DDA Chapter 26

[MrsHeg]

Good Morning Friends,

I've been in a bit of a funk about the holidays this year but I'm gonna do my best to get past it. We're taking the kids to Bellinggrath Gardens in Mobile tonight to see the Christmas lights, I figure spending time with them will be great medicine.

I've been working for the same company for 24 years now, this is my third location but the first one will always be home, we got hit by the first huge round of closings back in 2001.

Every Christmas the company would donate funds so that we could have a children's Christmas party, we would invite the children from the local women's shelter. We started off by serving them breakfast, then Santa would visit and give each of them a gift, and then we would take each of them shopping, they had a set amount they could spend on anything they wanted, most of them would buy gifts for their mom's and brother's and sisiters, after they shopped we would help them wrap their gifts. I really miss doing this, it was a wonderful experience seeing the joy on their little faces.

Many times the kids would come with letters to give to Santa, and whenever I start feeling bad about things at Christmas I remember a little six year old girls letter one year, it simple stated,

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a home for Mommy.

Believe me, there wasn't an adult there with dry eyes, with this in mind I'm going to give it my best to be grateful for what we have and not dwell on things that have been taken away.

I'm way behind on holiday prep, hopefully I can make some progress catching up this weekend.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

good morning!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I've been in a bit of a funk about the holidays this year but I'm gonna do my best to get past it. We're taking the kids to Bellinggrath Gardens in Mobile tonight to see the Christmas lights, I figure spending time with them will be great medicine.

I'm sure being with those cute grandkids will be fun!

 

[lovesdumbo]

My foot is sore today. I don't know why it hurts so much today when I stayed off it all day yesterday. I even started taking the motrin again yesterday. It hurt less when I was taking the cold medicine. Or maybe I was so sick with the cold I didn't notice the foot.

I sewed the buttons on the jumper for my niece. Now I need to get DH to wrap the stuff and get it in the mail. He said he would do the tree this weekend but I'll believe that when I see it. I've asked him if he wants a smaller tree. I may just have to get one next year instead of waiting for him. The one I bought about 10 years is not too tall but it is big and has a ton of lights. It is in 3 sections and I can only carry the top section. I want to get a lighter weight one that I can manage on my own.

DH brought Emma to Lowes. They are making the first of 3 cars for a train today. They make the next 2 cars over the next 2 weeks. I'm hoping to get her to decorate it for Christmas and then we can put it away with the Christmas stuff.

SIL called to ask DH to bring MIL to the hospital-she fell and cut her face but we live 45 minutes away. She called back in a few minutes to say she was calling an ambulance-NOT because it was that serious but because she thought my MIL would get seen faster in the ER arriving by ambulance. They live less than 1/2 mile from the hospital and police station. Hope she's not in too much pain.

 

[lovesdumbo]

SIL called to say they were admitting my MIL not due to injuries but to try to find out why she fell.

 

[bethbuchall]

Hello, DDA! Laura has a project for her AP Stats class that she may need some help with. She needs people (preferably outside of NYS) to receive two letters. Each will come without a return address and have an e-mail address inside for a reply with your general location and the date the letter was received. If you are interested in helping out, please PM or e-mail or Facebook message me your address. Depending on how many people her group already has, she may not need to use everyone. If she does use your address, I'll let you know to expect a couple of envelopes with no return address. Thanks!

 

[Disney Yooper]

SIL called to say they were admitting my MIL not due to injuries but to try to find out why she fell.

I hope it is nother serious that caused the fall. It's a great thing they are getting it checked out.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I hope it is nother serious that caused the fall. It's a great thing they are getting it checked out.

Thanks. SIL just called to say the test results all came back fine. She didn't break anything but her face and thumb are banged up. The cardiologist came in to see her and said everything was fine with her heart so that is nice to hear too. My DH and SIL think maybe she has a flu type thing-she hasn't been feeling well the past few days and bending down to get the paper wasn't such a great idea. They are going to keep her overnight to be safe. DH is on his way to see her. She'll be happy to see him.

 

[my3princes]

Good Morning Friends,

I've been in a bit of a funk about the holidays this year but I'm gonna do my best to get past it. We're taking the kids to Bellinggrath Gardens in Mobile tonight to see the Christmas lights, I figure spending time with them will be great medicine.

I've been working for the same company for 24 years now, this is my third location but the first one will always be home, we got hit by the first huge round of closings back in 2001.

Every Christmas the company would donate funds so that we could have a children's Christmas party, we would invite the children from the local women's shelter. We started off by serving them breakfast, then Santa would visit and give each of them a gift, and then we would take each of them shopping, they had a set amount they could spend on anything they wanted, most of them would buy gifts for their mom's and brother's and sisiters, after they shopped we would help them wrap their gifts. I really miss doing this, it was a wonderful experience seeing the joy on their little faces.

