EWP group?

[helenabear]

Hi everyone! How are you all doing today? I have been spending way too much time playing a game called "Roller Coaster Tycoon" recently. It is horrible. I am almost neglecting some of my favorite TV shows because of this game It started when my sister bought it and then she got it for my brother for his birthday or something like that and I tried not to buy it but I gave in at one point. And now even my guitar praciticing is slacking right now..

Life is nice and quiet for the moment. I just hope it stays that way for a while. I finally decided what I was going to get Luis for Christmas. He loves steaks, or anything BEEF. His idea of a salad is a steak with a little parsley, and he'll eat everything except the parsely. So when I got an e-mail about some deals on Omaha Steaks I ordered some for him. They are being sent to my dad's house so that I can hide them from Luis. Now it is just the rest of the family that I have to worry about.

Rider, I love to hear about everyone's traditions for their holidays. My friend also got one present every day for Chanukah, but they weren't that big. It's interesting because even though Luis and I are Catholic and share some similar holidays we do some of the similar things but we do have some different things. Like I celebrate St Nicks day. To me that would be the true Christmas type holiday for me. We got some things on that day and our stockings were always up. Luis never celebrated that one. He also celebrates Three Kings Day differently than we do. For us the 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas & Three Kings Day. For Luis Three Kings Day is where they get three presents representing what the Wisemen supposedly brought baby Jesus. So it is neat to hear what everyone else does.

Well I do need to get back to work now. I like the movie & popcorn idea. What would we all like to watch?

 

[IASW Rider]

I'm up for something funny - and maybe something holiday oriented - so how about watching "A Christmas Story"?! (I've seen that movie so many times that I can recite the dialog by heart - I love that movie!)

Thanks so much for sharing your traditions, Helenabear! Do you know that I was not familiar with St. Nick's Day or Three Kings Day until recently? It's really interesting to hear about them and about how you celebrate them! And I like your idea about the Omaha steaks for Luis - I'm sure that he will be surprised and will really appreciate them!

Frank and I are "getting eachother" a DVD player for Chanukah / Christmas. We decided to do that instead of buying eachother individual gifts, but I already bought him the holiday special video collections, and he came back from Thanksgiving weekend with a whole set of designer makeup for me, so I guess our intention to "cut back" this year has already been blown!

I'm sure that your tree looks great, Jstmee! Frank's family always uses an artificial tree, and you would never even know that it's not real! I'm sure that your kids had fun decorating it, too! How are your puppy and cat getting along, now that the puppy has settled in more?

Wow - I'll take your sunny and 75 degree weather, Angelina! But I really can't complain - it's been around 65 and somewhat sunny here, for the past week - very unusual for NJ at this time of year - I'm still wearing my spring / fall clothes to work and I haven't really had to put on a winter coat yet! I'm sure that your grandmother will love the photographs of all of the children in your family - that's a very special gift and I'm sure that she will treasure it! Enjoy your free time!

In case anyone is wondering where SG is, unfortunately she hasn't been feeling well. Hopefully she will be back in the Suite, soon! Let's send her {{{HUGS}}} and get well wishes! Rest up and feel better, SG! Hope to see you back here, soon!

Have a great day, Everyone, and see ya for movie night, later!

 

[jstmee]

OH NO Slighty Goofy not feeling good-------------PD coming right up, barrels of it. plus many much deserved {{{{hugs}}}}}. Hope you feel good soon SG.

I glad you suggested A Christmas Story, I need some laughs. I've been sleeping way too much lately. The kids go to school then I go back to bed, sometimes until noon.

The puppy and the cat as of two days ago are actually able to tolerate each other in the same room. To my surprise "Mittens" our cat, came right out into the living room to she could sit next to me and watch the "wild" dog play with her toys (the dogs toys), our little Jasmine-puppy, was twirling and growling and enjoying herself so much.

