Snow to 80 in 8 days–A spoonful of Holiday Cheer (2/5 update Ch 36 - Final Thoughts)

[Poolrat]

Usually I put up the tree and put on the ornaments, and DW adds the bows (and yes, "perfectly" spaced). But I like them mainly because they add color. We have been giving each other (and the boys) Hallmark ornaments from the very start, so almost everything on the tree is one of those. A lot of them aren't all that colorful, so the red bows take care of that.

I do the Hallmark ornaments too. We really don't even use any other ornaments, that is when those actually make it on the tree.

You should be pretty familiar with my next couple of days, since the In-Law's live about 30-45 minutes south of you! I'm sure you had pretty much the same weather to deal with.....

Oh dear.

 

[that's nice]

I hope your Dad was able to enjoy the holidays with the family around. I know it must of been hard on him (and you) without your mom there.

Love the bows on your tree! Ours is about 2 steps away from being all Disney.

Glad you were able to make it on the road in time before the bad weather hit... can't wait to see what happened the next morning.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I do the Hallmark ornaments too. We really don't even use any other ornaments, that is when those actually make it on the tree.

That's what I used to have - a tree full of Hallmark and other "figures". Years ago mcDonalds had the 101 Dalmations in their Happy Meals - some of them had little rings on them to use as ornaments, so I had a ton of those too....plus the stuff the boys would make at school or Sunday School, and after Christmas I would take them shopping to pick out some more that were clearanced. What I did not have on my tree was the plain ornament balls. Didn't like 'em. As it got harder for me to crawl around on the floor and get the tree put together that duty got turned over to the boys. That worked for a little while - then they became more obsitnate and wouldn't put my "millions of stupid ornaments" on the tree. I told them they could put whatever they wanted on it - just to get it up and get it decorated.

My 2010 Christmas tree

complete with Cubs/Santa hat on top

Cubs stuffed snowman, Cubs candy cane ornaments, Cubs garland

other random Cubs ornaments - and oh yes - that's Elvis down there on the bottom! When the ornaments first went on it was only Cubs stuff, a couple Elvis, and a Ward Burton (former Nascar driver) - it was totally Mark's tree. Christmas Eve he went downstairs and drug out some WWE ornaments, Captain Jack, and a personalized family one to add to it. It's definitely unique. But Santa came - an that's what matters! Oh and yes - I did just run out there and take some pics on my phone to post here because, yes, the tree is still up. The plan is it comes down today after Mark gets back from his Speech Meet.....but, we'll see

 

[marvali]

Good job laying the groundwork early for the upcoming excuse. That's a very manly thing to do, and I approve!

Us men are nothing if not adaptable!

Glad you escaped the snow, but this section has me thinking that you didn't escape all of it.

As long as there is a camera available, us DISers can make the most of any situation! (or at least another TR chapter.....)

I do the Hallmark ornaments too. We really don't even use any other ornaments, that is when those actually make it on the tree.

I am usually very meticulous about keeping them organized, re-storing them in the boxes, and putting them up for the next year. But I lost control last year and this year when DW, with the help of DS13, decided I wasn't taking them down fast enough for their liking and they decided to "help!" All I can say is Not sure I will ever get them correctly organized again......

Oh dear.

I knew you would understand....

I hope your Dad was able to enjoy the holidays with the family around. I know it must of been hard on him (and you) without your mom there.

He seemed to really enjoy it, and it seemed to do him a whole lot of good........right up until the time we had to pull out of his driveway and head off to the next part of our journey......

Love the bows on your tree! Ours is about 2 steps away from being all Disney.

Eventually, when the boys get all grown and have their own families, we will probably go ahead and let them have the ones they each got as they grew up (well except maybe the years 1-5 ones; DW may not let those go until she does..... ) By that time I'm guessing ours will have turned more towards a Disney theme....

Glad you were able to make it on the road in time before the bad weather hit... can't wait to see what happened the next morning.

Me either!!!

