Senior Golden Sneakers - December 2010

CALIECAT

I forgot to go by photobucket to pick up a greetings So here it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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gigi46

Hello everyone!

Last night was awesome, all the ladies did a SUPER JOB with the gifts, dinner was delicious. I was able to guest my Secret Pal, for my gift I got a Name Angel and a beatiful shirt from Chicos. When we got done and open the front door to go to our cars, we found a winter wonder land, more snow.:noway: :noway: :noway: about 4 more inches, so I got home at Midnight.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Sandy - I got my nail hardener on Ebay - thanks for given the information to the rest of the ladies, Good job winning at Bingo

Marie - get going with the nail hardener really works, the best part, it is so easy to use.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

So far I'm keeping on track for vacation, losing but I haven't changed the ticket until I keep it off for a few more days.:glasses:

Have a great afternoon.:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Gigi

barbiecat

I just have a moment to say hello

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we've had a busy day, gotta get to bed early so we'll be up early because the dog groomers are coming in the morning.
:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

CALIECAT

Dropped by photobucket and pick this up. Have a wondeerful day!!!!!!!!!!!!

gigi46

Good morning!!!

What an AWESOME day yesterday, a few weeks back one of my best friend asked me a my partner if we could go to lunch to celebrate our retirement, of course we loved the idea, so about 12:00 she come to the office and were on our way to Pekin Country Club, when we got there she keep talking about things from the past, and then when we got to the room, a big Surprise a room full of all our friends, we both were surprise and she loved it, lunch was delicious, Sangria for drinks and a beautiful cake for dessert. She did it, Life is good and friends are a gift from God.

Then to the rest of the day, Mike retired yesterday: :drinker: :drinker:one our best friends took him out for dinner to celebrate his retirement, then after dinner we went to their home to play pool and we always play the girls against the guys:huh: :huh: :huh: well last night was not a good evening for girls:sad: :grumble: :sad: we have such a good time together, no matter what ever we play its always the girls against the guy.:happy: :happy: :happy:

Now soon our turn will come to retire for my partner and me. :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: Next week will be horrible I will be going to work everyday to get done all I can before my trip with the family

Hope everyone has a warm and safe weekend

Gigi

CALIECAT

Where were everybody yesterday? Gigi show up and Me .Hope you are all ok and just busy getting ready for Christmas Here is a little guy to help you along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Happy Holidays

maryellengallagher

I was on deadline and was working like a mad man! Today isn't much better :sad:

viliberty1957

I was out shopping yesterday. A little more of the same today. I'll buy a large quantity of diapers to send for my grandson in Bethel, Alaska. It is much cheaper to buy them here and mail them than to buy them there. Last time I sent 324. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday. God Bless.

CALIECAT

Sandy you posted on the birthday thread. I had went there just to poat the little snowman and to keep it in my topic, So the rest of the bunch may not see it

Yes I am making the New Orleans Date Nut cake today. I wont make the blackberry cobbler til Christmas eve. and the chcolate cake.
We will leave next Tues to go to So. Texas and the weather report is just devine In the upper 70's [ Woo hoo] may get a sun tan. Jim My Son in law [ alice Husband] has already pick out a couple german restaurant to eat at. Should have a good time sown there,

barbiecat

:drinker: :bigsmile: :flowerforyou: This has been a busy week for me.......Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are always busy because of line dancing in the morning and then Tuesday was turkey cooking and entertaining day so I haven't been posting much.

:smooched: The turkey is finally finished we had a great dinner party on Tuesday and leftovers on Wednesday and Thursday. I made soup out of the carcass with carrots, onions, and celery and for dinner yesterday I made matzo balls for the soup. In the morning the girls came to groom the dogs and were here until mid afternoon. Right after they left, Jake and I went to get our hair cut....we go to a great place with the barber on one side and the hairdresser on the other....I have to make an appointment, but the barber likes to deal with people on a walk-in basis. The dogs look great and we look pretty good, too.

