaned up. OCD can really be a pain at times. DH was impressed I only broke into tears twice. When we said grace before eating. Dad would do that every year. And when my DD told me the apple pie tasted just like her Omi's. I can tell that Christmas is going to be a hard one though.

Well I need to get my silver put back in the case so I don't have to polish it again for Christmas. Glad everyone enjoyed their holiday, and to those with snow I am jealous.

Babs, posted the same time as you. Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving in spite of having to work. I would have loved the truffles till this morning when my clothes didn't fit. That man probably has no clue how lucky he really is to have a good doctor to sew him up. The guy that did my BIL's hand and arm did an awful job. He required three surgeries to fix what the ER doctor did.
BTW~thanks for being a nurse and working on Thanksgiving. Here the nurses are so understaffed and on holidays it is even worse. Just wanted you to know your appreciated.
Casey

Awww, CARAT, thanks! I appreciate your kind words. I know EXACTLY what you mean about being understaffed for the holidays. We are like that every day of the year, not just the holidays. But I figure we all have to eat some time or other and why not enjoy a decent meal, even if it's on the fly. You'd be surprised how we all learn to gobble (pun intended) down our chow between procedures. Usually I carry a protein bar in my pocket at work because most of the time I don't get any breaks at all, including a potty run. I can't tell you how many 12+ hour shifts I've worked in my career and NEVER get a chance to even have a swig of water, make a shishi run or eat a meal. It's just not in the nature of the beast. I come home so dehydrated that I usually drink a quart of water on the drive home and keep on drinking after I arrive home. I usually "preload" on water before I leave for work because more often times than not, it's all the fluid I'll get.

I don't intend to offend anyone, but I'm going to include just a few axioms in my post that makes a person an ER nurse:

YOU KNOW YOU ARE AN ER NURSE IF...

*You believe a good tape job will fix anything

*You have the bladder capacity of five people

*You can identify the positive teeth to tattoo ratio

*You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if the phrase “wow, it’s really quiet” is uttered

I can tell you, the Q-word is the wost word ever uttered in an ER or Labour & Delivery. It's like inviting the trolls into your midst, just open the door and let them in. I can't remember a time when someone said the Q-word and we didn't get slaughtered very shortly thereafter. I even made our medical director, who had the audacity to say the Q-word go out into the ambulance bay carrying a lighted candle in his left hand, walking backwards in a counter-clockwise fashion carrying a bundle of dried lavender tied with umbilical tape in his right hand uttering, "We are not worthy oh mighty demons of labour and mayhem. We respect your authority over us and will remain ever mindful of your lessons. We shall endeavor to please you so that you will lift this black cloud from us!" LOL! ~Babs~

*edited for misspelling

This message was edited Nov 25, 2005 11:44 AM

This message was edited Nov 26, 2005 7:49 AM

Hello everyone. Happy day after Thanksgiving. We still have a housefull of people and more stuff planned for them and some neighbors tonight, so, I need to get off here. I just read through the rest of Wednesday, all of yesterday and today, been sitting here too long. Back to you later.

Casey,

Nope, no rest for the wicked,,,LOL Will be done by 3:30 though. I am going to do the whole TG dinner on Sun. for Bill and I. I hate it when there are no leftovers. He spent his Holiday with his friends ALL night,,and in bed most of the day on TG,,,,,LOL Dumb #$^%,,,you'd think at 44 he would learn already,,,,,so, last night he had a can of Spaghettios for TG dinner,,,,ROFLOL

Kelly

Wow, are we quiet today! I hope everyone is either still having fun or recovering from having fun. I had a most delightful day yesterday, and tonight we are off to SILs for supper and a visit with her family. I did manage to finish up some projects today, but nothing major - just sliding through.

bbl - ginni

I am hereby appointing myself Queen of the Sloths. Didn't do a darn thing all day that required more effort than hitting buttons or turning pages! Went to a movie this afternoon with DH (that's two in one week, a record for him and when we came out it was already snowing. Made a quick run to the postoffice with a package for my sis, and whizzed through the supermarket to get eggs, and home before the roads get bad. Saw two cars off in the ditch between the Xway on ramp and home, and the road wasn't even slick. Just bad drivers who ran out of luck.

