Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[lovemygoofy]

Happy Saturday and day after Christmas,

We have had a quiet couple days and thankful for the peace and quiet and time to reset ourselves. Matt worked half day Christmas Eve and I made a big ham dinner that night. We had homemade egg nog and baked treats while watching movie on Christmas Eve and yesterday morning had lazy morning with coffee and some pastries. We did online Mass (missed Mass in person so much yesterday!) and made an easy brunch and then exchanged our gifts. Last night we went to see some Christmas lights and then watched the not really Disney parade. Now I'm watching White Christmas while Matt upstairs playing his new game.

People have weird thoughts about no children people. People seem to think we go ALL OUT or nothing at all. We are very much middle of the road people. We stop buying things for ourselves 1SEP and then give a list of this, that and the other vague items and let the other decide.
I got some super cozy pjs that I am loving and fun tshirt that says I believe in cocoa and magic of Hallmark Movies. I know have beautiful Disney Kincaid puzzle to work on this winter and some cozy new Cuddli Duds fuzzy socks (I love all things Cuddle Duds!) I adore my Dolly Parton Christmas album Holly Dolly Christmas, two new cookbooks and new Janet Evanovich book. Oh and he bought me two very sweet Disney Christmas ornaments that made me tear up.

Matt also new pjs and fuzzy socks, new fleece lined track pants, Back to the Future cartoon series from the 90s, fancy beard conditioner and brush, Colts 3D puzzle, Madden 21 and his ornaments included the DeLorean from Back to the Future, and statue of Walt Disney/Mickey Mouse replica from the front of the parks. Our stockings had little bit of candy and sweet notes for the other. This seems weird that we exchange gifts in such manner but if we didn't honestly there would no gifts received so we go "all out" on each other with our set budget.

Our anniversary is Dec 21st. This year was #18. To celebrate we bought Ninja Foodi 11-1 all cooker. I'm pretty sure this thing is much smarter than I am. It's quite the experience figuring it out. Do you know why we had a Christmas anniversary? It was the only time the Army would let Matt have time off LOL and the church would already be decorated and we wouldn't need to spend money we didn't have.

We facetimed with my mama and her roommate and saw them open up all the gifts we mailed them and snacks we sent. Last Sunday we did a very short Christmas outside with his mom and then over to see our nieces and nephews for a very short visit to spoil them. I'm looking forward to being able to see and love on them much more when we can again.

I'm loving reading everyone's days and glad made it as nice as we can right now.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I have so enjoyed catching up with new posts from this morning. LOL, AuntieMe3, I do want to see your dogs opening their presents

Tina, so good to see another post from you. How smart of you and Matt on your Christmas time wedding, love that. So glad you had a nice Christmas.

Thankful everyone here had a nice Christmas!

 

[tazdev3225]

I did see the Yule Log! I am trying to figure out where it came from. Check back as I will edit it in when I find it. DH doesn’t remember, and threw out the packaging. (Oftentimes he orders things off of Instagram links when he sees them.) He is wrapped in a blanket reading his book now! (And reading passages to me. Not a big book person but really likes this one!)

Your husband sounds like mine, he always forgets where he gets things. Half the time he sends our daughter out to get me something or I buy it myself. This year she was just to busy with the hospital and the kids.

People have weird thoughts about no children people. People seem to think we go ALL OUT or nothing at all. We are very much middle of the road people. We stop buying things for ourselves 1SEP and then give a list of this, that and the other vague items and let the other decide.

I love this idea. My kids are all grown and on their own. When we need something we just get it. This is a great idea on how to handle it. This year he got socks and I got a DVD I want, nothing else. I think my husband was a little disappointed because of that.


Our anniversary is Dec 21st. This year was #18. To celebrate we bought Ninja Foodi 11-1 all cooker. I'm pretty sure this thing is much smarter than I am. It's quite the experience figuring it out. Do you know why we had a Christmas anniversary? It was the only time the Army would let Matt have time off LOL and the church would already be decorated and we wouldn't need to spend money we didn't have.

