Coffee and...For Christmas Eve, 2005

Here's the Daily...
Continued from: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/563721/

And here's the way I think most of us feel...(just wait until tomorrow!)
:-)

~julie~

Merry Christmas to ALL!!
I am still decorating the tree. Kiddos have had enough.
Drinking a nice tall.....glass of water! Aren't I good?

Seriously, I'm feeling so much better coming in to the finish line, with kids home safely, horses tucked into their stalls,kitties curled by the fire, dogs flaked out on the couch. The blessings become very apparent in the cozy house with everyone safe.

Since I don't have little kids, we will have a peaceful Christmas day i'm sure. With Emily home from her first semester at college, they all have things to talk about,and plans to make. It's a nice respite from the really hectic little kid Christmases, and a prelude to the years when there are inlaws and people all move away. So I'm going to just focus on the blessings.

I hope you all are finding peace and joy in your homes with family and friends and memories that warm your hearts!!
Merry Christmas
Love
Dorothy

I miss having family at Christmas. My DD, SIL, and DGD didn't get to come down this year for Christmas from Indiana. My DD is in graduate school and had to get a project completed for that. I was very disappointed. My DS is in Tulsa and will come up tomorrow and go out to dinner with us tomorrow night. Both my parents and DH's parents aren't with us anymore and that is sad. We always got together with them at Christmas.

I am happy and content with my kitties, doggies and DH really I am. I am very blessed with all I have and I know it.

Christmas seems to come around so quickly anymore. It seems like I was just taking down decorations from last Christmas and here we are again. Time really does speed up when you get older. I feel like I spin through my days.

Well, I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!

Susan
=^..^=

Mary, for question #1, let me tell you what we do:
We use the clay, because the clumping kind sticks to their paws. Usually, we change the box every 2 days and inbetween, dip out the "logs". We keep the box at about 2". Both cats share the box - the vet had noticed that these two in particular got along well together before we brought them home, so they don't have strong territorial issues.

question #2 - Good thing they're both female - that'll help. Let me begin with a personal experience.

Up until JT and St Ray, all our cats were allowed outdoors when we were home during the day and they kept their claws.

Years ago, Shirley was a big ol' barn cat DH's cousin gave us (wish I had taken a picture of her riding the neighbor's German shepherd bareback in the garage - she was one fierce pus). Pearl was a small local 6 month stray (unforgettable courtship of her parents - one afternoon before her birth, her mother raced across the back yard, a moment passed, and then a horde of male cats, numerous enough to darken the earth, came charging after her), and Louise was a small 6 month Siamese given to us by some friends who said Louise wouldn't let them sleep at night.

We kept them separate at first - everyone had separate rooms, litter boxes, bowls, etc. The vet told us, when we first let them together, to keep sauce pans of water handy and throw it on them when things heated up too much. Well, between the sauce pans of water and the ability of the two younger ones to perch in places Shirley couldn't get to, they all survived the early months (Pearl discovered a way to get inside the lining of the bathtub and only came out around 5:00 am).

Eventually, the little ones grew larger and they sorted out their differences among themselves. So, I would expect your two kitties would probably test their boundaries with each other at first, and would need some referreeing from you. JT has wound up with us because her previous owner had cats that never accepted her.

There have been some flying paws here, but both cats are declawed (per vet's recommendation) and they will never be allowed out (per vet's insistence). It really was wonderful to pick out 2 cats from a clinic that knew all the personalities and group chemistries of its cats to the nth degree. They don't part with any cat until they know the personalities of adopting humans to the nth degree, either.

Hope this helps.

Maria, Carol and Dorothy, that was interesting about the history of Christmas customs. This past November, on our way to a trail, we were snagged by a farmer selling apples to help a group of pilgrim reenacters/interpreters do their thing. Well, I did a little research and discovered that the early pilgrims did not believe in celebrating Christmas. Now, here I thought it was the tree and caroling they were shunning, but actually it was the Yule log. I wonder if there were any other significances to the Yule log not apparent to us now? Darius? Do you know?

Dorothy, good for you drinking the water.

Well, g'night all. So glad for good news of Darius and Molly.

Susan, "spinning through the days" - not when you have writer's block!

Well finally postedin yesteday's thread. Had trouble getting it to open.

