Good evening, ladies!

Is everyone succumbing to the last days of Christmas rush? Hopefully your treatment went well, Charlotte, and you'll be in fighting form at the end of the week. Get lots of good sleep until then. SunnyD, be sure to get some rest while you finish getting ready for Christmas. Bluet, how was your weekend?

Candlelady, so you're one of those early morning shoppers. I remember you said you don't sleep well, so all these early store hours must sound pretty good. When I lived in Boise about 1/2 mile from a Shopko store, I'd roll out of bed the day after Christmas and catch all the after Christmas stuff. Around here it's a little harder because it's a lot more crowded, and I hate crowds. Is your grandson all wound up about Christmas, or is he still too young for that?

Well, tomorrow my daughter and SIL arrive from Norfolk tomorrow via Chicago where they are spending tonight with his folks and celebrating an early Christmas. Today was another busy day for me. After getting up and fixing breakfast for my Dad, I did my stretching exercises, then it was off to the gym for 45 min. worth of weight lifting. After that, I stopped off to the store on the way to the other gym where I got a 15 min. chair massage, home by 10:30, in and out of the shower in record time, ate a little breakfast, and then made it to my 11:00 am appointment. Dropped off a video on the way home, got my Dad's socks, shoes, and watch on him, then I spent some quality time with All My Children. The afternoon was spent doing laundry, mopping floors, and washing windows. I'm beat.

My oldest son called, and is worried because he thinks his ex might try for sole custody. She now has a sugar daddy, and my son is worried the guy might fund a custody battle. This from a woman who wanted less time with the kid and more time for herself just a few months ago. My poor son is really worried. I told him not to borrow trouble, but it's stressing me out, too. I don't know why a judge would want to change a perfectly good joint custody arrangement, though. I think the ex is just stirring up trouble because she enjoys the drama.

Hope everyone is having a peaceful Monday!

Good Evening,

Well, we are getting socked in with snow and cold temps all day today and the snow picked up tonight. DH was going to plow the yard out tonight, but decided he might as well wait until morning, hopefully it will stop by then. I guess I can put up with the cold, but the snow I can't stand. A truck pulled out in front of the car in front of me on the way to work this morning, and the gal in the car had no place to go, it was a minor bump, but it look like there was going to be real damage the way they were sliding around. I was so frustrated I was almost crying.

I have my Christmas project done for the kids and all my Christmas shopping done, I just have a few things to wrap and I am done. I will finish wrapping tomorrow night. Then all I have to do is grocery shop for the weekend and I don't plan to do the store scene for awhile. It's been fun, but I wouldn't want to make a career out of it.

Wow, Sunny, you house is just lovely. Looks so Christmas, puts a person in the right spirit . I can see why it takes you a while to get every thing done.
What happen to the 3fatchicks sight? The format has changed and I have to use the horizontal bar to able to read the posts. I thought it was something I did to my computer, but it is the same on my computer at home too. Take some time to rest Sunny, between all those Christmas parties you are attending. Bet you are not having any fun.

Sheila, How exciting your daughter and SIL are finally going to be home. You will have a lot of catching up to do. Will your Grandaughter be able to travel from Boise to spend Christmas with you? That is probably a dumb question, I suppose her Mother wants her with her at Christmas. Things will work out with your son and his ex. Your son hasn't done anything to have the judge change the custody, he will just have to have faith in himself that he is a good Daddy. I hope you have the best time ever with your children all home with you and DH and Dad. I wonder, what Dad will be calling your sons and SIL when he wants to refer to them? There is going to be more than that guy and the other guy at your house for a few days

Oh Charlotte, it seems as though you just had a treatment and it is time for another. This really puts a dent in your Christmas preparations, your treatment and the funeral. All will turn out though. Hope your feeling better by tomorrow, we miss you.

Diane, you made me chuckle when you were talking about Christmas in the seventy degree weather. That would be cool with me, that's for sure. You must be all ready for Christmas now. Are your children coming to your house for Christmas? Are you making a big meal for Christmas Day?