 

[onescgirl]

Yay, you finally put up an update of your house when you left! I guess by next month you'll be leaving HH?

Your Christmas tree is beautiful & your desserts sound yummy!

How did your dad do over the holidays? I couldn't imagine everything that he has been through. I'm glad you were able to be there for him.

 

[KatMark]

I can't really remember. Can't wait until the next update so I can read and find
Well, you weren't getting any younger and I wanted to make sure you got a chance to read it...... Ha ha ha....aren't you funny

Already pushing for another update??? Don't expect it to take so long for that one since it is almost written. I was going to include everything up until we were supposed to leave for the Disney part of our trip but it started getting too long, so I decided to make it a two-parter! I guess I should have put "To Be Continued...." at the end of the latest update to make sure everyone comes back, like they do on TV!

I actually meant I was looking forward to hearing what happened next, not for another update...I know that could take a week or more. Look, I just wanted to follow up with your TR and am following along while I watch wrestling (boy, I miss my son wrestling!).

 

[Poolrat]

I am usually very meticulous about keeping them organized, re-storing them in the boxes, and putting them up for the next year. But I lost control last year and this year when DW, with the help of DS13, decided I wasn't taking them down fast enough for their liking and they decided to "help!" All I can say is Not sure I will ever get them correctly organized again......

I started out like that but it became a space issue. Now they are in boxes- carefully according to "who's" they "belong to". I am/was? a big Looney tunes fan so I have a lot of Looney Tune ornaments but since the Looney Tunes store closed many years ago, I just sort of lost a bit of interest.
I am slowly moving over to Disney stuff but since the rest of family really does not get it, I have to go real slow.

I knew you would understand....

That adds a level of excitement to the trip.

He seemed to really enjoy it, and it seemed to do him a whole lot of good........right up until the time we had to pull out of his driveway and head off to the next part of our journey......

I glad you wer able to spend some time with your Dad. Even though parting was hard.

Eventually, when the boys get all grown and have their own families, we will probably go ahead and let them have the ones they each got as they grew up (well except maybe the years 1-5 ones; DW may not let those go until she does..... ) By that time I'm guessing ours will have turned more towards a Disney theme....
Me either!!!

I was planning on doing that too but the kids will have to want the ornaments first. I am sure they will eventually see the merits of " memory lane".

 

[englishrose47]

Well just checking in to see who the insults are directed at !!As usual Kathy and I are the main targets !!And we are always sooooooo nice to Marv!!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

So much for that warm welcome.......

Well, if you've seen some of my posts on other threads, you probably already know I don't deserve such abuse.......

Oh THAT'S nice...... And she was supposed to be coming here to be one of the "friendly" ones and you're already trying to corrupt her......

Hey, my welcome was still genuine...in a very sarcastically genuine way.

I have seen some of your posts on other threads... I'm going to withhold judgement on whether or not you deserve such abuse, based on your treatment of me here!

Ya, Tim's definitely a bad influence! Maybe someone should call Mel and tell on him! Just kidding Tim! Don't worry, I'm not so easily corrupted Marv!

I promise to behave myself (most of the time anyway) and post only happy, positive comments. Who am I kidding, that's not going to happen but I've heard you can take the abuse!

I think you should know too that are reports circulating that you are *ahem*, a tad slow on your updates. So far, since I've joined in, I've not noticed that. However, I'm going to Disney in 2 weeks so if you could try to postpone any updates till after I get back, that'd be great!

 

[marvali]

That's what I used to have - a tree full of Hallmark and other "figures". Years ago mcDonalds had the 101 Dalmations in their Happy Meals - some of them had little rings on them to use as ornaments, so I had a ton of those too....plus the stuff the boys would make at school or Sunday School, and after Christmas I would take them shopping to pick out some more that were clearanced. What I did not have on my tree was the plain ornament balls. Didn't like 'em.

You ninja posted me earlier Tanya!!!

