Team Focker Watch, Part 12. Have we jumped the shark yet?

[askelton]

Ellie ended up sleeping with me all last night, David had her top bunk She had watched the film The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas which she had asked for.

I've heard it's terribly sad. My friend who's a teacher said the book is actually written for teens, but she cried all the way through it. I guess it's one of those movies that remind us not to let history repeat itself.

I hope David feels better.

 

[dlwharp]

We had an interesting holiday... Leo's DS was a hit, as was the Lego Indy game for it and the same thing for the Wii. Animal Crossing was a big dud. Of course, we only learned this AFTER it was open. He loved his Playmobil pyramid and accessories. Dinner sucked royally; Honey Baked Ham was way too salty and we were all over-holidayed; should have ordered a pizza, lol!

Saw Princess & Frog today - fantastic!!! Tried to get Lei sine jeans at Target... not a single pair of size 6's in the place.

Glad Leo liked MOST of his stuff! Too bad about dinner though - honeybaked ham is usually good! I have not heard a bad review about P&F - I know I'm going to have to see it, so I'm glad

Hi everyone! I got myself a case of the Christmas strep throat and it sucks royally! I went to the tgt minute clinic and the test was positive in under 60secs. So it's ice cream and Popsicle city baby!

Oh no, hope you feel better soon! Take care of yourself!

So, in a ridiculous move, I ordered two new books from that amazon review program I do - which I pretty much HAVE to read - in a week during which I have received, at last count, 7 books as presents. And my parents come tomorrow, so I may not yet be done - Mom usually buys me a book.

Ha ha! I feel your pain! I am a book hound - I can't help myself. I have about 15 books on my Amazon wishlist that I had to control myself from purchasing before Christmas. I wanted to see what I got first - so now I'm itching to order from that list! I don't think I ever need to buy another book, I have so many to read, but as I said, I just can't help it!

Hey all. Well I ran out again. I forgot to pick up wine for tomorrow, so I stopped at the State store to do that. Then I dropped Jimmy's winter coat off at the dry cleaners to get a new zipper. $22, I could have gotten him a new coat at Kohls' for $25 oh well, it is a warm coat and he likes it and I may get next winter out of it too.

Yikes that's a lot of money! That's ridiculous! But, I don't do zippers either!

Tomorrow my brothers invade for the day, so I am cooking - again Making Baked Ziti. Meatballs and Sausages (Hot and Mild). Normally I do ravioli or something, but I just don't feel like it!

Sounds good - something like what I'm having tonight - I found this recipe for a baked penne & sausage/spinach dish that is fabulous. This will be the third time I've made it. Easy and really good.

Some Christmas Pictures:

Phone call from Santa:

Visit From the Elf (To let Jimmy know that Santa is getting nearer)

Leaving Food for the Reindeer

That is so cute - I love that he leaves food for the reindeer! I miss those days when the kids were little and we did stuff like that

My new watch

Niiice!

There's a story on why I do it. I built the friggin' 1 million piece LEGO police station. It was a PITA, but a piece of art! Evan was walking up the stairs with it and dropped it. 1 million pieces flew everywhere. I had to the that friggin' thing together AGAIN. That's when I decided. GLUE. Besides, I'm a much meaner momma that you are Janet.

I understand! I think I would have thrown it in the trash

We just got back from Andy's sister's house. Man, it's cold outside! 48 degrees, yickes!

48 degrees is my kind of weather!

Can't sleep again.

What a shame! I go through phases where I have a lot of trouble sleeping, then I'm fine for a while, then no sleep again. I hate it!

Well Jess is in her room in a huff all over a piece of chocolate

Teenagers - what joy they bring

We were intending on getting some air but it's raining again, it has however washed all the snow away so the roads are safe again

Here too - the rain yesterday washed away all 23 inches - now were ready for the next batch!
-----------------------------
It was so nice having a lazy day yesterday - I really needed it! No obligations, no visiting, no cooking - aaahhhh! We watched Angels & Demons last night, which was one of the movies I got for Christmas.

