Serial Starters

Sara - I just realized I failed to congratulate you on your big win! Enjoy!

Glad I only worked 1/2 the day as our systems were down and from what I understand, they stayed down all day. Got some housework done, picked up DS from college, and had a nice supper. Now we're sitting across the table from each other. He is playing a game on his laptop. I am reading blogs/facebook/serial starters, etc. We are chatting and having fun. He's also shopping online for a gift for his girlfriend.

What do you think about this..

Growing up, my family was pretty poor. We celebrated Christmas and exchanged gifts. Often the gifts were inexpensive and practical in nature. We got PJs, socks, etc., as part of our gift along with a couple of toys, games, puzzles, candy, etc. My mom wanted to always stress the real reason for Christmas and not stress the gifts - but she still did gifts. I often feel we have spoiled our kids with wanting them to have nice gifts. We have tried to go out of our way to be sure we are getting them things they want or would like. We've probably spent too much. But we have also reminded and taught the real reason for Christmas and stressed that it's more important for us to be together and make memories.

DS's girlfriend was texting him tonight saying something about how we don't value gifts. I think in her world, it's more about gifts and less about the meaning. She apparently complained that DS hasn't surprised her with any gifts or anything.

We have never expected our kids to get us anything. I mean, they are now 18, 13, and 6. We buy what we want when we want it. But we always enjoy the gifts they have made for us in school, etc. DH and I rarely exchange gifts and if we do, they are usually small. But I do enjoy when he surprises me by bringing me a fancy coffee to my office or sends flowers on special occasions. We would rather go out on a date than exchange gifts. We haven't always bought our parents gifts for the same reason. We can't afford to get them what they might really want or use. They don't want more "stuff" to take up space in the house. We have always been sure to gift them with new portraits of our kids each year. Just last year, we returned to buying them gifts in the form of a variety of meats from the local meat market. Something they can use!

I told my son tonight that I'd rather go on trips together, even day trips, and make memories than get lots of "stuff".

Is that wrong?

Lana- safe travels and hope you are feeling well...

Annie- sounds like a great idea! BF and I don't exchange gifts, but will get something each other wants... like he found a pair of slippers he wanted, last night and I got them for him... people focus way too much on gifts... Christmas means so much more and so many don't see that anymore...

Weather is no fun right now... freezing drizzle, last couple days, snow tonight... winter advisory until noon, tomorrow... they are advising everyone to stay inside, tomorrow... dangerously cold temperatures...We cranked up the heat at work... trying to help keep the pups warm...
Not leaving the house myself, for next couple days... Time to get started on Christmas treats... still not ready... can't put it off any longer...

Everyone have a good evening and stay warm!

- Dawn

Sara- would love to see pics of pup...I always say I want to do silly Christmas pics with pups...Just never take the time...

ASalner wrote: »

Sara - I just realized I failed to congratulate you on your big win! Enjoy!

Glad I only worked 1/2 the day as our systems were down and from what I understand, they stayed down all day. Got some housework done, picked up DS from college, and had a nice supper. Now we're sitting across the table from each other. He is playing a game on his laptop. I am reading blogs/facebook/serial starters, etc. We are chatting and having fun. He's also shopping online for a gift for his girlfriend.

What do you think about this..

Growing up, my family was pretty poor. We celebrated Christmas and exchanged gifts. Often the gifts were inexpensive and practical in nature. We got PJs, socks, etc., as part of our gift along with a couple of toys, games, puzzles, candy, etc. My mom wanted to always stress the real reason for Christmas and not stress the gifts - but she still did gifts. I often feel we have spoiled our kids with wanting them to have nice gifts. We have tried to go out of our way to be sure we are getting them things they want or would like. We've probably spent too much. But we have also reminded and taught the real reason for Christmas and stressed that it's more important for us to be together and make memories.

DS's girlfriend was texting him tonight saying something about how we don't value gifts. I think in her world, it's more about gifts and less about the meaning. She apparently complained that DS hasn't surprised her with any gifts or anything.

