Thursday

[AnnW]

My alarm went off this am and I had a momentary lapse and forgot I have to work now and went back to sleep! It wasn't but a moment but boy what an odd feeling!
Thought I was done with all my Christmas shopping but dad called last night and wanted to know if one of sm's daughters and her family could spend Christmas Eve with us. I told him I thought it would be awkward to have them watching us open presents. At dinner last night with friends, I was told I should be the bigger person and invite them. So now I get to run and get some gift cards for the 3 kids cause I will not have them sit around just watching us open presents, i think that is rude. I would like to know when someone ELSE gets to be the bigger person and why it always has to be me?!

[PamE]

Thought I was done with all my Christmas shopping but dad called last night and wanted to know if one of sm's daughters and her family could spend Christmas Eve with us. I told him I thought it would be awkward to have them watching us open presents. At dinner last night with friends, I was told I should be the bigger person and invite them. So now I get to run and get some gift cards for the 3 kids cause I will not have them sit around just watching us open presents, i think that is rude. I would like to know when someone ELSE gets to be the bigger person and why it always has to be me?!

What a rip! :( Doesn't quite seem fair to me, either.

Grocery shopping this morning. I've been awake since about 2:00 this morning, can't go back to sleep for the life of me. Trying to figure out if I want to bake at all in the next few days. Probably not! :lol: General household maintenance stuff and then spending time with family. That sums up my day.

[Diane]

Bummer Ann... I probably wouldn't be too happy about having to go out and buy even more gifts either, but it was nice of your dad to invite them. Maybe they didn't have anywhere else to go and he didn't want them spending it by themselves. I'm sure you'll all have a lot of fun... :)

Dh's got his early networking meeting this morning so he'll be gone in a little bit. :) :) :) He's not on my better side this morning so it's probably a good morning for him to be leaving early. Hopefully I'll get over it as the day goes on but... ugh! LOL

Dd and her bf are leaving for Grand Rapids this morning to spend time with her bf's dad's family for the holiday. They won't be coming back home until Saturday evening some time so we'll be ferret sitting until then. They're moving the day after Christmas... so actually "should" be home packing because they haven't been working on that as hard as they should be either but... if they're not ready by the time they move it's their problem, not mine. LOL I'm anxious to see how nice/clean they keep their apartment... and hope they do a much better job there than they have in her room/his apartment. Ugh... :rolleyes: Should be interesting...

More baking today... I only have one or two more recipes and then I'm all done with my Christmas baking. I haven't baked like that in years and it really felt so good being able to bake without a bunch of interruptions. (day care) It's been nice being able to have this time off during the holiday's. :)

Not much else... hope you'll all have a great day today...

[angie r]

Ann - the kids will always remember how nice you were to think of them.
Pam - I hope you get some rest today.
Diane - Beside the oreo truffles what else did you bake/make?

It is soooo nice to wake up on my own time with my whole family in the house this morning. I can't remember the last time that happened! Dd is watching cartoons and everyone else is still :sleep: asleep. I've got a list of things to do today, but I think we'll drop the kids at MIL/FIL's and do them together. I just love being with my hubby! I caught myself last night doodling Angie + B.....= Love :heart: :heart: :heart: like I was in high school or something. rofl

Brichard's brother flies in tonight late. I'm looking forward to seeing him.

Have a great day all!

[RCT]

running late today, but as you can see I don't much care...dd is in the shower, ds still asleep.....two more days and I am off for 10...I worked this holiday out perfect....I need to get way from that place for a little while....

dh has the same time off so it will be a nice mini vacation here and around town...

Got tons done last night while dh took the kids out....I need to do more baking but the shopping is done....

I love Christmas but it seems to have crept up on me this year.

((((((((HUGS))))))))))Ann, my father and his wife are coming for pie and coffee on Christmas Day...I felt bad for him, but I declined on Christmas eve with her daughters family.....not a big fan of them, and its my holiday too....Sometimes I wonder if anyone else realizes how hard it is for me NOT to have my mother, and yet always be asked to participate in Family functions with Mother/daughters.......Pitty party over..sounds bad when I type it.....


work, then home to bake some cookies...BED.....

[Fern]

AnnW - sorry your dad did that to you, but I'm sure you will be able to make it a good time for all involved.
Pam - I can join you in the waking up to early club.
Diane - is this the last child to move out? How much time did you take off for holidays?

