Quacker Talk-December 20182018-12-02T11:31:07-05:00

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    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Here we are in December. The year is winding down and we are all preparing for Christmas in our own individual ways.
      This year I would like to pose a question. Was there any unusual Christmas tradition in your family that we might not have heard about? Was it a family tradition or or perhaps an ethnic or regional tradition?
      For any new members who might have recently signed up please join our conversations. We are a group of woman who came here to chat about Quacker clothes and have become friends. Anyone is welcome to join our conversations. We like to have new members-the more the merrier we believe. We just chat about everyday occurrences in our lives-nothing earth shattering just some good old fashioned girl talk. Join us!

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    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Everyone,
      DD, I remember watching the Harlem Globetrotters on TV in the days of Meadowlark Lemon and going to one of the shows when I was young.
      Sue, glad you recovered from the fall. I hope that you finally get some sunshine this month!
      Barbara, I hope Sarah’s brother will be okay. I will say some prayers. I know you feel bad for not calling but don’t beat yourself up about it. It’s hard to know what to do so as not to step on anyone’s toes. I guess just wait and see if they need your help. I know it’s counter intuitive not being right there offering it but it seems you need to tread softly around Sarah. So sorry for that.
      Colleen, you are quite the shopper getting everything done at once. Right now I have a pile of boxes sitting in the foyer from all the deliveries that have been coming in. I always tend to spoil everyone and get too much. Of course in there there could be a few boxes for me too. lol
      Adele, I hope the roof is holding and that Tillie is doing okay. What did the snowman plate look like? My Christmas dishes are snowman and sometimes I like to add accessory side pieces. Of course if it’s sold out it is a moot point anyway.
      I am on the look out for the fart commercial. I saw the other one. Hey! let’s face it-farts are just inherently funny-especially when they come at inappropriate times. When our kids were little Greg told them to call farts butt bubbles. lol In our house growing up we called them poots for some odd reason. Lachlan is at the age where he loves a good fart or poop conversation so it is a hot topic with him.
      The cough is still hanging in there but I am feeling much better. Greg and I made a trip to Costco on Friday to cash in our money back checks from using their credit card and to stock up on meat. After being in bed for the four previous days I was tired when we got back. I’m glad he’s the one that cuts the meat all up into steaks and chops and bags it up. I had to lay down and take a little snooze. You know how they have the samples all through out the store? So I tried this dried mango snack and it was like eating a dogs rawhide. lol It was awful except for the mango taste, but it was unchewable. Of course my teeth are not what they used to be either.
      So Friday night we’re eating dinner with the kids. And after everything Piper says she ends it with ha ha. So finally we say “what’s with the ha ha after everything?” And she says, “that’s my catchphrase.” lol So now Greg and i need a catch phrase. I hope Jenny is writing all this stuff down as i will never remember it all.
      Gotta go write a grocery list for hubby. Isn’t he a doll?
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG…I lost it again
      Please read the posts to the girls on November for all info….
      So glad greg is such a sweetie and doing your food shopping.
      Your Piper is just the most amusing child ever! Glad you see them on Fridays again.
      Adele

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Gail I know you ask about Penn State. They will be playing Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl On Jan 1st at 1PM. I am sure they are glad it is somewhere warm.
      Hope you are feeling better. I still have a purple bruise it does not hurt just needs time to fade away. It could have been really bad. I do not know how I ended up on my back & did not hit any furniture. I was heading for my desk & had I gone face forward I would have cracked my head on the desk & might have died. I must have turned without thinking to do so. It happened so fast. My angel must have been on duty.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      That is funny about the catch phrase with Piper. I did not know we need catch phrases this must be a new thing. I hope that you and Greg can figure out a good one,
      I can remember watching the Globe Trotters when we were kids.I do not think that the new Globe Trotters are as good as the old group. They always did such goofy things. Wish we could bring them back but they probably will not be as fast as they were though.I am not sure if the whole team is still alive.
      I still have a few things to buy but mostly gift cards for the adults. I mostly will get gift cards for restaurants. They can use them and they do not seem to go out for dinner by themselves since they have the kids. We also volunteer to watch the kids when they go out. Well we will volunteer to watch the kids.
      Are you having Christmas dinner at your house this year? We will be there is no where else to have it. Melissa is coming home. She texted me the other day and we are so excited.
      How are you feeling? I hope a lot better then you were feeling. It seems like the older we get the harder it is not to take a nap. I think that napping should be a new thing for adults not just for little kids. We all need that extra sleep during the day.
      I hope that you get all of your packages out of the boxes and wrapped. That is the most tiring thing to do is wrap.
      Well that is all from here.Have a great night.
      Colleen
      p.s. I am thinking of something that we did as a tradition on Christmas

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Sue,
      You must have had an angel watching when you fell. Somehow we instinctively seem to turn to break our fall even though we are not consciously aware of doing it. I remember when I fell on the ice a few years ago-I fell on my back but had the presence of mind somehow to bend my head forward so it wouldn’t crack on the pavement. It was a cold day in winter so I had a big puffy coat on which protected my body a bit at least.
      Thanks for the heads up on the bowl game. New Years day is a big one for football.
      The Bears are finally having at least a decent year this year. We have been patient for awhile now. They didn’t win yesterday but the game did go into overtime so they came close. Hopefully next week Trebisky will be back at the helm after being out the last two weeks from an injury from a late hit. The back up has been doing a good job but he just doesn’t have that extra ability to run like Trebisky has.
      I’m still hoping that you will finally see some sun. We are getting a light dusting of snow right now-at least I hope that’s all it will be.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Well since I asked the question I guess i should provide an answer. I don’t know if this is unusual or not. At our house we open gifts one at a time from youngest to oldest. So opening gifts takes awhile but then everyone gets a chance to see what the others have gotten. I will try to think of any other things that we do or have done that might be different.
      When I was a child we always had home made polish sausage and rye bread after midnight Mass. It was accompanied by home made horseradish also to put on the sausage. It’s funny Greg’s family used beet horseradish to eat with their Lithuanian sausage which was very similar to our Polish sausage-and no our sausage was not garlicky-that is some idea that people got somewhere that the polish sausage has to be loaded with garlic. If it had been neither my Dad nor I would have been able to eat it as heavy garlic makes us sick. That’s why it’s hard to find real polish sausage like grandma used to make. Anyway, I never knew beet horseradish even existed until I saw it at his house. They were big on beets as they also made a cold beet soup in Greg’s family.
      Did I ever tell you that they used to stuff a turkey with meatloaf?! Now that was weird-but of course Greg thinks it was the best. I used to do it for him sometimes early on but have not done it for years.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      I’m glad the roof sounds like it is fixed. I’m so sorry that Tillie is refusing to participate in life. I know that must have you really stressed out. I wish I were closer we could brainstorm on getting her up and moving again. I know my MIL thought I was terribly pushy but I had to be to keep her going and engaged and interested in life. Many mornings she didn’t want to get up and go to Family Alliance which was an adult day care place she went to a couple of times a week. And i just kept moving forward and made her get up and helped her get ready. I think it helped her as it gave her something else to do besides sit in a chair and watch TV and snooze all day. They did activities and it got her connected with other people besides us. It was a lifesaver for me too as then I could schedule appointments and run errands while she was gone as she could not be left at home alone. I think it benefited all of us. I was kind of like a drill sergeant and just got her up and got her going even though some days she didn’t want to. I think it might be easier when it is not your own mother though as you don’t have that long ingrained feeling of having to obey her. lol And as I have said before sometimes there comes a time when the child becomes the parent and the parent becomes the child. Much as we don’t want to see or accept that sometimes it just becomes a fact of life. Just keep thinking every thing you do is for her own good even if she complains.
      How did the brisket turn out? Greg loves brisket. I love potato pancakes but only how my grandmother made them. Her’s were very thin and crispy with only a hint of finely grated onion. I am often disappointed when you get them at a restaurant and they are big and clunky with big chunks of onion and green pepper. I find them inedible.
      So what cookies are you making this year. I must confess I am like Barbara and have not made any cookies for the last few years. Even though I love the homemade cookies the work has just gotten to be too much. That’s how I feel about many of the home made goodies that I used to love. They all are so time consuming. So I will live vicariously through all your confections.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Colleen,
      That is such a sweet gift-a restaurant card with a promise to watch the kids. How i wish we could have gotten that when our kids were young. With no family around we hardly went out when they were young. Then when they got older sometimes it was hard to find a good baby sitter-and then when you do find one they graduate and go off to college. How rude! lol
      I am feeling better but I still have this lingering cough. That always seems like it takes the longest to go away. I’ve been sleeping in a different room so I don’t keep Greg up with my coughing since he has to get up in the morning and go to work. I’ll be glad when I can get back in my own bed.
      I think we will be having Christmas dinner here, but i don’t want to make any assumptions. Of course it will be different this year. I’m not sure when the kids will see their dad for Christmas. So much to figure out as we enter these uncharted waters.
      I am so happy Melissa is coming home. You must be so excited! I know that you were really missing her.
      Gail

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I will bake some cookies this year. Melissa and the kids are coming on the 21st so we will bake cookies together. That will be fun we have done that in awhile. I just wish that all the grands could be here to help.
      I do not know if this is strange or not we always went to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve well we moved to Illinois and when we got all dressed up and put the kids in the car and when we got there everyone was coming out the church. Mass started 11 instead of midnight. We always had gone to Missouri for Christmas to be with family but that year we decided to stay home. My mom and dad and brother came to our house.
      I hope that the kids will be able to eat dinner at your house and see their earlier or after they have dinner with you. I can tell you it is not easy to get use to but there is not much we can do about it. One good thing you are friends with your xsil. WE are not friends with Owen’s dad and that is really kind of sad. Maybe we could work things out better if we were.I will say an extra prayer that things work out and you will be with your grands on Christmas day.
      I hope you get over that cough pretty soon. Then you can sleep in your bed again.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue
      Your Angel was there with you. I am glad you only have a bruise to deal with, and nothing more. I would have been happier had you not fell at all.
      So, I am making chicken soup today. I was trying to get the matzo meal, to do the recipe form scratch on the matzo ball soup. Can’t get it anywhere near here, but did get it on Amazon. It said delivery one day, and then when I got the message on email, it siad delivery Thursday. We are doing the potato latkes tomorrow, so that will nto work. So, I will either do the matzo all mix, or just do a noodle with the soup. At least I will have the matzo meal for the next time I make soup.
      How are you doing with your decorating? I know you have a wreath on the door, and I think you said a small tree? Mine is still not decorated. I asked Heather to help with it today, before we eat. I hope she can….LOL
      Hope your day is going well it is cold up here again.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Gailster…..
      I can’t think of one thing that I ahve not already shared with you guys. How funny is that?
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      read my posts to the girls for all the news. I am doing another on line Novena, again asking for Tillie to e back to herself. I am praying I was answered today, as she was talking without the whine, and said she wants to come up tomorrow, and maybe tonight too. She even did a load of laundry for herself this am, and wished Gary happy Hanukkah.
      I am not sure about the cookies yet. I know the 3 Tillie made will be done- the german Lebkuchen, Vienna BArs, and Jelly Roll. Anise cookies, of course. I think at least a couple more will be added, of course.
      The brisket was a huge success. My latkes are nto thick- I make them thinner, so they are crispy. they are really easy, if you want the recipe. I can post the brisket one too- very simple.
      I have to de- grease the soup, and debone the chicken, so I better be quick….LOL
      did you get blasted with snow? how are the legs doing?? greg’s back??
      Hope your day is going well.
      Adele

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Adele your delivery may be held up due to the Bush funeral tomorrow. Everything will be closed & no mail I have a package that will be delayed also.

      We finally saw a little sun this afternoon. It is in & out but still cold & windy. They are saying snow showers tomorrow.

      I went today & picked up more things for baking. The pecans, walnuts & more chocolate chips. I had bought flour, sugar vanilla & almond extract before.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Gail…so, what are the plans for you and melissa???
      Adele
      Colleen- hope the cough stops soon.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG….the way I read Colleen’s post is that Melissa was coming home to Gail’s. I thought she was Gail’s sister…LOL LOL
      So glad your Melissa is coming home, Colleen!
      When you try to hurry through the posts to make sure you don’t miss anyone, you mess things up…..
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello Ladies. things are seeming to settle down some here. First, Sarah’s brother is doing better. He is out of ICU and according to Neal, the doctors keep saying they cannot understand why he developed this sepsis; since he was on home IV antibiotic therapy. Sarah came and stayed the three days Neal has off and so he kept the baby. Was sad, but happy all at the same time since I know how much fun they have together. Neal seemed so appreciative that we did message him several times for updates on her brother. Jerry and I have lain awake at night trying to decide what is our “do this” or “don’t do this” next move. We have both made up our minds to offer help to all; sons/DIL’s, and since we in our hearts know we sincerely mean it; then let it go and know they will do the right thing. We have wasted way too much time trying to know what we should do. So…time for us to just “let it go”.
      Sue, thank God you are okay. You are so right in saying that one moment up and the next, down, and we just don’t know what happened. I am glad your bruise is getting better. We could tell how long ago someone had gotten thieir bruise from the shade the bruise was. You know how they go through those different colors, dark blue/black, greenish blue/ yellow green etc. Your guardian Angel certainly was watching over you. I did something one day that I never thought would make me fall; but surely did come close. I was just walking along across our tile kitchen floor, shoes were dry, floor was dry, but it’s like my right shoe just stop quickly while I was walking, and threw me forward for lack of a better description, and I came so close to falling face forward, but grabbed the bar. It was so scary after I saw how easily that happened and for no real reason. Sounds like you have gotten all the goodies for cookie baking. I have gotten most of mine. I plan to do mine early next week; and have them all mailed off by Thursday at the latest. At least that’s the plan. lol They are predicting snow and the dreaded sleet our way withing the next few days. Hope your weather is better. It is cold here; wind just cuts through you. I bought one of those knit hat things that have cover your ears and the back of your neck with long pieces that come down from the back of the neck that you can then wrap around your neck to keep the wind from getting your chest and front of your neck so cold. I just love it. I put that on and then add another neck muffler around that so I stay warm. That cold wind just gets to me. I kind of think that living South like I do makes the colder temps just seem colder to me than I know you all have to suffer through. I worried so much about poor Adele with that leak of all things, especially knowing the cold and bad weather you all have to endure. But you live in such beautiful areas of our country. Ours, not so much so.
      So happy your Mom was in good spirits today Adele. I know you worry so much; and it is just so hard for her to understand how much it worries you for her not to help you out by doing as you ask more. You know, sometimes I think that just like I think now our grown sons, who I fully know, are men and yet remember them so much as the little children they were. Mabey that is why as we grow even older we still have this idea that we are the Mother/Father and we give instructions/ not take instructions from our “children” Probably didn’t make any sense with that but hope you get my meaning. She loves you, she just thinks she knows what is best for her. That didn’t help you at all did it? lol
      So far; no one at our Christmas dinner. Everyone will be somewhere else. Can’t even wrap my mind around this yet so like Scarlett O’hara I will “think about this tomorrow” Colleen, I am so happy your daughter will be able to come home. Your cookie baking day will make many memories. You just sound like such a great grandmother.
      Gail, your little one with her sayings are precious. Where in the world do they come up with these things? You just much get you a little journal just for her sweet sayings. I think she is going to be an actress when she grows up. She just has such an imagination. Can you imagine, Piper, Eliza, and Aizeen all on stage together? What a production that would be. We would all have to show up for that performance. I will be thinking of an old time Christmas tradition. I am like Colleen, trying to think of something different we did.
      Take care everyone, and thank you for your prayers. Hugs, Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      That is great that Tillie is coming up for Latke. Did she eat any of the brisket? It is good that she is sounding better. I hope that she keeps getting better especially during the holidays.
      It is a shame that you can only put up one tree this year. The branches are falling off that little tree that I bought Bethlehem Lights. I am so disgusted and am thinking of calling qvc and see who to get a hold of them about. I cannot find a number for them and what I paid for it they should do something. We were talking about your tree and I got off the subject. Your Anna lee things will look nice and the Angel will also. You will have enough decorations up that you will not miss the tree this year.
      Did your roof leak when it rained? Are you just afraid that it will leak if it rains harder. This guy sounds like he knew what he was doing and will come back and fix it. So do not worry about it.
      That is funny that Bobby ate so much of the brisket. It is a good thing that it was just a small group of you. Some one would have not gotten to eat. That is funny at least you had enough for Gary to eat later. It is nice that he was there to help you eat all of it.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      Well at last Colin got to spend time with his dad. It is sad that you did not get to keep him for awhile. Did you skype and see and talk to Colin and Neal?
      It is so cool to be able to do that. We enjoyed it whe we did that with our grands in Tennessee. They had grown since we had seen them.
      I think that we are all good grandmothers. WE all do nice things for our kids. Colin will remember talking to you over skype and he will know you when he sees you. That will be a good memory for him.
      I could just see the three of those little ones getting together. It would be something else. They would have people rolling in the aisles laughing.Then we could all get together and that would be fun also.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Adele,
      You might want to check out ITKWD tomorrow night. I see Temptations has a set of 2 muffin pans in several patterns, including Boofetti. I thought you might be interested even if Halloween is over with.
      dd

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Barbara,
      I’m glad Sarah’s brother is doing better.
      Also it’s good that you and Jerry have decided on the “let it go” attitude. That’s really all you can do. Do what you think is right and let the chips fall where they may. I’ll bet you and Jerry agonize over all of this more than the kids do. It’s hard to be put in a position where you are afraid to put a foot wrong.
      I hope that Joey and Lisa will be able to get together with you and Jerry for a dinner over the holidays.
      Sometimes we just have to make new traditions when our lives and families transition over time and distance. My parents were lucky and had other friends to spend time with over the holidays-when they lived in Louisiana and the rest of us were spread across the country.
      I knew what you were saying to Adele-it’s the parent becomes the child and the child becomes the parent and neither is comfortable with the situation.
      My folks always said that their blood became thinner after living down south and they were cold when they came up here.
      I think we all have those near misses of falling as we get older. Sometimes I scare myself if I slip or trip.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Colleen,
      Who has midnight mass at 11:00-it’s supposed to be at twelve-it’s right there in the name. lol
      Kaylee will probably help you and Melissa with the cookies. The kids must be getting a break from school too then. It’s hard to know with year round school when the breaks will be. At least I think they go to year round school-or am I getting it mixed up.
      Jenny thinks they will be over just like regular for Christmas. Of course, then I will be feeling bad hoping that Adam is not alone. I would invite him too but I kind of figure Jenny wouldn’t want me too-maybe in the future. All this scrambling around of families is confusing.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      I will pray that your novena for Tillie is working.
      How are Marissa and Amanda doing with their work and school? I’ll bet they are busy.
      Glad the brisket turned out good. I take it that’s something that Gary likes.
      Personally I would prefer the noodles to the matzo balls. That reminds me of years ago I was dating this Jewish guy and I had a cold and he tried to make me chicken soup with matzo balls and they were like rocks lol. Good thing he was a teacher and not a chef. lol,Needless to say that soup didn’t cure the cold.
      Gail

