WBRepo-Ship of Thieves-Remember the Magic Pt 18

[granmaz]

Hi Angie. Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she is feeling better and the surgeon pleased with her progress. Ageing isn't nice really with the loneliness etc is it? We have problems with John's mum too. She is 94 and in one of the best care homes, but is extremely unhappy. At the moment she has shingles on her head and down her throat and really is poorly. We keep thinking she is on her way out, but she keeps bouncing back.

 

[Tink rules]

I'm not putting mom in a home. I'm sending her to my sister in a box with some Oreos to hold her over until she gets there... maybe I'll splurge for overnight shipping...

 

[EllaEnchanted]

It's frigid cold today, even in the house. I'm trying not to turn the heat up any higher, but it's so cold.

News on the grandkids front.....Kris is engaged. Her name is Katie. She's an MP in the national guard. She's stationed out of Syacuse, NY. She's going to be leaving for six months to go to Afganistan in January. She went to the same high school in Florida that Kris did and he has known her since he first moved down there. He said they will probably both live in Syracuse when she gets back from Afganistan.

Tom is flying back to PA this weekend to live with his girlfriend Heather in the Poconos.....not with me. Heather said she can set him up with a job and a life and her family can't wait to meet him and do the holidays together with them. Tom knew her from high school when he lived here before moving to Florida. They reconnected on the internet.

I hope it works out for both of them. Casey told me recently that all Tom and Kris need in their lives is a good woman to set them straight. I sure hope these girls are the right ones. Casey has a great girlfriend Brittany that he has been dating for almost a year now. I see that going long term. They're both happy together and Britt is very good for Case.

Tristan is still in Japan and very single for now. He just turned 21. All my boys are growing up.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I'm done with all my Christmas shopping. I'm working on Christmas cards now. My tree in a pot gets delivered on Friday. It's only two feet and comes with it's own lights and decorations. I can't wait to see it.

I have a wound doctor appointment tomorrow. I hope it doesn't set me back again with pain killers and sleeping. I'm trying to work out of my funk and get the cards and wrapping presents done.

I haven't heard from my uncle Teddy on Long Island. The last three times I called, I got his answering machine and just left a message. He never called me back so I'm beginning to worry about him.

I'm seeing all the cousins that still live on Long Island on New Year's eve this year. John and I will take a weekend and stay on the Island to visit with all of them and their kids.

Speaking of kids, I got two beautiful dresses for my great grandaughter who will be here in April. I'm mailing them to Ohio for Rachel (the mom) to keep for Lilly. They are so beautiful and I can't wait to see pictures of Lillian in them when she gets here. It was so much fun shopping for a girl instead of the boys. I could get used to this and spoil that little one.

 

[granmaz]

Deb, it does sound like things are improving for you. I hope you manage to stay warm though. I hope the girls work their magic with Kris and Tom and they are all very happy!!!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Deb, it does sound like things are improving for you. I hope you manage to stay warm though. I hope the girls work their magic with Kris and Tom and they are all very happy!!!

Marilyn, procrastination is a great motivator. I don't have much time left before Christmas gets here and we celebrate on Christmas eve not Christmas day.....so one day less to be ready. Everything must get done so the pressure is on. It's keeping me awake and going.

I'm thinking about raising the heat since the sun has now gone down, it's going to get colder in here if I don't.

Hahaha......magic is exactly what those girls will need to work on Tom and Kris and get them on the right path. They're really not bad kids.....they have just lost their way some. They could be doing a lot worse. I hope the girls work out and that they're happy too.

This must be a very exciting time for you.....getting ready for the holidays and then cruising the PC again right after. Will you be staying in CA for a while when you get off the boat? Are you planning on visiting anyplace else? You're going to have a fabulous time. I'm excited for you.

 

[HollyTyler]

Deb, it does sound like things are improving for you. I hope you manage to stay warm though. I hope the girls work their magic with Kris and Tom and they are all very happy!!!

I second everything Marilyn says here. . And Deb, it sounds like you're getting up and about a bit....I'm the same way about procrastination. I'm best motivated when the pressure is on.

 

[MrsMork]

Hi Angie. Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she is feeling better and the surgeon pleased with her progress. Ageing isn't nice really with the loneliness etc is it? We have problems with John's mum too. She is 94 and in one of the best care homes, but is extremely unhappy. At the moment she has shingles on her head and down her throat and really is poorly. We keep thinking she is on her way out, but she keeps bouncing back.

Oh! Shingles are very painful. Poor thing. My mom has Bell's Palsy for the second time in a year. Along with all else. The numbness of her mouth keeps her from eating since she bites her lip not even knowing. She just eats soft food and has lost 20+ lbs, which she could not afford to lose. It is sad.

I'm not putting mom in a home. I'm sending her to my sister in a box with some Oreos to hold her over until she gets there... maybe I'll splurge for overnight shipping...

Michelle, do NOT give my sis any ideas!!

