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

My favourite colour is orange. I love bright colours.

A few days ago I posted about the holiday helper thing I'm involved with on another site. Well, I just happened to have two winter coats and a snowsuit in sizes that one family needed. Yesterday a mother posted that she had to keep her kids home from school the day before because it had snowed and they didn't have snow gear. Now the screen names of the mothers in need are kept private but this person had been open about the fact that she was one. When I saw her post I had tears in my eyes because the coats and snowsuit plus a few pairs of boots were sitting in a box in my living room with her name on it, waiting to be taken to the post office later in the day. This whole experience has been so humbling for me. I've realized just how much I take for granted. If my children need something I look around for a deal and what's on sale and I buy it. If we need food, we buy some. I have never known what hunger is. With participating in the holiday helper I've also been very pleased with how excited Sonora has been to be generous and giving.

Now, for our Christmas. The present that I'm most excited to give the kids arrived yesterday. They're getting a worm bin with 1 lb of red wrigglers. I can't wait to see their reaction. They've been wanting a worm bin for ages. We tried a homemade one a few years ago but we just used garden worms and they're not really the best for it. I can't wait to add the products of their present to my garden.

Gillian, how true, we do take things for granted..we've been blessed and it's nice to be able to share that blessing with others...I truly need to go through all these coats I cannot wear and get them to the coat mission at the mall...perhaps that will be my tomorrow 'to do'

A worm bin, they'll just be so excited...are they large? they are an inside project right?

Will the children be out of school today Gillian? What is the weather up there like?

Paul keeps looking out of the office window at the storm, hasn't said to leave though...oh well I'm here to keep you company until 1:00pm

Morning everyone.
Betty please drive carefully? You know you have to watch out for the other drivers too. That snow can be so tricky to drive on, cause you never know when there will be ice under it. You too Stacey. We all worry about the bad roads when you have to travel.
Betty, this is your last day of work for about 2 weeks right? I hope you get Cedric, and Bailey soon. You will have a great time with them for the Christmas Holiday.
Linda Kay

OMG at the weather you are having!! that goes for most of you. I am feeling really bad now with our weather---well back door is always open!! Just let me know so I can put an extra pot of coffee or whatever on. Please stay safe, warm and us updated on how you are doing.

Marion and Linda Kay it's just the not seeing where you are going that gets a little tricky..lol...

It is soooo cold here. We usually don't get weather this cold till January or February. It has definitely been parka weather.

I just got a call from the person I babysit for. She just found out that she was able to get tomorrow off so this will be my last day of babysitting until after Christmas. I'm looking forward to chilling out.

Linda Kay I'm sure they'll be at the post office waiting for me this afternoon...must stop in and get my camera before heading to pick them up...did anyone think of sending snowmobile suits with them?

Oh well, guess we'll go out shopping for what's needed..surely after visiting with Gillian they are conditioned to the cold...they'll soon be saying 'post me now, post me now..need to visit warm climate...'

Gillian, chilling out is the correct word for it...are you all organized for Christmas..you never did say if family would be travelling north to be with you and your family...do you have community dinners...

Larry, a friend of Greg/Melanie puts on a brunch open to all on Christmas morning..all go to help them with it..I just might join in this year...of course my visitors will want to sample all the goodies right..best buy new batteries to charge as these lose their strength after a few photo's...

No, our families don't come north - and we don't go south. I make the breakfast my mom used to always make - braided sweetbread, grapefruit and sugary cereal (which is a pretty big treat for the kid). The kids get to open their stockings when they wake up but they wait until after breakfast to open presents. For Christmas dinner we're doing the same as last year. Our friend Dan is a bachelor who loves to cook. He's doing the main course and I'm making dessert. Another couple will be there too with salad and buns. My kids look to Dan sort of as an uncle and the couple sort of as grandparents.

We don't really have community dinners at Christmas. There's a family dinner hosted by a couple of the children's support organizations in the community. We went to that this past Tuesday.