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      The kids get a two week break from school at Christmas. Then they get a really short spring break. It is hard to keep track of. I guess they are use to it and so they can plan around it.. I like the old way you can plan for more things in the summer.
      Did any of those storms hit anywhere around where you live. They were the other night and it was on the news that they had tornado warnings and storms in Illinois. I know that some of them were close to Chicago. Was not sure what direction they were coming from. I meant to ask you the last time I wrote but didn’t.
      It will be nice if the kids will be with you for Christmas. It will be hard this year but it will get easier. Adam is a nice guy and will do what is easiest on the kids Our xsil does nothing to make things easier for Owen. He is not a nice guy.
      Kaylee will help with the cookies ans so will the guys. Ethan will cause there is nothing else for him to do. Stephen will be in there aggravating us but that is how he is. It will be interesting.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue
      No matzo meal yet….LOL It may come today.
      Marissa brought Gary a Hanukkah headband, and a cute centerpiece. It was funny.
      Heather did most of the frying, so that helped too.
      You can get a lot of baking supplies from the King Arthur Baking co. They have vanilla at much better prices than the supermarket, but you have to buy a larger size. Vanilla lasts forever, so it will not go to waste. Take a peek at the site.
      Did you see the Bush funeral yesterday? It was very touching. The Texas one is on now.
      I went to my GP yesterday. He doesn’t like the swelling and red skin on the bottom of my legs when they get so swollen at end of day. So, we are having testing done for a heart issue. He thinks my heart is nto pumping strong enough to get the blood back up- also becasue I am getting winded just walking to the bathroom. It is about 50 steps from the living room, to the bathroom.
      So, i will be busy with tests next week. yuck.
      How are you feeling? How is that bruise looking?
      hope your day is good.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      Of course your words helped. They always do, as they are written from your heart. I am happy to say that Tillie came up the last 2 nights, and last night was Hanukkah and latkes. She actually laughed out loud at a story I told about my friend Nancy. That made Heather feel real good. She did her load of laundry yesterday morning too, which was another good sign. I am praying we have turned the corner.
      We do live in a very pretty section of this country. the colors of Fall,a dn the beauty of looking at snow form inside the warm house, is something a lot of people do not get to see. Now, if that snow could just immediately get off the walkways and streets, Sue and I woudl be thrilled….LOL
      I am so sorry you will be alone on Christmas. How about this? Do what the Jewish community does- go out for Chinese on Christmas.
      I will be baking the week before Christmas too- i hope to be done on Christmas Eve. I still have to decide on the extra cookies- I always rotate 2 cookies each year. I love the smells of the baking. So much fun.
      Please read the post to Sue, for the medical up-date on me….LOL
      I hope you and Jerry did nto get blasted with too much snow. No ice!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen
      I am afraid the roof will leak if it rains real hard. PTS…..LOL Gary thinks it will be fine. We will use this guy for any repairs we cannot do ourselves, as his team was so nice, and kind, and did not charge an arm and a leg.
      Please read the post to Sue for the medical update on me.
      Tillie didn’t just come up last night, she laughed with all of us. It was so good to hear her laugh again. I am praying we have turned the corner. It will be the best Christmas gift ever.
      I woudl call the Q on that tree. It is not supposed to fall apart. I bet they have already received a lot of calls about them. They are very good about standing up for their quality.
      It was real funny to see Bobby love that brisket. I may have to cook one just for him….LOL
      the sun is shining up here- yahoo!
      We are supposed to go out for lunch with Ron and Joyce on Saturday. That will be fun. We have nto seen them since Gary’s birthday.
      Hope your day is going well!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Barbara
      I forgot to say I was so sorry you did not get to have your little Colin for those few days. I was hoping that would have worked out for you.
      I also think it is a good decision to just offer to help, and then let the chips fall where they may, as they say. I pray there comes a time very soon, that your help will be appreciated, and asked for.
      Love you!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I actually got those cute little ramekins in Boo Fetti and Harvest…..LOL GAry thinks I am nuts getting Boo fetti this time of year. It is such an adorable pattern.
      Hope you got some too!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      Thank you. Please read my posts to the girls, as I think we have turned the corner. I pray the latest Novena is working. It will be a Christmas gift.
      there is a knack to making good matzo balls. I think the recipe I have, that is from scratch will be the one. That is a funny story about the matzo balls! I can see the look on your face.
      How are your legs feeling?
      HAs there been any news on Brent’s health lately? I am praying for good news on him.
      I think there will come a time when you will be able to invite Adam to holidays. they seem to have a decent relationship, and it would be good for the kids.
      You have not mentioned Jenny’s boyfriend lately. Is that relationship over? If not, have you met him? I just hope they will all be happy. that is the best we can ask for our kids.
      My swollen legs are being looked into. Doctor thinks the heart is nto pumping strong enough to get the blood back up. I did as the EKG yesterday- many other tests scheduled. Yuck.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Colleen
      Forgot to say……I did a cute arrangement of Annalees in the living room, and have 2 Angel tree toppers in there lit up too, so it is ok.
      Ho Ho Ho
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I hope everyone is fine. We’re freezing out here!! We have the East winds blowing thru the Gorge & this time of yr is coooooooold! If there was any moisture we’d either have several inches of snow or worse freezing rain. But as it is we have sunny clear days & verrrrrrry cold nights. I haven’t been out of the house all week. That wind cuts right thru you.
      Well we got GHW Bush buried today. I watched most of it today. I woke up early & started to watch but fell asleep. Funerals do that to me. Sorry.
      Adele, I’m glad you were able to get the muffin pans. They were cute!! I didn’t get any. I’m running out of room!!! I hope the Dr. finds out what’s going on
      with you.
      Barbara, I’m glad your dil’s brother is doing better. He must’ve had an infection somewhere.

      I know how it feels to be unsteady on your feet. I can be walking around the apt & I lose my balance for no apparent reason. I can be standing & out of nowhere I’ll feel unsteady & feel like I’m falling. I guess it’s an age thing.
      Well, I guess that’s all for tonight.
      Nothing on tv tonight.
      Take care everybody!!
      dd & Jewell

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I hope that all the tests come back okay. Did all of this just start happening? Just take of yourself. It is a pain to have all those tests. It is better to find out what is going on right away.
      That must have been great to have Tillie laughing and being upstairs with all of you.I wonder if she is getting the Christmas spirit.I hope that she is. She is so lucky to have such a loving family. You all take such good care of her.
      I am going to call them tomorrow and see what they say. I am afraid that since we have had the tree for a year they will not do anything. The only thing is that you only have the tree out for a short time and then you put it away. So it should not fall apart. It is a Bethlehem Lights tree so I expected better quality.
      I hope you have a good time when you go out to dinner. That will be nice if you get out for awhile. Just forget about everything and relax. You need a night out just to have fun and not worry about anyone or anything.
      Well that is all from here have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      You are lucky that you did not have any freezing rain. I do not like the freezing rain. Snow I can handle. It is nice that you did not have to get out in the cold and windy weather. It sounds like good baking weather.
      The picture of the ornaments remind me of the ones that we had as a kid. It is fun to see the things from when we were kids. I really appreciate the pictures that you post. They always make me smile.
      I went thru a period where I fell all the time. They never did figure out why I was falling but it has not happened for awhile now. Thank the Lord. I fell off the porch one day also. I had some sore ribs from a couple of my falls but no breaks. That was really lucky. They say that it is better not to try and grab anything that it will make you stiff and you can hurt yourself.
      Well that is all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I guess it’s a good time to stay indoors and decorate and drink hot chocolate.
      We are in the 20’s here with teens at night. The snow is mostly gone off the ground.
      I guess the southern parts of the country are going to get bad weather this weekend.
      We don’t have any plans for the weekend unless I get some brilliant idea.
      I still have some of those antique ornaments,like in your picture, stored in our basement. At one time I used all old ornaments from my parents tree and Greg’s parents plus some I found in an antique store. Then I changed to a different type of ornament and then a couple of years ago I changed again.
      I also have my parents original nativity set from when they were first married. I think it was something that they bought at the dimestore-some of the pieces are missing and the original manger is is gone. I no longer use it but I still treasure it.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I agree, I like when the kids have off in summer. Especially up here where there’s so much more for the kids to do in summer since they can be outdoors.
      You know I think those storms with the tornados were mostly in the southern parts of the state. I didn’t hear about any around Chicago but I could have missed it as i usually listen to Rockford news rather than Chicago.
      I’m sorry that Owen’s Dad is not good about letting him come to family get togethers. That make things hard.
      So far Jenny’s kids seem to be adjusting well to all the changes. I think they did better than Greg and I. lol
      Nothing planned for the weekend. Maybe I can think of something exciting. Last Friday we went to CostCo and that was our big day out. lol
      It just seems when it gets to being winter I want to stay in and stay warm.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, DD!
      didn’t you watch the Holiday king show? It is the same show we loved that they cancelled last year because the guy was accused of inappropriate behavior. they had all new judges, and “Baby Spice” plus a football player as hosts. I enjoyed it. i was so happy they brought it back- it was on for 2 hours. You have xfinity, so you can on demand it.
      It is cold out here too. tomorrow is supposed to be the coldest day so far, and then it will warm up a little.
      I am glad you are feeling good. Have you made any of those cookies yet? The ones you got from the Q- David’s cookies?
      Hope you have a good day, and snuggle with Jewell with some hot chocolate!
      Adele
      PS…here is Gary with the headband Marissa got him, the centerpiece she got too, and Heather in back frying the latkes….LOL

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    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I did watch both of the Bush funerals. I always think how exhausted the families must be after practically week long services. I watch the Today show and Jenna Bush Hagar the granddaughter is often on there so I kind have developed a soft spot for the family since I like Jenna so much.
      Do you remember the days of three day visitations at the funeral home followed by the funeral service at a church the next day. Those were long times.
      I will be praying that your tests will come out good. Are you having a stress test-it seems like they always do that one.
      I am so happy that Tillie has been doing better. As you say-that is the best Christmas gift of all.
      Have fun at your lunch with Ron and Joyce. I always like to get out and about during the holidays and see the decorations.
      My legs are good. Maybe some of your problems are from venous insufficiency too. Did anyone mention varicose veins?
      We won’t really know any more about Brent until after his next visit to the cardiologist which is January 16th. They sure move slowly out there.
      Jenny’s boyfriend is still around. I have not met him but the kids have. They told us he’s around “a lot” is how they said it emphasis on the a lot.
      I think Jenny is having some sort of a wine party tonight so we won’t see the kids-but I think next Wednesday is an early release day so i will probably baby sit that afternoon. I could go to the wine party but I would rather go out to dinner with Greg. (hopefully) lol
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      The legs have been swelling for a while, but it has gotten a lot worst. They are about 1 1/2 times larger at the end of the day. The being winded is new. The tests are scheduled for next Friday, so that is good. I know this is fixable, and hope it will be a simple fix, and nothing to worry about.
      I am sure they will stand behind your tree, as they sell a lot of Bethlehem Lights. You may have received a defective one. If worst comes to worst, I bet Bethlehem Lights would send you a new one. trees should last for years, as they are out for only a month.
      It is cold up here, and tomorrow will be the coldest of the year.
      Did you see the Holiday baking show last night? I was so happy they brought it back! They have Baby Spice and a football player as hosts- I think that is funny.
      I am pooped today. I just had an awful dizzy spell, and still feel a little dizzy. It is passing….LOL I am making the matzo balls for the soup tonight. An easy dinner, as the soup is all made.
      Have a good day!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Gail
      I am glad your legs are better. It is good when problems can be resolved, with good results. I do not see any varicose veins on my legs. Tillie has those, and has had them for years. they never did anything about them.
      I love Jenna Bush. She has such a good personality. I think that is inherited from her grandfather, and Dad, as they were always happy. They have those ” happy, pleasant faces”. I always liked the Bush’s, especially Barbara. She was the country’s Nana.
      Thank God those days of 3 days for a wake are gone. So much stress on a family. I was also feeling sorry for the week of mourning for the bush’s they must be completely exhausted.
      Did you see the baking show last night? I was thrilled it is back!
      I am so glad Tillie is turning the corner. it was so stressful for me, and the family. Not to mention what it did to her.
      OMG….I am so dizzy. I am afraid to get up right now. It should pass. I wonder if ti si due to the fluid pill. Maybe I am “down a quart”, as they say….LOL I am drinking some water, so it should pass in a few minutes.
      That is funny about the kids saying he is there a lot. i wonder if he will be introduced before Christmas.
      That is awful about Brent. All i can say is, the news can’t be bad, or they would have had him in right away. How is he feeling? I hope ok.
      I forgot to tell you Marissa and Amanda are good. they are finishing term papers, etc. Both are stressed, with work and school at the end of the semester, and with the holidays. Marissa went back to Yankee Candle, so she is very busy with the holidays at the store. When she went back, she refused the management position, as she did nto want all that responsibility, with school. She is what they call a “key holder”, which translates to a supervisor.
      That is too bad that you won’t see the kids tonight. I hope you and Greg have a good time at dinner. Where are you going? We are going to a local place with Ron and Joyce that is very popular. We are doing lunch, as they are going to babysit their grands after.
      Hope your day is good!
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      First, Adele, please be careful with the dizzy spells you are having. It may have been due to your water pill, but please make sure they know about this when you go for your heart tests. Had you just done something that you had to work at; or made you tired or short of breath? Take deep breaths whenever you think of it during the day; just to kind of “build up” your oxygen supply. That might help. Do they put that little oxygen monitor on the end of your finger when you go into the doctor? If so; what does it usually read? Just wondering if this is a new development or something they have been watching? Sorry, but am worried, and I am sure whatever is causing (could be as simple as adjusting your medicines) or some procedure, but we all know you will be fine, and we just want to have you feeling good for all the upcoming events.
      So happy that Ms. Tillie came up and had a good evening with you all. I know everyone was happy for that. Here’s hoping this was just the beginning of many more good days together. How is your Mom doing Colleen? Jerrys Mom is I think doing really well. We are picking her up the end of next week to a day out for all of us. It gets dark so early, and she wants to be “home” before dark; so we will have a good lunch (she loves Cracker Barrel) and then we are driving to some “remember when?” places from Jerrys childhood. He is wanting to go over memories with her; she will enjoy this. I always just sit in the back and give them plenty of room up front to visit.
      DD. love your pictures. Gosh, it is cold there. I love warm apple cider this time of year. I am like Gail, give me a good book and cider or hot chocolate, and then a good nap. Those are pretty much my cold weather plans. lol We are due for lots of rain this weekend; all weekend; and they are talking of sleet. Hope not. You and Jewell just snuggle and stay warm.
      I have some of those Thomas Paccone ornaments from the Q from many years ago. Jerry was just like Gregg about that wooden box they came in and you had to put each ornament back in its specific place. I loved how “old timey” they all were; like from my childhood. By the way; we had a Christmas tradition when I was a child. Our Dad worked lots during the holidays, and back then the police were allowed to have as many jobs in security or such that they could handle. Well, anyway, back then we had a man who pushed a white porcelain cart that looked like a small freezer, but it was for hot tamales, make fresh with the corn husks around the tamales, and wrapped in some corn stalk leaves. Anyway; he would come home late about nine or so; and bring us all these hot tamales, and we would all eat them and it was such a treat. Now, honestly, I don’t know if they were sold all the time and because he was close to the man selling them at that time of year, but it was every Christmas season, and we always looked forward to that day. Bet no one saw that one coming. ha ha
      Yes, we are all finding ourselves adjusting to “new traditions” this year. We did get to talk with Neal and Colin quite a few times when it was just “the guys” and we loved it. That little fellow is growing so much. He loves teasing me. He will say Paw Paw over and over, and I can hear Neal whisper, say MiMi, she is waiting, and then he just laughs and says loudly MI MI laughing. Of course, I just can’t help but say oh, how smart you are, I love you SO much, and before he says bye bye he will say “love you” This has been a very happy time of my life. I miss Neal so much. It has been 2 1/2 years since we’ve seen him. But thank God for this new technology.
      Sue, how are you feeling? Please take care. Hope your weather is holding and no bad ice and snow for you. Same for you Adele and Gail. Hope this cold blast this weekend is not causing you problems too Colleen. Take care everyone. Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I like Gary’s head band. That is cute. It was nice that Marissa got it for him. I like the center piece also. It was really nice that she bought those. It really made a nice center piece. I had never seen one like that.
      Your legs have really been swelling. I am glad that you went to the doctor and they are going to do something. You got to the doctor in good time. I am sure that it is nothing to worry about. They will take care of it. I would be careful of the dizzy spells. Just do not fall. Be so careful of that. Will be praying for you.
      I did not see the baking show last night. I have not been watching that. I have been watching Blue Bloods.It is really good. I cannot think of the youngest sons name but I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen to him.Either him or his fiancee. It should be interesting to see what happens. I have not watched the show tonight. I have it on the dvr. I will watch it after I get off of here.
      Well that is about all from here. Take care of yourself and when you get tired take a nap. I am not any good if I do not take my afternoon nap.lol
      Have a great night
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I am glad that those storms did not hit any where around you. It is too late in the year for storms like that. It is usually spring when we have to worry about tornadoes. Maybe that will be in the end of it.
      It is the same around here. There is nothing to do in the winter so if they do not have school they would really be bored. I do not know that it is any better in Tennese or not. They may have a few more things to do. I am not sure their weather is like there.
      Are the kids getting exciting for Christmas? Mine are really getting excited Aliza especially. She just loves Santa. No matter where she sees him she runs up to him and gives him a hug. It is really funny. She has never been scared of him she has always just loved him. My youngest was like that with the Easter bunny.
      Do the kids like the boy friend or do they say? Maybe you will get to meet him over Christmas. At least you will get to spend time with the kids. It will be fun to be with them. It will be interesting to hear what Piper is up to. She is so funny.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen
      p.s. I will be praying for Brent and that they tell him what is going on.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      Mom is doing really well. It is good to hear that Jerry’s mom is doing well also. How old is she? She sounds like she must be close to the same as my mom and Tillie. I hope that you have a good day out with her. It is fun to just see some of the old sites where they lived. We did that with Ron’s parents and it was interesting to see some of the places where they use to live.
      I have some of Thomas Pacone’s ornaments also. I like the boxes that they come in it keeps them protected. I wonder if he is still around. I have not heard anything about in a long time. I have not found his company on the internet. Will have try to find him again. I really liked his things.I also have the big Santa with the boy and girl. It is so cute.
      That is a good memory of your dad and Christmas. I can imagine that you got really excited for him to bring the tamalies home with him. I can imagine all of you sitting and eating them together.
      That is so cute Colin calling you paw paw. He probably got a good laugh out of it. They love to play games like that. It will be so nice when they move closer to you and you will be able to see them more. Will they get to come for Christmas? I hope that they will
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Adele, PLEASE BE CAREFUL with those dizzy spells!! We don’t want to hear you fell & hurt yourself. If they continue, write it down & make sure you give it to the Dr. I document anything that happens between Dr. visits. Or questions that I come up with.

      Barbara, thank you for telling her all that info. I was getting abit unnerved when I read about the dizzy spells. And I’m so happy for you that you got to spend some quality facetime with Neal & Colin. I hope that made up for the rudeness of Thanksgiving. I got several of those boxes of Thomas Pacconi glass ornaments a few yrs back. I have em in my closet. I got the first set of ornaments, & fell in love with em so much I got more when they were on. I wanted all of em but couldn’t. I got a set of fruit ornaments. I gave some to Hallie & her mom too. I got several glass ornaments from Christopher Radco too. I’ll take pics of em & post em on here. They stopped coming on quite awhile ago. Never knew why, they were so popular & beautiful. Whenever I like something, I don’t care what it is, it ends up discontinued.
      I enjoyed the story about the tamales. I grew up having to eat lutefisk & lefsa for Christmas Eve. It smelled like crap. It’s a Norwegian thing. You couldn’t get me within 5 miles of it. It was awful!!!!! I despise it!!!

      Speaking of Christmas Eve, plans are to have it with Hallie & Dan, then have Christmas Day with my other friends. I couldn’t go last yr due to icy conditions.
      Well, that’s all I have for tonight.
      dd & Jewell

      PS: Stay warm!!

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    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I hope this finds everyone doing well. Well, it’s warmed up abit. Clouds rolled in but we haven’t seen any rain yet. I think we had some sprinkles but I don’t
      count that as a real rain storm.
      Am I the only one who can’t get into the spirit of Christmas? For some reason I just can’t get into it this yr like I always have. The tree is up & partially decorated as is the rest of the apt. I got the Christmas cards out & that doesn’t even get me into it. I don’t understand it. Any ideas???

      Oh did I tell ya about finding something new from Betty Crocker? Cookie in a mug. There’s 4 pouches of cookie mix along with topping & you mix one pouch in a mug, cook it in the microwave for a minute or so, then top it with the topping. I got a couple of em. Haven’t tried em out yet.