 

[granmaz]

Marilyn, procrastination is a great motivator. I don't have much time left before Christmas gets here and we celebrate on Christmas eve not Christmas day.....so one day less to be ready. Everything must get done so the pressure is on. It's keeping me awake and going.

I'm thinking about raising the heat since the sun has now gone down, it's going to get colder in here if I don't.

Hahaha......magic is exactly what those girls will need to work on Tom and Kris and get them on the right path. They're really not bad kids.....they have just lost their way some. They could be doing a lot worse. I hope the girls work out and that they're happy too.

This must be a very exciting time for you.....getting ready for the holidays and then cruising the PC again right after. Will you be staying in CA for a while when you get off the boat? Are you planning on visiting anyplace else? You're going to have a fabulous time. I'm excited for you.

I hope you kept warm last night Deb. We have upped the heating in our house as I just couldn't get warm at all. We will have to worry about the heating bills later!!

Christmas is knocking the edge off the excitement of the cruise to be honest. Plus I just get so stressed these days about it all, so that doesn't help either and sets my back off something shocking. Once we are at the airport hotel the night before the flight I will be beyond excitement. We are a bit worried about all the bad weather we have been promised here and getting to the airport, but not much we can do about that right now. Glad to be seeing Cheri again, but will miss everyone else around the ship

We have 3 night in WDW before the cruise, 4 nights at DL in the VGC, then 3 nights in San Diego. Noel might fly down to meet up there. Then we fly back to Orlando for 19 nights relaxation - because I will need that after 15 nights on the cruise. Hopefully will meet up with Monica, Connie and Chuck, Ann and Albert and Vicki and Greg. We only have one excursion booked, a tour of Aruba, and I might cancel that yet. No Palo, no nothing.

Oh! Shingles are very painful. Poor thing. My mom has Bell's Palsy for the second time in a year. Along with all else. The numbness of her mouth keeps her from eating since she bites her lip not even knowing. She just eats soft food and has lost 20+ lbs, which she could not afford to lose. It is sad.

Shingles really is nasty Angie and she is even more sorry for herself than normal!! Having the spots in your mouth must be awful. I think she has managed to eat a bit though. She has always had a good appetite even when she thinks she isn't eating much.

I have had friends who have had Bell's Palsy and it is very distressing for sufferers. It isn't good that your mom has lost that weight. Is that the only reason though as it does sound rather a lot of weight to lose? I hope she improves soon. I believe Kaylee had it earlier this year.

 

[JLSE50]

GREETINGS TO ALL


and

to all who need or want them. Lots of medical things going around. So sorry!

Seems like my hardest lesson is to realize that my body is not 20 any more and I have to pace myself. I have taken to changing the way I talk about things also. For years I have worked part-time. I see clients on Tuesday and Thursday and a light caseload at that. Since I turned 61 I now say I am semi-retired. Same caseload, different mindset.

It also means I have to prioritize my days as I need more quiet time and rest than I used to. So the tree is up, but with fewer decorations than some years. No candles in the window or other Christmasy nick-nacks around the condo. The kids would just as soon get a check so we will oblige them and not spend time shopping. Sarah wanted a dresser scarf for the buffet in her diningroom so she and Tom chose the pattern and I have been working on it since August. I got it done so wrapped it for her for Christmas in addition to the check. Tom collects the Hallmark Frosty Friends ornaments--has since he was 6--so I will pick up that for him. We have been given a WISH LIST for Sophie so will likely order her some items and have them shipped to their house. Quite possible they will not arrive until January, but she is 2 and may need new diversions when it is too cold to play in the yard for long. I just refuse to stress and I keep giving myself permission to simplify.

I also needed a baby shower gift for a niece and a baby present for a friend so when Sarah's crochet was done I switched to LARGE needles and knit the afghan for the shower then with a LARGE hook crocheted the afghan for the other baby to match one I had made for his big sister. I could lurk here while working but not post easily. (sorry)

We had a lovely trip to WDW with our kids in November. We had a place at Old Key West with 2 bedrooms so we had one, Sarah, Tom and Sophie had one and Ted slept on the sofa bed in the livingroom with no privacy at all. Good thing he is a mellow fellow.

Sophie was a doll! She loved everything she saw. We took turns going on rides she was too little for and watching her. When she was going to be with us Sarah and Tom told her they were going and that she would stay with us. She smiled and waved to them. I so appreciate them not sneaking off. While they were gone she was happy -- no fussing at all. One time they thought they heard her fuss as they left, but it was not "our" baby.

She will be 2 on the 16th. We will drive over on the 23rd and celebrate her birthday and Christmas over the long weekend. Driving back Sunday or Monday as Tom has to be back at work on Tuesay.

We have an August cruise booked for Alaska on the WONDER and a couple weeks ago Tom said it was too long between the TransAtlantic and the Alaska cruise so we needed something in the middle. I would LOVE something in the middle but didn't want to stress the budget so did not mention it. Since he is the financial wizard of the family, I let him decide because then I know we will both enjoy it more. (Or I could work more hours no nope, cannot do that.)