The kitty litter box issue. I have 2 cats one indoor and one outdoor. In the winter,I let the outdoor cat into the laundry room and the indoor cat goes outside, when necessary. I have been changing the litter about once a week. I buy the cheapest clay, non clumping litter, and it does well. These cats have never shared a litter box, and other than removing the "logs" stays fresh. Mary just let them find their own way, and then you can deal with it accordinly. All cats are different, the indoor cat, is laid back, and the outdoor cat was raised with a dog, so sees herself more as a go along, get along type.

Well, as I said before, eyes are closing, so off to bed.

Good Night Gracie.

Susan, I'm away from my family also ... although I'm very lucky to have my DH's family. I count my blessings for having such a wonderful family. It is hard to be away from your own, though. I've missed watching the niece and nephews growing up. They're all grown now ... 1 married. When you're not close by to see them often ... it makes a difference with the relationship. Christmas is a lot different when you don't have children, also. We always have presents for my girl and stocking stuffers for each other. I got the DH some smell good, hamkerchief's and pocket T's ... oh and a calendar. I was sneaky this year and that was fun. I hope everyone has a really nice day on Christmas eve. Today when we went to see the DH's great uncle I got all teary eyed again over DG and how wonderful everyone has been to me. We have so much to be thankful for. Okay, I must be really tired cause I'm rambling. LOL
Merry Christmas.
... Elaine

Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!
I hope you all will have the best ever, with fun and joy and remember whose birthday it really is.
Just finished talking with my sister in Vienna, her husband who had recent abdominal surgery told everything was benign but further testing showed it was not, now he must have chemo therapy next monthso this was not a very good news.
My big baby thinks he can fit in my lap, he just saw himself on the minitor, his ears went up saying who is that, so funny!
It is still dark out there but much warmer, glad we are getting relief from that bitter cold.

Oh gads, the black hole arrived and is clutching at my legs. I just get so overwhelmed this time of the year and want everything over....I really sound like a grinch, I know... We have my DH gathering tonight. DIL/DS have attended once (for an hour) in ten years. They promised they were going to attend this year, but guess what. DS just told me last night that they aren't. DIL mother is a real piece of work and she has thrown such a major hissy, that they are having her to their house instead. Now I already invited DIL mother here, but it's a no go. I don't know why this throws me so much...it does every year and try as I may to say ' just get over it', it hangs like a cloud over my head and makes me a real sour puss. Maybe somebody needs to use the 2x4 on me!!

Tomorrow all the kids come here. It's a toss up whether there will be tears or not (wannta place bets? lol) DIL is the one unhappy - her DF has his get together and my DS hates to go there. It is a long story and not worth the typing, other than to say, holidays here continue to be a stressful part of my life. It has happened like this for so many years, that it is the norm. I'll paste a smile on my face and just wish for the whole darn thing to be over. I am sad, because this is not like it should be, but nonetheless, it's the way it is. DGS will be here and he is the joy we all celebrate. Oh, enough of my moaning and groaning....

I need to clean the frig out of any extra stuff and then repack it with all the goodies!

I'm just waiting for my allergy pill to kick in (ya have to take it an hour before any food) and then I'm gonna have a couple of sugar cookies. I know Mary, not a good choice, but it's the holidays and I'm indulging myself.

Talking about water, I drink it all the time now. I go on binges where I only gulp diet coke, but I honestly think that stuff hooks you....I feel so much better with water. However when we have pizza, I must have a coke!!

The weather warmed up so much that our snow cover is significantly diminished. Shucks, we like to sled on Christmas afternoon. There are major football games on here, so DS will have their nose stuck in the boob tube while the girls play games. I bought Scatagories for a new one for us to try this year.

I really apologize about raging on about my feeling about the holidays, but I would so love to enjoy them like the rest of you seem to do. DH told me he is thinking about going shopping today - oh sheesh...they showed on the news last night the grid lock of traffic!!

GG - I took one xanax last night too...ya do what ya gotta do (sorry your company isn't coming...)

Sarv, I am so very sorry about the way your family reacts to this wonderful time of the year. I wish so much more for you, it is very undeserving for such a nice person that you are. Do they ever think how lucky they are and not like most poor souls in this world? I bet they do not, I hate it when people just think it is ME ME ME and that is the only thing that matters! How awful. Try to stay calm and be glad who you are not like them, just be yourself

sarv~ I've been pretty down up until yesterday, but my teenagers are all in one place and don't have to be driven anywhere again until after Christmas, so I'm having a nice spell. mind you, haven't started BAKING yet!

