Coffee and... Monday, December 12, 2005

Here's the Daily.
Continued from: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/562110/

Hard to believe it will soon be 2006!

Come and join us in friendship... share your joys, tears, frustrations and cyber goodies...

Good Morning! Hey, I'm NEVER the first one up and posting, LOL. Going into town soon to pick up the U-Haul truck...

I don't remember when they cut off my Internet Service, today or tomorrow? I'll keep the computer on as long as I can and post just before we take it down. :)

Morning!! First one up and raring to go!!! I'm not sleeping well - it's the old worry problem creeping up - still don't know when we are celebrating xmas with my two kids. New DIL is the holdup - her dad celebrates the same day and DS wants to come here and she wants to go her way. For couple of years they did both, but it is becoming too much as they are a distance apart. I will do whatever, but just need to KNOW!! I also am worrying about what to serve. Since everyone has been pigging out, I thought maybe just a bunch of substancial munchies (pigs in the blanket, hankie pankies (good), veggies, cheese balls etc) and then a big pot of chili and the works for the evening. I don't feel like cooking a huge meal and in the past, no one wanted to eat it anyhow, we were so stuffed. Things will work out, I am just the mother of all worriers ya know.

Tomorrow is my marathon finish up gift shopping time!!! I have a list and hopefully will be all done!! Going today to get a gift card from Ace and then to the postoffice to mail it. This afternoon I am taking MIL to the doc -again....I don't feel like listening to any nonsense from her, so she better behave!

We are expecting another storm Wed evening just like the one we had last week that shut down almost 300 schools. Unfortunately it comes on the day the schools are having their xmas parties!! Oh, glad I won't have to suffer thru that any more!!

I did put out some food for the stray kitties. And just after I did it, DH went outside and I thought for sure he would see it and get mad. Thank goodness he didn't!! I need to take a peek as soon as it gets light out and see if any was eaten. I didn't see any paw tracks, so maybe they are sleeping elsewhere.

Well, yogurt sounds good, so I'm gonna get some and listen to the news before I take off for the huff and puff. I really need to get serious about this- I could barely squeeze into my only pair of dress pants. And looking at myself in the mirror I was disgusted- I need a minimizer for up top and a girdle for the lower level. ugh...

I was long winded- Darius beat me today!! LOL Good luck!!

Good morning to everyone! If I don't mention you by name, rest assured I've read your postings. It's getting to the busy/crazy time. Happy trails, Darius! Here's to a good road trip, with no snow, rain, ice, sleet, flying monkeys or other hazards!!

Starting another batch of cookies (who's going to eat all these? Not me, I better send them over to Sarv!)

I'm so disgusted. I mailed a package of frozen brats to IO1 early last Wednesday, priority mail, promised two day delivery, and she still hasn't gotten them. I was watching the temps down in GA, and when it hit 40* I figured they would be safe enough for a couple of days. Bahhhh! I should have known.

I'm pretty well shopped out. Stuff I ordered on line has all arrived safely, the spare bedroom looks like Gimbel's basement, and I'm going to have to start thinking about wrapping. Time is getting short. Still haven't heard a word from youngest DD, so the gifts for her two kids will get there via elder DD. Wish she would grow up and get a grip.

I picked up three more dinner plates yesterday. Now I have 12, so that's enough. Still cruising for some dessert, salad and soup bowls. I think I paid too much for the plates, but that's life. I'll just call this binge my Christmas present to myself.

Ann, you have been so busy with your various performances! It sounds as though all has gone well, and I am glad for you. If you or Dcat want to adopt a stuffed cat, I have an opportunity for you! I bought the critter below at a craft sale a couple years ago and decided it wasn't one of my better ideas after I got it home. Looks a little scary, no?

Feed those kitties Sarv! It's cold out there! They don't sound feral if they are playing with your domesticated cat, or else they are very young. I see a neighbor's barn cat crossing the yard occasionally, he's huge, and has a fur coat a bear would envy. He never comes near the house, just prowls around the wooded areas looking for a stray mouse or some other small snack. He runs if he sees someone nearby, but he looks well fed.

GG, your neighbor is to be pitied, imagine going through life that stupid. Poor Junior, he just wanted to play. What a shame.

Kooger, I hope the MIL does ok with the prep for the colonoscopy, it's hard enough on the ablebodied to make those visits to the porcelaine throne, let alone someone elderly or unsteady on their feet. That is worrisome.
Nice that you have a new neighbor with lots of room to indulge in a fresh start. I have such a hodge podge, if I were to start over, I would certainly plan better. I have a tendance to stick things in the ground just to see if they will grow, and then end up moving them because they got bigger than I thought, spread too far, or didn't do well in the first location. Makes life interesting.

