Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #75

Hello All - I hope that everyone is having a good week. I haven't read any of the thread since early Sunday and will have to catch up on all of Betty's festivities at another time. Just wanted to check in and say hello to everyone.

Have a great day.

Ruby

I thought I had 3 full days to get ready. Since one of those 3 is Christmas eve when I have traveling plans I guess it is only 2 plus a couple of odd hours. Wish me luck and if I don't get back on Have a Merry Christmas!

Hi Stacey, how are you feeling today? Headache gone I hope...

As for me, again it was stupid...a few nerves in my neck have the casing damaged, for lack of med. terms...I cannot wear anything heavy or carry a purse on my shoulder, lift my arms above my waist..well yesterday morning I decided to dress up a bit, wore my leather jacket..that sitting on my shoulders did me in..so painkillers last night going to bed, light jacket today, keeping arms lowered is helping somewhat..probably 2 or 3 more days before the pain is gone...all these lovely little things..isn't getting older grand...

Ruby, did you manage to get all the gifts wrapped and under the tree...with everyone and their dogs at the house for my Christmas on Sunday I took out the bag of pill pouches to show them all...all will be on computer checking out where they can buy them...

June (girlfriend) was visiting the other day and had a piece of your cake while I wasn't home...lol...called and wanted the recipe..hope you don't mind my sharing it ...she said it was absolutely delicious and loved the cranberries in it..not only tasty but festive as well...

Vicki, good luck in getting everything done in your 2 days...you'll need to purchase some energizing bunny batteries...lol...so much to do, almost overwhelming isn't it? Find it odd that I'm completely done...on the other hand now I can enjoy...

Busy here this morning...all are making sure our schedules are clear just incase the storm they are calling for tomorrow arrives and we can't travel in..know I for sure won't drive in when I cannot see and roads dangerous, not for 4 hrs......Suzanne is suppose to be in the city tomorrow,would have to drive myself.. won't worry today as the storm might not pan out after all...

Ouch! Know about shoulder bags and pain. My doctor told me that is one of the worst things women do is carry heavy shoulder bags. Guilty!!!

More bad weather coming your way Betty? Once again it is unreal here--80 again for today. I want cooler!!! Well it is letting me get the leaves off the decks at last. They have been really wet and difficult to move so now they are dry I can get the blower out.

Take care all, don't overdo it in that weather and please be careful driving!!!!

Ah Marion 80, now that is in the northern part of Florida too isn't it...unusual so enjoy it...

Yes to the storm...Paul told Suzanne before she leaves home if it's stormy to just call Toronto and cancel the Trustee appt.

OMG my head is just spinning..have you continually tried to talk what I would say is 'sense' but perhaps not to others and none of it helping or being understood by others...grrrr...so fed up...

This message was edited Dec 18, 2008 1:54 PM

Yes, almost to the Georgia line. I wish I could enjoy but I truthfully would like it a little cooler. No idea what it must be further down the state.

We are predicted to get into the 50's starting Monday so we shall see. Just please be careful with the weather you are having!!! No accidents.

O.K. waiting for the girls to come back from lunch so we can take ours..will start my morning and then finish after lunch..

I am often on MSN with Sharon (sister)...she's the one who just got out of the hospital with major spine problems...her 41 year old son living with her ... both having issues with regards to living at same place..she's the sister who is well to do, divorced, would say living in a mansion, no money worries...raised her 2 kids (boys now 41 and 39) adopted 2 babies 16 and 14 years ago - girls)...problem after problem..always trauma in her life..

She had her son when she was 16...dealt with depression most of her life...

I've been listening to her problems now with regards to her life for decades..more so the last 2 or 3 years, which is fine, EXCEPT it's the same story..kids do something terrible, she buys them something or fixes it..time and time again, few weeks ago i told her I did not want to hear anymore about BRIAN!

Rhonda at 14 she could not handle so Terry took her to live with him...

So this morning she msn'd me and says that her life just gets better and better...she found out that Rhonda just turning 16 is pregnant..wants to lead her own life, get an apt. with her boyfriend and live a fairytale life now and everafter...

