Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree from Shelton, CT
Christmas Lights on the Saugatuck River Bridge in Westport, CT
Twin of the National Christmas Tree at GE HQ, Fairfield, CT
Carriage Ride along Main Street, Westport, CT
Home Sweet Home Christmas Tree
Frozen Canoe Brook Lake, Trumbull, CT
160 comments:
Beautiful pictures Coreen. Thank you. Maybe I can get in the Christmas Spirit now.
Coreen,
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without your beautiful pictures. Thanks so much for sharing them!
It's inspiring to see what you can accomplish to celebrate the holiday.
... and, Renee.
I so much appreciate your kind comments regarding Emma and enjoying her excitement regarding the holidays from the previous thread.
I hope you and Rick are enjoying your white Christmas too!
Hi, Carol!
Thanks for the weather link (from previous thread, also).
No bad weather so far, although there was a quick pass through yesterday when some cold air came down and hit the hot air here. One (very loud) strike of lightening, and wouldn't you know it would hit our power pole. So we were out of service for a couple of hours. The power company came to our rescue thought, and it wasn't long before we were back up and running. We went to breakfast and by the time we got back all was well. http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USTX0820
I'm going to link our 10 day, and it doesn't look all that bad. Has there been any weather news from your house or camp?
Hope you are enjoying your west coast visit with sis. Please let us know what's happening and how you are doing (and feeling!).
Merry (almost) Christmas, everyone.
Jan, hope you are doing well too... and about ready for your trip.
Hey, Solar,
'If' you look in here, hope you let us know how you're doing. Merry Christmas (and all the rest)!
BTW, Coreen. Every one of those pictures is absolutely gorgeous... but my very favorite is the one of Brook Lake.
Your so lucky to live in such a scenic area.
Good morning guys and thank you...it is my pleasure to offer a little Christmas through my eyes...
And good news this a.m. the fog has taken a big bite out of the snow cover...it is almost 60 already...& that is w/o any sun...
and today the days start to get longer a minute or so at a time...
Thanks for the pics, Coreen…. beautiful! My favorite one is of the carriage ride.
Chloe… we're having the same weather as Coreen. We've already lost about 2/3 of our snow. We may lose the rest of it with heavy rains later today. So we might not have a white Xmas after all. But no matter… more will come.
Rick and I… his 2 brothers… their kids and spouses… and their kids kids will be descending on his father's house for Christmas. First time in a loooong time we will all be together for the holiday. We will miss Rick's mother.
Can't wait to see our latest great niece, Zoey, who was born a month ago.
My fav pic is the frozen lake. Reminds me of Anzel Adams photos.
Renee, sounds like a lovely Christmas. Those who are gone are always with us in our memories, especially when we share those memories with each other. I find that babies are wonderful for helping us thorough the grief process.
...also - love the name Zoey. Reminds me of a student I had years ago when I lived in ABQ the first time. She was a beautiful young woman from one of the Pueblos here.
Great Christmas pic Coreen. You braved the elements to get them. You are having summer now. It's a little warmer here. I'm glad the weather wasn't too bad yesterday down south. Arkansas got the worst again. Sorry you lost power Chloe.
Both my teams lost today. Saints and Seahawks. saints losing didn't surprise me. Seahawks did. Russel Wilson has never lost a home game...even in college. I guess he'll be in shock for a while.
Happy for your Pats Renee.
Hey, Carol. Sorry your teams lost.
Aside from that, hope you are having a good, peaceful holiday and that all else is going well.
Would love to hear about what you and sis will do for Christmas,as well as everyone else here!
ps How are Maggie and Fiddler doing?
Mary picked up Maggie from doggy camp and she is keeping her company. Mary is home alone this year. I feel bad about that because she is more into Christmas than I am. Everyone is coming over to nig sis's condo for Christmas so we get to do the cooking Whoopee.
Haven't heard about Fiddler except that a frien picked him up from the vets last week. I guess he is ok???
What does Emma want from Santa Chloe?
Carol, I bet Maggie will be much happier being with someone she knows.
We kept Terry (son's) dog a week while his wife was recovering. Ryley did fine for a few days then she quit eating her food. I gave her chicken for a couple of days. She ate that. She still would not eat her food for a couple of days after that. I finally went out back and picked up all the poop from the other dog. Almost immediately Ryley started eating her regular food again.
Carol, I know you will enjoy getting in the kitchen and preparing food again.
I am so happy when the holiday dinner is at someone else's house. My family always shares in taking food but I just don't enjoy having the whole gang over here. I used to love having everyone over. My family here has grown to about 15-16 here.