My brother got married December 28th for the same reason.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@tazdev3225 Check here, they have lots

https://www.etsy.com/market/outlander_bracelet
ETA I have the feeling the one I got is sold out. I found it in a couple of pictures. I think it might have come from the “Official Outlander Store” https://www.outlanderstore.com/ . I saw it a few other places, too, but can’t figure out how to get it. Sorry not more help.

 

[lynxstch]

What the heck was going on with the DIS in the last few minutes. I was trying to love a post, it would only show me like, and made me go to a different page and confirm that I liked it? And then there was no reply box. Glad it's okay now!
Aldi's was almost empty, only had 1 cashier working,,was in and out in 15 min. Walmart was busy , but not mobbed. Noone was counting people going in or out. I skipped all the sales and clearance items, got what I needed and got to a register, and only had 1 person in front of me..amazing!
Now it's beauty treatment time..making ham hoagies for dinner, and then stripping and remaking the bed
Love reading about all of your Christmas' day activities, thank you for sharing them with the rest of us
Have a great rest of the afternoon and evening.

 

[Snowysmom]

I really enjoy reading about everyone's holiday and what gifts everyone got.

Today was supposed to be a rest day but I got busy with housework and grocery shopping. Market Basket was a bit busier that I thought it would be. We only needed a few things. DH will do the main shopping Tuesday. I did start to read some books I got for Christmas. I found a new author over the summer, Sarah Morgan, so DH got me several books by her. I read one in 2 nights while we were vacation this summer so I want to read more. Tomorrow I hope to listen to one of the CDs he got me. I got country music CDs, Maddie and Tae and Gabby Barrett.

Jasper doesn't open presents by himself but he comes over and noses around trying to find out which ones are for him. AuntieMe3 It would be fun to see the pups opening their gifts.

Have a good evening.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Slipping thread!

Glad you got some new books, Snowysmom That is cute about Jasper.

I finished watching Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater. I really liked how both main characters were involved with kids at the community center and helped to bring (via video chat) their stationed parents home for Christmas with a message. The gingerbread house (wooden) they helped the kids built was awesome. A lot of these movies seem to have Gingerbread house making--either real or out of boxes or in this movie out of wood....so many possibilities and would be a great Christmas week activity perhaps one day at church.

Prayers each of you are having a good evening!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Almost missed all of today.

We had our crab cakes, baked potato, and salad last night, and they were delicious. But we bought too much so tonight I made more potatoes. reheated the left over crab cakes, and finished the salad. Still good.

We decided today to take a road trip to Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge. Too cold to walk too much as it was about 32 and the refuge is right on the bay so windy too. Saw geese, buffleheads, swan, and turkeys. It was nice and I want to go back when it is warmer as there are many trails. @easyas123, I feel like we were around the corner from you.

Glad to read about all of your gifts and days.

 

[AuntieMe3]

Ok so I think I figured it out on YouTube. I guess I only got video of Bingo and pictures of Buddy. Bummer because he was soo funny too.

So Christmas Eve, Bingo was acting like his ball was stuck under a chair we have in the front room. Hubby looked under and even moved the chair and no ball. Then he realized what was on top of the chair...the box with their gifts and stocking stuffers. He stayed them almost all day patiently waiting for someone to give him his toys.


DD wrapped everything up that night and we kept them on the table until morning. LoL
Here's the video

hopefully the video plays.
And a couple pics of Buddy opening his and all their little toys they got, which almost all are completely destroyed already...





My crazy spoiled boys.

 

[Kirby]

@AuntieMe3, your dogs are gorgeous! We haven't had a pet for a couple of years now. I miss having one sometimes but for now we are going without.

I went and got a Covid test today just in case I can visit my mom later this week. The line was very short. I'm used to sitting for 30 - 40 minutes before getting swabbed. Then I went to Target to check out the after Christmas sales. I bought a light up unicorn for the front yard for half price. I've been buying light up animals for the grandkids and have a frog and Rudolph that's out there now. I think a unicorn will make a nice addition to my menagerie.

