WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2015

kimses2

Mary Shep is adorable. And he will be a great exercise companion!!! Having lost out 14 year old dog this summer, I am back and forth about getting another dog. We are one year away from my son going to college and there's a lot of freedom then to pick up and just take off for the weekend without worrying about a pet sitter. But oh my, Shep has me back on the "I want a puppy" track.

Today will be low key. I still have to work a bit though ( I have no back up so really don't get a break right now until we hire another person). Daughter is home and she is irritable. Happy and pleasant one minute and then lashing out the next. I suppose it's being home from college, just finishing finals and having to deal with parents that has got her on edge. I'm trying to avoid conflict but am not sure how much longer I can hold out!!!

Well, off to do my P90x3 session for today.
70 degrees in MA today! Unbelievable.

For those who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas Eve. For those who don't, enjoy some downtime.

Kimses in MA

mikesmom1983

Good Morning Ladies!

Happy Holidays to all of you my dear friends!

I also have a very tough time around the holidays, but each year I get a little bit better about coping. I do what I can financially regarding gifts, don't stress about decorating (in fact this year I couldn't find my ornaments so decided that they will take a vacation and only my DIL's ornaments will be on the tree), conviently forgot to bake Christmas cookies, and accepted invitations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner where I know I will be loved and accepted. I will have brunch with my son and his family tomorrow morning after gift giving and they will scatter to other obligations. I no longer do what others expect of me, but what works for me financially, physically and emotionally. It has taken me many years to get to this point.

We are experiencing record breaking warm tempertures here in MA. They say that we may be near 70F which is the average temp for Tampa, FL on Christmas. I hope it also means we won't have any snow this winter, I can hope.

Chris in MA

Peach1948

My mom's nursing home is rated by the government as one of the best in a 25 mile radius so I am happy about that. My two brothers and their wives are able to go several times a week between them all. When I went to see her the other day, she cried most of the time I was there because she hates being there. But, her memory is so bad she keeps asking if my Dad is alive (he died over 10 yrs ago). She just can't realize how bad off she is physically and mentally. I would go more often, but it took me 2-1/2 hrs to get home the other day. There is one place (McDonough GA) where for whatever reason there is always a wreck (usually a semi) that holds up traffic forever.

Michelle ~ My heart goes out to you. We have been blessed that our son (who put us through H@## for many years) is so close to us and especially his dad. I think that with time your two children who are being snarky will realize how they have acted and make amends. I have a third brother who lives across the road from my mother and NEVER goes to see her.

Trying to plan how coordinate the cooking of a turkey breast, spiral sliced ham, and a 5 lb sirloin tip roast. Think I will cook the roast today and hope it is not too dry. The rest of the family who are coming are bringing the sides (which I am very thankful for).

Carol

nccarolb

Good morning, ladies! I am truly alive and doing reasonably well. Life took over for a while but I think I'm back to having time to breathe--at least for the next week. There was no way for me to catch up on over 500 posts, so I just skimmed the last few pages.

Penny - I gather that there was an avalanche in your town and there was significant damage and loss of life. I am so sorry for the losses that occurred!

Lisa - Sounds like you've had a case of the stubborns (I get them, too!). Glad you're over it and back to taking care of yourself.

Becca - I didn't catch how you got hurt, but I'm glad you seem to be okay.

Barbie - Kudos on sticking with a no exercise plan.

Alison - Take care of YOU because no one else will!

Since I can't even remember the last time I posted, I will do a quick update on my life. Please excuse anything that is a repeat...

1) My orthopedist is thrilled with my progress! He has officially released me from physical therapy and I go back to see him in April. My physical therapist last time was one I hadn't seen in a couple of months and she was amazed at the progress. She also said she didn't think I needed to come back. I am to resume regular weight lifting and other exercise. I did talk them into letting me come back the first week in January to have my progress checked.