Don't kid yourself about how much the holidays take out of the one whose job it is to create all the magic, when the spectators (who should at least be participants!!) do everything they can to throw you off, when you're trying so hard to make the whole thing happen ala Bing Crosby or Jimmy Stewart (or MArtha Stewart)

We should all pray for Christmas miracles (Peace on the Sofa, much less EARTH?)

Merry Christmas, family...

Yes, Peace on the sofa I think has to be the first kind...

Sarv, I know how you feel, it used to be me. I used to think that if I didn't do the job of 40 people geting ready for Christmas, it would not come. But then, as I was getting tired from working the jobs of 40 people, I would get resentful because I was doing all the work and no one was helping me. I did not realize at the time that I was unrealistic on what I was able to accomplish and also, the biggie, I have OCD so bad that if anyone DID offer to help, I would say no because I was certain that no one could do as good of job that I could. SOOOOOOOOOOO, I backed myself into my own black hole. Also, I expected too much of people to be different for one day; to go completely against their nature. I Doesn't happen. If they are miserable people 364 days of the year, a miracle will not be happening for just 12/25.....

I get blue because I have no family here, but that was MY choice to move 1500 miles away. We will have our best friends here for dinnner, it's his birthday too.

Anyway, lets all just relax and let the cards fall where they may. As my mother would always tell me, "Put this in God's hands and He will take care of it for you."

With that, thank you for being my family; I treasure all of you. Have a Happy and Blessed Christmas.

Nancy Lee

Nancy,
You got it, we can't expect people to be different on 12/25 than they are the rest of the year!

Merry Christmas with your best friends!!

This is a PS for you, Casey, and for others who are making Lincer cookies, please use seedless raspberry jam, I always buy "Dickinson's Cascade Mountain" it is the very best.

Good morning, to all.....I guess I belong in the bad arm club even if it hasn't been diagnosed properly. I suspect I sleep with that arm under me but have no idea how to remind myself not to do it when I'm unconscious. Maybe tie something lumpy on that side so I won't roll over that way? Anyway, so far, painkillers take away most of the discomfort so I'll roll with that for a while.

This is really hard to type, Souky has decided she needs to be on my lap this morning, so I'm reaching over her to the keyboard, and she wants to help. I wouldn't mind but she can't spell worth a darn and nobody can read her comments.

Elaine, I think we forget that your computer is reading for you, easy to mix up BIL the idiot, and Bill, DH's buddy. Must have been fun for you to go shopping and get a surprise gift for your DH. The wave of the future! Are you able to get out of your jammies before noon now, and stop scanning??? LOL

Non cat owner can skip the next 4 or so paragraphs, because you won't care at all....!!

MaryE, most cats do very well with the clumping litter. It's been wonderful for us, especially when we were up to five. Usually it's the long haired cats who have problems, the moisture left on their behinds catches the litter and well, you get the picture. None of ours has had problems with it sticking to their feet. They manage to shake it all off nicely on the basement floor and the stairs ....which is why I keep my old Kenmore vac down in the basement.

There is virtually no odor and I don't ever get the scented variety, some cats don't like it and I'm not tempting fate. If you scoop often, at least daily, the bottom of the litter pan never gets that funky mess, and the urine makes nice easy to scoop balls.

It sounds like your new guest will be fine with your resident cat, once they start mingling scents the hostility just fades away. We always use the same brush or comb on the new kids that we used on the old ones, which I'm sure makes them more acceptable. Lucky for us none of our meezers have been loudly vocal, perhaps due to their being treated like royalty, and having no real needs?? LOL

Oskar was very polite, communicating with acks, and myats, and only got vocal when I left the house. That brought out a long mournful cry, which he looked embarassed about if I immediately came back in. (as in,"Oops. Thought you were abandoning me. " ) Mini is chatty to the point of being annoying, but we're hoping she will fall madly in love with the new kitten and he will keep her busy.
Souky chatters often, chirps, and little squeaks, and tiny mewwws, and you can understand how grateful we are that they are that way. Anyone who has ever heard a Siamese in full vocal mode will understand, it sounds like echoes from a torture chamber. When they are in heat, it's even worse, you want to cover your ears or run away.