Leaflady, I find the only thing that prevents me from blimping up over the holidays is to focus on the green and/or crunchy raw veggies before the main meal so that I don't dive in like a starving animal. I love all the carbs, so I have to fool my appetite beforehand. I will, however, sacrifice the second helping of mashed potatos for the a slice of pie!

The butter has reached room temp so I'm going to start some Mexican Wedding cakes.

Here's that stuffed critter.

What a great stuffed cat!

Just home from town with the U-Haul. Feels like driving a semi compared to my little old Nissan pickup. Movers should be here soon. Internet connection to end today so I'll be back when I can.

Kitties are just babies... so cute. Darius - what an adventure for you!! Put on some lipstick in case you have truck trouble - gotta impress those men that stop to help! LOL

Just got into a box of tomato/basil wheat thins. If you haven't tried them - get a box...

Who's making cookies for me??? I haven't even started baking yet... Think I could doctor up some oreos to look like santa?

Fare WELL, Darius!! Wishing you all the best on your trip. (And thanks for starting the Daily for me!)

I'm still having trouble loading the DG site. Everything else on my Favorites list loads instantly...it's only DG that insists on giving me fits. It took over 10 minutes to load this thread and there was nothing in it! I even dumped the cookies, closed the browser and rebooted from cold start...same thing happened. Maybe DG has put me on a "SLOW THAT PERSON DOWN" list. :-) If any of you ever go to the Foodnetwork site and if it's really slow for you to load...think 10 times that for DG to load.

I'd sure appreciate any help thinking up the reason for this and please offer any help and/or trouble shooting I might do to fix it. (I'm very sure that the problem is not a bug such as a virus. I'm running AVG for those...and it's constantly upgraded. Remember it's *only* THIS site.

Hi to everyone, while I'm here...

Oh, and if anyone falls into the 'Black hole' today...please watch where you put your feet...my head is down there below the surface of the BOTTOM...you might step on me. :-#

TTYL,
~julie~

Julie, have you emptied the cache?

Good morning. 0 degrees here this morning just like every day for about the past 10. I thought it was supposed to warm up and snow. We have our friends here again, just the parents of the missionary family who spent Thanksgiving with us, the girls have classes and couldn't come. Their father is working on the hope chests he is building for all of them, using my Hubby's shop and tools. Their mom and I might go shopping, I need to buy gifts for the girls and she can help, then we can get them wrapped and the gifts can go home with them. They brought the dog with them so we can keep him for them while the family goes to California for a family wedding, We will have the part time dog here for a few weeks until we can figure out how to get him back to his family.

Tis the season when clothes shrink for sure. I have cookies to bake, fruitcakes to make, and will do a fair amount of sampling but will also keep an eye on the scale. I guess I have pretty good will power. That and the exercise machine in the basement that gets some attention every time I think about it.

Gotta run. Everybody have a good day. Look for the funny stuff.

Morning all
I've been running round in circles the past few days and haven't been posting a lot. The house is a wreck so if anyone has a mind to come clean ... just come on. I'll be glad to have you. Everyone sounds so smart with all the baking, etc. I don't do any baking as the DH doesn't eat sweets and I don't need the temptation. Since it's just the two of us, I've found that's the best thing to do.

M5, I'm soooo sorry the package didn't arrive as promised. You just can't depend on the mail anymore. It was so very sweet of you to think of us. I hate you went to that expense and it didn't arrive. ;-(

Darius, you be careful out there. Hope you have a safe trip and you get to read this.

Julie, here ... take my hand and let me pull you out of that black hole. Remember, you've got friends, okay? As far as DG not loading ... the only thing I've tried other than what you've mentioned is deleting what's in my fav and starting over. But then, guess you did mention that. LOL

Sarv, do you have an extra yogurt? That does sound good this morning ... and I don't have any.

Ann, I have been in the audiance at church before when the music was so moving I couldn't contain myself and had to clap. It was either that or me make a complete fool of myself and stand up and shout or something. LOL That's a great honor. I thought of you yesterday. The DH and I went to a Christmas shop, and while we were in there they were playing a CD of bells. I told the DH ... "listen, that reminds me of Ann." He knew who I was talking about, because I had him in here listening to your music the other night. :)

Leaflady, glad to see you posting here. I've seen you on the healthy living thread. You'll have to keep us straight. We often have fattening things on our siber counter. LOL Hope you and Jack are doing better.