      Well, I better get off here & stop my pity party.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I don’t have any hints for getting into the Christmas spirit. It’s kind of a feeling inside. I know as I put out more and more decorations I feel more cheerful. there is something about all the lights in the dark of winter that cheers me up. I wouldn’t worry about it too much-it may just sneak up on you the closer it gets. It will be nice to get out for Christmas Eve-that will make you feel good.
      I have some of those Christopher Radko ornaments from when he was on the Q and a few from other places-his ornaments were so pretty but quite large. I have one from the Q showing NY firefighters raising a flag after 911-it reminds me to say a prayer for our nation’s safety as I trim the tree each year. That is probably one of my favorite ornaments.
      Okay what exactly are lutefisk and lefsa-I think one at least is some kind of fish.
      That reminds me of Mom having us eat herring on New Year’s Eve for good luck. Yuck!
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      I loved the tamale story. Greg would probably love to have tamales for Christmas Eve dinner.
      Gosh Neal has been gone 2 and1/2 years already! Wow! Hopefully you will see them more when they make the move to NC or SC? I forgot which. I Imagine if Greg and I could not travel we wouldn’t see much of Brent either as it’s hard for him to travel with work and all. Every year I am always so excited when the time comes around to visit him. So you are a Mimi-I am a Gigi-although of late Piper has been referring to me as grandma-I think she’s trying to understand the distinction between the two grandmas-especially since both of our names are Gail.
      Thank goodness for modern technology so that you can chat with Colin.
      Yes, Greg would grumble every time we had to put those ornaments away-he didn’t understand why we just couldn’t throw them in a box. Well two years ago I abandoned them and this year I gave the vast majority of them to Adam.
      Does anyone else have any of Jeanne’s ornaments. I have the sweater and stocking ones and a set of glass ones that are figurines and another set of round balls with words on them. They all go on my little tree-so I kind of have one Quacker tree.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      HI Colleen,
      I can’t believe Aliza is so friendly with Santa. I never took my kids to see him as I knew they would scream. Jenny especially did not like men at all when she was little-so I knew that wouldn’t work.
      I didn’t see the kids Friday since Jenny had a wine party so I don’t know if they are excited yet. I know last time Kendall made a point of telling me the first of December Passion would come back. that’s their Elf on a Shelf. I always like to hear the interesting places that they find her.
      The kids didn’t really say that they liked the boyfriend or not and I really wouldn’t expect them to as their Mom was right in the room. Next time I baby sit maybe I’ll get the private scoop. lol
      I don’t think we will meet him over Christmas and personally that’s okay with me-I am not quite ready to embrace someone else. I know that makes me sound awful but I would just prefer that she not date at all for awhile so that she can find out what sort of person she really is drawn to. I think she needs some “me” time without any guy in the picture at all to get to know herself and be at peace with who she is. I just think going from one relationship into another without time for some self reflection is a bad idea. But who ever listens to their mothers? lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      How was your lunch. We went out for fish Friday night just to a local place. Saturday night we stayed in and ordered pizza and watched a movie. Mixed Nuts-a kind of zany Christmas movie. I hadn’t seen it in years and Greg said he never saw it. If I didn’t have so much to do I would watch Christmas shows 24/7 for the rest of the month. lol
      I saw the baking show was back. I have it DVR’d haven’t watched yet. The Bears are on tonight so no Christmas shows tonight-maybe I can sneak some in this afternoon.
      I do like Gary’s picture-every time I see him I think Murray Goldberg. lol
      Do you remember when George Bush gave the candy or cough drop to Michelle Obama during John McCain’s funeral? well I found out today when he went over to greet the Obama’s before his dad’s funeral he slipped Michelle a piece of candy. Now you gotta love a guy with that kind of sense of humor-especially considering the circumstances.
      Weren’t you having some dizziness before too? Did you end up having those ear crystals? I remember you doing the exercises.
      Well you know they know what Brent’s problem is they are just taking a long time now before doing something about it. I’m hoping at this visit in January they will have a plan of action. Originally they were saying he couldn’t get in until March but he called his GP and she got him back in sooner.
      Greg’s golfing friend texted him that they wanted to do a get together with the golf foursome and wives next weekend so that will be nice. Years ago first we partied with work friends at Christmas , then when the kids were small we partied with some other couples who had kids around the same age. We used to do a Choirboys party but since the one guy is from NY it’s hard to do now so we just meet Tim and Nan for dinner but they are so busy with ONP in December I haven’t talked to them for awhile. Anyway this will be nice. It’s a good group.
      Gail

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      DD I think it may be we are alone & that ruins the Christmas spirit. I kinda feel what’s the point no one will see the decorations or anything but me. I did love Christmas when I was little but we never went anywhere & really no traditions. I tried for years but no one would have it. Dad always made one trip for work Christmas morning & we had to wait to open anything until he got home & no one would hear of taking turns opening gifts, just rip off the paper & be done. I liked to see what everyone got & take time to enjoy mine. I cannot remember going to visit Santa. Mom did not drive & dad never wanted to do anything when he got off work. I do remember I was very young when they told me there was no Santa. I went to school & everyone still believed but it was ruined for me.
      Gail, Angel has the adventures of her elf George on Facebook. Today George said he & mommy met the big guy & he was so excited.
      It is very cold here but the bad weather is to the South. We have been dry for several days but still very little sunshine. We had snow showers most everyday.
      I made some peanut butter cookies today & made some soup. I need to bake a few more kinds of cookies but am not making as many as I always did. I need some to give friends & neighbors.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Were the kids at the wine party? It would have been nice if they would have come to your house. I guess there were other kids there that came with their parents. Sounds like you had a good time.
      I know how you feel about meeting the boyfriend. It is hard and you cannot help but worry. Even if the x was a jerk you still worry and want your daughter is going to do and if she will meet the right guy. Even if they meet a guy that seems to be a nice man you still worry. I guess that you just cannot help it. So do not feel bad about how you feel there is a lot of reasons for feeling that way. They never listen their mother we do not know anything. We are just old fashioned.
      It is just funny to watch Aliza with Santa. Do your grands like Snt are were they afraid of him? For some reason I cannot picture Piper being afraid of him. She is such a character.She is so funny
      Well that is about all from here. Hqave a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Sue,
      I’m sorry that your family didn’t celebrate Christmas in the ways that you wanted. That can be particularly hard for a child. I always wanted our kids to experience Christmas as a magical time and to believe in Santa for as long as possible. I’m sorry your folks didn’t feel that way. Even though we no longer have any company over Christmas except the kids I still like to decorate the house just for myself. I just love all the cheerful lights on the cold dark winter evenings. Even Greg enjoys them although he rarely mentions it. In fact I almost fell over yesterday when he mentioned that he really liked the new decoration that I had bought to put in front of the window in the upstairs hallway that faces out into an upper outdoor balcony.
      I wish my sister lived closer so she could celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving with us too as her children live in Georgia and Texas and she has no grands.
      Are you an Eagles fan? I don’t know how they are doing this year but they had a tough loss yesterday. Of course you could be a Steelers fan too but it seems like I remember you mentioning the Eagles before.
      It’s interesting how the Rams are doing so well now and how they were so

      bad in Saint Louis. Maybe they poured more money into them with the move. Anyway, the Bears did manage to eek out a win against them-mostly due to their defense.
      What kind of soup did you make? It seems like my go to soup in the winter is hamburger soup or minestrone. there’s nothing like a good pot of soup in the winter.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I didn’t go to the wine party so I don’t know if the kids were there or not. I kind of doubt it. Last Friday was Adam’s weekend so maybe he was off early and took them. I saw she posted a picture on Facebook of all the “girls” that were there. I wouldn’t have wanted the kids here anyway as they would have seen the gifts that Santa has yet to bring. lol
      You know I guess it’s kind of hard because I like Adam and his whole family, his parents, his brothers, his kids from his first marriage-the only one that I don’t know well is his sister and that’s because she lives in Washington. But at least he and Jenny seem to get along okay now and he’s such a good dad so I can’t complain.
      You know I don’t know for sure but I don’t think the kids have ever been taken to see Santa-maybe because i never took Jenny and Brent. I know she didn’t take Kendall because she would have screamed. Piper would probably tell Santa how to run the North Pole. lol
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, I have a lot to read…..LOL

      Barbara:
      I have been having the best, instead of the worst, weather. It has been sunny, but cold. I can take that any time.
      I am attaching a pic of the tree…..I sent it to the kids, and said, “help, the Grinch stole the decorations!” Also the pics of the ornaments I finally stretched and glued together. They are now on the knobs of the kitchen cabinets.
      Gary had me get 2 blow up outside decorations, because our new neighbor, who we love has the entire yard decorated, and he feels we do not look festive enough. How funny is that??
      Tillie is back to not coming up, crying and whining about everything again. I thought we were out of the woods, but, I guess not. That really bothers me, as I felt we had progressed to my old Mom, and we went completely backward again. I had asked her to please not do this, as right now if she makes me feel there is an emergency, she will end up on the ER. I can’t take any chances right now.
      I went for the xray after we had lunch with Ron and Joyce, and it was pitiful. The walk is nto long to xray from the ER entrance, and I did it with no issue for the liver ultrasound. I had to stop twice, and hold onto the wall, to try to catch my breath. On the way out, Gary says this to me…..”If you are going to have a heart attack, now is the time to do it, as this is the perfect place.” Seriously? That man thinks he is funny. Actually, he is very worried about me.
      I really think this will be an easy fix, as it came on so quick, and I am perfectly fine when I am at rest. I breathe fine at rest, if I walk from my recliner to the bathroom, I get winded. Any walk for 100 steps or more, is real bad. Or, when I put things away in the kitchen, or reach to get a pot out, etc. seems like any exertion at all i get winded.
      I can get a deep breath in, but it feels like I could get more air in and cannot right now. Not sure if that makes any sense.
      No, they were nto looking for oxygen levels before, as they have not used that finger thing on me in a while.
      You have a nice day scheduled with Jerry’s Mom. I bet she will be so happy to go out with you two. I can visualize the 3 of you having a good talk, and so many laughs at the Cracker Barrel. what a nice holiday lunch. Which Quacker top will you have on??
      Little Colin really loves his mimi and papa. He sounds so adorable. They are so cute at that age, and grow up so fast. These are special Christmases, when all is new to them, and all is magical.
      I hope you are not getting blasted with snow- that storm looks awful. For once we are not getting it.
      Have a good day!
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Please read the post to Barbara for all the news.
      I love that pic of Gary. I love funny pics….LOL
      I will call the doctor this afternoon, to see if they have the results from the xray.
      I feel the same way you do, this is fixable. It will be funny if everything is normal, and they say….you need to lose weight. I guess I will re-join WW for the hundredth time….LOL
      I have been doing a lot of needlepoint, and staying calm. I also think the dizzy is form the fluid pills. I have been making sure I have a banana every afternoon. I have an orange every am, so I am good. The doctor wants me to add a banana too….for the potassium.
      I hope you did nto get blasted with snow with that awful storm. they have been reporting on it every day on the news.
      hope you have a good day.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Colleen and Barbara
      I forgot to say that I also loved the tamale story. LOL
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      thank you for the idea of writing down the different things in between visits.
      I am so glad we have each other, and Barbara on here, as there is a wealth of info on getting older, and dealing with our medical issues as they arise. It is always good to know we are not alone. between all of us, we have seen and dealt with a lot of medical issues that have come up.
      I do not like the dizzy stuff. It is when I exert myself, or after the fluid pill has done it;s daily job. When i feel it, I will drink a whole glass of water,and that usually helps, most of the time.
      I am so happy you will have people with you on Christmas Eve, and Day. Will your friend critt e a part of Christmas Day too? I hope he is doing well.
      You know, Joanne called me this morning, and she started to cry, saying she is scared I will be sick. I told her not to worry, as “rotten sauerkraut never dies”- that is a German saying. of course, it loses a lot in translation.
      Hey- what are those holiday foods?? I have never heard of those before….LOL
      hope your day is going well.
      Adele
      PS…read the post to Barbara for all the info.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey DD
      No, the holiday pitty party is with all of us. I have no holiday spirit, even with all the decorating I did, and all the watching of the Hallmark movies. I am trying to pretend I do have some. The worst was when I did the Christmas cards. It was so depressing seeing all the names of friends and relatives who have died. I need to get a new book, and do it over, as it is so sad to see all the names, especially when I lost 2 besties in less than a year.
      You just lost your best friend too. No holiday can be good, when you miss someone so much. That is why I am so thrilled you have people for this holiday season so you will nto be alone. I just wish Sue had someone too.
      Hope your day is going well.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD and Gail
      I have a Christopher Radko ornament for 911 too- I have the heart with the flag on it.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hay Gailster….I have the sweater and stocking ones too. I have them for Halloween too.
      Adele.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      I hope you have a great time with the golf buddies next weekend. Sooo, which Quacker top will you be wearing?? This past weekend, I wore a velvet camisole, with the Peace, hope, love cardigan. I wore the velvet tank, so I did nto have to shed my clothes, and put one of those awful johnnies for the xry- all I did was remove the bra….LOL Went home braless….LOl
      I did have the crystals in the ear, and the real bad dizzy for a while. that went away- totally. Only once in a while when I get into bed, I get a little dizzy. This dizzy seems to be after I ahve peed a lot from the fluid pill- at least that is what it seems to be. I just ate a banana, and had a glass of water, to see how it goes.
      I hope the news for Brent is something that is workable. I continue to add him to my prayers.
      I get how you feel about meeting the new boyfriend. I just hope when you do, you will like him- Greg too.
      Will you be seeing the kids this Friday too? If so, you will have a full holiday weekend schedule….LOL
      Hope your day is good- read the post to Barbara, for all the info…..ho ho ho
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue
      I feel you are right, in everything you said. Decorating for only you, is the one thing I think you should do. Even if you put up a tiny tree, it is nice to see the lights at night, and you deserve to see the pretty lights. Maybe get a set of those tiny ceramic trees from the Q-they come 4 in a box. They are in stock in white, and I got 2 sets, and gave 2 trees to Tillie, 2 to Steph, and one to Heather. They all love them, accept Tillie. tillie has them still in the bag they came in. She wants no part of Christmas. I have one on the kitchen table, and 2 in the living room. They make me smile, and I am real low on spirit this year. I have not even made my shopping list for the cookies yet, nor decided which ones to do. that is not me.
      I am sorry Santa was ruined for you. If we lived closer, I would pick you up, and we could go to the Mall and take a pic with Santa. Then, have cookies and a hot chocolate at some coffee shop. You are never too old to believe, and you do whatever you want to make yourself smile. Can’t you just see my chubby bits sitting on poor Santa’s knee? That could be a career ender for Santa, but, we would have a good laugh over it….LOL
      I wish I could bottle up some Christmas spirit, and send it to you, and everyone else. I am sorry your family did nto make a big deal out of the holidays. Every child deserves the magic of Christmas. At least we have our sparkly clothes to bring everyone a smile. We also have hot chocolate- that works miracles, especially with a little whip cream, or marshmallows……please have a cup for me!
      Love you to pieces, Suzie Q!!!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      We did not get any snow here at all. It was a lot further south of us.I do not think we are going to get any snow here at all. It is supposed to get really warm here next week so that will be the end of that.It is going to get into the fifties. That is really warm compared to what it has been
      Maybe Tillie does not feel well when she will not come upstairs. Maybe on good days she comes up and is her old self. It is hard to tell with our mom”s they do not like to tell us how they feel. My mom is always fine until you go and see her and she is sick.
      That is good that you are doing things to keep busy. I hope they will give you the results of the x ray’s soon. I always hate waiting for the results of any tests. They always seem to take their time calling.
      If you do not want to go on a diet just cut down on what you eat. Do not eat snacks just at certain times. I know with the diabetes I have two snacks a day. One mid day and one at night. I know it is hard to cut down if you do not eat much. Sometimes I do not eat bread for awhile. it just depends on how I feel.
      Well that is about all from here. Have great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      You sound like me. I have not wrapped my presents either. I will have to get them done before Melissa and the kids get here.Stephen is coming also I always forget to mention him.
      That is good that the kids were with their dad that week-end. Sounds like the girls had a good time at the wine party. It has been a long time since I have gone to party like that. It does not seem like that it is as much fun as it use to be when we were young.
      That is funny that Jenny did not take her kids to see Santa. I guess if she was afraid of him she would not take her kids. All kids are different. I do not think any of my other grands or kids felt the Aliza feels about Santa.
      It must be hard for you and Greg liking Adam and his family. We were lucky we did not have that problem. Justin was not our favorite and his family was not that friendly. So we were fine with them splitting. That is terrible to feel that way but we could not help it. This will all work out in the end.
      Well that is all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      That’s my chore for the next couple of days. Getting gifts wrapped and also getting the gifts sent out to my sister and Brent and Wendy.
      I knew Stephan was coming with Melissa and the kids even if you didn’t mention him. Actually you did mention him when you were talking about baking cookies.
      Well I could have gone to the wine party as I know most of the people there but I just feel like I’m the old lady infringing on their fun. In the old days Adam’s Mom would be invited too and we could have hung out. We both like to drink wine too. lol I think everybody brings a bottle of wine and then they trade off or something like that.
      Yes it would make it easier if you weren’t crazy about the SIL or his family. Like you said it will all work out mainly because it has to. Life goes on and we learn to take the good with the bad.
      You know I never took Jenny and Brent to see Santa so it just wasn’t a big thing to do. Actually I think Santa with the big beard and the big voice is often scary to a lot of kids so I figured why possibly traumatize them for life. lol When they were a little older we had a Christmas party with friends and each year one of the dad’s would take turns playing Santa and that didn’t seem to bother them. maybe because Santa was in their own house. Somewhere we still have VHS tapes of the guys playing Santa which are pretty funny. My Mom always said Greg’s Santa sounded like W C Fields. lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      You have been a busy little beaver with all the ornaments. They are so pretty.
      That was funny about Gary and the blow up decorations. The Jewish guy worrying that your house doesn’t look festive enough. lol Who will put them up? That sounds like a job for Bobby.
      It’s funny my family doctor doesn’t say anything about my weight. At least not yet. And I would surely expect it. But just this last year my rheumatologist started mentioning it. Personally I think he’s trying to prove a theory. Not too log ago he read an article that people who are obese (like I am) tend to have high C reactive protein which I always have and it bugs him. It’s like that so consistently that we just figured that was just me but ever since he read that article he started “suggesting” that i lose weight-so i personally think he wants to see if that would make a difference in the test readings. Plus I have so much weight to lose that it just seems like an insurmountable task. Basically I could not eat at all. lol So I have just kind of gone along in the same way. My girlfriend who had her stomach removed was a member of weight watchers forever and it never made much difference with her. Of course once she had her stomach removed she lost a ton of weight so it was actually good at that point that she was over weight to begin with.
      So you went home without your bra. Shades of me in the 60’s-it was fashionable then and back then I didn’t have much to hold up anyway. lol
      Now will you do the stress test where you walk on the treadmill or will they give you the one where they give you the medicine to speed up your heart rate? When I had mine I had such a wonderful nurse who helped and encouraged me on the treadmill. I was sorry after ward that i didn’t take the time to send the hospital a letter praising her. One good thing was there was no waiting for results. The doctor came out afterwards and told me everything was fine. I think I waited only 15 or 20 minutes for all the results.
      I’m so sorry that Tillie is back to her old ways. I really think she would have benefited from some kind of mild anti depressant. My MIL took Paxil for years. Like you said when it is time to renew her meds she will have to go to the doctor.
      Not sure what Quacker finery I will sport this weekend. This is a game playing group so I will have to see if I can dig up my holiday trivia game to bring along with so Greg and I can whip their butts! lol
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen!
      Tillie is always saying she had ” a bad, bad night”- she has been saying that every day of her life, so it is hard to figure out what is real, and what is not. She never says she has a good day- she is, and always has been, a very negative person. She says she is sick, every single day too. the kids and grands get frustrated with her, as you can’t figure out if she is really sick, or it is just her complaining she is sick. If you press her to go to the doctor, or need to call 911, a miracle happens, and she is better. So, it makes you think all is for affect. I have spoken to her on this so many times, saying she will end up in the back of an ambulance some day, for nothing, as one day we will call 911 when she is saying she is sick, and she will be on her way for nothing.
      Here is another example…..She has the sight issue, which we all know- the black spot never totally went away, but got smaller. So, every time you see her, she cries she cannot see. the other day, Bobby walked in on er reading her magazine ( something she has said she can no longer do). As soon as she saw Bobby, she started to cry…”I can’t see, I can’t see.” Meanwhile, I have the electrician booked to put a light in the shower, and two in the kitchen, making it brighter, so that will help her see. So, Bobby tells me the story, and says I am wasting my money, as she can read more than we know.
      I wish Tillie were a little more like your Mom, and more positive. We are all feeling it is an attention thing over here. She was a lot better, and as soon as she heard there may be something wrong with me, it immediately started all over again. It is so hard to sort out the drama, versus the reality. I honestly think that one of these days, we will ignore something that is dangerous, because we don’t believe her.
      Since she was in the hospital, it has been a lot worst. as she thinks she is going to die any minute. the nurses who came here all said she is fine, and her vitals were always good. So, go figure. I wish I had a crystal ball, to see what is real.
      Gary keeps saying she is 92, and I can’t expect her to feel good, and day of the week. He says I just need to deal with the fact she is sick, and will be sick, for every day of her life. She has no pain, and says so. She just says…”I don’t feel good.”
      Sorry for the complaining…..now, I sound like Tillie….LOL
      I am glad you did nto get blasted with snow. We have none yet too. It Is cold,but nothing yet. That is good for Christmas shopping…ho ho ho.
      I have not heard yet from the doctor’s office. They should call this afternoon, with the definitive results from the xray.
      Hope you are having a good day. I will be making American Chop suey today.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Colleen and Gail…..no wrapping up here yet. I plan to get it done next week. I still have to hem 3 pairs of the Quacker corduroy pants- the petite is nto short enough for me….LOL
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Colleen
      Forgot to say. We eat weird over here. Gary and I have “breakfast” around 11:00 am. We never have lunch. Because we went out to lunch with friends, we did not eat that morning. The next meal is dinner, between 6 and 7. In the afternoon, I usually have some fruit, and if I am starved, some cheese and a couple of crackers with it. An occasional piece of chocolate may enter the mouth, when stressed….lol. Watching TV, I sometimes have one to 3 pieces of chocolate, and that keeps me sane. I eat the wrapped milk chocolate- a small leaf, or snowman. Sometimes I suck on a hard candy at night. I guess those can be eliminated. I have not been baking much lately either.
      I have the same thing every day- 1/2 bagel, with veggie cream cheese, on boiled egg, and an orange. I will have an occasional second (small) helping of something I love at supper- that could end. I am not big on fries, as they have to be very hot- I hate them warm or cold, so I don’t have many of those, when out. I usually order rice or a baked potato. i try my best to stay at the same weight, and not gain more. I would have to really limit portions to lose. the only diet that ever worked for me was Atkins, and that is not healthy at all. God help me….LOL
      I now have to add a banana each afternoon, per doctor.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster!
      Please read my boring posts to poor Colleen….I was venting about Tillie.
      I have such problems losing weight. I really do nto eat like people think I do, looking at how big I am. It is more of a not being able to move much thing. No matter what I eat, it turns to fat. I struggle to stay the same. Tell me to lose, and I panic immediately, as I feel I cannot succeed. I think my doctor mentioned it to me, as he is afraid for my heart right now, with the swelling, being tired, and the breathless thing. I am too.
      Did I tell you my friend Joyce lost 100 lbs? She did the Weight Watchers thing, and lost that inless than a year, with no exercise, as she can barely move with her knees. Her weight loss has scared me. With her not moving, and her doctor even commenting on how she was able to do that, and not move, i am a little worried. Losing that much, in less than a year, and looking like she does ( she looks very fragile), I am so afraid her cancer came back,and spread. She had brain cancer years ago. Of course, I ahve nto said that to her. I just tell her what she did was remarkable, and how proud of her I am. She just doesn’t look good- very pale too. I hope nothing is wrong.
      Go Gail!! I Know you can be the whip their butts this weekend! I hope you both have a great time.
      I am not sure if I will have to do the treadmill thing, or not. i do remember when Gary had one, they told him right away too. Ihope I get the news the same way. Then, on the 31st, we meet with my doctor to do a plan of action. that should be fun….LOL
      Just got the call from the doctor- the xray is normal. So the lungs are good. That is good news…one more hurdle.
      Hope your day is going well.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Sorry I’m so long in getting on here. Thank you for all your support. I forced myself to get busy & got a lot of decorating done the past few days. I got the tree decorated among other things. It’s the sciatica that’s the biggest problem. I can’t stand for long periods of time.
      I haven’t read all the posts so if I leave someone out don’t feel left out.
      Sue, it sounds like we didn’t have a storybook Christmas. In my home it was always a fight to get a tree. My dad would go out into the woods & get us a tree. It was like he hated Christmas. That’s why I start decorating after Thanksgiving, & leave it up till my birthday in Jan.

