Christmas Countdown Monday PWYC

[Lady Maverick]

I'm not sure my Christmas shopping plan is going to work out. Conversation with teens....
Me - I tell them that I have nothing for them to open on Christmas. Everything I bought them recently has already been given to them. So I want them to go shopping so they can pick their own Christmas gifts. We can do it as a group, or I will send my CCard and they can go together.
Their responses included - Maybe. There isn't anything that I want. I've got plans. Can we do it after Christmas?
***sigh***

I made a big pot of spaghetti with meat sauce, one of the top ten favorite meals the family prefers.

[lucylee]

Quick ci:
Counting down here for sure, and I have to go to Wmart... like probably everyone else in this town...

Today has started out kinda the good, the bad, the ugly...
The good
-- talked to dcousin and she invited me to their family Christmas dinner! That means so much to me. If I don't go to that, I may go to her mom's (my aunt's) earlier in the day because she is bringing our uncle over to have an early meal with his sister -- he doesn't want to do the bigger gathering late in the day. So one thing at Wmart is that I need to get him a gift.
-- also have been productive somewhat --
* got up at 10:30, d2s (showered last night at midnight)
* sheets are in the washer, ready for the dryer
* football tickets are ordered
* dbil's "statement" for his half of expenses is printed
* text with dsisil re: Wednesday
* talked to ds
* the child I've worried about in J&C is doing well; pictures in a deer stand posted on FB (Of course, the cancer is still spreading throughout his body, but he is pain free and seen laughing with his friends.)
The bad
-- can't talk on the phone without tearing up... just extra emotional and anxious today when I think about Christmas... worried about being at dbil's because Christmas Eve at ds' house was so important to dh (I realize that sounds completely crazy... dh is celebrating in the BEST house of all now)... nervous about my stomach acting up at dbil's house... nervous about how dgrands will receive their teddy bears (happy or depressing)... a little depressed that dmom is no longer able to do our traditional meal at her house and a little worried that she won't go to Waffle House with us... just everything.
The ugly
-- probably my eyes because I keep tearing up

Off to Wmart. BBL.

[Twins' Mom]

LadyM, very true. I was out a lot yesterday so that wouldn't make me feel better. I've decided not to workout. I feel like I should, but then I sniffle or sneeze some more and think I could be sick. And staying in today is certainly attractive to me too.

Dh said the docs have to call him to schedule an MRI on shoulder, but that it appears to be rotator cuff and possible surgery. He's supposed to rest it. They gave him some exercises to do and a sling. Not sure he'll use the sling. He did say he's swearing off of the Mon and Wed workouts where the trainer does heavy weights. He works out with a friend - who is in his fifties and buff - told he he's done there.

Dh is going to try to workout in the a.m. - doing leg work, cardio, balance and core - and see how he feels. That's great because he can take holiday cards to trainers with restaurant gift cards to them. And he even said he would go by the temple and take those two cards from the cemetery committee for me.

[blessedw2]

finished removing the pottery - needs to be washed and put away until after the building is done. (dh helped me as I was on the ladder - very nice)
mom is not thrilled with me today - it's okay. I suggest things and she is very feisty in response.
listening to a story
some sweeping done
moved the doll house
now time to get on the floor and look under the couch
sweep/put away.

bringing presents up later.

[blessedw2]

hi d hi d twins praying for your dh!

d Lucy hello
how nice that your d cousin called you! lovely!
wow you have done a lot today - yay!
(((for you sweet Lucy)))
good luck at Walmart

d lady hope the christmas shopping does happen!

hi d mystery I am glad you are doing better since the meds kicked in! it really helps.
it's hard not knowing exactly what presents are really needed! you have got this!
glad you think out loud - we all day and its great to share

waving to everyone.

you are doing great!

one wall up on building

[blessedw2]

A Visit from St. Nicholas
BY CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

I thought I would add something that me feel like Christmas

[Lady Maverick]

I ordered 3 dozen tamales from local person for Christmas eve. Tamales are a favorite of my family so that meal will now be Mexican theme. I've ordered a ham from my favorite BBQ person for Christmas day. He is excited to have received the "secret" recipe for rub and smoking the hams from a locally famous cook. Anything this fella smokes is top notch, so I am looking forward to that meal.
ANYway, I probably won't be cooking much Wednesday and Thursday.

Christmas might be very calm and quiet here.
Minimum food to cook
No gifts to open (unless the teens decide to go shopping)
DS17 will be spending time with GF family
Now that DD14 isn't sick she will be spending time with DD49.
I've had decades of Christmas that were mad house busy. I don't mind having a quieter Christmas.

[Twins' Mom]

Sounds quiet LadyM. Will you miss the chaos? I think the best Christmas we ever had as a married couple was when it started snowing about 6 a.m. on Christmas Day. Enough snow that we didn't go to my parents (I don't think that dfather was alive then.) Kids slept late, I had a nap, we played in the snow and enjoyed the day. We always had to rush out to dmom's - early on we were supposed to be there insanely early, IMHO.

I did an Instacart order for a few things. Dh blew through the berries I had left for breakfasts, and we're out of Kleenex in both downstairs bathrooms. I am still feeling rough.

[CathyS]

Hi!

I've been to numerous stores today and they were all busy! I got a can of "dynamite hot" chili for dh because he wants nackos at some point. Now we also have all the ingredients for chili. I also bought dh some cornbread. Maybe I'll make chili for December 26. The stores here will be closed up tightly for the 25th and most of them for the 26th as well. Boxing Day is a holiday here. Restaurants will be busy.

Shhh... I got dh a small bottle of his favourite root beer. It comes in a glass bottle, which is part of the reason he loves it so much.

I also got him 2 bags of ruffled chips so he can have chips and dip. He had regular chips last week and said regular chips aren't any good for dipping.

No family happenings at all this year makes it easier, but also sadder. I fear next year will be worse.

I'm just happy to be done, done, done!!

[Nancy]

I have been to Wal-Mart it was crowded. I did get Rx & the bank there in the store for my gift card.
And just a few items. Was going to try to get a hickory farms type meat gift but did not find that.

Sun came out and it's lovely now here.
A bit of PC work today.
Wore my Cmas vest.

Walked ddoggo around the block.
Had lunch.

DD wanted to know if my machine would patch a couch cushion I said "no" after she said she did not want to work on
the branches when we last talked. Plus it's two days before Christmas bad timing.
I'n not wanting to put my energy to mending or showing any one else how to do that on
any one else's stuff. I have projects of my own I'm working on. She can hand sew a patch on herself.
I do not have stuff for that on hand anyway sigh.

[I might be feeling prickly.]

I did enjoy the holiday music on the radio on the way home it was more traditional.