Hello all! I've missed it here, is there lots that I have missed out on? What's new with everyone?

It's far to warm here for this time of year, I hate when the snow is melting just before Christmas. No big plans for the day, taking dd to the hospital for her daily light treatments, some private classes this afternoon and that's it.

[kat]

Finished up last minute buying yesterday: stocking stuffers, everything for dinner, a few extra things that caught my eye I had not intended to get. LOL Made a dent in cleaning the house yesterday. Need to scrub floors today and finish wrapping the extra presents. Ds also dropped his stuff off for me to wrap. Getting my hair done at 1:00.

Got some bad news yesterday. A dear friend passed away Tuesday. He was a member of our church. He was a contractor and he built our house. He'd been on his farm pulling a calf. Went in to take a shower because he wasn't feeling well. Coughed real hard to clear the barn dust and hay from his lungs and his aorta tore. Doctors repaired a 7 inch rip and told him he would never be able to do anything physical ever again. Later in the night his blood pressure soared and the aorta ripped again. He was my age. He leaves a wife and 21 year old daughter. She is devestated. Keep us all in your prayers. Visitation is tonight and the funeral is tomorrow. He seemed so fit and was so active. And face it so young. Makes one really think we are never guaranteed tomorrow.

Didn't mean to bring everyone down, but cherish each day with your friends and families this holiday season.

[RCT]

Ann - the kids will always remember how nice you were to think of them.

I just love being with my hubby! I caught myself last night doodling Angie + B.....= Love :heart: :heart: :heart: like I was in high school or something. rofl


I agree Angie, Ann they will always remember this Christmas....Your a really nice person.

OK Angie its too early and your scaring me......LOL

[RCT]

Got some bad news yesterday. A dear friend passed away Tuesday. He was a member of our church. He was a contractor and he built our house. He'd been on his farm pulling a calf. Went in to take a shower because he wasn't feeling well. Coughed real hard to clear the barn dust and hay from his lungs and his aorta tore. Doctors repaired a 7 inch rip and told him he would never be able to do anything physical ever again. Later in the night his blood pressure soared and the aorta ripped again. He was my age. He leaves a wife and 21 year old daughter. She is devestated. Keep us all in your prayers. Visitation is tonight and the funeral is tomorrow. He seemed so fit and was so active. And face it so young. Makes one really think we are never guaranteed tomorrow.

Didn't mean to bring everyone down, but cherish each day with your friends and families this holiday season.


Sorry for your loss Kat.
((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

[vea29]

Wow...sounds like we're all starting offon the wrong side of the bed.....Did you ever have one of those days where you feel totally lost. I'm there.

dbf and I had an upsetting night last night...and of course we haven't really talked it out yet so I'm upset (please don't ask).

Then I'm still sick. Felt better yesterday so stopped by work to do my time sheet and decided to stay and work. Going to the doctors...they're giving me a hard time about my insurance and I can't find the card... a replacement is on it's way. ugh! I want to go back to bed.....glad today is my last day of work until after new years.

Anyway...can I will myself to have a good day!!!!!!!!!!

[vea29]

((((Kat)))) sorry for your loss.

[BevJ]

(((Kat))), so sorry for your loss.
Ann, I agree with the others, that these kids will remember your kindness to them. Maybe the others don't feel like they have to be a bigger person because they have accepted you and your family as part of theirs?

Working today...applying for my job (see other thread). Taking 3 hours off this afternoon so I can go home and finally get my tree up??? Need to get my new cabinets wiped so I can start moving our stuff into it...it sucks living out of two kitchens, lol. Think it's close enough to Christmas that dh will let me unpack my new dishes so I won't have to move my old ones??? The lady who helped me design my kitchen stopped in yesterday and made notes of all the "damage" to be replaced fixed (so minor it's almost laughable, lol). She brought us a bottle of wine. I could not have picked better contractors/kitchen designers. I feel blessed to have met and worked with such great people and I will surely miss their presence once it's all completed.

Going to look at the home for Dad tonight with my sisters.

[Diane]

Diane - is this the last child to move out? How much time did you take off for holidays?

Hello all! I've missed it here, is there lots that I have missed out on? What's new with everyone?

Yep... she's the last to move out.
LOL... I can tell you haven't been here for a while. :biglaugh: I quit day care on September 1st and haven't gone back to work yet. Don't know when I will but am enjoying the time off. :)

Glad to see you're back and posting. We've missed you.