Well, MIL is coming over in half an hour so I better straighten out the kitchen at least. Also, we got snow last night about 2 inches, its warmed up some, so I don't think all of it will last, but usually by this time of year we have much more snow, so we've enjoyed the good weather.

Adios.......

 

[helenabear]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to say I hope that SG is feeling better soon. I will send her tons of PD & a big {{{HUG}}} that she will be feeling better soon.

Jstmee, I also hope you are taking good care of yourself and I am sure your rest is very much deserved.

I will have to agree, Christmas Story sounds good to me too! Well back to work!!!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hello! Will this day ever end?????? I'm so ready to go home and relax!

Glad to hear that you are taking time to rest, Jstmee! I think it's great that you are getting some extra hours of sleep - that's wonderful!

And glad to hear that the furry ones are getting along better - or are at least tolerating one another - too! I wish that I could say the same for my furry ones - we have at least one cat fight per day (usually my largest female cat and Frank's largest female cat), at least one cat (one of mine) getting bopped in the face by another cat (one of Frank's) every day, and at least one cat peeing somewhere that she shouldn't on purpose, to show her disgust with her roommates, every day, as well. It's exhausting trying to make peace and cleaning up the messes, but I keep hoping that with time, they will all settle down and at least tolerate one another. Everything always worked out when I added my second 2 cats to my home, so I don't see why eventually Frank's cats won't get along with mine. I just wish that it would happen already, though! I think that we are both going to call our vets and ask for advice - particularly about the purposeful peeing - and see if there's a way to stop it or discourage it.

How's everything going today, Helenabear?

Time to get back to work! See ya later!

 

[angelina]

Here's another vote for "A Christmas Story," it's another favorite of ours, we watched it after Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's. My older children still love the "Home Alone" movies, too. And here's a request for some of that snow, please, Jstme, it's at least 80 degrees here.

I noticed that SG wasn't posting as much, but when I started to ask about her Sunday, she had popped in before I could post. I hope she's feeling better soon. It's quiet around, isn't it?

 

[helenabear]

Hi everyone!!! I had a busy day at work, but honestly I'd rather be busy than not busy. They may have some final lay offs this week and I'd rather be so busy I don't have time to notice anything. I don't know if it will happen near me or not but of course I always hope for it not to happen. It can be so tough to watch sometimes.

I am just relaxing right now while dinner is cooking. I am making spaghetti tonight (no not home made, but I admit I always add to the sauces to make them more of my own) and that is my "no brainer" dinner. Things boil for a while then they are done

My cats have been "cold" lately. They have been fluffing up and been all cuddly like the HEATED house is too cold for them They really are precious and both were cuddling me in bed this morning. Really not much is going on and I am glad for that. Hey Angelina, could you send some of your warmth my way? I really think I need to do what a lot of Ohioans do, we "live" in Ohio and "vacation" in Florida. The joke is we know Florida better than some who live there and that in reality some of our time is split 50/50 between the two states. Well I will check back in later. I think Christmas Story is just the thing. A good story, but it makes some of us feel better about our Holiday gatherings Have a great evening everyone!!!

 

[IASW Rider]

Yes, Angelina - definitely send some of that 80 degree weather up our way! Today it's 56, windy, and rainy, here. Still, I can't complain - it's still much warmer than it usually is at this time of year.

I like those "no brainer" dinners, too, Helenabear! But you are obviously an accomplished cook and baker - my cooking falls into 3 categories: "things you can do with chicken", "things you can do with ground turkey", and "things you can do with pasta"! All very simple recipes that are easy and relatively quick to make after work. Then again, I really only started cooking 2 months ago, when Frank moved in, so I'm definitely still learning!

Maybe your kitties are getting ready for winter and "putting on" their winter coats! I think that my cats' fur has gotten thicker, as it tends to do around now. Or maybe your cats are just in cuddly moods! They sound very cute! Mine have been a bit stand-offish, lately - probably because of the daily "unrest" between them and Frank's cats. Maybe they'll come around and make peace between themselves for the holidays - we can only hope!

