Calling all Chicago DISers #2

[slo]

We are getting closer to the end of the week!!!!

HERSEY - I haven't had time to finish decorating either I always wrap my pictures on the wall, but I just can't seem to find the time, or the desire. I may skip doing that this year.
**I know what you mean about kids growing up to fast. It's still so hard for me to belive that Stephanie is 10, because I feel like I just brought her home from the hospital last week. I hate how time flies like that!!!! How did everything go at the highschool last night? Did Alex get some good classes? Does he seem excited to go?

Mac - Do you always wait until Christmas Eve, or just this year? The thought of that stresses me out Are stores real busy Christmas Eve? I never go out that day, because I have so much going on at home to get ready for the evening.

Bunchkin - Thanks!!! My heart is just breaking for her, because I know what she is going through She just sent me an email asking me to call a pet cremation place to ask about their service, and how much it costs. She just can't call herself - so sad!!!!




Well, I must get ready for my day - I'm leaving early to go to Factory Card Outlet to buy Christmas cards, and anything else needed for Christmas.
Have a good day!!!

 

[macraven]

good morning chicagoland homies.....

yes slo, i always wait until the 23rd or the 24th to start my shopping.
i only buy for the boys so i don't have to deal with any mailing out before the postal deadline.

when my boys were little, they watched tv and so many commercials advertised new toys for the christmas time giving.

each day they would say, oh mommie, i want santa to bring me that toy....
needless to say, i would be out on the 24th, hitting every store to make their dreams come true....

it hasn't changed since they are grown.
if it isn't something they saw on tv, it's something they saw
an ad for on the internet.........mommie, i want that for my Christmas present.

and if they don't tell me by the deadline of 7 am dec 24th, they get gift cards.......

to answer your other question slo, yes, all stores are VERY busy on Christmas eve.

still praying for your mother and her beloved pet.
as long as there is breath, there is hope

 

[momto1]

Hi gang! One more work day until the end of the week! Yea! Did anyone hear Obama's press conference today? I didn't and wondered if the Blago thing got brought up. I will have to search the internet soon to find out.

Bunchkin - Yowzy on your fall! You did a good job of describing it to all of us. I could just picture the calamity.

Slo - So sorry about the dog. I hope she is pain free and your mom and dad enjoy the last days with her. How is your business going at the store? I hope it is booming for you!

Mac - You are far braver than I. I couldn't shop on the 24th. It would stress me out too much. Plus, I spend the day cooking and preparing for Christmas Day.

Piglet - Sorry to hear about your grandma. Prayers and pixie dust are being sent her way.

Paint- Way to go on finishing the semester. Enjoy your break!

Hi to everyone else!

Lori

 

[slo]

Hi all - I"m just dropping in for a quick post

I received this forward today, and it really gave me tears in my eyes
I thought I would share it with you all

> > > The story goes that some time ago a mother punished
> > her five year old
> > > daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping
> > > paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset
> > when the child used
> > > the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the
> > > Christmas tree.
> > >
> > > Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to
> > her mother the next
> > > morning and then said, 'This is for you,
> > Momma.'
> > >
> > > The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over
> > reaction, but her anger
> > > flared again when she opened the box and found it was
> > > empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner,
> > 'Don't you know, young
> > > lady, when you give someone a present there's
> > > supposed to be something inside the package?'
> > >
> > > She had tears in her eyes and said, 'Oh, Momma,
> > it's not empty! I blew
> > > kisses into it until it was full.'
> > >
> > > The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put
> > her arms around her
> > > little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for
> > > her thoughtless anger.
> > >
> > > An accident took the life of the child only a short
> > time later, and it is
> > > told that the mother kept th
> at gold box by her bed
> > > for all the years of her life.
> > >
> > > Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult
> > problems she would open
> > > the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember
> > > the love of the child who had put it there.
> > >
> > > In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings,
> > have been given a
> > > Golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses
> > > from our children, family, friends and GOD. There is
> > no more precious
> > > possession anyone could hold.
> > >
> > > You now have two choices:
> > > 1. Pass this on to your friends, or
> > > 2. Delete it and act like it didn't touch your
> > heart.
> > >
> > > As you can see, I took choice No. 1.
> > > Friends are like angels who lift us to our feet, when
> > our wings have
> > > trouble remembering how to fly.
> > >
> > > If you receive this more than once in return just know
> > that your friends
> > > have also thought of you

 

[macraven]

Mac - You are far braver than I. I couldn't shop on the 24th. It would stress me out too much. Plus, I spend the day cooking and preparing for Christmas Day.