[BevJ]

Fern, good to see you again.

[littlesista06]

My alarm went off this am and I had a momentary lapse and forgot I have to work now and went back to sleep! It wasn't but a moment but boy what an odd feeling!
Thought I was done with all my Christmas shopping but dad called last night and wanted to know if one of sm's daughters and her family could spend Christmas Eve with us. I told him I thought it would be awkward to have them watching us open presents. At dinner last night with friends, I was told I should be the bigger person and invite them. So now I get to run and get some gift cards for the 3 kids cause I will not have them sit around just watching us open presents, i think that is rude. I would like to know when someone ELSE gets to be the bigger person and why it always has to be me?!

Are they from out of town? Would it be better if you were invited to their home?

I only know from my experiece of being a stepchild, it sucks when you're not included. It happens to dh and me time and time again.
And I agree with Angie, that they will remember how kind you were to have them there. I can't imagine they feel totally comfortable with the situation either. How do they feel about having another stepfather? Do they have the same feelings about how quickly the two got married?

It's hard for anyone to see all sides when there is still hurt in your heart over the one you've lost.
I hope you can enjoy your Christmas Eve. :tinysmile

[Leigh]

((((Ann))))) I hope all goes well for you this Christmas.

(((((Kat))))) I am so sorry for your loss.

Not much planned here today. I have to finish wrapping presents, and then I need to head into town and get some stuff done there. I have about 3 more gifts I have to get, and then I should be completely finished. Have a great day everyone!

[Melody]

Well, went to school this am. Spoke with the teacher, ds2 told me that she wrote me a note but he forgot it at school. She insisted she put it in his bag, watched him leave school with it. It was in his binder, on a shelf. :rolleyes: Anyhow, she did move his desk, told her how unhappy I was with the time frame, got excuses. She did speak with the other child. Her attitude about ds being seated near this other boy was "he can't avoid him all the time, they are in the same class". grrrrr. Said ds was working harder than ever, she's never seen him concentrate so hard. duh, med's were increased last week! Doesn't mean he is comfortable sitting in front of his persecuter all the time. Going to make a nice long list of everything to date with ds and this boy. I don't think this is really the end of it. Principal has a way of "not recalling" our conversations, or parts of it anyhow.
SO! House maintanence today and maybe shopping, depending on how much snow is on the roads. And right now I'm getting dejavu big time. LOL
Gotta clean out the sink and put the turkey in there to defrost since I'm cooking it on Saturday.
Hope you all have a good day. :)
Fern, great to see you back.

Sil just called, pregnant sil is being induced right now. It was supposed to be on Friday but her blood pressure is high and they had an opening today. I'm happy for her and my brother, she was hostile cranky from hormones and wanting baby out. LOL So, hopefully by the end of today I will know how much my new nephew Carter weights. :tinysmile

[Melody]

(((Kat))) I'm sorry for your loss.

[angie r]

So, hopefully by the end of today I will know how much my new nephew Carter weights. :tinysmile

I LOVE that name! I wanted to name ds that, but my brother named his son that 10 years before my ds was born... lol

(((Kat))) I'm so sorry!
Fern - Amy is going to be a mommy again and Diane is a foster mommy. Glad to see you posting!
vea - I hope everything works out ok.

[Fern]

[QUOTE=angie r]Fern - Amy is going to be a mommy again and Diane is a foster mommy. Glad to see you posting!
QUOTE]

Okay I seen Amy's post- obviously you ladies are using some misleading post lines!! But Diane? did you give up babysitting for foster parenting or am I being mislead here too!!

[Amy]

I got my processed meat all wrapped and waiting to give it to my boss. Oddly, I am second guessing my gift. ROFL Stupid Lovey didn't even make it to the bakery and instead, bought store brand rolls :rolleyes: It is such an odd array of gifts, that it is cracking me up.

Yep Fern, I am going to be a Mommy again on Jan. 7th and I am not even showing yet!! :yippee:

[Fern]

Kat - sorry for you loss

- how are things with your grandchilren?

Diane - I remember you talking about quitting, that must have been a very big step to take after so long, but also must be great to be done. Now that you have free time do you get to spend more time with your granddaughter?

