OFF TOPIC So - who's ready for the holidays
Cheryl Isaak
light the candles all the nights, we don't do the big family meals the
entire week and there is only one night for presents (usually the first).
And it is the DH's birthday - the same day DD and I get a 90 minute ride,
both ways, to a hockey game.
And finally the "big one". Got figure a nice meal and get the kids gifts for
that one too. My Mom, sister and BIL are done thanks to Visa gift cards. I
have 'real presents' for them too.
I have to find a nice gift shop to find some great gifts for my friends that
aren't done already.
No hand done large gifts this year, a few bracelets and that is about that.
Charge
Cheryl
1961...@gmail.com
needlepoint is done. A couple of things bought for A. DS is almost
impossible.
linda
Karen C - Calif
Got a little behind due to a sinus problem that wouldn't go away, and
then having to whip out enough for the craft fair so my table didn't
look picked-over at 9 AM already, but I am now back on track and
finishing the last few gifts.
--
Karen C - California
Editor/Proofreader www.IntlProofingConsortium.com
Finished 11/16/09 - Welcome Guest (The Cross Stitcher 10/09)
WIP: Nativity from "Countdown to Christmas" book, Oriental Kimono
(Janlynn),
MLI The Teacher (gift to the library), Bethany Angel (Marbek)
Retrieved from UFO pile: Marbek's Snow Angel, MLI Farmers Market
www.CFSfacts.org -- where we give you the facts and dispel the myths
Myths, with research cites: http://www.aacfs.org/images/pdfs/myths.pdf
Newest research blog: http://cfs-facts.blogspot.com/
MargW
Fairly close - we are only doing stockings this year, so all the
presents are small enough to fit. And because there are 8 stockings,
all the presents are also relatively low cost (it still adds up). The
DH and I went and did our shopping for us yesterday - mainly books, dvds
and cds. No surprises.
I've got most of the decorating done, but have to put up the tree this
weekend.
Got the last of my cards mailed yesterday. Actually remembered to get
the Hanukah cards in the mail last week to get them there before the
holiday started. The Christmas cards for overseas got mailed late, but
still hopefully in time.
Have to do a little baking for a choir party next week and that's about it.
We are going to a ski chalet with my DS, DSIL, the nieces and nephews
for the 24th to the 26th. We are going to go out for Christmas dinner,
and do the rest of our meals pot luck style. Should be fun. This is
the first time we haven't been at home or at a relatives.
MargW
Dawne Peterson
"Cheryl Isaak" wrote
> I'm still looking for a quiet night to do a family Hanukah meal.
I think DD and I may agree to be Russian and celebrate Little Christmas. I
have had the flu for close to 3 weeks--am only now 85% human again--and have
not had the energy to do anything except work and sleep. So there has been
no decorating, no baking, and no shopping. Just couldn't.
I am working almost nothing but nights. As well, this week I had to replace
the tires on my car after a flat in minus 40C weather, and DD had to replace
her furnace after it quit in the same cold snap. She also needs tires. And
I get to work Boxing Day which leaves me Christmas Eve and Christmas day off
only.
Not that it is gloomy--Christmas Eve will still have the most beautiful
church service of the year, and Christmas Day in the morning will find me as
it has for over 20 years administering communion and reading my favourite
gospel passage. Not many churches still do this service, but being able to
receive Christmas communion at that time is a blessing for travellers, and,
increasingly, for those older people who find going out at night difficult.
But all in all, I think it best not even to jump into the frenzy at this
point, and to celebrate the family part of Christmas when I am rested,
recovered and able to enjoy it instead of seeing it as an enormous to do
list. We have done this once or twice in the past, and it is much better.
Dawne
Tia Mary
> I'm still looking for a quiet night to do a family Hanukah meal. While we
> light the candles all the nights, we don't do the big family meals the
> entire week and there is only one night for presents (usually the first).
> ....<snipped>....
> No hand done large gifts this year, a few bracelets and that is about that.
> ....<snipped>....
> Cheryl
Am I the only one left who spells this holiday Chanukkah??
I had a total panic attack this AM while sorting all the Christmas
gifts! I have had all of my major holiday shopping finished for a month
or so. I got a bunch of little stuff and a few *extra* major things
when we were at Pigeon Forge. So -- this morning I needed to get stuff
together to fill a box and mail it to DD so that the SMDGD would have
her "casual" holiday outfit. I get everything sorted (it all gets
heaped in a jumble on the guest room bed during the year) and realize I
only have ONE gift for Marsha (one of my best friends) and her b-day is
tomorrow and that means there is NO Christmas gifts!!! I haven't been
that panicked in ages, thinking I will have to go out and do **serious**
shopping two weeks before the Big Day!!!