Lori

oh, i don't get stressed that much.

and i don't cook a dinner on Christmas eve or day.
It's Burger King for breakfast and burger king again for dinner.
have been doing that for 14 years.

when the kids were little, the only thing i would do in the kitchen was to bake a birthday cake for Jesus. we just snacked throughout the day on what was left over in the fridge from days prior or have a frozen pizza.
we kept it as a religious spiritual day for the family.

 

[wendygrace]

Hi. Can I join you guys? I am from the Chicagoland area. Currently live in Aurora but grew up in Blue Island/Alsip and lived in Chicago for a few years.

 

[piglet too]

Welcome Wendy!

I am being daring (since snow is in the forecast) and heading to Michigan City tomorrow. I have some things I want to look for, and the next week of weather is not too hot either. I'll take my mom with and just plan to take our time on the roads.

 

[macraven]

wendy grace to the thread.

we just love having newbies join us!

 

[slo]

Hooray for Friday!!!!
Outside of no school tomorrow, I have no reason to be excited, because I have a very busy weekend ahead of me. I have mountains to do at work (well it feels like mountains, because I'm the only one that can do it ). Not only do I have physical work to do at work, but I also haven't sat at my desk to pay bills in forever - the piles keep rising!!!! I really wish my college employee was back to help me out, but she doesn't return until 12/22


Mac - Kids do change their minds alot at Christmas Luckily, I've trained my girls that whatever they tell Santa is set in stone We see him the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so then I have enough time to get whatever they tell him.
**I didn't know Burger King was open on Christmas Day. I never go out on Christmas Day though, because everyone come to our house. We serve Ham, baked potato, frozen corn, my mom brings a 7 layer salad, and that's it. Our dinner is very easy too My mom and I don't believe in stressing out over Christmas dinner
**I love the idea of a birthday cake for Jesus

momto1 - Thanks about my moms dog. My mom took Daisy to her dog club yesterday, so hopefully Daisy was able to be somewhere she loves, and happy to get out of the house.
**The store is not necessarity booming, but people have been bringing in several things, and they all need it by Christmas It's just very hard to do everything basically myself - there's just not enough time in the day

piglet - The weather tomorrow looks like it's just going to be windy. The snow starts on Sunday Be careful heading up to Michigan City tomorrow, and have fun shopping!!!!

Wendy -
Welcome to our wonderful happy thread!!!!!
Please come by often, we would love to get to know you!!!!!




Well, I must get going and get started with some work around here.
I'm going to wrap some presents this morning, and get some of that over with
Have a good day!!!

 

[HERSEY]

Good morning!

Slo Thank you for that little poem

I finally think I have Alex's presents nearly done. Thank goodness for the internet.

Wendy

Just jump in and chat.

Tonight I need to start baking our family christmas is this sunday. I am going to make some cookies, different flavors of popcorn and nuts for gifts.

Well it is time for me to jump in the shower already. I hope the day goes by fast since the morning seems to be.

 

[Crissup]

We serve frozen corn

You should try heating that up some time. If you think it's good frozen, you're really gonna love it hot!

Youngest DD, Jen, graduates with her nursing degree this weekend from Lewis University! Finally, she'll be done with school and ready to tackle the world! So, this weekend will be full of various graduation activities.

 

[macraven]

good friday morning chicagoland homies.


hersey, i saw the time you posted, not even 5:30......

you ARE an early riser.......
i'm still drinking my coffee at that time...

slo, when my kids were little, i always stressed the importance of christmas that it is His day, not theirs. even though my boys are not littles anymore, we still do the cake in the afternoon.......and do the candles on it.

forgot to tell you earlier, that was a very touching poem you shared with us.
thanky u

wendygrace, come back.......we set a place at the table for you this morning for breakfast.
do you like your eggs sunnyside up?

