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

Linda Kay, originally I was leaving Dec. 19th right after work and that would give me 16 days and Paul I'm sure will offer me a few more..but then mom said she's having difficulties getting insurance so that put the kibosh on that unless something changes...

Sharon my sister is taking her family to Barbados, had thought we could get together her and I down south but she says it's too hard a trip for her with her back as is in a car..mind you she could have flown and I could have met her there, but not...my friends all have hubbies so that's out unless I left Boxing Day then my car wouldn't be big enough to hold them off..

Now I did have a very Christian idea..my girlfriend Geraldine who lost her husband last Christmas is alone..mid Florida, she has a son who lives in her home here...he was friends in school with my boys, at 15 he started drinking heavily..actually he's now an alcoholic and I believe takes drugs...wouldn't it be wonderful for him to visit Geraldine in Florida, she worries so about him ... it was a thought but don't know if it's a good one or not...OMG what would I do if he did have drugs on his person and we got stopped at the border then I'd be in trouble right? and if I specifically told him, nothing comes with him, he could say no I won't bring anything and then might...no, although a Christian and a surprise present for my girlfriend I'd better scrap that idea don't you think?

I have some stuff for scrapbooking too. I have some photos that I would like to give to my three sons so should get busy on that. I am a very good one for letting things go until too late!!! BEV

Sorry Judy. Gave you wrong name of program. I was Paint program that came with my Dell. Yeah Betty I would scrap that thought sorry!! BEV

Bev I can't believe how many blue jays you have...you must feed them well..last night I looked at all the feeders and thought I should fill them but as I made my way to the back shed I was almost waist deep in the snow..my 'what did you learn today' lesson will be next year to move them closer to the house...I do have one on the front deck I could fill but it's easy access to the squirrels...

Bev it would be nice to do the children albums, little stories about their ancestors..I've many old photo's passed down from grandma, hard for me to remember who they are, but the boys should have their history...how about you and I make a pact...we'll both edge and support each others creativity in getting it done next year and by Christmas we'll have wonderful gifts to pass on..how about it?

That Suzanne, am sure she's out Christmas shopping instead of at the office supply company lol...

Funny Bev, sometimes putting something in writting brings on clarity...what I did think might be a solution, I'd have company to drive down with, then I could stay on my own while doing a good turn could turn into a disaster..imagine, local papers saying I was caught in a drug check at the border...omg...

Still no person saying they tried a de-boned turkey..I'm laughing, can't imagine what it will look like without any bones...when browning he'll look pretty sad..better color him up with beer while cooking..

Pact is made.LOL We will see who does it and who doesn't LOL. BEV

Yeah, I think I would re think that idea about crossing the border. You don't want us to come to Canada to bail you out of jail? LOL
I can see it now, Betty busted for drugs at the border crossing.
LOL

LK

I'm sure whoever is in same car gets arrested right? can't take the chance...

Bev, ok...pact made, now the challenge let's say will be to 6 pages a month..that would surely fill in a photo album wouldn't it?

Good Lord Betty I will doing good to get one page a month !!!!

Not only get arrested, but your car will get impounded as well.
Don't need to take those chances.
LK

I am so glad things are getting sorted out......I don't know why but I have never been able to deal well with conflict of any kind which drives my husband crazy.....when he and my kids have some of their "discussions", which they thoroughly enjoy, I have to go do something else. I can't deal with raised voices and it turns me into a little turtle in my shell. I am happy things are getting resolved as I dearly love this group although I lurk much more than I post. I think the one thing we all have in common is that we love Betty very much. I am very often not good at putting what I want to say into words.....and often things are taken the wrong way...we all have things in our past that make us who we are....othrs often do not know these things....often, we do not know ourselves....but we all have our demons to contend with. As I do not know what causes others to say, or do some of the things they do, or what has colored their out - look.... I have always been taken by a few little verses in a book that belonged to a Great Aunt of mine.....

'Twixt optimist and pessimist the difference is droll;
The optimist sees the doughnut, the pessimist the hole.


Every man should keep a fair sized Cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends.

and one of my favorites........