      As for the lutefisk & lefsa, it’s a Norwegian thing. Lefsa is the Norwegian version of the tortilla. Made from mashed potatoes & flour, rolled out to make the tortilla, then browned on a griddle. The lutefisk is a fish. It’s boiled in water till is thoroughly cooked, then drained. Then on the lefsa you butter it, add mashed potatoes, & the fish, roll it up like a burrito. I can’t express how much I HATE that crap!!! It’ stinks to high heaven!!!
      Adele, I’m sorry to hear about Tillie. That must be soooo hard on you!!! You need a tropical vacation on a private island somewhere. Your ornaments are adorable. I wish I was crafty like that. I used to be but not so much nowadays.
      Our typical weather is back. Sunday was so dark & dreary & wet!!! More like Dec. in Or. We had a dry day yesterday, but the rain has returned.

      I better get off here, something’s going on & I don’t want to lose my post.
      Take care.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I am going to try this again. I was almost done and the whole thing disappeared. That is so aggravating. So I am going to try this again. If it does not go thru this time I quit.
      I do not blame you for not going to the wine tasting. It is not as much fun if it is all young people there. It is nice to sit back and have a glass of wine and relax. We will need a glass of wine after everyone goes home after Christmas.
      I need to get my gifts wrapped and under the tree. I called about our tree and thy did not seem to be concerned. The lights started to go out for no reason. they want us to get the invoice and send it to them and they will send us another box that we use to light the tree. I think that we are going to just forget about it and get a different tree We will look around and see if we can find one that we like after Christmas. I am not that pleased with Bethlehem Lights right now. I figure if it is a 5ft. tree and it keeps losing branches there won’t be anything else left. Just the metal bar.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great time.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      We are here for you so feel free to vent we are here to listen. It is hard to tell then if she is sick or not. We do not have that problem with mom. She is afraid that we will make her move in She likes her independence. It would be hard to take that away from her.
      I think that you will know how she is feeling when you look her and the way she is acting. You have been doing really good so far.You have taken good care of her.
      I am sorry to have said that about eating. I did not know what your eating habits are. I apologize. I just have to cut down on things or just not eat bread or any fried foods. It is just figuring out what you eat that makes you gain. It sounds like you are maintaining your weight though. I am going to quit now before I really stick my foot in my mouth.
      Our weather is warming up. It was almost 50 here today. It is going to be warmer this week here. I am glad that we are having a little bit of a warm up we really need it. It has been so cold here. I know that your weather is a lot colder then ours is though.
      Are you watching The Conners? What do you think of the show? I have mixed feelings about it. Sometimes it is really good and other times they go a little too far. It is just odd without Rose Ann on there.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      We are here for you so feel free to vent we are here to listen. It is hard to tell then if she is sick or not. We do not have that problem with mom. She is afraid that we will make her move in She likes her independence. It would be hard to take that away from her.
      I think that you will know how she is feeling when you look her and the way she is acting. You have been doing really good so far.You have taken good care of her.
      I am sorry to have said that about eating. I did not know what your eating habits are. I apologize. I just have to cut down on things or just not eat bread or any fried foods. It is just figuring out what you eat that makes you gain. It sounds like you are maintaining your weight though. I am going to quit now before I really stick my foot in my mouth.
      Our weather is warming up. It was almost 50 here today. It is going to be warmer this week here. I am glad that we are having a little bit of a warm up we really need it. It has been so cold here. I know that your weather is a lot colder then ours is though.
      Are you watching The Conners? What do you think of the show? I have mixed feelings about it. Sometimes it is really good and other times they go a little too far. It is just odd without Rose Ann on there.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      So glad to hear from you. I am glad you got your decorating done. The lights, and twinkles of Christmas make us smile. The sciatica is awful. I am glad you were able to work around it, to get your nice things up.
      Thank you for your kind words. I will make you laugh. This is how my day egan. A call from Tillie at about 9:00 am, saying she feels sick and does not knwo what to do. She says she has been calling my phone, and not getting me, becasue she was dialing the wrong number. I question further to see what is wrong. She has to go to the bathroom, and feels sick, and says she doesn’t know what to do. i quietly say….you need to get up, and go to the bathroom. She thanks me. Now, I get more worried, as what in the world is wrong that she needs to ask if she should go to the bathroom. I wait until I hear the toilet flush, and call her back to see what she means about feeling sick. She sounds fine, and says she was dizzy.
      My blood pressure went through the roof, as I was trying to think of what I needed to do- call the EMT’s, get Heather here to help, or do nothing. My Mother says she is dizzy every day, and has vertigo meds she takes daily, so this is nothing new. But, I was fearing the worst, again, as who calls to ask if they should go to the bathroom, when they need to go? Gary then tells me to calm down,and realize I will get these frantic calls for nothing from now on. This is the issue….when is it a real emergency? So, i had another chat with her about calming down, and not making everything a huge insurmountable problem. All staff who worked with her (RN, PT, Dr. at hospital) said she could benefit form an anti-anxiety med, which she adamantly refuses.
      I pray every day for patience. I need a truck load of patience, and I am running thin.
      Sorry for venting, as I Know you are hurting from losing your friend. How are you feeling? I find myself crying for very little reason, at anything the least bit emotional. I miss Maxine and Winnie. they would have made me laugh. I am sure you miss Kay terribly too. It will eventually get better. It all takes time. I am sorry you had to lose your good friend, and that she was so terribly ill.
      Love you!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, Colleen!!
      I did nto tell you what and how I eat to make you feel bad about what you said. I was just sharing how I eat, and how hard it is to lose, with what I do eat. I try so hard to eat the right things, and not overload on bad stuff. Even with what i do eat, it is a challenge to stay the same weight. Every once in a while, I ahve a meltdown, and have an ice cream ( a chocolate covered bar, or a dish of vanilla). When I indulge in an ice cream more than once every 2 weeks, I know I gained. It is just ridiculous. I have such a slow metabolism. i also try to keep away from butter as much as I can, due to the fatty liver thing. that’s why I have the veggie cream cheese, or sometimes the “Clotted Cream” instead of butter on my half bagel. Like I said, the only diet that EVER worked on me was Atkins. That is so unhealthy- just protein and fats. I was on it for a couple of months once, (lost 40 lbs) and when I went to the dentist, I had to get 2 crowns done, as my gums were in bad shape form no vitamin c. My dentist almost had a heart attack when I told her what I was doing. imagine??
      Please read my post to DD for the Tillie update of the day. God help me, she is a lot of work. My Christmas wish is that she could be happy for at least one day. It was so nice to see her smile the day we did the latkes, and I thought we were turning the corner. It was very short lived. Oh well.
      I know you are all here for me, but I feel like I am not making anyone laugh right now, and I love to make people laugh. GAry keeps telling me this is just not a happy house right now, and there is little holiday spirit, no matter how many ornaments I make…LOL LOL Maybe I should make a big smiley one??
      I have only 12 days to get the holiday spirit back in this house…help…..
      Love ya!
      Adele
      PS- cold out here,but no snow.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Colleen
      Forgot to say. I have been watching them. Some nights they are better than others. I am on the fence about that show. I do love The Kids are Alright, and Single Parents.
      Have a good night!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      You need to get away for a couple of days. Ask Heather to stay with Tille and jut get out of the house. You and Gary can just go somewhere that you want to go and just relax. Tell the kids not to call unless it is an emergency. You really just need that time away. That may help with your blood pressure and you will gwt your Christmas spirit back. Maybe just drive around and look at the Christmas lights. Just get away. People do not realize that when people are in the old folks home if you have a patient that is giving you trouble there are different peope that can take over for you and you can get away from it. You are dealing with this 24/7 that is a lot.
      I just felt bad because you do do not eat hardly anything. I should have asked you that first. I was not thinking. That is the first thing that they ask before they tell you what to do. I have been to a loy of different dietitions and have had the tell me different things. You can tell that I do not have spell check on here with all the words I misspell.
      I tried the Atkins diet once and it did not work for me. I do not think that I stayed on it for very long though. You did really good with it though Have you ever tried the Brummel and Brown butter. They say that is not bad for you. It is made with yogurt. I do not remember what else is in it. When I was in the hospital they told me to use that on my toast. They said that it was the best to use.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I am sorry to hear you do not have the Christmas spirit. Have you watched the Christmas movies on Hall Mark? They might help you. Your place sounds like you have got it all decorated. I wish that I could give you and Adele the Christmas spirit.
      Did you see that show where they decorate those houses? It is a contest where they see who can out up the most lights I missed it and was wishing that they would have advertised it more. That is a fun show to watch
      I am glad that you have someone to share Christmas dinner with. How is Critt doing? He is so funny you may need to just talk to him for awhile. He might brighten your day.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      DD,
      I am not decorated either. I have to get that done this weekend. I hope both trees still work otherwise it’s off to Lowe’s we will have to go.
      The grands told me it’s okay as long as I have the trees done when they come over for Christmas. lol
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      You know it seems like the Q are doing less trees with Bethlehem lights and leaning more toward other brands. After having one that was recalled I finally gave up on them and we started getting ours at someplace like Menards, Lowes or Home Depot instead. They may not have all the fancy functions but they are a lot less expensive. If you get one after Christmas the price will be cheaper but you may not have a big selection. We have had to get a new tree right before Christmas and there weren’t many different ones to choose from. Do you like white or colored lights? It seems like they sell more white lights trees and since we like the multi ones we have a smaller selection.
      If your tree loses more branches it will look like the Charley Brown tree. I can’t believe the branches are coming off. You just got that tree last year, didn’t you?
      I read on the Q boards that there will be no DWTS spring edition this year. Maybe after last season’s winner was one of the lowest scorers they are thinking of ways to revamp the voting system. They said it wasn’t cancelled they are just skipping the spring edition. We’ll see.
      I still watch the Connor’s as I like the other characters and I kind of want to see where life takes them after Rosie.
      I love The Great Christmas Light Fight shows. I can’t believe how some people decorate and the different ideas that they have. Last week they had a home in Fox River Grove Illinois which is right next to the town that I grew up in. So that was sort of cool. They weren’t the winners. I guess they also do a huge Halloween display too.
      Better get to decorating myself.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      The QF petites are not short enough for me either. 28 and a half inches is not petite in my book. The only QF pants that are okay for me anymore are the petite ankle pants and even they do not seem like the inseam is a short as they say it is. It’s too bad as the Dream Jeannes are comfy.
      You know Greg has done Atkins too and even though he lost weight he gained it all back because you just can’t keep it up forever. this time he did Paleo and it’s all meat and fat. I could never eat like that. I think the biggest thing he did was give up sweets-which I should do but i love my sweet treats. I don’t know how he did that. I think his self hypnosis helps him a lot. Now instead of having a piece of cake or a cookie at bed time he has cheese or a beef stick. Yuck! I do love my cake and cookies which is my downfall.
      You can vent here as much as you want about Tillie. i have been through a lot of it before. I know when I took care of my MIL I was stressed and wound as tight as a top and i cried a lot just from the stress of having someone else’s well being in my hands and i would worry about every little thing. She also would say she was sick when she didn’t want to do something. She would tell me that she felt like she was going to throw up-which she never actually did. I would say the same thing-some day you will really be sick and how will I know the difference.
      I’m sure all this stress from taking care of her has added to your own current problems. maybe you will have to take the tranquilizer instead of her. lol I sure wish you could talk her into the anti depressant. Also, since she got sick again when she found out you were having some issues maybe you should just keep her out of the loop concerning what is going on with you. I’m glad to hear your lungs are good.
      Your friend Joyce must really have stuck to the diet well to lose 100 pounds in a year. Personally i think everyone looks frail after they lose that much weight. My friend Nan looked the same way to me after her surgery-of course she had her stomach removed so she was frail but now i am used to her and she looks really good to me. Except now we can no longer shop in the plus size section together. When we are older and we lose a lot of weight it really shows in our faces and we look kind of gaunt. When people find out I am 70 and they say that i don’t look it I say that’s because the fat is a natural filler so I don’t need plastic surgery to hide the wrinkles the fat just plumps them out naturally. lol
      Well I better get back to my Christmas stuff as time is moving on.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen
      My doctor mentioned a dietician to help with my particular needs, which may be good. They can figure things out to help. WW weight loss is very slow with me, and then you get discouraged. Butm, with my level of activity, i think it would be real slow.
      Please know you have never said anything , ever that has hurt my feelings. As a matter of fact, nobody on here has, and I hope I haven’t said anything to hurt anyone else either.
      So, today she is in her chair, saying she can’t get to the kitchen to take her pills. When Gary leaves to see some customers, he will get her pills to ehr chair. Mind you, the kitchen is about 20 steps from her chair. I asked if she needed to go to the ER, and she said no.
      I agree. We need to get out of here. I was hoping we could tomorrow, after the tests. But, with her like this, probably no. I don’t want to ask Heather for anything more, as she is behind in her shopping, and I feel bad about putting more on her. But, Bobby will be home sleeping as he ahs to do an “overnight” at the airport, and will be home at 6:00 am tomorrow to sleep.
      we have greta news- MArissa and Enzo are engaged!!!! I am attaching the pic of the ring. Ill tell the story on that later.
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster….
      Do what I did. Put the tree up, get a Grinch in it, and send a pic into your local paper saying…help, the Grinch stole my ornaments…..LOL LOL
      Check out the pic I sent in to the Saugus Advertiser, which they posted.
      I am getting my funny back. I posted it on Facebook, and everyone is chuckling. Of course, I posted MArissa and Enzo too.
      Luv u guys!
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      click on the pic to see the heading in the paper, and comment under it….LOL
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      You know, maybe when you get to be in the 90’s that is how you feel- dizzy and nauseous when you walk. It is odd that two Mom’s are/were saying the same thing. I get nervous thinking, what if I do not react one day, and this is it? Gary checked in on her and right after that, she went to the kitchen to take her meds. Then, she called me to say she did take her meds.
      I told her maybe she needs to set up her am pills on the living room table, so she can take them in her recliner.
      You may be right- I will end up on some heavy duty anti-anxiety meds if Tillie does not agree to take them….LOL
      I am going to wrap this weekend. Gary has to get the last minute gift certificates this weekend, so we both have our jobs. I have to check my recipes to make sure I have all I need to bake.
      The one thing I noticed was you don’t get hungry at all on Atkins. But, after a while all that meat and fat get to you- you just want something to crunch!
      Do you ever watch The Talk? I see them sometimes. They can be real funny. I just put them on. they are having a discussion on sex, and it is hysterical.
      Are you going to see the kids, or is the party Friday (with Greg’s buddies)? It would be great to get both in, as you would have a lot of laughs, for sure.
      That could be what makes me feel Joyce is gaunt. The chubby bits do make you look younger, without botox.
      Hope your day is going well
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Congrats Adele on Marissa’s engagement. I’ll bet you’re all on cloud 9. I saw the article & the pic. That’s hilarious. “How the Grinch stole Adele’s ornaments” should be a new version of the tale.
      Not much going on. I’m trying to get a ROKU set up on my TV but something isn’t working. Sigh. I’ll figure it out eventually.
      I’m all decorated. Now all I have to do is clean up & get some kind of organization back.

      I wonder if these dizzy spells are related to the inner ear some how. Have you had your ears checked lately? Just a thought.