Then she comes back on MSN says she can't deal with all this trauma, life's not worth living under these circumstances...on and on and on...so I say knowing your back is so bad, how about we take your van, put a matress in the back and go with me to Florida, even take her youngest if she wants..she needs to get away for awhile...says she couldn't find anyone to look after dogs..said how many dogs..she says 5...omg.. says not even one of those dog sitting places could take that many..shaking my head here...

I'm back with part 2 of my story...

Sharon said that mom was giving her an awful time about Brian and her wanting him out of the house and she just couldn't take it...

You've guessed it, called my mom, she said she was really tired, sleeping a lot..asked me if I heard from Sharon and I said yes, knew about Rhonda's pregnancy...AND I added, that Sharon just isn't up to having more pressure put on her..i.e. Brian..of course my mom got into 'someone in the family should give him a place to live' 'not me' says I...told her that I am a Christian and have a heart for any poor stray but this boy - no 'man' has taken advantage of all of them..in order to help they've all fallen for his antics, given him money, supplied him with food, vehicle, even bought him a trailer to live in and now was the time to let him fend for himself..sink or swim as I call it...

Kind of got told I was heartless...I told her I wasn't heartless but enough is enough..go ahead and give him her van, provide him with a place to live and eat rent free ...have the great grandchildren over all day while she is ill....more power to her but at some point he has to take control of his life..it's not everyone else's problem to support him or is the cause...

I've said this I just don't know how many times over the last few years..each time he steals or takes advantage the other buys him something or gives him something... on and on and on...I'm so tired of this story ...

Mom says she won't see him out on the street he can come and live with her and step father but he must see the children somewhere else as right now with not feeling good she can't take little children..now that won't happen, once he is in, the kids will be there as well...then she went on to say that Brian's ex-wife Karen makes Brian take the kids most days and how dare she (Karen) no have them herself...open another discussion..

Says I "mom, she has a business, makes money, kids have a beautiful home to live in, the best of everything, Brian doesn't work, why should he not have the kids each and every day..he doesn't give her any money' so long discussion on that issue..

Told her to go ahead with not feeling good and take them ALL in, that it wouldn't be long the way she's feeling to be in a hospital tied to a chair..another discussion..she says she wouldn't want to live like that so I told her if it's a choice no, but having a stroke doesn't mean you have a choice to live or die..some live ions in the hospital......just was getting worse...I was pumped up ... tired of the entire situation...aren't I awful???

No fibbing, yes I am...just it's the same thing month after month, year after year and nothing changes...

Betty, Wow, Sounds like your sister really needs to put her foot down, and do the tough love thing. I know it is hard, but I have done it with my oldest, and it has all turned out for the better. I refuse to help them any longer, if they won't help themselves!
Yes he lived on the street for a few months, but I told him, there are no more ties to my purse. Go and make it on your own. Now he is doing good.
She needs to think of her own health, before she enables her son.
How is her back doing by the way. I know she was in the hospital for awhile.
And how are you doing, you had the chills yesterday!
LK

Linda Kay, know I sounded calous but lordy, nothing ever changes...it is time for both she and my mom to let him fend for himself..a night or two or more might be what it takes...but regardless of how you try to make sense of this both she and mom make excuses for his behavior and the more you do that things won't change...

Was telling her to go pick up the movie 'Groundhog Day'..if you remember the movie, each and everyday they relived the same day, same talk, same action etc. etc. it wasn't until they made a change that things did change...

I'm warm and sooo looking forward to holidays regardless where they will be spent..cleaning my desk tonight just incase the weather takes a turn for the worse then well start our official holidays today..