2) I saw the new eye specialist the same day I saw the orthopedist. I am scheduled for cataract surgery on my left eye on January 11. He seemed to indicate that my vision would be better than the 20/50 that the doctor in town estimated. I am glad that is scheduled and that I might get to give up wearing a contact.

3) My grand-niece's father has been transferred to another hospital and is having surgeries every couple of days. The reports are that the surgeries are going well but they are having to restrain him because he is so uncooperative. My suspicion is that, in addition to potential brain damage, he is overwhelmed with pain and terrified because he has so little vision that he can't see what or who is coming towards him. Makaela is missing him and was very sad that he couldn't come see her holiday program at school.

4) My son is at home and, as far as I can tell, is not enrolled in school anywhere for next semester. I can tell he is upset about it because he is incredibly cranky and non-communicative about the whole thing. I so love his furry little face and am glad to see it--but not for months on end.

5) My "dating life" is taking a bit of a hiatus until the holidays are over. Both of us have children at home and lots of family obligations. I still like him a lot, though, so I hope we can pick back up soon.

6) My eating has been atrocious and, other than PT, exercise has been nil. I'm not liking myself very much right now and that is a vicious cycle. Today is another day, right?

7) And, then there is the weather.





Carol in NC

cityjaneLondon

Good afternoon!
I am listening to "Nine Lessons and Carols" from Kings College. The best bit of Christmas. Always starts at 3 pm Christmas Eve when the solo boy chorister sings "Once in Royal David's City" from the chapel porch.

At last I can send you photos of my newly decorated kitchen as we managed to put up our pictures this morning. I am happy with it.





It's basically the same as it was except we have had the island unit painted blue and the back wall. Also I changed the pictures round and much prefer them that way round. The windowsills used to be dark brown varnish and are now white.

All done now except for the brandy butter.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Love Heather in Hampshire UK

barbiecat

Carol, glad to see you back and happy to hear about your progress and that you can get back to weight lifting....the weather in NW Washington, also, is full of rain and puddles so we will have "snowmen" like the one in your picture

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

I'm enjoying my new Honda. So quiet and smooth riding. Love the features it has on it; some I'm having to get used to.

My "Cracker" is a trip. Such expressions when she knows we are looking at her. Loves playing very roughly with her toys; 2 have already gone into the trashcan; because she has pulled the stuffing out of them; got tired of sewing them up only to have her do it again. But, she has a sock of mine, that has a hole in it and she will carry it to her bed that sits by my chair. She's also 'crate trained' and I think someone might have started trying to leash train her because most of the time she is right behind my left heel; although now she is exploring more. She 'loves' being outside and runs non-stop when she is out there.

We won't have anybody here today. Today is my DMGD's 15th birthday; but, she says that she will open her present on Christmas when they come home. DDnL#1 was bitchy last night; got even bitchier when asked for a 2nd time to bring a broccoli salad to yet another family gathering. She said she had spent $60 on the ingredients to make it for her family ... she doesn't know how to say 'no' to anybody (and then gets all bitchy about things). First off, I would not be attending a family gathering of a stepfather I no longer had anything to do with, especially if he was divorced from my own mother. I told her to make the salad and divide it between the 2 families and if there was not a whole lot then maybe the people at the first of the line got their share and the ones at the end don't. She said she'd have to see how much it made to do that. DOS was flipping out (about the $$$ as well as her general bitchy mood). We've heard, yet again, that she is going on a diet and next year we would not recognize me. Saw the wedding book that DDnL#2 sent to me; and made the comment that she could really tell from looking at it and me, today, that I had lost a lot of weight. All since the middle of May. Unless she cuts out colas and fast food - it will be impossible for her to lose any significant weight. I wish that they could afford for her to go on the same program I am on; but, she did go to one similar; but, after 14 pounds coming off she could not continue and added that back, and then some. I feel sorry for her; but, she doesn't want anything said to her or her daughters about their weight. DOGD has put on that Freshman 15+ spread; and it looks like a lot more because she is only 5'-nothing.