Glad that you liked my "A Christmas Story" idea - I can watch that movie over and over - in fact, I have! Sometimes they have a marathon on TBS, where they show it continuously for 24 hours - there have been times when I have just left it on and watched parts of it throughout the day, while doing other things! That film makes me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it! I have to admit, my sentimental holiday favorite is still "It's a Wonderful Life", though!

Slightly Goofy - if you're out there and reading this, hope that you're feeling much better and will be able to pop in and join us, soon! We miss you!

Have a great day, Everyone!

 

[helenabear]

Hi everyone... I hope all is well you with you guys. Life is fine here. We had lay offs today at work. It was very much expected and compared to the worst one I saw just over a year ogo, today wasn't very bad at all. Out of three supervisors under my manager, only one was let go from the company and another was moved to a different group. That was much easier to take than the 20% reduction a year ago. Unless the company does badly in the next year, our jobs are secure for 12-18 months, so that is good for us. We are all very thankful and I am also very grateful that I can actually spend my 2 year anniversary here. It used to be that people wouldn't stick around that long on their own will, but now we seem to be sticking around much longer. Hey that must be what the pay increase did for us

Well I can't hang around much longer but I just wanted to share what happened today. I hope everyone has a great day!!!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Helenabear - I can relate - we have layoffs going on here, this week, too. Probably next week, too. First they offered "voluntary layoff" packages, where people who were considering career or lifestyle changes could volunteer to leave, but still get severence and benefits. Now that they have counted the number of people who opted to do that, the "involuntary layoffs" are happening. Fortunately, my group and I are "safe", since we're so understaffed as it is. But it is scary and difficult to watch people around us leaving or being told that they must go. UGH. I hope that the economic climate improves next year - this year has been awful. But thank God your job is safe, and I'm sure that it will be for a long time to come! I have "escaped" three large rounds of layoffs since I started with ML in 1988 - I hope that I will continue to be as "lucky" as I have been! Hang in there and have a nice afternoon!

 

[helenabear]

It really is sad when lay offs are so common that you can say "I've been through x many lay offs since I have been here". They have been about every quarter at my job since September of last year. I hope to keep being so lucky but as long as I work hard I have a good chance of keeping my job. The fear of me losing my job is always there but I am not affected by them in the same way at all as I was the first time. It was almost like death then... but I guess now I have been exposed so much it just can't get to me the way it used to. Oh well. I have chior practice tonight so I may have a really big no brainer dinner (eating out) and those are THE best of them all!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Puff, puff, puff. That is me trying to catch up to you all. Thank you all for the good wishes. It was just some regular ordinary bug I had. My DH claims I am the cheapest woman alive. I do tend to watch the pennies. We have 2 furnaces and I turn them down at night figuring I ain't gonna heat the whole room when we are cozy under the covers. I keep the temp at 68 or less during the day. The other day I woke up and did not feel quite right but I thought I was just slow to start. A bit later I started shivering and put on a jacket. After getting 2 blankets I turned the thermostats up to 75 and that still was not enough. Climbed into the bed and was still shivering. Finally checked my temp and it was about 102. Since I was not seeing too clearly I am not exactly sure. I am fine now. Was a bit scared though as I am going to have both of my boys living here next week. I are a good grandma, all healed and ready for my adventures. LOL

Loved the stories of your hair problems. I came of age during the beginnings of Miss Clairol and it was considered risque to dye your hair. Mom said I could do what I wanted when I was out from under her roof. First week on my own I went for it. My dark, curly hair was going to be blonde and straight as it was meant to be. It turned out orange and more like a brillo pad. LOL After a few more attempts I finally decided that God knew best. I had some success with streaking. Don't need to do that anymore, God took care of that also. (grin) I had sort of long hair one time and got a comb caught in it and cut it all off. Curly hair cannot get tooooo long.

