Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #71 visit with friends...

I had a Slinky. One of the girls here has a Slinky instead of a stress ball lol!

LOL a big kid!! Love It!!

I wasn't much in to Battleship, but now I play it all the time on the computer lol! I'm just LOLing it all over the place!

I loved to play jacks! I was pretty good at it, too!

Ok, the other secretary is off tomorrow for her birthday/anniversary. She's asking if we can wear jeans tomorrow and she's going to bring something to eat in. I wonder if she forgot that she's off tomorrow??

Yep, i like this old fashioned Christmas.

Betty, color forms were rubber pieces that you could stick to a board. Kind of like felt boards. only rubber. I had many different kinds.

Oh and I loved tinker toys.

Oh yeah i bet the boys would have fun on stilts.
Jacob, has a pogo stick, He saved his money and bought it himself.
LOL, it the one thing he still has and it actuallyis in good shape.
He was so cute waiting every single day for UPS to deliver it.

My kids love Battleship too.

Is Battleship on the computer a download or is it a disk program you purchased Crissy....

Judy, you are younger than I, I don't recall them...
Do you and the children play board games?

I loved Monopoly but lordy it takes so much time...Greg's boys have the new version, forget what the difference is but know there is differences in the game?

Paul just left, he had a busy day, no lunch ...on his way out he said '3 more days girls' only took me a second to remind him that really it's only 2 for me..lol

It's purchased from gamehouse.com.

purchased as a game disk or a download..ooops time to run...off I go..still much to do..Home Depot here I come...cold hamburger in hand..lol

Tinker toys and Lincoln Logs....love them.....was an ace at Jacks....and could shoot a decent game of marbles......Pickup Sticks.......and discovered at Curves last month that I can still so the Hula Hoop..........loved Battleship.

We lived in a little farming town....the school grade 1 through 12 totaled about 300 kids. My mum was a teacher. One of memories was always just before school was out for Christmas all the teachers, and their families, got together and made up paper bags with hard candies, ribbon candies, chocolates, and an orange and apple and a candy cane for every child in the school district and their little brothers and sisters. It was a big deal...you didn't usually get oranges and apples out of season like we do now. My aunt and uncle in Arizona would send the family a box of oranges and Grapefruit for Christmas each year....it was a real treat back then!! Citrus and Pine always bring back these memories for me.....

Thats a really nice memory Trisha!

OK Liz...Little miss chef!

LOL Judy, Breenie sure has a handle on that mixing mallet..how cute..better put a photo in the front of your cookbook..she's next in line as house chef...

Trisha that's a lovely memory..memories of things made at school are always special..I've a little nativity scene that I received at Christmas by my grade 1 teacher..imagine I still have it..once I unpack a few more boxes of Christmas things this weekend I'll take a photo..should be put somewhere so that my children/grandchildren would know it's a treasure..along with my grandmothers (who passed away months before I was born ) tree ornaments..lordy they are close to 100 years old..only 2 left..I cherish them, should find somewhere to display them and tell the children the story behind them...

Must tell you all a story..think I may have at some point but forgive me, you know with age and all lol I'll tell it again...

When I was about 8 or 9 my grandmother had I would say about 60 Christmas cards to send out..back then it was the things to do...little notes inside..didn't have easy access to telephones (long distance charges just too high) no computer to gab on soooo it was cards...well grandma asked me to post them on my way to school...don't remember what happened but I didn't post them on the way but would on my way home...in our classroom all along the back was storage, each of us students had a hook for coat, place for boots and a little area for belongings...so I placed the cards in that area.....

The school season was done..last day of school and the teacher told me I should take that plastic bag home with me...opened it up, it was late June and OMG it was the Christmas cards..what to do, what to do???

Well I wasn't about to admit to my grandma that I had forgotten to mail them in December so on the way home, just a tad later than I should have mailed them, into the post they went....

SURPRISE/SURPRISE....grandma got much response to the summer Christmas well-wishes than she would have in December...lol...

Thinking back now, had I brought them home look at the time, money for cards and postage she would have saved as we weren't the richest of families...

A fond Christmas memory for sure...

It is interesting when you start thinking back like this some of the things that come to mind.I have always enjoyed giving more than receiving gifts. Mum and Dad had good jobs and we never wanted for any thing we needed.....my aunt and uncle did not have indoor plumbing until I was around 8 years old, but we never felt deprived at their house.....but the memory I have is of my aunt having me gather up a box of toys and clothes I no longer wanted and we took them to a family who lived a few miles from my aunt. It was a very small house, not very well kept, the children were rather ragged...for want of a better description....there were 21 living children in that family (several sets of twins and one set of triplets in the mix). I have never forgotten the excitement and joy those children showed in receiving my old things....I have enjoyed giving since that day and if I ever start feeling sorry for myself I always think back to that family and realize that no matter what my problem is at the time, there are those much worse off than myself...