Tomorrow the kids will come to open presents; and then Monday the DOGD will come over to open her presents. I'm thinking 'oh dear, I probably should have gotten a larger size in the leggings I bought for them. Maybe they will fit them without having to take them back. I sure hope so.

Gee, watching "House" and some kid throwing a fit to continue using a Gameboy (or some other video player) and the MD had to grab it away from him to do the tests on him). That is the current state of how our young children are. My DMGD has not been able to use her gaming thing because the phone service has been cut off. No Internet, no TV, no phone (other than their cell phones) and things are 'quiet' and they are having to actually 'talk' to one another. She thought it was nice and quiet; no people calling just to try to get them to pay their bills. Or, should I say for my DDnL#1 to pay hers. The important ones are paid by DOS like house, utilities, cars, insurance, food and school, not necessarily I that particular order; but, the get paid.

I've started doing my next year's shopping online. Found this great site called groupon.com. Has things on sale at a 'greatly' reduced price. First thing I bought was the other 1/2 of a manger scene that I was missing the 'important' parts like the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, 3 wise men, donkey, cow, angel and one sheep. Now the set is complete.

DSons have neither had any questions about the 25-page letter I typed to them about how we intend for our wills to be divided once both of us are deceased. Surprisingly, neither has said anything (yet).

I guess that DH is planning on painting the kitchen and mudroom/utility room/computer area some color, is supposed to be painting a patch of color on them for me to decide which I like best. MBR and bath will come next and finally, finishing up the glassed-in porch. For now we figure that just opening the door to the MBR will be enough to heat or cool it; maybe in the Spring we will buy a fan to move the air more; although it does have a fan in the ceiling. Just a few other items to buy for that area. Have not decided what to do with the flooring yet. At this point I am thinking maybe a rug.

mollywhippet

I'm sorry to have missed so much. I'll try to go back and read when I can, but the last couple of days have been crazy busy and today will be more of the same.

Day before yesterday I worked for hours with my oldest DGD on a 3D model of an Egyptian pyramid out of clay. I thought I had it figured out, but when we went to assemble the slabs of clay it wasn't working right. I knew that I miscalculated the angles, but couldn't figure out how to fix it. So, we put it on hold for a while. On my way home, I figured it out, so yesterday morning I went back to the studio and tried it out of cardboard just to make sure, and it worked. So, sometime today I have to get her back there to try again out of clay. It's her project, but she wasn't capable of doing much to help. It didn't help that her sister was there trying to make a clay giraffe and she needed my help too, so I couldn't really concentrate.

My son pulled a pretty crappy stunt yesterday too. He said he wanted to have Christmas Eve lunch at his house because the kids were going to their mom's on Christmas and he can't leave the house because his breathing is so bad. So he invited hubby and I over there. That was fine. I asked if he wanted me to bring food so he didn't have to cook, but he said no, that he had it under control. I was going to bring pie. But yesterday he told me that he needed some help cleaning up his apartment so he could do the dinner, so I went up there to "help" clean. It was a horrible, horrible, mess. I took out 25 bags of trash! The "wife's" little dog poops everywhere in the apartment and nobody cleans it up, do there was dog do everywhere! Along with dozens of huge boxes that his meds came in which were stacked floor to ceiling in the hallway. It looked like an episode of Hoarders on tv.

I spent three hours in my grandson's bedroom, shoveling out dog poop, along with trash, dirty clothes, and broken toys. The granddaughters' room was even worse. I spent a couple of hours in there before I just couldn't do any more. And this whole time my son was sleeping in the recliner and his "wife" was shut in their bedroom. So, I was trying to clean their apartment pretty much by myself. The kids weren't much help. I gathered up so many dirty clothes that it would have taken a month to do it all in their tiny apartment sized washer and dryer, so I packed it all in the van and drove it to the laundromat. It took almost $40 for just the washers and dryers, plus I went to the store to buy detergent and fabric softener. One granddaughter went with me to "help" and I left the oldest behind, where she was supposed to keep working in their room. By the time I got back with the laundry, she had not made a bit of progress. And even worse, the grandson and his 13 year old stepbrother were in his room and what I had just cleaned up was already messed up so bad that you couldn't see the floor. I was so upset that I just put the bags and baskets of clean clothes down in the entryway and left.