Yes, the worms will be inside. I'll post pictures when we have it set up.

Sounds Gillian as though you are well organized for Christmas...traditions for kids are so important..

Ours was getting together at Grandma's house, she'd have a meal done similar to what you all would have Christmas day...we'd all set out for midnight mass and be home about 1:30..we'd start to enjoy the goodies when santa mysteriously appeared giving out gifts...once all the gifts were given and played with it was bedtime..we stirred early but not as early as if we had to wait to open our gifts...

Then for supper all the relatives would come for supper and enjoy..I think now of the work grandma use to do to make all this food..God bless her soul...

Now if I'm home this Christmas Day, I'll get a call from Noah and Kyle to come watch them open their gifts...last time I did so was about 5:00 am and I left my jammies on and braved the storm...can't say wait for the plows to come as they often don't go out till 9 or 10 on Christmas morning....

Still must get out and purchase gifts for my 'furry' friends...

OMG wanted to say what a tragedy we had a few days ago, a community not far from Carol...over 140 animals at the Humane Society lost their lives in a fire...this morning they said on the news they believe it to have been started by mice chewing through electrical wires...

Wasn't more than 4 or 5 years ago we had a fire at ours as well..all rebuilt and what a facility..even have acreage fenced in as to allow people to bring their animals for a walk...

Sad....caretakers are overcome with grief...

Trying to occupy my morning here while watching the storm...

Some were saying they were looking for cute gifts to make and give which don't cost a lot of money or for something to do with children..

Something that I did years ago, was in an e-mail I received today, enjoyed doing it so thought I'd post...


http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/4636/how-to-make-a-santa-snow-globe

Yethttp://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/2708/dare-to-make-it-holiday-challenge another...would be adorable to give someone for their door...

Ok, off to brave the storm...15 car pileup near here, just got a call said the roads are horrific so will take my time...good Lord willing, we'll talk when i get home....

Safe trip Betty..be careful

Good Afternoon everyone!!

Well, We had a ton of snow! Want to like 4 or 5 inches. It is so pretty. EVERYONE traveling, please be careful.
Put some nice music on and just take your time. OK.

Oh Betty, my goodness. Sure is some crazy stuff there. We have lots f caotic stuff like that in our families too. Sometime you just have throw your hands in the air and give up, not give in but give up. For me it is just simpler to walk away. I mean youve offered advise, heaven knows you've listened and cried and got angry...Not much else to do but walk away from it...The situation seems to be so overwhelming, so i hope that you take time away from it, lol get rejouvenated.

Nice gathering you had Carol.

VES...Just wanted to say if you are checking in...Merry Christmas to you too. Wish I could give you a big hug. lol,
I guess I can ((((((((((((Ves))))))))))) Have a safe and wonderful trip.

Laura (Wonderhug) I sure don't know what happen to your package but I hope it gets there soon. How wonderful that you will put out decorations for Christmas. This year I decorated my book shelves too....Are you decorating your ceiling with bulbs again this year??
I think you were the one doing that. I am glad your weather is nice, rainy but still it will soon be summer for you. LOL, I always thought Spring was chilly too.

Oh Gillian, you are such Sweetheart. I got tears in my eyes. I know how you feel, I participated in a similar "giving, not clothes. But our recipiant was overwhelmed with the love felt. Her post made me cry. LOL, she was still misty.
This is what the season is for...Giving Love.

Guess who I talked to yesterday morning!!! Our Marion!!! Always so nice to meet people by phone. Can't wait because i am going to meet her and Deborah, how exciting is that. My gosh, I have had the most excellent year meeting my friends from DG. What more can a person ask for. Also, this year, I met Ves, Celia and Terry via telephone...LOL and you all know I met Liz and Betty.
What a Grand Year. Can't wait to give Deborah and Marion a great big Armwrap. LOL, already, slated for next year is Carol, when we go visit Betty, and I swear I am going to get up to Ves too.