Jstmee I am so glad to hear that you are taking care of yourself by doing things easier than in years past and getting some much needed sleep. I went to a fake tree years ago after I found myself using some rather un Christianlike language in trying to put up (by myself) the 8 foot live tree that my DH insisted on each year. Since we moved to the main floor I do not have room for the big trees I used to have and I have some small 4 foot ones in almost every room instead. One is purple and gold ( DH's), one has all the handmade ornaments that friends and family have given (lots of them are gone now and is always bittersweet to decorate), and of course one is all Disney. I have a few others but they are not themed. The best present you can give your kids is for you to take care of yourself. Have you started your treatments?

I love all the talk of the different holiday traditions. Even within the same religion there are so many ways to celebrate. I miss not having a lot of people here during the holidays. I am hoping that my brother and his family will come for Christmas Eve this year. Last year it was just us and our daughter and family. I like the Jewish religion. fried fopds are my favorite food group. (grin) Helena, I always thought that one of the tenants of the Jewish faith is immediate burial? Please educate me. BTW , don't forget to pick up a few pounds of potatoes to go with all that meat. Men have not elvolved too far from the Stone Age have they? LOL

Angelina, you are so cruel to keep all that great weather to yourself. Please share? Would it not be great if we COULD do that? When the utility companies figure out how to charge for it they might figure out a way. I love your idea about wrapping pictures of the presents. You are one sneaky lady. WTG!!!

Helenabear, I have a copy of A Christmas Story and a big screen tv. If someone brings the popcorn we can all meet here for a Christmas movie fest. My favorite is Miracle on 34th Street. I have found that I can add cut up Polish Sausage to sp sauce instead of meatballs on my lazy days. I also love my slow cooker. Got my DD a new one for Christmas. Got to have one where you can put the liner in the dishwasher though. Slow cooker in one corner and breadmaker in the other. Hog Heaven!!! BTW, you have not mentioned Luis' new job lately. How is he doing? My sisters are planning a girl's trip to NYC next year to see a Broadway show and I will have to come to Columbus to meet up with a couple of them. I 'might' get to meet you and Rider!!!!!! I am so excited.

Rider, how in the world can I ever thank you enough? I received the tape today. Have not had a chance to see it yet. Maybe after I pick up my little guy. I loved the card and the picture of you and your DF. What a great looking couple you are. I loved the striped guy in the middle too. You are just the nicest person to do that for someone you have never even met. Though I bet you never meet many strangers.

I have to go pick up my little fellow. I picked him up from preschool the other day and he was so proud. He had made me something and written "I love my grandma" on it. Would not trade it for the biggest diamond in the world.

Your friend, Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[helenabear]

SG, it's so good to see you! I hope you received my card and I am gald that you are feeling better. I really have to laugh at your mom's comment about dying your hair because my mom is how I started on mine. Since my light brown high lights were getting too light, in high school my mom gave me money and said go dye it. Red would be nice... and that is how it all started. I do wish I could help you out on the Jewish tradition about burrying, but being a Catholic I am not sure about that one. I am sure it goes down to the Catholics as we share a ton of rules & background as the Jewish faith does since we evolved right from the Jewish faith. I always thought we had burials almost immediately so that the body is preserved and looks right for the burial.

Well my dad just stopped by so I had better run. I will check back later! I hope all is well with everyone!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Helenabear, I had my tongue over my eyeteeth and did not know what I was saying. Of course, I know you are Catholic. Maybe my fever has not gone away after all? Just had an unexpected guest. DD called and begged me to go pick up my little guy as she had to work late and get some stuff done before they leave. He just informed me that I cannot stop being a grandma. Didn't know I wanted to. LOL BTW, as a point of interest. I once took instruction from then Father O'Malia. I tried on a lot of churches for size in my youth. Not a big fan of organized religion nowadays. Of course, my being a member of any church would mean they could not be tooooo organized. Have been going to the church that some of my grands go to but they will not answer my question about whether women are allowed to preach there. I had the great honor and luck to have Dr. Norma Ramsey Jones as a minister when I was a kid. She pretty much ruined me for anybody else. I feel that as there are many roads to take in getting anywhere there are many paths to God. Of course, you do have to head in the right general direction at some point. The only thing I cannot abide is anyone who tells me that their way is the ONLY way. I run for the hills then. LOL

Yes, I got your card. I am sorry I forgot to mention it. Thank you for thinking of me. It sure made this old lady (53) feel good to see that you all missed my big mouth. (grin) I got a nice card from Rider also.