:bigsmile: After all the fancy food this week, we're happy to do a cleanse day today. Jake watched Larry King's interview with Al Pacino and decided that we should have an Al Pacino film festival. Right now we're watching "Insomnia" and later we'll probably watch one or more of the Godfather movies.

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: I took the dogs to the dog park about 10AM when it was raining (actually it looked like snow). I put off drinking a lot of water until after I've gone to the dog park, so I wanted to go early. The ducks from the duck pond were resting in the grass near the dog yard and there were some small birds in the trees so Brandy and Sasha had a great time chasing and barking. The wind was blowing pretty hard and I was wearing a lot of warm clothes and had the hood of my jacket over the top of the two wool hats I was wearing. There were some other people and dogs there so we weren't the only crazy ones. :laugh: We stayed about 20 minutes and the dogs were glad to come home. With their new haircuts they were probably cold.

:flowerforyou: Gigi, all your retirement festivities sound great.......retirement is such a bitter/sweet time but as a person who has been retired for six years, I can say that it's a great way to live.

:flowerforyou: Marie, your trip to warm south Texas sounds great and your baking sounds very ambitious.

:flowerforyou: Sandy, congratulations on your BINGO win......I hope you use your winnings for something special for yourself.

:flowerforyou: Irene, you are a wise and thoughtful grandma, sending diapers.....all the toys in the world are useless if you don't have basics like food and diapers.:bigsmile:

:flowerforyou: I'm doing laundry today but have been slowed down by Haifa deciding to sleep in laundry basket :laugh: :laugh:

Sandydur

Here is the post I posted on the birthday thread, I swear I must be losing it. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Happy Saturday!! Thanks for all the cheery pictures Marie, one is cuter than the next. heart

Gigi, what a wonderful surprise party, I just love when they are truly a surprise!! Are you counting the days until your retirement? It sounds like you and your hubby will stay busy. I wish my hubby would travel but he hates it. sad sad I do go alone or with friends, but it is not the same.noway

Everyone seems to be busy with Christmas coming so quickly, I am sure a lot of you are baking cookies or planning dinners. I only have to wrap and since my DIL and the kids bake I don't and we are going out to a restaurant on Christmas Eve and to my step sons on Christmas so no meal planning. Most of my family is out of town so our holidays are small gatherings. cry

I hope and pray all of you are healthy, getting better and life is good for you. Count your blessings and think about those who are much worse.

Lafla

Hi everyone! Sorry for not being around. I haven't been on the computer much as I have been sick. I thought it was just a cold and stupid me didn't mention it to the Dr. when I was there Thursday. Now it seems to be bronchitis (always my weak spot). I believe that I have coughed up a lung (at least). I am a little concerned about my upcoming test when I already feel yucky before I start my 4 litre beverage!! I hope to see my doc on Monday if I am still coughing, etc. and ask him what he thinks about the test.

Neil wisely stayed at his house this weekend so that he wouldn't pick up my germs. He did go shopping with his buddy today so that was a nice outing for him. They also went out for lunch which was nice.

I haven't got any of my baking done and it isn't looking great. Maybe that will turn out to be a good thing. I don't need leftover sweets here when I start my low cholesterol diet after the holidays.

I hope you are all enjoying the busyness of the season. Take care and keep smiling. Gayla

delraybuzz

Hi everybody...sorry I have not kept up for at least a week, but my eyes are making the computer impossible to read! I just filled in my food diaries since 12/13, and swear I am going blind. My Mother used to say she could no longer read, and none of the family believed her, but I think I'm going through a similar thing this week! I see a doctor at BascomPalmer Eye Institute on Monday, and I hope she can advise me. Some days are clear as can be, but not right now :grumble: ! I hope I will be able to catch up next week, but I wanted to say hello and I'm with you anyway! Not to worry, al will work out fine. Meanwhile, be well and don't overdo holiday preparations!

lyn54

Hi Ladies and gents:flowerforyou:
I am like gayla hve had bronchitis and sinus infection for over a week. I am better. I have my Christmas Cards all done and presents all wrapped. I hope you feel better soon, Gayla...and I hope I remember your name right?:laugh: Please excuse me if I didn't...it's almost 11 pm here...so I am getting tired and need to be in the bed. I am getting out tomorrow and going to eat with friends at a place called Montana Grill.
Marie..70 degrees sounds unreal...we've had cold temps all week..a near miss on an ice storm. It was icy but turned to rain because the temps were up to 36 for a while...it's messy looking here with piles of snow in places. It's 31 now..we had sun today.