How many of the 15-16 are kids Jan.?
Carol, there are 2 little great grandkids (4 & 2) and one 12 y/o GD Then 2 sons and DIL's, one married granddaughter and her husband and 5 additional grandchildren and their girlfriends or other friends. I usually don't know until a few hours before which ones are bringing girlfriends. Once they started bringing girlfriends or other friends it got complicated. I would rather my sons and their wives hosted holiday get-togethers now. That way I don't over buy or cook too much or too little. I am getting too old to do the hosting.
From the Sunday NYT, a 25 question quiz to determine your dialect/speech patterns for where you come from...
And yes, my speech patterns are consistent with being from the east coast...
How Y'all, Youse & You Guys Talk
How Y'all, youse and you guys talk
Coreen, my dialect/speech patters are from the southeast. Most strongly from AR, the Carolinas, Al & LA. No surprises there.
It identified mr right where I'm from.
I used to love hosting but I always over bought and cooked too much. I can't stand and prepare food for days anymore. My back won't allow me to do it. I miss doing that,
The only difference between us Carol, is you enjoyed cooking and entertaining.
Coreen…. wow… I just took that dialect test and it says I'm probably from Worcester Massachusetts. I grew up about 15 miles from there.
I love hosting small intimate dinner parties… but I've never hosted a big family get together and I'm sure I wouldn't want to.
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
Eat lots…. drink lots (no, it doesn't have to be alcohol)… and enjoy!
I took the test again and 3 cities showed up; Little Rock, Montgomery and Mobile. Interesting. Never lived in Alabama. Lived in LR for 9 years.
Merry Christmas (almost)!
Carol,You asked about what Emma wants for Christmas, and the answer is anything and everything.
Her main presents is an XBox one though, as it will play her DVDs, download movies online and just about everything else once it's hooked up to her new TV (which she is getting too). We got a dance 'game' video for the XBox (which is one of the main reasons we got it) that she can dance with the image and while doing so we'll see herself on her big screen. Only children need lots of make-believe friends... and what an imagination she has.
There's be lot of little things she'll get too. Who else do we have to buy for?!
Everyone, getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner, since it's the only day of the year I actually do this, I seem to manage, but have to say it is time consuming...
Hope everyone has a pleasant, peaceful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...
I took your NYT quiz, Coreen (thanks for sharing it) and, not surprisingly, it was strictly west coast.
When you mentioned you were an east coast girl the other day, I was thinking how much I am definitely a west coast girl.
You can take the girl out of the ....., but you can't take the ..... out of the girl. I guess that's true.
Not sure if that quiz was linked or not (I think you're the only one that hasn't taken it yet Carol (?))... but just in case, here it is: How Y’all, Youse and You Guys Talk
My test said Louisiana. Chloe.
Coreen, you must be having your Christmas Eve dinner at your house. Hope it is lots of fun for you.
Chloe, I know you said you lived on the West coast. Is that where you grew up? I thought my test would come out for OK since that was where I grew up. I have lived in several states but AR and Alabama came up pretty strongly. So strange. I did date a man while in Dallas for about 4 years. He was from Alabama. John is from AR. I must be like a chameleon.
Merry Christmas everyone...& there was even a dusting of snow on Christmas Eve...
Yes Jan we did have Christmas Eve dinner at my home...Today it will be less hectic around here...
Merry Christmas!
Hope everyone has a good and safe one.
Last night Rick's nieces surprised him by making him a chocolate cake… his birthday is Christmas Eve.
His mother always made him a chocolate cake. Rick was very touched.
Renee, What a lovely thing for your nieces to do for rick.
I have a great grandson who was 4 y/o yesterday.
Merry Christmas to all. I'm home sick. Miss my Maggie. SOS has had company longer than she can tolerate. Why she scheduled this visit for sooo long I will never understand. Sis's x husband and kids are great. I was ready to go home a week ago.
Merry Christmas to all. I'm home sick. Miss my Maggie. SOS has had company longer than she can tolerate. Why she scheduled this visit for sooo long I will never understand. Sis's x husband and kids are great. I was ready to go home a week ago.
Coreen, Great Pics.!!
I hoping that all of your wishes came true....im not much of a Christmas spirit kinda guy....i do enjoy family get together tho....no matter what the reasons is......maybe on a day that doesn't matter to anyone but me....
Anyway...Happy Holidays to you alllllssss
Carol,
Im very glad that you seem to be doing a lot better. Keep up to good work.! Do some kind of light stretching exercise each and every day.....will check in later......later
Do you have power guys? I'm ready for some La heat.
