Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #73

Janice, sorry to hear you are under the weather and missing out on some festivities but best get feeling better before Christmas..a few days of rest, soup will surely do the trick..

OMG sounds as though you did have a great time in the 'cookie making' though...did I tell you I wish I had daughters..lol...

You've taken time off for holidays, could you call in and say you are 'sick' could they be changed for sick days?


I'm not a happy camper..got a call this morning from mom saying she's having difficulties getting insurance..she told them about the episode (as she calls it)..one insurance might be able to get it for her $450.00 for 19 days but want copy of her cat scan which she will pick up today..so goodness knows how long it will take to find out if she has insurance and we're going..

I will continue planning my schedule as though we are going..

MOTHERS....

Well now that's a bum. No fun being sick during the holidays during your time off, I think you should have a refund. It's no fun being sick any time of year. I'm going to try that applesauce cake too! Next payday I'm going to buy the stuff for it.

I went to Target at lunch to pick up some Christmas cards, you know I can't go in just for one thing, got to work with Christmas cards, rice crispy treats with chocolate on top, and mint milk chocolate kisses. LOL

I almost forgot, I got so selfish in making sure I have the money to buy the things I want for Christmas I forgot to buy for my parents and their husband and girlfriend LOL!!!! Maybe I should get right on that!

Ruby-yes I have a pug by the same name:) Here are her and the cat under my puter desk:)

Betty-do you need another person in the office-I will be soon available!!LOL

Janice, sorry you aren't feeling well.....heat together some ginger slices and honey for the sore throat/cough, and good hot chicken soup for the rest!! Try and get some rest.

Betty, they say we might get a tiny bit of snow....I think it would be a great birthday present!

Hang in there Stacy.....things have a way of working out!

Crissy, at least I buy one for someone then get myself something..lol...you best refigure your budget...gifts for those loved ones a must...

Stacey is the job getting to you? Know you've been searching for employment but guess with the economy as is it's difficult to find a job...
How long have you been there? Know you do job placement right, must be terrible all those people looking for employment and no jobs to send them to...high pressure for sure as well as the early mornings you have to be there...

Trisha, when is your birthday..think you'd better come and spend a week with me, I'd let you do the shovelling, give you a taste of the cold...lol

Went to the Garden Centre and returned the Angel , girl said she'd let me have it for 30% off..well as she was $99.99 that means I'd still be paying $69.99 for an angel who has wings that won't move...so nope..left her there but did pick up a nice poinsettia for the office..found the Christmas tree in back storage with all the boxes so set it up..my goodness, decorations are pretty sad..have to find some and doctor it up

The minute I stay quiet here I want to doze off so am trying to keep busy...

Janice, know you are not well but thought as you tried the Christmas cards you might like the poem I'm putting in mine....

The Christmas Card

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book,
And every year when Christmas comes, I go and take a look.
And that is when I realize that these names are a part,
Not of the book they’re written in, but also of my heart.

For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path some time,
And in that meeting they’ve become the rhythm in each rhyme.
And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim,
I really feel that I’m composed of each remembered name.
And while you may not be aware of any special ‘link’,
Just meeting you has changed my life a lot more than you think.

For once I’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.
So, never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine
Of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you,
It’s because you’re on the list of folks I’m indebted to!

For I am but a total of the many folks I’ve met,
And whether I have known you for many years or few,
In some way you have had a part in shaping things I do.
And every year when Christmas comes I realize anew,
The best gift life can offer is meeting folks like you.
And may the spirit of Christmas that forever more endures
Leave its richest blessings in the hearts of you and yours!

Thanksgiving starts a mad dash for our family.....Bill's birthday is Dec. 3, Mine is Dec. 11, His Grandmother was the 24th, Great Grandmother was the 25th. My father in law was Jan. 6th, Laura and my niece are Jan. 6th and my other niece is Jan. 14th....as if Thanksgiving and Christmas so close together aren't enough stress!!

Would love to come visit....even with shoveling snow!

Betty I love that poem....it is perfect for several on my list......

Pray for no tornadoes down here, supposed to be a bad storm come thorugh tonight with "the potential for tornadoes" Ug, ya'll know how I just love it when this happens! Usually they will said, "a possibility for tornadoes" now it's "the potential for tornadoes" Is there a difference??

