Monday PWYC

[Twins' Mom]

I'm going to head out to Michaels for my glue. I am trying to squeeze the last dregs from the containers I have!

I went out and played with ddog a few minutes and she was ecstatic. She needs more stimulation. Oh, and need to call vet re Sentinel.

[Nancy]

We have walked.
I had lunch first.
Dishes are current.
Bw2 / the videos are the six weeks till Cmas series that Diane in Denmark is doing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRnBbbDS6XU

This is week one that she started in Oct.

[Harriet]

Mystery, don't miss the most important sentence in Twins' post to you yesterday. The last one. While she's posting to you, Twins' Dad is off to his regular fun activity of bowling! Something sure must have gone right.

From the "well, you asked" dept a skippable rant on planning. My dstepdil started another email chain for all of us to tell what we would bring to eat at Christmas and the three older kids filled it up in a flurry with 100-percent dishes HRH can't eat. I guess I'm just discouraged that there's been such an unrealistic expectation that HRH would have miraculously turned into a different person and start eating like he did as a young man again. No... .. he has real health issues that are hurt if he doesn't eat correctly, and it will always be so. Also, an expectation that I will "cheat" with others on what I've promised for my household's health, to avoid their inconvenience. The only one who makes a provision for him at a family meal is me, and I grow weary of trying to compete with unlimited sugar-fat-salt dishes. Good kids - very good kids in many ways. But meals together are divisive: a kind of tug of war to get what they want on the table, which leaves us to fend for ourselves with just what we can bring.

I wish dd26 had called this weekend. Maybe I can talk to her tonight and say please bring something your Daddy can eat. She and I both know he will "taste" everything he shouldn't, to be able to compliment, and feel awful the next day.

[Twins' Mom]

I guess I wasn't realizing the holiday rush had started. Michaels is shorthanded. My order not in self-service pick up area. Went back to find a pen that would write on my darker cards (for my initials on the back) and they are locked. No one to help. Waited behind someone doing a return. Found someone who could unlock pens but he got waylaid several times along the way. Finally found the woman pulling online orders and she hadn't taken them to pick up area yet. Short-handed there for sure.

I'm heading back upstairs with some more thoughts.

[blessedw2]

isn't it funny how food can be divisive - I really believe that people have a hard time with realizing that eating or allergies are real.we have to bring our own dishes at times. I no longer worry about the others - we laugh because the things I bring , others are eating them too now it's true unawareness.

I am sorry you and your dh are going through this. I agree with d Lucy. Hang in there.

we have had problems with some family members re: dd Youngers nut allergy - just the dust/oil from it can send her into shock- I had one member say that just because dd smells it doesn't mean she will go into shock. We know by two episodes that she is allergic to the dust and the oils of the nuts. dd is really good as an adult watching for nut products and her dog is aware that something is not right (he pulls her out of restaurants - at one Indian restaurant her dog blocked her from going in door - nuts wafting through the restaurant.

I used to think that bc they loved us that they would have foods for everyone - I think it is the family tradition that certain dishes are served. By getting rid of the rare once a year dishes then they don't feel like it's a holiday. I know it's not intentional. it would be easier if they had food for everyone.

We still have to remind others that we can't have dog treats with peanut butter in them - each time they are surprised that they forgot. They mean nothing by it.

dh's family is very thoughtful and still make errors when it comes to nuts - bc they don't deal with it except on thanksgiving and Christmas. in dh's family we have nut, dairy, gluten allergies, vegan and vegetarian. dd younger also has an autoimmune disease where she suddenly becomes allergic to foods sh has had before

Maybe by eating what they have makes it seem like it's not a problem. They aren't aware that it can cause some bad tummy issues. I am sorry it's a problem

[blessedw2]

mom had a problem where she could not see out of half her eye - I called the eye dr. and made an appointment - while on the phone she could see again but doesn't' remember that it was an issue within a minute as we were on the speaker with eye drs. office.
she is confused today - asking me where the cabinet in French - powder room was. she also fell asleep once
short term memory is bad today.
she got angry with me when I made the eye appointment but dd younger and d brother told her it was important and that sealed the deal (for now )

onion pie is done- she helped with it. I have green beans to cook or make a salad.
Kugelhopf is rising-she says it like Koi-loaf (no spelling for Alsatian) instead of the German way -she helped with it I don't use the almonds of course
the raisins are soaking in kirsch
hoping it comes out. it's funny how she can go back in there memory with her sweet mom on how to lightly flour the top of the rising dough.

dh - he sounds like he has a cold but I can't do anything about it. it's so hard to listen to. I am grateful when he goes upstairs on his computer so that I can't hear his trac.

mom did help with washing the interior bay windows with me.
her hands are shaking a bit more as she ages.

I promised myself I would work towards being positive and kind and not take it all in. I have been trying.

[Nancy]

Oh man I hear you on the food sensitivity and nuts. One year they had nuts in everything and the turkey was raw
at ex in-laws. I like to take things I can eat. I got a summer sausage today I know it will go over well.
1:30 is late for me and a challenge.

I am back from topping off the fuel tank before the storm that is predicted on Tues. so glad to have that done.
Got the other things for meals this week today.

I have on an ugly sweater I am thinking about decluttering but it works for today.
It's blue and could be for any thing but it is warm I had a vest over it.
Do you gals do the sweater thing?

[lucylee]

FORTY-THREE DAYS??? FORTY-THREE DAYS??? ARE Y'ALL TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK???
That means, of course, that there are only THIRTY-SIX DAYS till Christmas Eve -- and that is when we celebrate with ds and dbil's families. Whew.
And here I sit... still not s2s or even dressed for the day.
HOWEVER -- I HAVE accomplished a little bit...