IRene-Sending diapers is a great idea..I didn't realize that things were that much more expensive in Alaska. It probably costs to ship everything up there.

Sandy hope you continue to improve.

Buzz..so sorry about the eyes and hope it's not a serious problem for you.

Must get off here and rest mine for a while.

Hope everyone has a happy Holiday season and a Merry Christmas.

I check in on you every day...but sometimes I don't have time to post..just read. I enjoy all Marie's little pics.

Have a good Sunday.....

weaklink109

Thanks for posting the info on the nail hardener.

It is very windy here tonight (Friday), and they are predicting a little snow in the morning, but it won't last long as it will turn to rain by afternoon. Doggies are all doing fine.

I am enjoying two Christmas presents to myself. I found an electric fireplace on sale for half price a couple of weeks ago, and it is a nice addition to my living room. Then, earlier this week, I discovered a set of cookware that I had checked out online, but didn't buy because I didn't want to spend the money, was on sale in a local store and they also had a deal where you could add a 12 " saute pan to the set for FREE!! The store also had 10% off with a coupon, and a policy that gives another 10% off to those 55 and over on Tuesday. So Ka-ching!! I ended up getting $200 worth of stainless steel cookware for about $64--plus sales tax!!!

I really like how quickly the pans heat up, and with a little spray of olive oil or Pam, nothing sticks.

I started this post on Friday evening, but actually got around to posting late on Saturday night, so really early Sunday--got sidetracked late Friday night--dozed off in my chair. :yawn:

Today, thanks to the 1/2 price sale at our Salvation Army store, I solved the problem of my dead CD changer. A few weeks ago, I learned the reason it stopped working was way too expensive to fix, and I also discovered that it is pretty much impossible at the retail level to find a new bookshelf system with a CD changer (as opposed to a single disc CD player). Everything is designed to play the IPOD, and I don't have or want one.

Today, since I was already checking things out at the sale, I took a look at the electronics section and found a perfect system. It is very clean and works perfectly. It appears that it originally came with a remote control, so my next project is to see if I can order a replacement from the manufacturer, or get a universal remote that can be programmed to work with the unit. If not, I can survive without the remote. It is just nice to be able to put multiple CD's in have them play without having to stop every 30-45 minutes and change discs.

I also scored some Anne Klein slacks for $2.50!!!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. Keep warm and dry and don't let the last minute Christmas insanity frazzle your nerves.


Barb

gigi46

Happy Sunday!!

Yesterday was a great day to get things going in every direction, got up early and did all the Xmas cards, that is always a big job even so I enjoy write something to everyone, is a big job. Then to make sure everything that I was planning to take to the trip is ready to go, almost packed I need to get thing done this weekend because next week at work will be more then I can share. Today is laundry day and tomorrow our daugther that is in San Francisco arrives, she in Chicago now spending some quality time with her freinds I do not remember if I told you all about my plan for a Family Picture will be very casual we're wearing white and bare footed, will be taking at the beach, hope I can learn to post pictures when I get back and share my family with this family,:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Irene - what a wonderful idea about sending diapers.

Marie - Can't tell you enough how much I enjoy all the morning pictures, have a wonderful trip, enjoy your family and the Holidays.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Barbie - Your dinner sounded delicious, I'm so proud of you and Jake.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Gayla - Sorry you're not feeling well, its so hard to be sick during the Holidays, hope by now you're better, our prayers are always with Neil and your family, God Bless you all a give you and your family a blessed and healthy holidays.:smooched: :smooched: :smooched:

Sandy - So glad you're feeling better and won at Bingo, WAY TO GO GIRL!!!