[AnnW]

Don't nominate me for Sainthood! LOL
they live here. they are in the process of remodeling a house and are living in an apartment. they are spending the night at my dad's house cause it's 'just so crowded at theirs' and doing Santa and stuff with my dad and their mom Christmas am. I did not know any of this until dad called and asked if they could come Christmas eve which is now when we do all our presents to each other (it sucked having her here Christmas am in my mom's place so last year started a new 'tradition' of them coming over Christmas eve instead.)
Everyone is going over to their house Christmas afternoon for the family dinner.
i think these kids will be pleased they are getting presents, but i doubt seriously that it will be a Christmas that they will never forget
i guess i just gotta deal with the fact that now i have a blended family and will have to have these people at all the family gatherings. i like them, that's not an issue at all, but i keep forgetting we are "family".

[Melody]

Ann, how old are the kids? These are your dad's wife's kids? Or her child and their children coming?
I would love to forget that the house will be crowded with "family" at fil's on the 26th. I am really hoping that we get there early in the day, even though dinner is at 3. I plan to drop off dh and kids and bugger off to the mall for all the sales. I will come back for dinner and maybe hide from everyone in a corner with sil, getting smashed. rofl It is difficult to be at fil's when the house is empty, I miss mil but it seems so way worse when the house is crowded with this gang. Hang in there Ann. ((hugs)) Maybe you and dh and kids can make it out of state next Christmas, or rent a little cabin somewhere for just the 4 of you. :)

[JAK]

I'm barely here. LOL My house is "getting there" when it comes to cleaning. I really have NO motivation as I really don't want everyone here. I'm sure it will be fine when they are here, I'm just not in the Christmas spirit or the mood to deal with it all. We opened our gifts from each other and dh's side of the family last night. The kids had a good time and loved everything they got. I'm glad we did it w/o everyone else here. My parents will be here sometime today. I need to go to the bank and the grocery store, but it's pouring and I really just want to curl up with a book and laze the day away with the kids.


(((kat)))
Ann- well, at least you actually like them. :goofy: Maybe they can come to my house and I'll send my family to your house. deal?

Fern- I'm so happy to see you posting!! :yippee: Where have you been? I'm done with day care (just like Diane) and we are moving to Germnay in a few months.

[littlesista06]

Don't nominate me for Sainthood! LOL
they live here. they are in the process of remodeling a house and are living in an apartment. they are spending the night at my dad's house cause it's 'just so crowded at theirs' and doing Santa and stuff with my dad and their mom Christmas am. I did not know any of this until dad called and asked if they could come Christmas eve which is now when we do all our presents to each other (it sucked having her here Christmas am in my mom's place so last year started a new 'tradition' of them coming over Christmas eve instead.)
Everyone is going over to their house Christmas afternoon for the family dinner.
i think these kids will be pleased they are getting presents, but i doubt seriously that it will be a Christmas that they will never forget
i guess i just gotta deal with the fact that now i have a blended family and will have to have these people at all the family gatherings. i like them, that's not an issue at all, but i keep forgetting we are "family".

I'm glad you like them, that helps! :) I can apprecaite your dad trying to keep the peace on his side, trying to include them instead of leaving them at the house while he and sm are at yours. But I also totally understand you're put in a spot where when he asked, you coudn't say no. Hope their remodel is done so this won't happen again NEXT year!! lol

I don't think any of us stepkids (my siblings nor my stepdad's) feel like we're family. They refer to my mom as Catherine or Daddy's wife (reasonably so, they are too old to call her mom) and I'm Catherine's daughter. I refer to them as sd, and sb, and ss, personally.
Interesting to me, is that when my dd was born, we taught her to call my sd, Grandaddy (which she was only able to say PopPop, so that's who he is. lol) and my stepsiblings have brought their kids up calling my mom Catherine. She is the only grandmother they've ever known, but they will not refer to her as one.

It's so hard blending people and the holidays put so much more stress on the whole thing. Dh has a great plan that when dd is old enough, we'll get the heck outta here over Christmas and not have to deal with family. :lol:

Keep hangin' in there!

[AnnW]

It's dad's wife's daugther, sil and their children. Kids are 2 girls 14 and 9 and a boy 11.
It's weird the daughter calls my dad 'dad'...her dad is still alive! I figure they were so well adjusted to this blended thing cause (a) their mom is on husband #4..so lots of practice and (b) their dad is still alive.
My dd would love to be close to dad's wife. She wants a grandmother. This one gives alot of lip service to being there for her, but she never follows through. Her grandkids are over at the house all the time (which is right) but mine never get invited. The 9 year old granddaughter does like to rub dd's nose in it about how often she is over there.