My kids got me a DS! I was really surprised, we have no game system at our house at all (you can tell we're empty-nesters!). I feel positively up with the times They got it because ages ago I had mentioned I wanted the Brain-Age games, but as you could only play it on a DS, couldn't get it. So they got me that too. I have to wait until they come back for dinner tonight so they can show me now to work it

Here are few photos of the "big day" from my Webshots (more there at link: http://community.webshots.com/user/dlwharp )...

Santa came!



Some of my Byer's Choice collection:



Lilly & Ariel in their Christmas Snuggies!


Christmas dinner with the family in their cracker hats (I never get to be in the Christmas dinner photo!):

 

[princessjv]

Jo- I'm missing your updates on fb. I need to figure out how to make them appear more often. What happened to jess' phone? I think it funny when girls get their undies in a bundle over silly things... Hormones! Sorry to hear David is under the weather. I hope the rain stops!

T- I still find it funny that you glue the legos. Hey- you know what's best for your kid, if that helps (and momma) then go got it. It's just Like the Lego store! My ds recreates his all of the time, but he's also older. He just opened his big ship with 1034 peices I'm hoping it lasts all week to build between playing in the snow, wii and building it. If not he also got a starwars tank that is not longer made, which looks to be around the same amount of peices. (this was planned on purpose for break!).

V- that pyramid rocks! Has Leo been playing with it a lot?

Kristel- a castle room? That sounds really fun!

Angela- relaxing day! I hear prefootball downstairs here, I think.

Janet- o saw your cute pics on fb and I love jimmys expressions. He is a great poser!


Hi to anyone I missed, I'm still using the e ticket on my phone to get here faster.

-----/-/--/////----------:-----

my fever broke last night and I already feel better. I think one more day of rest an rx and I'll be back to myself. Last year between Christmas and new year I had pnemonia (sp) so this is nothing! ;-). I'm enjoying the ice cream and Popsicles... On the bright side!

We watched gforce and Julie and Julia last night. Today the new tinkerbelle and up are on the agenda. Santa brought them for the kids. ;-)

 

[dlwharp]

And, here are photos of some of the gifts I made this year:

The quilt I made for my boss - he called me on Christmas day after they opened it - he was very touched. I'm so glad he liked it! Not a great shot, but you'll get the idea. And, disregard my messy bedroom



The fabric baskets I made...They were a lot of fun to make. I made two from Christmas fabrics for a couple of friends at work. I made smaller ones for my DIL and mother in colors that would match their bathrooms, and a larger one with "southwest" looking fabrics for my best friend. They went over well - they all seemed to really like them!

 

[dlwharp]

I've heard it's terribly sad. My friend who's a teacher said the book is actually written for teens, but she cried all the way through it. I guess it's one of those movies that remind us not to let history repeat itself.

Guess I won't be seeing that then - I have alot of trouble seeing sad movies, they seem to stick with me - I guess I'm way too sensitive, so I try to stay away and I know I miss some wonderful movies that way

my fever broke last night and I already feel better. I think one more day of rest an rx and I'll be back to myself. Last year between Christmas and new year I had pnemonia (sp) so this is nothing! ;-). I'm enjoying the ice cream and Popsicles... On the bright side!

Good! Keep taking it easy

We watched gforce and Julie and Julia last night. Today the new tinkerbelle and up are on the agenda. Santa brought them for the kids. ;-)

Got J&J for Christmas - can't wait to watch it! DH got UP, he watched it yesterday and loved it!

 

[englishrose47]

Just loving all the Christmas pix!

The Christmas Cracker Hats brought back such fond memories of Christmas Tea !!!

The Quilt and fabris baskets are gorgeous !!!


The Lego Nightmares are real !! I heard Judy say "Kyle Santa i NEVER bringing you another Lego!!"

Jo You know about as much as any where Boxing Day came from !!!Kristel had a lengthy article on it on my thread HINT HINT I now have a link in my siggie thanks to Kristel I was able to copy and paste her link !!!