Maria, you GGD is just a darling! And pretty darn smart for going-on-three! My GS is my last hope for somebody to produce a girl, 5 boy Grands, 1 boy GG, and not a girl in sight. I already bought a pretty crocheted pink baby blanket for DGS and they aren't even thinking about getting preggers yet. Hope I'm not jinxing them with the blanket!!! Your sunrise photo is beautiful! I'm glad you had a lovely day.

Sarv, your shopping experience is exactly why I won't go. I refuse to arm wrestle rabid shoppers for the few "early bird specials" because they are just bait to get you in the store. I had to laugh about the turkey smell, though! DGD in law had put the leftovers in a big container, to chill them quickly. When we were leaving DGS wanted to give us some to take home, and he opened it, made a funny face and looked around. Then he blurted out, " I didn't know leftover turkey smelled like F**ts. " Did I mention she bought an 18 lb bird?? They'll be eating turkey for quite a long time!

I did shop today however. Ordered three things on line that would have required walking too many aisles, and they are all to be delivered free!! No foot fatigue, no gas expense, no parking hassle, I think I came out ahead.

Babs, we all need to thank you for the job you do. The ER can be an adventure, and the stress levels get pretty intense. I got a great mental picture of you marching the Medical Director out to perform the burning candle, rosemary, umbilical tape ritual. Bet those words never came out of his mouth again!! I worked in a mental hospital for a couple of years, and we were never tempted to say anything like that...it would guarantee a hysterical outburst or worse from normally placid patients.

Carol, (DR), the new P. Cornwall book is Predator, and I haven't gotten very far because I got sidetracked with another book "A Million Little Pieces" written by a man who wrote in excruciating detail about his stint in rehab. It is riveting, and revolting, and mesmerizing all at the same time. Anyone who even thinks of trying crack, or cocaine, or any other addictive drug should read this book first. It is very well written. I'm amazed that he even survived.

Well, I think I need to go look around for dinner fixings...we had turkey sandwiches for lunch, so I guess that won't be a good idea for dinner. I have leftover meatloaf in the freezer, that would do...with baked potatos, and a veggie...hmmmm.....sounds like very little work to me!

Hope all our insomniacs get a good night's sleep, and Robert's DW is feeling better after the rotator cuff surgery, and everyone has a good evening.

I think it is Ernie's wife who had that surgery, M5, but perhaps Robrt's wife had it too?
I shop on line most of the time too, very easy with the exception of clothes, I buy at stores in a mall about twice a year. Really do not know how you do it, Sarv, but more power to you!
Yes, Casey, Samson had some turkey tonight, my other daughter, who lives one house down the street from me brought some over for me and for him, he said YUM, YUM, she even brought him a fresbee for play in the yard
Love reading your posts, Babs, always something interesting I don't know anything about, thanks

Did it ! The second door jamb is carved. No sanding sealer on hand so I'll have to wait till tomorrow to seal and stain it. Then mount them both and scratch another project off the list.

'Tis Ernie's wife that had he rotator surgery not mine. The only pain inflicted upon my poor bride is me. I think one of Ernie's last posts said she was beginning to heal now.

The turkey is in the oven. Made cranberry sauce the other day, taters are cooked, there's a little squash on the counter begging to be served and a couple servings of the cardamon bread pudding with gran marnier whipped cream for dessert.

Babs, if I had an emergency I'd sure like to come to your shop. You guys sure know how to pot luck.

Queen Meezer,That sounds like a great day. The meatloaf sounds great. I love meat loaf, and meatloaf sandwiches with lots of mayo, mustard and ketchup.

Time for a cup of tea, some noise from the TV and a nap.

GardenGeek, I laughed out loud about your handful of anti-anxiety meds. I don't take them, but would sure need some to venture out shopping today. My neighbor went today, and I haven't had the courage to call and see how she did.

Sarv, did you get off your duff and go fill the bird feeders? Don't let out feathered friends starve.

Bal, yes we have friends who always insist that they pay the bill. It is always a tug of war, and embarrasing. We frequent this one restaurant, where we know the hostess, and have asked her to tell our waiter/waitress to make sure that we get the bill. That has helped some. We have tried to explain that we appreciate their generosity, but we need to "take turns". The thing about it is we can more easily afford it than they can.

dmc, Yes one month from today, we will have the garbage cans full of the wrapping paper, that we spent hours on. Plus the nice bows. All that work, for 2 seconds of "oh that is pretty" then rip!!