Later, my son messaged me to say that planning to have lunch there was a mistake, and he couldn't do it after all. Sorry about that. He said I should just drop off the kids gifts about noon. I asked if he wanted me to bring food and he said no. Meanwhile, I'm totally exhausted, every joint aching, and having full blown angina. I did not sleep well last night because my joints hurt so bad and my heart seemed to be flip flopping in my chest. My nitro prescription has run out, too, and the cardiologist is closed today.

So, I feel used and abandoned...again. I knew their apartment was bad, but didn't realize it was that bad. When I pick up and drop off the kids I don't usually get farther than the entryway. I was most appalled at the dog poop. And the fact that the "wife" never lefts a finger in that place. I know my son is sick and can't do much, but she's just a lazy freeloader as far as I can see.

But, there was a silver lining in this whole fiasco. When I called hubby and told him I was taking their laundry to the laundromat, he showed up and helped me! Now, this man has never done a single load of his own laundry since before we got married! But he helped wrestle baskets and bags, load and unload washers and dryers, and even helped fold! I have never loved him more than I did last night. That may be the single sweetest thing he has ever done for me, and he's done many wonderful things. When we finally got home he told me never to do that kind of thing again. If my son needs help, we will hire somebody. We've tried to do that before, but my son refused. I think he's afraid that a stranger might turn them in to the health department. Hubby was annoyed that my son would put me through that, knowing that my health is not good. He's so self absorbed with his own misery he can't think of anyone else.

To be honest, I wasn't thrilled at the idea of eating there anyway, but I will miss seeing the kids open their gifts.

So sorry for the long winded rant, but it felt good to get it out.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Sylvia

pipcd34

morning peeps and new peeps -

barbiecat- congrats on going to one car
grits- cute poocher
welcome mommylern5
grandmallie- {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}
mikesmom - sounds like you're on the right track, i love the "conveniently forgot to bake Christmas cookies"
nccarolb- congrats on your progress but strapping on the boot regarding the exercise :0/
cityjanelondon - LOVE YOUR KITCHEN! i wanna spend Christmas there!!

as you may know, Christmas is a hard time for me. However, even though Lenny is in the back of my mind, I think of the blessing that I have now and what could have happened.

Today we are having a breakfast/brunch thing at work, we get off at noon so i drove in. i swear, i don't think I've driven so much in the last 5 years that I've been riding! yesterday Kirby and i went to the gym in the morning and I drove us to the town where i work and where he was doing his in patient rehab to give the staff a card and cookies as a thank you from us. we got to see one of the guys that was helping him and he was amazed at his progress and how he looked. after the visit i drove myself to work and he drove home and i was going to walk home after work. yesterday was the 1st day he drove. i was a lil skurd but he did ok. he took in my bike and found that i needed new break pads, which was a good thing that i told him they needed adjustment. by the time the day ended, it was WINDY COLD and rainy. i had my raincoat on but was wearing jeans. i rarely wear them and in the rain, they are awful. when i started walking home, my feet were soaked and numb, my legs were wet from the jeans. Kirby called me to ask if i wanted him to pick me up, i just said if he wanted to... i would have made it, but i walked a mile by the time he got to where i was. had i been riding, it would have been cold and rainy BUT i would have been dry!

we are going to retire our fake tree after this year and get a new smaller fake tree. we've had about 18yrs now... wowzers, never thought of it til now!

since i was with husband #2, I've been used to opening up gifts tonight on Christmas Eve. Kirby said that he was used to doing it on Christmas Day. We had decided on a new tradition when we found that out about each other, we open one gift tonight and the rest Christmas morning. I got the turkey breast and am soaking it in wine then going to make our turkey dinner for Christmas like we said.

type to ya later... MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

csofled

mollywhippet wrote: »

I think he's afraid that a stranger might turn them in to the health department. Hubby was annoyed that my son would put me through that, knowing that my health is not good. He's so self absorbed with his own misery he can't think of anyone else.
Sylvia

As your story progressed Sylvia I came to the conclusion your son is afraid of happening. Those children would/should be removed in an instant in my opinion just based on the fact of all the dog feces! This cannot be healthy at all. I feel for you trying to make the situation better. You did what you could. Sorry this is happening in your life. Praying for your situation.