I love to give, too, Trisha. I remember one time when the gift wasn't appreciated! There was a family farming for my uncle, and they had a big bunch of kids. This was after I was married and had kids of my own. I got a new coat, and I gave my old one to them, they needed clothes. One day I was, for some reason, at their house, and there on the front porce, as a dog bed, was the coat! I never gave them another thing! It was a decent looking coat, too!

Audrey, look on the bright side....at least the Dog was Happy!! And if that is how they treat a well meant gift, then the dog probably deserved it more than they did.

psst-Betty-if that is the secret santa swap it is Sat afternoon;)

Stacey, don't know why I thought it was on Sunday..must get back to the thread and read up, don't even know how we are doing this..lol..

Nope, I'm cutting out santa's for the door wreath hanger..just finished cutting 2..only needed 1 I think but know what happens..someone starts it and the others want one..so just in case...yep got 2..worse comes to worse I'll paint it myself..always someone who would like it...

Trisha, I'm so laughing, isn't that the truth about the dogs benefiting more from Audrey's gift...

You are right, some people just don't appreciate..

Every year as Recreation Co-ordinator for the Township I'd start in September and write to all the business and organization groups requesting donations to put on a Children's Christmas party at the community center..response was so great that I ended up doing one in the uppermost part of our municipality and the one down south where I worked out of..

Every child in the community would receive a gift..a substantial gift at that..anyway they had to register to receive their gift on the planned day but if they did not come NO GIFT..that annoyed many as they almost wanted you to deliver 8 gifts to their door while they stayed home the day of the event..so I learnt fairly quickly that those who didn't participate got no gifts..

At the end of the event because of this I'd have quite a few gifts left so would prepare from list of different community organizations boxes of gifts for families...some accepted them knowing they were being donated in good faith..there were a few families who had children who received nothing at Christmas because they were too proud and would not accept them..I could never figure this out..felt sad for the children..

What I also remember of doing that event is almost all the children would open their gifts to enjoy what Santa had just given them, but a few the parents would take to put under the tree so that there would be a gift....

Hmmm memories that come flowing back when we start thinking of Christmas's gone by..

Well it's been a long day..again accomplished what I needed to and now it's time to call it a night..

Thanks for keeping me company today..
Good Lord willing, I'll be here to talk tomorrow...

Great hearing about everyone's past Christmas stories. It is truly a very magical time. I am hoping to be in a better space this season than I have been for many years when I was looking at the whole thing as just another chore for me. I believe the difference now is having the grandchild and getting to experience it all through her eyes. I have been shopping for a while and have pretty much everything purchased. I even began wrapping a week or so ago and then was brought down by a flu bug or something last week and didn't do any further wrapping like I had planned to do. I am hoping to get the tree up within the next week, so that we can enjoy it longer than we do most years when I don't get it up this early.

I am considering sending out Christmas cards this year also. I haven't sent them for many years it seems and if I don't run out of time, I want to begin working on them. I have all of the grandiose plans and would also love to do some baking. There are people on my list who would love to have some of my homemade goodies.

Some of the toys that you all mentioned were also ones that I grew up with too. Betty, the original Slinky's were metal and they only make plastic ones these days I think. I remember the first time that my brother and I got them. They were really fun to let "walk" down the steps. I remember getting a new baby doll each Christmas. I still have all of those dolls too. I believe that they are in the attic now. I was actually displaying them in my bedroom on my dresser when John first came in to my life. I was going through a childhood period or something during that time. I too remember the spinning tops. I spent many hours playing with them too. Oh my gosh, how many hours have I spent dressing and re-dressing Barbie dolls?

Well, this was lots of fun reading. Can't wait to hear from some others of the group as they tell about their special memories. I am off to read some other forums and then will try to lay down and get some shut eye which has escaped me thus far tonight. Take care friends.

Ruby

Ruby I'm so happy that as you say you are in a different place this year and will enjoy Christmas and the trimmings..of course with that beautiful grandaughter of yours, it will truly be exciting to see it through her eyes...she's at that age that although she doesn't understand the full concept of 'Christmas' she's old enough to open gifts in awe..won't that just be terrific...

Yes, the slinky's I had were metal and yes..it was placing them just on the right part of the stair step in order to make them reach the bottom..can almost hear the sound of the commercial we would hear advertising them..can you?

Never played with tops and not sure about Barbie's you all must be younger than I..lol...

