May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 9

[mishoe01]

Hi everyone!! Sounds like everyone is very busy right now....both in work and play.

I had lunch w/ Noel today....very nice lady. We ate at Friday's (Deb--same place we ate the 1st time we met).....We chit chatted alot, and we were surprised at the end of our meal w/ the wait staff coming out and singing their Happy Birthday song to her....the waitress had noticed the gift I gave her and when she mentioned Christmas present I (not thinking) corrected her and said "no, birthday" to which Noel replied "yesterday". We both laughed as they were singing, but enjoyed the ice cream

Noel is partying it up tonight at MK for the MVMCP. Lucky her!

I'm so glad I got to meet her....and luckily (even though it was my lunch) I didn't feel rushed. I/we did get some pics taken, but those will have to wait until after I get back from MD....don't have time to do them tonight.

Don't know how easily it will be for me to check in over the next 6 days, so if I don't get the chance.....


MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

(and I don't care if it's not PC to say that....that is what I believe so that is what I say!)

and to all!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Hi everyone!! Sounds like everyone is very busy right now....both in work and play.

I had lunch w/ Noel today....very nice lady. We ate at Friday's (Deb--same place we ate the 1st time we met).....We chit chatted alot, and we were surprised at the end of our meal w/ the wait staff coming out and singing their Happy Birthday song to her....the waitress had noticed the gift I gave her and when she mentioned Christmas present I (not thinking) corrected her and said "no, birthday" to which Noel replied "yesterday". We both laughed as they were singing, but enjoyed the ice cream

Noel is partying it up tonight at MK for the MVMCP. Lucky her!

I'm so glad I got to meet her....and luckily (even though it was my lunch) I didn't feel rushed. I/we did get some pics taken, but those will have to wait until after I get back from MD....don't have time to do them tonight.

Don't know how easily it will be for me to check in over the next 6 days, so if I don't get the chance.....


MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

(and I don't care if it's not PC to say that....that is what I believe so that is what I say!)

and to all!

Merry Christmas, Love and Hugs to you too Monica. Have a great time in MD visiting with the family. Can't wait for the pics when you return.....loved the story before you left.....thanks for sharing.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Sandi called about 5:30pm to say that they're on the road heading south. I told her to call when she arrives so we know she's safe. I didn't even cry.

 

[granmaz]

I will have to work Thursday and Friday next week, then head back for Wednesday-Friday the week afterwards.

We have a national holiday called Boxing Day, that government, banking and some stores are closed for.

Pj

Ah, now I don't feel so alone with Boxing Day!!!

Marilyn and PJ.....what is Boxing Day??? I'm thinking of boxers going into a ring or boxes that I wrap presents in.....neither one of them seems like they would make a national holiday. Please enlighten me!

Historically, The celebration is traditional, dating back to the middle ages, and consisted of the practice of giving of gifts to employees, the poor, or to people in a lower social class.


Today, Boxing Day is a public holiday celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia and many other Commonwealth countries on December 26, the day after Christmas Day or alternatively on the next weekday after Christmas.


Canada
In Canada, Boxing Day is observed as a holiday, except (in some cases) for those in the retail business. Boxing Day and the days immediately following are when many retail stores sell their Christmas and retired model products by holding clearance sales. Some shoppers will line up for hours at night (sometimes before midnight and after midnight on December 26) for retailers to open their doors. (has becomes kind of our Black Friday)

Sport
From a sporting perspective, Boxing Day in Canada has many implications. It is usually on Boxing Day when the IIHF begins the World Junior Hockey Championship. This is a significant event for Canada and Hockey Canada which have done extremely well at this particular international event. Boxing Day is also the start of another international hockey tournament: The Spengler Cup. This tournament, usually played in Davos, Switzerland, along with the World Juniors, are aired on the two big sports networks in Canada



I just know that we get a day off to recover from the turkey coma.

PJ

Sport has always been a big thing on our Boxing Day too. When I was young it was horse racing, but now football is the big sport for that day. I guess horse racing is still on but not as important now.

I think the term Boxing comes from the opening of the alms boxes in churches to give money to the poor. It is also St Stephen's Day, but what that is I don't know.

Like PJ it is really a chill out post Christmas relax for us!!!

YEAH! I'm finished with my wrapping. I did all of John's gifts except for one and I did all of the kid's gifts. The kid will wrap the last one for John and all of Ray's. John will wrap all of mine. Then we can have Christmas. Oh, we need some egg nog.....then we can have Christmas.

Tomorrow I have things to mail out in the morning and then that's the last of doing things for the holiday. Time to kick back and enjoy. YEAH!!!

Still got the grandchildren's presents to wrap, including 4 beanbags!

Hi everyone!! Sounds like everyone is very busy right now....both in work and play.