Cheri in rather warm NE Ohio

csofled

Heather,

LOVE your kitchen!

Cheri in rather warm NE Ohio

barbiecat

Heather, I love your kitchen

Sylvia, I'm so sorry about all the troubles with your son

Pip, you are a champion at making the best of things

miriamwithcats

Heather, I love your kitchen..

Pip. I have thought about doing the upside down tree. does your cat leave it alone.

Sylvia, I have to say that I concur with Cheri. Those children should not be living in that filth. If child protective services knew, they would be removed. I know that you are in a terrible position, with your son's terminal illness and drug addiction (whether using or not), and fears about whether you can take care of the kids, but it really would be best for the kids if they were removed from that situation. It is so incredibly unsanitary- e coli can KILL children, and it is rampant in feces, not to mention possibly worms and other diseases. Your son would probably feel relief from having the responsibility removed so he could focus on himself, which is what addicts do anyway. No one in that apartment is taking care of the kids' needs, for sure. Is there anyway you could talk him in to letting the kids stay with you permanently so he can take better care of himself? The "wife' probably wouldn't object either. She doesn't sound like a caring person. Quite frankly, they are probably still having the kids live with them so that they get more money. That was the situation with my girls' parents. They were relieved when they no longer had to attend to children. So if you let him officially keep custody (so he doesn't lose the monetary help he is getting) but turned them over to you with a guardianship so you could make decisions it might be best for all. You would not worry about the kids, he could take care of himself better, and you would find out that you are quite capable of taking care of the kids. Just my thoughts, since I am familiar with some of the problems you are facing. Whatever you do, {{{{{hugs}}}}}.

NO_Excuses_515

Merry Christmas Eve!

Barbie - Congrats on the new car. I'm sure you'll love it once you get used to it. It would be an adjustment for my DH and I to share a car. Not sure I'll ever be ready for that.

Kim - Your Christmas story touched me. I can see why you do not want to spend Christmas with your brother. (((hugs)))

GRITS - Cute pick of Cracker. You might try the Kong brand of toys. They are virtually indestructable.

Lisa - Enjoyed your article. You are a talented writer.

Sylvia - I am so sorry for your issues with your son and his wife. The dog feces are definitely unhealthy. I hope things work out for the best.

For all of you who are stressed dealing with family and friends this holiday season, just remember this... You cannot control what other people do, say, or feel. You can only control how you react to those people.

Well, I woke up with a cold and I've been lazy all morning. Need to get moving so I can run some errands and get to the grocery store. It's snowing right now so maybe we will have a white Christmas here after all.

Linda/IA

Katla49

Becca: I have 2 bookcases that look like yours! Mine are in the bedroom and are also jammed with books. :bigsmile: Astoria is loaded with beautiful old homes but I haven't seen the one in your photo before. I want to look for it the next time we're there. What street is it on? Nice car, btw.

Kim: (((Hugs.)))

Grits: Lactaid really helps with the occasions I want to eat something that is milky. I recommend it. It contains the enzymes that those of us who are lactose intolerant lack. You need to take it before the first bite for best results. :flowerforyou: Diet success is about motivation, not money. I have used MFP for free and had very good success. "Programs" work for some and are expensive. MFP works for some and is free. Those who fall into the zone of success are the ones who want success enough to change their lifestyle & eating habits. :flowerforyou:

Michele: Bryan is playing the blame game and avoiding taking responsibility for himself. Let yourself off of the hook and let his accusations roll off of you as much as you can. (((Hugs))).