      That’s about all for now. Like I said not much going on or to talk about.
      Take care.
      dd

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I am so happy for you and Marissa. That ring is so pretty. I bet that she is just glowing. You must be also. It is always exciting for one of the kids to get engaged. Did they set a date or is that pushing it.lol
      I l. ove the picture of the grinch in your tree. That ids so funny I am glad that you are getting your humor back again. I noticed that they put your name in the paper you may get a bunch of ornaments on your doorstep. All your friends will be dropping them off.
      The only way that I lost weight was I got sick. I could not at hardly eat anything so that is how I did it. I hope that does not happen to you it was miserable. I really have to keep working to keep it off. It is really a pain.
      Have you tried taking her blood pressure when she starts complaining? She might get tired of that and think before she starts complaining. I bet that Heather woud not mind coming over and sitting with her grandma. She would rather you get a break then getting really sick. You need the time away and your kids would be glad to help. One of your grands might be happy to help also. Just take of yourself.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Congrats to Marissa and Enzo. It seems like they have been going out for awhile now. That’s good to take your time. Her ring is so pretty-what shape is the stone?
      That’s funny that they printed your picture in the local paper.
      Yes, my MIL would say that she was dizzy too. I think sometimes elderly people do get a little dizzy when they first stand up. It is scary when they say they are sick when they are not because you never know when it could be real. I used to tell the story about the boy who cried wolf all the time.
      Well now it ends up that we are babysitting tonight. Jenny is going to her work Christmas party. She wasn’t going to go but then her boss said hardly anyone was going this year so she felt bad about it so i told her to go and Greg and I would watch the kids as long as we were there anyway. she will take the train so if she has some drinks she won’t be driving which is good.
      I hope all your tests come out good. You will probably be pooped tonight. I hope the weather isn’t bad so you don’t have to go out in rain or snow.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD!
      Thank you for the well wishes. the funny couple do nto have any wedding plans yet. as Marissa says she wants a long engagement- she wants to buy a house first. God bless them, and I hope their goals can be achieved.
      I am so happy for her, and for being able to be a part of the ring. Did I tell you 2 of the stones are from my pendant, that my Nonna and Dad gave to me? If I don;t, let me know and I will tell all of you.
      What is a ROKU?
      Tonight is the final blue bloods for the season….
      Got back from tests- had the echo cardiogram. They could nto do the stress test, as they only do the injection one on Wednesdays. Lady did nto think I could do the “walk the plank” thing.
      So, I am sitting in the waiting room with my blue corduroy Quackers and my blue velvet Quacker top- had a holiday pin on my lapel. (after i had the blood work, and two ladies down there commented on what a beautiful color, and outfit I had on) We go upstairs for the testing…..Gary says…..”that top looks awful on you- it shows your rolls, even if those ladies said they liked it”. Anyone want to bet if the man is still alive? he is hanging by a thread. This was said in a waiting room, across the aisle, as he was sitting on the other side, in full hearing of the office staff, and people in the next area. My response…..” it has some spandex in it”. I just glared at him. So, when we got to the restaurant, and he complained to the waitress about his f…… pancakes, I nearly killed him. he got “the look” and knew he was in for it. He said he is my husband, and needs to tell me when something doesn’t look right…..I said….”not in public, across the waiting room, you boob.” I wish you guys could have seen my face. Gary wishes he had not. LOL
      Have a good night!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      ‘Thank you for the well wishes for my Rissy and Enzie….LOL
      Please read the post to DD for all the news- Gary may be having potato soup for a while….LOL
      Do you believe it? I get out, and hubby “pokes the bear”. I think he has a death wish….LOL
      I am like you, the only way I can lose is by being sick, or making myself sick with the Atkins diet. God help me. I lost 3 lbs since Monday- due to the fluid pill, I think. A slong as the fluid keeps going, it should be good.
      The kids think it is hysterical that I got the pic in the paper, and that they made it that big….LOL
      Hope you have a good night- I have to make my list for baking before I go into the recliner….
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      Please read the posts to DD and Colleen for all the news of the day.
      I will find out how the echo went some time next week, as Gary’s doctor, who is a cardiologist, has to read it. When my doctor retires, I get him too as my GP.
      I bet you two will have a lot of stories to tell us tomorrow. I think we are getting Heather, Aizen and JJ for the night tomorrow, as it is Heather’s weekend for the boys, so Steph and Jhonny get a date night. So, we both will have stories….LOl
      Have to hurry, as I want to get in my chair. I am pooped. the echo took a long time, and I had to get into some funky positions.
      I will talk more tomorrow…..
      Have a good time with the kids!!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Marissa is smart not wanting to get a house. I hope they can find one that they like. and in an area close to where you live. This is such an exciting time for her. I wish them well. That is so cool that diamond from your rings, You will have to tell us the story about it all came about.
      I cannot that Gary is still standing or does not have a black eye. I cannot believe that he did that. He should be on potato soup for a year. It would take a lot for him to get out of the dog house. Men do not think. I would listen to the women that told your out fit was cute. You should have acted like you did not know him. I would not have walked out of the office with him.
      What happened on Blue Bloods last night. I missed it and forgot to set the dvr. I cannot believe I forgot. They will probably show it in reruns. I hope that they do. I wonder if the cast will all be back next season. I wonder why they are ending so soon. I thought they would run until the spring. Unless they are just taking a mid year break.
      It will be funny if you get a lot of ornaments from all the people you know. If I lived close I would put one on your door step from now until Christmas. That would be fun. I am weird though. lol
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great day.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen
      Then Gary rejected his food at the local Diner- said his breakfast was nto good- potatoes hot and cold, and the sausage was hard. I yelled, Seriously, Gary?” The waitress gave him the meal for free, and only charged for the pancakes. ( we gave her a 15.00 tip to cover the real cost of his meal and a generous tip) THEN…he tells her, “Our son comes here a lot”. Bobby goes there every weekend for breakfast, and any day he is off. She asks who he is, and I have to tell her. Gary says not to dare tell Bobby, as he will kill us for embarrassing him- not me….LOL So, i tell Bobby about the doctor a office, and nothing more. bobby comes home after breakfast today and says….”You didn’t tell me the whole story on Friday, but the waitress did”. He tells us the waitress said,”Your Mom was yelling at him”. Oh, yes, I was. LOL
      I was wrong about Blue Bloods- they are already over for the season, and will be back in January.
      So far, nobody has dropped off an ornament….ho ho ho
      Aizen, JJ and Heather spent the night. Azne was not happy with the Grinch stealing the ornaments, and it took a lot of convincing for him to believe I had them downstairs. So, he didn’t want me to read the Grinch storybook. he kept holding his ears when I tried. then I said……” it is a pretty sorry day when an old lady can’t read her favorite Christmas book to her great-grandson.” He then came up on my lap, with a grin, and we read the story. How funny is that?
      Here is the story of the ring:
      I was the first grandchild of my Nonna’s, who graduated from high school. My 2 older cousins did not- one had bad asthma, and the other was not interested in an education at all. They both dropped out- one was 10 years older than me, and one was 14 years older.
      So, when I graduated, my Nonna and Dad made a pendant for me out of my Nonna’s engagement ring ( the big stone in the middle of Rissy’s ring), and my Dad added a smaller diamond to the pendant, and it was given to me on graduation day.
      I am named after my Nonna, and Marissa has Adele as her middle name. MArissa is the first grandchild of mine to go to college, so I told her, and Enzo, when they began talking of an engagement what my plan was. Rissy took the pendant, as she wanted to leave itin Enzo’s safe, so he could just go and get a ring when he was ready. Well, he ended up taking her with him, as he wanted to e sure she liked it….LOL
      So, one diamond was added to my pendant, and one diamond was added to Marissa’s ring, we both carry the name of my Nonna, and we both were first in graduating. How funny is that? It is becoming a nice family story, to be passed on down the line. I Love good family stories.
      That’s the story of the ring.
      They are in no rush to marry. She is just thrilled having a ring, and being engaged.
      Hope your day is going well!
      Adele
      PS.. had to order a yard of fabric and a pillow, as Aizen and JJ keep fighting about the one I made for them in the back room…..

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      That was funny about Gary at the restaurant. He must have been in a crabby mood that day. It was nice that you took care of the waitress. She probably gets a lot of customers that act like that. It was really funny that he told the waitress that his son eats there all the time. I bet Bobby was surprised when he heard about it. At least he knows that you said something to him. Gary is not going to be out of the dog house for a long time.
      That is funny about Azien did not want you to read the Grinch to him. He really was mad about him taking your ornaments. Did he ever believe you about them being in the basement? It was good that he finally sat in your lap and let you read the story to him. I guess that he is not as mad at the Grinch as he was.
      That is such a good story. I imagine that Marissa will tell that to her kids and it will go on and on. How nice that you got the pendant for graduating from school. That is sad that your cousins did not. She will treasure that ring for a life time.
      Sounds like you are getting your Christmas spirit back again. I am glad that you are. You sound better then you have in a while. Just keep it up. The family will like it better with you joking and having fun.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Everyone,
      Adele, that was very generous of your grandmother to give up the stone from her engagement ring when you graduated high school. I am in no way ready to give up my rings yet. Of course we were married almost 30 years before I got a diamond at all. That was a three stone ring and then a little later i got an anniversary band and then I got two eternity bands that I wear on either side of them. I never had a solitaire although i do now have one from my mother. Her Dad had given her a ring for all she did to take care of him in his later years and I inherited that. I never wore it much because the setting was too angular and I just didn’t like it. So I had it reset and now if we are going out I wear it in between the four bands that i normally have stacked on my left hand. it makes for a big sparkle all together and what’s better than that. Piper is always eying my rings and saying when I get tired of them I’m going to give them to her. Thank goodness someone likes jewelry. Jenny isn’t much for it and Kendall doesn’t seem like she will be that interested either so Piper will get a whole bucket load when I am gone. Brent’s girlfriend likes jewelry so she will get some too. My friend Nan has a giant three caret ring-it looks huge to me! You could put someone’s eye out with that.
      Anyway, it’s lovely to have a ring with sentimental value and it will be a good story for Marissa to pass down. Plus it’s also good that she will be a college graduate. She will have a bright future ahead of her.
      Poor Aizen. He really thought that the Grinch stole the ornaments. Are you going to leave the tree like that or decorate it. I am still not done decorating but we did get some outdoor lights on this weekend so this week will be dedicated to getting the inside done. Being sick that first part of December really set my schedule back. i don’t think the Christmas dishes, glasses and cups are going to make it out this year. Oh well. A person can only do so much.
      Colleen, are you getting ready for Melissa to arrive? You’ll have lots of fun and a great visit. The visits are extra sweet when you haven’t seen them in awhile.
      So we babysat Friday night and the kids insisted on staying up until their Mom got home. Greg ended up putting together the whole jig saw puzzle that i had brought over earlier in the week. Piper helped him for awhile and then Lachlan helped him later on. He is much more patient than me as i could only get the outsides done. this was only 300 pieces-I can’t imagine how people finish ones that are a thousand pieces.
      Saturday night we went over to Greg’s golfing buddies house. There was six of us the other guy that is in the foursome was out of town so they couldn’t come. It was a lovely dinner and afterwards we played games. I had brought Catch Phrase so we played that. Then we played this game that they had where you put these plastic things in your mouth and try to read these phrases that are printed on cards and the other people have to guess what you are saying. You can’t talk very well because this plastic thing keeps you from being able to put your lips together to form certain sounds. it was funny but kind of gross too as you look weird with this thing in your mouth. I would prefer not to ever play that game again. Anyway, it was nice to get out and have some fun and laughs and the dinner was lovely. The guy in the house does most of the cooking as he really enjoys it.
      We have another busy weekend as Piper’s birthday is Friday, we have concert tickets on Saturday and are meeting Tim and Nan for our Christmas get together on Sunday.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen!
      It was funny, after, when I told the story. At the time, I wanted to give him a smack. I told him we cannot go back to that restaurant, as they will see us coming, and nobody will want to serve the table….LOL
      Aizen gets scared of everything that is bigger than him, and looks in the least bit scary to him. Nutcrackers are on the list. Heather told me she was glad I was able to get him to get over the fear of the Grinch.
      So, today I am making a crock pot roast. They love that recipe over here. We will have enough leftovers for another night. I need to do easy things this week, as the bake-a-thon starts on Friday. Thursday Nancy and Gerald are coming her for brunch. They voted for a take out brunch- from the infamous “Gary” incident restaurant down the street.
      It is a really nice story about Marissa’s ring. I hope the diamonds keep circling aorund the family forever. That way, a piece of my Nonn. will go on forever.
      Do you watch the show “God Friended me”? We see it every Sunday night. It is a really nice show, and always has a good ending.
      Hope Your day’s going well!
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      By the way Adele, give Gary a smack from me-I told Greg what he said in the doctor’s office in front of everybody and he knew he should have been in the dog house for that remark for at least a week. lol
      Are you having your stress test this Wednesday then or did you have to schedule it for after the holidays.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Gailster!
      I think it is perfectly fine if you don’t get your holiday dishes out. You can get more pretty paper ones. I am having trouble finding the paper Christmas ones. they are buried int he closet, and they may never see the light of day. I can get to the Halloween ones, though, and they owuld look pretty interesting. I could say the Grinch came back and took those too. I think you can use the Grinch for anything you don’t feel like doing too. i am starting a new Grinch trend…ho ho ho.
      We love Catch Phrase. the kids got it the year it came out, and we nearly bust a gut playing it. Tillie was the funniest. I don’t think I would have liked that thing in your mouth either. I would have been freaked about germs!
      My Nonna was a widow even before my parents were married. Maybe that is why she decided to give her ring away. Who knows. I knwo my Mom woudl never do that….LOL My engagement diamonds came from a ring I inherited from my Aunt Mary. She never married, and bought herself a beautiful ring, with one larger diamond, and 8 small ones around it, in a huge uncomfortable band. the ring made my finger sweat, and it was so uncomfortable. So, I told Gary I had stones and if he wanted to, he could use it for my ring. He took it to his neighbor, who was a jeweler in Boston,and they made a very pretty engagement ring for me out of it. I was thrilled, as it had special meaning to me for my Aunt’s stones to be a part of my engagement.
      Your rings sound very pretty. I bet they can see the sparkle all the way to the moon and back! Of course Piper has her eye on them. MArissa did that with my jewelry when she was little. Go Gailster!!
      You are having a good time with all the gatherings you are going to. I miss that part of still working. the Christmas party, the December staff meeting with the Yankee Swap, the Unit party, etc. You do lose a lot of holiday gatherings when you no longer work. Nancy and Gerald are coming here on Thursday for a brunch- we are ordering from down the street, as they don’t want me to work more. They are cute.
      You know, I pray hard every night for God to have Tillie go back to where she was before she went to the hospital. I thought my prayers were answered this am, as she had her pills, and made her breakfast. I told her she has to come up for dinner tonight, as it is one of her favorites. Even said if she felt nervous, Bobby would walk behind her on the stairs.Then, Heather went in to check on her before she left, and bam…..she was back to crying. All the crying really sucks the holiday spirit out of you. Oh well. Itis what it is, and I am powerless to do anything to change it.
      I bet it was fun with the kids Friday night. Were they all awake when Jenny got home? I bet Piper was asleep on the couch. It must have been nice for Jenny to have a welcoming committee when she got back home.
      How is Brent doing? greg’s Mom? Your legs still feeling better too? I have to call and see if they at least have the results of the blood tests. i am hoping I can get one answer today.
      ‘Have a good day!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      Oh yes, greg is correct. Every once in a while, Gary gets a jab for the remark. he keep saying he wants me to know if something doesn’t look good. for God’s sake, I was sitting down, with no table in front of me, any top would have shown rolls. The ladies comments were when I was up and walking….LOL
      I am calling shortly to see if I get the blood results, and hope they will know if I need the stress test……yikes…..
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey everyone
      No news on tests today.

      I hope we hear from DD, Sue and Barbara this week…..

      Adele
      PS…DWTS Holiday edition is on at 10 tonight.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Believe me I was worried about the germs from the mouth pieces too but Kathy assured us that she had washed them by hand and also put them through the dish washer. She’s telling this to us while I’m walking around with three bottles of Purell in my purse. lol
      We used to have a Christmas party from Greg’s work but they stopped that a few years ago when Dan moved out to Idaho-half the time no one wanted to go anyway so it’s just as well. One good perk is usually he brings different gifts that they receive from vendors home but this year there has not been much. Maybe he’s been giving the stuff to the girls in the office.
      That’s nice that Nancy and Gerald are coming by and you are ordering lunch in. Good idea.
      I wish you could get Tillie in to see her regular doctor and he could reassure her that she is fine. I know how hard this is for you and the worry just sort of sucks the life out of a person. I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t feel tired all the time from the stress. We always want to fix everything and it’s frustrating when we can’t fix this. I will pray that somehow Tillie will be blessed with seeing the light. I wish i could come by and share an afternoon and make you laugh.
      Did you mean the holiday AGT show? You said DWTS and I didn’t see anything like that on TV.
      I’ll bet everyone will eventually check in with a Christmas wish before the week is out.
      I hope you hear something from your blood tests today.
      Does Tillie like to do any German Christmas customs? Maybe you could interest her in that.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster!
      That is funny that you carry 3 bottles of Purell. Pray tell, why so many? LOL
      I would love you to be here for coffee, and the rest of the girls too. Maybe one day we can try the skype thing. Some days I can figure it out with Steph and some not.
      Tillie did come up for dinner last night, and did not cry. I said prayers of thanks, and told her this has to continue, as isolating herself is just not good. I keep hoping we have turned a corner. Yes, I am exhausted every single day. She ahs to get to the doctor, as her vitamin b12 has expired, and he cannot do another prescription becasue he has nto seen her in a year. When I mentioned an appointment, she cried, so I said to please stop crying, as no date has been made- just tell me when you want me to do it, and stop the crying about something that does nto exist. Of course, that did nto get a”make an appointment”. Ill work on that after Christmas.
      I did mean AGT. OMG- did you see the Regurgitator? On Christmas? Seriously?? I loved the show last night- poor Heidi took a tumble. She looked so pretty.
      It is very windy here, and has been all night- we have a coating of snow out there.
      Tillie used to love to bake. She has not in years, as she was getting confused with ingredients, and baking things way too long- everything was dried out, and not as good as she used to do. So, I took it all over. She has no holiday spirit at all, and I keep tyring to give her some…ho ho ho.
      Hope your day is goign well…no call from doctor yet.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I hope this finds everyone fine. It’s getting close to the big day next week. It sure came up fast!! I haven’t read all the posts, but I did see Adele’s about Gary’s stupidity. I’m surprised he’s still breathing. Or is he? Did you bury him under the swimming pool? I have the perfect revenge. Make him eat lutefisk & lefsa for a week. Or a month.
      ROKU is a gadget that you put on the back of the TV. It comes with a flat antenna you put on a window, & you’re supposed to be able to get tv without cable tv. The thing you put on the back looks like what I think they call a flash drive. But you do need WiFi & internet to get it to work.
      I don’t know if you’ve heard but we have a train of storms hitting us. Last night was the start. It was gone by the time I got up, the coast always takes the brunt of the storms. They had flood warnings up for low lying areas around here. I’m high enough & far enough from the rivers that I’m okay. I might have to start building an ark before the week is out. We’re making up for lost time. They’re concerned about the fire scar in the gorge tho, mudslides, & all. It’s been so dry the ground can’t soak up the water fast enough. You guys will no doubt get these storms this weekend. The problem out here is it’s so warm the little snow we have in the mts will be washed away. It’s what we call pineapple express.