I also bought a couple pots and pans. The finish on the ones I have is flaking off so time to get rid of them. What kind of cookware do ya'll use?

Beyond vacuuming, I've done next to nothing today. Just a day and a half and DGS will be home!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I really hope post-plague some of you who live close together can meet and that down the road one time more of us truly can have our DL meet

That sounds really nice and peaceful, Carol.

Such handsome dogs, AuntieMe3, and so funny (and clever), thank you for sharing. Reminded me of Champ. Dad would share (when I was at college) that every night he would make some microwave popcorn. Champ knew when that time was and would literally block the TV Dad was watching until he made Champ his popcorn. Your dogs just wanted their gifts

Continued prayers for your Mom, Kirby and also that your test is negative!

 

[lynxstch]

Good Sunday morning! Hard frost, the ground is all sparkly, current temp is 21. Going to be fairly nice today with temps in the 40's. Going to try and get hubby out of the house to do something. He's spending way too much time doing nothing at all, which is not good for his health, or my sanity, lol! I am craving Chinese, so that will be dinner tonite. Did laundry last nite, and do need to wash the kitchen floor, just to get the muddy footprints by the door up. I am already getting tired of looking at Christmas decorations around the house, will start taking them down on Thursday, by Friday only the tree and the outside decorations will still be up. A month is long enough for me!
Have a great Sunday!!!

 

[sparkle78]

Happy Sunday. With all our snow that came Christmas Eve, we waited for the roads to be cleared and did our driveway, before going to my in-laws around 3 pm on Christmas Day. Even though they live less than 40 mins away, we packed jammies and stayed the night. We did this almost 20 years ago when we did live on another side of the state. It was nice to wake up on the 26 th, with no where to go and someone else making the teens and myself breakfast. We played board games and enjoyed my sister-in-law’s new puppy. An all white snow dog , Samoyed breed, named Avalanche. Ava for short. She was adorable, but I forgot how puppies have to go outside almost every hour. Today we are home and I plan to do some cooking. Have a great Sunday everyone.

 

[snappy]

Great photos and videos. Auntieme3! What a treat to see!

I too am picking up a few decorations today. Will leave our two table top LED trees up as they are easy to take down and store in a closet. I think I will leave the lighted garland and the twelve Winnie the Poohs from different countries on the mantle and the living room book shelves decorated for another week. No outside lights this year as we are in the midst of having our exterior cleaned and painted. I am praying the weather stays warm and dry until the job is over. We took a 5 mile plus walk on the levee yesterday, probably try to go later but maybe less far. We are both complaining and sounding like a couple of old fogies this morning. Wait, we are old fogies. I could feel muscle spasms in the knee I fell on last week before going to sleep last night. It is supposed to be a high of 70 for the next few days so no excuse not to get out and walk. Just not as far maybe.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning, everyone,

Cooler here so far today. It felt being cozy in a bed a little longer this morning Remind me next year, to record extra Christmas movies so I have some back up. I recorded one last night and that's all I have. I did try recording one of the other Time to Come Home for Christmas movies yesterday but it only recorded the last 20 minutes

Hug, Lynxstch, I hope you enjoy your dinner treat tonight.

Sparkle, so glad you got in some puppy and change of scene time for Christmas.

Snappy, that is neat you have all those Winnie the Poohs! Do you have a picture of them we could see?

Have a great Sunday all!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Remind me next year, to record extra Christmas movies so I have some back up.

keep your eyes open this summer, too. Last year, they showed some as a “Christmas in July” promotion.

 

[snappy]

Can’t get a great photo since it’s a wide shot. Bought these many years ago at the Disney store while it was still open here. Each one has a tag identifying the country. There were twelve offered and I bought one of each, along with all the extras I could find. They end up on the mantel every year. I brought a couple of them with me when DD25 and I stayed at the Swan right before Christmas a few years ago, along with a tiny mini tree. I set the tree up with the Winnie the Pooh’s as a surprise for her. Fun memory.

