Good Sunday morning sistas!

Good morning sistas!

Less than a week now to Christmas.  I hope you are all ready.  I think I am.  I'm getting real close, anyway.  I'll be glad to get it behind me this year, but it's not so bad this week as I thought it would be.  I think having the tree up and decorations scattered around has lifted my spirits.  Also, finding all the little cardinals on my FB timeline has helped.  For those of you not on FB, rumor has it that when you see a red bird, it is a visitor from heaven.  For the past week, little redbirds have been randomly appearing on my FB timeline.  Maybe it is silly, but I choose to believe that they are visits from my beloved husband.  His way of letting me know he is okay and wants me to be at peace.

I meant to post yesterday about our sista, Patricia Troyer-Boggs.  Even though Pat hasn't been on OFF for a couple of years now, she's still a sista, and many of us are friends with her on FB.  Her husband, Bobby, had a bad fall a couple of days ago and did some significant damage to his eye.  Prayers would be a good thing.

I got a little more of my candy making finished yesterday.  I dipped all the cherry centers and the coconut balls in the dark chocolate.  But I was too tired to tackled the white chocolate dipping last night.  I'll work on those today.  My problem is that I can't seem to cook without tasting!  Anyone else have this problem?

Today I plan to clear off my desk.  It's a real eyesore!  This is the first house I've ever had where my computer desk is in plain view of the living room, the dining room, the entry hall, etc.  Normally I have my desk in an office and can just close the door and pretend the mess isn't there!  LOL!  But I will try to clean it up today.  I even have one of the kitchen chairs pulled up next to the desk and it is overflowing with papers and things, too.  And I have my big step ladder here and it is acting like a miniature bookshelf!  So I've got to make myself sort through all this crap and either file it or box it or throw it all away!

(My walk-in closet is another huge mess, but at least no one sees that but me! I need to donate more clothes and shoes.)

I just still have the problem of too much stuff and not enough storage room at this new house.  It would be fine if Mom didn't occupy the other two bedrooms and other three closets, but she does.  As a result, I am left with exactly one closet in my bedroom and it is overflowing.  These boxes are full of things that I want to keep.  I think after the New Year, I'm going to have to invest in some metal shelving for my garage and a BUNCH of those storage tubs.  I bought three at Wal Mart the other night that have foam around the rim to help seal them from bugs and things.  Maybe those might work.  

So you know the old saying, be careful what you wish for?  That is me this week.  Hoist by my own petard, as Shakespeare would say.  I wanted some time off from the boys, but it's been over a week since I last saw them, and I am missing my babies so much!  I do so wish Chris would get over her mad!  It's really starting to bother me.  I want to kiss and make up.

Well, time to fix a bite of breakfast and get on with the day.  Do y'all like cranberry?  I found these cranberry English muffins (Thomas brand) that are to die for!  I toast them like cinnamon toast, with butter and a little sugar and cinnamon.  They are so good!  It is just a seasonal flavor.  I should stock up and freeze several packages.  

Looking forward to reading more Christmas stories today.  Jeannie, your story was so sad and sweet and so very moving.  I felt rather badly about posting my own little "my childhood Christmas was wonderful" story after yours.  But, it is what it is.  I actually have several installments on my blog about Christmas.  I will post them throughout the week.  

Well, again, I've got to go!  Love you all!

Vic,

Your memory was excellent and one we can all relate to. Your daughter will come around and bring the boys over. I know what you mean about missing them so much and how panicky it feels if we think for one minute we won't see them again.   These girls. 

Hey Ladies,

I am so sore today from my near fall last night. My knee, I don't think, isn't damaged but it hurts as does my neck.  I need to remember to always be careful...DH said he thinks I tripped on the edge of the sidewalk.

In a bit, I am running to buy my granddaughter a pair of boots. They are on sale at the shoe store and she loves boots. 

I am also letting the kids decorate their stockings. On our way back from the shoe store, I have to stop at the university and get my craft box from my office so that they can write their names and use the glitter glue...I am also letting them use some buttons that I will never use. 

Well, hope you guys have a good day.  Stay warm. 