To everyone else, please know I'm thinking about you. I've got to get going today so I'll check back later.
Hugs to all ... Elaine

hi y'als,
Didn'tget to post yesterday because I was buzzing around like a bluetailed fly. I did read what you were all up too - but thet was sometime around midnight and I was too shattered to respond.
Darius - drive safe and take care - we will be waiting to hear from you as soon as you land somewhere with connections!!
Julie -just reach out and grip on there is a hand here that will do its best to haul you up an inc or so, and plenty more that will lend their pulling power to get you out of that hole. Its what we are here for in your cyber-kitchen.
Ann those bells are charming - I'm so glad it all went well.
DGD has reached the "Why" stage - she wanted to know why there were parcels under our Christmas tree. Why she couldn't open them now, why it wasn't Christmas yet. Why we waited for Christmas - you get the picture!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I always try and answer each of their whys with a sensible reason but sometimes it gets tough to explain things so that a 2 year old can understand. I used to get really upset when I was small if folks responded with,"Because it is" or "Because I say so" and always swore I would never do it, so far I have managed, both with my own kids and the grandbabies, but sometimes its very tempting! ;>)))
Got to run again - today is going to be busy, back later.
Carol
The Odd One

Back from the work out joint, Ace hardware and the post office. Pkg is off in the mail for my folks- whew - I am always relieved when that job is done. Didn' t insure it and it will be my luck that something happens this year...Sent it the slowest and cheapest I could get...

Stopped on the way home to give some $$ to McD's. Just a small cheeseburger and senior drink (love those now that I found out about them!! ) Came home and changed my clothes all ready to pick up MIL for the doc appt. Going to force her to go to Hobby Lobby with me - 1/2 off on scrapbooking stuff and I want some. I think she needs to get out more. All she does is sit in her chair at home...how boring. She lives in the dark ages.

Julie - every once in awhile I cannot load DG. Drives me crazy. I usually don't have the patience to wait and just shut things down and visit later. It has never lasted as long as yours tho and since I am computer illerate, I will be of no use to you. I can't even start a new thread or post a pic. How's that for dumb. I want you to get your fanny outta that hole - grab a big cookie or something that makes you happy!! We'll all jump in the hole after the holidays when we see the girth of our butts.

IO1- I am absolutely hooked on yogurt. I get the thick and creamy and have one for breakfast every day - better than my oreos!! A friend of mine told me NOT to eat it as it was linked to ovarian cancer. Oh well, I think everything has a link somehow....everything in moderation...

Kooger- how old is MIL?? I think when you reach a certain age, why bother with all that stuff. My mother is 81 and never had one and says she isn't going to either. I don't blame her a bit.

DH is going to cut down three huge pines that decided to give up the ghost in my shade bed. I have a ton of plants jammed in there and told him he couldn't touch the trees until the ground froze. He has a bug up his butt to get it done. I wanted to leave about six foot of the trunk standing and put wire around it and plant some clematis. He nixed that idea, saying the trunk would rot. My clematis that I have growing up the pine trees are gorgeous!! I think he just doesn't want to bother putting up more wire. Not use fighting about tho (I pick my fights!! )

Time to add more wood to the fire...then think about what to cook for dinner.

Good Afternoon! I have been reading through the posts, but didn't respond to anything since Saturday. I was in a funk yesterday and just hit the couch for a couple hours before going out to take DGS home and do a little shopping with DH. I think I needed a little down time. With 2 weeks left until the big day, stress is setting in big time. I will be doing 2 christmas dinners this year. One on Christmas day for my family and one on Monday for DH's family. Lots of left overs so I won't have to cook for the rest of the week.

Darius - If you get back to read this, I hope you have a safe, uneventful journey.

I have one of the stuffed cats some of you have been talking about. My youngest cat will get it no matter where I put it. I had it ontop of a wine rack that sits on top of my hoosier cabinet and she still got it. Someone told me they were made with rabbit fur, so maybe the scent is still there?

Lunch break is over. See ya later

Yep, I'm still online. I think they will b finished packing both trucks in another hour and a half.... more time ($$) than I anticipated. Unloadint to storage will be a snap since it's only 2/3 of the stuff and we can park by the door.

Looks like I may be on my way this evening even if just for a few miles!

Well, time to shut down. Have a great day everyone, talk with you in a couple -3 days.

Well good afternoon folks. This morning started cleaning, and DH even pitched in to run the vacuum. So it's all done, ran an errand, and am back home. The real truth, DH buys and sells stock on an internet site, and he was on all morning, and I couldn't get at the computer. The cleaning part is the truth. I still have several things to get done today, but am taking a break. I changed the beds today, and they are made again. Just love the clean sheet feeling. If it wasn't so much work, I would change them every day!!

I haven't started any baking yet. Will probably wait until the first of next week. Going to make some peanut brittle too, but will wait until the end of this week to do that. Then have a few more things to pick up for DGD, and other than an order that I haven't received, it's done.