Buzz - looking forward to hear about your appoitment on Monday, keep the faith and you will be ok:happy: :happy: :happy:

Have a great Sunday and keep warm, is very hard in this part of the country.

Gigi

CALIECAT

Good morning Sneakers

CALIECAT

Yeah fpr the Cowboys

viliberty1957

Well, I finally figured out the system of planning my post on Word before posting. Maybe I will get the hang of this yet.

Marie ….I am really enjoying the pictures you are adding. Very nice.

Gigi….You are a very busy lady. Have a wonderful trip.

Barb…The cookware sounds great. I also bought myself a present while I was shopping for others. It is a little one cup coffee maker. When I make a big pot I feel “obligated” to drink more than one cup. This works out great. I am a regular Salvation Army Store shopper. Being a woman “of a certain age,” I am more likely to find clothes I like there than in the regular stores.

Lynn…. I’m glad you are starting to feel better. Yes, prices are high in Alaska where my son lives. It is in bush Alaska…you have to fly in and out. When I lived there I had to fly to Anchorage once in awhile (dentist, etc.). I went with empty suitcases for my purchases. (You could still check more baggaage then.) I shopped at the Anchorage Costco and mailed everything home from the post office. I also ordered things once a year from Seattle to come up the Kuskokwim River on a barge. Living there was a great experience in so many ways.

Buzz…Thinking of you. Sorry you are having trouble with your eyes. Good Luck with that.

Gayla….Sorry you are sick. Hope you get better soon. God Bless.

Sandy…I got as far as buying cookie cutters. My great granddaughter is pushing for cookie baking. But I am not nearly as excited about it as she is.

Barbie…I thought about line dancing. It looks like so much fun. I guess I need to get started.

We are having a family Christmas at my daughters home. All should be there except the Alaska family. I'm looking forward to it.

Lafla

Hi everyone! We had a little more snow today so it is looking very white. I am still not feeling great. Dave says it is time to see the Dr. I do plan on calling tomorrow. I really am tired of coughing and I really need to get a bit of shopping done, gifts and grocery. I will take my list and do what I can tomorrow. If I am tired I will stop.

You all seem busy and looking forward to family and friends. Stay well and keep smiling. Gayla

delraybuzz

Hi everyone, I'm trying to lift my lids enough to see while "typing"! Crazy situation! But I miss you all!
BARBIE, your marvelous turkey dinner description inspired me to make our favorite cranberry sauce before running off to our favorite farm outlet. Since Mike is diabetic, and I stay away from sugar as well, I use Splenda and frozen applejuice along with cinnamon, cloves and allspice and of course the cranberries in about a 1/2 cup of water. I also add lemon zest, which I always have in my freezer! Your family's picture is delightful, and I assume they enjoyed your turkey? I'd have loved the soup with the matzo balls. How do you keep those from being fattening???

SANDY, your bingo skills are amazing! Good for you. I used to use the Quimica Alemana which my manicurist would bring everytime she visited Colombia. I'll try Amazon now that you found it! I see your back is still bothersome; hope it heals soon. :flowerforyou:

MARIE, you have become so proficient and clever with Photobucket, and your pictures are so entertaining! I got a kick out of the "tushes" wiggling away on The Cowboys!!! And you sound like an expert baker! Yum!!!

GIGI, I love retirement, and so will you. You'll probably be so busy you'll wonder how you ever found time to work! I wish someone would gift me with a Chico shirt! Hope I will fit into one pretty soon. They make their shirts for ladies with small busts! I do not fit into that description! When do you go on your trip? Looking forward to your barefoot countess picture! :smooched:

MARYELLEN, I hope you will get a well-earned rest over Christmas!

