Caroling Saturday

[blessedw2]

everything is decorated outside - lights and all

d book... I felt the same way about our furnace that was over 50 years old - it worked beautifully and then we moved to a new house and had to put a furnace in right away bc the new model didn't last. sorry you have to buy a new machines.

Now to finish the decorating in the house and put away all the boxes.
3:30 pm

I have to kick some house.

I am not sure what to do - d family needs someone to stay with d mil before Christmas - I have fr. family coming in and I am already in a panic - I want to help but I don't know if I can get things done with my own family not feeling well and no one helping me because they can't.

[FelineFriend]

Had a "rough" night, but got in 7.5 hours sleep after all, waking at 10 a.m.

We're having a rip-snorting rockin' & a rollin' old-fashioned wind/rain storm here all weekend.

Just a quick C. I. I need to go rest and work on some more snail mail. I'm trying to catch up after a super busy weekend. DH goes to Costco on Monday, to get cheesecake, for Christmas, so if I get ALL of my letters done, he can mail them on his way.

Waving HOWDY to ya'll! Have a wonderful weekend!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

A moments' peace!

It has been a madcap day.

Got up on time, got distracted, realizing my advent candle wreath isn't up here either, assembled a new one for tomorrow (really impressed dh with that - he asked if there were some disheveled decorations as a result and I had to admit that no, I had more than enough stuff to pull this off.) S2s quickly and we headed off to the lanes. Missed the bowling lanes entirely so I had to use my phone to find out that they were on the street we thought they were on, we had just driven by because a new building shielded the sign from view.

Beat our friends by ages.

Dh bowled. He'll be very sore tomorrow! It was parent/child doubles today. Dh took one of the boys, their dad another, and their aunt the last child and CM and I wrote out who was coming to Christmas dinner, made up a meal plan and then divided up the food between the 6 families coming. I'm not going to bring tortiere but will make it and they'll stay to dinner at my house after the Boxing Day party.

We all had lunch together at a great diner and discussed their plans. CF is very unhappy at work so has applied for several jobs, all of which aren't in this city. So a move, somewhere, is in their future. We are excited for them but will miss them terribly. They have been a wonderful addition to our lives.

On the way home, I went over my sermon notes and managed to sketch out an outline. The sermon poured out of me in the 45 minutes I had before the penthouse party.

While I was changing, dh delivered half the invitations to Boxing Day and we delivered the remainder when we got back. The party upstairs was fun. It was only people from the Special Units (there are 14 in the building but only 21st floor and up were invited.) We met the people below us and are relieved to know they don't hear much, especially the exercise equipment.

The penthouses are gorgeous but different from ours. We have a better view and layout, they have better windows, and a terrace instead of a balcony. There are only four penthouses and the four couples know each other very well. There are two terraces on each end of the building with a gate between them and they often will wander over to their neighbours' terrace if they want to see something on the alternate side of the building. We felt honoured to be included with the group and hope we are invited back. As usual, we are the youngest of the group but we are as well traveled as the others, although we don't have a second home in France or Miami.

We've invited them all to our party and it sounds like we might be getting to know them better. One of the couples already has tickets to the theatre the same evening as ours so we'll see them outside of the building from time to time.

We are home now. Dh took a shot of the sunset and we've knitted the three sunset pictures together to see how far the sun has moved. We could take June and September's photos from the living room balcony but dh had to be on the far corner of the dining room balcony in order to see the sunset today.

I have to reread and edit the sermon, get the invites done for the church and village friends and get my materials ready for tomorrow. I've also only walked 3K steps today so I should get on the treadmill too. And nothing has been planned for dinner, mainly because we aren't really hungry after a big lunch and then munching all afternoon.

[Harriet]

7. Learn to count to 5.

__________

And Now We Do the Dance of JOY!

(pitter patter pitter patter)

The big party at dfirstinlaws is over! Free at last.
My own holiday/school vacation/basking-in-the-season can begin.

HRH felt awful and left early - but it was okay, though, since ds' truck could handle dd and I plus all presents to take home to his household, our household and to our tree for dd34's family. But it was a shame he didn't feel well enough to stay.

My green-eyed-boy3 was on best behavior (except for determination not to eat). Thrilled with new little boys to chase.

Back and forth today between gratitude for my son and being ready to wring his neck. For instance, he wouldn't come early even though his dear aunt wanted him to ("just because she changes her plans doesn't mean I can change mine"), but he was such a trooper throughout the party and I was so proud of him - kindnesses to his frail great-aunts.

Again my great-nephew13 clutched the present I gave him all during the party, peering into the one side he opened. (Lego technic highest level - he just adores difficult building and I think this is probably below his ability) But he cannot look at anyone or consider thanking anyone. It is very hard to see such a bright young man unable to interact socially. Only his father receives more than a glance. Getting into his space is just unthinkable - he physically recoils.

Great-niece hugged the box with her gift as soon as she peeked in. So at least a couple were on target.