I have to decorate my Christmas tree LOL 3 of us put our trees up this weekend and lights, but no ornaments LOL!

You will be in our prayers Crissy, my aunt and uncle lost their home to a toranado in the 90's and my 2nd Cousins live in Moore, OK. they were lucky and only had minor damage from the Moore Tornado.......that is one thing I DO NOT miss from living in OK and Texas..........

Well, you are ahead of me....don't have the tree up yet....maybe by the end of the week.

Lordy my Christmas will be over before you guys get decorated...then I'll be sad, nothing to look forward to..sister just msn'd me, said mom was worried now that I've made these plans and if she can't go I'll be mad...


Pet Peeve: I am very organized (in an unorganized way) and regardless of what plans I make, what I undertake I have the stamina to work around the clock so it comes together....same as if I promise I will do something or be somewhere, barring death or severe illness I'm there and on time...so I don't like being left in the lurch depending on someone else's plans ...I like being in control of my destiny ..lol

Crissy, while we worry about storms you have much greater elements to worry about...our in the winter are daily but yours can be severe and the outcome so devastating...

Trisha, your family sounds much like mine..my anniversary was late Nov., grandson Braedon in Nov./grandson Kyle in Dec. Jeff's birthday Dec.8th, Greg's Jan/01..anniversary of Roger's dead Jan.01...mix that in with Christmas and it plays havoc with the bank account...

Well, Betty-I did take the last 2 weeks off from putting in resumes-shame on me-so I am back at it-I am not a slave and don't deserve to be treated as such. I am valuable and I do work hard, so there will be someone that will appreciate me!!

I so hope Stacey something comes of the resume's..what field are you looking in, same as what you presently are doing? or Office work in general...

Think I've learnt from past experience that the more you take on the more they demand of you and less appreciative they are..sometimes we do it to ourselves...

Betty that is what I tried to tell my husband......all the stuff he did for the old boss that he never got any kind of recognition for......then the new owners take over and it was mentioned that he does a repair class on Mondays, Spin Class on Tues/Thurs, ride leader on Sundays... and their comment was "well he pays you for that time doesn't he?" They were shocked when Bill said NO.....their comment was, well that is one thing that will change.....
Keep your chin up Stacy...it's out there somewhere....

My mom lives in Newcastle, OK. The house she lives in was built in 1999, and was hit by the 1999? mile wide F5 tornado that was on the ground for some rediculous number of miles, I think it hit Moore. She didn't move there until 2003, and the lady she bought the house from said they didn't have a storm shelter then, and didn't plan on building one, so her and her 3 girls hid in a closet. When the tornado was over she went outside and the whole side of the house that the garage is on, I don't know what direction it faces, was covered in a thick layer of mud. Is that the same one you're talking about?

That is the one......hate the things!

office anything w/o any kind of sales is what I am looking for.....richt now I do AR, AP, data entry, track charts, manage and set up new accounts and employees, I have managed workers comp claims, written performance action plans and outlines, etc, blah blah blah

Yuk. There ain't no way I'd live in Ok, TX, KS, NE, or any other flat state LOL

Loved the poem, Betty. I may just use that myself this year. I am old enough that my list is made up of people I have meet over different moves, jobs, groups. Relatives, too, that don't live near me but are remembered. Glad you all mentioned cards. They weren't even on my list! I have them; bought other years after Christmas but didn't think about making them out and sending. Could be a good task for this sick old lady.

Janice, it would be a way of being productive and yet resting..it's a fun task isn't it...

Stacey,when the job starts making you ill it's better to leave..your health/well being is more valued than that...when you hate going in, in the mornings pack your things..know financially maybe you can't just walk out but lordy you have to think of YOU! Sounds as though your resume has enough on it to find something even if it's just part time for awhile..easy for me to say right?

Trisha, got your card tonight, tks....let me know as soon as that replacement package arrives so I can mark it received..don't want to leave anyone not receiving their kits..

Stopped at the mall on the way home, was a quick run in/run out..got the hockey games for the wii..that's 2 birthdays accounted for...just one more for Jeff..have no clue..gift certificate I guess..