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful snow free Tuesday, That won't be the case for us, but then so be it. Sheila, really, I didn't want to hear that it was mild enough for Cherry blossoms to be out.

Good night everyone.
Bluet

Good morning dear friends. I am so sorry the weather if not cooperating with you, some very bad snowstorms I saw last night on tv.

Bluet my children are coming over Christmas morning for our Christmas. We are having Mexican food for Christmas, not very low cal but good. There is always the new year to get back on track, huh? You be very careful out on those slick roads. What are your plans for Christmas?

Hi Sheila, I am a early morning person but after noon I am not worth anything.
Bradley (grandson 21/2) if excited about Christmas. My daughters husband comes from a large Chec sp? family, there last name is Slovak and they have already had 2 Christmas get togethers so he is getting into the swing of opening presents. How about your little one?

time for more. Everyone have a wonderful and productive day. I am off of here to go get makeup on etc. and head out one more time to the grocery store. After I get home I am settling in this house until after Christmas, so I will quit spending money.

Enjoy the season ladies, Diane

Just stopping in for a few minutes. The kids came, and my DH and SIL went out, and my DD and I are going to watch a movie.

Charlotte, I am so sorry about your beautiful horse. What a horrible tragedy! I'm betting that you can't wait for what hopefully will be the start of a much better year.

Bluet, SunnyD, and Diane--hello! Will talk to everyone later when the kids go out tomorrow.

Good Evening,

Just a few lines, I stayed up too late wrapping presents and doing Christmas things. I'll be beat tomorrow if I don't get to bed. I had ordered two Nascar ornaments from ebay and they were shipped priorty mail, I wondered where they were? They should be here by now, so I went and looked on the front porch, which we hardly ever use in the winter, and there was a little priorty box covered in snow. So I have all the grandkids ornaments now and can finish wrapping their presents. We buy them each a savings bond every year, but I always have an ornament that I date and a little book or something for them to open.

Sheila, I am glad the kids made it home safely. I know you are going to have a delightful Christmas.

Charlotte, sorry about Molly, and the near car accident. Yes, it is pretty hard to calm down and not be stressed when there seems to be a surprise around every corner. Hopefully things will calm down soon.

SunnyD, miss your posts, but know you will be back soon, after the Christmas rush probably.

Diane, the children, we have four, three girls and a boy, are all coming home for Christmas on the 26th and we will have ham and things that go with it, everyone will bring a dish to pass. We will start with our meal at 1:00 and then open presents. Should be a great time. Looking forward to it.

Have a good Wednesday everyone.

Bluet

Wow, SunnyD--two feet of snow and still snowing! Someone must have been dreaming of a white Christmas! Hope you'll be able to get to your Christmas programs. I imagine you're all used to driving in deep snow. Ooohh, I can imagine all those lovely smells coming from your home tomorrow.

Diane, it sounds like Bradley must be having a ball with all those pre-Christmas celebrations. My GD likes the lights--her parents lay her under the lights, and she loves to watch them and smile. She sometimes crinkles the tissue paper up, too. She can't open her own presents so she doesn't really get the excitement of it. I buy her lots of clothes, which her Dad appreciates, and books, too. She only likes a couple of toys, one especially that better never wear out! Mexican food for Christmas sounds really good to me. Do you make it or does someone else? What are you having? Being in Texas, I bet you all like it very hot. As I've gotten older, I've had to go easier on the jalapenos.

Charlotte, hope you're doing better today, and that your blood pressure is back to normal. With all that stressful stuff happening, it's no wonder your blood pressure is high. I hope you can have a relaxing weekend, and that your stress level diminishes.

Bluet, the UPS guy is always sticking our packages in strange places, too. Have to admit we confuse the poor guy by having three visible doors. A savings bond every year is an incredible gift. We can't do that for Khaile because of Medicaid restrictions, but when we have other grandkids, we're going to have to do that. I love the ornament idea, too--it's something they'll be able to put on their own trees someday (far, far in the future!).