GAYLA, too bad about the bronchitis! Maybe just take a rest and you're so right about not having all those sweets around the house after the celebrations! Rest up! :ohwell: :flowerforyou:

LYNN, whereabouts are you located? The 2 hour difference intrigues me because I can't figure out where the "center of our activities" is! Like...2 hours from where? I know north of Florida has been severely cold, but I guess my area in South Florida didn't quite get below freezing last week. My orchids are in a vase and my palm trees look bare, but I preferred to save to flowers rather than take the chance on them freezing outdoors! Today hit 62 but very raw...and looked like snow! But this is December! Anyway, glad you're feeling better! :happy:

IRENE, you have a fascinating history! Alaska, wow! I've never been there, but always think about going! Having your son that far is difficult at holidays. But you are so thoughtful to send the things you do! Enjoy the rest of the gang at your Christmas get together.

I tried Notepad for this, and think it's simpler than Word for me. No setting up! :laugh:

By the way, how is our friend across the big pond doing with all the snow we see happening there? No more falls, Pam!!! :noway:

delraybuzz

Connie, looking back a week, I see you HAVE been taking off weight! It's not easy when you are being the "Caretaker". You are always in our minds and hearts, dear Connie!

lyn54

:laugh: Hey Buzz...I love that "handle"...I live in South Central Kentucky. The land of the the Kentucky Derby. I was born in Derby City-Louisville. I live down closer to Nashville, Tn. Actually, I can be in Nashville in 45 minutes. It takes and an hour and a half to be in Louisville. The Eastern Time Line is just 30 miles north of me. I am in the Central Time Zone. The I-65 Corridor is about 40 miles east of me. In Kentucky, if you don't like the weather as of now...it could change in 30 minutes from now. It's fun to watch them try to predict what we are going to have. Just like the ice storm...the percentage prediction was high but we didn't get it where I am it went north of us. We get a lot of our weather from Texas. Then it dips down sometimes from the northern area and mixes with the Gulf winds that blow up and that's when we have storms or snows or whatever. I'm not a hillbilly ...I don't live in the hill country. I actually wear shoes...most of the time.:laugh: :laugh: I don't own a pair of overalls ...:laugh: I dont' wear straw hats or have freckles:laugh: :laugh:

Gigi ...retirement is great!..I hope you will enjoy yours!

Have a good evening or moring...I am up late tonight. We went out of town to visit friends for Christmas. We didn't return home until 11:30pm. I can't unwind.

:yawn: :yawn: Good night all!!

lyn54

PS The picture in my ticker is the ice storm we had last Jan. That is my drive-way and my Dwarf Cherry tree in the middle of my sidewalk. That pic was taken off my front porch.

CALIECAT

Good Morning
Good Monday morning The Monday before Christmas

Irene ......
I didn't know you live in Alaska, What were you doing up there? Sound like you have some interesting stories you can tell us.H
ave a very merry Christmas.......

Sandy....
Your Christmas sound s like a lot of fun.

Gayla....
You get yourself well. Hate to think of you drinking all that junk feeling the way you do, Good to hear Neil got out with his Friend, His friend must be a swell guy.

Buzz.....
Love hearing from you, Hope your eyes get better. Been missing you a lot here.

Lynn....
Does your little cherry tree produce cherries.? I froze a bunch of them whebn they got cheaps and now have cherrries to eat during the winter months, We cannot grow them here. and I love them.

Maryellen........
Hope you get some rest soon..

Jeffrey.....
wishing you and your family a happy Holidays

Barbie..... What a grand year you have had. Reaching your goal. Not to many people can say that

Others that have reach their goal or so very close to it Gigi, Sandy, Jeffrey, Birdie.....Barbs And I am so proud of you all. Even the one that I forgot. Sorry about that.


here my picture for today

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: I just checked our birthday thread and there aren't any birthdays in our group in either December or January...thanks, Sandy, for reminding us that there is a birthday thread

:flowerforyou: Sandy, it sounds like you have an easier than usual preparation for Christmas....with all the things you do for your family and your current back pain, you deserve to have an easier time with others doing the preparation this time

:flowerforyou: Gayla, I hope you are feeling better......I had bronchitis a lot when I was working and it knocked me flat for days...maybe you don't need to do all that baking......nobody's waistline or cholesterol needs all that stuff