Many exclamations over dd16, with disbelief from those who haven't seen her in a year. Several said they had no idea who the woman was until dd turned around. Close to 5'7" if not there already, and rather graceful for her age when presented with a group of mostly "company". (not quiet - talks at the drop of a hat - but graceful)

John, the dbil who must eat all veggies, seemed to have a good time at the party. HRH enjoyed him quite a bit. His "new toy" was one of the curved-screen tvs and they were programming it together. Twice his phone alarmed to remind him to drink juice. He ate from a tray of banana bits and apples that sat in the midst of red-velvet cake, rich fudge, cocoa cookies, tarts, etc.

Oh, and for some reason my hair looked great. No clue about this hair.

Now I'll begin preparing for our own family's get-together Friday and for my New Years Resolutions

blessed - it will just have to be someone else. Don't feel guilty over this.

[Nancy]

Back from town groc. Unloaded & put away.
Posting from ex bike, hens have been fed it is pouring down rain out side here. Found more yarn enough for a sweater yea! Good turn out at yarn meeting.

[Harmony]

Nice to read about successful celebrations (twins) and (Harriet). Sorry HRH isn't feeling well. blessed, you can only do what you can do. I'm sure you'll help out dmil when you can.

LadyM, it is fun to read about you getting settled in your new house. How's the sale on the old one going?

DH is fighting a cold. And he is very stiff and sore from working hard all day. I made him a pot of lemon tea with honey. I don't think it helps his cold, but he thinks it does, so maybe that's what's important.

Battled the crowds today. The last Sat. before Christmas is not the day to be in W-M. I got a few more little gifts and am quite pleased with them. All wrapped. Got some ingredients for cookies. I'm not in the mood for baking. Maybe I will be tomorrow. If not, I'll have to do some anyway. 3 of my DGSs look for them.

Well, we're down to the home stretch now, aren't we?

[Harriet]

helia, could you elaborate on the Wacom?

Harmony, I hope dh feels better. You were brave today.

Others were not feeling well and I am frustrated in not remembering. I need to CUOP more completely, and that may need to be later.

lucylee was one. Hope coughing eases up.

[ellyphant]

Home stretch is right, HARMONY! Today has been like the calm before the storm here. I watched a movie and filled in dates on the 2015 calendar. Didn't do any Christmas prep, I guess a restful day was needed.

Tomorrow is the church cantata and I'll need to take deviled eggs for the gathering after that. DD comes here on Tuesday. Then DS and DDIL arrive on Friday. They'll be here through New Years Day, so we'll have a nice long visit. DS says DDIL is stressed about visiting her family because they all argue a lot. This is the first we've heard about that. Praying for a calm visit for them. Thankful that she doesn't mind coming here.

[Lady Maverick]

Today ended well. I am pleasantly tired and feeling happy with accomplishments today.

All were completed today -
1. Took LO to see Santa. He was very excited about it. While he was waiting for his turn, I noticed that his face was flushed as if he was running a high fever. I rarely see him blushing so I was a bit fascinated that the anticipation of talking to Santa would be the cause.
2. Bob & crew at 8am to go over what repairs needs to be done from the BH home inspection.
3. Christmas play practice at 4pm
4. Assemble 300 Christmas fruit, candy, nuts bags at church
5. Process 4 days of MPB gross bags.
6. Order microwave - postponed until I make my mind up what I want. The spot I'm moving it to is 36" wide. Do I want to purchase a 36" microwave or get a regular sized one (30") and put some sort of filler on the sides. hummmm....

Extra accomplishments that weren't planned.
1. Use wet/dry to suck piles of leaves around the pool
2. Tear out platform in the BH washer/dryer area.
3. Move washer/dryer, large bookcase and Great Grandpa hump back trunk to BH
4. Pack & move 1/2 dozen boxes (completely filled the SUV)

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Got word today that dUnc has been moved, temporarily, into the veteran's nursing home. His back pain from osteoperosis has been getting more and more severe and on the 8th he admitted he was having trouble managing with the pain. My cousin got through to Veterans' Affairs on the 9th and they decided to send someone to evaluate the situation on the 10th, did so on the 11th and offered him a room on the 12th! (Seriously, things never go this well with government!) My cousin told him on the 13th, he said yes but nothing could be done until Monday the 15th. He called my cousin first thing on Monday to make sure he had accepted the spot and he moved in on the 18th.

Unc thinks he might stay all winter (he doesn't like winters in the house) but the staff there say all newcomers say that but never return home. It is too comfortable there and better stimulation.

I can almost hear the relief in my cousin's note. Such a strain off him. And apparently it was a stress fracture that was causing the trouble. Since that diagnosis, my cousin found out his dad fell down the basement stairs months ago. Told a neighbour but didn't share it with his son. No wonder the pain was bad!

The other news I received by email today is that my sister's marriage is most likely going to fail. Her wife has said she wants to leave. Really, all that is keeping them together right now in inertia on her wife's part. This is going to be very hard on my sister over the next while.

I had soup for dinner. I'm on the treadmill now, trying to get in 2 miles before 9 p.m. That won't happen but at least I'll be less far behind my goal. This is likely the first time this month that I've fallen below my goal for the month.