My daughter went with us to water aerobics today, then she and I went to my hairdresser's so she could get her hair cut and colored. Tell me if your hairdressers do this: she read us a Christmas story, said we were dehydrated and gave us a special drink, and had us participate in a solstice ritual (a day late). Plus I got to read "O" magazine in between all the other stuff, which I've been wanting to check out.

My sister ended up not coming to visit this year. She thought her fibroids were acting up and had to have some tests, but it appears there is a chance of uterine cancer. She's going to have a biopsy sometime during her vacation (she runs a computer lab at a community college so she has winter break) to find out what's happening. As you can imagine, I'm praying hard, particularly since our cousin died of uterine cancer last year right around this time.

My eating plan has gone right out the window, and my pants feel tight. The one good thing is that I've been exercising daily, but I'll be happy to go back on my plan. I WILL make goal next year! Hope everyone had a great Wednesday!

:merry: So sorry to hear about your horse Charlotte. Bless you heart enough is enough, I hope the New Year brings you less stress. You both were very lucky you weren't hurt, that Walmart parking lot is a dangerous place to be especially this time of the year. Enjoy your family and take care of yourself.

Sheila hope everything works out for you son. We just went through that with my oldest Grandson. You had better find another one of those toys she love in case it wears out. We are having Chicken Enchiladas, tamales and taquitos. I make the enchiladas, daughters hubby makes tamales and I buy the taquitos at Walmart, then all the trimmings chips etc. My prayers go out for you Sister, I hope it all goes well.

I have been so stressed the last couple of day I just don't know what is wrong. I had a hysterectomy when I was 21, ( Sheila I had uterine cancer)but still have my ovaries and I am figuring it is a severe case of PMS. I am one mean woman let me tell ya, my poor family. I hope today is better, I can't even stand myself.

Sunny we got 2 inches of snow yesterday here in Texas, it was so pretty. I just can't imagine 24 inches.
Hugs to everybody else, have a wonderful day.

Hello, everyone!!

Willow, it's so good to "see" you. Will Santa be able to fly in subzero weather? Hope so. Thanks for the Christmas wishes, and right back at you!

Candlelady, your dinner sounds so yummy, and so southwestern. I love hearing what people in different parts of the country eat. Living in a seafood area, we have a clam dip tradition. And you've got snow--that's great (only since you like it, of course)!

Charlotte, darn those steroids. I've heard so many people complain about weight gain on them. So why a neurologist for your thumb? I'd so hoped it would be better by now. Pecan pie sounds heavenly--wish I'd made one. I've never heard of crockpot candy. You'll have to share that recipe, please! I'm glad your Mom is eating better, and that the staff is spoiling her. My Dad is doing okay. He's enjoying having company because he gets to tell all his stories to a new audience. With all that Omaha Steak ordering, he forgot to order the one thing I really want him to order, which is fruitcake from Collins Street Bakery. Remember how he called my son "the other guy?" Well, he's taken to calling him Frank now. Dad sent him a Christmas card, which was returned because the address was incorrect, and the card was addressed to "Frank Schmitz," and had a dollar in it. My son's name is Dave, and he does have a Sch last name, but it's not Schmitz. At least Dad tries, and sometimes that's all you can hope for, right?

SunnyD, hope the bread making was a huge success, which I'm sure it was.

My oldest son arrived yesterday afternoon, and it's wonderful having all the kids sitting around the dinner table. Although I wanted to play Outburst last night, I was outvoted and we ended up playing poker using the money from my change jar (which they had to give back!). My daughter, her DH, and I quit around 10:00 pm, but my three "boys" were still hard at it when I went to bed. We also had the photographer there last night, and I'm ordering $200 worth of photos. I had a $300 deposit from my DD's wedding that I had to use, so this was a good way to do it. The kids were in rare form and goosing each other, bunny ears, etc., but the photographer managed to get several good shots.

Oh, I have to tell you about a great present I got from my Secret Pal on a private board that I'm on. She got a star registered in my granddaughter's name, and I got a certificate of registry and a map to where the star is located. Isn't that cool?

I hope everyone has a spectacular Christmas!