After Sunday I may not be able to get into here too much. Amazing how much care a retired hubby can take. Bet you thought I was going to say 2 grands didn't cha? They will help me care for their grandad, I hope.

Have you guys heard about the Haunted Mansion ride at DL? They redid it with the theme of Tim Curry's movie. Can't think of the name right now. Must be nice. We will have to take field trip and check that out next y ear. A bit of scuttlebutt that they MIGHT try it at DW next year also. Sounds great - Just thought of it Nightmare Before Halloween? Senility creeps up on you when you are not thinking children.

Better get a couple more presents wrapped. Have to get all the kids stuff wrapped before they move in so I will be able to surprise them.

PS, I love Amazon.com. I just ordered a slew of books for Christmas. Free shipping for the next few days. So easy to shop. I would burn up more gas hunting for things than it costs when there is shipping costs involved. I don't even have stock in the company . Shucks!!!

Have a great weekend everyone and I will see you when I can. Anyone for the TOD's tonight? I have railside seats at the Cantina with margaritas and nachos for all. We can visit until Illuminations and then catch our private bus back to the suite afterward.

Slightly Goofy

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Glad to see you back, SG! And glad that you're feeling better and will be fully recovered in time for your grandchildren to arrive! Also, glad that my little package arrived safely! Don't thank me for the tape yet....wait till you see it! I have a feeling that Helenabear is still dizzy from watching my not-always-steady camerawork (hee hee!)! Seriously - hope that you enjoy it! Think of us when you watch the EWP! I'm sure that you and your DH will have a wonderful time with the little ones when they come to stay!

I also love Amazon.com - I bought almost all of my holiday gifts through that site for the past few years. Not only do they have great books and music, but they also have major appliances - I bought DF a VCR and even a bread maker through Amazon! The free shipping is great, too - and they guarantee delivery before the holidays for awhile, as well. I cannot deal with going to malls or outlets at this time of year - too many people and not enough places to park! We're scaling back on the holiday gifts this year, in anticipation of our wedding, but there is still shopping to be done!

As for burials, yes - we also bury people whom we've lost as soon as possible - preferrably within 24 hours. We then have a seven day mourning period (called "sitting shiva" - "shiva" or "sheva" is the Hebrew word for 7 - as in 7 days) during which people come to visit the immediate family in their home, and there are always large spreads of food, as well. The idea is to help the mourning family through their grief. People don't talk about sad things - they talk about happy things and remember the lost one fondly.

I agree with you about layoffs, Helenabear - it's very sad that we have both witnessed so many of them. We are very lucky to still have our jobs in this depressed economy - hopefully things will get better in the first quarter of next year! How is Luis doing? Any interesting weekend plans?

Boy am I happy that this week is over! We have yet another round of waiting around for the cable people to come and install our new outlet tomorrow - UGH. At least it's better than being at work! Then we're going with my uncle to visit my aunt in Connecticut. My cousin (who is also an only child and with whom I'm very close) will be there with her 2 children, whom I refer to as my "niece" and "nephew", since I'm an only child and they're the closest I will ever have to a "real" niece and nephew! I am looking forward to seeing them all! Most of all, I am looking forward to relaxing after a hectic week, tonight!

Yes, I am definitely up for ToD and margaritas and snacks, this evening! Let's go!

Hope that all is well with all of you! Have a great weekend!