Julie, take my hand, I'll help you out. Was down there last week, but am about half way back up. come on I'll wait for you. Darn don't you just hate it when that happens?

101 I wish I could come help you clean, if I were closer, I would. You know I could probably get by with just half-way doing yours, as long as I got the sticky off the floor!! LOL

Well my break is officially over, so will get the rear in gear, back later.

Hello, everyone!

Well, we got DD home safe and sound last night. Planned to be home by 11:00 pm, or later, but made it before 9:30 pm. She feels like she is still staying in "host home." She asked if she could have something to eat, and later started to say "if you don't mind, I think I'll go to bed." The dog and cats were very happy to see her!

I read some of yesterdays thread. Babs - good thing your CC company was on the ball! One way people are stealing credit card numbers is to take a picture with their cell phone.

Jody

GM all! It's still morning here for another 45 minutes. I had a rather eventful 4 shifts at work and was so tired when I got home early this morning, I slept until 1030! Unheard of for me. I usually get home around 1230, but sometimes depending on what's happening, I'm at work until 0200-0230. I finally got out of there at 0220 and when I got home, collapsed in the recliner and slept! Hubby even went to work and I didn't hear a thing. He was either quiet as a mouse or I was sleeping so hard I didn't hear him.

Hubby called a bit ago and said he talked to the people at the CC company who have traced our card use to a California address now. The CC has been inactivated and we won't be responsible for any of the charges made other than the one at ACE Hardware on Saturday. They've actually been very good to us. It's hard to fathom how quickly ones numbers can be stolen and passed around to the bad guys. It was a matter of less than 1.5 hours from the time hubby made the purchase until the first purchase by the criminals was made. I still think it was the clerk at the hardware store who stole the number and maybe sold it to someone else. The police think so too as the clerk has been questioned and there is an investigation ongoing now. The accounts person at ACE has been asked to pull up all the cash drawer files of this particular clerks' since she started working at ACE. Seems according to the police there's a bit of a pattern showing.

One of the things the police told us was, (and we do this anyway), don't sign your credit card and write on the back of your card, "Picture ID must accompany any purchase", and when any clerk asks to see your card, keep your finger over the signature strip where the 3 digit *code* is so they can't see that number. He also said, NEVER allow any clerk to handle your card, they may look at it while you hold it but they don't have to handle the card themselves.

Our VISA card also has our pictures on them. I don't know how many of the CC's do this, but Bank of America's VISA card allows you to do this. We had our pictures embossed on the cards several years ago when we took the CC. Unfortunately, the purchases that were made were via telephone and internet.

So, other than that, I've got plans to do laundry today, figure out what to make for supper though hubby will be late coming home today. He has Captain's Mast and Courts Martial to hold @ 1600 so he'll be late. He's making an example of a sailor who committed a horrific offence by holding mast, then at the last second before pronouncing punishment he's going to remand him over for Special Courts Martial (the skipper of the base will hold Courts Martial) and it will be an open session in front of 850 troops. Maybe this will get their attention and make them understand that DUI's will not be tolerated! After the Courts Martial, the sailor will be Admin Separated from the military, stripped of his rank, uniforms and all military accoutrement's will be confiscated, his ID will be taken and he will be put outside the gate (by Security) with only the clothes he has on his back, a $200 bus ticket and what personal effects he can carry. It's a shame this has to happen, but this is not the first offence for this person and when someone takes out 11 vehicles and 90 feet of chain link fence, and destroyed a civilian's front yard by spinning his tires and made ruts over the entire length of the property, then continues driving off the island and is caught by the local constabulary because of the erratic driving, then something has to be done Between the vehicles, fence and yard, the estimated cost of damages is >$20,000.

I hope everyone is well today. Please know I send my best wishes to each of you.

Darius, in case you still have your computer up and running, I send my most fervent wishes for a very pleasant and safe trip for you. I know you will have much to do in the coming days, but a new life is awaiting you and I pray for your health, safety and happiness. Let us know as soon as you can that you are well and safely ensconced in your new home.

As ever, ~Babs~

Babs,

I think most CC companies now have computers tracing purchasing patterns full time. Fraudulent use of card numbers doesn't always involve getting anumber from a card. Sometimes, they just run lists of numbers and eventually get a valid one.

A number of years ago, we had a call in regard to ours. Within an hour or so of the first fraudulent use of our number, they phoned us to see if we had our cards because the purchasing pattern didn't fit ours (gas stations for way more gas than would fit in our vehicles, etc). The card was invalidated and we had new ones within a few days (good thing because we had a trip to Scotland a week later).