Babs, yes I just want to let you know that I have the deepest admiration for hospital employees. Most people don't think much about the professional people until we are in the ER and really need them. That was some feast you all had. It's a wonder anyone could even walk to get to the patients!! 60# of chocolate, unbelievable. Did you really make your medical director do that ritual? I can just see it now!! Had anyone approached the emergency entrance, they may have decided to take their illness to another hospital--a sane one.

Well, I put up the christmas tree today. And decorated indoors. I think, in view of our cold weather, that outdoors will remain bare this year. However, they are saying that we are in store for a 50 degree day next week. So maybe then. I always change the color of my decorations on the Christmas tree each year. I have pink and gold on it this year, last it was blue and silver, the year before burgundy and gold. Thinking about going through all the decorations when I take them down, and putting some things in a yard sale next summer. That is in order to buy some new stuff.

Well, DGD had a friend over to play (all day) today. They really do play well together, but for someone who is not used to one child, to have 2 girls, who giggle and scream, my nerves are a little frayed. If they play together tomorrow, I think it will be at the other little girls house. She was here last night and all day today.

For those I didn't comment to, meezer, Maria, susieq, tgif, Darius, Molly, Eweed, Mary, 101, Carat, read all the posts, just don't have the energy to reply to all. Let me go catch a quick nap, while DGD, and DH have gone out for awhile. Then I will check in later with a full load of energy.!!

This message was edited Nov 25, 2005 7:01 PM

dmcdevitt - I trust your trip to Rochester went well.

maria - what a sweetie your GGD is. You must really enjoy her.

BabsERNurse - your account of ER on TG makes one tink a bit about over doing the eating. Sounds like you all feasted quite well though.

Casey is the gracious one to remember that you were working when others were enjoying the holiday. She's right. Without people like you who are willing to give up your holidays we'd be in a sorry state. I'll add my thanks as well.

Does your description of an ER nurse also apply to ER doctors? One of the double bass players in the Ottawa Symphony is and ER doctor, but he always seems to be able to book the weekend before a concert (when we have lots of rehearsals) and the concert evening off.

One thing about having Canadian TG so early - 2nd Monday in October - the Christmas promotions all start immediately after Halloween since there are no more holidays in between.

I had a chance to peek in a couple of times yesterday, but not write anything. Snowed most of the day. Ottawa Citizen this morning said

Well, I had to drive in it, as did DH. He had a medical procedure in the regional hospital farthest from where we live. Then, he had a 3 pm flight out of Ottawa -final destination - Germany. He got to his appointment but they were delayed - maybe because so many people were late or maybe they just always are. Because of his time constraints, I took the Grand-twins to Kindermusik and ultimately took all his luggage to DD's house which was closer to hospital (and airport) than ours. He took my car and left it there.for me to pick up after Kindermusik (KM). It took me about 10 minutes longer than usual to get to DD's house and more time to get both to and from KM. Then with my car (and better tires), it took me a full hour to get home instead of about 35 minutes. Snow had mostly stopped, but I think a lot of people left work early so by 3 pm the roads were very busy.

At one point on the route home I can make a choice - straight ahead across the south end of the city or left to a route that takes a diagonal path. I turned left only to find myself behind two snowplows moving slowly and in tandem. After taking 10 minutes to move a km or so, I did a U-turn and went back to the other route.

I DID make it home safely and with time to spare before I had to go out for bell practice. After bells, a stop at the grocery store and local drug store which has seniors' day the last Thursday of each month - 20% off all regularly priced merchandise.

Finally, once home, a driveway to shovel and garbage to collect before settling in for the evening.

Today, up early and out early to take my car in for scheduled maintenance and catch the shuttle to work. Never even turned the computer on this morning. Got home from work about 5:45 after a friend drove me to get my car.

Got another 150 or so tax receipts prepared at the Food Cupboard. We continue busy, but not as much as at the beginning of the month because people with children got their Child Tax benefit cheques on the 20th and for those on assistance, their cheques will be out in a few days.

My Handbells play in church on Sunday We will play O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. Kinyon. You can download a soundclip of it at http://www.handbellworld.com/music/MusicPiece.cfm?piece=9900 (click on the bell with the Microsoft window)

And we are also doing a stunning arrangement of O Holy Christ in Love Come Down http://www.handbellworld.com/music/MKeyReturn.cfm for SATB, flute and handbells.