My, I do go on!!!

Sarv, get out of that black hole, it's a situational one, and you will set yourself an impossible task if you try to make everyone happy. Let them wallow in their own miseries, and stay above it all. You can't fix them, and they don't want to be fixed, so just seize the day and tell yourself that you have tried your best to please them. If they don't appreciate it, just pat yourself on the back and think about how much fun you will have in spring with your gift certificate. I'm starting to get seed and bulb catalogs...oh boy...am I in trouble.

All our snow is melting too, which does not make me happy. It's hard on the perennials not to have that nice blanket over them, and thawing sends that cold water down to their roots. Supposed to be in the thirties all next week too. Well, whatever survived last year's freezes and thaws will likely survive this, and I can't do anything about it so there's no point stewing.

Maria, that is sad news about your sister's DH, I hope he tolerates the chemo well, with a minimum of side effects, and comes through this with good results. I'm going to steal a few more of those Linzer cookies before these GOBs eat them all up. I'm all out of Spritz!! Who ate those? My favorite cookies are all gone. Sniff. Couldn't have been DH, because I hid the ones I didn't pack for gifts. Hid them where only I knew about them.....errrrrrr...guess I gave myself away there. OK..... I ATE THEM!!!

It will be pretty quiet around here tomorrow, no guests, just me and DH and the cats.
DS in NC called me yesterday and we had a nice long chat. We don't exchange gifts for Christmas any more because neither of us needs a single thing more to dust, etc. In spite of that, we have sent each other some things described as NOT Christmas presents, just because .........

Molly has heat, and that warms us all!! Loveys to all your pets, and ((hugs to all on this Christmas Eve day)).
Leave some cookies and milk out for Santa.......put the bad feelings in a box, close it up, and enjoy the season. There's always good will, in Coffee and......so drop in when you need a lift.

Taking a break from the package wrapping. Gals, it is the same here each year, and I am in the same funk, it will pass in January, just miserable while it is here!! Somethings never change and this is one of them. I got that way when the kids were young, I was working full time, doing all- etc. I thought maybe with me retired it would get easier - but it doesn't (maybe because my energy level is not as strong as it was years ago) Having DH still not with a job that is worth a toot and coming to the realization that he probably will never get one like he had, always seems to hit home this time of the year also. Just me wallowing in the mud that is in the hole with me....ignore me, I'll get over it.

I did get a chuckle a minute ago. Was reading all the news about the cats - then read Molly has heat! For a minute I thought ' Molly is in HEAT!!' Molly are you still 'that' age?? LOL LOL

Threw a couple of loads of laundry in the washer, dishes going, present wrapping happening and I need to start on the two dishes I am taking tonight. Check with everyone later.....maybe I should pop another xanax...

Good morning!
Oh Sarv, I wish I was close and could give you a hug. I don't want anyone to be in a black hole on Christmas. Please please reach up and take my hand and I'll pull you out of there. Just stop and think about your friends and home ... and even your disfunctional family. LOL There are so many who don't even have those anymore.
Pati, Merry Christmas to you way down there. Sometimes even a choice can be a hard one at times. LOL
Maria, I'm so glad you have Samson. You have been an inspiration to me since I've been on DG. So sorry to hear about your sister's DH. Will keep him in my prayers.
Mary, glad to hear your new kitty is beginning to feel at home. Hope things will work out there.
Meezers, I've been doing a *little* better ... but am still in them today. hehehe
Hey y'all ... the DH has a cold so I talked him into letting me rub his feet with Vicks last night. LOL LOL At first I didn't think he'd go for it, but he let me do it. He wasn't coughing, though, and I don't really think it did any good. But then, I don't know how bad he'd have been this morning if I hadn't done it, right?
Hi to Darius and Molly. Darius, I'm passing you the 2X4 just in case you need it. Send it over to Sarv if you don't. LOL
Well, I've got to get in gear. Know I've not done a good job of speaking to everyone ... but just know I'm thinking of you all on this wonderful Christmas eve. Hugs&blessings
... Elaine

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!!!
Haven't been around here but have read all the posts. Very exciting to see what people are doing for the holidays!
Have my future dentist son home from college so have been busy with him, etc.
Have enjoyed him around and will miss him when he flies out tomorrow morning. Only time he could get a flight back to AZ for school.
But that is ok, we are celebrating our Christmas this morning. Always have our traditional breakfast of scambled eggs, homemade cinn. rolls, grapefruit, hand squeezed oj, and of course, bacon. Then we will open stockings and presents.