      Well, I guess that;s all for now.

      take care
      dd & Jewell

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi All,
      I tried to write yesterday but this stupid lap top is acting up. It would not let me type. I had to get off the site a couple of times to get it to work but it just kept doing it over again. So after I was done with the birthdays I just gave up.
      Gail, It sounds like you had a busy week-end What fun to spend with your grands. I bet they are getting all excited about Santa. Do any of them still believe in him? I did not know if Piper still believed or not. The only one that still believes is Aliza. I am not sure about Kaylee she is in school and that is when they srop believing and that is a shame. I can remember somw smart alec boys told me on the bus going to school. The nun talked to me cause I was really upset. I can remember when we were younger we believed longer. It seems like they stop believing so early.
      Adele, in some ways it is good that Aizen is afraid of things bigger then him. Especially if it is people. I am glad that you got him not to be afraid of the Grinch. I think that sometimes it is better if they do not use real people to remake a cartoon. I think that Jim Carey played a good part but he is kind of scary in the part.
      Did Tillie come up for dinner when you made the pot roast? I hope that she did and ate a good meal.It is scary when she is crying all the time. I will keep praying that she gets over this and everything goes back to normal. Those doctors should not have told her all of that stuff. She did not need to hear it and they should have left it up to her personal doctor to tell her what he wanted her to know and he does know her better.
      I have never heard of the show God friend. I will have to look for it and watch. We need to watch a show that makes you feel good and has happy endings.
      DD, You are really getting a lot of rain. It is good that you are up high enough that you do not get any of the flooding. I hope that they do not get any of the mud slides. That would be a mess. My daughter has that Roku and really likes it. She watches all kinds of shows on it. How do you like yours? She was talking about getting us one for Christmas that will be interesting since we do not have much luck with our internet. I would like to hear what you think of it.
      Well that is about all from here. Everybody have a good night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD!
      So glad you got on her to let us know how you are doing.
      I have never heard of that Roku thing. Did it work?
      THE HUSBAND has been the butt of some snarky remarks…..lol
      I did hear you were getting a lot of rain, and it is coming here over the weekend. Does not put you in the holiday mood, when it will be pouring while you bake. I am doing 2 cookies a day, from Friday to Sunday. Are you making the David’s cookies you got from the Q?
      I hope your area doesn’t get any mudslides. You have all been through enough with all the awful fires.
      Did you see the AGT special, with the “Holiday regurgitator”? Seriously? Yuck! We have been watching the HAllmark movies we recorded, while watching the other shows that are now all repeats.
      I hope the sun is shining for you ot there. It is sunny here.
      I got the blood work results late yesterday- they were fine. Still waiting on the echo.
      Have a great day!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen
      Tillie did come up for the pot roast. Then, yesterday, it was a real bad day. She said she felt awful, and cried again all day. But, today, she sounds normal, and said she is ok. So, there is hope she will come up tonight. If we do not get one of those very good HArrows Pot Pies- you have to getone at their store- we will have egg salad sandwiches….LOL
      Tomorrow, Nancy and Gerald come for brunch. Gary will eat with us, before he leaves to see his customers. I am looking forward to seeing them.
      The blood work came back normal, just waiting on the echo results. I hope I get them before Friday, so I will know. I think it must be ok, as nobody has called yet. I feel if it is bad, you hear right away.
      You will like the God Friended Me show- it is on Sunday night. I like good, happy ending, no matter how corny they are.
      So, today we give out Christmas gifts to Heather and Frankie….ho ho ho
      I am attaching a pic of the blow up decoration. It is pretty big. We have a Frosty the Snowman close to it but he seems to be leaning on one side- looks like he has had a few drinks. ……I can’t find it- may have to save it again from the phone.
      Hope your computer is ok, and you are good!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      That was good that Tillie came up and ate the roast. She will probably have good days and bad. She sounds like she will be coming up tonight for dinner. That will be good. Tillie does not like the pot pies? They sound like they are pretty good. I really like pot pies though.
      I hope that you have a nice visit with Nancy and Gerald. It is nice that they are coming to your house and you do not have to go out. Sounds like you have a lot of baking to do. It is good that Gary will be there for awhile and not have to leave for work.
      That is really good news that the blood work came back okay. I hope that the echo test comes back good also. I do not like to have tests done. They take up most of the day.
      Will Heather be at your house on Christmas day? I guess that you will have a house full of people on Christmas day. WE will have all three girls here and their family with them.
      The pictures did not come thru. I wonder if they are having trouble on this site posting them. I have not figured how to post pictures on this lap top I think that it will be hard to do.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      What channels can you get with the Roku? Is it like the large amount that you get with cable? I had heard of it but really didn’t know much about it so I am interested to learn more.
      We are getting rain today but not like the east coast. We are not expected to have a white Christmas which is okay with me. December hasn’t been a bad month at all this year yet I know the bad stuff still has to be coming.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      You will have a good Christmas this year with all the kids home. You will have a houseful but i know that will make you very happy. I don’t expect we will have the whole family together at Christmas again unless Brent ever moves back closer this way. At one point he was talking about the possibility of transferring to Missouri but I think that all fell by the wayside when he got sick as he needs to focus on getting better. Maybe some day…
      Yes the kids were excited about Christmas last Friday so by this Friday they should be bouncing off the walls. Piper’s birthday is Friday so that will add to the excitement. I think she is having a kids party at the indoor pool on Sunday unless that has changed.
      You know as far as I know all three kids still believe in Santa. Now Kendall is getting kind of old so maybe she is just keeping quiet because of the little ones-I’ll have to ask Jenny. It seems like the youngest one finds out sooner because of their older siblings. I wish I could remember what i thought when I found out. I don’t think I was that upset. (as long as the presents kept coming-lol)
      You know we changed our internet from Verizon to some company that I never heard of and thus far it has been working pretty good. We got the name of the company from our neighbor across the street. The only bad thing is they have to put a big tall tower on the roof of your house. But i have gotten used to it and hardly ever notice it anymore when we drive up the driveway.
      We also changed our phone service from Verizon to Consumer Cellular and so far that’s been good. Plus we upgraded our Dish to the hopper system which i love as it makes for less recording conflicts.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I’m glad that the bloodwork turned out well. Now you just need the results of the echo. Did you ever schedule the stress test?
      I’m anxious to see your drunken snowman. lol I still think it’s funny that Gary made you get them because he thought the yard wasn’t festive enough. Too bad you couldn’t get a blow up dreidel or menorah. You have those soldiers or nutcrackers outdoors too. How do you like those? Do they light up?
      I guess you will have to deal with Tillie on a day to day basis. I know it’s hard and frustrating but what else can you do. I pray all the time for
      God to give you strength to get through this as I know how emotionally and physically draining it can be. I know it’s difficult but keeping your sense of humor throughout is important.
      I hope you have a great visit with your friends today. I also hope Gary likes his food. lol
      I am still chipping away at the decorating. Thank goodness i leave it up for awhile after Christmas otherwise it would hardly be worth it. Still there are things that i won’t be doing this year like the Christmas dishes, cups and glasses-but no one will really even notice but me and Greg.
      Did you ever get the ornaments on your tree or is the Grinch going to be the only decoration? It’s funny but Piper really likes that movie. I like any and all Christmas movies. I must say I always have loved A Christmas Carol as I love the message that it is never too late to change your ways and gain redemption. I haven’t watched as many Hallmark movies this year. it seems like they started the Christmas movies way early this year. I do like the stories where everything is all tied up in a pretty happy bow at the end. Sometimes they make me cry though as i am a big sap. lol
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I was able to attach the pics this time. One is a view from my widow- you see the backs of them.
      Tillie did nto come up last night. We had to send the pie down. She does like pot pie, as it is easy to eat, and smaller pieces that are soft. She is feeling bad again, so I don’t think she will be up tonight either.
      i start baking tomorrow. how about you?
      everyone will e here Christmas Eve, only Heather is coming back on Christmas Day. Who knows- that could change too….LOL
      I hope you have a good time with your daughter here for Christmas. I hope you get everything you ever wanted.
      The doctor called with the echo results- all good. No heart problem. I am very glad about that. they called while Nancy and Gerald were here- that visit went well too. As always, we had a lot of laughs. Good for the soul.
      Hope your night goes well!
      Adele

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      Please read the post to Colleen for all the news of the day.
      The echo is fine. they have not scheduled a stress test yet. Maybe when I go back to see the doctor on the 31st, to review everything. I am just glad nothing is wrong with my heart.
      Gary did not complain about his breakfast….LOL
      I do love the nutcrackers and Snat- and they do light up. They are battery operated, and gooon for 6 hours every day. They are very shiny and sparkly. My neighbor has a nutcracker blow up one- how funny is that?
      You are missing a lot of good movies this year. The new ones are good. I HAVE to watch A Christmas Carol and White Christmas before the holidays are over- those are my favorites.
      No ornaments on the tree….ho ho ho……it will be a tree to remember. I think it is pretty funny. But, I will not repeat it next year. Nest yera, the 2 trees will be done first.
      I am pooped tonight. We will do a simple takeout- probably a burger. hope you have something yummy to eat for tonight. Also hope you have a great time seeing Piper on her birthday tomorrow.
      I hope Sue and Barbara are ok. We have not heard form them this week.
      Glad we heard from DD.
      Have a good night!
      Adele
      PS…the bake-a-thon starts tomorrow.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Do not let yourself get down. You will have a good Christmas. Next year will be a hard one for us. I think that the only ones that will be here will be Mandy and the girls. We will see how I am feeling next year Then you can tell me not to let myself down.
      It will be nice if Brent would find out what they are going to do for him. It would be nice if he could relax and just start doing what he needs to do to get well. I know all of you will feel better when he sees the doctor and she tells him what is wrong and he can start getting well.
      I can imagine how excited the kids will be Friday. It will be really close to time for Santa to come. Are your grands out of school for thr Christmas break? Ours that live in Missouri are still in school. I guess they do not get out until Friday at the regular time. I thought they would get out early tomorrow but I guess the parents are happy that they will not be home driving them crazy.
      It will be interesting to see how it works out after a few months. It would be hard to get use to the tower there. Makes you wonder if you are at the right house. Do you have a dish on top of your house for tv. We have the one that dish put on top of our house when we first signed up. I am not sure what you can watch on the Roku. Mandy has it and she is always watches movies. I do not know if that is all that she can get or not. I have some shows that would be hard to give up if you cannot get it.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I like your outside decorations.The snow men are so cute. There is a family in the town of Bismarck and they have Santa hanging from a tree flying a helicopter. It is really cute when the wind is blowing the propeller just goes around in circles. We do not put anything in our yad because of the animals. They probably would not be there for very long.
      Do you think that Tllie’s tummy hurts her? I know that I have trouble with my stomach and they had to give me medicine for it. I always feel like I am going to get sick and this pill stops it. I still take one now. I guess that I will always be on one. It will bee hard for her to find something to help herself. Another that might is a piece of peppermint. We get big bags of it and kep it around the house. I buy it from Russell stovers. I go to their site on the internet and get it. They have a wide selection of sugar free candy.
      Well I cheated this year. I bought a big tray of cookies and will transfer them onto one of my Christmas plates and they may not know the difference. lol
      I am going to see which one of the kids complains first. My oldest daughter and her kids bake cookies every year and I am hoping that they do that again this year. Then we will have plenty of cookies. Then we will have the ones that we do bake here. I do not have a good recipe for sugar cookies though. The one that I have mom said is good to eat with coffee. That leaves me out because I do not drink coffee.
      I am so glad that your echo test came back good. Now all you have to do is get the stress test and you will be done with all the tests. It is not going thru all of that but now it is over.
      Well that is all from here. Have great night.
      Colleen
      p.s. After all the trouble that Gary got into at the last breakfast he was probably afraid to say anything.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I like your outside decorations.The snow men are so cute. There is a family in the town of Bismarck and they have Santa hanging from a tree flying a helicopter. It is really cute when the wind is blowing the propeller just goes around in circles. We do not put anything in our yad because of the animals. They probably would not be there for very long.
      Do you think that Tllie’s tummy hurts her? I know that I have trouble with my stomach and they had to give me medicine for it. I always feel like I am going to get sick and this pill stops it. I still take one now. I guess that I will always be on one. It will bee hard for her to find something to help herself. Another that might is a piece of peppermint. We get big bags of it and kep it around the house. I buy it from Russell stovers. I go to their site on the internet and get it. They have a wide selection of sugar free candy.
      Well I cheated this year. I bought a big tray of cookies and will transfer them onto one of my Christmas plates and they may not know the difference. lol
      I am going to see which one of the kids complains first. My oldest daughter and her kids bake cookies every year and I am hoping that they do that again this year. Then we will have plenty of cookies. Then we will have the ones that we do bake here. I do not have a good recipe for sugar cookies though. The one that I have mom said is good to eat with coffee. That leaves me out because I do not drink coffee.
      I am so glad that your echo test came back good. Now all you have to do is get the stress test and you will be done with all the tests. It is not going thru all of that but now it is over.
      Well that is all from here. Have great night.
      Colleen
      p.s. After all the trouble that Gary got into at the last breakfast he was probably afraid to say anything.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I am not down about Brent not being here. I didn’t mean to sound that way. I am kind of used to it by now. It was nice when he and Kim moved back here but I am also used to him being away. He’s been back and forth living in NM ever since he went to college so that’s quite a few years now.
      Our kids aren’t out of school until today also. it’s not even an early release which is just as well because if it was Jenny would need a baby sitter and I am very busy today. I will probably have to babysit some days when they are on Christmas break since Adam goes to work earlier now.
      The Dish satellite thing is on the garage but it is toward the back of the house so you can’t really see it.
      The internet dish has to be line of sight so it has to be up high because there are lots of trees around here. I told Greg he should climb up there and wrap it with some Christmas lights but he wasn’t buying that.
      I am not baking cookies either. I will have store bought and the kids will like them just as well. A person only has time to do so much and I like to be able to enjoy the holidays too.
      I haven’t had the Q on but someone on their boards said that they have already taken down their decorations and i am not even done putting mine up. lol
      That is very grinchy if they already took their’s down before even Christmas. They should leave them up until at least new years.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I’m picturing you now with flour on your nose and flour swirling all around your kitchen. lol
      Good news that the echo turned out all right. I have never had one of those. Is it in a machine? What do they do?
      If you are having everyone on Christmas Eve you will have a busy weekend. By Christmas Day you will just want to nap. I like the week between Christmas and New Years. that’s when I have the most time to watch Christmas movies and just sit at home with all the decorations turned on and enjoy the pretty lights. I find those days very peaceful. This weekend is busy. Pip’s birthday tonight, diner and a concert tomorrow and going into Chicago on Sunday to visit Tim and Nan and cleaning house on Monday.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen!
      I am attaching pics of what I did today. I did the Lebkuchen ( the 3 in the small tin- they did not all fit into the big tin), Vienna Bars ( this was in the Enquirer one year, saying it was Nancy Regan’s favorite Christmas cookie), and the candy dish. Here is a funny about the dish…Joanne went to a historical home for a tour, and she told me about this cook candy edible dish, that had chocolate served on it. She tells me it is from the Christmas peppermint candy that has the red and white mint. I can do that, i say, and get the chocolate that has the white and red mint on them. I make it, send her a pic, and she laughs,and says it was not made out of chocolate. So, I get the ones she is talking about, and I did it again today….LOL
      They gave Tillie Omeprazole at the hospital, and she takes that every day. When she got up today, she took her medicine, and then ate her breakfast, which then didn’t make her get sick. She has been waiting way too long to take her meds, and then not eat after, which would make you feel real woozy, with nothing in your belly. Even so, she did nto come up again for dinner. we had pizza- had Gary give her some before he brought it upstairs. GAry had a burger, of course….LOL
      So, the 2 blow ups are on their side, form all the wind and rain. Gary will try to fix them when the rain stops.
      Due to the way the rain and wind came down, we got water in the living room again. I left a message for the nice man who repaired the roof. Oh well.
      I am tired. My arms are sore from doing the cookies.
      Hope you are good. Put the cookie sin a dish, and crack some of them so they look like homemade….LOL nobody will ever know.
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Woah, Gailster….we are going to call you our social Quacker Butterfly……..get it??? our butterfly….LOL
      Tell Piper Happy Birthday!
      We have been watching the movies when the repeats are on. Gary has even been watching the Lifetime channel ones.
      I had crumbs everywhere. We had to keep using the sweeper thing. The entire table is covered with all my supplies. just like last year.
      The echo is an ultrasound. you sit there with your bra off, and the nice lady goes all over your boob, and under it, with the ultrasound scope thing. After she was done, I asked her to marry me….LOL LOL Don’t you just love those “intimate tests”??? At our age, we just don’t care anymore- just get it done and tell me I am fine. That makes it all worthwhile.
      I hope you have a great time this weekend. I am so pooped, I bet I will sleep through half the movies tonight.
      look at the post to Colleen for more info, and the pics of the goodies of today.

      Colleen….Gary was my assistant today. He is still working off his ad behavior….ho ho ho.
      Did you see the baking show last night? They make such beautiful goods.

      Forgot to tell you all. I got a message on Facebook from an old foster parent. She thanked me for the card I sent, and told me she still has kids coming to her home on the holidays,and this year, one is coming with her 3 year old baby. Then, she thanked me for all I did for them and the kids over the years. I started to cry. I miss that good feeling you get when a child’s life is enriched, and things are better for them- whether they go home to a healed family, or on to a good home. I am grateful people remember me. That feels good too.

      Hope you both have a good night- it is still raining here, and very windy. Our poor blow-ups are down on the ground.
      Love, Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello dear friends….sorry that I have been away this week. I cannot blame my absence on anything but just being 1. busy getting things packed and off for delivery 2. mad at the mister and 3. got a big unexpected “favor” asked of us. I was SO happy to get the things off for delivery. I talked to our oldest son, who was actually off in NM at an air base training some folks. We had such a wonderful, beautiful talk, catching up on so much since it was just us. He was on a flight line watching what the guys were doing as he talked and kept assuring me that it was okay. The second thing goes right along with Adele and Gary…Jerry has just been so distant and impatient with me; and on the times when I have gotten emotional or sad because of whatever; he has just not “been there” for me; and in fact has made me feel worse. So add me to Ms. Tillie; I think I am going through the “blues” too for a multitude of reasons; none of which I can do anything about. So I have taken it out on him and he in turn has returned the favor and so on and so on. Isn’t this just lovely? I just LOVE the holiday season; and this has been so hard for me this year and I in turn have made it hard for him. Now on to number 3…Lisa stops in on Monday evening after work; without Joey and announces that her mother saved all her travel miles that must be used before Jan 1st and just gave them to her and Joey for a wedding gift; so she was asking us (before she told Joey) if we would watch Ruby for them and keep an eye on the outside jumbo doggies starting this past Thursday until Dec. 30th? Well, there Jerry and I stand like two dodo birds and Jerry says “I think this is absolutely GREAT and we will be happy too” so now; it is just the two of us and the puppies and kitty. They flew out to California to Neal and family, and will be staying with them the whole time. Joey was shocked when she told him, and he apologized a million times to me and Jerry and said he was worried about leaving us with no one close by. So that’s my story.
      Thank God your test came out good Adele. Praying for everyone; Brent in my prayers too. Hope everyone is good, and I’m thinking of you all during this blessed time. Hope to write more soon; wishing each and everyone a wonderful Christmas. Much love to all, Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Well Melissa called me at the last minute and told me they are not coming. I was so upset with her. I think she knew a long time before she let us know. Well she did not call she texted me. That is what really upset me. Oh well I need to quit complaining about it the other two are coming.
      That is funny that Greg will not climb and decorate the dish. Men can be so unreasonable. Ron puts lights on the railing on the deck and that is about it. He thinks that is really decorating. One year he got a few things at a garage sale to put in the yard and he did it once and never did it again. The things he bought are in the shed collecting dust.
      I am glad that I am not the only one who is not baking this year. It is a good thing that I bought that tray of cookies and did not depend on Melissa to get them baked. At least we will have some for the kids while they are here. I could bake them myself but why when there is a bakery to do it. lol
      I watched a show today and they did have some garland on the fire place but did not notice a tree. I did not watch the whole show though. They were selling those dura flame heaters. They are really cool but do not think that we want one right now.
      Well nothing much going on around here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Your cookies look really good. I need to go to your house and eat cookies there. My family will have to be happy with store bought cookies. Melissa decided not to come this year did not tell me til the last minute. Well she did not tell me she texted me. She was not brave enough to call and tell me in person. That is so funny about the bowl. I hope you got it right this time.
      I can’t believe that Quacker is going to have the tsv on Christmas Eve. I can’t believe that they are going to be on so late that night. Unless it is going to be taped that night. I wish that everyone could be off on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
      I took for awhile and it did help. She does need to take it before breakfast. She does need to eat something after she takes it. She will probably take her meds the way she wants to and she will not change. It is hard to convince anyone how to do things. I think that is all people. Just hang in there and things will get better.
      Sorry that your sky light leaked again. I hope that guy can get that fixed. That is terrible that they cannot get that fixed. It seems like they can fix it. It may take awhile when the weather is bad. I hope that it did not rain on any of your decorations and ruin them. The Grinch has really made a mess of things. Aizen will really dislike him after this.
      I can see why your arms are sore with all the baking you did. Do You have more baking to do tomorrow? You really do a lot of it. I bet your family will enjoy all the sweets that you are baking. Mine will have to enjoy the store bought cookies.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      That must have been a big shock to find out that Lisa and Joey were going to California for Christmas. Sounds like it was a shock for Joey also. Just enjoy your Christmas and talk to them over skype and that will be nice also. My daughter waited until the last minute to text me that she is not coming. So we were really disappointed and have not heard a word since then. So it is just going to be one of those Christmases.
      Maybe after Christmas everyone will go back to normal. It just seems like everyone is letting all this bad mood go on for the holiday season. I do not understand why everyone is so angry. This is just so crazy that it is carrying over. Maybe it is just me that feels that way. Maybe just the mood that I am in.
      Not much is going on around here. We cleaned the house and did all the shopping thinking that we would have them for five days. So now I have all kinds of food to last for a month. We bought a bunch of pop tarts that the kids lie for breakfast and bunch of milk that I am hoping that the other grands will drink. We do not use that much milk.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night and A Merry Christmas,
      Colleen

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      I just came on to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. As for me I can’t wait for it to be over. It has been on TV since July and that is way to long. I am even sick of the non stop Christmas movies. So I just want to get back to normal programming on TV. Christmas will be just like every other day for me.
      Even the weather is still crappy. We had a lot of rain then cloudy & windy yesterday. Today we are expecting rain/snow. Not a lot of snow but I just want some sun. I am tired of it being dark all the time.