While I was working out (I go to Curves) I started thinking and
seemed to remember buying a bunch of holiday bear stuff for her (she's a
bear collector) in January when stuff went on sale. I got home and
looked in one of the big paper bags that had snowman stuff on top. Lo
and behold, a miracle happened right before my tired eyes and there was
ALL the bear stuff I had bought :-). There were two bear xs kits, three
bear charts, doggie coasters (she dog sits for people and has been a vet
tech at a greyhound track), doggie note cards, a huge pitcher in the
shape of a victorian house (she collects those too) and a needlework
magnet! I was so thrilled I had to call Valerie (the other friend -- we
all hang out together) and tell her about my panic attack and we had a
great laugh.
So now I get to wrap all this stuff. And I didn't send all the
stuff to the SMDGD I had planned. I got the box full and realized I had
only half the stuff in there and it was going to cost at least $25 to
mail and I would have to send a second box....... Bottom line is I sent
her 2 pr of new shoes and her Christmas outfit (pants & vest in lamb
fabric w/Christmas trees & Star of Bethlehem) packed in a small box that
cost only $8.50 to mail. Everything else will get packed in a suitcase
and DH can pay the $15 for the extra luggage :-). Loads cheaper than
mailing. Last year I mailed several boxes and it cost over $50. Once
we got to the airport, we realized that it would be a lot cheaper to
just take that 3rd suitcase and be done with it!
Now I can go work on a few last minute sewing gifts that are just
"extras". No pressure -- thank heavens :-)))). CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties)
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their whiskers!
Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary
Susan Hartman
Dawne -
I think we're sharing a life. I'm *still* dealing with cough and lack of
stamina/vocal issues four weeks into this cold. And haven't done a lick
of anything for Christmas except for two online orders and a few
ornaments. And stresses of unexpected expenses (water heater, medical)
that have zapped the budget. Time/energy/ideas all at a low this year.
But, like you, I treasure that Christmas morning service at our church
and know that I'll find whatever I need there -- the rest is just gravy.
(Though, that said, tomorrow I'm going to the Christmas Revels in
Washington, D.C., and that may energize me.)
Sue
--
Susan Hartman/Dirty Linen
The Magazine of Folk and World Music
www.dirtylinen.com
Cheryl Isaak
Mary" <CatWo...@aol.com> wrote:
> Cheryl Isaak wrote:
>
>> I'm still looking for a quiet night to do a family Hanukah meal. While we
>> light the candles all the nights, we don't do the big family meals the
>> entire week and there is only one night for presents (usually the first).
>> ....<snipped>....
>> No hand done large gifts this year, a few bracelets and that is about that.
>> ....<snipped>....
>> Cheryl
>
> Am I the only one left who spells this holiday Chanukkah??
No - but my spell checker keeps insisting on the other spelling even when I
"save spelling"
> I had a total panic attack this AM while sorting all the Christmas
> gifts! I have had all of my major holiday shopping finished for a month
> or so. I got a bunch of little stuff and a few *extra* major things
> when we were at Pigeon Forge. So -- this morning I needed to get stuff
> together to fill a box and mail it to DD so that the SMDGD would have
> her "casual" holiday outfit. I get everything sorted (it all gets
> heaped in a jumble on the guest room bed during the year) and realize I
> only have ONE gift for Marsha (one of my best friends) and her b-day is
> tomorrow and that means there is NO Christmas gifts!!! I haven't been
> that panicked in ages, thinking I will have to go out and do **serious**
> shopping two weeks before the Big Day!!!
> While I was working out (I go to Curves) I started thinking and
> seemed to remember buying a bunch of holiday bear stuff for her (she's a
> bear collector) in January when stuff went on sale. I got home and
> looked in one of the big paper bags that had snowman stuff on top. Lo
> and behold, a miracle happened right before my tired eyes and there was
> ALL the bear stuff I had bought :-). There were two bear xs kits, three
> bear charts, doggie coasters (she dog sits for people and has been a vet
> tech at a greyhound track), doggie note cards, a huge pitcher in the
> shape of a victorian house (she collects those too) and a needlework
> magnet! I was so thrilled I had to call Valerie (the other friend -- we
> all hang out together) and tell her about my panic attack and we had a
> great laugh.
Hurrah!
Time for my nap,
Cheryl
Sara
<chery...@comcast.net> wrote:
>I'm still looking for a quiet night to do a family Hanukah meal
Happy Hannukah, Cheryl! I was going to get latke fixings yesterday,
but had to deal with a very flat and unrepairable tire which messed up
my whole schedule.