 

[dlwharp]

Just loving all the Christmas pix!

The Christmas Cracker Hats brought back such fond memories of Christmas Tea !!!

The Quilt and fabris baskets are gorgeous !!!

Thanks! I know I love looking at everyone else's pix!

The Lego Nightmares are real !! I heard Judy say "Kyle Santa i NEVER bringing you another Lego!!"

Whatever happened to the big boxes of Lego pieces and you just made whatever you wanted??? I loved them when I was a kid. And Light Bright and Tinker Toys (I'm dating myself )

 

[DisneyJo]

I've heard it's terribly sad. My friend who's a teacher said the book is actually written for teens, but she cried all the way through it. I guess it's one of those movies that remind us not to let history repeat itself.

Definitely, I only watched the last 15 minutes and bawled

Teenagers - what joy they bring

She's normally such a good girl!!!! I love your tree and Ariel looks great in her snuggie

Jo- I'm missing your updates on fb. I need to figure out how to make them appear more often. What happened to jess' phone?

Go to the bottom of your home page and click edit options, you'll see who is hidden and stuff, strangely a few weeks ago I had Mel and TE (I think) hidden when I didn't want them to be! Jess left her phone in the pocket of her jeans and put them in the laundry bin, I then washed it!!!!

And, here are photos of some of the gifts I made this year:

OMG your quilt is awesome, I love the baskets too, how did you make them?

The Christmas Cracker Hats brought back such fond memories of Christmas Tea !!!

I forget you all don't have Christmas crackers do you!!!

Jo You know about as much as any where Boxing Day came from !!!Kristel had a lengthy article on it on my thread HINT HINT I now have a link in my siggie thanks to Kristel I was able to copy and paste her link !!!

Sorry Rosie I haven't been subbing to any pre-TR's as I don't have enough time


Talking of Christmas crackers when Em went shopping here she took home a box of crackers and as we boarded the plane to Florida the people in front of us had 4 boxes, they had them all in 1 case and as they have a tiny amount of explosive in them they were only alowed 1 box per case so had to repack!!!! I wonder why you don't have them????

 

[dlwharp]

I love your tree and Ariel looks great in her snuggie

Thanks! She slept in her Snuggie the last two nights I think I want one!!

OMG your quilt is awesome, I love the baskets too, how did you make them?

Thanks! The quilt really came out nice - I wasn't sure about the colors, but I was going for "ocean" because of my boss's beach house, so I used greens and blues for the "water" and pinks and yellows for "sunrises and sunsets". He loves art, so I figured he'd get it! The fabric baskets are a bit time consuming, but very easy to make. You take clothesline and wrap strips of fabric that you've sewn end to end around and sew on very tightly using a zipper foot. Then, you make a small spiral, glue that together with fabric glue and sew in a "startburst" pattern to hold it together. Then, using a zig-zag stitch just sew rounds until it's as big as you want it. Kind of mindless sewing, but they look kind of fancy!

I forget you all don't have Christmas crackers do you!!!

... Talking of Christmas crackers when Em went shopping here she took home a box of crackers and as we boarded the plane to Florida the people in front of us had 4 boxes, they had them all in 1 case and as they have a tiny amount of explosive in them they were only alowed 1 box per case so had to repack!!!! I wonder why you don't have them????

But we do! They were all over this year. I saw them a lot of stores, so I guess people do use them here, although I don't know any other families that do. We've been doing crackers at Christmas our whole marriage - obviously, from my husband's side of the family. One year, his dad sent us some from Harrods! They were the best ever! This year's had pretty good stuff in - they came from Byer's Choice. I'm surprised they let the crackers on the plane at all - particularly with what's just happened with the guy with explosives in his underwear

 

[jcc0621]

Hi all Another crazy busy day here. Was up at 8am cooking-again. Made meatballs, mild and hot sausage and meatballs. About 10:30 I got a phone call from my one brother that they aren't coming becasue they were taking my nephew to the emergency room. He has MRSA on his leg, but should be fine because it hasn't proken open so shouldn't spread. He is on a very strong anti-biotic for the next 10 days. So all that food for 5 people. (my one nephew and Jimmy ate chicken nuggets. Have tons of leftovers!