As for not being well it's the pain in shoulders and neck..a few drugs and I'll be ready to dance..lol

hello.....
i saw your emial betty and thanks, thats why i posted aq catch up post... your all doing so well and xmas is upon u.

hard time for us atm.. no tree, nothing really xmas like.. truying to keep my chin up but its hard,,, not going to go on and spoil it for u guys tho....

not sure what that sea life is betty but no, not near me. probably queensland. they seem to have most of the poisnous things there.. the climate being tropical and all.
we have lovely things here and very few snakes.....

the hot weather has hardly hit yet,,, its been cold and rainy!! so i guess it will be a rainy xmas.

managed to get a few gifts for the family, not much but i guess they will understand with the bankruptsy and all.
the family are well..

not much to report atm.''hello to all and thankyou for thinking of me......its comforting at this difficult time....

my membership is up soon so i will be off in the new year... so u all have a good new year and i will be back on when things are improeved and finannces allow....
sorry i havnt got your parcel, xams and all i guess it got lost,.
thanks to those of u who sent dmails...i havnt sent much as its been a tough time and i hate to moan lolol

but i appreciate u all
hugs and chat soon

xxxxxx

Just took meds..if I see 7pm tonight I'll be lucky...

Asking your HONEST opinion...

Suzanne and I decided we'd give the 2 girls (nieces) each a Victorian Santa, so because Suzanne's time is very limited I brought them in today for the girls..Suzanne is attending an outside meeting tomorrow so thought it best...

At lunch Suzanne told me that LeeAnn said she loved it and because she loved it would give it to her boyfriends mom and dad...????? what is with this????

I would tell her absolutely not. It is her gift for her! I would be mad if I gave someone a present, and they turned around and gave it away!
That is not right! Now if you gave her a t shirt, and it was the wrong size, maybe I can see that getting passed on, but not something like the Santa's.
In my own opinion!

LK

My thoughts as well..she e-mailed when she knew I was upset..here she's sitting no further than 15 ft. from me and e-mails..just said she didn't want to get this incident out of hand..that her circumstances are as such that she cannot afford to give them a gift and this is so beautiful it was her first thought of how they'd love it...

Anyway...told her next year a box of chocolates will do....


never say die...went and checked the bus lines that leave here for Floriday...$525 + taxes from here to Clearwater...guess what Jeannine an hour stopover in Richmond...and Gita, 15 minutes in your nect of the woods..lol...it would mean though no car down there so that also doesn't look to promising...more to think about..lol

When ever I give someone something I give it from the love in my heart and if they want to turn arround and spread that love on to someone else it is fine with me. I don't get mad. I used to get upset over things like this and stew until I was sick.Any more I just think hey I gave it out of love and it is gone so just let it go. I am not saying that it is right or wrong just how I am. BEV
Everyone that posts here please do Me a favor and post your favorite color thanks. Mine is green. This is a hosta "Jimmy Crack Corn"

purple is my favorite color.
What program do you use to make those?
LK

LK I had downloaded a 30 day trial of this and just love it. It is by Corel. Photo Shop Pro x2 ultimate. Right now it is priced at $49.99 with a free $30.00 instuction book. You have to order by tomorrow the 19th to get the book and price I think so I ordered it today. I got the box instead of the download so that I can have the cd backup. With the download trial I just have to put in some info when I get it and it will just carry on. Good deal right now. BEV
Hope I explained that good enough.Thanks for your color.
This is a purple Iris just for you.

That is very pretty. Thanks for the info.
Linda

Thanks Bev...Roger used to shake his head...everytime I bought an outfit it would be black...not much you can do with black is there???

Thanks for info re giving the Santa..just seemed odd...

She could have at least ask you for another one? I just thought that to be rude.
LK

dragonfly---Can I presume you are talking "Favorite color" in the garden?

No matter what I think--I always gravitate towards flowers that are the deep fuschia in color. Then, combine them with the deep, deep dark blue ones (Peonies, mostly) and bright yellows and reds.

I guess these would be my favorite colors then---but I love ALL flowers!

Betty,

Stick to your guns re Sharon. She seems beyond enabling.....an extreme example of "needing to be needed"......I am struggling with a fairly new girl-friend like that at this moment.
She came over to help me bake about 250 of my Latvian Pirags the other day. It is a day-long, tedious process--making each one by hand and wrapping the marshmellow-sized chunk of dough around the meat filling. I do this only ONCE a year--as it is expected that I bring these to every Family get-together....No one else wants to bother.