Heather: I love your kitchen! No wonder you enjoy cooking so much. DH would like to know what pen name your DH uses so he can read some of his work. :flowerforyou:

Sylvia: I am so sorry about your son & his situation. You are without doubt, an amazingly generous soul. So is your DH.


We awakened to snow on the ground and I honestly can't remember a white Christmas Eve day. It seems to be melting and may be gone before dinner, but I consider it a gift. The hummingbirds kept looking into our upstairs window this morning. We took it as a not to subtle hint to fill the feeder, so I filled it for them and they're happily fighting over it now.

This is our first Christmas on our own. I thought I'd be sad and miserable but I'm doing okay and so is DH. We have one another.

Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison

December Goals :
1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week. Work on flexibility and back strength.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more!
5. Eliminate alcohol.
6. Monitor sleep. Try to average 7 or more hours of sleep nightly.

margaretturk

Heather so bright and cheery. Love it!
I needed that right now. DH is at hospital for a side effect for his cancer treatment. He hopefully will not be in long.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.

Carol good to see you back.

Pip love the tree!

Margaret

Katla49

I changed my photo so you can see my view.

pipcd34

katla, Purdy view
miriamwithcats - yes, the dogs and cat leave it alone, even more so when it's hanging upside down.

the upside down tree was from 2013. it's standing the normal way this year

Peach1948

Pip ~ That upside down tree is so funny!

cityjaneLondon

Katla - fabulous view!

Pip - that is sooooooo great! Sorry it's not upside down this year!

Sylvia - thinking of you!

Heather UK

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

Pip34 - We put one of our trees, upside down and out on the small porch which the door stayed open most of the time; because of our youngest one who would do just about anything to get up in one. One year, when they were in HS, we got a real tree and because my DH was working out-of-town; I got the boys to help me get it in the house, touched the ceiling so we had to cut a little off the top; then they would not help me get it straight in the stand. It made me so mad that I literally drug it out of the room, through the kitchen, and threw it across the carport into the boat. When DH came home the boys laughed and told him what had happened. That year, they decorated it and I did nothing. Now I don't put up a tree except the macramé tree (after this year). Not enough room to put one since we have the treadmill in front of the front door we don't use. That's where I put it last year. This is just much easier. Have decided I will go through my decorations and put them in 2 different boxes and gift them to each son next Thanksgiving. I might hold out the 'angels' and put them on the macramé tree or set up a small one and put them on it, with no lights; but, next year might put the small tree in the glassed-in porch (if DH gets it finished by then).

DH just put a DVD in the player and it won't run it ... is so pissed; means he has to watch the 2 'chick flicks' I got (unless this is one of the other ones he rented). Sometimes loading a good one will allow us to load the one that wouldn't play and then it will play.

Sylvia - I thought the 'wife' was an 'ex' - am I mistaken?

NO_Excuses - I will check next week when I go into town with Pet Smart and see if they have them. DOGD bought a couple of toys where you put a plastic bottle in it and said their Boston Bull Terrier destroyed it within about 15 minutes and then took the one away from lab; so she put it in her kennel so she could drive JAX crazy playing with it. Also bought Luna another toy that had a tennis ball on the end and JAX chewed up the tennis ball and she took it away thinking she might choke on it.

My DOS's first wife lost all 3 of her girls; one came to live with her Daddy at the age of 14 (age of consent in GA); the other 2 DFACS took them and placed one with her paternal grandmother (who really did not want her to live with her full time; but, she had been staying with her because of her Mother's situation. She lost the little one to her boyfriend (father of the child). She's done absolutely nothing she was ordered to do in order to be able to get them back. Before she went to jail the 2nd time she had been receiving $1700+ in food stamps a month (or that might have been the total of her welfare check). Living in a converted motel turned into apartments (full of drugs and prostitues - and she filled both of those requirements). DOGD has absolutely NOTHING to do with her. Even when she did, she would not go into the apartment at all. Living with another drug addict. When DFACS took the youngest one away, they contacted her about taking her. She gave them her Daddy's information and told them she could not do it because she was a college student.