(I wanted to do a double dip on the WONDER but none of the dates worked so I never even told him. I have a pin for a double dip on the WONDER that a friend brought me from her cruise. I don't want to wear it unless I do it. Now I won't ever be able to since Cheri, Marilyn and John are taking the WONDER to the Pacific for us, so I need to find someone who has done it and wants the pin. Maybe I will take it as a trader pin.....)

So, he checked the schedules and decided the office could do without him in May for a bit and booked a DREAM cruise. He also is considering attending a conference that will be held at the CORONADO RESORT in June so if he does that I will likely tag along. I will have daytimes to myself so may have a chance to look up Monica and Connie. Tom loves to go on cruises and to WDW and be alone with me in the midst of all those folks so I do not book mini-DIS meets with anyone as that is not vacation for him. But if he has meetings...... I could do my own girls meet!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!
.

 

[granmaz]

Merry Christmas to you too Jan. Nice to hear from you. Even though you are cutting down on everything it still seems like you are busy!!!!

 

[MrsMork]

Good to hear from you, Jan. We simplified the gifts a few years ago too. Cash pleases them all!! Except my mom and I order a gift to be wrapped and delivered to her.

 

[Tink rules]

We have 3 night in WDW before the cruise, 4 nights at DL in the VGC, then 3 nights in San Diego. Noel might fly down to meet up there. Then we fly back to Orlando for 19 nights relaxation - because I will need that after 15 nights on the cruise. Hopefully will meet up with Monica, Connie and Chuck, Ann and Albert and Vicki and Greg. We only have one excursion booked, a tour of Aruba, and I might cancel that yet. No Palo, no nothing.

So where will you be staying when you come back to FL?

 

[Tink rules]

Merry Christmas to you too Jan. Nice to hear from you. Even though you are cutting down on everything it still seems like you are busy!!!!

Good to hear from you, Jan. We simplified the gifts a few years ago too. Cash pleases them all!! Except my mom and I order a gift to be wrapped and delivered to her.

Good to see you over here again Jan!!!

We're doing a smaller Xmas... mom has had a few health issues lately and the trip back down to Jersey just seems too much this year...

That said... we ventured out to the Vascular guy this morning, and although there is a slight build up in her corrotted artery... it's not much to worry about now. they made a follow up appt for her in a year and they will watch her.

She goes tomorrow for the first eye proceedure. and then we'll go from there.

We got a small artificial tree yesterday because all the tree prices were $50 to $60 and it doesn't fit this weeks budget. I'm sort of heartsick about it. I've never had a fake tree before and it just seem strange. I'm sure it will look better when I can decorate it.

I just keep Charlie Brown Xmas in my head and know it will be fine...

 

[granmaz]

So where will you be staying when you come back to FL?

We have a villa booked!!

That said... we ventured out to the Vascular guy this morning, and although there is a slight build up in her corrotted artery... it's not much to worry about now. they made a follow up appt for her in a year and they will watch her.

She goes tomorrow for the first eye proceedure. and then we'll go from there.

That is good news about your mom. Hope tomorrow goes well.

 

[Tink rules]

your ususal one off property or are you staying in DVC?

 

[HollyTyler]

Jan, you sure are busy!


Michelle, wow, trees are pricey in your area.

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Hi friends.....I know it's been a while. I have not been on FB much either. I'm still recouperating from our Turkey day trip. I had steroids for my October trip and it was too close to take them again a month later for my November trip. I'm suffering from extreme exhaustion. At this time of year, the exhaustion is causing me to be depressed because I can't get anything done that needs to be taken care of. I'm about ready to give up on Christmas this year. I bought a two foot tree that comes in a pot. That's all we're putting up this year. I did manage to finish all my shopping online, but I have no energy to wrap anything.

Next month I have the maiden voyage on the Dream. I'm definitely going to be taking steroids for that or I'll sleep right through it. Right now I'm not excited about anything and I could care less about everything. I just want to go back to sleep. It's horrible feeling this way. I feel like I'm never going to get out of this funk. I'm just tired, tired, tired. It's very frustrating, especially at this time of the year when there is so much to be done.

 

[MouseFaninQueue]

Greetings all from snowy Smithers, BC. This place would be a dream for Holly!
Here is a pic outside my hotel window:

Smithers is known for it's skiing.

However, I don't ski ...

Spent the last couple of days out here setting up our office here. Had 2 days to setup 14 computers from scratch. Took a lot of work but got it all done.

Missing being at home, but looking forward to seeing the girls' Christmas concert tomorrow night.

Glad to see things seem to be going well for everyone. And I was really glad to see Deb's attitude seems to be getting better since the previous post I commented on (with just a pic).

 

[granmaz]

your ususal one off property or are you staying in DVC?

A different one offsite. This is our 5th one, each different. It takes a while to find one cheap enough that isn't booked. We would have gone back to the one we stayed at in October, but she is booked with snow birds for 4 months. We couldn't beat that!!!

I love that!!!!! I might print it out as a door magnet.