"Do you have power guys? I'm ready for some La heat."
Carol,
Do the following for some heat:
Take a few deep breaths from your abdomen up to your chest...then let it out from the chest slowly...if you can..breath in through the nose...let it out through the mouth.
Do this while putting up you hands to the top of your shoulder..on the shoulder line...in between your neck and the top of the arm...you will feel a pulse...lightly touch it on both shoulders for three min....all the while breathing deeply and thinking about the suns solar heat.....
acupressure works.....deep breathing is cleansing......later
ooops,
Chloe, there is that guy in the forest that you wanted to see....at that time...few years ago....he was the only human ape to see it..and walk in it...hope that all is the same......hugs for Emma on Christmas day....later
Glad that everyone had a good Christmas... (whew! glad it's over!).
Jan,
I had forgotten that you have grandson almost the exact same age as Emma. Would love to hear about him and compare notes... (do you have pics?).
I was born in Indianapolis (burrr), but moved to California when I was still a toddler. So in answer to your question, Jan... yes, I was raised and spent my life, until we came here, in Southern California (I always say southern, because Northern and Southern Ca. are like different states... just like here where it's so big it's culture is like 5 or 6 different states in one).
Carol, I was surprised that test was able to pin-point you straight to Louisiana. The had me up and down the West Coast.
I noticed that I struggled with a few of the questions because I've picked up a few of the sayings/what I call things from here. So I was also surprised when the test pin-pointed me too.
That test is accurate. Did you take it, Solar?
Solar,
Thanks for posting that pic. I always think of you as being that guy and remember how much you wanted to be there a while back.
What a beautiful place to get lost... one with nature. I'll go there in my imagination too.
(... since it's just a fantasy, I'll pretend it never gets really cold there too!)
Carol? Are you staying through the New Year?
Sure would like to hear how you're doing.
... and Solar, thanks for the good wishes (and hugs) you send Emma. I always pass them on from her Uncle Solar!
Not sure about anyone else, but I am happy to say that I am happy that Christmas is over for another year!...and while everything went well, the lead up to Christmas is well just hectic...maybe its the aging process but it gets harder each year to prepare for it...
I'm past ready to be home Chloe. Sis and I have spent all the time we can handle together. I'm now staying with her x who is the world' s nicest guy. My neice and nephew and kids are headed over today. We all get along better. Sis doesn't get along with anyone for long. No one.! Especially family.
I had some uneasy feelings about this trip and they turned out to be accurate.
Is Emma having fun with her new stuff?
Yes I'm also glad. Christmas is over. I think most pele feel that way even if they love it.
I too am so relieved that Christmas is over. As Coreen said, the lead in to Christmas is so hectic. I have been feeling this for several years. A couple of times John and I have sneaked off to either the beach or a cruise and avoided it all. However, as I get older, I realize that I want to spend Christmas with family - at least for this year.
Carol, so glad you found someone you enjoy being with for the rest of your time there.
The evening last night with family was delightful. My 16 year old great grandson is such a sweetheart. He looks so much like my oldest 2 sons at that age that watching him brings back lovely memories.
We are, once again, on the road to Arkansas. We are in Amarillo tonight. John had a routine medical visit this morning so we left ABQ at noon. We will stop and visit my sister who lives close to Dallas tomorrow. Arkansas is only 3 hour drive from Dallas.
Carol, when will you be going home?
Chloe, would love to hear more about Emma's Christmas
So it's a good thing that Christmas only happens once a year, gives one time to forget how
much work it was!...
Jan, you & John are truly 'road
warriors'...just thinking about a 3 hour drive is exhausting...I find it hard to sit in a car whether riding/driving for even an hour...again I chalk it up to
aging...so be careful out there & enjoy your visit with family/friends...
Carol, any chance you can cut your time in WA short & go back home sooner than planned?...
Reminder, Downton Abbey Season 4 begins January 5, 2014...
Coreen, Thank you.
Looking forward to the new season of DA. We will be home.
Thanks for the Downton Abbey news, Coreen.
I feel like the last few weeks have been all uphill, but now that we've made it through Christmas, I feel like we're can coast through the New Year (and will).
It's nice just coasting on toward the beginning of something, and I always enjoy starting a 'New Year' (another chance to try to get things 'just right')!
Here we come, 2014! Hope it is a good one for all.
Carol,
Like Jan, I'm glad things are going well now. Enjoy the visit with your loved ones, and then come on back home! Miss having you here in this part of the country.
Emma likes the smallest of her presents the best. The little doll mostly, and the lip candies (like glosses) etc. The day before Christmas, I asked her again what she wanted for Christmas, and her answer was so simple. She said Candy.