I'm truly starting to get tired of shopping...not many in the malls, how about where you live, are you seeing a substantial difference?

Glad the card arrived...mail has not come yet today....but will let you know as soon as the package shows up.

Don't know how things are at the Malls here.....I do my best to avoid them, have maybe 3 times in the past 5 years......they have had so much violence in the Seattle and Tacoma area malls over the past few years....but that doesn't really have anything to my situation....just don't care for malls, prefer the little locally owned specialty shops. If traffic is any indication the malls are doing okay here in town....JoAnns and Michaels are both in the Mall areas......and traffic is a PITA.

Take Betty's advice as soon as you are able Stacey! I spent too much time in a couple of jobs that I hated and my health suffered dearly for the pleasure of their company!!

The malls are packed here, just like every year. It is a PITA! LOL

I agree, there's nothing worse than getting up in the morning having to go to a job you hate. There are too many good jobs out there to stay at a bad one, even with the economy in the crapper.

Do you get tornadoes up there, Betty?

This message was edited Dec 8, 2008 7:16 PM

*waving* breathing....

Waving back Laura, how are you doing.....I worry about you when we don't hear from you. The Other Laura is my daughter and the two of you seem to have a lot in common. Take care....now I have two Lauras to keep track of ! :)

Well Betty, here is the latest.......now have a little lady....

I really need to get to bed but I just wanted to let Betty know that there's an organization called Computers for Schools that will take computers, refurbish them and gives them to schools and non-profit organizations. It looks like it also gets support from the Canadian government. Here's a link to a donation form for them. I just don't like seeing good things go to waste (which is why I have a ton of clutter everywhere).

I'll try to post more tomorrow but Cedric and Bailey are keeping me pretty busy right now :-)

Hi girls Betty was good enough to get me on the right thread. I am always lost. I love the sound of those recipes. I really need to do stuff like that too so I won't be sad this year for the holidays. It has been and will be very different for us, but I am so far, doing ok and trying to focus on the reason for the season and watching Christmas specials like, It's a Wonderful Life and seeing lights etc.

I have a recipe that everyone makes me make at every potluck. It is Called Sunshine Jello.
For a large pan of it. You need to prepare 1 large box of Orange jello and one lg box of Lemon jello mixed together per box directions. Chill. As it is thickening add 1 large can of crushed pineapple with the juice strained out well and saved in a sauce pan, to the side. You can add 1 cup or more if you like of small marshmallows, preferably the flavored ones and two diced bananas to the thickening mixture and mix it. let it chill the rest of the way till firm.

Topping
2 large boxes of softened cream cheese
add to sauce pan with the saved pineapple juice
2 eggs beaten in
2 tbsps of flour
1/2 cup of sugar

cook all this while stirring on low heat, then use electric hand mixer to mix it in well to avoid lumps. (Cream cheese will lump if it is not completely room temperature or warmed out of the packages in the microwave or warm in oven) If it does lump, no big deal. After it is well mixed and thickened. Remove from heat and let sit till room temperature on the stove top and then when it is cooled add a cup of cool whip or heavy whipping cream to mixture and mix it well. Add to jello and cover and refrigerate. (the recipe actually calls for sprinkled cheddar to the top, but I don't always do it, both ways it is so good.)

My boss had it at a bbq at work and came back and said, "I fantasized about the jello all weekend". At the Thanksgiving potluck we just had, she sent around a sign up list and said, EXCEPT DAWN WHO IS MANDATED TO BRINGING HER JELLO.

Betty I can not believe you and your handiwork. good Lord in Heaven. You have many talents and squeeze so much in 24 hours. lol

The Jello does sound wonderful!

That sounds like me.....I have a difficult time with December......this year I have a dozen of Betty's Santa's to keep me busy!

I wish I had just a quarter of Betty's energy and organization!!!

Copy it and save it in case you ever want to try it. I liken it to a cheese cake on top of a jello.

I wish I had that woman's energy too girl.

I am so insomniac right now. I have to talk to my boss tomorrow about a promotion I want bad and he told someone I need to talk to him. I am nervous to do it though. I hope it works out.