 

[wendygrace]

Well, good morning gals. I love my eggs sunny side up! I'll take two. Thanks for the warm welcomes. You never know with established groups.

I'll come back for the next 24 hours or so but then I won't "see" you guys for a couple of weeks. So excited. I should be packing.

 

[irish dancer]

T.G.I.F.!!! Oy vey, why are the mornings such a fight? So glad we won't have that struggle for two days. DD7 is the worst, if it's not a stomach ache it's a sore throat or a headache. Any reason to stay home from school! I told her she has one more week and then she's off for Christmas vacation and she has to tough it out.

Tomorrow is our big baking day at SILs, can't wait!

geffric - oohh I'm so excited they aren't booked for the chocolate buffet, hmmm my college babysitter just emailed that she's home if I need her. Will have to give her a call.

Hersey - doesn't the time just go by so fast! I can't believe my oldest is in 6th grade....we've been having the high school discussion more and more. I wish I could stop time for just a while.

mac - before I was married and had kids I was a Christmas eve shopper too. Now we go to mass and the inlaws Christmas eve so I've got to be done before then.
*I just saw 49 degrees for Sunday!!

slo - thanks for that poem, brought tears to my eyes too.
*I hope you manage to catch up on everything, it is such a busy time of year!

wendygrace - Welcome to our group! I hope you have a GREAT trip and that you'll come back and tell us all about it!

piglet - safe travels to Michigan City, hope the weather cooperates for you.

Crissup - congrats to your DD!! We are certainly in need of some good nurses out there.


Well, I guess I'd better get my behind in gear and get my laundry load in. Also need to finish up my online shopping so I can be done with shopping. Hope everyone has a great Friday!

 

[Sk8Leigh]

Hi. Can I join you guys? I am from the Chicagoland area. Currently live in Aurora but grew up in Blue Island/Alsip and lived in Chicago for a few years.

I live in Aurora.

I'm doing fine, slo, thanks for asking. I had my company Christmas party last Friday night, and then my friends from Indy came into town and stayed with me for the weekend. So I was really busy! But it was fun to see them.

I have a lot of things to do this weekend. I have to try to find an Ugly Christmas sweater for our party next week. I'm getting my hair cut. I have to get pans to bake a cake. Get a few more gifts. At least it'll be warmer than today! I brought a cake in today for someone's birthday, and I actually took a cab from Union Station to my office, which is like 2 blocks. It was so hard carrying the cake! I was afraid I'd drop it. My boss got off the train at the same time, and he walked to the office and we got there at exactly the same time.

 

[Bunchkin]

All this talk of present wrapping and buying!!!!
I still need to buy a few things for the kids.
AND I need to start wrapping!!!! I can't believe Christmas is less than 2 weeks away now and I've not wrapped a thing.
And DH just put up our big tree this morning!!!! We've had a small one already up, but it wasn't the same as having the big one up.
I'm planning on having it all decorated by the time the kids get home from school.



slo Your Christmas dinner sounds nice and easy. We try to do the same thing here every year. One year, about 8 years ago, we even ordered a HUGE 4' sub from our favorite Italian deli, picked it up on Christmas EVE, and served it on Christmas day with all kids of salads and sides. We had a lot of people that year and EVERYONE loved it!!! It was the best Christmas dinner we had bar none!!


Hersey Did Alex pick all his electives?


Leigh I would have taken a taxi too!!
Hope you get all your running around done!!

piglet Have a safe drive and have fun shopping!


wendygrace Welcome to the thread!!! Have a great trip and make sure to come back and tell us all about it!!!


irish dancer My DD used to be the same as yours on occasion. I think it's just something they need to grow out of!



Gotta run! Lots to do and my mom is coming over at 1pm.

Have a great Friday all!!

 

[disneygal922]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.... so. much. to. read/catch up on.... sorry I have been MIA all week!