A friend of ours went to Montreal to shop for a wedding gown for her daughter - bought that and a mother of the bride outfit and wasn't even home yet before her DH had a call about the use of the card. and MY DH flits around the world so fast, that we occasionally get calls about where the card has been used. Most of the time the use is legit, but it's a good thing they keep track.

Hope the perpetrators of fraud in your case are caught.

More later. Been busy most of the day.
Ann

Back from MIL blood work - we actually had a great time!! She's on a new med and sounds better (breathing is not so labored) Stopped at Hobby Lobby and bought a ton. She didn't mention laying off DH, but did say there just isn't any work. I never answered her. But outta the blue DH said 'when I get laid off, I'll just find something else" That is a first for him....

Babs - clerks take our CC and scan it and then sometimes (but not often) compare the signature. I always make a comment that I am glad to see that they compare signatures. My best friend uses her mother's CC all the time. She says no one checks~~mighty scarey if you ask me!

Glad to see that they are throwing the book at the guy who caused all the damage. I'm sick of people doing stupid things and expecting no punishment. And if I hear the excuse 'I came from a bad home life" I'm gonna puke. Do the crime, pay the time or fine. Wrong is wrong. (stepping down from the soap box now)

DH is cooking tonight (and gagggg) He fried up some brats, sliced them in half, and added a ton of onion and sliced up sweet potato. I don't know where he thinks up these things...maybe my diet will start tonight!! LOL

Continues to be freezing cold in this neck of the woods - although the sun was out for a bit and made me feel like a hundred bucks!! Love to see it!! But snow coming tonight and a major storm later in the week. ugh.

Dinner time - I'd put some on the counter, but you all wouldn't touch it either!!

sarv - what was that commercial? - give it to Mikie, he'll eat anything!

Actually I like all of the ingredients, just never would have thought about that "particular" combination!

Update!!! The local constabulary just came to my home a short time ago. They need a signature from either my hubby or I and since I'm home and he's at the base, they took my signature. It does turn out the clerk at ACE Hardware is the culprit. Apparently she's been selling credit card numbers to a ring of users in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The fraud folks went to her home with a warrant and found many things that have been purchased on other people credit cards as well as bundles of $50 bills that are counterfeit. She also has a plate maker that embosses numbers on blank credit card stock and places photocopied banque logos on those blanks. She also had several debit cards that have been taken in home burglaries. Looks like she's part of a ring, so she's been taken into custody, all the hardware store files from her cash drawers since she was hired have been taken as evidence and she's cooling her jets in the hoosegow for the time being. The officer that came to the house said she has a boyfriend they are looking for and has several warrants against him from California as well as here in Washington. He's already served some time for breaking and entering, assault and armed robbery. Sounds like a nice couple, eh? I'm sure there will be more that's discovered before this investigation is over with, but I'm glad they caught her and will be putting her and her boyfriend out of business.

Sarv, you're so funny. I can just imagine your DH making supper. I think I'd like the brats and onions, but I'm not so sure that fried sweet potatoes added to the pile would be quite to my taste. I do however like sweet potatoes :-) I do most of the cooking in our home, though hubby does upon occasion take a turn in the kitchen. When we first married, he couldn't even make a pot of coffee, now he's added a few things to his retinue. He can open a can of veggies, he's able to toss some Schwan's something-or-other in the Flavour Wave Oven and even put a salad together. I won't complain. He's pretty good about doing that when he knows I've been working my hiney long shifts and have no energy left for meal preparation.

Well, lunch break is over and I need to get back to my chores. I've still got the bed to make and I need to run next door and check on the neighbours animals. They just got back from a trip to Colorado to visit with his family and two days after they flew in he started having terrible pain and couldn't get it under control. He's 51 with pancreatic cancer and has been undergoing chemo for the last 10 months. His wife has taken him to a hospital in Seattle and is staying there, so I'm caring for their critters. I'd bring Murdy cat over here but DH is very allergic to cats, so I have to leave Murdy at home. The yellow lab (Banjo) is here with my BT's and they have had a wonderful time chasing each other through the house and out in the back yard. At the moment, they are all sleeping on the love seat, poor Banjo has two BT's with their heads propped up on his ribs. LOL

Laters gang! ~Babs~

Babs and Ann.

Thanks for the info on the credit cards. I never thought anything of giving my CC to the clerk. What do you do if SHE wants to swipe it???? on her cash register? I think Sam's does that....

Hugs to all.
Hap

Wow, fast action catching those crooks! I'm sure you were pivotal in catching them as you were there to answer the call from your CCC which enabled them to pinpoint the location where the card # was stolen!! They aren't at all smart are they? Hope they like jail, interstate fraud carries larger penalties.