Good Afternoon Vickie and OFF,

I haven't read all the Christmas stories yet, and I have some editing to do to mine, so I can't comment yet.  

I saw Pat's post about her husband's surgery.  I'm praying.

I'm an hour behind schedule on getting things done, because I spent an hour on the phone with Amazon.  Too long to go into now.  But, I lost my temper, which is never good, but they comped me a purchase, which is one of my gifts to Izzy, if it arrives on time.

Called my sister, and left her a message, but forgot to close my phone.  As a result, I accidentally pocket dialed my sis-in-law, who is in England.  She attended a wedding there yesterday, and is flying home tomorrow.  So, she texted me because when she answered, all she heard was Utley barking.  She wanted to make sure I was okay.  Boy, do I feel bad.  She has overseas service on her phone, because her husband lives and works in Saudi Arabia, teaching English as a second language for an oil company there.  She only sees him about four weeks out of a year, which he splits up throughout the year, but they talk every day.  He calls her around 8:00 pm our time, when he's getting up for work.  I think he also calls her in the morning our time, but can't remember.  It's probably an easier marriage than when my brother was alive.  She went through some rough times when his bipolar disorder wasn't stablized, coz he ended up in an ER several times, with her following an ambulance to a psychiatric hospital.  Fortunately, I'd say he was stable the last 15 years of his life.  Before he was stable he'd start jobs, then quit them after a few months, and then they didn't have medical insurance, so she quit nursing school, to get a full time job, so they had medical benefits when the kids were little. 

So, since I'm behind on packing and chores, I have to get off the laptop, and get things done.

Hugs,

Trish

Hello Trish....I am so sorry you had to spend so much of your time on line with Amazon. I hope Izzy gets the gift in time. At least if it is late she is old enough to understand. Sending prayers!

Sorry you pocket phoned your SIL in England. She is quite the lady. I couldn't stand only being my husband for only 4 weeks a year. She has had quite a life!! I hope that doesn't last too much long!!

I hope you get done everything you need done before you leave town.

Prayers that you have safe travels!

Love and hugs to you.....connie d

Afternoon OFF family...well THEY are GONE!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Breathe deep and relax now!!!!!!!!!! OMG I went to Bingo last night just to get away for a little while...came home and Rick pulled me into the "Man Cave" and told me he was ready to send his mother home!!!!! What?? Why? Well our tv was pixiling so she was throwing a hissy fit...he then put in DVD's for her...NOTHING suited her fancy to watch...***** ***** *****played on her phone to Joey...OMG set Rick off!!!!!!! Each and EVERY time she comes here its ALWAYS about Joey this and JOEY that!!!!! She can't ever shut up about him!!!!!!! So we did our Christmas gift with them...gave her the blow up bed she so wanted...she opened it up...oh nice. Thanks. tossed it aside. Peggy got some bedroom slippers. OMG you would have thought she got the world on a silver platter!!!!! She loved them to death!!!!!! What a difference and they are sisters!!!!! WOW!!!!!!! That blow up bed cost us over $50 with the air pump separate...yes we got her the pump to go with it. She acted like it was a piece of crap we gave her!!!!!! I told Rick no more big bucks spent on your mother!! Oh...we also went shopping earlier in the day...soon as we got there...mind you it was a place that we seldom go to because its FAR away from us!!! Mommy says can we go get some food?? I am hungry!!! Don't mention eating BEFORE we get to the store...so we have to stop shopping to go eat!!! And where does SHE want to go?? McDonalds!!!!!! OH HELL NO!!!!!!!! I eat enough ****ty McDonalds!!!!! I want a place we do NOT have near us to eat!!!!! Guess who won that one??  I said I was buying but I guess mommy didn't hear and bought her own. LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Oh well!!!!!!!! Then I finally found a movie last night she was happy with she would shut up and watch!!!!!!!! I ordered a pizza and she was happy...she just picked at that...***** anyhow this morning could not get here fast enough and them leave!!!!!!!! Talk about being happy to see that car pull away!!!!!!!! And did Rick get a hug from mommy??? OH HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!! She drove her car up to pick Peggy up and never got out of that car to say good bye!!!!!!!! KMA *****!!!!!!!!!! They left and she drove so fast to get to...ready for it?? JOEY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then EAT!!!!!!!!! Peggy called Rick to let him know where they were...Rick told Peggy that they didn't stay here long enough for him to wake up and fix any breakfast...but then mommy can't eat right away.....WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyhow I am wrapping gifts for taking home to Michigan and then need to do laundry...then tomorrow get things done at work fast as I can and then I also need to call motel see if we can get in Wednesday instead of Thursday...we want OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!! We need to get away for a change of pace!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!! I don't even want to let family know change of plans...we just want to relax a day ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick is cooking a port loin roast and its almost ready...nothing fancy today so I KNOW this one will be good...LOL