Now wouldn't that have been easy!
Amen Chloe!...
I'm with you all the way to 2014...not sure if anyone can get it 'just right', (at least not for long) but I do think we should always strive to...
... little doll should have been plural. She loves her little dolls she got more than anything.
Yep, Coreen, I agree. All we can do is try/strive. Just feel lucky that we all get another chance.
Love you guys... and feel like we're all in this together. All for one and one for all! 2014! Bring it on!
Jan,
You and John be safe on the road. It's crazy out there.
YES… I am glad it's over. I did have fun with all the family… but… the 2 babies were in a very fussy mood. And I agree… the older one gets the more peace and quiet one wants. Am looking forward to New Years with a small party next door.
Chloe… candy… all she wanted was candy… ROFL!
Carol… it sounds like you should change your plane ticket… all winter is a long time to stay with anyone.
Jan… enjoy your travels and family. And let me echo it… be safe on the road.
Looking back at my comments - I meant my 16 month old GGS. Wow, if he were 16 y/o I would be much older than I am and I am old enough. LOL.
Appreciate all the encouragement to be safe on the road. I feel safe with john behind the wheel. I will be navigating today as we have not been this route before. Usually, it is I 40 all the way. We don't have GPS. Our car is 2006. The next one will have GPS.
When we travel, I am the GPS.
As if we didn't know already, the cost of everything always goes up...
The PNC Christmas price index has calculated what it would cost to buy all the items needed to fulfill the 12 days of Christmas presents...
This year the cost for all 364 items repeated in the song's verses is $114,651, up 6.9% from last year and 82.5% from 1984, when the index began and totaled $62,833...
For gifts of '12 Days of Christmas', the swans really add up
Now this is one of those how lucky can you get stories...good for this guy & his family...
Man raking leaves finds $1M Lotto ticket
I'm headed home monay morning very early. Only time I could find. Neice's husband will bring mr to the aiort at 4am. Yuk. Sis had good intentions getting me here but she wanted to cure me of all that ailed me and she couldn't. She got frustrated when she vouldmt. Ivr been hanging out with her x. We get along well but he doesn't know how to sit down and relax. He has spoiled sis and she expects everyone to do the same for her. I can't anymore.
I miss my fur baby. She might not even know me anymore.
Wasn't finding that winning lottery ticket wild?.? I bet there are going to be people saying they lost it but how do they prove that??
Carol, I know you will be happy to get home. I am always so happy to get into my own home. I bet Maggie will be happy to see you too.
We are in AR. Visiting my son, DIL and 2 GD's. Today was DIL's birthday. Her parents had a birthday dinner for her and invited us. It was lovey. Her Dad barbequed ribs. OMG they were so good. We also had salad, baked potatos and of course, a birthday cake her sister made. It was a lovely celebration.
Great story about the guy that found the lottery ticket.
Jan, Your ribs meal sounds so good, I've decided that's what we're going to have for our New Years day meal. Yumm... can't wait.
Sounds like you and John are having a nice visit with you family.
Glad to hear you're coming back home to Maggie and all that's familiar, Carol. She's going to be so happy and relieved to see you. It'll probably take you both a little to get back to normal, but good times on on the way.
So glad you linked that million dollar story, Coreen. Very uplifting (at least for the landscaper!).
... Renee, hope things are going well up your way. Are you and Rick ready for the New Year?
Enjoy, everyone!
Jan… I'm with Chloe… bbque ribs… YUMM!
Coreen.. who knew swans cost that much… :)
Chloe… we are going to our neighbors for a small New Year's Eve party. Gonna bake some cookies tomorrow… then we're all set. How about you?
Carol… sorry it hasn't worked out with your sis… but at least you both tried. Give Maggie a hug from us here at the swamp. And have a good flight tomorrow.
We went to a movie last night downtown Port Townsend. Saw Nebraska. Movie was good but sad. Everyone was laughing but I wonder if they had any family who had dementia. The main character reminded me of SF.
What was really interesting was that the theater had couches and easy chairs to sit in. And you could order food and wine and eat it in the theater. Google Starlight theater in Port Townsend. Pretty cool concept. The place hasn't been there long It was packed.
Carol… we have a theater like that in Nashua NH… and Rick and I go to one every year on Cape Cod in Falmouth where we do a timeshare week in spring. They are called cinema pubs.
We've never ordered any food except for the refillable popcorn and sodas. They're HUGE… refills… forget about it… we usually only eat half the popcorn and take the rest back to our condo.