Been busy all day but needed to drop in and catch up. Sarv, I like all the menu items but not together!!

Tried putting up some Christmas decorations, but can't get myself in the mood. Maybe next weekend. DH hasn't done all the outside lights either, which he usually likes to do.

No idea what to make for supper, don't feel like exerting myself, maybe throw some polish sausage in the oven with beans. Can't be worse than sweet potatos and onions....LOL

Hey Julie I thought someone else was down here!! I'm just really decompressing from a "little disagreement" with my 14 year old daughter....I've had teens for 5 straight years now, and it seems like there's no end in sight, and no one on my side, and FORGET about a compliment, a hello, a thank you...well, you;ve probably been there done that, I know it will pass....but it doesn't make for Christmas cheer.

Enough whining.

BABS!! THat is amazing, the crook at Ace hardware! They are so brazen now. I guess the good news is they did get caught. But it sounds like something from tv, not just a trip to the hardware store!

Oh boy, timers going off everywhere, i'll be back

dmc......I too had a 15 yo daughter. and my ((((HUGS)))) to out to you. Do you have boys? I had 2 boys and then a GRIL.....yes, I know how to spell....but the GR comes too quickly....

At 12, she looked 18 and at 15 she looked 22 and passed the acid test both times.....

One day, SHE was having a hard time and as usual I stuck to my guns. She finally came down stairs, knowing she was in deep do-do and apologized. "Can we be Friends now".... I told her NO......later, maybe...........right now, I am your MOTHER!!!! That set her straight for a lot of years. She is now 42, (survived somehow) and we are the best of friends. I don't know what I would do without her. She now is my soul mate.

Babs, I really was wondering about you yesterday....I was afraid that you fell for the scam that when the Card Comp. calls and asks for you Private ID, that you had another type of scammer on your tail. They have the CC number, but need the ID on the back. Of course, when people hear that they have the correct CC #, they are all too willing to give the last three private numbers. Oh, what is this world coming too.

GG, I still can not address the problem that you had with the other puppy. Can you call the Police or SPCA and report him? Or is it too late?
Nightmares are a'comin'........ Then my DS tells me about a wounded deer on his property. OH,,,WHAT A NIGHT.....

Hap

This message was edited Dec 12, 2005 6:48 PM

tgif- our first born was named Mikey!! LOL Actually dinner wasn't too terribly bad. I had a small bowlful (just love sweet potatoes!!) But theres a ton of leftovers...

DH went to bed at 6:30PM! yes PM. I was so ticked at him. He told me he was tired...I let him have it with both barrels. He'll be up to watch the beloved wrestling tho!! Then I will go to bed!! It is always this way at the holidays at our house - we are at each others throats until the whole holiday blast is over. Been this way for 37 yrs and will probably continue until we check out. I can never figure out why this happens, but it is almost tradition. I think we both get too stressed to think straight.

Glad they caught the CC crooks! Man, they were into it big time! I just can't understand stealing..... My brother tells me I am a goodie two shoes and I don't understand the real world. Guess not...but I prefer being honest. I can sleep at night (unless I'm in the hot flash mode)

See everyone tomorrow morning- gonna read a couple of chapters in a new book

dmc...I know *just* what you're saying. Mine two boys are all grown up now. But one has 'given' me a 17 yo DGD that I have a hard time wrapping my head around. This young "lady" tell this grandmother things that I don't think *my* grandmother ever *knew* much less spoke to *ME* about! :-O (It gets a little tense in the embarrassment dept - on G'ma's end...but I guess it's better that she has 'someone' to talk to who will at least give her a balanced view of the activities I'd rather not discuss anyway. LOL)

Needless to say, I'm beginning to climb on someone's shoulders in BH I've been in. ;-) (Thanks for the grips, and the yanks, and shoulders, you guys...I appreciate it more than you know.) Dh has been trying SOoooo hard to find some way to make me smile, some way *not* to push my buttons or accidently trip my trigger. (I love you hun!) I feel so sorry for the guy...even if it IS "all his fault". hehehe

I laughed so hard at (and with) my DGD tonight, that the good hormones are ruling at the moment. (OK ladies...all I can tell you about the conversation I had with DGD is that we talked about things you might not even talk to you most very bestest ever friend (without blushing.) And would you believe, she's coming back tomorrow? LOL I think we'll make cookies...seems a bit more comfortable.

I can't remember who it was that was telling us about the CC fraud, but I'm glad that got taken care of...and SO fast! I had my own little CC episode a few minutes ago and I'm still furious about it. I can't figure out WHY, when we call "Customer Service" that we can't talk to a person who *understands* ENGLISH!! Really ticks me off when the person on the other end of the line can't pronounce his OWN name, much less MINE!