When she came--she told me that she would have to leave around 3PM--so she could go back home and wake up her son in time for him to get to work......He is 19! Still living at home--doing drugs--hopping job-to-job--mooches off of her food and pays no rent. His car is in HER name, and she cannot afford to have him lose his job, as he contributes to the expenses.
SHE--in my opinion--needs to let go and have him experience the consequences of not being responsible for himself. I lectured her about all this over and over......Ahem...I am GOOD at that! Of course--SHE needs part of HIS income to survive, and so continues to "make nice" so he will contribute.
She decided NOT to go home and stayed for the whole evening until we were finished, and was proud of letting that go.

She works with "Bell Nursery" that provides and takes care of all the seasonal plants at HD. She is now--unemployed and he seems to mooch off of her. Besides--she has two dogs that are her "babies" and they need to be attended to--and, Heaven help her--if she was not there for their 4PM feeding......PULEEEEEZE!!!!!
The dogs are both old and one of them just needed serious medical attention---was having seizures.....Cost? Over $350! One of them peas on the floor all the time.....I give her all my old newspapers.....

I am sure I will have many more times to "plug away" on her......She needs to "see the light!"

I was almost tempted to c/p all you wrote and send it to her--but I will step back and let her deal with it--one baby-step at a time.

OK! I better quit before I get too fired up---always gets me in trouble!

Gita

Laura, you aren’t going to bring down our Christmas; we wouldn’t have very good Christmas spirit if we weren’t willing to be there for a friend.

Do you have x-mas decorations? One year when I couldn’t afford a tree I did a Christmas book shelf.

Bev, my favorite color is blue.

You are all so creative when it comes to computers...maybe I should focus on a spring course at one of the local colleges that provide education to older adults...wow do I qualify for that..a couple who came for counselling today asked if I was Suzanne's mother...either she looks young or I look extremely old..lol..better start wearing make-up...

Gita, going to take a break from both she and mom...I feel for them but at the same time, well I just don't have any answers...baby steps..you are heading in the right direction with your friend..see..she spent the entire evening with you..
now explain what you were making please???? lol at being all fired up..that's how I've been feeling today...

Christmas is getting closer and I can feel I'm getting agitated so best take on a few projects in the next 2 weeks to keep me busy...hope some of you will be around the gab the blues away ...

Linda Kay, you hit the nail on the head..had she said it was lovely thank you and that she sure wish she had something same to give MIL/FIL one would have been on her desk tomorrow morning..and I do know when you give, you give out of love and that's the end of it..but lordy at least take 5 seconds to receive it before you tell the person you are giving it away..sore spot I guess..she and I don't quite click, her younger sister Cindy as a real 'sweetheart'...always offering to help, pick up something and appreciative...oh well, it's behind us now..

Laura, your bookcase christmas decoration sounds lovely..and yes, always something we can do to make house special...remember helping a senior (and now I'm one) who had no $$$ make placemats with old Christmas cards and clear mactac...they were beautiful and she gave a set each to her children and they are now 'treasures' I'm sure now that she's gone...

Stopped for gas at a little local gas station and when I went in to pay he said could you wait a minute please...he dealt with other customers....a few weeks ago I had forgotten my wallet at home and when I went to pay, oh/oh no wallet so the girl just marked it on a slip..knew the very next morning I had dropped in to pay for it so when he said 'wait a minute please' I thought OMG I forgot...

He handed me a Christmas card with coupons for the coffee shop and sandwich/soup counter...how nice for him to do so..just a little gas station so it's a lot for him to give his customers all a Christmas gift...I presume he is, why would I be special...lol

Bev...garden color would be yellow, much the same yellow as sunflowers which I never seem to be able to grow....

Still no Cedric at the Post Office..if he doesn't arrive shortly he'll be spending Christmas with gifts...maybe tomorrow..we get to leave at 1:00 so if he arrives I'll be able to take photo's of he and the postmistress....

Betty, they do try to make an effort to get things there by Christmas, so he might be late, but should spend Christmas with you.

We decided money for presents and travel was more important than a tree this year, since we aren't doing Christmas at our house this year. So, I have two 3' Christmas trees, a wreath I made at the advent fair, and a few other odds and ends, but I do have Christmas music.