 

[IASW Rider]

Oops - yes, SG - I heard about the DL HM being themed after "The Nightmare Before Christmas"! It sounds neat! It would be interesting to see it! But I hope that they don't change the WDW HM - it's always been my second favorite attraction, there, and I think it's perfect as it is! I loved the movie, though! OK - after our EPCOT extravaganza, let's come back to the Suite and watch "A Christmas Story", "Miracle on 34th Street", "It's a Wonderful Life", and then maybe "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for good measure!

 

[helenabear]

Hi again everyone! My dad just left our house and I thought I'd come back to tell all of weekend plans. Luis is doing fine at his work. He is still looking and more jobs have come up recently so we hope for the best. Of course I am more glad than ever that Lay offs just ignored me this time

I too am an Amazon.com lover. I have been shopping there for quite some time. I have a wish list there as well (so does the rest of my family). It really makes shopping easier for those who are far away. I haven't done my shopping yet, but I plan to do it rather soon.

That is very neat about the burials Rider. We try to do ours rather soon, but we have a tendency to have to wait a day or so because we have the wake. The wake for my mom's side of the family is rather a joyous event really. It is a time for family and friends to come around and instead of being somber, usually people are there with good stories to tell and we even joke and say that the wakes we have are more celebratory than some of the weddings we have (we aren't the huge alcohol & PARTY type group... we have dancing but not the funky chicken ). Then the next day we have the funeral. After the funeral we usually do have the "reception" somewhere and then it will continue throughout the whole day and as long as it can. It is really a great thing to have... a whole support group is there for each other. I don't mind going as they aren't very depressing events at all.

I do hope you have the best of luck with your cable Rider. I will send tons of PD that they should actually come on time, fix what they need and most importantly GET EVERYTHING RIGHT

SG, I am so glad you got my card. I am also glad you were happy by all of our well wishes. We really miss you around here when you are gone! I too heard about the new HM at DL. I am not sure what to think of it. I really like what Tim Burton does, and "The Nightmare before Christmas" was very good... but I am such a traditionalist and as much as I like the movie a part of me just hopes they don't touch the HM at WDW

As for my weekend plans. I hope to maybe meet with my friend from Cancun tomorrow. Tomorrow night I am going with Luis, my dad and my sister to a concert that the Columbus Symphony Orchestra puts on every year for the upcoming winter season. It should be fun and I love listening to the orchestra... I just hope they have a lot of horn parts (as they are my favorite).

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Right now I am sort of watching "The Sound of Music" on Fox. I also hope that jstmee & angelina are doing just fine as are all of our fellow DIS'ers at the DIS CON.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Yep, that is what I want - a wake or shiva. No sad songs for me and definitely no paying some funeral home a fortune so we can sit around a look at a box. I want a big old party and people can tell funny Linda stories. Should not be a shortage of those. LOL

I love live performances of any kind. Do not hear well so I can feel the music and that adds so much to the experience. Am going to get together with my sister from Columbus next year at a place called Bear Creek that is on the Ohio/IN line. It is a cheap getaway and a really great place to go and relax. It is very nice, clean and interesting as well. Not sure why more people do not know about it. We are renting a cabin with several bedrooms next year and our DD and family are going to join us there for the weekend. We took our oldest grandson there once when h e was little.

I like Amazon.com but don't know about buying anything other than books and music as I would rather see appliances in person. I am careful about ordering thru the mail cause if you don't like it you usually have to pay postage both ways and that can get costly. A certain company that has headquarters in Columbus, O is notorious for not being too good at their descriptions. I have hundreds of dollars of their stuff that was less than I wanted. It is almost bad enough to make me lose enough weight to be able to shop at a regular store. (lopsided grin)

Helenabear, ISAW Rider, Jstmee, WM Cathy C, Angelina Rainbows and Warm Woolen Mittens, These Are a Few of my Favorite Things~!!!!!!!!!