What do we live for if not to make life
less difficult for each other...

Amen Trisha!!!

ves,

I saw your post about glasses, have you checked out this site: www.zennioptical.com ?

They have really inexpensive reading and regular glasses, you just need to get an eye Dr. to give you a prescription so you can tell Zenni what the measurements are. I got a pair of reading glasses from them for $12.00 including shipping and the glasses are great!

Betty, Linda Kay is right you will be arrested and your car impounded as an accessory. Don't do it. If he has money for drugs, then he has plenty of money to see his mom if he wants to. Plus, what if he goes out of his mind at some point and decides to do away with you? Drugs can wreck a persons mind and make them do things they ordinarily wouldn't.

Yep, didn't take me long to get that act of kindness out of my mind..lol...

Terri, so laughing, 'what if he goes out of his mind at some point and decides to do away with me'.....funny...

Trisha love the:

Every man should keep a fair sized Cemetery in which to bury the faults of his friends

Smart lady your Aunt is..

Trying to go to lunch but Suzanne gets involved in calls..that's fine the later the better, makes for a short afternoon....

Trisha, did you get the 2nd package I sent? did I ask you that before..know I sent one to Audrey when I sent the 12 faces, then I sent a replacement one for you...sent something to Twyla also when I sent yours and Audrey's..you got yours/Twyla got hers but Audrey hasn't received hers yet???

Only outstanding pkgs. is Abbisgramma and your 2nd one..will feel better when all are accounted for...

Help, Help!!
Is complete seasoning the same as All spice????
LOL, can you tell i don't cook or bake much.

I am checking incredients for Ruby's Applesauce cake.
Wishing to make it to take to the Santa swap gathering tomorrow.

Just dropping by to say hello. Nope my package isn't here but it does take mail a long time this time of year. Thanks Betty.

Mostly trying to read today but my "fuzzy" eyes hurt at time so trying to rest them. Fuzzy because of trip to eye specialist--nothing serious just early check up.

Love the pictures of the snow!!!!

Is it cataracts Marion? Marion I brought my camera in today, am hoping that on the way home I can take some photo's of the beautiful winter scenes...is very pretty, not so much in a blizzard though! I'll share with you...

Judy, allspice is not all seasoning spice I don't think..it's for baking..think all seasoning spice is for cooking, but what do I know about cooking right?

Had a clubhouse at a restaurant nearby..we're getting to know what's in the area, what is good and not so good..enjoyed my lunch..with painting tonight it will also have to serve of supper...

Mom called while I was at lunch, another insurance company said no .. she's worried how I'll react if she can't go knowing I'll already have celebrated Christmas..told her not to worry..I'll be fine..made her feel better I'm sure...

No, no contacts, I wear glasses but the nevus is a growth that has to be checked on as they can sometimes be malignant. Mine is not but the procedure left me with fuzzy vision for awhile. That is all.

Oh I would love to see the snow pictures--remind me of the year I lived in London with my family. Much younger and thoroughly enjoyed playing in it with my nieces and nephew!!!

Marion, London was getting hit pretty hard last night, we got some rain toward the end of the day but they were saying London/Windsor way was getting the freezing rain..

As for the snow, our area gets a lot, even more so than the north..we're right in what they call the 'snowbelt' district...I would tend to say we're close to what we had in February...next couple of days will be clear..let's hope Sunday when family will be coming to my christmas celebration that roads will be bare...

It is a pretty vision, all those pines covered in snow, I'll try to take a photo of how hard the area was hit with ice storm a few weeks ago..not sure if yesterday's snow will hide most of the damage..

Do hope your vision improves...

Sitting here working on Suzanne's little guys..on my 3rd...what can you do when you get glue sticks at 1:00 lol..more work for tomorrow I guess...

As much as I love seeing the pictures please do not get cold doing it. Haven't talked with my niece in the past week--most likely will this weekend. Seems so odd not to be calling my brother every Sunday but such is life!!!