I think a whole lot of us have problems with our children, or 'in-laws' which makes this time of year difficult for us.

Right on the dot with my daily 'caloric intake' and now DH has made a pan of brownies. I don't think I can resist eating just one little piece. LOL!

Peach1948

Heather ~ Love your kitchen. It looks so clean and cozy.

Katla ~ Is that a view from your window. It must be wonderful to live so near the water.

I am experimenting with cooking my 5 lb sirloin tip roast. I found this recipe where you heat the oven to 500 degrees, season the meat as you wish, place it in the over for 10 minutes per pound, and then turn off the heat. Do not open the oven and leave it in there for another 10 minutes per pound. Crossing fingers that it works.

Carol

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

In my family we put up the tree shortly after Thanksgiving (in the first week of Christmas) and took it down before the New Year (throwing out the old before the new came in). In DH's family they put it up on Christmas Eve and left it up until the "Epiphany". I won out on that one.

Heather - love your kitchen. DH is supposed to paint our walls in the kitchen when I decide between 4 colors. I like the darkest one the best; but, I am sure that I will wish that the cabinets are white when he gets it done. I'd really like some extra cabinets to go around the window there. Right now we have a wire rack that only causes the room to look a bit messy. I wish we could change out the counter tops to something other than a dark hunter green. Popular color when we built the house over 15 years ago. Would like to change the porcelain sink out, too. It is so stained I have to clean it with cleanser just about every two days or so. Dishwasher needs to be replaced, too, before it stops working. The arm that carried the water to the top rack is broken and sometimes I have to get down on my hands and knees to empty it. DH will usually empty it, except if he had trouble with the top rack. GGggggrrrrr!!!!!

Katla49

Carol: Yes, this is the view from my bedroom window. We really love living here. The bedroom is directly above the living room and the views from both places are lovely. We count ourselves very lucky. The photo on my ticker was taken several years ago early on a fall morning from the deck.

pipcd34

.

bwcetc

Sylvia ... Horrible situation ... But that hubby of yours is a true gem! Hugs to you and a big bear hug to him!

Heather ... Beautiful kitchen!

Michele ... Joyce had good advice! Pause and let the message of the Christ child soothe your soul. You are loved!

Carol nc ... Hello there!

Joyce ... You have a lot of expenses ahead. I understand your reluctance to purchase the jewelry armoire ... But just so you know ... You are SO worth it!

Pip ... Love the photos.

Ok ... I've forgotten the rest ... Need to go put some things together, but will check back later ...

Beth near Buffalo ... Where the sun is shining and I have the windows open ?!?

Lagopus

Lisa - Amen, sister, amen.

Sylvia - So, so sorry to hear about all that's going on with you, your son, and your grandchildren.

Allison - I have to agree with the advice others have given about looking after yourself and your own interests. You're so kind it may be really tough for you to put yourself foremost (for a change!) but we're all rooting for you and think you deserve a better life.

Heather - I love the kitchen... I'm so envious... Oh golly gee to have an essentially monochromatic color scheme with blue accents... (thus speaketh she whose husband is colorblind). The spare, utilitarian look also appeals to me. I have no patience with fussiness and stuff. About the brandy butter, just do it. It won't take but five-ten minutes and then it will be out of your hair.

We've had a nice quiet day. Went to the Christmas Eve service at the church, which they always try to arrange to broadcast live by video link to the Norwegian research station in Antarctica (where they have midnight sun this time of year - what a contrast!). There's something magic in knowing that we're celebrating Christmas together, from pole to pole.
/Penny at the and the South Pole too, if only in spirit.

Katla49

Trying to put in a photo of my dog.

Katla49

Success!!!!!

miakoda40

Katla - That picture made me laugh. Very cute.