Betty, as far as the girl who gave her gift away, I thought she should have offered to buy one. LOL, I probably would have gotten upset about it, but then with her explanation I guees would have calmed down.

OK well tomorrow, We are having the family so i've got most of the house cleaned and in order. Took the kids shopping yesterday, yikes what a nightmare. It's funny the nightmare was parking lot!! We breezed through the store, so i don't know where all the sheppers were, ROFLOL.

Hiya Ruby!! Was glad to see you post, haven't in a few days. Just made me smile to see you! Have a great day.

Gita, Waving to you too...Do be careful in the travels.

Bev, Your photo's are so very pretty. purple is my fave too, second is Yellow! How much snow got dumped on you? It's still snowing here...Jacob is going to be very busy blowing off the snow from the wood pile, but he would take care of it yesterday!

Kids were called out of school Last night! So they were thrilled to pieces. When the call came i could hear them yelling No school No school tomorrow! They proceeded to saty up much later...So got to go shag them all up, I decided i have cleaned enough of this house by myself...Yikes need help to finish! Steve just got done snowblowing and is now gone shopping...I reminded him several times to get a Large jar of apple sauce, so i can make Ruby's cake...

Oh, Betty, i hope Cedrick and Baily are in the post today! Going to be a neet picture of them with the mail carriers!

Hiya Liz, saw your Santa, Wow! neighbors will love him.

Waving to everyone else, LindaKay, Trisha, Stacey, and all the Lurkers...
Wishing you all a Grand Day.

OMG can't even feel my fingers for holding on to the steering wheel so tight..the roads are treacherous and you just can't see..good thing was nobody was in any hurry, well maybe 3 or 4 when I got to near Midland...I pulled off twice to let the lineup go by, hate being first, feel pressured, but once I got back in line, they weren't doing any quicker than I...

Need a hot bath and jammies..just got in..was going to stop in Midland but quickly changed my mind..do hope you are all safe...

Decided though I'd pick up groceries to make tomato maccoroni for supper..it's so cold outside I decided it would be a nice treat...parking lot wasn't plowed and I barely got out... parked on the side of the road to walk to post office as their yard wasn't plowed, no reason to think it would be as all of our highways and roads were not done, guess they are waiting for the storm to pass before going out...and who was there waiting for me with open arms was Cedric and now to find Bailey...

They had been waiting all day worried that the snow would stop me from picking them up, the radio was on in the post office and guess they heard about so many bus and go trains not running and expected me to not make it...

So happy was Cedric..omg Gillian, did you make those mucklocks that he's wearing? too cute..said with the hide I have here that I should make myself a pair as he remembers how... so might just do that....

Got to go unwind, just stopped long enough to let you know I'm home safely...can tell you one thing..if it keeps up like this I'll be spending my entire holiday enjoying the inside of my house...wow...crazy out there..

Hello ladies. Betty, to answer your question about whether everything got wrapped yet, the answer is no. I am probably about half through. The past two days I have spent time organizing and see what all is left to wrap. I will probably be wrapping as late as Christmas Day. ha-ha I have not done cards nor have I done any baking. I am kind of thinking that my baking will be after Christmas. Also Betty, the place that I ordered the pill pockets from is a Veterinarian site called Doctors Foster and Smith.

It sounds like everyone is busy as can be. I sure am. Starzz, where in Virginia does your family live? Oh gosh, back to Betty's topic of her nephew and how he is treated by his mom and his grandmom. He is not the first "man" that I have heard people on Dave's talk about living the same lifestyle. My son is only 19 and I was freaking out last summer thinking of him being nearing 40 years old and still living here. I finally settled myself down and realized that 18 and almost 40 is not the same. So far I haven't been able to stick with my threats of throwing him out, but I just cannot imagine putting up with the situation for that many years. I hope that before the new year is too old that he will have a job and will learn to take care of himself.