Happy Friday Everyone! i have unfortunately been quite the busy bee. Dad got his test done on monday... found out tuesday he needs his gallbladder out. So that is scheduled for this coming Wednesday Dec. 17...

b/c this is our busy time of year with people making last minute donations, my boss really wants me here at least half days on Wednesday and Thursday I told her I understand and that I'll be here when I can but ya know, Dad comes first! My sister is going to take him Wednesday morning (she works at the hospital) and then I'll leave work early to be there after he gets out of surgery. Then Thursday, is up in the air still I'm just really freaking out that he needs surgery. I know it's just a gallbladder and everyone else in my family has had it out but I'm still very nervous!

Anywho, on a brighter note... I'm going xmas shopping tonight. still need to buy for my sisters and dad and gram and one bro in law. i'm dragging mike with me to be my bag carrier and second opinion!

Slo ~ good luck getting all your work done! and your mom and her doggie are in my prayers. I know it's hard!

Mac ~ I usually work retail on xmas eve and am able to do some last minute shopping on my lunch break... however, this year I have to be downtown... bummer. Can I get some eggs too today?

Wendy ~ Welcome welcome welcome! please make yourself at home!

Piglet ~ hope Michigan City treats you well today!

Hersey ~ I'm starting baking tomorrow morning. My sis's and I are getting together in the morning (I have to be at work at 1 ) to bake some cookies! Oh yeah, speaking of baking... I might be taking a cake deco class at Jo-Ann's in January! I'm excited!

Crissup ~ Congrats to DD! It is such an accomplishment to finally be done with school!!

Speaking of school... Paint ~ Congrats on finishing the semester! Are you done now or do you have another semester?

ID ~ sorry to hear DD gives you such a hard time in the mornings. Lots of baking this weekend!!!

Bunchkin ~ here's to hoping you get that tree decorated in a timely manner today I, too, am usually much more on top of my shopping and wrapping than I am this year. I just don't know where the time goes anymore

Sorry for the long post but I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

 

[momto1]

Hi Gang! TGIF! It doesn't sound like too bad of a weather weekend! Yea! We are putting our big tree up tonight or tomorrow. Then Sunday, I have to gget the teacher gifts organized and ready to go to school next week.

Wendygrace - WELCOME!!!

Mac- Your Christmas day sounds wonderful! Many people should follow in your footsteps.

Slo - Good luck at the store and doing all that you have to do this weekend.

Piglet - I was thinking about heading over to Michigan City with my mom,too, this weekend. I want to get her a pair of CROCS at the outlet. I am not sure she will like them so I don't want to pay full price. I love mine and think she will, too.

DG - Prayers and pixie dust are coming your dad's way. Have fun shopping!

Crissup - Congrats to you daughter! Enjoy the weekend.

Hi to everybody else! Have a good weekend!

Lori

 

[wendygrace]

Thanks for the welcomes. I have been going nuts with wrapping and buying. I am soooo a last minute shopper and its been a shock having to have everything ready so early. We get back on XMas Eve and go straight to my mom's for dinner so I have to go deliver all the gifts to her tomorrow. Blech! I am still waiting for one last gift to come in today from Amazon and DS and I just bought his gift for dad a few minutes ago. He's so cute! He wanted to buy dad a board game so they can play games on Saturday!

Will someone please kick me in my patootie and get me packing please!

irish dancer ~ Too bad your dd has so much trouble getting going in the morning. Not too long and she can sleep in. Does one of your children have autism? My son has autistic like features (due to traumatic brain injury).

Leigh ~ I would have taken a cab too. In Aurora, huh? Where are you doing all your shopping?


Bunchkin ~ My dh put up the tree weeks ago. The kids begged and begged and he put it up before Thanksgiving! It hasn't been lit more than a 1/2 dozen times since though. LOL

disneygal ~ so sorry to hear your dad's having surgery. I hope all goes well.


PS. Did you guys see that the Harris resigned today?

 

[Bunchkin]

Crissup Congrats to Jenn!! I wish her tons of good fortune for the future!!


disneygal Sorry to hear your dad needs to go in for surgery. I'll be thinking of him next week and will say a prayer.



Tree is up and ornaments on. Not as many ornaments as we normally put on, as we kind of have hundreds of them so the tree still looks 'full' even without all of them on!


Tomorrow is a big holiday event for the Girl Scouts. DD's troop in hosting this event for the Kindergarten - 3rd grade girls. We are helping out. Should be lots of fun.