[Beth/TX]

It's been a busy past few months and I haven't had much time to check in here. Just when I sit down to catch up on the board, something happens to pull me away.

We went on a wonderful vacation to San Diego with our best friends and their kids back in October. We rented a beach house on Mission Beach, and we visited Sea World, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Disneyland, and Legoland. We had such a good time! Then my ds had his first birthday. I can't believe his first year has passed so quickly! Now all the Christmas festivities have been keeping me busy, and I thought I had finished all my shopping and wrapping til last night.

My bil came into town with his girlfriend/fiancee (we're not sure exactly what she is). She has an 8 yr old son. Now I have to go back out and buy something for him because I don't want him to sit there watching us all open presents on Christmas Eve. And I guess we have to buy her something as well? Ugh! This is all so confusing! I'm in complete awe that he has put himself in this situation so soon after his divorce. She seems very nice and all, but I don't understand his rushing into another relationship/marriage. I thought he would have learned better after his first disaster of a marriage (that happened as quickly as this one seems to be happening). They are even living together now, and they only met a few months ago. :nervous:

Kat, sorry to hear about your loss. :(

Hope everyone has a great day!

[Diane]

Diane - Beside the oreo truffles what else did you bake/make?

I made:
Peanut Butter Crispy Balls
Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread
Oreo Truffles
Christmas Casserole Cookies
Candy Bar Cookies
Dream Bars
Cranberry Sauce Bars
Chocolate Eatmore Bars
Puppy Chow Mix

I've got a good Oh Henry Cookie Recipe that sounds really good, and if I have time tomorrow I may make them with Sarah.

[BevJ]

Ann, do you think your step-monster "invites" this other granddaughter over so often, or do you think maybe they just "show up"? Maybe that's something your dd could do?

Beth, good to see you posting again.

[AnnW]

Ann, do you think your step-monster "invites" this other granddaughter over so often, or do you think maybe they just "show up"? Maybe that's something your dd could do?

.

i think her mother brings her over when she visits her mom, i think she also babysits her. kind of hard for dd to just show up, and i wouldn't feel comfortable doing that at all.

[AnnW]

Fern, Beth...welcome back!!!

[Melody]

I'm sorry your dd isn't invited over as much as this other girl is there Ann. It must be hard. I was never close to grandparents, lived too far away but they made it clear I wasn't all that welcome when we did live near and it was so very clear that she (my gm) was much closer to my cousins and it was talked about infront of me. Not fun.

Beth, I cannot believe your baby is one already!! Sounds like a fun vacation, welcome back.

[Melody]

I LOVE that name! I wanted to name ds that, but my brother named his son that 10 years before my ds was born... lol



Funny how different families and generations have different takes on re-using names. I have 3 brothers and 28 cousins on my moms side and it's crazy how many names have been repeated. Here is a sample from the top of my head but could easily come up with more: George, at least 4 times. Robert and any form of Bob, 5 times. Gail, Gregory, Gerard, Reggie, Jerome all at least 2 times. Some family reunions were very comical calling out names. A lot of 'big' and 'little's'. LOL You would think I had learned and avoided this but ds1 is named after fil and my dad so at fil's it's big and little. LOL

Sil's contractions are 4 minutes apart last I heard around dinner time. Tomorrow I will be a new auntie. :tinysmile I'm so excited.

[angie r]

I made:
Peanut Butter Crispy Balls
Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread
Oreo Truffles
Christmas Casserole Cookies
Candy Bar Cookies
Dream Bars
Cranberry Sauce Bars
Chocolate Eatmore Bars
Puppy Chow Mix

I've got a good Oh Henry Cookie Recipe that sounds really good, and if I have time tomorrow I may make them with Sarah.

What are Christmas Casserole Cookies? Dream bars? Chocolate Eatmore?