I had lunch w/ Noel today....very nice lady. We ate at Friday's (Deb--same place we ate the 1st time we met).....We chit chatted alot, and we were surprised at the end of our meal w/ the wait staff coming out and singing their Happy Birthday song to her....the waitress had noticed the gift I gave her and when she mentioned Christmas present I (not thinking) corrected her and said "no, birthday" to which Noel replied "yesterday". We both laughed as they were singing, but enjoyed the ice cream

Noel is partying it up tonight at MK for the MVMCP. Lucky her!

I'm so glad I got to meet her....and luckily (even though it was my lunch) I didn't feel rushed. I/we did get some pics taken, but those will have to wait until after I get back from MD....don't have time to do them tonight.

Don't know how easily it will be for me to check in over the next 6 days, so if I don't get the chance.....


MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

(and I don't care if it's not PC to say that....that is what I believe so that is what I say!)

and to all!

And a Happy Christmas to you too Monica. So glad you got to meet Noel and help celebrate her birthday.

 

[ibouncetoo]

**Happy Holidays Everyone**

Leaving work and don't know how much I'll get to use Peg's computer over the next 12 days, but I'll check in when I can.

 

[nskjerven]

Boxing Day is a public holiday celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia and many other Commonwealth countries on December 26, the day after Christmas Day;[1][2] or alternatively on the next weekday after Christmas.

Folk etymologies
The more common stories include:

It was the day when people would give a present or Christmas box to those who had worked for them throughout the year.
In feudal times, Christmas was a reason for a gathering of extended families. All the serfs would gather their families in the manor of their lord, which made it easier for the lord of the estate to hand out annual stipends to the serfs. After all the Christmas parties on 26 December, the lord of the estate would give practical goods such as cloth, grains, and tools to the serfs who lived on his land. Each family would get a box full of such goods the day after Christmas. Under this explanation, there was nothing voluntary about this transaction; the lord of the manor was obliged to supply these goods. Because of the boxes being given out, the day was called Boxing Day.
In England many years ago, it was common practice for the servants to carry boxes to their employers when they arrived for their day's work on the day after Christmas. Their employers would then put coins in the boxes as special end-of-year gifts. This can be compared with the modern day concept of Christmas bonuses. The servants carried boxes for the coins, hence the name Boxing Day.
In churches, it was traditional to open the church's donation box on Christmas Day, and the money in the donation box was to be distributed to the poorer or lower class citizens on the next day. In this case, the "box" in "Boxing Day" comes from that lockbox in which the donations were left.
Boxing Day was the day when the wren, the king of birds,[4] was captured and put in a box and introduced to each household in the village when he would be asked for a successful year and a good harvest. See Frazer's Golden Bough.
Evidence can also be found in Wassail songs such as:
Where are you going ? said Milder to Malder,
Oh where are you going ? said Fessel to Foe,
I'm going to hunt the cutty wren said Milder to Malder,
I'm going to hunt the cutty wren said John the Rednose.
And what will you do wi' it ? said Milder to Malder,
And what will you do wi' it ? said Fessel to Foe,
I'll put it in a box said Milder to Malder,
I'll put it in a box said John the Rednose.
etc...


St. Stephen's Day is also celebrated in Ireland as Wren Day or Wren Boys' Day [2], particularly in rural areas (notably Kerry - see John B. Keane's book The Bodhran Makers), and also in Sandymount[3], in Dublin.



Because the staff had to work on such an important day as Christmas by serving the master of the house and their family, they were given the following day off. As servants were kept away from their own families to work on a traditional religious holiday and were not able to celebrate Christmas Dinner, the customary benefit was to "box" up the leftover food from Christmas Day and send it away with the servants and their families. (Similarly, as the servants had the 26th off, the owners of the manor may have had to serve themselves pre-prepared, boxed food for that one day.) Hence the "boxing" of food became "Boxing Day".
Similar to above, leftovers and food were boxed up and shipped overseas in times of war to the soldiers of the Commonwealth Nations.

[edit] Date
In common usage, 26 December is continually referred to as Boxing Day whichever day of the week it occurs on.[5] If it falls on a Sunday then in countries where it is a Bank Holiday the Statutory Holiday is moved to Monday 27 December to ensure a day without work.[6][7][8] As Christmas Day would therefore be a Saturday, Tuesday 28 December is also declared as a holiday in lieu.

In some Commonwealth countries, fixed-date holidays falling on Saturday or Sunday are often observed on the next weekday, so if Boxing Day falls on a Saturday then Monday 28 December is a public holiday; in the UK and other countries this is accomplished by Royal Proclamation.

If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday itself then the Boxing Day holiday is automatically on Monday 26 December, and no Royal Proclamation is required. In such a circumstance, a 'substitute bank holiday in lieu of Christmas Day' is declared for Tuesday 27 December, this being the next available working day - thus the Boxing Day holiday occurs before the substitute Christmas holiday.