Dec. is giftarama for DS. 12/4 was his birthday (ack, I'm the mother
of a teenager!), Hannukah is early, and then there's Xmas (dh isn't
MOT).
The rink seems intent on giving away all of the In House ice time
(insert rant here) so I don't have to go down there too much, but I
still have to find 6 more small gifts. May end up repurposing a few
things that were earmarked for Xmas. Whatever.
Sure hope you get your family dinner! With maybe a gin and tonicka,
although it's really too cold..
Sara
Cheryl Isaak
"Sara" <bmc...@aol.com> wrote:
Way to cold for G&T's. Scotch or a nice red works much better.
It's nuts here too - DH's birthday is this month too.
I'm thinking of telling DH just get me something little and leave it be. The
kids both needed lots of new clothes and sneakers and boots this month and
some new, larger hockey gear is required for DD. (boy is she stretching out)
Congrats on the teenagers. It does add a certain fillip to life!
Cheryl
Off to iron DD's shirt of her chorus concert today
Gillian Murray
> I'm still looking for a quiet night to do a family Hanukah meal. While we
> light the candles all the nights, we don't do the big family meals the
> entire week and there is only one night for presents (usually the first).
>
>
> No hand done large gifts this year, a few bracelets and that is about that.
>
>
Don't feel bad today is 11 days BEFORE Christmas, and I just bought the
Holiday cards. Have bought no presents, and no decorations. Was so
involved in an RV event , and didn't have time or really ambition.
My very DDIL called to ask if she and DS could come down if we were
doing nothing. What could I say??? I love her dearly.
So.............. tomorrow, I start to shop.
Wed the new cleaning lady blitzes the place for her first time visit,
while I sit at my desk and do cards, and write and print the annual Xmas
newsletter, which they all love, and I hate.In between, I aNSWER HER
QUESTIONS.
. Thursday, I put up the tree and decorations (wasn't going to bother).
Friday, buy gift cards for Grandkids.
One family, girls 13 & 15 love Victorias Secret! Grandpa had a fit.
American eagle or Best Buy for them.
Weekend, buy crap, to put giftcards in; finish the fringe for two Xmas
sparkly scarves for the MD GDs, and attach cards to them. Start worrying
about us..., Mike & Aya, food etc.
Dec 28th or so...enter the insane loonybin
Gill
.
Joan E.
> Don't feel bad today is 11 days BEFORE Christmas, and I just bought the
> Holiday cards. Have bought no presents, and no decorations.
> . Thursday, I put up the tree and decorations (wasn't going to bother).
> Friday, buy gift cards for Grandkids.
I'm in the same boat, Gill! I've bought 1 (one!) stocking stuffer and
that's it. No tree, yet, just barely started the Christmas goodies.
Made orange divinity on Sunday and will be making baklava tonight,
after a stop at the grocery store, some of which will be gifted. I
may have to make 2! I'm hoping we'll get a tree so I can decorate
this weekend.
Thanks for reminding me about the Christmas letter...maybe I can work
on that tonight while the baklava's in the oven.
Just yesterday DH *finally* got his work schedule for the rest of the
month, so now I at least know *where* I will be for C'mas (at home,
rather than travelling to St.Paul).
> Dec 28th or so...enter the insane loonybin
Can I join you???
Joan
Gillian Murray
Sure....we can have stitching, chocolate and act crazy.
Whoa, just remembered; if we are in there we definitely are crazy.
Therefore crazy would be acting normal.
Gill
Cheryl Isaak
a8109d3b-6ebd-4d32...@m16g2000yqc.googlegroups.com, "Joan E."
<joan_e...@und.nodak.edu> wrote:
I'd join you, but I just signed up to work the week after Christmas and I
start jury duty the first week of January.
C
Karen C - Calif
> Made orange divinity
Recipe?
Maureen Miller
don't have a single gift bought. And I work in retail so I see how fast
the goods are disappearing from the shelves.
Maureen
Joan E.
> Whoa, just remembered; if we are in there we definitely are crazy.
> Therefore crazy would be acting normal.
Either way would be fine with me, as long as I'm with friends!!!! :)
Joan
Joan E.
> Joan E. wrote:
>
> > Made orange divinity
>
> Recipe?
Will try to remember to get it to you tonight when I get home. I like
flavored divinity...I dislike the white stuff!
Joan
Cheryl Isaak
01e55ff4-b2a5-473d...@m11g2000vbo.googlegroups.com, "Joan E."
<joan_e...@und.nodak.edu> wrote:
Amen sister