I did spend the day for myself outside yesterday. One son went snowboarding and the other one went shopping all day long. So it was a nice mellow day here, no rain, wind, and was finally back into the 50's. Quite a switch from the 20's we were having.
I put up that greenhouse I had bought a few months ago finally. It is only a cheap 4' x 6' one but it is better than nothing right now. I love it! Now I can start some seedlings in there coming up in a few weeks.

Mary, I love the pic. of your new kittie. Hope she works out for you. I have used any type of kitty litter and works well. Just like M5 says, just keep it cleaned out each day or so.

Sarv, keep going. This holiday will soon be over but do try to enjoy it a little bit for just your sake. You can only do the best you can and don't let others get you down.

Darius & Molly, hooray, am so glad that you have at least some heat now! Now onto having good water. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Bal, if you show up here, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas too. What you have been cooking sounds so good. I need to stop by your place again to grab a real bite, lol.

M5, I love to hear all about your kitties.

Hap, enjoy your day with friends then. Better than nothing, I think. I understand. All my family is up in Washington so it is hard.

Dcat, hope you are feeling better now. Those kidney stones are no fun from I hear. Have never had any but know people who have and they say the same thing you did, labor is better than that other pain. It is to die for. Hope all goes well with the MIL surgery. At her age, it will be hard but if she is strong enough, she will come thru it.

Maria, hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your daughters.

Julie, thanks for doing this Parking Lot. It has been wonderful for me to come here, to read, and post my life. Have a great Christmas.

Babs, love that you can help explain things about medical ways. Enjoy the day with your husband around now.

To everyone else, Casy, Ernie, dmc, suzy (love all the pic of the goodies you had made), GG, I01, Ann, Anne, Carol (odd one), and to anyone else, please enjoy the weekend and have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Carol (DR)(the even one)

Morning, afternoon, whatever it is LOL

Merry Christmas Eve. I finished wrapping last night, have to sort the kids gifts today, see if they are "even" (she got one more than me) even LOL Its so much fun having kids so close together. With Tori's delays, she is at about a 6-7 yr level, and Sarah is 7 so they are really alot like having twins. We are headed to the grocery store and WalMart, (DH gets gift certificates from work for christmas, so we are using those) got to get oil for the turkey fryer, some little odds and ends..... gonna be nice to be out just the 2 of us.

I had my own temper tantrum last night, DH and DS (15) are always griping to me about the other one. Especially DH. I BLEW up last night and went on a screaming fit, throwing stuff and everything. Told them I refuse to be in the middle and they had to learn to get along and if they couldn't don't complain to me. Then I sat down and bawled. I found DS on the steps a while later crying his heart out, saying he didnt want to cause trouble (he has only lived with us a year and a half) and it just broke my heart. I got him calmed down and he and I wrapped presents. DH came in to wake me up today, and we talked about it too... I told him that even though DS is his step son, he still has to yell or whatever at him and not gripe to me. He said ok (we'll see, have had this conversation before).

When we got Zoey, I didn't set up a second litter box, and she was going on the dining room floor. We set up a 2nd box down here, and now no one uses the one in the bathroom, both use the one down here. Go figure. Zoey is just a common calico, and Oscar is a seal point siamese. Zoey is about 4 months old now and is very queit, she purrs very softly, and meows so that you can barely hear her. Oscar is my talker. He comes in the bathroom with me and tells me all about his day LOL If I answer him, he just talks some more. He doesn't have the obnoxious siamese meow either, thank goodness.... that is one of the worst sounds in the world LOL

Well DH is waiting... so I'm gonna go get ready to go. Have a great day, and I"ll check back in tonight!!

Hugs to all,
Janis

Another message lost in cyberspace. This time, I know it was because I forgot to actually send it after prereviewing it. DUH!

We finally got our Christmas greetings done and up on our web site. The recipients of the printed version won't get theirs before Christmas, I'm afraid. We might get to them on Monday.

