Hi Marti
I think you could be right, thoughts like that can really make your heart feel warm.One day a few months after my Grandma died I was feeling blue , I was sitting on my bed and suddenly what felt like someones breath gently passed across my face, with her scent ,it was undeniably her gentle touch to say I'm here, I have never for a minute doubted it was her .I often think of that moment one I will cherish always.

Katie, Christmas time isn'ta lways about happy fun filled times,,,I know I feel emotional during this time of year,,,I hate knowing all the people who are feeling blue cause of loved ones not with them right now. Big hugs to you...get some rest and keep coming here,,,,
Ellen,,,how the infection? I love that poem you wrote for Neal,,,you are so talented. And btw,,,I didn't get to see your pictures...hint hint
Marti,,,James is definitely a keeper...how sweet he is. I had a lump in my throat reading about you both buying for the seniors,,,I know many who are alone or worse forgotten at this time of year. Monte wouldn't let me go to pick Grandma up at the seniors home on holidays cause it took be forever to leave,,,I would talk to everyone,,,so many were lonely.
I would have to agree that the roses blooming is your grandma saying hello,,,cherish that.
Katy,,,snickerdoodle? I know Im something like a Snickers,,,sweet and nutty.

I know its not TOM, but omg I am so emotional right now,,,,not really sad but just teary over everything. I did rehearsal tonight and I was debating leaving the room when it came to the one sad part but I hung in there and then had to almost use my sleeve to wipe my eyes and nose. I can't listen to the radio cause I bawled the other day when listening to Christmas stories...
Well I should try to finish that darn tree...lol

OMG I finally actually went looking for thise pictures you all are talking about...Ellen why are you not a house decorator? I know companies that would pay big bucks for you to make their place look like that...your house is beautiful.

Too many posts to try to catch up on. Miss a day posting and everyone posts thru-out the day. I did catch up reading the posts last night but didn't have time to post.

Anywho...

Katie~I am sorry to hear you are feeling a little depressed. Hope that passes soon. And yes, of course we remember you. We miss seeing ya here.

Ellen~hope you are feeling better. Used to love Vince Gill, till the Amy Grant thing. I still listen to both their music tho. Love his and her Christmas tape, a few years old, the ones I have but love them.

Mindee~hope little Brandon is better. There is a small town here that basically almost shut the town down last week because the croup was going around. They were interviewing people who had businesses and while they had lost a lot they said they would rather lose it than see the whole town get sick. Is Uncle Kracker considered country music? I didn't realize that. I have the one CD and love it, the one with Drift Away on it.

Katy~thank you, you are too kind. Snickerdoodle huh? Well, I must say they are my favorite cookie.

Marti~when we lived in Joplin, MO the kids and I picked five seniors from the electric company. They did the senior thing just the one year. But it amazed me the little things that they wanted, some wanted food, can goods, one lady wanted just a blanket, and a few other simple things. But even tho they only wanted one or two little things we made it good for them. I had called to volunteer with helping deliver the gifts but they had been over run with volunteers and didn't need anymore. I just would have loved to see their faces. That's cool that you and James are doing that this year. And they really do appreciate it because a lot of them are alone and have no one so to know that someone out there cares is just great to them, it makes their Christmas.

Hi to everyone else. :wave:

Wanted to thank you ladies (Jane, Julie, Angie, & Shanna) for the beautiful cards I received yesterday. Angie, silly girl, you put Christine in the card. DH asked if I am going by a different name on 3fc. Told him only Cristi...no one else calls me that. Anyway :thanks: And Angie :thanks: for the magnet calendar, so cute, Jane for the pic of Katie-such a beauty and Julie the pic of the doggies-so cute!

V and I went running around yesterday when he got home. he worked 1/2 a day. Well, it was actually a full 8 hours, just seemed like a 1/2 day because he got home at 1:45-works 5-1:30 on the weekends. We went to some antique malls. I just love looking at all the old stuff. Haven't really seen anything yet that I can't live without but one day would like to fill my house with antiques. Today we went to Mass, more bratty kids. You know, if I had to fight as much as these people do with their kids to try and keep them quiet and to sit still for 2 seconds I wouldn't even bother going. I would get a babysitter or not go at all. One thing about the other church they had a quiet room to take your kids to if they start. Plus 1/4 of the way thru the service the older kids went somewhere else to color etc. this church doesn't do that. Anyway, makes me not want to go. Anyway, have been lazy today. Watched Christmas movies all day and took a nap at 4 pm. couldn't stay awake for some reason.

That's about all I have ladies. Gonna try and find some more Christmas movies to watch. Loving the Family channel and Hallmark channel-lots of Christmas movies I have never seen.