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Sue, do you still have Cuddles? If so; do you get a puppy gift from Santa for our fur babies? All of ours get some kind of either toy or treat from Santa. I baked some of our “special” cookies today. Jerry and I love them. I made me a cup of cocoa to have with mine; so yummy. Thanks again for the heads up on them. Colleen, I made some really easy cookies that I sent to Neal and family with some fudge too. But that is when I quit baking; will make us a chocolate pie Christmas day. We had gotten a big ham and all the sides before we found out it would just be Jerry and me; so I am not baking the ham Tuesday; its just too big for us. Not sure what we will do. May be sandwich and pie night. lol But we just got a sweet photo of the baby with Santa that Joey sent us. So it really looks like Joey and Lisa are getting lots of “baby” experience being out there with Neal and Sarah. Bet Lisa comes home wanting to start their family. So far; we are doing okay with all the puppy dogs and kitty. We go for a long walk everyday with Ruby on a long leash and the other big doggies go walking with us. They are happy to spend time with Ruby. Auto tolerates her. They actually get along well; but Auto doesn’t want to show it. lol
      I would just love for you all to let me know if (forgive me if I spell it wrong) cannoli cookies are hard to make. They just look so yummy, and we love cream filled anything; so I would love a simple recipe if there is such a thing, and if not, please just tell me. You all know I do love to bake; but cannot do complicated recipes.
      I know I have already said it but I am just thrilled your tests have come out good Adele. I keep also hoping and praying for Ms. Tillie. Do you think she might have a sore tooth that would cause her not to want to eat? I just thought of that since it happened to Jerrys Mom once when she wouldn’t eat and took us about a month to finally figure out what the problem was. She had a bad tooth and we didn’t know. She only has just a few teeth and won’t wear her dentures.
      DD you all are really getting lots of rain from what it looks like. You and Jewell will need one of those umbrellas they sell on the Q that inverts itself so you don’t get wet. I got one of those for Lisa to go with her little Christmas goodies. I always send each DIL a new set of PJ’s. Do you dress Jewell up for a Christmas picture? Lisa dresses Auto up and it makes him SO mad. His little ears are just straight back, but he tolerates it. Ruby sets so sweet for her costume, and lets Lisa dress her up for her picture. She is such a sweet puppy.
      Better go for now. I think its breakfast for dinner tonight here. Take care all. Hugs, Barbara

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I am so sorry Melissa is not coming. Also sorry she text’d you about it. Nancy and I talk fo that a lot- the texting by the kids- pick up the phone, and have a conversation before you forget the sound of our voices. You know, I always say that is the one thing I miss the most when a friend dies- their laugh, and voice. MAybe tell that to your kids- they will miss the sound of your voice soon enough- listen to it as much as you can while you can.
      I did 2 cookies a day- 8 in all. I will post the 2 I did today, and the beautiful centerpiece my neighbor sent us. It was so nice of her. I sent Bobby over with a sampling of cookies …whihc I was goign to do anyway…ho ho ho.
      Baking is so important to me. The cookies are the ones we always had every Christmas. At my Nonna’s and parents. They are all traditional ones, and if I miss one smell, I will miss the person who loved them the most too. I wish the cookies were stable enough to send you all some. You would end up getting a pile of crumbs….LOL
      today is the 30th anniversary of my Dad’s death. Imagine? He has missed so many children being born, and so many events in my life, and the kids. It seems like yesterday, and a million years ago, at the same time.
      Bobby bought us all dinner tonight as a treat. Tillie did not come up. I am praying she comes up tomorrow. She did come up last night, and that was good.
      It got cold here again today. they are talking about a dusting of snow. I wonder is Sue will get some too.
      I hope you had a good day! Your store bought cookies are just fine. It is you and Ron the kids come to see, not the cookies. You two are such good people.
      Love, Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue!
      Merry Christmas to you too, and a healthy Happy new year, with less doctor appointments and less aches. That is my wish for you.
      We have been watching the movies, and there are some that were different than the usual ones. I also noticed they have added families of color- that has been a long time coming. So far, I haven’t seen any about folks with different religions, or Hispanic families. Maybe they will do one next year, or I have nto seen one they did make yet. Who knows. I think it is good to reflect all nationalities.
      I miss the regular programming too. I have been watching all the holiday things, as I ahve been desperately trying to get into the holiday spirit. The baking made a huge difference. It is the smells of my childhood that are comforting to me. Today, my Dad has been gone for 30 years. An entire lifetime. I still miss him terribly.
      I am glad you posted, as I always like to hear from you.
      After the holiday, I will be making 2 pillows for the boys, for when they stay over. they keep arguing about one pillow I made for JJ years ago. How funny is that? I love to sew. But, I cannot see the dark colors of fabric and thread well- have to sew in bright sunlight, with all the lights on. I do need to get that cataract done this spring.
      Hope you have a good day, and find something nice to watch on TV. I know you have a good dinner planned. I hope you enjoy that too. I will be thinking about you, and sending good thoughts, and smells your way.
      Love you!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Barbara
      What happened??? I read in your post to Colleen that your son went out to visit your son in California. Dam. That leaves you two alone too. I am so sorry about that. The short notice did nto help, as you were so looking forward to your dinner all together. I hope they skype you and Jerry, so you can be a part of the gift opening in the am, with little Colin. the only good part to all of this, is that little Colin will have his Uncle for Christmas.
      Thank You for the well wishes on all the testing. I am glad too. I bet they will say everything is caused by weight, or stress, and I certainly have enough of both….LOL
      Tillie has no teeth. She had them all out a few years back. She does wear her dentures, but there are times she says they bother her. she doesn’t say that a lot. She has been getting a lot of upset stomach, and loads of dizzy dizzy dizzy. I looked it up on line, and those growths on the pancreas can make people nauseous. So, maybe that is what is happening. She is still saying she cannot go to the doctor. I will be working on that, after the holiday.
      I have no pet. But, Marissa and enzo stopped by last week, and brought Luna. She ran straight to the backyard fence when she got out of the car. She would jump right into the pool, if she could. I fed her some of our roast, and she ate it all up. I got such a big kick out of that.
      We got Marissa and Enzo the set of goblets, and the cake knife and server for their wedding as an engagement gift. Marissa loved them, even though she says there is not wedding scheduled. I wrote a note with it, saying, if I die before she gets married, she at least has these from me. She laughed her butt off. I hope she brings Luna for tomorrow night, as I did get one of those toy sets from the Q, for Luna, and Steph’s kitty.
      I hope you have a good day tomorrow, and Christmas. I feel so bad that you, Sue and DD are alone for the holiday. I think I rememebr that DD was going to Kay’s daughter’s for some of the holiday. Not sure.
      Love you!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all my Quacker buddies!

      I just want to say how very blessed I am to have all of you in my life. I got all your cards, and treasure each and everyone of them. We are all so lucky to have good friends on ehre, who have your back. Thank you for being in my life. There are days I read your posts and laugh, and days I read them and cry. The wonderful things you all say, touch my soul. Thank You for being so kind, for all your prayers, and all your good wishes. They are returned to you, one hundred fold!

      A special thinks for all the lovely Christmas cards! You are a special bunch of women, who sparkle and shine through all kinds of adversity. Through the good times, and the bad. You go, girls!!

      Love you to pieces!!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      You did a lot of baking. It sounds like a lot to me. But this is coming from a person that bought cookies and did not bake anything. I am going to make banana pudding for Christmas dinner so I guess that can count as making some kind of baking. I guess that is not baking though.
      We did not get our dogs a toy this year for Christmas. We got Snoopy when he was a puppy and we gave him a blue bear to sleep with so he would not get lonely. All the other toys we have given he tore up but he still has his blue bear.He still carries it around with him and some times sleeps with it in his dog house. I never thought that he would keep it this long.
      We got some snow today but it melted right away. It is supposed to be in the fifties tomorrow and Christmas day. So there will be no snow unless the weather changes really quickly.
      Is Joey ready to start a family or does he want to wait awhile? That may be why Lisa surprised him with a trip to California. She may think that if he is around Colin enough he will want children. She is really something.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I had something funny happen the other day I was at the store and I saw a lady that was wearing Quacker. I told her that I liked her top and told that I was a quacker also. I opened my coat only to remember that I did not have a quacker top on. I did have the dream jeans on. The woman looked at me like I was nuts. It was really funny. I am always wearing quacker and the one day I meet another quacker I do not have a top on.
      I use to make candy cane cookies every year because that it is a family tradition but have stopped for some reason. My mom still makes them and they are so good. They are made with almond extract instead of vanilla.
      That was nice that you gave the cookies to your neighbor. They will really enjoy them. Are you done baking after you get this batch done today? You need to relax so you will be ready to make the big meal for Christmas. It was nice that Bobby bought dinner for everyone tonight. You raised a good son. He would not be that way if he did not have a good mom to teach him.
      Your dad has been gone for a long time. My dad died in 1995 so he has been gone a long time but not as long as your dad. It is hard at the holidays. If your dad was like mine he loved Christmas and having all the family around. We always had a great time.
      We had some snow this morning but it all melted right away so that was that. it did warm up into the upper 40’s this afternoon and is going to be in the 50’s tomorrow and Christmas. It will not seem like Christmas with it being so warm.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen!
      Thank you for the compliment on Bobby. I was very proud of him with his sister yesterday. heather was making the gravy with meatballs (Italian Sauce, as the non- Italians call it) for tonight’s dinner, and was upset because her meatballs fell apart. Bobby said he knew exactly what she did- she fried them instead of baking them first, and they stuck to the pan. He called his sister to say it made no difference at all, and that now we will have Bolognese sauce. Bobby said she told him thanks for his support. It is so heart warming when our kids treat each other well. Makes you feel good.
      The news just came on- looks like we will have some snow showers shortly. Nothing much, just a coating of white. That will be nice.
      I am pooped today, for sure…..LOL I was done with the baking yesterday. I did 2 cookies a day, for 3 days. Even so, I was pooped at end of each day. I am relaxing today, and getting into the shower shortly. All I have to do, is clear the kitchen table, and get the Christmas tablecloths out. Yahoo!!
      I hope you have a good time today, and tomorrow.
      Did you decorate the candy cane cookies? they sound yummy.
      Sooooo, did you have anything on under the jacket, as you said…..I do not have a top on”…..LOL LOL I Hope I made you laugh! You made me laugh.
      Merry Christmas!!
      Love, Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hello Everyone,
      Merry Christmas Eve!
      Barbara, I’m so sorry that Joey and Lisa went to California for Christmas but maybe there will be a plus. All that baby time might inspire them. I will wish for that for you.
      Colleen, I know you are disappointed with Melissa not showing up. She obviously didn’t want to face your disappointment so she told you in a text.
      Now you and Ron will have a lifetime supply of pop tarts. I know it would be that for us as Greg and I never eat them. They would sit here forever.
      The story about the Quacker shirt is hysterical. That lady probably thought you were some kind of crazy flasher. lol
      We have had a duraflame heater for a few years now. I hardly use it anymore but i used to set it up next to Rocky in the winter because as he got older he found it hard to regulate his body temperature in winter so sometimes I would need to warm him up. Belle would wear a sweater but he just wouldn’t.
      Greg has been a really good boy and been helping me with this last minute decorating. No coal in his stocking.
      Adele, I just love that candy plate. How do you make that. The red and white one not the chocolate one. That is so cute! It looks like maybe something i could teach Kendall to make as she loves doing stuff like that. My Christmas wish for you is that Tillie will join the festivities. That would make you happy, I know.
      Sue, I hope that you will finally get some sunshine. Your area of the country is overdue.
      We had a nice visit with our friends yesterday. We went into their house and they made dinner and we exchanged gifts. We always have a good time with them. She got a new SUV for Christmas this year so she was delighted. I wished it had one of those giant red bows on it though.
      Saturday night we went to the most beautiful Christmas concert. The singer was the world’s longest running Phantom of the Opera. What a beautiful voice. His version of Oh Holy Night literally brought me to tears it was the best version I have ever heard. At the very end of the program he sang Music of the Night and you could hear a pin drop in the theater. It was exquisite. For any that have seen the Godfather part 3 he was the guy that played the son that sang opera. This guy was mentored by Pavarotti himself. I hope he comes back sometime-I would love to see him again doing just Broadway stuff. We saw Piper on Friday. She loved her gift which was a makeup set. She had her kids party yesterday so we have yet to hear about that.
      I hope everyone gets everything that makes them happy in the upcoming year. I want good health for my family and myself.
      Love and Hugs to all my Quacker friends. HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS!
      Gail

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      We will have to have a pop tart party. We have enough to have a lot of people. We looked at the nuttrition guide and there is %60 sugar in the strawberry ones. The chocolate ones do not have that much sugar. That really surprised me. So if you want a pop tart just come on over. This is a bad time of the year to have one but what the heck. lol
      Well I did have another shirt on . It just was not quacker .One of the grands gave it to me a few years ago and I still wear it. It is really warm and I was cold. I usually have quacker . Oh well I probably will never see her again. Thank heavens.
      That concert sounds great. I would love to hear that concert. I am going to have to talk to Danyielle and tell her we need to start checking on concerts in the area. We have not gone in awhile. She will listen to that type of music where no one else in the family will. I really miss doing things like that with my mom.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      You really do have good kids. That was so nice of Bobby to tell Heather that it was fine. he is like typical sibling. He did have to tell her what she did wrong. That sounds like my kids.
      I did have a top on under the jacket. I am not a flasher. I would not be good at it. Anyway it was a jacket and not a trench coat. lol I think if you are going to flash you have you have to have a trench coat.
      I can see why you are tired. You did a lot of baking and getting ready for the holiday. Glad that you got to sit down and relax. It will be worth it to have all of your family around. The grands will make you smile and laugh. I hope and pray that Adele will come upstairs.
      No we didd not decorate the candy cookies. I think that my mom put peppermint pieces in them once but we did not like them as well. I guess that we were use to them not having it in them.
      You can send your snow down our way. We would to have iy. We will let you have our 50 degree weather. We need for it to look like Christmas. I hope that I do not offend anyone again but I cannot help it I love snow.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      You really do have good kids. That was so nice of Bobby to tell Heather that it was fine. he is like typical sibling. He did have to tell her what she did wrong. That sounds like my kids.
      I did have a top on under the jacket. I am not a flasher. I would not be good at it. Anyway it was a jacket and not a trench coat. lol I think if you are going to flash you have you have to have a trench coat.
      I can see why you are tired. You did a lot of baking and getting ready for the holiday. Glad that you got to sit down and relax. It will be worth it to have all of your family around. The grands will make you smile and laugh. I hope and pray that Adele will come upstairs.
      No we didd not decorate the candy cookies. I think that my mom put peppermint pieces in them once but we did not like them as well. I guess that we were use to them not having it in them.
      You can send your snow down our way. We would to have iy. We will let you have our 50 degree weather. We need for it to look like Christmas. I hope that I do not offend anyone again but I cannot help it I love snow.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
      p.s. I hope I can get this to post.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      I am so tired, I could fall asleep while typing…..
      Here is the recipe- you get those Brach’s mints that are individually wrapped, with the red stripes around the edges- then get a spring form baking pan- whatever size you like- line with parchment paper. Spray the inside of the parchment, so no sticking- VERY lightly. put a bunch of mints inside the pan- covering the bottom, with more than a layer of them, so they melt together and you do not get any holes. You do not place them carefully- just throw them in there- not all mine were right side up. Oven at 350, and wait about 10 minutes- keep checking- when melted, take them out, and let them cool completely in the pan. Simplest thing I ever did….LOL Ill attach a pic of the dish, filled with peppermint candy. Also one of Steph’s cupcakes, and the “ig cupcake” in front for Gary. She did a good job.
      Tillie came up both days, but, yesterday she tried to go back down, and Heather would nto let her. She ate very little yesterday, but she did eat, so that was good. You wish for us came true!!
      Sooo….on to The Husband. I got no gift, no card. Seriously?? I thought I would at least get a few scratch tickets. he never forgets a card. he got “the what for” for that one, and I decided not to sign his card, and told him I would use it again next year…..LOL LOL Thank God I bought myself these pretty colored goblets from Shop Nc- EVine as they are now known. They had Waterford “crystalline” glasses for everyday use, in a set of 4 pretty colors, so I got 3 or 4 sets to have when everyone is here, or whenever I want- dishwasher safe too. They are not here yet. The Husband usually says….”what do you need those for- send them back”. He discretely asked me when my glasses were coming this am- how funny is that???
      DD messaged me on facebook, when I was answering posts, and posting a post for today. she is tired, and did get to see her friends over the holiday, so that is good.
      I am working on putting away serving pieces, etc. hey…we used paper plates Christmas Eve- I know you would be so proud of me!!
      Your wacky Quacker buddy….who now knows how to do “the floss”. Aizen told me only younger people can do it well. I woudl make Americas Funniest Video if you ever saw it.
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Gail….. forgot to say. We saw Phantom when it was in Boston hundreds of years ago. The singing was fabulous. So glad you enjoyed yourselves.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen
      I am still laughing about your flasher comments….LOL That was so funny, and you thought you had a Quacker shirt on, as you always wear them The One time you did not, and look what happened.
      Please read my post to Gail for all the holiday news.
      I hope you all had a good time, with or without snow. We did nto get a dusting as they thought. No snow here to send down your way.
      Gary and I are still watching holiday movies, and then I recorded a couple more- WHite Christmas, and some funny one.
      I made a mistake on Bobby’ present- I got him mock turtlenecks from LL Bean, and he wanted just crew necks. I ahve to see if i can get them today, as his size runs out quick.
      I hope you are nto too tired from all the fun over the last 2 days.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Everyone,
      Hope everyone had a nice holiday.
      I love when the kids get here and they run into the living room to see what Santa and Gigi and Grandpa left. It makes all the shopping and wrapping worth it. We do tend to spoil the kids as they are our only grands. Kendall, being older tries to act more casual but I can see she is just as excited. It just makes me happy. I felt sorry for Jenny having to unload all the stuff when they got home Christmas night but in general the day was really better than i expected. It seemed like when Adam was here she was always complaining that he was not doing enough so this was actually more peaceful without all the nit picking so I was really pleasantly surprised. Piper started getting cranky right before dinner time but once she ate she was back to her old self.
      Adele, I’m glad that Tillie came up and joined the festivities. Once she was up I’ll bet she enjoyed herself.
      Don’t feel bad-Greg got me two books that i told him I wanted and nothing else that he thought of himself. I knew that so I just just stuffed a few other things that i had already bought for myself in bags and put them under the tree so I had some things to open with everyone else. . sometimes he’s really good at gifts and sometimes he just doesn’t get it. it’s very sporadic. He did feel bad when we went to see Tim and Nan and she got a new car for Christmas and i got two books. lol I said I didn’t really care as I don’t need a new car. I think most men just don’t have the gift giving gene. lol Hey i wouldn’t mind a lottery ticket with that big jackpot.
      I’m glad that you found pretty glasses that were dishwasher safe. It seems whenever i find something that i like you can’t put it into the dishwasher. Very unsatisfactory.
      I am so proud that you used the paper plates on Christmas Eve! Hooray! come over to the paper side! lol
      Every one is flossing right now. I love to watch the kids do it. It seems every time I see a video or even a commercial the kids are doing it. I first heard of it last spring and actually watch a YouTube tutorial. What can i say. I’m goofy.
      We will watch some more Christmas movies over new years. That’s usually when I pull out the oldies like Holiday Inn, white Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Bishops Wife, Going My Way-all the oldies but goodies. I have a Christmas Library of DVD’s so I can watch what I want when i want.
      Gotta go shower as I have to baby sit today and tomorrow. I thought I would have to next week also but Adam is on vacation so he will take the kids.
      Gail
      I have to remember that candy plate next Christmas I’ll bet Kendall would love to try making that.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      I knew you would be proud of me….LOL
      That is so funny- your friend got a car, and you got 2 books. Well, next year greg will have to beat that, so you will get something spectacular.
      Gary is not a great gift giver. One year, he gave me a REAL funny gift. One of my foster parents confided in me that her husband gave her a box, with 3 “strategically placed big bows” with a note saying that is what he wanted under the tree. Well, I thought it was so funny, especially that she shared that with me, I came home and told The Husband. Guess what Gary did? He had such a sheepish grin on when I opened the box, and I thought he actually got me a cool gift. Not….lol
      I have to say that I am not a good “flosser”. Every time I do it, JJ howls and his mother warns him not to put me on You Tube. Aizen looks on in horror, and told me only young people are supposed to do that dance. How funny are they?? i hope these are the things they remember of me when I am gone some day. they certainly would make for an interesting Tribute at a funeral. I do want people to smile and laugh, not cry.
      I am so glad you all had a good time opening the gifts. That’s what makes everything worthwhile. The girls loved that blanket/wrap/throw that the Q sold- the huge one that was one size fit all. Heather said it is nice and cozy. Luna ripped open her ag of the gift the Q had for dogs, and Enzo video’d her. Luna also tried to go after the animal hooded throws Marissa and Enzo have. Marissa siad Luna thinks it is hers. Luna loves to rip stuffies apart. Steph said her kitty loved the 3 animated mouses- also from the Q. Steph Knew all about those meeces, and was excited when she saw them- I didn’t think they would be that much of a hit….LOL
      Well, Tillie is back to…I am very sick. Called her doctor today,and he called me to say what was up- explained all. He hasn’t seen her since Nov of 2017. He said he really can’t say what is wrong, as it has been so long since he has seen her. he told me to tell he he called looking for her, and maybe that would make her go in. It did not work- she cried and said…”I can’t go anywhere.” It was a good try.
      I hope you have a good time with the kids today!!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      now you know wwhat I do in my spare time.I am a flasher. I show off shirts that are not Quacker. I could never get things righ lol You will have to learn how to flash from someone else.
      Your cookies and the cupcakes looked really good. The bowl is so cute. Is that the candy dish that you made? You really did a good job making it. Now if you have extra cookies you could just send them my way.
      It is good that Tillie came upstairs and Heather kept her up there. That is terrible that she will not go to the doctor. She really needs to go see him. My mom asked her doctor if something that was happening to her was normal. The doctor told her that he did not have any other patients her age to compare notes with. Tillie is missing out on all that useful information. lol
      You will not believe what Ron gave me for Christmas. He bought me a new purse. It is really pretty and I could not believe that he picked it out himself. I was not expecting anything from him since we bought the computer. I got him a cell phone and a talking Bible. I guess neither one of us followed the rules this year.
      That is good you used the paper plates. It cuts down on all the dish washing or loading the dish washer. I use to use the good dishes but no one wanted to help with the clean up so paper plates were the way to go. if plastic forks and knives did not break so easy we woild be using them also. If I would have had any of the disposable pans I would have used them also.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Sounds like you had a really good Christmas. It was nice that the kids were there for the whole day. It is fun to watch the kids open their presents. You are right it makes it all worth while. Aliza did pretty good this year. It was around 8pm before she started getting tired and wanted to have everything her way. I finally got her to play a match game and that calmed her down for a little while. She did not try to match them but she did good lining them up. The others were apples to apples.
      I was so happy this year Ron did not get me something for cleaning or cooking for Christmas. It is always funny because he does not get things that I would want just one he thinks is fun to play with. He got me a purse this year. It was really pretty. He did a good job picking it out.
      If you saw me trying to floss you would over laughing. I always tell the kids that it is because I am left handed. They do not know the difference they are right handed.
      I cannot believe that this year is almost over. We only have a few more days to wait and the New Year will be here. We will have to start a new year and hope that it slows down next year. This year went really fast and it would be nice if this coming year would go a little slower. So we can enjoy it more.
      Your friends husband put all of our husbands to shame. He bought her a car and we got books and a purse. I think we need to complain to our men and tell them we need more next year. Maybe not a car but something that is too big for under the tree.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I had a message from DD on Facebook. She is fine, and going to her friend’s for New Years. I hope she comes on here soon, to chat.
      Barbara and Sue “liked” my post, and Barbara commented, so they are ok too.
      Tillie has not come up since Christmas. She is back to being sick every day, which seems to be nauseous. No progress on consenting to a doctor appointment. I told her she is on the list for an in home physician, and will be seen in about a month. So, either she goes to her doctor, or she will have a doctor come to the house. She did nto like that at all. And so it goes…..not much I can do. Do they have in home doctors in your state? This is fairly new, and the wiat list is unbelievable. The visiting nurse told me about it, and I got on the list immediately.
      Our Moms are very challenging at their ages. God help us!
      What a nice thing for Ron to give you. You gave him nice presents too. I gave Gary the First Aid cream he uses every day- ought him 4 of the special ones they had for the holidays, with more in them. So,he has enough crea, for quite a while. They were a set of 2 bigger tubs, and a tube one, in each set. those creams help his legs a lot. When my hands get broken out from all the baking, etc, I use some on them, and it feels really nice. My hands always get a few itchy spots on them. I have very sensitive skin….LOL
      I am glad I used the paper plates. It was a lot easier, even though the kids do the clean up.
      Hope you have a good weekend!
      Adele