Well, John just returned from picking up chinese take out. Off to eat that. Oh hello Sweet Judy. I can just see you hustling and bustling around the house getting things done for the holidays. I just know that you are a fun person who I would at some point like to spend some time with. We might just make that happen before too long. I should visit Chicago at least once before leaving planet earth. Just dreaming here for now Judy.

I am wishing each and every one of you a great weekend. Take care all.

Ruby

Betty, where is Bailey? He was not in the package with Cedric?

LK

So glad you are safe at home Betty.
I have been waiting for your post to say you made it.
It looks awful out there..whiteouts..
My daughter had to go to work..for afternoon shift..she made it..but said it was horrible driving.

Ruby..my Sis and BIL spend the winter at their condo in Myrtle beach..but come home for Christmas..they stopped halfway overnight in either West Virginia or Virginia..and were supposed to drive the rest of the way home today. I sure hope they stayed over another day.

Waving to everyone ealse here..
I made the Foolproof dark fudge today..
first time..turned out fine..

This is the recipe from www.chipits.ca


FOOLPROOF DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE
Ingredients:
3 cups (750 mL) CHIPITS® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 can (300 mL) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
pinch salt
1 cup (250 mL) chopped walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons (7 mL) vanilla
Directions:
1. Line 8- or 9-inch (20 or 23 cm) square pan with foil.

2. In heavy saucepan over low heat, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts and vanilla. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

3. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan; place on cutting board. Peel off foil; cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Makes about 3 dozen pieces.

NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I bought two bags of the semi sweet choc chips..which are only 350 grams each..which makes 700 grams..not the 750 that they call for..so I just cut back the condensed milk to 280ml. instead of 300ml.

Starling at my suet feeder earlier today..

Just got a call from my sister. They arrived home in one piece..but said it was whiteout conditons..with some highways closed. She said they just stayed behind a truck and went slowly..and at times they could hardly see the lights of the truck.
They were 5hours longer than their original estimated time of arrival.

So glad to Hear news of safe arrivals.

Now you can rest easy and cozy Carol.

Betty, so Glad Cedrick made in plenty of time for Christmas...
Are you warmed up yet?

Ruby, What a SWEET dream, I'll be be dreaming of wrapping my arms around you, when we get to meet.
oh my gosh, The other day, I was digging through boxes of stuff from my office and guess what i came upon?
If it was the photo of you and Gita embraced in a hug...I so smiled and actually touched to tears at the memory it was with me in mind!
((((Ruby & Gita))))...Now it is home with me again and will definately go on my wall along with Betty and Liz. haha, as soon as I find new homes for my kids...which i am thinking in the hallway...Need new pics for some of my frames!

OK, LOL...I am finally at a good breaking point, The only room left is the Shrine! LOL told Liz earlier, I have been avoiding that room. Mostly Steves stuff, so I am making him help. Then, I can vacumme and dust in there and I am done...lol still doing laundry!

All are so busy...glad that everyone is safe inside...wind is just a howling...Greg and Kyle dropped in by snowmobile, going to Mel's moms for supper..needed his knitted dickie with the hide on it for travelling in this cold..said they'd be back tomorrow to take Cedric and Bailey out riding on the trails...give me a few minutes break right...

Carol, going shopping in the morning IF the weather has improved..will pick up groceries to try your fudge..hope it's as fool proof as Ruby's recipe..

Judy, you won't know what to do in that spic and span house...you don't have to do it all in one day...you've months ahead of you...

Ruby, not all kids for sure will end up like Brian..was to call mom and find out if he brought back her van and was staying there but thought I'd not get into it again...better leave things as they are or I'd be saying what I think again and get her upset...

Paul's wife Wilena just called to thank me for her Christmas arrangement and wanted to know when I was heading south, then June called and wanted to know same...nope, guess I'm housebound..any of you want to come up and have a visit with me..sure would love it...

Guess the excitement of the day has tired me out...Cedric and Bailey are already in bed, me, I'm heading there as well...tomorrow is another day...

I so enjoy talking with you all...