Up and ready to go to the airport, so ready to be home again. Never spent this long away. . My neice's husband will bring me I spent the night with them. I sure wish they lived closer. My BIL is great also. Sis and I made amends. Sis can't tolerate too close of quarters with anyone. Don't know what is with my family dynamics but it's toxic. Wish I could find the antidote.
Don't know whats been happening: im having trouble getting on the swamp again...i can read the posts...but it won't let me post anything until i switch pcs....
Just wanted to wish everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEARS.....
Think that i will request a password re-set...and see if that will work or both pcs.....anyway Ive read all the post...and am also glad that Christmas is over...im going to tape the new years happenigs while watching another....and see it the next day.....yes i know its not the same....but im trying to get a new sleeping ryhthym going...and staying up all night will interfere with it.....but i do love to watch all of the parties that go on while waiting for the new year
Carol.....don't care if you still mad at me.....love u and hoping for the bestes of new years for you....will start nagging you pretty soon about tai chi...and light stretching exercises.....U to Coreen......glad that you are ok for the time being....time being...that is such a strange thing to type...don't look right to me.....or my being....
Jan, I absolutely love your attitude about driving....Happy new year to you and yours...
Spider Gal......did you get my gift or what?....Happy new years to you and what heees name?.....oh yeah....Rich, Rich....just saw my Brother Rick a cpl of days ago...he was taking care of my Mom....she is 97.....I like the name of Rick, Rick...Richard....sorta of comfortable...trust in them no?
Chloe....what can i say...but hugs and kisses for you and Emma also for the coming year. She going to start school this year now...kinder.....don't be over protective and don't be dressing her i goofy clothes.......later
ps,
Thanks to you rib lover....i decided to look in the freezer....and did remember correctly...i have a package of rib tips...not the same..but they do taste just a well....defrosting now....to replace that in the freeze....a cpl of bottles of Budweiser...hell with it....im going all the way...will make some fries, and a nice salad....spinach, kale, onion, tomatoes, red cabbage. an 8 grain piece of toast...that will go into the freezer until its like croutons.......you know....maybe this can wait until tomorrow night to celebrate the New Year....yeah that the ticket.......later gal pals....
Solar…
yes I saw the gift post over on TrailMix. I too have a brother named Richard… and we call him… well, Richard. Yup… gotta luv em!
I really like the name Pablo too… :)
My brother Richard is the youngest one in the family....when he was little he could not say my name Pablo...he would say Pipo....it stuck...my family calls me that....I slap him every time I see him....what the hell is a pipo.....going, have to switch pcs again...ifin i don't get back for a while...you know why....later
Will probabbly sleep a wrek when I get home. So tired.
Saints finally won yesterday. How did the Pats do? I didnt see the hame. Watched yhe Seahawks. Rhey also won.
Still cant type. Even wih one finger
Carol…
the Pats won their game and are the #2 seed in the AFC. They earned a bye and will not play next week.
I will be rooting for the Saints next Sunday.
Coreen… I'm thankful that your Jets eliminated the Dolphins… and I'm really glad to hear that Rex Ryan will keep his coaching job for next year. The Jets did much better then expected this season.
Carol, Looking for you to write us from home.
Our drive to Amarillo was without incident and very pleasant. Our trip the next day toward Dallas was not good. Pretty much my fault. The motel we were staying in was on I 30 outside of Dallas. I 30 would take us on into Texarkana. Before leaving home, I google mapped and printed out driving directions from Amarillo to the hotel. We should have followed this plan. I also was using a TX map. I saw a shortcut that went through Denton TX and talked John into taking it. Got lost. Was able to get my GPS on phone to work but due to my inexperience using it, I kept losing it. Finally, I looked at the little Dallas map in a little corner of the big map and saw we were close to Central Expressway in Dallas and I 30 crossed Central Expressway so we got there just fine but did 2 hours of driving around aimlessly. Naturally, we did some sniping at each other. Note to self: Next time, follow the plan.
We are now in Little Rock visiting with John's family a couple of days. John's son is coming in from Thailand. John and his other son are picking him up in about an hour. We spent time with John's brother and son this afternoon. Tomorrow will have lunch with John's sis, BIL and his niece and 2 sons. Not sure what will do New years day. May leave for NM and stop in OK for a short time.
I had a nufhtmare when I got home. Got the wring luggage. All my stroke meds wrre in the suiycase. I went to bring the suitcase back. My truck was dead and I locked myself out of my house. Frien camw with my keys. 2ent to airport and my bag came in with the later flighr. Ir was a horrble end to a stressful. Vacay.