 

[Snowysmom]

AuntieMe2 I love that video. Your dogs are gorgeous. So cute!

It is around 35 today and sunny. We took our walk this morning. After lunch we will take Jasper for his walk. His meds seem to be helping him not cough as much. We got news that his kennel is shutting down next month. They just could not continue running at a loss. I feel so bad for them. They had this business for close to 30 years. The staff was wonderful with the dogs and I always felt that Jasper was safe with them. The kennel was on their property with their house right near the kennel building. Someone was always around. Now I have to find a new kennel in case we are able to go to Disney in May. I found one nearby that has a house like atmosphere with the dogs not being in cages. Dogs have to go for a 4 hour interview and trial before they are accepted for boarding. I do like that idea since they don't take dogs that are aggressive or don't play well with others. The old kennel did not take just any dog either. I hope Jasper would make the cut. The staff has alot of education in animal science as well as a love for dogs. Plus, there is always someone at the kennel 24/7. It is so sad to see so many family run small businesses having to close their doors. There really should be some major assistance for these businesses to help them get through this pandemic.

I have been watching some more Hallmark movies. I watched part of Time to Come Home for Christmas. I hope to catch the rest sometime. My favorite this season was A Christmas Waltz with the ever present Lacey Chabet. Good to know that they will be showing Christmas movies other times of the year.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks, PollyannaMom, I will do that!

Oh Snappy, those bears are adorable! Thank you for sharing. at our one day DL meet up we definitely will have ti ride Winnie the Pooh maybe even twice because the line is usually so short

So glad Jasper continues to feel better, Snowysmom! It is so sad about family owned and smaller businesses Was the Time to Come home you watched the one with the singer? He had a guitar case with him at the airport. I think my favorites this season (I don't know whether these are older or not so new to me Christmas in Angel Falls, Holly and Ivy, and It's Time for Us To Come Home for Christmas. Lots of others

ETA: Last call for now to anyone who would like happy mail of a Hollywood sign postcard. It would be mailed tomorrow. Please PM me your mailing info by this evening.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I love reading about everyone's Christmas!

Don't tell on us...we all got together at my in-laws' for a few hours on Christmas Day 11 people and 2 dogs. We were there for about 3 hours. We all wore masks (except Mom and Dad, it's their house - Mom did ask if we wanted them to wear their masks and we all said no). We opened our gifts first, but that was chaotic as usual - nobody could tell who was opening what and when. Only my SIL commented on the frame that Josh made, I didn't see anyone open else open theirs or say anything about it. Nor the COVID ornaments we gave everyone, except my other SIL later sent a photo of it hanging on her tree. My FIL was excited about the clock we gave him and Mom, and my SIL said it was awesome. It's one of these (we have one in our house as well), a "digital clock for seniors":


Josh got several Lego sets, a "Lego Idea" book, some Lego "tape" (reusable strips with the Lego dots on it; you stick it to any surface, and then you can build with the blocks on it), a joke book, a Spanish workbook and a voucher from SIL for Spanish tutoring lessons, and his cousins gave him a little stuffed reindeer that he's been carrying around ever since. I got a Cuddl Duds reversible plush sleep wrap from one BIL and SIL, and Nightmare Before Christmas 15-pair sock set from the other BIL and SIL. My MIL gave DH and I, separately, a LOT of money. She usually gives each of us a certain amount, but lately she's been giving us each about triple the norm. This year she even gave DH a check for...well, quite a lot, on top of the triple amount of cash. My BIL mentioned to DH that she gave him a large chunk of money as well. My mother later pointed out that "that's what parents do," especially when they have to start taking money out of their retirement accounts. She has a friend, in her 60s, whose parents give her a good amount of money every year as well. We could use it, this year we do have to address our basement hatchway and rebuild those stairs before any more of them rot and break...