I drank an energy drink too this morning so that did not help. I took one of h's xanx's and took Valerian root and an Ambien. I still can not sleep. If I did not know better I'd think there is a full moon.

I am sorry that your struggle with this time of year too. I don't usually struggle like this. I love the season if I am all shopped up in advance from doing it early. This year we are not doing any Christmas presents, just a dinner on a different day and I have never not done that. I usually did it up pretty big, but it is not possible this year and the kids spent all my Christmas money, popping out babies so the gifts and showers cost a lot when I should have been shopping for Christmas. I had no job for 2 years and my unemployment ran out and I had no income for 2 months and now I have a low paying job, that I enjoy but it's hours are less than full time most of the time. errr! I'll pray for you girl. I know it is hard.

And my prayers for you as well......I'll get through just fine, a few tears here and there, it is just that I love doing things for people at Christmas but I don't have a job and the pay check just never goes far enough.

Hope you get the promotion....I know how you feel having to talk to the boss....I always hated that part when I was working. Was so glad when we got out of Corporate Business.....I loved the paychecks but hated the jobs...or more accurately the ethics, or lack there of, of the people we worked for....couldn't take the stress and was so happy when we quit all that and came home.....but I do miss the paychecks at Christmas time.

Have to take my daughter to a doctors appt. in the morning and my mother to one in the afternoon so guess I should try and get some sleep.

Thanks for the wishes-keep them coming....plus I think I may be coming down with mom's icky cold:(

Betty, I love your Santa suit. You did such an awsome job. You are definitely one very talented lady.

Fairy, I love the picture of your cute little dog and cat.

As for me, I had a very bad week. I did not even open my laptop for a week. I don't know what the problem was, but I just could not deal with life. Then yesterday hubby said some things to me that really upset me and also scared me. Well that was the last straw and I was pushed past my breaking point. The way I handle hurt and pain is by becoming very angry, very mad but this is actually a good thing for me because it makes me become very determined. So today I got up, I did not watch any TV, I went for a nice long walk, I walked back and forth to the office several times taking care of some faxes that I had to send to AU, and then finished all of my plants. And that took me hours. And I did some other things in my apartment that needed to be done. Well after that, I felt so good about myself. I felt very proud of myself for getting so much accomplished. So, even though yesterday was one of the worst days I've had in a while, it led to something good. So I'm actually glad that hubby said some of the things to me that he did because it made me very determined to get a lot of things accomplished. I guess I now understand that scripture that says "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

So that is what has been going on in my life lately. Things were going bad for a while but I am feeling much better now. I feel determined, positive, and I will not give up.

Oh tonight I got really freaked out. Plano has a very good alert system in case of things like a tornado which is very important since I live in what is called Tornado Alley. Well I was sitting here watching TV and the alarms went off all over the city. So I changed the channel to a local channel and they said that we were under a tornado warning and that we were all instructed to go to our local shelters. Man did that freak me out. And they said the tornado was right by 75 Central Expressway and I live only 2 miles from that. Man was I scared. But I do not know where my local shelter is and I don't even have a way to get there. But luckily the tornado moved on and we were okay. Man was that scary. I'm just glad that I'm okay and hopefully everyone else around me is okay. I just thought I would share that because it was a big deal for me. I've never heard the sirens go off like that before except for once a month during the day when they test them.

~Hugs~
Jesse

Morning everyone...rushing around here, had to cut 7 more bases and dowels for santa's before tonight...I'm going to finish my last 3 and Suzanne is coming over, there are 7 waiting for her and another 4 I'm putting outfits on, then I feel I've done my commitment to her...

Snowing mega time out there so most likely will drive in with her...have to call the bank, they keyed my last deposit wrong and shorted me $500.00..deposit was $570 and only $70.00 went in, so that's a must...

Not fretting about having Christmas Sunday, it's ok..if I go nowhere then I'll have a restfull 2 weeks, not quite, trying to find out if they can install windows in the winter??? and/or can do the ceiling in part of my basement, so I'm sure I'll not be sitting idle...

Want to respond to all of your posts so am going to wait until I get to the office..