Thete was a movie maybe called tlhe toourist that my day reminded of me of yesterday. It was so bad that it will be funny thonking about it in a few years. But not yet. It will take a while
Hey everyone…
have an excellent New Year's Eve!
Out with the old…. in with the new… 2014 will be a good year. After all… it all adds up to a seven… and we all know seven is a lucky number!
If anything could go wrong, it sounds like it did, Carol. I hate those kinds of days, where each bad thing seems to precipitate another worse thing.
Now you need to sit back and wait for things to get back to normal, helping them along in any way you can. At least you'll have more control from here on out.
Awfully cold last night and today, but things should be getting a little warmer for a few days, anyway. Meanwhile, I'm trying to stay warm in every way possible.
The countdown begins to the New Year soon, but I plan on being asleep before the clock strikes midnight. I'm more concerned with waking up to a New Year day feeling rejuvenated and refreshed than watching the time. I'll spend the rest of the year celebrating.
Hope everyone here gets to celebrate in their most preferred way and that 2014 is your best year yet.
Hey guys, Happy New Year's Eve!...
It's almost a new day & a new year...time to say goodbye to 2013 & welcome 2014 & the chance for new beginnings...
Here's to a great year ahead for everyone...
It's just got to get better. Please..........
I went out to thecampand my large heater/ac was burned up and I need a new one. Hope I can find one this time of year. My neighbor said they quite selling them this time of year.
Carol, all things considered, you made it home...how about Maggie, did you get her home yet...
Praying that 2014 is my year.
I've never heard of there not being AC/Heating units not selling year around, Carol. That's crazy.
If there out of the unit you want one place, they'll have it another. Hell, you can even order any of them online. Get yourself a trusted guy to find it or order it for you. There's lots of different brands, and they should be able to find you competitive prices. A change out shouldn't involve much labor cost either.
... I wonder why in the world it would burn out while you were gone? Who used the expression 'burned out'? Are they talking about a lightening strike or power outage burned it out, and could it be the power that is blown or are they sure it's the unit?
close. The wires in the unit we're all burnt. It's a window/ wall unit. The electrician told me and he doesn't doesn't sell them or put them in. ill get my neighbor to do it. I called and found one at Lowes. I'll get it tomorrow I think it is the same one I had.
The electrician checked the breaker and power to the unit because it did flip the breaker. I need a guy like my sis' husband here and she doesn't appreciate him. He wants me to move up there but there's no place like home. I tried to click my heels together to come home sooner but it didn't work. Temp is about the same here as it was there when I left. I may not have healed up there but I'm more confident than when I left. Not sooo fearful.
I told myBILhe was welcome to move here. I'd appreciate him
When you coming home jan?
Carol, I have to laugh when you talk about your BIL. I remember you talking about what a nice guy he was. You have had your share of bad experiences lately. I hope 2014 brings better luck. You did find a new heater. Maybe that means your luck is changing.
Carol, Chloe, Coreen & Renee, & Solar, thanks for all the good wishes for 2014. and I want to wish all of my friends here a safe New years eve and a Happy New Year.
2013 has been both positive and negative. John and I still have our health. Sure, we take a few meds but we are able to get around and do the things we most like to do. We are slower. We have our times that we get annoyed with each other but I feel blessed to have John in my life. John's brother and SIL married 3 years after us. Theirs was a 2nd marriage for each. They have separated and he is alone. I feel sad for him. She is 10 years younger than him. She is the one who left. I am feeling a little angry at her. His health is not that good and I can't help but think she did not want to be saddled with someone with failing health. Oh Well. I am sure I don't know the whole story.
Carol, I have to laugh when you talk about your BIL. I remember you talking about what a nice guy he was. You have had your share of bad experiences lately. I hope 2014 brings better luck. You did find a new heater. Maybe that means your luck is changing.
Carol, Chloe, Coreen & Renee, & Solar, thanks for all the good wishes for 2014. and I want to wish all of my friends here a safe New years eve and a Happy New Year.
2013 has been both positive and negative. John and I still have our health. Sure, we take a few meds but we are able to get around and do the things we most like to do. We are slower. We have our times that we get annoyed with each other but I feel blessed to have John in my life. John's brother and SIL married 3 years after us. Theirs was a 2nd marriage for each. They have separated and he is alone. I feel sad for him. She is 10 years younger than him. She is the one who left. I am feeling a little angry at her. His health is not that good and I can't help but think she did not want to be saddled with someone with failing health. Oh Well. I am sure I don't know the whole story.
Happy blessed and wonderful New Year to all of us. It's nice to be home even with the small flaws. I have good friends. It will be a great year.