Anyway, then we returned home and had our seafood lasagna. OMG, that was SO AWESOMELY GOOD! I know it was a lot of work, but man, that tasted good! It took everything in me to leave plenty of leftover so we can have it again. It was late by the time we finished eating, so we convinced Josh to not open our at-home presents right away - so we could have 2 days of Christmas!

Yesterday morning, after coffee and Josh's breakfast, we opened our gifts. I feel bad that it was a lean year. DH had given me a list and I only got him a book and CD that he wanted. Well, I didn't want to spend a lot because he's the one who ends up paying for it anyway My mom was happy with some cozy socks, a QVC gift card, and the Shutterfly desk calendar with photos of Josh every month (she later said she was happy and that there was really nothing she wanted anyway). DH gave me Ready Player Two book that I'd wanted, a book of Sherlock Holmes-style word puzzles, a really cool David Bowie "Space Oddity" poster that looks like a comic book, and for both Josh and I, a Bob Ross calendar. My mom gave us both gift cards, lottery tickets, DH got a nice new flannel shirt and for me, the Lug Trolley crossbody bag from QVC that she'd asked me about (and I'd forgotten). Josh, of course, cleaned up - more Legos, the board games Clue Jr. and Checkers, a set of 2 robotic cars/monster trucks that are built out of gears, books, a remote control Delorean from Back to the Future, and his favorite thing - a Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts ornament that lights up and plays the beginning of Grim Grinning Ghosts (starts off with the Ghost Host saying, "When hinges creak in doorless chambers..." and plays a little of the waltz). My mom had also bought a tabletop ping-pong set for Josh and DH, and when she sent DH to the basement to get it, he came back asking about another thing that was down there, that I'd forgotten about - a dig set from the Christmas Tree Shops for Josh. He loves those little dig sets; we've gotten some with dinosaur bones and gems. This one has 10 different things, I think - one has Egyptian artifacts, one is pirate treasure, one is dinosaur bones, etc. I told him that we will wait until warm weather, though, so we can do it outside (because it's really messy!).

I'm disappointed in myself, though, as far as what we got for DH's brother and sister. Last year we'd started a Yankee Swap, as it's really expensive to buy for everyone individually. We expected that this year, we still would not buy for each other, just for the parents and the 3 kids, but we found out maybe a week ago that they all bought gifts for all of us. So we had to scramble to buy gifts and we ended up doing gift cards for everyone. There's no fun in that. I've resolved that throughout the year, if I see something that I think someone would like, I'm just going to buy it. Even if we can go back to the Yankee Swap next Christmas, there will always be birthdays. And we will still give gifts to our teenage nieces, even if they participate in the Yankee Swap too. I don't enjoy always giving them gift cards (even though they like it). I just don't know what to do for them. One thing I've been wishing I had bought was the Philosophy "Snow Angel" shower and bath gel, but on the other hand, my SIL sells Perfectly Posh bath and body stuff, so it's weird to buy a different brand of bath product when they usually use the PP stuff. They don't carry handbags (otherwise, we gave our hairdresser a really nice cellphone crossbody bag that would have been nice for them) and I refuse to do clothes. Every time I see them, I have to resist the urge to ask them where the other half of their shirts went (why do teenage girls wear such short shirts???) So I don't know. The older one will be 17 in March, so I don't want to waste too much time thinking about it. Hopefully I'll be able to go over to Ulta one of these days and see if anything catches my eye - my other SIL said she bought gift cards and some small makeup kits for both girls there. I hate to copy, but they do have things for nails and hair as well as makeup.

We're just taking it easy today. We played the Clue Jr. game with Josh before lunch and I won! It was really fun and Josh wasn't even a sore loser this time. Now he's watching Ghostbusters with my mom while DH and I hang out in here. Tomorrow we'll be running some errands - I have to return library books, and it sounds like we're going to try Costco. Not really looking forward to it, but maybe it won't be too terrible. Fingers crossed!