We have some of those school/Sunday School made ornaments too, and they are some of my favorites with little hand-prints and old pictures on them! We used to have some of the plain ornament balls early on, just to have things on the tree, but we don't have to go there any more either and I'm glad of that too.

It's definitely unique. But Santa came - an that's what matters! Oh and yes - I did just run out there and take some pics on my phone to post here because, yes, the tree is still up. The plan is it comes down today after Mark gets back from his Speech Meet.....but, we'll see

Unique Christmas trees are cool too! They should mean something to each family I think. And don't worry about just getting the tree down. We got back on Monday night, back to work and school on Tuesday morning, and then last weekend trying to get everything done so both sons could head back to college before all the snow. Then shoveling snow and trying to get back to work, we didn't actually get ours completely down and in the box until yesterday! Of course when I read your post I told DW we could celebrate because we still got our tree down faster than one of my DISfriends!!!

Yay, you finally put up an update of your house when you left! I guess by next month you'll be leaving HH?

Well......maybe!

Your Christmas tree is beautiful & your desserts sound yummy!

Thanks! Maybe I will share some of the goodies with you sometime!

How did your dad do over the holidays? I couldn't imagine everything that he has been through. I'm glad you were able to be there for him.

He seemed to be doing pretty good, especially when everyone was there together. There were moments he would mention it now and then though. I was okay until he started showing me the cards he had bought for her for her birthday and their anniversary! There are times I definitely worry about him!

I actually meant I was looking forward to hearing what happened next, not for another update...I know that could take a week or more. Look, I just wanted to follow up with your TR and am following along while I watch wrestling (boy, I miss my son wrestling!).

Kathy, you know I'm just kidding with you, and I appreciate you checking in! This is my first year that I don't have anyone wrestling in quite a few years, and it seems strange not to be going to the matches.

Hope your son's team does well in the tournament. "Let the bodies hit the floor!!!"

 

[marvali]

I started out like that but it became a space issue. Now they are in boxes- carefully according to "who's" they "belong to". I am/was? a big Looney tunes fan so I have a lot of Looney Tune ornaments but since the Looney Tunes store closed many years ago, I just sort of lost a bit of interest.

I keep all of our Hallmark ornaments in the original boxes, in the bubble wrap, and then store them in storage boxes. It gets fun every year trying to fit the different size boxes together like a puzzle so they all fit. I think they have a name for that......

I am slowly moving over to Disney stuff but since the rest of family really does not get it, I have to go real slow.

Thankfully the family is pretty much fine with it, so we can work that way a little more easily. We have our share of other characters too, like Peanuts, Cat in the Hat and then the usual Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Muppets!

I glad you wer able to spend some time with your Dad. Even though parting was hard.

It was definitely a focus of my schedule change and travel plans!

Well just checking in to see who the insults are directed at !!As usual Kathy and I are the main targets !!And we are always sooooooo nice to Marv!!!

I know! I'm such a meanie!!!

I have seen some of your posts on other threads... I'm going to withhold judgement on whether or not you deserve such abuse, based on your treatment of me here!

I'm guessing you can go ahead with your gut on this one! Your initial impression will probably prove true!

Ya, Tim's definitely a bad influence! Maybe someone should call Mel and tell on him! Just kidding Tim!

I DO have the address now! Maybe I should send Mel a whip.......to use on Tim!

Don't worry, I'm not so easily corrupted Marv!

Would that maybe be redundant???

I promise to behave myself (most of the time anyway) and post only happy, positive comments. Who am I kidding, that's not going to happen but I've heard you can take the abuse!

Well that's good to hear!

I think you should know too that are reports circulating that you are *ahem*, a tad slow on your updates. So far, since I've joined in, I've not noticed that. However, I'm going to Disney in 2 weeks so if you could try to postpone any updates till after I get back, that'd be great!

Okay! But make sure Rosie, Kathy, Dan, Tim and Glenn know I'm only holding back at your request!

 

[Poolrat]

I keep all of our Hallmark ornaments in the original boxes, in the bubble wrap, and then store them in storage boxes. It gets fun every year trying to fit the different size boxes together like a puzzle so they all fit. I think they have a name for that......