:flowerforyou: Buzz, I am so sorry about your eyes.....i hope the doctor has a solution when you go on Monday...there is no way to keep the matzo balls from being fattening......I make enough for each of us to have 3 matzo balls each and serve them in the soup with a measured portion of turkey and lots of carrots, celery and onions and the meal comes to just under 700 calories.....I try to eat very carefully the rest of the day and add in some exercise.......it is a huge treat for us but happens only a few times a year.......thanks for sharing how you made cranberry sauce.....mine is simple (berries and a small amount of sugar)

:flowerforyou: Lynn, I hope you are on your way to recovery...thanks for telling us where you live.....it makes it so much more personal knowing about your geography

:flowerforyou: Barb, you are amazing :bigsmile: no matter how busy you are you still manage to find bargains and exactly what you are looking for.....we are having the same nasty wind......Sasha hates it and the cats keep going out and staying for about 5 minutes and then begging to come back in which gets the dogs to barking so I'll know to open the door......i guess I get some exercise from that :laugh:

:flowerforyou: Gigi, I can't imagine the confusion of doing holiday preparation and preparing for a trip all at the same time but you are remarkable so I know you'll do well......I look forward to seeing the family photo on the beach.

:flowerforyou: Irene, thanks for sharing about the challenges of living in rural Alaska.....how great that you will have your daughters with you for the holidays.

:flowerforyou: Marie, I love your pictures, especially the snowman you posted on the birthday thread

:bigsmile: :bigsmile: I took the dogs to the dog park in the wind this morning....they didn't want to stay as long as usual.....my errands today were to go to WalMart and PETCO to buy pet food.......I successfully avoided buying any of the holiday stuff and bargains that were everywhere.....now, even if we get snowed in (which is unlikely) we can feed the pets for a month :laugh: I did a little bit of work in the yard but even though I was bundled up, my hands got too cold after 30 minutes.

:drinker: I went to an ornament exchange party yesterday.....there were about 25 women......I didn't participate in the exchange because I didn't want an ornament so I brought knitted bells that I make during the year (they're my easy project that I can knit in the dark----at the movies, in the car)

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and passed bells out to all the attendees....the food was wonderful. I stayed away from the sweets but ate nuts and stuffed celery and salad and trail mix and had to ride the exercise bike and jog in front of the TV all evening to make up for the indulgences.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

tlp8rb

Gosh - looking back it's been five days since I've posted here. Doesn't mean I'm not lurking. We're kind of at a stand still around here. Hubby should be even better than last time but I don't think he is. As a matter of fact I hauled him in to the hospital today for some lab work, chest x-ray and consult with a cardiologist. His blood pressure and heart rate were quite elevated last night and this morning. The home health nurse agreed that he needed to see a doctor. When I told him there was a possibility he was going to be admitted, he started to cry. This just stinks. Take care of yourselves and urge your loved ones to do the same.

They sent him back home with an admonition to drink more fluids (he won't), do some breathing exercises (he won't), etc. etc. I think he has a death wish.

We're expecting our daughter and son-in-law this weekend, and then our company from South America arrives on the 28th. They have a nine-year old and I don't know how I'm going to entertain them and take care of my spouse. Needless to say there are no cookies baked, no decorations hung and no Christmas tree and I don't think that's going to change.

Read with interest the talk about Nuts and Bolts. The folks at Whole Foods posted a "healthy" version that has fewer than half the calories in the regular version of this snack treat. I'll post it on the Sneakers recipe page.

So with that, I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas. Doubt that I'll be posting much in the days to come. Just don't have it in my heart.

Sandydur

Busy, busy day again. My granddaughter spent the night last night and got up this morning to go to Cheryl's and bake cookies all day.
I went to the dreaded mall to see if I could find a white sweater to go with the white faux fur vest I bought yesterday. You would not believe how hard it is to find a white white sweater, everything is off white and I wanted white. I did find one, but not sure I really like it now that I am home, so I may go back tomorrow after I get my hair done. We are going to see Wicked tomorrow night, but leaving early so we can go to dinner first. No card game tomorrow, but bingo Wednesday and meeting on Thursday. Keeping busy actually helps with the pain, I really think I am going to start exercising again, I think I will feel better all the way around.