Good Night Betty and Friends.

Hahah, Steve just informed me...we are going to work on house..yippeeee, I mean this house!!! How even more exciting is this...

LOL, He asked me what I wanted, I said soil...He found this tree (have no clue what it is) but it's a house plant kind of tree, I think.
Anyways, Don't have much soil for the big pot I am using...LOL Betty, Liz...the one I was going to use for fountain. So needs soil, asked for it, he said I am not giving you dirt, or soil or dust!! Laughing I told him how I just read the same conversation at Sweet Interuption.
ROFLOL, don't need alot but sure can use that soil.....Boooo& hoooo, not getting that weed puller I wanted, pouting too. really thats all I wanted...lip hanging out, maybe...for Easter! oh hahah, now I am not even getting Soil! So I said, well I could sure use some bird feed, Would love to watch the birds in the morn with my coffee...
I am not gonna tell you what he said, but, Hands are on the hips here!

ROFLOL, Judy all I ask for one year was a truck load of rocks!! My family thought I was insane--well maybe I was/am but I still wanted rocks. You could get them at a place in Gainesville (FL) at that time just by going to pick them up. Never got them. This years I said nothing that has to be hung!! As in window boxes etc. Have some from 4 years ago still waiting. I would attempt to hang them but I have to drill into brick and don't think I am up to that yet.

LOL Marion...One year I did get A Box of Rocks!!! well not for Christmas, but just because.
A big joke around us was Dumb as a box of rocks...Lol, when referrring to something stupid...hehe, like my spelling lately, but!
When Steve found my cobble stones, I took them with us, packed 'em in a Large box! ROFLOL they were moved to this house...
hahaha. Yep A box of Rocks!!

I am so envious!!! I wanted some large ones for the edge of our pond in the backyard. Sold the house still missing my rocks. Don't need them here but I can always use mushroom compost. My children just don't understand!! Must have done something wrong raising them. Well it is less than a week now. Can't hardly wait!!!

Haven't had time to catch up today...Have been out of pocket running back and forth to the shop for Bill, running mail for the neighbors, finishing shopping, picking up Laura to get some projects finished and fighting the packed snow and ice that they don't know how to deal with here. It is supposed to get down to 19 tonight and they say we have a big storm coming in tomorrow night with more snow....

I have to take my mother in law grocery shopping tomorrow...she's not been out of the house since the snow started and getting a little stir crazy.....my sis in law just wants to get the list a pick stuff up for her, afraid she will fall on the ice.....told MIL I would take her, let her out at the door where it is clear and pick her up there when finished and she won't have to walk in the slick parking lot. Made her so happy that it will be worth going out for.....had hoped to just spend the day home warm and cozy....oh well.....it's for a good cause.

Wishing all a safe and warm good night.....talk to you tomorrow.

Stacey, nasty! We supposed to get 4 to 12” of snow tomorrow night and we already have 6”. I don’t think we’ve ever had that much snow here in the time I’ve been here.

Star, we’re having the same problem at Sea-Tac.

Betty, what are snowmobile boots; and what is a knitted Dickie?

That’s so sad about the animals. You’d think they would have a sprinkler system.

Judy, you could maybe ask for a bird feeder?

My DH was having trouble with the fact that too many of the things I said I wanted were “vacuum cleaners”, like a cheese slicer, pot holders, decorative salt shaker, large measuring cup, etc… On the other hand I probably have several hundred items on my wish list on Amazon.

Marion, my DSD would worship anyone that gave her a whole box of rocks. She already has boxes of rocks, and she knows where she got most of them and who gave them to her if they were presents (if only she would do that with her spelling words). She’s gotten at least one rock every year that I’ve had her and this year is getting a rock polisher and rock drill (with rocks).

Morning...now you be safe today with all that inclement weather...with my Christmas behind me I'm not rushing today, besides cant get out till the plowman comes and does my drive..had to make a scoot into the bank even to park in my yard last night...