We have never expected our kids to get us anything. I mean, they are now 18, 13, and 6. We buy what we want when we want it. But we always enjoy the gifts they have made for us in school, etc. DH and I rarely exchange gifts and if we do, they are usually small. But I do enjoy when he surprises me by bringing me a fancy coffee to my office or sends flowers on special occasions. We would rather go out on a date than exchange gifts. We haven't always bought our parents gifts for the same reason. We can't afford to get them what they might really want or use. They don't want more "stuff" to take up space in the house. We have always been sure to gift them with new portraits of our kids each year. Just last year, we returned to buying them gifts in the form of a variety of meats from the local meat market. Something they can use!

I told my son tonight that I'd rather go on trips together, even day trips, and make memories than get lots of "stuff".

Is that wrong?

Not wrong at all. I think it's sad that she expects those things.
I agree with you completely about making memories. I struggle with this with my husband. He wants to and especially when the kids were younger wanted to buy them all kinds of stuff. I think it's because he didn't have a lot growing up. Mainly because his father passed away when he was 14 years old. So his mother became a widow with 5 children to raise.

Hello All

I'm down at the house in North Carolina. So nice to be in a place w windows!!!
Sun was up this morning. Gorgeous.
I shopped at Trader Joe's.

Internet here is wanky--so using laptop is almost impossible.
Typing on phone isn't great either.

My goal for this week is to walk a little bit every day. I get out of breath easily still.

See you all tomorrow.

Lana

2 Batches of Apple Butter and Pumpkin Butter, finished... tomorrow will be fudge and possibly cookies... not quite sure yet...quickly lost all motivation, today... I'm just so tired and worn out, anymore... and, as much as I love my family, it is so exhausting making the trip home...I guess I shouldn't complain...I am thankful for my family...I just could truly use another month to prepare...hahaha

Sara/ Lana - good luck on walking more... Just so cold here, makes me want to be in and out as quick as absolutely possible... I'm such a whiner..hehe

Everyone have a good evening... Will try to check in later...

- Dawn

Monday!! Internet is better.....

Hi Sara - So glad to hear the good news about your new television. Wonderful! Plus you have a day off today. Enjoy it my dear~~ Tillie too!

Dawn, please send as much fudge as possible to the Cabana Boys to serve poolside, where we can dream/enjoy the hot sun and warm weather!!

Whoa Sara~~I was working my way down the posts!
CONGRATULATIONS on a Wonderful Winter Weigh In!!! You have been working it girl! Cheers! I am going to take some inspiration from you to turn my situation around.

Waves to all who stop by later on.

Lana

Hey peeps. Please add my as a friend. I've been as much as 240 and as little as 150. I've been paleo and done wheat belly and all that jazz. I'm on the band wagon for real this time, because my health is important and I want to get the habits seriously ingrained before I add kids to the mix (which are in the near future). So, my profile pic is my current pic, my diary settings are open. Support, tough love, etc. are all welcome to reach my initial goal of losing 10% of my current weight to be 212.6 by June 19 (6 months from today). More would be great, but I'm trying to start somewhere. Please add me and lets do this!

That's a beautiful picture and such a sweet looking pup... you should be very proud!

Hi all
I'm a habitual starter but hav never reached the goal line. I have been using MFP for about 6 mos. But of course not faithful. I understand with all addictions a person has to find there bottom before real and asting change can happen.
We'll I hit that bottom three weeks ago when I deliberately canceled out of a party where I was bring a cookie sheet pan jam packed full of 7 layer bars so I could stay home and eat bars. The part that I recognized as the bottom was the giddy joy/maddness I had inside of me after I placed the call to lot out of the party. Of course I ate everyone of those bars like a savaged animal.
I don't want to be that person and have taken MFP serious now. I have gotten two ladies that give day to day support. Which is good but, I need some people to chew the fat with. I believe I'll sit on in.