But I've been thinking of the 'stilts' trying to figure out how I'll 'safely' make them for the 4 boys and for some reason I remember grandfather had done drilling of some kind that started the stilt block only inches from the floor in order that I didn't injure myself..as I got more proficient, them moved upwards...so I've imagine NOT quite a month to get 4 sets done..

Enjoy making them a toy from grandma...

Well it's quite stormy outside..snow is blowing..I'm just thrilled that finally the entire back deck is covered in..makes it cozy when coming into the house and NO snow to shovel in that part...but I'd best get a move on because even though my plow man will shortly be here I've much to do on the walkways...

Tomorrow will be my last trip into the city..let's hope not my LAST trip ever, just to work..lol

I have a lot of Xmas memories...

On xmas eve I was always allowed to open 1 present from my stocking of my mom's choosing and I had to be in bed by 9pm because our house was scheduled for an early drop off and if I wasn't in bed, he wouldn't stop;) I always got up at about 4am, so when I was real little (probably about 5) my mom taught me how to make her coffee, said when I got up, I had to make her coffee, let it brew, then I was allowed to wake her. I would then sit patiently on the floor and wait for her to get her coffee, use the restroom, get her robe and slippers on and get my stockings off the wall (always 2-1 from Mom and 1 from Santa). So I opened all my stocking stuff-some were wrapped-then waited for mom to be ready for presents (usually after she opened her stocking)....we lived in a small town with no real gift shops and 1 grocery store, and for Xmas when I was little my mom would give me $20 to get her presents with-so grandpa and grandma would come get me and we would go the grocery store so I could get stuff for my mom which was usually kitchen utensils and such-my mom always seemed so pleased with her spoons and potholders-now kind of makes me laugh, but I guess back then she knew how hard it was for me to choose things for her...then after presents, I usually fell asleep in the mound of wrapping paper and mom started making things to take to grandmas as it was usually a pot luck. The 2 of us, my 5 aunts and uncles and all 14 grandkids piled into grandmas small house and stuffed ourselves silly after grandma and grandpa opened their gifts and we all opened ours from them....everyone brought 2-3 dishes so it was a veritable buffett!!!!

The one thing I always remembered that I learned the color of grandpas tighty whities very early-after any holiday meal grandpa always unzipped and watched TV-said he was too full he didn't fit his britches!!!LOL

Stacey that's adorable...can just see you sitting there ever so patiently...

Aren't we all too big for our britches...always seem to wear a nice track suit, dressy type with elastic band, grows right along with me..lol

yep, still have a box of things the children either bought or gave me..they are indeed treasures..does one good to get the box out doesn't it and look at them thinking of how proud those boys were to offer me their gifts of love...

I do hope WE are making memories with our children and grandchildren..am sure we are...

Suzanne still hasn't called, I'm ready, boots at the door just waiting..will be a long ride in with this storm brewing...

Here is a photo of the checkerboard I made all the grandchildren, believe last year..kept one for me...

How things have changed..I always get lovely gifts but my big gift is always $$$$ as I usually leave for the south and it's so appreciated...this year with mom not being herself don't know if that will be the case but will enjoy them regardless..I'll do a project in the house if I don't go...

Do be careful with your drive in Betty-I know how nerve racking it can be:(

Betty, in reference to people who wont take presents for their kids, some people have a hard time accepting much need gifts. I am still learning to try to remember how good it makes ME feel to give! It humbles me, and even though I'm really glad to be on the receiving end, it still is hard for me!But I'm working on it! Those who don't learn, are missing a lot!

Just got into the office - 3 hr. drive...ot snowing here in the city but up north it's horrific..Paul said IF by any change it's still storming up north that we can leave around 3pm..would rather work our regular shift and no fighting the elements going home...

Yes Audrey, it's humbling on both sides..the giver for having much more than others and the person receiving for accepting the gifts ...
Like a teetter totter....one time it's someone else and another time ourselves...

Just nice to know there are earthly angels who walk amongst us..

Oh Betty ya'll drive careful in that snow. That's horrible. I decided that since the other secretary decided to work today instead of taking the day off that I would ask to leave at noon, and Yes!! So I have 9 minutes left Wooo Hoooo then Shreveport here we come!!

Have fun Crissy...

My girlfriend Liz sent me this...what a fantastic idea..the photo of generations of hands...then this poem..so touching..

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.
She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the
longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her
at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and
looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she
said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here
staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I
explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really
looked at your hand s?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them
over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at
my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have
served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled
shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to
reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the
floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my
mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled
on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off
to war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were
uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated
with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone
special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I
buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and
shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the
rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried
and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works
real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to
fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out
and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to
His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of
Christ.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and
caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my
face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to
you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue
praying for one another.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both.

Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something
Christ would do.

-- Author Unknown

Everything is just so quiet today....how wonderful to be celebrating Thanksgiving..many of you will be travelling, while many will be spending time with family in your own homes...hustle and bustle of cooking....

Oh what stories you'll all have to tell!!!

Snowing lightly here but the cam weather viewers are showing storm in Barrie so we'll be leaving at 3:00...made for a short day as we didn't arrive till 10..took a 1 hr. lunch...Let's hope the highway is clear...

One more day...

Hi Betty,

That was a wonderful reading.

You be careful on the roads.

I am home now, woohoo...So off the clean up and run the vacuume.
Got company coming tomorrow. Steve is home too, so we'll see what he has in store for the afternoon!

Enjoy the afternoon cooking, preparing for Tomorrow.

Will drop in on a break!

A beautiful story. Prayers for a safe trip home.

Just walked in...took 3 hrs. to get home..roads are treacherous...cars in the ditch everywhere..snow almost turning to ice pellets in some areas...

So am safe at home, girls all cancelled painting..I'm happy about that..few things I can do..picked up Swiss Chalet chicken so what could be more perfect...oh I know, my last day tomorrow being a snow day!!!!...lol

Judy you enjoy getting everything as well as everyone else for your Thanksgiving...hugs to your family.....

Glad your Home nice and safe Betty!

LOL, wouldn't that be great, a snow day on the last day...giggle giggle.

A big hug to you too Betty..Thank you.

ok all I have to do is clean up my corner again, lol that could take the rest of the night!

What you going to do this evening?

Betty just checking in to see that you made it home safely.....will pray for a snow day tomorrow! Will check in with you tomorrow.

Judy hope you have have everything done......and to everyone State Side I wish you a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

I just want to tell all of you HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EXCEPT BETTY AND STARZZ, WHO ALREADY PARTOOK.

Thanks for the sympathy, He moved out and she moved in with her dad now so it is heart breaking for me, I was used to seeing my lil Baily daily, but I have seen her about 3 times since Alysha left and my other granddaughter came with her to my house last Saturday.

You guys, I wish I could get into doing decorating for the Holidays.

It was a such a winter wonderland outside today. The school had their monthly awards assembly today. Ian received the art award for his class so, of course, I went in to take pictures. It was quite the trip. I babysat both toddlers today so with Ella that was three kids - one on my back and two in the stroller (well, Ella walked on the way there).

I'm really enjoying babysitting. It definitely has it's challenges but I find that it has sort of forced me to be more organized, which I need. The kids that I babysit are so nice to have. The biggest 'troublemaker' is Ella. She is very precocious.

Well, Keith has just come with a hot drink for me. Goodnight all.

Betty, wishing you a very good day....the last long drive if you don't get a snow day....but we will hope for a snow day....home in Jammies.....

"Happy Thanksgiving Everyone"


How cute...want to respond to all of you but will have to do it when I get to work...

NO SNOW DAY! but doing the happy dance "LAST" travel day to the big city...

Because no painting last night and time is at a premium for those doing santa projects I promised to have the paints, pattern and pieces in a bag outside so Jerry (Ontario Provincial Policeman) can drop in on his way patrolling so that Rita get get much of it done..neighbors going to talk again..lol

So see you at the office...

Hi Gillian,
Nice to hear about Ian winning the art award..proud parents I am sure.

Many years ago when my children were young I also looked after a couple of other children during the day. I agree ..it does make one more organized..and I remember one year we had a little Christmas party for the six kids in the rec room..and each one got a little gift.

Happy Thanksgiving to all
Enjoy your family and friends today.

Betty...YAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! for YOU! LOL Last day of that long tedious drive.
Have a good one today.......

Greetings to all - Well, other than having to take a shower, I am ready to eat!!! ha-ha Actually, we will be leaving here about 11 AM and driving for a bit over an hour and having a family dinner at John's brother's house. It is usually good size crowd, don't know how many this year.

I just finished preparing a fruity-jello salad and made the cole slaw last night. I will also take come crackers, jams and jellies too. A few sweets from here and all attendees will bring a dish. Brother in law will grill a turkey and we are all set to pig out.

Betty, so exciting about not having that long drive every day now. I am thrilled for you. Take care in this bad weather. I am not quite ready for winter storms yet.

Here is wishing everyone a very blessed day.

Ruby

HAPPY TURKEY DAY AMERICANS!!!!

happy thanksgiving all

Happy Thanksgiving all. LOVE BEV