While watching local news a storm watch came over the screen, originally it was for tonight..perhaps it's travelling much quicker...

As for rocks, OMG, not sure when I look at them all around my pond how I ever managed to go rock hunting, lifting them and carrying them home..but did..I live in rock country here so not hard to find...also contractors do blasting for road improvements and that's the time to do your picking...lol imagine...

Bailey and Cedric are sleeping..was quite a day yesterday arriving in the blizzard, worrying if I'd make it to the post office to pick them up...so will let them rest just a tad longer...

Laura, with doing snowmobiling here you have to be dressed for the occassion..boots go just below the knee, designed for extreme cold..as for the dickies, well for years I made knitted belaclava's and attach deer hide to the fronts and snowmobilers love them..some have had them at least 15 years...the cold regardless of the temperature cannot penatrate the deer hide skin...

Time to make Noah and Kyle another, they've almost grown out of theirs..Greg got a new helmet for Christmas (why he has it on now I don't know) so needed some of the length removed...so last night he dropped in on his way out on the trails..was awfully cold...

DIL Melanie dropped off her 2 rag quilts she has done for the kids for Christmas, wants me to embroider Christmas 2008-made with love, MOM..would have been easier perhaps if she would have brought the material over prior to putting it together..not sure with the sewing edges that I'll accomplish it..but will try...

Along with it, still have several hours on Mrs. Claus costume so maybe a quick trip to town and finishing these commitments would take care of today...

Back after I get the kiddies up...

Loving your tales of Cedric and Bailey..
Chuckling...

judy, ive got it a ticket to california to pick lemmons! lol

Good Morning!
Wonderfully chilly day here.

LOL, Liz...I'll work on it.

Goodness Betty, would making her a piece seperate and then she could aplique it to the rag quilt?

Yummy just put Rubies Applesauce cake in the oven...ohwah, can't beleive I finally was able to make it. How exciting.
Now just to keep track of time...

Whats everyone up to today?
Still have to at least straighten the shrine. Steve was exhausted when he finally got all his shopping and household stuff done, so didn't have the heart to nag him on helping. So, I decided to wait til today...I am up and already started, people will be coming around three.

Betty, i like to get all the cleaning out of the way as soon as i can so i have lots of time to play...Get into a routine, LOL by February they be begging me to go back to work. LOL.

OMG, I just a tiny bit perturbed. Steve took my camera to the job front for photo's, give you one guess where my camera remains!
I asked him where my camera is and his answer, you don't even want to know, maan, hands on the hips here!

Well best get a few things done...
Good Morning Cedrick and Bailey.

omg your up already lol

ok got the perfect speech want lemmons got to go get them :)

betty, have fun with cedrick and bailey, wow you got cold!
now to make you shake your head its 35 and were not liking it!
if we get some rain as predicted it will warm up a bit lol

well off to get ready for work

so everyone have a great day

Thats so funny Liz...
He was just complaining yesterday. He had to resort to buying lemmons.
He has been having heartburn and swears it the lemmons. Asked when yours were going to be ready.
LOL, I told him they were getting yellow. OMG..hurry up and grow them!! He is driving me crazy.

Have a good day!!

MORNING LADIES!!!

Just cleaning and doing swaps here today....

Bev-my fave color is light plum...I kept forgetting to tell you:>)

Hiya Fairy, How you feeling?

I am feeling OK-ears are popping, so they are healing!!! Recovering from my scare yesterday.....

How are you today Judy??

Glad your ears are healing! My gosh, Glad you are home today, Don't have to drive in that mess.

I am am doing ok...LOL, I am so laughing though. Went to check on my cake, oh Heavens....
Afraid the alarm is going to go off and wake the whole house!!

So here is what i learned today...Use a different pan for cakes!!

Holyyyy schmolies!!! ROFLOL...so just checked and it's still jiggling.
It's got to hurry and cook now cuz i need to clean the oven before Steve wakes and needs to cook...