Connie, I feel so sorry for you, I know you love your husband and I know how hard it must be to take care of him when he doesn't want to take care of himself. I will keep you both in my prayers and hope for nothing but the best. I am so sorry this has put such a damper on your Christmas and your company. Some things can't be helped but I hope in the end that all works out for both of you.
You are a special person and deserve some good days. God Bless you.

Barbie, thanks for the kind words I needed them today. I had a misunderstanding with my DIL last night and I felt so bad. She just doesn't have a sense of humor and misunderstood everything I said. All because a friend of mine asked me to ask her if she wanted to sell her daughter little kitchen set. She said no that she would never sell it because she would keep it for her (5) year old daughter children. I jokingly said what if she has no children and she said what does that mean? I said she may not want any children and might just want to be a professional. She said why would you say that? I said it was a joke and she said not funny.
I told her to lighten up, her daughter is only 5. She said with all that we went through to get Marisa why would I joke about something like that. (Marisa is adopted). I was only being funny, but evidently only in my eyes. I can never win. I apologized and today did whatever was needed to keep her happy. Even my husband said why is it we are always apologizing to our children like we are the kids and they are the adults. Thanks for letting me vent about that. :laugh:

Marie, you are always in good spirits and keep the rest of us smiling. I love all your pictures and love how you take care of us.

Lynn, good hearing from you and hope you are all well for Christmas.

Gayla, I am so sorry you are feeling so miserable especially for the holidays. I hope they postpone your test, nothing would be worse than drinking that nasty stuff and coughing at the same time. I am glad Neil's friend took him shopping and he got out without having to bother you. I wish you a speedy recovery and a better week.

Bears are winning over the Vikings which makes me happy but not my son in law who works for the Vikings.

Have a good evening.

Lafla

Hi everyone! I went to the Dr. today and I am now on antibiotics and hoping in a day or two I will start to feel better. We went in to the city early enough to do a very little bit of shopping and by the time I was done at the Dr. I was pretty much ready for a sleep, which is exactly what I did curled up in my big chair. I did sleep much longer than I had planned (3 hours) but guess I needed it. It is so rare for me to be without an appetite but all I can say is that I have certainly not overdone my cholesterol this week!! Oh and my colonoscopy has been postponed till early January. I know I couldn’t have done it. So now I will hopefully be well in time to get a few things to put under the tree for Dave. He is such a good shopper and I am not.

Buzz – So sorry that your eyes are not improving. I know that is so frustrating. I hope that something can be done for you.

Lynn – I enjoyed hearing about your home and seeing your snow picture.

Marie – You are so sweet, always. Neil and his buddy have gone through school together and have always been friends, lots of fighting and making up but always friends. His friend also has some learning challenges but does function higher than Neil and is able to manage a job. He works for the town. They have remained close and although they have fought like brothers sometimes they are still good friends. I believe Neil misses him now that he has moved away so I was very glad they got out together.

Barbie – You are always busy and that is a very good thing. You showed good restraint with the bargains which end up not being bargains at all sometimes.

Connie – I am so sorry that your husband is feeling so sad and frustrated. I understand that you are getting the brunt of it which doesn’t do much for your spirits. Although it seems like more work having company, I do hope that it turns out to be a joyful time for you both. I will remember you in my prayers.

Sandy – Blast that back!! I know how frustrating it is to cope with unrelenting pain. I hope that the exercise will make you feel a little better. Of course, you will not persist if it is making it worse so I say why not give it a little try. Babysteps, my friend! Sorry too about the disagreement with your dil. Babe’s sentiment about apologizing is a very true one. You look after yourself and don’t let the young’uns push you around!!

Gigi- Thinking about your upcoming retirement and remembering one year ago what an exciting time retirement was for me. I still highly recommend it!! Have a wonderful time with your family. Can’t wait to see your pictures!