I have to go back to work tomorrow, but only for 2 days this week

 

[princessjv]

Omg! That quilt and the baskets are amazing!

Janet - what is msra? And what's it from?
----------//----------------
we just watched up. Omg... I cried and cried. What a deep deep movie. I love that Disney is taking on deep subjects. I'm still all woozy with tears.

Next up is the proposal, a recomendation from LL on her fb page.

 

[cmp1111]

Hey, all, read but didn't quote. Love all the pictures, and Denise, the crafts are fantastic! Recipe, please, for the spinach pasta bake thingy!

My parents got here about 2:30, after I'd run to Target and the store. We hung around for a bit, opened presents, and then got pizza/sandwich dinner. I did indeed get a sewing machine, so now I need something to sew!

No more books, actually, thankfully.

I have no idea what we're doing tomorrow. I have stuff to cook dinner, but we have no plans. My mom is always happy to just do whatever, but I always have a harder time entertaining my dad. At their house, we just farm with him and it's all good.

I'm still really stuffed up, too. Sigh.

Hope you all have a great day, if I don't get here!

 

[englishrose47]

Definitely, I only watched the last 15 minutes and bawled

She's normally such a good girl!!!! I love your tree and Ariel looks great in her snuggie

Go to the bottom of your home page and click edit options, you'll see who is hidden and stuff, strangely a few weeks ago I had Mel and TE (I think) hidden when I didn't want them to be! Jess left her phone in the pocket of her jeans and put them in the laundry bin, I then washed it!!!!

OMG your quilt is awesome, I love the baskets too, how did you make them?

I forget you all don't have Christmas crackers do you!!!

Sorry Rosie I haven't been subbing to any pre-TR's as I don't have enough time


Talking of Christmas crackers when Em went shopping here she took home a box of crackers and as we boarded the plane to Florida the people in front of us had 4 boxes, they had them all in 1 case and as they have a tiny amount of explosive in them they were only alowed 1 box per case so had to repack!!!! I wonder why you don't have them????

Jo I have seen Christmas crackers over here but they are super expensive!!!

 

[jcc0621]

Janet - what is msra? And what's it from?

From the Mayo Clinic: MRSA infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria — often called "staph." MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It's a strain of staph that's resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it. MRSA can be fatal.

Most MRSA infections occur in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. It's known as health care-associated MRSA, or HA-MRSA. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at most risk of HA-MRSA. More recently, another type of MRSA has occurred among otherwise healthy people in the wider community. This form, community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is responsible for serious skin and soft tissue infections and for a serious form of pneumonia.

They have no idea how he got it

we just watched up. Omg... I cried and cried. What a deep deep movie. I love that Disney is taking on deep subjects. I'm still all woozy with tears.

OK, I am convinced. I am just a heartless B&*^h! I still hate this movie

so now I need something to sew!

I will send up Jimmy's Cub Scout shirt and his patches so you can sew them on

No more books, actually, thankfully.

How long are your parents there for. I know what you mean, when my parents are here I always feel more pressure to entertain dad

++++++++++++++

Back at work today but only today and tomorrow then off again until next Monday Jim is taking Jimmy to his OT appointment and then to the mall to get a new pair of sneakers. They will probably have lunch while they are out.

On Wednesday we are going to see Disney On Ice, which should be fun. Then I whave to do all the sopping for our NY Day get together/open house were are having. So, another busy week for us.

Hope everyone has a lovely Monday

 

[askelton]

Ha ha! I feel your pain! I am a book hound - I can't help myself. I have about 15 books on my Amazon wishlist

What's on your list? I'm always looking for something good to read.