Many times the kids would come with letters to give to Santa, and whenever I start feeling bad about things at Christmas I remember a little six year old girls letter one year, it simple stated,

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a home for Mommy.

Believe me, there wasn't an adult there with dry eyes, with this in mind I'm going to give it my best to be grateful for what we have and not dwell on things that have been taken away.

I'm way behind on holiday prep, hopefully I can make some progress catching up this weekend.

I'm sorry that you're in a funk. We were totally in a funk last year at this time and the holidays were difficult. This year I'm trying to be proactive and get things done early as my free time limitations have me running scared. Just remember that it is just a blip in time and you'll soon be past this

SIL called to say they were admitting my MIL not due to injuries but to try to find out why she fell.

Thanks. SIL just called to say the test results all came back fine. She didn't break anything but her face and thumb are banged up. The cardiologist came in to see her and said everything was fine with her heart so that is nice to hear too. My DH and SIL think maybe she has a flu type thing-she hasn't been feeling well the past few days and bending down to get the paper wasn't such a great idea. They are going to keep her overnight to be safe. DH is on his way to see her. She'll be happy to see him.

I'm glad it's nothing serious.

There is a bunch of stuff going around. All 3 boys are under the weather today. Hunter seems the worst with a sore throat and tummy ache. Colby has had a cold and nasty cough for a week and seems really tired. Nick got up and immediately asked for Sudafed. Hunter went bowling this morning, but sat quietly between turns and hasn't moved much since he got home. Colby is playing video games, but seems very quiet. Nick spent 3 hours cleaning up his new car with his best friend and Chris. They just got home a short time ago. I'm not feeling great either. Achy, sore throat, ear ache, chills etc. I have to work tonight. I'm not looking forward to it, at least I have tomorrow off.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good Morning Friends, ...with this in mind I'm going to give it my best to be grateful for what we have and not dwell on things that have been taken away.

Amen, sister. We can do it!

I bet the Gardens are gorgeous for Christmas. They are spectacular in the spring, so... wow. I hope you take pictures!

 

[PNO4TE]

Tammi's Alyssa was terrific in "The Nutcracker" this afternoon!

 

[babytrees]

Debbie-boy do I understand the funk.....I keep having to remind myself that I used to have quite a Christmas collection. I haven't gotten quite back in the Christmas spirit but I know it's getting better. The last two years were horrendous at Christmastime.


Abi spent all day helping at the music department's craft fair....she was tired when we went to dinner so she was a bit slap happy. We went to an amazing (and amazingly expensive) French Bistro. After she was done with her grilled ham and cheese sandwich she said,"I want that recipe because it was sent from heaven above"She kept up on it and had us in stitches, including, "I wonder how big the Lord's cow is for him to send that cheese." The sorbet was, "Just a step below". It is so good to have more days of smiles and laughs than what it used to be around her dad.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Tammi's Alyssa was terrific in "The Nutcracker" this afternoon!

I knew she would be...way to go Alyssa!

 

[PNO4TE]

Just got back from seeing Harry Potter. I liked it better than the last installment but I fear I am not going to like the final chapter.

 

[my3princes]

This the the car that Elin gave Chris

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Hello, DDA!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

 

[Disney Yooper]

Had a wonderful afternoon. My favorite cousin (the one that got divorced after 34 years) came for a visit with her boyfriend. He is a nice guy. It is so wonderful to see my cousin with so many smiles on her face, hear someone use sweet nicknames (hon, sweetie, etc.) to her, see her kiss someone and be kissed. I saw her & her husband kiss exactly twice in 37 years (34 of marriage) - her wedding and her 25th wedding anniversary party. Her son, who lives about 2.5 miles from me, also came to dinner with us. It was wonderful!!!! Only one thing could have made it better - if my sweetie could have been here with us.

We went to Shipshewana on the Road which happens to be in Lansing. I found some Lilac hand lotion. It is great stuff and smells heavenly. Lilacs are my favorite. I also got a wonderful multi-function portable desk. It folds all different ways and has a built-in USB cooling fan. I've been looking at them online for at least 2 years and couldn't bring myself to spend the money. This is fantastic!

 

[PNO4TE]

This the the car that Elin gave Chris

I am delighted that it arrived. I notice that the one in the picture isn't an ornament... didn't know you could get them that way too!

Hopefully it will be a good stand-in for his '29 till it is done and then a nice addition to your Christmas tree every year.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, DDA!

 

[PNO4TE]

I have an audition recital to hold this afternoon but first I am baking my Grandmother's Shortbreads to take to a Holiday Open House that two friends are having. And last night I was reminded by my lovely daughter and her room mate that I need to make my Mom's Chex Snax Mix too. Better get busy!