WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2020

Morning, afternoon and evening, everyone, wherever you may be...

Rebecca - thank you for reminding us of Gloria. If you're willing to PM me with your address, I have more than 100 Forever stamps I can send you--long story for why I have them, but I'll be happy to send them along to you. I no longer send snailmail, so they should go to someone who actually does.

Machka - so glad you got your new glasses!

Allie - hope you're feeling better this morning. Thinking of you, my friend.

Flea - My best friend is moving toward canceling her scheduled December trip to Hawaii, as well. They only planned to go for a week to see her daughter, so spending 14 days in quarantine would be problematic. They're waiting on their test results now, because they both had the virus in October, and there's a one-in-five chance they may register as positive on the test because that can happen as long as three months after recovering.

Lisa in AR

Hello again, my chickens!

Yesterday was rainy and cold and dreary around these parts, so I hopped off to Lowes in the very early morning and picked up a steel standing shelf (2 ft deep, 6 ft high, and four feet wide) that was on sale. Worked all morning and afternoon to put it together and start moving stuff onto it. It will serve as a place to store blankets, pillows, suitcases and other storage items until we remodel the exercise and sewing rooms into a master suite, which could be years at this rate--and when we do, it will be great shelving for the shop. Still got lots more sorting to do, as both the small rooms have closets that served as a place to hide things that we weren't using at the time. I see in my future at least one garbage bag full of "Why the heck did I keep that?"

Regarding Christmas - I have very few good memories of Christmas growing up, or in my early adulthood. My family all went at least mildly whack-a-doodle every Christmas. I avoided being anywhere near my mother's house in Texas for many years.

Just as an example, one memorable Christmas, Mama threw every decoration she had, including the tree, into the burn barrel and set it on fire. I know this because she called me in Montana and told me so. Apparently, Linda, her daughter-in-law who lived next door, had told Mama she was hosting Christmas with HER family, and that Mama wasn't really her family, so she wasn't invited.

This did not go over well, obviously. Harks back to the old Southern usage that someone who is cursing is "losing their religion." #ReasonsNotToGoHomeForChristmas.


My reluctance to go to Texas did not mean that I didn't enjoy the trappings of Christmas, though! More of my favorite things at this time of year:

• The Mormon Tabernacle choir.
• Boys' choirs.
• Mannheim Steamroller.
• The scent of pine and cedar, cinnamon and cloves.
• Grandchildren's excitement on Christmas morning.
• Picking the exact right gift (doesn't happen often).
• Weird cranberry jelly in a can, so you can slice it using the circle patterns the can leaves imprinted on it.

Later y'all,
Love,
Lisa in AR

Just popping in to say hey y’all!!👋
Debby in Va

Annie you are not alone with Christmas...

I remember a mother who either got stressed out or got sick at Christmas. She would also make every cookie under the
planet. This is the reason I never got involved in a cookie exchange I did not want to make or have that many cookies ever again.

I decided I would pace myself and do the things I felt were important and let go or the rest. I make two pans or bars and one batch of chocolate chip cookies and give to neighbors who I know like them just enough left for us.

I will miss the singing this year.

I am enjoying the outdoor lights this year. I drive home when it is dark so they are lit when I come home. My favorite are the simple light displays with a few figures that light up. One in particular is so lovely. It is all white lights. They have two Christmas trees outlines made from the white lights and then have them strung across their gutters and bushes. Stunning.

Margaret

My parents kept Christmas simple ... maybe that's why I do too. It's a time for rest not stress. It has always been one my family's rest periods ... sleeping late, laying on the floor playing games, naps, curling up with a stack of books, going out for walks or cross country skiing, quietly listening to Christmas music with just the tree lights on and drinking hot chocolate or eggnog (no alcohol).

M in Oz