Jan,
What a beautiful job you did of condensing the past year down to the things that are most important. Your gratitude and judgment are perfect!
Very glad that you found 2013 to be a good year, also, Carol, in spite of the struggles.
Hope 'everyone' has found lots to be grateful for this past year and will continue to do so in the future. I know I have and will.
Forward and beyond! Happy 2014 Carol, Coreen, Jan, Renee, & Solar. Alphabetical, like Jan did, emphasiz equality. Love you all.
emphasiz = emphasizing
Love to you too, Tony (if you look in). Am hoping you are having a good holiday with family and friends. Would love to hear how you're doing.
Looks like lots of snow for you NEers. Get the plows out.
And.
hAPPY. NEW. YEAR
Happy New Year guys...Just think we all made it through, one way or another, so that's not bad...& as Chloe said we can all try to keep going 'forward & beyond'...
And yes Carol, although the sun is out & there is no snow cover left, it is really cold (fingers were stinging/burning this a.m. when I got the paper, threw out bird seed)& all reports say 4" to 8" snow will be here starting maybe tonite, through Thursday into Friday...
but it could be worse some parts of the Midwest already in single digits & snow, so we will manage to get through it again...
More snow is coming…. YES!
We've lost most of our snow… only about an inch or 2 left on the ground. It's cold… so that means the snow will be light and fluffy.
It's winter… it's suppose to be cold. I LOVE snuggling up to our pellet stove with a good book at this time of year. It's also great weaving weather. I also LOVE how my little cat, Peanut, sleeps right next to me at night in wintertime.
Had a good time last night with our neighbors. We ordered Chinese take-out. By the time we got it, we were huuuuungry and ate like pigs… :)
The neighbors across from us shot off some fireworks at midnight. We came out and gave them some applause.
Carol, Chloe, Coreen, Jan and Solar… hope all of you have a spectacular new year!
All is well in carollville! Fur baby is now home and happy to see me. I have more confidence, less fearful. Need to go to the grocery store for food. Nothing here. All we ate was organic and gluten free. It will be nice to get some poison back into my system. I will miss the crusty, organic fresh baked sour dough bread. Went thru several loves.
There's no place like home!! I went and bought a new AC/ heater and myneighbor already has it in. Great neighbor also. Watching LSU. Play Iowa.
I know it will be a great new year.
Carol…. good for you!
I too watched the Iowa/LSU game…. congrats to LSU!
Don't forget to give Maggie a kiss from us.
Carol…
I forgot I wanted to tell you that ESPN is starting a new channel in August dedicated to SEC sports. They've hired Tim Tebow to be an analyst on that channel. I know you're a fan.
I will be rooting for the Saints on Saturday night.
Maggie is covered with kisses. I'm so glad I have her back. I don't think I'll ever leave again. At least not for that long.
Carol, sometimes it is good to go away in order to feel gratitude for our homes. So happy you are happy to be home and being with little Maggie. I bet she is wagging her little tail for joy.
Renee, your home with your pellet stove sounds cozy. I too love curling up with a good book are a quilt to work on when it is cold outside. Nothing else like it.
Coreen, So kind of you to feed the little birds. it is bitter cold here in northwest OK and very windy. We just got off the I40 after about 9 hours of driving.
Chloe, at this time you have the warmest weather, I am sure. Or maybe you too Carol.
I will be glad to get back to ABQ. I hate the wind here in western OK. It is always windy and so when it is cold, it is triply worse.
John's son came in from Thailand. He had no where else to go -so we are taking him home with us to ABQ. He needs to get a new start in life. He was married to a woman in Thailand and they are splitting up. He is a muy Tai instructor, kickboxer, and has worked made commercials for TV- we are hoping he can find a job in ABQ to fit his many talents.
Ryley has done so well on the trip. When I was making our reservations for tonight's stay, the guy making these was telling me he has a little Maltese and we spent several minutes sharing positive traits of this breed.
Jan, How great that you and John are in the position to help his son get a new start. It can't be an easy position for him to be in.
I didn't know Ryley went with you on this trip! How great, and am glad that things went smoothly. It didn't take him long to become an important part of the family.
I think Carol's weather is problem just about identical to what we're having (at least it usually is). We do have more cold on the way and it's been pretty consistent this year. I think Albuquerque may have actually been warmer than here during part of the time you were gone.
Welcome (almost) home!
Carol,
It is so good to see you reunited with Maggie and to hear you looking forward to the future. Hope is all we've got, and losing it is almost impossible to live with. So lets keep it alive!
Love hearing all the positive emotions here. You guys are all great.