Oh well...Dish Network won't be providing my satellite service much longer anyway. (:-P)

Now...whining over...deep breath taken...hands not shaking quite a bad as when I started...

Guess what? DG is loading normally for me now! HOORAY!!! (Yeah, right! After I dumped my cookies and couldn't get into my Bank Account. LOL) I do have to say that I got a lot more done when I wasn't checking the computer all day. hehehe

The tree is up...the lights are on it...and now I begin the fun part of pulling out the ornaments *and* the memories. This year, the Christmas will be more ON the tree than UNDER it. Is this what happens when all the kids and grandkids get all grown up? (Hand them the gift certificate and eat the dinner? LOL)

Guess I'd better do a little reading to catch up.

I'll be back later to start the daily for tomorrow.

~julie~

LOL I should have saved my Christmas poem for closer to the holiday! We'll all be 90 miles past frazzled by the 26th.

Teenagers, can't believe I survived dragging mine through the 70s. I remind them often how good it was of me to let them live. I butted heads with the older two most of the time, and I think the world of them now, and the youngest seems never to have grown out of her teen attitude and she's 45 this year. No matter where you draw the line, they will cross it and drive you nuts. Then, at some point, they become human, and you stop feeling like you are walking a tight rope.

Got four more bowls tonight. Man, I'm just raking them in!! Three place settings came today, perfect and beautifully packed.

Have lots of cookies, help yourselves. I'm going to watch the boob tube for a while and try to catch up on the stuff I dvr'd, there aren't enough hours in the day. See y'all in the morning.

I am surprised that they were able to catch the CC theifs so quickly. Usually its a red tape nightmare and by the time they are able to do something the people doing it are long gone. So very glad it worked out in favor of the good this time.

Meezer, at this rate you will have a seating for each of us to join you for a really nice meal. i just found out today that the china my mother originally gave to my daughter was sold at a yard sale by my brothers roommate. I actually cried over that one. Do people have no sense of history or memories anymore. This entire town is more into remembering the past instead of preserving it. Sad

I grabbed a few cookies, dont really care what kind, so long as they are sweet and soft.

Hope all are having a great evening.

Casey

Finally installed. Two installers from the Stove store came by about 9:30 this morning and left about 2:30. Now we have a nice little gas heater in the open Living/Dining/Kitchen area. Replaced the wood burner years ago with a Pellet stove, took the Pellet stove to the cabin when the gas furnace was installed, and have had an empty spot for the last 5 or more years. It looks good, heats well and was a closeout at $300 off. (cold isn't good) Had to take out some shelving in the garage to run the iron gas line and threw away 15 years worth of dried up paint, rusty junk, old papers and receipts. Should do that more often.

Having a dish of Irish Cream ice cream. A new one from Fred Meyers. Sarv, it has oreo chunks in it!!!!! DW made a tasty dinner of tacos, and some cold asparagus on the side. Now's the time to sit back and watch the tube for a bit. Surprised myself tonight. Copied all the christmas card list onto my Mac's Address Book and managed to print the whole thing on labels. (the second time around) A real accomplishment for this computer neophyte. Would ttype more but it feels like I should take a little rest.
nite all

forgot to add a picture of the stove. (and DW)

Tomorrow's DAILY is UP in the Parking Lot.
Here's a link if you need it: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/562345/

Hope you all rest well...and wake fresh and ready to meet the new day.

~julie~

Just been lurking to busy playing nurse ,cook , laundress,grocery shopper, house cleaner, kennel boy and who knows what else I am not ever giving up my day job which I am way better at than this drugery. Wow she had three kids and did this and worked to and about a fourth of the time I was in Alaska summers and sometimes the fall being pampered so I could concentrate on the job at hand and fish after work for relaxiation lol take me back there right now. Ernie

Babs, good to have you back. Sleeping in the recliner, you must have been super tired. Glad they caught the skunk that abused your credit card. Usually not so fast. That was a cute word picture you painted about neighbors dogs, with your BT resting on him/her?

Viola Ann, sure hope they keep as good a watch on my CC as they did on BABS.

Sarv, supper sounds awful. Some left on the counter, no thanks. Separately, the ingredients are okay, but I don't think mixed together.

Meezer, you supper sounds like it was not a gourmet meal either!!

Julie, Great News, The BH can last a whole lot longer. Don't you just wish people would keep their comments to themselves?

Bal, the stove looks great. We have a fireplace that has never been used. DH thinks that it might smoke, and smoke up the house. I am the one who paints, so who cares? I have been looking at the ventless kind. I think a fire is just too good.