Marion, it is the routine things that get to us..so often I think of calling dad and will almost have the receiver in my hand when I remember he has passed on...he had hearing problems, NO we thought he had hearing problems but he said we kids when speaking with him mumbled...lol....just before he died he did get a hearing aid..thing is, when he started to wear it we'd speak ever so softly, then in a few days he wouldn't use it and we'd be yelling, then he'd put it in and we'd be yelling and he'd say 'I'm not deaf' so do often think of him..

At christmas time he played the guitar and sang..we all sit around and join in, he always asked me (Sharon) to come sing with him...I'd say 'Dad I'm Betty, the good looking one' and he'd smile..he called Sharon Betty and me Sharon all the time..even on his death bed he called me Sharon, and just before he died I said 'no dad I'm the good looking one, with smile on his face he passed on..

These holidays sure bring back memories, good and bad don't they...

Your niece will be so pleased that you continue to call Marion...nothing worse than having someone pass one and everyone forget you are part of the family...often happens....

Marion, Audrey just posted that she received her package today so would imagine yours and Trisha's will be arriving in the next day or so....

Wonderful Oh I have always called my niece frequently! We are very close and always have been--usually comes down and spends 2 - 3 weeks with me each year. Yes this time of year makes one start thinking! On to a brighter note, today my oldest granddaugher is 6--boy she thinks she is grown now!!! What fun!!!

Oh Betty, the holiday memories are something to cherish for a long time. I am sitting here listening to Christmas music on the xm station. And it is Elvis singin her comes Santa Clause!!!
LK

Linda Kay, have you heard the new Elvis CD done in duet with many of the 'now' famous female singers....love the album, play it all the time, only song I'm not fond of is the AnneMurray duet...she tries to lower her voice to be more like Elvis..not very nice,but the others..alll my favorite Christmas songs...wonderfully done... my niece the other day when i said I was playing Elvis doing duets said to me and Suzanne, 'you do know he's dead right?'

What is your favorite Christmas song. Mine is little drummer boy, because all he has to offer is his talent of playing his drum for the new born Saviour! Doesn't matter who sings it, but I like Bing Crosby's version the best.

LK

Most likely "I'll be home for Christmas"

Hello to everyone. I stopped reading for a bit and sent off a rush DMail to Judy and asked her to not substitute the all seasoning for Allspice. I am not sure what all seasoning is used for, but do know that she would probably be messing up a good cake by adding it. I would think that it is more so for meat or veggie dishes and not sweet things. Many herbs and spices that you buy will have a few foods listed that the herb or spice is used for.

Really productive day here today and I am not finished yet. Still have clothes in washer and dryer. Frances, my cleaning lady and I stripped Tucker's bed and put the new comforter that I bought him for Christmas on today. I am washing all the old things and putting away. I also bought new bathroom rugs for his bath and washing the old ones too. This is very late in the day for me to be so industrious but I slept a couple of hours mid day because I was feeling poorly earlier. I am all good now.

John left mid morning going to his dad's place at the retirement home to get a coffee table that has been in the family for a long time. I expected him home way before now. I am going to try calling him in a bit and see what the hold up is. I do know that he needed to stop for dog food and dog treats. Who knows with him.

Have a great evening all and I will check in the morning.

Ruby

It's very hard for me to pick a favourite Christmas Carol because different ones evoke different feelings. Two that I love are I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (with the traditional tune, not the one by Johnny Marks where the fifth verse is omitted) and Good King Wenceslas. With I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day I can almost hear church bells pealing - celebrating the joyous occasion. Good will certainly triumph over evil and that is cause for celebration. Good King Wenceslas is a carol that I didn't really like when I was younger when it seemed that people often sang just the first verse. When I finally sang all five verses I was very touched by the story. It is one that often brings tears to my eyes so I guess I would have to say that it's my favourite carol but only if all five verses are sung. I hope that I am able to show the same love and compassion to others as Wenceslas showed to both his page and the poor man.

I like Little Drummer Boy and Silver Bells. BEV

Alright Gilli, you started it. What is the story? I don't think that I ever knew it. I like the song too.

Oh yeah, glad that I checked back in. Betty and Bev, I would like to join the two of you in preparing a scrapbook for Emily this coming year. I purchased a few scrapbooking materials before she was even born and haven't touched them. With us all encouraging and supporting each other, maybe I will be able to actually produce something for her.