Here's the electronic version.

Well, good afternoon to all. Had to run out this morning, because I had forgotten 2 people and had to buy gifts. Wasn't a big deal. DGD wanted to have something for her "best friend" when she is here, and a SIL that I always get a little something. So all is taken care of, all wrapped under the tree. We will not open gifts until tomorrow evening, as DGD will not be here until about 6:00. DH went hunting this morning, and came in with 1 rabbit. We will relax this afternoon, and I am cooking steak on the grill tonight. We go to DH's cousin's house tomorrow for Christmas Dinner, after church.

101, I am so sorry that you are away from your family, but isn't it great to have DH family to celebrate with. Glad that you were able to "sneak" some gifts for DH without him knowing.

Maria, I'm sorry to hear about your BIL. Hope that the chemo works well, and he prospers. I am so glad that you found Samson. He has been good for you, and I hear the joy in your voice each time you post now.

Sarv, please don't stay in the black hole. It is useless to let others ruin your christmas. Just try to keep your mind occupied, and say this mantra often. I WILL GET THROUGH THIS, AND I WILL BE HAPPY. For years, I too placed expectations too high, and was always disappointed. I wanted a "Martha Stewart" kind of Christmas, and I finally realized that Martha ain't ever going to live here, and will never even visit, so let's have a Bonnie Christmas, and then I will know what to expect!!

Happy, Good Friends are really extended family, so enjoy them during the holidays.

dmc, so your teens are all in one place. Don't expect them to remain so for long. I chuckled at your Peace on the sofa. Sounds nice.

Meezer, when did you become a member of the bad arm club? I think Sarv was the charter member, then I joined, and now Woofens. It is not a club that I would like a lifetime membership in though. I smiled at your descriptions of your cats. I would so like to have a siamese someday. They are so pretty. I have only met one up close and personal, and it was a holy terror, so until you started describing yours and posting pics, I did not have a very high opinion of them. My SIL had one years ago, and every time I visited there, that cat would do something to me every time. Needless to say, we didn't hit it off.

DR, celebrating today, as son is leaving tomorrow.Ah well, doesn't really make a difference what day the celebration is, just as long as you all are together. BTW, where did you get your greenhouse? I am still hoping that Santa will bring me one, but unless it is hidden well, I don't think so. Maybe there is a gift certificate for one. Just in case, I want to know where to start shopping for one!! And thanks for your well wishes for me and DMIL. After passing that stone, I am fine. It was like turning off a switch, as the pain just vanished. I sure am praying the DMIL comes through this okay. We had the family christmas last night, and everyone of her children, with the exception of BIL that I don't get along with was there.

Woofens, we had that same situation in our family. DH and DS are so much alike that they cannot get along with out snide remarks, or yelling for very long. Now that son has finally matured, they are getting better.

ViolaAnn, I am the master of lost cyber messages. After the message is lost, I usually just recap what I had originally said, as I don't want to bore myself!!

And Julie, thanks for this thread. I enjoy this one more than anywhere else I visit.

Well I will be back later, but wanted to catch up on this day's happenings.

Taking a short break before I head to the store (yes the store - can you believe it!! But only for batteries and some sterno stuff)

DH called DS to go shopping with him, but DS wanted to watch football instead. He is my son who is a 'trial' - so this is nothing new. I kinda laughed to myself, as DH as really in a snit over it....misery loves company!!

My neice just called and none of them are coming to the gathering tonight - that means 15 less there. Oh well - just glad I am not hosting it!!

The only thing left for me to do is assemble the cheesy potatoes for tonight...that won't take long.

Thanks for all the arms reaching down for me - I crawl out each year. But all those eyes watching me will make me hurry up the sides of the 'hole'. Gonna start some seeds of browallia next week - that will make me smile!

Take care everyone!!!

Since I and Samson are alone this Christmas, one of my neighbors invited me for tea this afternoon , another neighbor asked me to share dinner with them tomorrow, I hesitat don't want to feel I am intruding on a family affair.

Wasn't sure where to put this, so I am going to share it with my *best* friends here



ONLY FOR LOVE

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of 'The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife exhausted from their grief huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.


And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.

Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---

Because of love. Only Because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy, And again the peace of love filled their hearts.