[angie r]

Funny how different families and generations have different takes on re-using names. I have 3 brothers and 28 cousins on my moms side and it's crazy how many names have been repeated. Here is a sample from the top of my head but could easily come up with more: George, at least 4 times. Robert and any form of Bob, 5 times. Gail, Gregory, Gerard, Reggie, Jerome all at least 2 times. Some family reunions were very comical calling out names. A lot of 'big' and 'little's'. LOL You would think I had learned and avoided this but ds1 is named after fil and my dad so at fil's it's big and little. LOL

Sil's contractions are 4 minutes apart last I heard around dinner time. Tomorrow I will be a new auntie. :tinysmile I'm so excited.

How exciting, I hope all goes smooth for her!!

lol about the names. I thought having the same name as brichard's sister and my brother marrying an Angie was bad! I took one person's name and then someone else took mine!

[BevJ]

It's blatantly obvious in dh's family that the youngest grandson is the favourite. DS makes his observations but hasn't mentioned that it bothers him. It's tough to witness when you're a mom though.

[vea29]

I LOVE that name! I wanted to name ds that, but my brother named his son that 10 years before my ds was born... lol

(((Kat))) I'm so sorry!
Fern - Amy is going to be a mommy again and Diane is a foster mommy. Glad to see you posting!
vea - I hope everything works out ok.
Today just went from bad to worse....I appeantly never had the dr appointment....som misterious women called me and there wasn't a problem with my insurance. Came home went food shopping/unpacked went to run to my counsoling session and looked myself out of the apt without car keys.....Have complet break down...she saw me for a short session. went to work and Head Teacher was out sick again! So I have my Dr appt at 9:30 am tomorrow....last minute stocking stuffer shopping....Then Home to relax (yeah right), laundry, pack, Make Candy.


Ok I'm done....Completely drained.

[Diane]

What are Christmas Casserole Cookies? Dream bars? Chocolate Eatmore?

CHRISTMAS CASSEROLE COOKIES:
INGREDIENTS:
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts

PREPARATION:
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until lemon-colored, Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in extracts. Stir in the dates, coconut and walnuts.
Pour into an ungreased deep 2 quart baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven. Stir with wooden spoon (batter will appear moist and sticky).
Place baking dish on wire rack. When cool enough to handle, roll batter into 1" balls. Roll in sugar. Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets.
Makes : Approximately 48

DREAM BARS:

INGREDIENTS:
CRUST:
·1/2 cup butter
·1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
·1 cup flour

FILLING:
·2 eggs
·1 cup brown sugar, packed
·1 teaspoon vanilla
·2 tablespoons flour
·1/2 teaspoon baking powder
·1 1/2 cups coconut
·1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

PREPARATION:
Combine crust ingredients; press into a 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350°.
Meanwhile, make filling. Mix together the eggs, 1 cup brown sugar, vanilla, 2 tablespoons flour, and baking powder.


CHEWY CHOCOLATE EATMORE BARS:

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup honey
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups mini marshmallows
3 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup salted peanuts

PREPARATION:

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt together the honey and peanut butter and bring to a boil. Stir in chocolate chips and marshmallows, stirring until smooth. Add the cereal and peanuts. Blend well and remove from heat. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 inch pan and pat firmly with spatula. Let cool slightly and cut into bars before hardening.

Makes approximately 24

[Diane]

Finished up last minute buying yesterday: stocking stuffers, everything for dinner, a few extra things that caught my eye I had not intended to get. LOL Made a dent in cleaning the house yesterday. Need to scrub floors today and finish wrapping the extra presents. Ds also dropped his stuff off for me to wrap. Getting my hair done at 1:00.

Got some bad news yesterday. A dear friend passed away Tuesday. He was a member of our church. He was a contractor and he built our house. He'd been on his farm pulling a calf. Went in to take a shower because he wasn't feeling well. Coughed real hard to clear the barn dust and hay from his lungs and his aorta tore. Doctors repaired a 7 inch rip and told him he would never be able to do anything physical ever again. Later in the night his blood pressure soared and the aorta ripped again. He was my age. He leaves a wife and 21 year old daughter. She is devestated. Keep us all in your prayers. Visitation is tonight and the funeral is tomorrow. He seemed so fit and was so active. And face it so young. Makes one really think we are never guaranteed tomorrow.

Didn't mean to bring everyone down, but cherish each day with your friends and families this holiday season.