Is that okay with you two?

Have a good evening all.

Ruby

Not yet Betty, but as the others are arriving it shouldn't be long now, I am clear on the other end of the country so it always takes longer for things to get here!


I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Silent Night
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Yeah Ruby join the scrap booking. Glad to have you. Like you said maybe you girls will make me do it. LOL HUGS BEV

I like so many Christmas songs I can't pick a favorite. LOL There is one I like more than the others but I can't think of it right now. I'll hear it on the radio I'm sure.

I have a lot to do tonight after Dave goes to work, so my time here tonight is short lived.

I'm the troublemaker that said I wanted it to snow, but not that much lol! I like up to 4 to 5 inches for picture taking and maybe a small snowman, then it can all melt by the time I have to go to work lol! I wouldn't like shoveling that snow, not my forte.

Beautiful pictures and I love the tin man! That's a great idea!

I'm glad all of the bickering is over, I was beginning to think there were too many hens in the hen house LOL

Oh, I almost asked my boss if I could kick the other secretaries rear without getting fired today. I thought we were going to have a brawl right in the office. She apparently left some important legal document copies on the copier when she left for lunch. She was not in a very pleasant mood and my dentist appt didn't go very well and I didn't want to deal with her attitude, so I wasn't very pleasant either. After she left I had to take a fax to the back of the office so I wasn't near the copy machine. Anyway, I got to work at noon, she went to lunch at 12:30 and came back about 1. A little bit later I was sitting at my desk and she said, "Christine, I'm missing my copies off of this copy machine. Did you see anyone take them?" I said, "No, I didn't. I had to take a fax back there but I didn't see anyone." She said, "So you don't know what happened to my copies?" I said, "No, I don't." She then said loudly, "So what you are telling me is that you don't know what happened to my copies." I got mad and spun around in my chair and said, "Why would I take your copies?" (I work in the IT department and do next to nothing with the legal stuff, she's the Legal Secretary.) She yelled, "I'm not saying you took them, I just want to know what happened to them!" I said, "You asked, I told you I Don't Know and you questioned my answer, twice, which is telling me that you don't believe me." She quit talking back to me and actually got up and went to look for them, someone made some copies and took the whole stack off of the return tray, which some of them were hers. I was so mad I couldn't see straight, I still am. I started questioning myself if I over reacted, but I don't think so.

Anyway, sorry for the vent. lol

Has anyone heard the Mercy Me Christmas sessions CD? That is my favorite set of Christmas music ever! Some traditional songs sung in a different way plus some original ones. Beautiful!!

Late checking in my favorite is Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella. Heard it the first time when I attended a madrigal dinner where my daughter teaches (of course I was invited I made all the costumes--long story some other time). The chorus started at the end of a very long hall in the school so we only faintly heard the music but as they got closer, oh my what a feeling that envoked. Still get chills thinking about it.

Ruby, glad you are joining in the scrapbook challenge...between each of us inquiring as to the status of our project it's sure to edge us on...

Very tired, long day...girls just left..I got some more pressies but they told me I must not open until I find out if I am going south or not, said I can open all my gifts the kids give me but have to wait so that if I don't go away I'll have something to open Christmas morning...

Judy, how did your cake turn out?

Ruby, you put in quite a day today..you must be thrilled at what you've accomplished...

Waving Gillian...just think I have company 'Cedric' next week..would have been nice to have him here for my christmas but I'll have more time to entertain him..after how you've spoilt him how will I manage...no temper trantrums I hope as he'll be lonesome....

Few photo's then goodnight..

This is just as I'm pulling into my yard..side view of pines

Oh my!!!

And another at the corner

Marion, bet you are saying "am I glad I live here"...lol

As I was waiting for the girls to arrive tonight I was listening to the newscast..they were saying many of the municipalities here are going to be in major difficulties..they've already spend January and part of Feb. budget dealing with the snow removal...must be so hard to plan for Mother Nature's wrath..

ooops posted same photo