What a shame! I go through phases where I have a lot of trouble sleeping, then I'm fine for a while, then no sleep again. I hate it!

This is so me too!

My kids got me a DS! I was really surprised, we have no game system at our house at all (you can tell we're empty-nesters!). I feel positively up with the times They got it because ages ago I had mentioned I wanted the Brain-Age games, but as you could only play it on a DS, couldn't get it. So they got me that too.

Let me know what you think of it because I think I need some of those brain games too. I feel like this too often.

my fever broke last night and I already feel better. I think one more day of rest an rx and I'll be back to myself. Last year between Christmas and new year I had pnemonia (sp) so this is nothing! ;-). I'm enjoying the ice cream and Popsicles... On the bright side!

I'm glad you're feeling better.

I did indeed get a sewing machine, so now I need something to sew!

Cool. Does it do monogramming and all that too? I'd love to monogram everything.

They have no idea how he got it

I've also heard that sports teams have to be careful because of all the sweat and close proximity of everyone.

On Wednesday we are going to see Disney On Ice, which should be fun.

At what age do you think that's appropriate? I think Reid's too young now.




We're getting mani's and pedi's this morning and tonight going out with Mitch's boss and HR person. They both told him I can call them if I need anything whilst he's gone, so I thought it would be nice to actually meet them first. He speaks highly of them both, so I'm sure we'll have a nice time.

 

[cmp1111]

How long are your parents there for. I know what you mean, when my parents are here I always feel more pressure to entertain dad

They'll leave either Sat. or Sun., depending on how the weather works. They have to be home by Dad's b-day (the 5th) because he has a social security app't, and I bought him Illinois b-ball tix for that day for Christmas!

On Wednesday we are going to see Disney On Ice, which should be fun. Then I whave to do all the sopping for our NY Day get together/open house were are having. So, another busy week for us.

Have fun at work, and with the other stuff.

Cool. Does it do monogramming and all that too? I'd love to monogram everything.

No, it's a "starter" with basic stitches and a few small extra's, like the button hole foot/function, a "blind hem" function, etc. I haven't actually done anything except mending since I was probably 12, so I don't even know what to think about some of it.

I am debating family room curtains, though. We have tab tops that I love, but don't exactly complement the newish red couch - they are a sage green, which was good with the old cream couches, but... And those are pretty basic to make, I'd think.

We're getting mani's and pedi's this morning and tonight going out with Mitch's boss and HR person. They both told him I can call them if I need anything whilst he's gone, so I thought it would be nice to actually meet them first. He speaks highly of them both, so I'm sure we'll have a nice time.

Both sound like nice activities! Enjoy!

 

[PrincessV]

Morning! Look, I'm at a real computer (read: I can quote!!!)

we just watched up. Omg... I cried and cried. What a deep deep movie. I love that Disney is taking on deep subjects.

Leo got it on DVD for Xmas, so we saw it again this weekend; made me cry again.

About 10:30 I got a phone call from my one brother that they aren't coming becasue they were taking my nephew to the emergency room. He has MRSA on his leg, but should be fine because it hasn't proken open so shouldn't spread. He is on a very strong anti-biotic for the next 10 days.

Yikes! Sending good wishes for a speedy recovery his way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back to work. Leo was at least happy to be with kids at day care this week, but we're both less than thrilled about getting up so early again. Fortunately, I've got Fri. off and am taking the following Fri. afternoon and Mon. off, so that should make the transition to normalcy a little better, lol!

We made it to TRU and Macy's yesterday... what a madhouse! I truly had no idea that lots of folks shop the couple days after Xmas. TRU was pretty cleaned out, but Leo grabbed a Mario & Sonic DS game and some figures called Gormitta. I exchanged the couple iffy shirts Gramma got me for a much-wanted pair of shoes. It was a good day.


It seriously just hit me that New Year's Eve is coming up, lol! What's everyone doing? I'll be home with Leo, probably going to bed early.