In our house we call it playing Tetris. My son coined it when he was younger and we were packing the car for a camping trip. My DH was trying to explain how to pack and use all available space and my DS pipes up and says "Yeah just like playing tetris."

The first part is just OCD.

 

[mom3sonstt]

we didn't actually get ours completely down and in the box until yesterday! Of course when I read your post I told DW we could celebrate because we still got our tree down faster than one of my DISfriends!!!

Glad I could help! The latest I remember one of our Christmas trees being around was in high school. We always had live trees (they still do) and after it came down it would sit outside the house for awhile. If you got it down soon enough the town would collect them. If you didn't get it down then you were on your own to get rid of it. Usually you found a farmer who would want to put it in his pond But one year on Valentines Day our tree was still hanging around. Our neighbor's birthday is Valentines Day, and he had been giving my folks a hard time (kiddingly) about the tree still being there. That day while he was at work they took it over to his yard, tied it upright to his light pole and decorated it with valentine hearts and a Happy Birthday banner!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Marv!! I'm here- really! Just kinda popping in once in while in between unpacking boxes. I did read the last update- just haven't had enough consecutive minutes on the DIS to comment.

Now, off to buy a silverware separator... becuase if I don't have one today, they will have to declare me certifiably insane.

Back later---- hopefully!

 

[marvali]

In our house we call it playing Tetris. My son coined it when he was younger and we were packing the car for a camping trip. My DH was trying to explain how to pack and use all available space and my DS pipes up and says "Yeah just like playing tetris."

The first part is just OCD.

Not sure if I love that game because I always do the same thing when packing the car and putting away ornaments, or I pack the car and put away ornaments like that because I love the game! Perfect description though!

Who you calling OCD???? I think DW would call it a few other things!!!

Glad I could help! The latest I remember one of our Christmas trees being around was in high school. We always had live trees (they still do) and after it came down it would sit outside the house for awhile. If you got it down soon enough the town would collect them. If you didn't get it down then you were on your own to get rid of it. Usually you found a farmer who would want to put it in his pond But one year on Valentines Day our tree was still hanging around. Our neighbor's birthday is Valentines Day, and he had been giving my folks a hard time (kiddingly) about the tree still being there. That day while he was at work they took it over to his yard, tied it upright to his light pole and decorated it with valentine hearts and a Happy Birthday banner!

Funny story! DW and I always had live trees until a few years ago, so I totally understand the throwing it out in the yard and not getting back to it for a while! As for the farmers putting them in their ponds, it makes a great breeding and feeding ground for the fish!

 

[marvali]

Hi Marv!! I'm here- really! Just kinda popping in once in while in between unpacking boxes. I did read the last update- just haven't had enough consecutive minutes on the DIS to comment.

Now, off to buy a silverware separator... becuase if I don't have one today, they will have to declare me certifiably insane.

Back later---- hopefully!

Can't give you credit for a Liesa greeting, but you did manage to ninja post me! I'm glad the unpacking is getting along, and as for the silverware separator......

Glad you stopped by, and I totally understand the not enough minutes to respond! Read a number of threads and updates lately and haven't had the additional time to post comments, even when I had quite a few things I really, really wanted to say!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Okay! But make sure Rosie, Kathy, Dan, Tim and Glenn know I'm only holding back at your request!

Oh Swell now he has an excuse !!! Of course you realise the frequency of updates just about fits that time frame !!!!

 

[marvali]

Oh Swell now he has an excuse !!! Of course you realise the frequency of updates just about fits that time frame !!!!

And you KNOW I need an excuse!!!

 

[englishrose47]

And you KNOW I need an excuse!!!

Oh Yea !!! But you will use one if it is offered !!

 

[jenb1023]

I think your TR is perfectly paced!

Took me 3 days and countless hours to get caught up on Liesa's!

It sounds like neither the weather nor the oven cooperated - looking forward to finding out!