Hi Angie
So glad you enjoyed the pictures and thankyou so much, did you get your Christmas tree decorated at last, I had never heard of a Seniors program do you know if we that anywhere here in Canada , I sure would like to be a part of that , I agree with you Angie they are so lonley. I have an aunt in a nursing home and its so sad to see them all just sitting there alone , always giving a smile to anyone who will acknowledge them , makes you want to cry . They require so little and a gesture like that would be so appreciated . Oh Oh you sound like me ,getting all teary eyed, sometimes I will feel fine and a song plays and the tears well up, I don't know ,maybe we should ask Dr. Katy:lol: Sounds like you have been extremely busy , but thats not unusual for you now is it..I swear I don't know where your energy comes from,must be those Bellini's:lol:Well if you can believe it I haven't got much to say,still waiting to see if the snow falls like its supposed to, I only finished cleaning one lighting fixture so tomorrow I hopefully will do better,they look nice but they are a pain to clean. I hope you have a good night ,but I guess its getting close to bedtime isn't it. So I suggest for you to hop into those new jammies and get some rest,night Angie
and good night to everyone else ,I guess maybe I will make this an early night tonight once I check to see if my kitty is at the door , I will fix him some vittles and his ((Pablum)) yes he loves pablum, before he came indoors he had trouble eating so I used to make him warm pablum to make sure he got some nutrients ,I know what your thinking and dog gone it your right,:lol: but I am a softee ,even the possums and raccoons dine here :lol: whats a girl to do.Well night all

Well Hi there Mrs Cristi
you popped in as I was popping out just wanted to say Hi ,I thought I might make it an early night ,maybe I will finish my book depends how the eyes hold up:lol: I do Love the Vince Gill Christmas cd its one of my favorites,I listen to it all the time.I am feeling a bit better thankyou, Well have a good night Cristi

Popping in once more before I go to bed. Going to make it an early night. I was thinking that I wanted to stay up since tomorrow I go to work, and getting in a nap is difficult sometimes.....but...I'm tired.

I made some chocolate chip cookies. I also made these cookies I make every year for Christmas. I don't know if you would call it a cookie, it's Peanut Butter sandwhiched between two Ritz Crackers then dipped in chocolate. I store them in the freezer to keep them from melting. Always a treat for the holidays and very easy to make. My family has been making them for years. And that is about it for my baking talents! :lol:

Angie--I'm going to have to agree w/you that James is a keeper! :) He doesn't look like the man he really is, if that makes sense. He has this rough exterior, which most people take as him being an angry mean man, but he's really a softy who loves the littlest things. (I'm sure he'll appreciate me sharing that!) I remember this guy we worked w/at Sony.....told me that James is a big softy. I asked why. And he said.."Well, here is this huge muscled guy, who scares people but when you talk to him, he'll talk about his tiny chihuahua babies and his baby." (that baby being me) Anyway, I think picking from the Senior tree was a good choice this year. With his grandfather passing away and my grandma in the Spring. We just wanted to give back and it felt good.

Ellen--I loved the poem you wrote for Neil!! You have great talent!! My birthday is next month.....got something for me?? :) Your story of your grandmother was nice. I love hearing things that people have to say about their loved ones when they pass away. I remember smelling bread after she passed away...she was always making homemade bread. It was a good feeling in the air also when I smelt it. (that word doesn't look right...smelt?) anyway, I really do think the roses blooming is a sign. I told James about it and he was saying "Wow...really? They didn't have anything on them last week!" I'm taking a picture of it once it's fulling bloomed!

Cristi--The seniors we looked at wanted exactly what you said. Little things. One wanted a food box. Another wanted a certificate to a grocery store. Another wanted socks. So simple. And I told James we can afford to get some more....just not all like he would want. Now, if we didn't have our family to buy for, we probably could. I told him that I wanted to set up a senior fund for next year. That way we can pick a lot more than just two (or four if we get a couple more) next year. Jhanai can pick one out too. (I may have her pick one this weekend) Oh, been meaning to ask.....you mentioned that you like some Country music. Did you happen to watch the episode of Oprah when she threw a baby shower for the wifes of men in the military? There was a woman who sang a song that I loved. I want to say the name was "Daughter" or something like that, but I don't know. I don't even know the singers name. Would love to have that song.

Well I suppose I've yapped enough for the night. Been on a roll this weekend. Jhanai was w/her dad and James was at work...so I suppose I was trying to make up for all the time I'm at work! Actually I miss popping in all the time. As long as you all don't mind me just talking away! :blah: :blah: :blah:

Take Care girls and have a good night!

Cristi--I found the song.
"In my daughters eyes" by Martina McBride.

I had to find it, went searching, and found it!!

Now I can go to bed! :)