 

[englishrose47]

Good Morning All !!! I am wtching Kyle today before go to work at 3p ! Then the girls are watching himHope he survives !!I am not on call today which is WONDERFUL Phil can deal with the Mayhem!!!

I've done dishes and laundry which is never ending in this house !!

We have snow today !!! Winter is HERE!!!!

 

[jcc0621]

I've also heard that sports teams have to be careful because of all the sweat and close proximity of everyone.

He does play soccer for his high school

At what age do you think that's appropriate? I think Reid's too young now.

We took Jimmy the 1st time when he was 4 and I thought that was perfect

We're getting mani's and pedi's this morning and tonight going out with Mitch's boss and HR person. They both told him I can call them if I need anything whilst he's gone, so I thought it would be nice to actually meet them first. He speaks highly of them both, so I'm sure we'll have a nice time.

That's really nice of them. Have a good time.

They'll leave either Sat. or Sun., depending on how the weather works. They have to be home by Dad's b-day (the 5th) because he has a social security app't, and I bought him Illinois b-ball tix for that day for Christmas!

Nice

Yikes! Sending good wishes for a speedy recovery his way.

Thanks!

and some figures called Gormitta.

Gormitti Jimmy has discovered these also. Along the line of Pokemon, Bakugan, Yu-Gi-Oh. Cards have points, etc. I have no clue and Jimmy just likes the figures, doesn't really "play" the games

It seriously just hit me that New Year's Eve is coming up, lol! What's everyone doing? I'll be home with Leo, probably going to bed early.

We are having an open house on New Years Day so we won't be doing anyhing on NYE. I probably won't even make it to midnight

 

[DisneyJo]

The fabric baskets are a bit time consuming, but very easy to make. You take clothesline and wrap strips of fabric that you've sewn end to end around and sew on very tightly using a zipper foot. Then, you make a small spiral, glue that together with fabric glue and sew in a "startburst" pattern to hold it together. Then, using a zig-zag stitch just sew rounds until it's as big as you want it. Kind of mindless sewing, but they look kind of fancy!

That doesn't sound easy to me

But we do! They were all over this year. I saw them a lot of stores, so I guess people do use them here, although I don't know any other families that do. We've been doing crackers at Christmas our whole marriage - obviously, from my husband's side of the family. One year, his dad sent us some from Harrods! They were the best ever! This year's had pretty good stuff in - they came from Byer's Choice. I'm surprised they let the crackers on the plane at all - particularly with what's just happened with the guy with explosives in his underwear

Wow, I wonder if my sister has seen them and I suppose they're allowed as they get put in the checked luggage and the explosives is so small!

About 10:30 I got a phone call from my one brother that they aren't coming becasue they were taking my nephew to the emergency room. He has MRSA on his leg, but should be fine because it hasn't proken open so shouldn't spread. He is on a very strong anti-biotic for the next 10 days.

OMG I hope he gets better quick, we have lots of stories about MRSA here

we just watched up. Omg... I cried and cried. What a deep deep movie. I love that Disney is taking on deep subjects. I'm still all woozy with tears.

I love UP

I did indeed get a sewing machine, so now I need something to sew!

You know we'll want photos of your creations

Jo I have seen Christmas crackers over here but they are super expensive!!!

OK

We're getting mani's and pedi's this morning and tonight going out with Mitch's boss and HR person. They both told him I can call them if I need anything whilst he's gone, so I thought it would be nice to actually meet them first. He speaks highly of them both, so I'm sure we'll have a nice time.

Sounds lovely

Morning! Look, I'm at a real computer (read: I can quote!!!)

Wooohoooo NYE for us will be quiet and we'll watch a wonderful life and have chinese takeout


Went to the mall today, D woke us up earlyish so we'd beat the crowds and it wasn't too bad. We didn't buy much but did spend a small fortune on a goose down duvet (about $180 ) and I got a new pair of Merrell walking shoes. The girls however got nothing, they wanted some Hollister clothes but nothing was on sale so I told them not to bother Jess and I then played 9 holes which was good to get out in the fresh air