Although the same legislation (Bank Holidays Act 1871) originally established the Bank Holidays throughout the British Isles, the holiday after Christmas was defined as Boxing Day in England and Wales and St Stephen's Day for Ireland. St Stephen's Day is fixed as the 26 December.[9]

 

[scottishwee35]

Marilyn and PJ.....what is Boxing Day??? I'm thinking of boxers going into a ring or boxes that I wrap presents in.....neither one of them seems like they would make a national holiday. Please enlighten me!

ah, boxing Day on 26th Dec

and in Scotland we call for New Year Eve - HOGAMANY

Marilyn do you called it Hogamany or New Year Eve?

Anyway, Marilyn Yes I am now

NO MORE WORKING UNTIL 27 DEC

I don't think I do nightshift again As it was nightmare last night as the store started open at 7 am for 24 hours until Sunday. Crazy!!

I came home this morning at 6 am, very tired, and managed stay awake for the kids to get ready for school - last day. After they went away, I went to bed. I couldn't believe that I had a good sleep until 2.30 pm and left my key inside the door. My husband got away from his work at 12.00 and couldn't get in as I was in heavy sleeping. I cannot believe I slept right throught 2.30 pm but I feel what a waste the day!! Lucky my husband laugh at me. Yes, I feel so guilty for lock him out!!

Scottishwee35

 

[scottishwee35]

TO EVERYBODY

WE WISH YOU A

SCOTTISHWEE35

 

[scottishwee35]

nskjerven

Boxing Day..thanks to Wikipedia

What a lovely story

Scottishwee35

 

[EllaEnchanted]

**Happy Holidays Everyone**

Leaving work and don't know how much I'll get to use Peg's computer over the next 12 days, but I'll check in when I can.

Happy Holidays to you too Jackie!!! Hope you get everything you want! Enjoy your time off!

Hugs, Kisses and Love and good wishes to Peg and family too!!!

 

[taysmom]

Hello everyone....
I've been reading but trying to keep up with life and all. My DD finished school today and we promptly went out shopping for xmas eve dinner. Now my fridge is chock full and my bank account is depleted! My sister and her family arrive from texas tomorrow and our extended family are all coming to my house for xmas eve dinner...can we say busy!
Welcome to all the newcomers. I was just looking at my bill the other day. Glad that I have until january to pay the balance. We're getting very excited out here in cali. I was just telling some coworkers that I plan on swimming with the stingrays and the dolphins. It's so exciting that 2008 is right around the corner. I hope the new year brings all of us adventures and fun and lots of savings to take more cruises!
I hope you all have a fabulous holiday and a wonderful and safe new year.

Peace!
Steph

 

[MrsMork]

How many people give tips for the holidays? I give our mail lady a holiday lotto and a gift certificate to Radio Shack. But she is the only one I tip. Do any of you tip other people?

Nada. Our kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews get it all from us.

 

[MrsMork]

Speaking of....we have nieces and nephews in Colorado that I need to get online and get something sent. By 3pm tomorrow and they are promising delivery by Christmas. I'm a bit behind as always. The cards are in the mail though.

 

[gydell]

How many people give tips for the holidays? I give our mail lady a holiday lotto and a gift certificate to Radio Shack. But she is the only one I tip. Do any of you tip other people?

I give the mail lady and my spa lady a Walmart gift card.

 

[HollyTyler]

So who has off Monday and Tuesday and who has to work?

Even though he works for a teaching hospital facility, John has to work on Monday but he has off on Tuesday.

Anybody have off both days? Anybody working both days?

What a nice long weekend if you have both days off.

Unfortunately, I have both days off. Lots of lost pay. But no use complaining because at least I have a job, which I'm very thankful for with such a high unemployment rate in Michigan (and everywhere else too).

 

[gydell]

 

[LisaG520]

Our cinemas close on Christmas Day so Lisa you wouldn't get to see a movie that day. There is no public transport at all either.

Wow, our theaters are usually pretty busy on Christmas - video stores too!

 

[HollyTyler]

Wow it's really really quiet on here today....everyone must be getting ready for the Big day and frolicing about.

Or they're all out of town visiting the Mouse!

Well, I was lucky enough to be able to work a full day. I struggled to make myself look very busy and indispensable because one of the lawyers I work for left the firm (yesterday was his last day), so I didn't have as much work to do. I went with a couple girls right after work to my favorite Mexican restaurant for drinks. They always take us to our same table whenever we walk in the door.....yup, we're there a lot! Got home about 2 hours ago but have been on the phone the whole time with my best friend from back home.

 

[HollyTyler]

Sandi called about 5:30pm to say that they're on the road heading south. I told her to call when she arrives so we know she's safe. I didn't even cry.

 

[MrsMork]

Unfortunately, I have both days off. Lots of lost pay. But no use complaining because at least I have a job, which I'm very thankful for with such a high unemployment rate in Michigan (and everywhere else too).

I have both Mon and Tues off. I also had today off as my regular day off, so nice 5 day weekend for me.