Rider, I think it was a temporary change to the Haunted Mansion. A little change is good , most of the time. As long as it is NOT making the castle into a giant birthday cake. (grin) I hope you enjoy playing with your 'niece' and 'nephew'. Children that you can play with and enjoy without the obligation of paying for food, clothing and shelter are the best!

My little guy went home with his Mom. Sent her off with one of my rolling suitcases. She will thank me when they are rolling through the airport at midnight.

I well remember the days of worrying about layoffs and such. My DH was just a few from the door one time when he had over 20 years in. Now we just worry about inflation and the decreasing interest rates on our investments and how to get the money out of our IRA without paying a lot of taxes. As Roseannadanna used to say "It's always something".

We had better get started on those movies if we want to be done by morning.

Slightly Goofy

 

[jstmee]

Oh, such warm fuzzy feelings. The Sound of Music is one of my favorite things......., and of course the burials for us are like Helenabear......not warm fuzzies, but a chance to remember good things about the deceased.

SG I am so glad you are feeling better. It's awful having a fever. It must have been from cooking all of that Bomba's food. Wow, we had better get started, we have quite a selection of movies and ToD and everything else. It's so nice to be among such beautiful people.

I got layed off of a job-they actually eliminated my position 3 weeks before Christmas in 1989 when I was a divorced mom with twins that were one year........Thankfully I met Mister Wonderful and he saved me from doom. lol

My DH had to take 2 unpaid days for Thanksgiving and they have a mandatory unpaid time off for Christmas time. I guess it's better than a lay off, but it sure hurts the pocketbook.

I go back down to Boston on Thursday to meet a surgeon and have some biopsies on Friday.

I have to cut this short I need to spend some time with DH before he goes away for work again in the morning.

See ya at the movies. lol

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Jstmee

We have something in common. I was a divorced mother of 2 when I met my DH. He proposed the first time we met. Took me 3 years to take him up on it though.

My DH and I were out to eat on Christmas Eve a few years back feeling a bit down as none of our kids were coming for Christmas. Got to talking to our waitress and found out that she had just been laid off from where my DH worked. It was the hit of our Christmas season to able to leave a VERY large tip. Would have enjoyed seeing her face but did not want to embarrass her. It would be fun to be really rich so you could go around and do things like that all the time. Money does not cure all problems but it does work in an awfully lot of cases and even in those where it cannot cure it sure can make it easier. IMHO

I have been up since 6, got the kids fed and dressed and desposted at their schools. Back and made the beds and neatened the house and orgainized lunch. Dalton wants a side of steak to go with his pork chop! LOL DH is still asleep and I am considering if I want to wake him up. Let sleeping dogs lie. If he is asleep I do not have to cook breakfast or clean up after him yet. (grin)

We are making Moravian Sugar Cookies tonight, the dough at least. Mr D. does not have school tomorrow so that will be our project. Our neighbor next door lost his mother and I would like to take him a plate of cookies. She was 94. On her last birthday she had just gotten out of the hospital and we bought her a birthday present she requested. A case of beer! Why is such behavior so cute in the elderly and so bad in the rest of us? (grin) I think after you have completed your obligations in raising your children you should be allowed to kick up your heels a bit. I am planning my future adventures today!!! I just hope to live long enough to embarrass my children.

I spent a bit yesterday looking at Rider's tape. Am wondering if she put a set of 3D glasses over the lens at the MuppetVision show. The very first thing on the tape was the EWP. Mr. D watched some it also and was proud of telling me what was going on. He has been running around singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". He is 4 and my little sweetheart. His 10 year old brother was sobbing last night. He siad he was missing his parents but I think he was worried about them flying. They are used to spending the night with me so it is not too strange for them but I am having to give them a bedtime which they are not used to. This should be better than WW as I don't have time to eat and am running around like a chicken with it's head chopped off.

I hope everyone is having an easy day and a bit of sunshine to get them through the day.

Hit "play" someone. I am ready to watch some movies. Have to leave at 11 though.

Slightly Goofy