Must finish up and do something productive (like practicing) this evening. Ottawa Chamber Orchestra has concert in mid-December and as principal viola, we will have a viola sectional in a week. I need to take a good look at bowings, etc.

Also, a week from tonight is “Come Sing Messiah”. Got the music in the mail yesterday. This is the event where about 800-900 people come with their own copies to sing. We have a rehearsal for orchestra and soloists at 4:30. Later, the choir arrives and we rehearse the choruses with them and after a break, at 8:00 we run it. It’s always a very popular event which is full of spirit.

Christmas trees up already? It's not even Advent yet till Sunday. But then, I always have a real tree and I always keep it up till Epiphany.

BTW, has anyone tried to buy Advent candles? Why do clerks in a CANDLE store look at you as though you've come from the moon when you ask it they have any? I'm of the three purple, one pink and one white tradition, though I know traditions vary from one denomination to another. I finally found 5 matching candles which will do in the drug store yesterday.

Hope you all are well.

Ann

Edited to fix weird line-breaks

This message was edited Nov 25, 2005 10:51 PM

This message was edited Nov 25, 2005 10:53 PM

Maria ~ you have a beautiful human family as well as your canine kids!

Babs ~ Good to hear you had a wonderful feast while keeping watch over all the misadventurous who end up in the ER. We did one TG with daughter & broken arm. We don't think about everyone standing by while we're feasting so here's to you *raises glass*

M5 what the heck, here's to you too, you have the right idea!! (I didn't do much today either)

balvenie ~ the door jamb is wonderful. What kind of wood is it (I haven't been on this thread that long if you've already explained it)

Ann~your day has my head spinning. Thanks for asking, I did get to Rochester and back with my daughter. It was rainy the first couple hours, then snow, then winds bringing in cold, as we go west, then reverse on the way home. But yesterday would have been impossible to travel safely. i was glad we were all warm as the snow fell all day.
I have advent candles. I bought two packs of pink and one of purple on sale (probably after Easter?) White's easy enough to pick up. I couldn't believe the religious stores didn't even sell an advent pack.

I too wait to put up the tree, and leave it up until late January. We cut a balsam on our property every year. I like to wait until I can enjoy it. hoping to really cut down on consumerism this year.... Unbelievable how crazy the driving was by you...don't they cach on about the snow being slippery?

defoe - hope you get a chance to get decorated outside. I always give in and put up lights, even if I freeze my fingers off

Ann, Thank you for that link. I love bell music. Also have you tried Oriental trading online for the Advent candles?

Bal, your beautiful carvings made it to my dreams one night last week. I cut my hand and woke up, but dang I was good. LOL

We dont set up our tree until the Sunday before Christmas. After church we turn on the Christmas Carols, make some cocoa and spend the day together as a family. Then the Sunday after Christmas, as we take the tree down we each have to say a good thought, feeling or something similar for each ornament we take off the tree. My parents started this tradition with me because my father only had Sundays off, I have just continued it because it fits us so well....

As you all were telling your stories of how bad the driving is when it snows I couldn't help but laugh. When it snowed here last winter I made the kids stay home from school. I was not allowing them to drive in a town that most people are going to be looking up saying "why are the clouds shedding?" instead of where they are going.

Well back to the couch to rest my overstuffed belly again.

Dang!! I meant Ernie.....too much turkey tranquilizer. I must equalize that with a piece of pumpkin pie Yup, made two..recipe would have made two nine or ten inchers, but I made a deep 12" to take along, and kept the little one in that 7" pan I picked up last week.

I don't know what the mental condition is that causes drivers to forget that snow is slippery....every year!! Even those ugly SUVs think they can drive like a summer day and end up off the road or bashing some other poor commuter. Maybe it takes 50 years of driving for it to sink in?

Thanks for the link, what lovely music! I have no musical skills whatsoever, and was told early on by my folks that I couldn't carry a tune in a bushel basket, so I truly appreciate those who have skills and talent! Nice of you to share with us, Ann.