(((KAT))) I'm so sorry for your loss. I will definitely be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

[Linda/NE]

I think you all need a big hug
((((((EVERYONE!!)))))))
Feel any better now??
How about a group hug?{{{{{EVERYONE}}}}}

Okay now take a deep breath!!! If you think back to last Christmas you were probably stressed about similar things and think about---- you made it through and all was fine. It will all be okay this year!! (now just to make myself not stress LOL)

Busy week. I scratched my eye and then it got infected Monday. Finally went to the eye doctor on Wednesday. I can't wear my contacts for a week so I'm stuck with my ancient glasses that I've had since college (most of 20 years ago!) Can we say big huge roundish lenses and brown plastic frames?? So out of style I'm surprised they aren't back in style!

Lots of kids today and just as many tomorrow. They got out at 2 today and no school tomorrow. I so envy those of you who get to enjoy the vacation with your kids. I don't regret opening the preschool at all, but I do miss spending time at home with the kids. I wonder if my life will ever be 'normal' again.

The whole family, except dd #2 is on medicine and has missed school or work. I only have eyedrops, but I didn't miss any work. Dd #1 & ds #3 stayed home with dh on Monday. He took them into the dr. and they all have sinus infection. On Tuesday dss #1 & 2 both stayed home with the same thing. Yesterday ds #1 went to school around 10. Ds #2 stayed home both yesterday and today. Today was the last day of the semester so I had to call the school to get assignments of what he had to have finished. Some of his classes will change when he comes back in Jan.
Dh has also been having trouble with his stomach bleeding again. He thinks he was stressing too much over bills.

He kind of torked me off--he points out how he was stressing over these bills. I had to give up my birthday money (from him) to pay bills and the Christmas money from his folks (to pay bills), but he gets a tip check from tending bar at Comstock Rock this summer and he has NO intention of using it towards any bills. He's going to buy a new scope for his gun! BTW, he gave me $25 so I could get a mixer I wanted for Christmas. I think this was his reasoning that getting this scope would be okay. Maybe I'm just being selfish, but anytime there is unexpected money he thinks about what he can buy for himself, instead of anyone else. I bought ALL the Christmas presents with my meager earnings this year. (I started early!)
Sorry didn't mean to go on and on..

Have a great Christmas if I don't get back here before then.

[vea29]

I think you all need a big hug
((((((EVERYONE!!)))))))
Feel any better now??
How about a group hug?{{{{{EVERYONE}}}}}

Okay now take a deep breath!!! If you think back to last Christmas you were probably stressed about similar things and think about---- you made it through and all was fine. It will all be okay this year!! (now just to make myself not stress LOL)

Busy week. I scratched my eye and then it got infected Monday. Finally went to the eye doctor on Wednesday. I can't wear my contacts for a week so I'm stuck with my ancient glasses that I've had since college (most of 20 years ago!) Can we say big huge roundish lenses and brown plastic frames?? So out of style I'm surprised they aren't back in style!

Lots of kids today and just as many tomorrow. They got out at 2 today and no school tomorrow. I so envy those of you who get to enjoy the vacation with your kids. I don't regret opening the preschool at all, but I do miss spending time at home with the kids. I wonder if my life will ever be 'normal' again.

The whole family, except dd #2 is on medicine and has missed school or work. I only have eyedrops, but I didn't miss any work. Dd #1 & ds #3 stayed home with dh on Monday. He took them into the dr. and they all have sinus infection. On Tuesday dss #1 & 2 both stayed home with the same thing. Yesterday ds #1 went to school around 10. Ds #2 stayed home both yesterday and today. Today was the last day of the semester so I had to call the school to get assignments of what he had to have finished. Some of his classes will change when he comes back in Jan.
Dh has also been having trouble with his stomach bleeding again. He thinks he was stressing too much over bills.

He kind of torked me off--he points out how he was stressing over these bills. I had to give up my birthday money (from him) to pay bills and the Christmas money from his folks (to pay bills), but he gets a tip check from tending bar at Comstock Rock this summer and he has NO intention of using it towards any bills. He's going to buy a new scope for his gun! BTW, he gave me $25 so I could get a mixer I wanted for Christmas. I think this was his reasoning that getting this scope would be okay. Maybe I'm just being selfish, but anytime there is unexpected money he thinks about what he can buy for himself, instead of anyone else. I bought ALL the Christmas presents with my meager earnings this year. (I started early!)
Sorry didn't mean to go on and on..

Have a great Christmas if I don't get back here before then.
Thanks For the hug.....your probably right....I'm going to enjoy today.

Sounds like you need a hug too! (((((Linda))))