I have been Christmas shopping online, and I am basically through with dgs' gifts.
I have talked to ds & ddil, received their "okay" on my ideas for dgs and dgd's birthday.
Pictures popped up in email "Your memories from this day..." and that made me cry. I just hope and pray that dgrands will always know how much dh loved them and how proud he was of them. He wanted sooo, sooo badly to see them grow up.

Seeing that I was awake until 5:00 a.m., I am being "gentle" with myself today. Yesterday was just a long day, and I did take a long nap late in the day. Then I just wasn't sleepy, so I started online shopping. So maybe I will start to GMAT after I cuop here, and send two emails that have been requested -- teacher group VP and our pastor, two totally different needs.
Yep, just getting through, Twins... just getting through...

Oh -- question -- is it inappropriate for me to buy an engagement ring ornament for dbil's fiance? I love to give ornaments and I do not suspect that HE will think of an ornament as a gift, so when I saw a pretty one, I thought of her and went ahead and bought it. But is that okay, coming from someone other than dbil? It's just a ring in an open box, the "Old World" brand that is all glass, old-fashioned looking.

blessed, I certainly hope to get the new year off to a better start, maybe * finally * start taking care of the decluttering and deep cleaning zones. Praying my dmom will feel better in the new year.
BTW -- I would not feel one bit guilty for ANYTHING I had to do to get rid of mice! No no no -- you do whatever you have to. All creatures are on their own when it comes to mice. I am terrified of them. (I know that is kinda illogical, although my aunt was bitten by one in her sleep once.)

Nancy, that does sound like such a wonderful way to start the day... the moon and the owl, raven, and deer... and obviously you're not sitting around in the t-shirt you slept in at 3:00 in the afternoon...

LadyM, I thought about you last night (this morning?) when I saw there were storms in your area. So glad to hear that so far, it hasn't been bad for y'all. Are you and LordM taking a dancing class? My dmom has always wanted to take ballroom dancing, but that was definitely NOT something that was on my dad's bucket list. (Maybe I should introduce her to the rocket scientist... sounds like something he would enjoy, LOL.)

(((Harriet))) I sure know what you mean about "good kids, very good kids, but..." only my concern is off a different sort (J&C) and definitely not as serious, because no one's health is involved. Hang in there. That is amazing that the dog would actually block your dd from entering the restaurant, Blessed! That is wonderful. I am so thankful none of us have serious food allergies. Dnephew used to, mainly milk and tree nuts, but I think he has outgrown them now. I always make some cookies without pecans for him, and dgrands, just because that is their preference. DS and I, OTOH, think it is impossible to have too many pecans, LOL.

Twins, everyone is short-handed and frustrated now, aren't they? I dread going into brick and mortar stores, but I will have to for some of the people on my list.

And I am still completely at a loss as to what to get the men on my list. DBIL still has Omaha steaks from Christmas past... I got him and his fiance a movie gift card... and she is hard to buy for because I still feel like I don't really know her preferences that well, and she gives AMAZING gifts. Plus she will soon be trying to downsize a bit in prep for moving into dbil's house after they marry...
I really miss having dh to confer with, even though to be honest, he was only helpful in bursts of inspiration (dirt from Dodger Field for dnephew, for example. He found that one.)

The ugly sweater contests, Nancy? I think my family-that-always-leaves-me-out does that. I commented on a FB post to dcousin that we really do need to make an effort to get together and for those who can't come, they just can't come. There's probably 40 of us now, and some have step-families they have to get to, and it is impossible to arrange everyone's schedule. But I'm thinking, this year we've lost dh and daunt, and who knows how many of us will be together next year? That sounds morbid, but it's the truth. My dmom is the youngest of her generation and she will be 80 in March.
It Makes Me Nervous, but I may offer my house for a gathering spot. I wish the carpenter would come back and get my ceiling fixed. But ds said, "It shouldn't make you nervous, because your house is always picked up and 'looks' clean. It's not like us -- we have to hire J to come clean for us before we can even think about Christmas Eve." And when I said you could write your name in the dust on most of my flat surfaces, he said, "Oh, I'm not talking about dusting! I'm just talking about getting things put away."
So that's true. But OTOH, all it would take for us to get together would be for dcousin to invite us to the New Year's Eve gathering they already have. Sheesh. I hope she hasn't become one of the "guests" that lurk on here.

[blessedw2]

what a lovely gift that was that your dh thought of. (((thinking of you))))
if he already gave her the ring then it's more than okay - very thoughtful d Lucy.

d Nancy glad you got gas! That must make you feel better to know you have that.
We do silly sweaters sometimes - I have a sweatshirt for thanksgiving that says curmudgeon. it all depends on what the family wants. we do a white elephant every year - funny -dh's family is so good at it. We also pick someone every year to be almost like the cheer mister - we buy silly gifts for that one person. Some are soooo funny. my one d bil is really funny at it. (the funny thing is that he is such a classy man and these gifts, coming from him, make us all laugh.

d twins I hope you found your glue.

I am tired and I don't want to be.

[lucylee]

I am tired and I don't want to be.

Kinda my normal state, blessed. (((HUGS)))

BUT -- I have progress to report!
* s2s, including shaving my legs
* sheets are in the washer
* walked to the road and brought the garbage can back
* sent the email to teacher group
* texted back to preacher, she needs report by next week
* texted ds and told him I had decided to eat supper at home, weight is skyrocketing and I should eat the chicken noodle soup I planned for last night
* DS called, change of plans -- I am easily persuaded

I looked so fat in some of those pictures.
Depressing b/c I got sizes from dbil's fiance (yes, he already gave her a ring) and she is so much smaller than me... but I know if I want to be smaller, I need to move more and eat less, and apparently I'm not willing to do that.