No not just garden color but just general favorite color. Thanks BEV

Blue is my favorite general color, though black and green are pretty equal with it.

Morning..please to look outside and not see the blizzard they were calling for but then again they said it would hit early morning ...I will drive myself in and am sure if it starts Paul will have us leave early...

OMG the busy/busy of my past 3 month schedule has caught up with me...been in bed by 7 or 8 each evening not wanting to get up early morning...I should be well rested for Cedric's visit..

Hate to think of you driving in that weather Betty. You take care. Rick has to go in today and we have ice!!! HUGS BEV

Did watch the weather channel Bev and it was showing how everyone is being impacted either with more heat / ice storms and blizzards...

Rather have my blizzards than your ice...you tell Rick to be extra cautious out there...

Are you enjoying that new program you are playing with? what all can it do Bev?

I ordered the whole package with book so will find out. All I can figure out right now is the kalidiscope thing. Heres one for you Betty since you like black. This is one of my sunset pics. HUGS BEV

Morning all,
Betty ..I was surprised when I just got up and didn't see any more snow yet too.
The Breakfast Television says it is coming later this afternoon. All the school buses are cancelled though..

My sister and BIL are travelling from Virginia this morning ..home to London ON..and the snow is hittng there first.
I got errands done yesterday so I can stay inside today.

Went swimming yesterday..that will be the last till after Christmas...the countdown begins..

Bev...I like teal green..

I had a little pot luck dinner with some friends on Wed.
My part was the appetizers wine and Greek salad.
These are my Holiday Inn friends.

Morning-I am sitting here praying the power doesn't go out-we are under a level 2 snow emergency whcih means travel only if you have to, and if you have an accident, unless you need an ambulance, just exchange info, don't call the police. We are expected to get 1-2" of ice on top of the 2.5" of snow we got and the 1/2" of sl;eet under the snow:((((

Oh no..thanks for the info Stacey. I sure hope you don't lose power....that is such a worry.


not good for my sis and BIL to be travelling..I hope they wait another day before travelling..
The airport here has cancelled many flights out of Toronto..and they say it is one of the busiest days before Christmas for people to travel.

Yeah-it isn't fun-I am hoping to make it into work by 2pm.....hopefully they will have the roads drivable by then...

Just got into work, my goodness when they predict the onset of a storm they sure do nail it right on the head...not a flake when I left home, abgout 20 minutes into my driving in the snow started to come..could hardly see..am sure once Paul arrives today and sees it coming through the area he'll send us home...Suzanne left for the city so I'll worry about her till she arrives home safely..

Carol, could you not do your errand tomorrow..not work taking these roads..I was smart, brought snowmobile boots in, heavy jacket, gloves, blanket..cel phone..everything I needed to brave the storm should I need it..my fright last Saturday reminded me that emergencies can happen...

Stacey, you just might not get to work today..worse thing to drive in of course is freezing rain..they are calling for mixture here...

Am glad I decided no Florida at least for the next few days...wouldn't have left in this blizzard anyway...but thoughts of leaving Boxing Day if I can find someone to travel with still hasn't been shelved....

Did some Christmas cards yesterday and have a few more to address...will take up part of my morning...working till 1:00 isn't bad..enough time to get to Midland and do a few errands while I'm already out, head home/fireplaces on, Christmas music and PLAY!!!

Now for the rest of you, are you safe, out of storms way???

Something is coming our way this weekend.....It has been raining--but this morning the sky looks that snow-gray. Don't think we will get much snow, but they are calling for rain and sleet-------------famous last words!

G.

Gita-I think you are getting what we are getting right now.....be careful adn I hope it poots out a bit B4 it gets there....

Hi Betty..
I did my errands yesterday..staying inside today..

Wise of you to bring extra clothing etc ..hope you get to leave early..

I am going to find a receipe for fudge made with Condensed milk and choc chips..

Can you share your recipe??? need something to go with applesauce cake..lol...love fudge...

Glad you are in for the day..storm is picking up..waiting for paul for arive..maybe it will be time to return home..let's hope..