This is a true story.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL my friends on DG!!

Susan
=^..^=

Do it Maria - being with friends is good! They wouldn't invite you if they didn't want you. Go and share a wonderful time with all of them.

Don't feel that way, Maria....they Want you to be part of their family....I am sure you will add another demention to their gatherings....

Hap

Susan - thank you! love to you and yours, and to everyone here and everywhere.
ginni

I was reading but didn't get past this:

Maria - GOOOOOOO - If we were neighbors, I'd love to have you over to share the holidays with me!!! You'll delight them!!

I think many of us are frazzled beyond belief.....DH and I just went to the store and it was very nice. We saw a friend of our sons and his wife just had a baby (came home yesterday), his youngest (3yr old) just got out of the hospital today with double pneumonia and they had to farm out their 4 yr old. They have a huge dog in a tiny tiny house and his MIL who was supposed to be watching the dog, put the dog into the house, but not in its pen. The dog chewed up ALL the Christmas gifts. Our friend was out shopping this afternoon trying to replace everything the dog had eaten. I could have cried for him - he looked awful. He'd been at the hosptal 24/7 for a week with the little one. I told him to call me and I'd come watch the two boys...next week.

And I just got a call my my youngest son - they are not coming to Christmas eve tonight either - they are across the state at her side. They had planned on coming, but DS wanted to stay and watch the football game. This whole holiday has been one disaster after another.

Tomorrow both kids/families will be over, but one family has to leave to go to the other side. My DIL told me that she would like to spend the time scrapbooking with me - so that will be fun.

Oh my.....life sure does throw ya curves sometimes~~

My head is above the nasty hole now - if someone else needs to jump in- there's room LOL

The church I go to is not even having services tomorrow - it is one of those mega churches and they decided people needed to spend time with their families. I laughed at that one....I need to get away from my family!!

Hang tight everyone - this will be over before you know it and we'll be talking planting/flowers before ya know it.

Merry Christmas to all of my best buds....

As you all know, things can get crazy in a commercial kitchen and there are "Constant" changes. The saying there is:

Bend, but don't break.....

I think that's our saying for today...

Hap

Maria, go share dinner with your friends!! They want you, or as someone said before, they wouldn't have asked you. GO!

Just jumped on Molly's thread, so happy she has power. Darius seems to be spending some time on the computer at her sister's house. LOL Llittle escapism going on there??

Done with the tiramisu, and the samples were yummy, called for Marsala wine which I have none of, so I used Amaretto instead.
Said this before, recipe says serves 12, which is a family joke which we interpret as ...serves 6 of us.

Check in before bedtime, but gotta run and change my grubs so I can be presentable.

Susan, you hit my heart head on, thank you for the reminder of what Christmas is, in fact what life is.......love.

To all my "Coffee and ....... sisters and brothers", God Bless you all and I pray that tomorrow is all that you hope it to be! We can do that no matter what our heart hurt may be. We are loved, we are family and we have hope. We don't need to do or be anything more than that particular moment we are in requires. Tomorrow will take care of it self.

Merry Christmas,
--Joy

Yes M5, a lot of escapism. I won't last until Tuesday morning... probably go back to Molly's Monday unless I bolt and go tomorrow.

But... On this Eve of a very important Day of Celebration, I wish ALL of you a Merry Christmas!

Sarv - here is another hand to help you up from that hole. take a deep breath and hang on tight. You can't make others do the right thing they have to make their own decisions, they probably don't intend to hurt you, they just don't think! Parents are just there, they don't have sensetive feelings, at least not to the young. Its only when their own kids start hurting them that they stop and think. Just come here and chat to us - we all understand!!!

Maria, of course you must go, they will be hurt if you don't and probably won't enjoy their own day if they are worrying that you are alone. Go - enjoy and tell us all about it later!

Darius stick with it - you are doing the "right" thing and it doesn't have to be for long does it?

Molly so glad you have heat and light for Christmas.

Susan that is a lovely story - I was in tears from about half way through!

To all of you here in Coffee...... I wish a Peaceful and Happy Christmas and a New Year full of whatever you wish for yourselves. Thank-you for just being here, it is my haven of retreat for peace and friendship.