Waving to all until 9am

One quick think Trisha, was at the dollar store yesterday and they had mini christmas trees, probably about 7 or 8" high, would be terrific instead of Santa's staff to have the tree with that plastic imitation snow on it..bought one to try, will do it tonight..maybe you can have a look and see if yours has them so you can slightly change the look of santa

Gosh, I lost this thread for a few days when you moved it and now look, you are about ready to move to another, LOL! We had a family day on Saturday and Sunday we travelled up north to pick out a Christams Tree. We get the lives ones with roots so we can plant them around the house. This year we bought a Concolor Fir. I'm not sure if it will survive here, with our hot and humid summers but the tree farm that I hope grew it, is only an hour away so the climate shouldn't be that much different.

Betty the Santa suit looks wonderful! I've been trying to persuade my DH that he needs to get one, now that our GD is going on 2. I hope you do get your time in Florida - do you fly or drive down? And, do you get to relax on a beach or are you as busy when there as you are at home?

Gee Jesse, that was scary! I'm glad the tornado missed you. But I guess it was a good reminder to make sure you know where your local shelter is in case of another one.

The recipes sound so delicious, thanks for sharing them!

Well, back to work, have a good day everybody!

I just jumped back in, as opposed to catching up, let me know if I missed anything. Nothing bad has been going on, just super busy.

Braved the snow storm, didn't get in till 9:30..guys in the city still were not in 15 minutes ago...snowing lightly, we'll keep an eye out as they are also calling for possible freezing rain..

Terri that's a marvellous idea about purchasing live trees...how lovely your yard will look over the years with growing trees...I've seen smaller ones here in the stores, must be on the lookout at local tree farm for same...Concolor Fir..don't know the type, if you can would you take photo to share...

Terri I drive down, wanted to stop and visit a few DG's for coffee on my way down, last year I got to meet Susan (101) in Valdosa Georgia..was thrilled...

I keep trying to think of all my friends who if mom couldn't make it, could come down with me and spend 2 weeks but all are married and the only one I can think might have come was Cathy, friend of my DIL who cuts my grass all summer..but if I was to ask her then who would lol, who would look after my furries? So, will just sit tight, what will be will be...

Jesse, sometimes feeling badly about ourselves, our lives and falling into the black hole not wanting to do anything does not help, getting around, doing something however trivial it may be gives us energy, the will to go on...and sometimes just getting mad beyond mere mad gives us the will to fight...hope you continue to do so...you are always welcome here...how frightful for you, the warnings..you must find out where the shelter is and also what provisions are made for those who can't make it on their own....have you checked with local services as to what festive activities or meals are available in your area...that is a MUST...you can help others deal with their hurts as you have that knack...
Your project 'to do' for today from Betty....

Laura, that time of year isn't it??? are you somewhat ready for the holidays..can't believe how close your Thanksgiving is to Christmas, one endless holiday season...

The day after Christmas which we call Boxing Day is our mega sale day, do you have another name for it or is it 'black Friday for you???

Dawn, look at the time you are posting, no sleeping isn't good for you...am sure that your family understand all that has been going on these past months and the budget situation, isn't Christmas suppose to be all about family, being together...maybe you could all 'make' a little gift to exchange..wouldn't have to be creative/creative...even a recipe in a jar, some little thing as not to feel left out of the Christmas circle and giving as you are missing..who knows, Christmas is still a few weeks away..maybe your gift will be meeting with the boss today and getting that job you so want..does make you nervous approaching those in authority though..prayers you get it...is Greg working right now? Is he back to feeling well since his operation?

Betty, I haven't even started on Christmas yet. I'm taking mom and dad out to lunch this afternoon and giving them their birthday gift (I got one gift for both of them). I might get around to decorating this week and DH and I are talking about shopping later this week.

Our "Holiday" season is pretty much Thanksgiving through New Years, though mine goes through till Jan. 6th (12th day of Christmas and my birthday) and I like Chinese New Years as well which is right around there.

It seems somewhat sad the Boxing Day is a big shopping day. Wasn't it supposed to be the day you got rid of all the stuff you didn't need anymore and gave it to those who could use it?

Laura, is that the meaning of Boxing Day? shucks, didn't realize it..must go and research it...