It's really cold up in your area Coreen. Don't think I could handle that. Can't even handle thinking about how cold it is.
It's in the 50s here and I'm still col.
I didn't have my cabbage and black eyed peas today but that never really worked so I had a pizza.
My Yankee friends: I'm watching the weather and feeling for you guys. My fur baby is at my side.
. I woke up pondering my family dynamics. I wish I understood them and could figure out what I could do about them. Why are families so effed up? I can trace it back to mom'smother who left her with her step father and two step brothers. One step brother died very young of pneumonia.
One bad apple, grandma, can screw up the entire crate and all the fruit to come. I realize we are all doing the best we can considering. I love my family but at times don't like them at all.
I have to say that I am glad that I didn't have my own family to pass this pathology to pass on to. Small blessings
Renee , you have a pellet heater? Is it better than a wood burning stove. I'm thinking of getting something for my big room in the camp.
Renee, I fear for my Saints. The only consistency they have is that they don't play well on the road or in the cold. How will the weather be in philly Saturday?
Jan… hope everything works out for John's son.
Carol… we have both a pellet and a wood stove. We only light the wood stove at night when it's really cold or the power goes off. I really like the pellet stove more because it's electronically controlled and we can regulate the heat. We fill the hopper once a day… unlike a wood stove that has to have wood shoved in it every few hours. But it's drawback is that the pellets come in 40lb. bags. I have a husband that can deal with the weight.
I've heard it said about Brees that he prefers domed stadiums and really hates the cold. Sorry to say that the northeast is going to be frickin cold Saturday… one of those nights we will probably light the wood stove. I'll be watching and rooting for them Saints anyways.
We made it home about 2 this afternoon. I had my car in the shop. Have it back now. Still does not sound good to me. May be time for another car. This is a 1999 van with 191,000 miles. All the work this time cost me over $1000. We will see.
John's son is downstairs sleeping. His biological time clock will take time to get to our time zone.
We also came home to plumbing problems. Sink is leaking. Plumber will be here tomorrow.
Ryley seems glad to be home too. She has been running all over the house this afternoon. She was on my heels while I put things away.
Renee, I have had friends with pellet stoves. They really like them.
Carol, my mother had a tough time as a kid too. I did read a science article the other day that they have found that traumatic experiences can affect our genes throughout life. This can also influence future generations. So whatever traumatic experiences your mother had can actually affect your genes.
Jan, glad I didn't pass those genes on.
Let us hear from our snow bunnies. Are you warm enough. I can't get really warm this winter. Lost my fat reserve.
How do you think the legal sell of pot will work out in Colorado and Washington? The equivalent of smoking one joint can get a person a DUI. that will be a new legal way to incarcerate more people. The jail lobby will love that.
Carol…
yeah… it's cold. But this was mostly a coastal storm.
We only got about 8 inches of snow… and the wind is not blowing this far inland. It might be worse for Coreen.
And yeah, I agree… the jail lobby will love the new law in Colorado and Washington.
As for family relationships…. is there really such a thing as a family without some kind of dysfunction.
I love both my brother and sister… I get along with both of them. But if I had to spend a week with either… I'm sure I'd want to kill them (and they in turn me) as well.
IMO, being able to spend a few days is fine… longer is pushing it.
Renee, I love your statement - only about 8 inches of snow. That sounds ominous to me. But I think you have said that you love the snow.
I agree about family relationships. I love being with my sister but our time together is usually one to three days. We remain friends that way.
I have a grandson and GD in law in CO. She has been talking about the new weed law there and apparently houses in her community are selling like hotcakes.
BTW, the phrase "selling like hotcakes" is an OK thing.
Looks like we managed to get through another snow event...about 6" (closer to the low end of the weather reports, & even though they all keep saying oh but it's fluffy & light to shovel...obviously they never picked up a freekin shovel in their life! trust me shoveling even a few inches is not easy, contrary to the morons who run their mouth on tv during every storm...but this time, the snow is less of a problem than the bitter cold & wind...it was 8 when I was out shoveling & clearing an area for bird seed this a.m. & the wind was brutal..
still pretty nasty out there, even with the sun out it is only maybe 15 & windy...but we got through it...
Coreen, I hate the wind especially when it is cold. My sympathies with both wind and shoveling the snow.
I keep typing my comments and then it disappears. Can't starlet over. Too much work with one finger.
Anyone see Nebraska? I have mixed feeling about that movie. Reminds me too much of SF. Those couches we sat in we're too comfortable. I fell asleep before the ending ang it was the best part. Of thr movie. I quess I'll rent it if it come to Redbox.
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