Christmas Party went great...only one tenant swears she signed up for it and did not get a gift. I had the paper right with me to show her she did NOT sign up. She left in tears...so me being me yesterday bought her a gift and took it to her and told her MERRY CHRISTMAS...No hard feelings!!!!!!!!!!!! She said "You didn't have to do that!" Oh yes I did. If she would have been one of the *****es NO I never would have done it.

OK Back to wrapping gifts...back is screaming...Yikes. Hate wrapping!!!!!!!

Thoughts and Prayers for ALL that need them!!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

PS Mom is home from hospital again...told her that nothing is wrong with her heart....just needs to stand up slowly and WAIT a few seconds to let her BP adjust....then move out...hopefully this works and she won't pass out anymore!!!!!! Face is all black and blue yet and her mouth hurts a lot so she can't put her teeth in to eat.  But Thank YOU ALL again for the thoughts and prayers!!!! HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Hello Judy....I am so glad that your MIL to be  finally left. I would tell her next time to stay in a motel. You can't seem to please her anyway! I would be furious! How Rick can stand the way she treats him is beyond me. He is definitely disrespected my his own mother!! Why doesn't she just stay at Joey's all the time!!  Rick should tell her if she brings up Joey's name while in his home she will be asked to leave. No one enjoys her being there anyway!!!! She would drive me to drink!!!

I am sure your pork tenderloin will be yummy!! ENJOY!!

Have fun wrapping gifts. I love doing that!

I am glad your mom is back home again. I too hope she stays well so you don't have to spend Christmas at the hospital!

Love you much...HUGS....connie d

Good afternoon Vickie and everyone.....

Hello Vickie....I am glad you have almost all your Christmas decorations and presents wrapped and candies made!!! You did a great job!!

Desks sure to have a lot happening on them at this time of year. So many things at once! You will get it all pit aways and looking great by Christmas.

I have been reading Pat's  messages on Facebook. I have been praying for both of them. I am starting to worry more about Bobby. He needs to slow down. He also should have went right in after he hurt his eye. I am praying the surgery works well for him. Pat is so sweet and so worried about him too.  

I am praying that Christie gets over her mad and can be decent to everyone by Christmas. She needs to remember how much you love those boys and they love you. 

I have bought those Thomas' English Muffins. I love them!!! I had them here when the kids were visiting. They all loved them too. I put peanut butter on mine...yummy!!

I have never seen those kinds of totes with the foam. That should work great!

Have a great evening....I love you....hugs....connie d

I only have a few minutes to post. I tutor on Sunday's for a few hours and my little guy will be here I ten minutes. Other than that I am cleaning and washing clothes. Husband is gone for a few hours to a football gathering and my Labrador is snoring. I feel good today. Happy day to all of you too!

Julia

Hey Everyone - Had a busy day, Taylor slept over.  I had forgotten that Maura and Joe were going to see Star Wars yesterday and I had promised to babysit.  So it was a pleasant surprise when Maura called to say she was coming over with Taylor.  I love her visits - she told me last night I was "the Best Grammy!"

I've got all my shopping done.  Tuesday Taylor has a Christmas recital at school, and after that I'll be going to the Food Share to help prepare dinner.

Posted on the Christmas Story thread.....we all have special memories.