You must realize, Ann, how much I appreciate reading your thread and all about mucic that I like best. Just wish I ccould go at least to one of your concerts.
Yes , I do so enjoy seeing me GGD, she is such a sweet child, today she asked me if she could go ouside and pick cucumbers again, some of you might remember some pictures I took of her last summer with my cucumbers. Her father explained to her why they are not anymore, I told her there are some in the refrigerator would she like one, she said yes and added but they are cold too, LOL, here is a picture of her with the cucumber

Sounds like everyone had a good turkey day! We woke up yesterday with a dusting of snow, but it was gone by 10 a.m. I like a little snow on a holiday. DH did have to go into work at 4: a.m until about 9:00.

Marie - GGD is precious. You should have snuck home a little turkey for samson!

My Aunt and cousin are visiting from Delaware. They just got here tonight and we have already had a good visit. We always laugh till our sides hurt.

I won't even try to comment on everything you all have done since yesterday. Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.

dmcdevitt - I CAN find the Advent candles in religious stores, but I've not always been happy with the quality of them. There are some very good quality candles available individually in some stores, but they never seen to have both purple and pink. I walked into a "Seasonal" store - selling all sorts of Christmas decorations - the sort of store that pops up in vacant space in malls at this time of year and asked them about Advent Candles. They replied, "No, but we should have". Makes me think I'm not the only one looking. Anyway, what I found in the drug store appear to be decent quality and will do OK.

I may have mentioned before that we have a HUGE open house party after New Years. Running a food bank and having a big party before Christmas aren't compatible. Took me years to figure out that if I wanted a party while the decorations are still up, that Epiphany would be a relaxed time to have it. Usually it's on a Sunday afternoon, but the 8th of January is a bit late, I have a viola sectional rehearsal for the next OSO concert and Bob has a flight to Europe. So, if any of you want to crash it, plan on Saturday evening, the 7th.

Good night all.

Ann

Well, supper is over, the dishes washed, read a little, and watched an idiot tv show. DGD and I had just climbed into bed about 9:45, was there about 5 minutes, and phone rings, DH comes to the bedroom saying my mother had fallen, and we needed to go. Only about 1/4 mile away. Well, found her on the floor, in the living room, got her to her feet, and moved her to the bedroom. Seems that she was getting ready for bed, took off her medical alert necklace, hung it on the bed post, and turned to get her gown, and got dizzy and fell. She scooted on her butt, 2 rooms, to get to the phone. She has a phone in the bedroom, but didn't tell me until tonight that it is not working. She was not hurt, but has arthritis in her knees so bad that she cannot get on her knees to get up from the floor. She hasn't fallen for a long time. You must understand that she is about 275 lbs,compared to my 120, and it is impossible for one person to get her up. The good news is that she is not hurt. She will be sore tomorrow, but that sure beats broken bones and such. I thank God for my DH as he always steps in and comes to her aide.

On a lighter note, Viola Ann, how in the world do you get so much accomplished? And thanks for the link to the music. Don't know what I am hearing, but it sure is lovely. My parents gave me piano lessons, when I was about 8, but didn't learn a darn thing. Now I wish that I could play. And your description of the snow and driving. I think it is universal anywhere it snows. It always takes a few snows to get everybody used to it again.

Carat, it snowed in Las Vegas. Bet it freaked a lot of people. How often does that happen?

I am a Methodist, and we have a supply company where we can order Advent Candles. The name of the company is Cokesbury and it is located in Tennessee. They have a catalogue, and have everything that you can imagine. I haven't looked, but I am sure they have a web page. Just Google it.

I put up the Christmas tree, and since I have dial up, and it takes forever to post a pic, am going to the Test forum and fool with it for awhile. If I am successful, will try to post it.

Tomorrow is another errand day. One thing for sure is to get my DM a phone for her bedroom. Need to visit the Library and Dry Cleaners.DS called tonight to get recipes using left-over turkey. I suggested Turkey Hash, Turkey Pot Pie, and my favorite a Hot Brown. Mmmmmm, are they good. Before anyone asks, this is a recipe created by the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Ky, which is toasted bread, turkey slices, bacon slices, tomato, and a luscious cheese sauce, put under the broiler, and heated through. You can use any kind of cheese you like, but the recipe calls for a little Velveeta, and chedder, and Parmesan. Some people add ham, and that is good also, but the true recipe just calls for turkey. Try it, it is delicious. (for those of you who have left over turkey) Gosh, I have made myself hungry. Well I am off to bed, as the past couple of nights have not been peaceful. Hoping for better tonight.

Check the counter in the morning, don't know what I will have, but it won't be turkey.

Night all.