Barb – Busy, busy girl! I hope you have some wonderful vacation time over the holidays.

Jeffrey – Hope the holidays bring good things to you and Day, especially two girls home for the holidays!

I know I have missed some folks but I will just say that as Dave says, I am not firing with all cylinders.

Take care everyone and keep smiling. It is nearly Christmas!! Gayla

lyn54

Hi Everyone!
I went shopping with the two oldest grandchildren..two boys. A 13 year old and a 6 year old. That was interesting I can tell you. My DH(Grandad) starts out thinking he is going to be so stern and he's a big push over. They always come up with a way to win his heart. :happy:

Gayla..I hope the meds help. They have me and still are. The zithromicin (z-pack) that I took works up to 10 days after you take the last pill. My sister had to go to Quck Care today. They gave her Cithromicin...it's new and is like erythromicin but it's a lot easier on your stomach. I hope I understood that the spelling began with a c. It'a new anyway. She was given nose sprays and cough meds and the bill just for the meds was over a hundred dollars.. It's expensive to be sick.

Marie..the cherry tree that I have has some small cherries on them but they aren't edible. It's more ornamental than anything. It is called a weeping cherry. You can grow cherries and plums here but I don't have a tree. I'm like you, I buy them at the grocery. My cousin is married to a guy from Wahsington state...now that state can grow wonderful cherries. Some of them that come into our grocery are from there. She brought me some, one time, we she visited out there...they were to "die for.." I love them.

Connie -I hope you don't lose your hope. May peace be in your heart, that is what I will pray. May you have some comfort.

I read, a while back, some stories about World War II on here. Several people in my family served but I will tell about two of them. My uncle (mom's brother) served in the Navy. They were lost in the Pacific for several months and were down to living on raw potatos when they were found. They had to stay quiet because of enemy ships. My grandparents didn't hear anything for several months. They were very worried. He did make it home. He had a family of four girls and died with a brain tumor when he was fifty.
The other uncle was in the Army. He wanted to be in the Air Force but was color blind. He was a medic but he served directly under a Colonel. He drove him around and was exposed to a lot of atrocities. He saw and helped with survivors of the Holocaust. It really bothers me that in recent years people are trying to pretend or say that didn't happen. I worry what will be done to the written history of all the happenings of that war in the future when eye witnesses are all gone. I pray to my God that isn't allowed to be forgotten. Anyway ..that Uncle was buried the 8th of December, last year ('09), a day after Pearl Harbor and was buried in the Veterans Cemetery at Fort Knox. Last saturday, they had a ceremony where they laid green wreaths with red bows on all the graves in that cemetery. If you could see the cemetery, you would understand what an enormous task this is. My Aunt said it was a very touching thing and such a simple elegant picture. My Uncle served as a Civil Sevant, until his retirement, under a Colonel at Fort Knox. He had his pilots license, train engineers license..and he was allowed into the vault at Ft Knox.

Another story..when I went to Gatlinburg back in the summer, there was a man who sat down by me. He had retired to Pigeon Forge, Tn..which is there close to Gatlinburg. He said that he was a salesman that traveled through there and loved the Great Smoky Mountains. He lived in Maryland before. He told me about serving in the war and some of the battles. He told me they slept on the ground on top of snow with no blankets and just the clothes on their back. One night he found an abandoned ambulance. He crawled in out of the cold. When awoke the next morning..he had slept all night beside a dead man and didn't know it. He said he never had a cold. He said people today, didn't know how good they have it.
My nephew-in-law is in Afghanistan. I guess I am thinking tonight of all the men who fought so that I can have a good place to lay my head, good things to eat, and the freedom to worship my God and have a Merry Christmas..or that you can have a Happy Holiday or whatever it is that makes you happy.
I pray that God will watch over our soldiers, our great country and keep our leaders. I pray that our Country will stay where people can have the freedom we all enjoy. That would be the best thing I could get for Christmas this year.

May God Bless each one of you this Season.