Carol
The Odd One

I thought I by-passed all the crowds, all my shopping was done.
But I had one last stop for beer.
Here in Massachusetts the Pilgrims still have an influence. Liquor is only sold at 'Package' stores and not on big holidays. (Up until a few years ago, not on Sundays either.)
Well, with Christmas falling on Sunday, Monday is the official day off and no liquor sales then either. Two days closed.
What a mad house.
Andy P

Quote the Whos in Whoville - Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp.

My hands are out to all of you

Merry Christmas
ginni

been so busy with holiday stuff had no time to catch up but know I am wishing all here a happy healthy holiday!!!!!

Thinking of you all.

Anne

Good evening. I'm reading but not writing much.

Maria, I'm another one who says that you should go, they invited you because they want you to be there. When we lived in Alaska, where there are a lot of people a long ways from their families, everybody seemed to make an effort to be sure that everyone had somebody to spend holidays with.

Sarv, I hope you have an enjoyable day in spite of whatever your family members do. It's sad but a fact of life that people are thoughtless, they probably don't intend any hurt, but are just doing what seems good at the moment. It's a symptom of a society that has lost touch with the value of family.

Hang in there Darius!

Today my hubby and I fed cattle and sheep for a neighbor who took a day off to go have Christmas eve and Christmas morning with relatives. Most of the snow and most of the ice is gone, snow forecast for tomorrow.

I still have some gifts to wrap, cleaning to do, preparations for tomorrow. Better get at it.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Our Christmas Eve festivities are over and done with. Our table was full to overflowing, for which I am very thankful. Our family was together, and again a rich blessing. My oldest son gave me the *best* gift I could ever wish for. He told me "I Love you, Mom" (tears...sorry) That's something he quit saying to anyone many years ago. Yes...it was a *wonderful* Christmas for me. (He also gave me beautiful canister filled with Biscotti! So when the conister is emtpy...it'll still be filled with those words.)

I hope everyone ends this night feeling as loved as I do at this moment.

Merry Christmas, everyone. :-)

~julie~

Well folks it has been a restful evening. DH and I. Fixed steak on the grill for supper, was really good. Have read, looked at seed catalogs, thinking of sending an order on Monday. Spring is right around the corner, and I want to be ready!!

Maria, go to dinner tomorrow. Friends are extended family, so you will be welcomed. You will ruin my day, if I have to think of you and Samson alone. Now you don't want to do that do you?

Julie (((hugs))) to you. I know the feeling, been in that same boat. Tensions have eased now that DS is more mature. DH and he almost have a relationship!!

Sarv, here's my hand, take hold and I'll haul you out. Tell me the DS's names and addresses, and I will bless them out royally about how they are treating you. Young folks don't start to think until they are in their 40's. It's not that they mean to hurt you, but until full maturity it's "an all me mentality". Just try to enjoy tomorrow, and know that all here at DG are holding you in warm hugs.

Kittymom, I cried throughout that story. Ungrateful kids, unconditional love, and a good outcome. My kind of story, and you said it was true? Since all of us are animal lovers, couldn't stand the thought that the horses were gone.

Darius, hang in there. Try to get through the day, then high tail it back to Molly's where you can be yourself. I am so conflicted about your situation. Knowing that your move was not of your choosing and timing, then to have your hopes dashed, it just ain't right. Will be thinking of you and Molly and Jeremy during this holiday season. ((( ))) to you.

Sarv sorry for your friends son's trouble. Sometimes that makes us realize our troubles are pretty small. I used to have the scheduling problem with DIL wanting to go to her family's and me wanting to have mine on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Finally just sort of threw tradition out the window, and sometimes we celebrate 2 or 3 days before or 2 or 3 days after. Then everything has either not happened, or is over, and it is calmer.

My church too is not having services tomorrow, but for a different reason. We have a complete electric system failure. So no heat, lights, etc. So DH and I will find a place to worship tomorrow, because to me it's not Christmas unless I am in church. Afterall, that is the reason for the season.

Well I slept well last night, and am going to be heading that way shortly. I have been pretty pain free today, so hope it is a good night.

So during the night, when you hear those sleigh bells, look out see which way "he" is heading and let all of us know, so that we can be expecting him.

AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT.

Check in and let me know what santa brought. We won't be opening gifts until tomorrow night, as DH is participating in a live nativity, and DGD won't be here until late.