Sarv, you said you and DH stay at each other's throats during the holidays, so do we. DH accuses me of instigating the fights, but honestly, I don't. He says I am insecure about what I am getting for a present, and turn nasty and mean, and accuse him of not getting me anything. DGD told me this weekend that he had me a "good present" this year. Don't know what that would be. I asked her if it was a greenhouse, a roto tiller, she just giggled and said that it was way smaller than that.

Well Darius is surely on her way to Florida now. I hope that she has an uneventful trip, and arrives safely. She will sure be a help to Molly. Hope they all enjoy the holidays together.

I spent the evening paying bills, sending cards, and packaging seeds to go out tomorrow. I am planning on going to DM tomorrow and finishing DGD throw for Christmas present. I still have about 4 gifts to buy, so may reserve Wednesday for that.

Well, I am going to go to bed, as I have had a busy day. To all I didn't address, not ignoring you, just tired. When you get up in the morning, there will be fresh bacon and buttermilk biscuits on the counter, help yourself.

Good night all.

Ernie, being a Housewife is a tough job. Don't wish to be out of commission, but I think this is good education for every husband. Hang in there, it will get better.

Whew, Good Evening All,

Had a Looooong day shopping in Eau Claire. Got All the gifts for my Sunday School kids, my nieces, me cousin's little ones, my Gran, my Mom and a close friend of the family. I don't know how many stores we went to (Gran went with me,,,,needed to take a couple extra Anti-Anxiety meds,,,LOL Bless her heart, and I Love her with all my heart,,,however, sometimes she drives me crazy)

Best part of the say was meeting marie_ for lunch. Waitress had to come back 3 times for our order as we didn't have time to look at the menu,,,we were too busy gabbing,,LOL,,,had a wonderful lunch,,,gabbed some more until Gran got way antsy and *insisted* we had to go. Didn't get home from all that shopping until 7:00.

Stopped at a gas station in town to fill Grans car with gas,,,,cell phone rings,,,it's Bill, "Am I fending for myself tonight or are you coming home",,,wanted to say *Git R Done* but said I'd be right home. gggrrrr, you'd think he could just figure Something out for dinner,,,,not like we have no food in the house. But, you know how some guys are. They work Hard all day. I on the other hand sit around watching the soaps and eating Bon Bon's all day,,,,gggrrrrr. Can't Wait til the holiday's are over!!!! He Hates them and it really brings me down,,,,like I need anymore of that,,,Julie watch out below,,,I'm comin' to keep you company.

I sometimes have problems getting around in DG,,,,drives me nuts. I also have completely emptied everything I can, shut puter down and started all over again, only to have the same problem,,,usually lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Maybe d-mail Admin and see what's up????

Glad they got the CC stuff figured out so quickly. Hope those people like metal bars.

Thanks for the comments about Junior,,,prolly too late to do anything. Before that they were really good with him. A different neighbor girl would go over and get him and take him next door to her house and put him on the trampoline for awhile,,,he Loved it. Then she would sit in one of those swinging chairs with him curled up in her lap,,,,he loved that even more.

Sorry about all that whining, better stop now,,,don't want to bore you with the really sad stuff. Well, have some stuff left to do tonight. Sorry I didn't comment on many particulars, I did read all the posts, just have to get going and get that stuff done. Have a good night all. If I have time tomorrow between the soaps and the Bon Bon's will check in tomorrow.

God Bless All,
Kelly

dmcdevitt - I had a button when my kids were teens that said something like "Please me nice. I have a teenager" And my younger daughter led us round and round. Now she's 31 and it's amazing the transformation.

babs- Glad they caught your CC fraud artists. Sounds like they were running quite a large operation.

I spent the evening at the Food Cupboard. We handed out food for 249 people (60 plus families) and store vouchers that they can use for turkeys to 36 families. Some of those families were in JUST for the Christmas help (about 10 more families than got food). Smaller families (under 3) get a chircken or small ham. The shelves up there look like a bomb hit them. This is typical and I would expect a similar number on Wednesday and Friday. Maybe next Monday too. On the 20th, they get Child Tax Credit cheques which is what many of our families live on. (Those on assistance have it clawed back from their assistance cheques $ for $ and sometimes don't even get enough in their assistance cheques to pay their rent.)

I managed to get the data entry done this evening; so I can pretty well stay away tomorrow. Will be there all day Wednesday and Friday. But Wednesday evening, I've got plans to play string quartets.

Coming home this evening was the first time my car felt REALLY cold this year. It's supposed to be -20 C tonight which is pretty good and cold. It was a lovely sunny day and while the air temp was chilly, the sun warmed one up so we hardly noticed. I'm thankful for the seat heaters in my car which give out noticeable warmth through my coat about a mile from home.

Good night all.

Ann