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Someone is spamming our Quacker Social. All of us need to report this. I already have. They are still at it & there are many many pages of it. We need to notify to get it stopped.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Sue,
      There was some on a few days back and I notified Tiago and he got rid of it-now there’s bunches more-so I emailed him again. The school kids must be getting bored with their vacations.

    • The Quacker Factory
      Keymaster
      Post count: 326

      Hey Everyone! It’s James. Sorry about all the spam! I just got rid of the user and all the posts. Hopefully they wont come back! Happy Holidays!

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Everyone,
      I have spent a lazy day,finally, just reading and snacking and relaxing. I’m still in my PJ’s.
      I usually like to do those things the first few days after Christmas but was not able what with babysitting this year. We had fun though. Piper and I did some more puzzles and she,Greg Lachlan, and I played Uno Dare. The kids got an xbox for Christmas but mostly Lachlan is hogging it as I knew he would. Piper was very chatty on Thursday but kind of tired yesterday as she had slept over at Isla’s the night before.
      Last night we both had our cars there since I had to be there at twelve thirty and Greg worked yesterday so he didn’t get there til one or so. And of course it was sleety last night so I just followed him home with both of us going about 35 miles an hour.
      I think Kendall and I will try making one of those candy dishes next year. she likes to do stuff like that. I got her all kinds of craft things for Christmas and she has been working on those.
      Adele, that was funny about Gary with the gift with the three bows. lol
      Colleen, how nice that Ron picked out a purse that you liked. I don’t think Greg could do that on his own.
      Adele, I wonder what Tillie means when she says that she can’t go anywhere. Or she just won’t go. I feel for you so much as I know you want to get her looked at so badly and will feel guilty if something ends up being wrong-but she has to be willing to help herself and so far she hasn’t been. I just find that so hard to understand why she doesn’t want to find out if the doctor can help her in some way. I know I would be beside myself trying to think of some way to get her seen.
      Colleen, that was weird that the doctor told your Mom that he has no other patients her age to compare her symptoms with. I think he should have told her that he didn’t know but he would look into it or something.
      Hey, our grandkids should be proud that we all even know what flossing is. I doubt my grandparents would have known that kind of stuff. We are just too hip.lol
      We don’t have anything wild planned for this weekend. Mostly just sitting around the house relaxing. Greg is busy down in the basement working on his next guitar. It seems like I can barely stay awake until ten anymore but then I am wide awake in the middle of the night. Oh well.
      Gail
      Like Sue said we do have to keep a good eye on the site as the spammers are going crazy right now. Report anything that you see as soon as possible.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Thanks James. Happy Holidays to you too!

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Gail, Thank you for notifying them about the spam. I did not see it before today so thanks for taking care of that one. We all must notify them when we see this happening. They cannot take it down if no one tells them. It was really bad today as there were so many pages. I was afraid they would crash the site. I thank James for removing it. I did not know if he was available but did know Tiago went on vacation.
      Glad you are having a restful day.

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello ladies. Sue and Gail, I came on here one day and saw all that crazy stuff and got off immediately. I don’t know how to notify James or anyone about something I know is wrong on here. So please let me know. I may have been the first one to see it; and I didn’t know what to do about it. Thanks in advance.
      Colleen, Ron and Neal had the same idea with the purse. Neal called me just a couple of days before Christmas and asked me could I please order a Vince Comuto bag that he saw on the Q; gave me the number and color and everything. It was beautiful. He asked me to send it express and he would send me a check for all of it. I hope she loved it. I really did. I had it sent in his name so he could wrap it. Jerry and I had a “no gift” day. It hurts my feelings, but I really do understand how it came to be. Jerry’s family with the seven boys and a child with polio for many years, didn’t give “presents” except useful things to their children. His dad would always go to the Farmers Market at Christmas and buy a huge bag of oranges and Spanish peanuts in the hull, and Jerry said that his dad would bring home each child one of those huge cookies that you could buy down south in little convenience stores. Now that I have everyones heart strings being tugged; that makes him not think of Christmas like I do. He did really well for our boys; but most of the buying of toys and things I did and then he would do all the assembly. So now that this is off my chest; he did get me a beautiful card, and I know he means well, it is just natural to him, and you all know I am the person who can’t have too many windchimes, outdoor decorations, etc.
      Adele, could Tillie possibly have an inner ear infection? There is a condition called Menieres Disease that affects a lot of people where fluid gets around the little bones in the inner ear and it will cause waves of dizziness and nausea. Just throwing some ideas out there. I have heard of doctors that do house calls; but I wish she could be seen by a Gerentologist who specializes in the problems of the elderly. That is a huge field now where it really didn’t exist a few years ago. Guess us baby boomers gave them a new need. Jerrys back has been just hurting him so badly lately. I don’t know what we are going to do. I really think we will have to go back to the original dr. who operated on him and then go from there. Something has to be done.
      SOunds like you all had wonderful times with friends and family. Gail, you deserve to put your feet up. In fact/ I have an idea; let’s make that a New Years Resolution, that we try very hard to set aside one afternoon a week just to do whatever we want; like nap, read, sew, nothing—–you all get the idea. What do you think? By the way, did I tell you all I have been seriously thinking about going back to work. Just one or two days a week. I am feeling kind of useless. I will probably talk myself out of it.
      Take care everyone and have a great New Years celebration. Ours will be spent quietly here at home. Hugs, Barbara

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey sue and Tiago
      I know I sound dumb, but, what did the spammer do? Are we at risk for being on the internet saying things we didn’t say, or our posts becoming public?
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey all….where was all this spam stuff? I have not noticed anything. I did have to sign in yesterday.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Happy Holidays back to you, James.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      I am very confused, as to what I missed that you all noticed, with this spam stuff. Where was it?? I did not see anything on the Dec posts.
      I have ITKWD on. almost got an air fryer- then saw the awful reviews. I joined WW yesterday….I think this may be my 7th or 8th time. I am not one of their success stories….LOL As soon as I joined to diet, I ate 4 chocolate covered cherries, instead of the 1 to 2 I usually have in a whole day. If I feel deprived in any way, I seem to panic. God help me!
      It is freaking me out about tillie. She is really not bad enough to dial 911. Who goes to the ER because they are dizzy?
      She is on the list for an in home physician. they said we should hear within a month, and I hope we do. Tillie doesn’t want a doctor to come to her apartment, as she is embarrassed of all the bags she has in her bedroom. Instead of throwing out what she doesn’t wear, she has piles of stuff in front of the closet of ehr newer Quacker, all in different sizes. the girls have cleaned out ehr closet, I cannot tell you how many times. Still, things ger piled in front. I just gave up.
      Hey…they have the Lenox Butterfly on sale. I have those dishes, and I think you do too. Get the pieces you need now.
      Oh yes, Gary and the bows was real funny. I cracked up when I opened the box, and told him THAT story he did remember. Most of the time, he tunes me out.
      We have been watching this channel called “Up TV”. Similar to Hallmark, and all have a good ending. Their moves have some mystery/drama added in. I think it is another nice channel to watch.
      It sounds like you two had a good time with the kids. That is always the est way to spend a day. Today is Aizen’s birthday. Steph is waiting for paper plates, etc to come that have his favorite video game on them, so no party today. It will be next week. I talked to his cute little self. His Papi got him his favorite breakfast, from the local diner in Saugus- they did a take out, instead of going there, which is sometimes nicer, as they are very crowded.
      We are going to an early dinner with Al and Joanne tomorrow- meeting at 3:00, so we will miss the crowds.
      I hope you and Greg will have a nice dinner tomorrow, ether out, or at home.
      I am so glad you both got home safe last night. We saw the awful ice storms all across the states.
      Your Christmas card arrived yesterday…..LOL Better late, than never! It is a New Years card.
      Hope your weather is good. We are getting more rain tomorrow again, as it is a little too warm for snow- low 30’s.
      Adele
      PS…The Blacklist is on Thursday. Saw the add last night.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara!
      Please read the post to Gail, for all the updates of the day.
      Tillie does have some ear issue- nto sure if it is Meniere’s. Hers is from the hairs in the inner ear disappearing. She takes a daily med for dizziness- the one for vertigo, I believe. that is why I am so confused by this constant dizzy complaint.
      You know, I think this in home practice is for the elderly. When I called last week, asking where we were on the list, I told them Tillie was getting worst. She VERY nicely told me all the people on the list were in the same predicament. She said they were very close to finishing the hire of one to two nurse practitioners, so the list was going to be “opened” very soon.
      I don’t like the no gift thing either. At least spring for a few scratch tickets….LOL GAry feels like I buy everything I want or need, so there is nothing left to get me. He is right, but I still get a kick out of a scratch ticket.
      there are a lot of families that do nto gift, due to the size of them. Some pick a name, and each person buys one nice gift, for one person. I Have heard of that too. When you think about it, how many kids in the US do not get anything at all? I will bet we would be shocked, and horrified. the nurses at our high school used to have kids to get gifts for. A lot of times, the request was for clothing. I took 2 kids every year, and then they stopped doing it. It was a nice way to give back, as you knew you were helping a local family. I really wish they would do it again, but, I also know how much work it was for the nurses.
      I hope you and Jerry have a good night, and comfy New Years Eve. We will be home by 5, so we will keep Tillie company with ehr dinner. Bobby is going to get them both something to eat, from somewhere. If he changes his mind, I will bring something home for the restaurant we go to.
      I did the rest thing yesterday- GAry and I watched the movie “The Post” yesterday afternoon. Have you seen it? It was good.
      Adele
      PS…I have no idea what you all saw on the site- what was it??

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      barbara….forgot to say, I hope jerry gets to the doctor soon, and has a solution for his back. The back causes so much trouble.
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Cold and rainy here today. Just gloomy, but we are grateful since Joey and Lisa literally flew all night and safely got home around 10 this morning. They spent about 5 hours in Chicago; waiting for their outgoing flight. They left Calif. around 10 last night. Joey said they were exhausted. Lisa waited in the car while he came in and picked up Ruby. We asked him to just let us keep her today and tonight so they could get some rest; but he said, Mom, I just want to go home and all of us get settled back in. He looked so tired. This I thought was funny. One thing he told Jerry and me was “I don’t see how Neal does it. Our little man is in constant motion unless he is asleep” ha ha. We told him welcome to the world of toddlers. lol Lisa’s plan may have backfired. This was the first time he has been around a little one for this long a time except when Neal was little; but he had lots of energy himself at the time. ha ha. Jerry and I were so happy that they got to spend the holidays together. We will hear lots more after they rest up. Neither have to go back to work until Weds.
      We drove up the highway today just to get out for a little while. We were watching movies; and our kitty had gotten back up in bed with us and was sleeping so good. We had gotten up had our coffee; showered; and yet somehow we both ended up just propping back up in bed and I covered up with this heated throw that I got for myself off the Q and watched the movie until around 1pm. Jerry doesn’t eat lunch; hasn’t in years; but fluffy me has to have all 3. I do eat light for breakfast. I really love my coffee which has lots of cream; sometimes hot chocolate; again nice and creamy. And I guess my lunch is on the light side; sometimes just a few crackers and cheese or even oatmeal, or sandwich. But it is a potato soup night here tonight. Do you all have McAlisters Restaurants in your area? We love their potato soup, and I get us some on the lazy days when I won’t even make it. Guess what though, I did do some baking-made brownies with walnuts. Does that count as a home cooked meal?
      Yes, Adele, I do want SOMETHING for a gift; even small things like the scratch off tickets. In fact; I would love for him to do something he would never do and that is buy me say a $20 ticket; since that would really show me how much he cared that he would do something just for me that he wouldn’t do for himself. DOes that make any sense? Yes, the husband who bought the car set the bar high Gail. And Jerry does say, Barbara go get anything you want and it is from me, we have Christmas everyday, and you know what you want or need. BUT to me, that is just not the same. I really think of my gifts to people. I really want them to be happy when they open it; no matter if it is something inexpensive or not. Gosh, I just seem to be on a soapbox here lately, sorry ladies.
      Adele, what I saw was just a bunch of jibberish looking letters and symbols and stuff. And some writing that made no sense. It scared me.
      Hope you all are okay weather wise. Ours in predicted to be stormy the next day or so. Not good for all those people out for New Years Eve. Hope and pray they will call for rides and not get behind the wheel. It was so busy all those years of work. We don’t plan on going out at all tomorrow. I plan to cook spaghetti and some garlic bread and salad. I bet you all make some tasty sauce. Do you put in meat or not? I am too lazy to make meatballs, but I do put meat in mine. Take care everyone, be careful, and Happy New Year to everyone. Hugs Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I have been having a really hard time getting on this site. Last night I answered your post and it just disappeared and then I tried to type on here and it would not type. It was weird. Well at least it is working now.
      I am glad that DD is doing ok. She has not been posting on here for awhile. I was getting worried that something was said that upset her. I hope that she comes back on here soon. She is such a nice person.
      I am so sorry that Tillie has quit coming up stairs. It is really good that you found a doctor that makes house calls. We do not have that service here. It would be nice if we did . Mom doesn’t drive anymore so someone has to drive to her place to take her to the doctor. She will not stay with any of us because she does not want to get in the way. I really think that she does not want to live with any of us kids. She is stubborn in different ways. All we can do is just pray that we all get thru it and our mo ‘s are happy.
      That cream for Gary sounds like a really nice gift. He will have plenty to get him thru a couple of winters. It is nice that the cream works for you also.What kind of cream is it?
      One of the spams that I saw was selling pills. They put an address on here you could mail to order the medicine. I e-mailed Tiago and it was taken care of right away. I noticed that the foreign language ones are gone also. It is kind of weird to see them on here. Since we do not know what they are saying they could be posting anything and we would not know it.
      Ron did do good this year in buying me a gift. Next year he will mess up this was an unusual year. I think that basically all men are alike. They have no clue what we want. They never pay attention to what we say.lol
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Thank you James for getting rid of the spam. Happy Holidays to you also.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      That sounds like you had a nice day reading and relaxing. You probably need it after spending time with the kids. Aliza just wears us out she is so active. She was playing with a bunch of toys and just talking away to them. You would have thought they were real.She was so funny. We went to our last Christmas dinner today, We went to my mom’s and Aliza was the only little one there. So she was the center of attention. She is funny she told me that it was so good to see me. You would have thought that she was an adult. When they got ready to leave she told everybody good bye and Happy New Year. I can imagine that you had quit a time with Piper. She is really funny
      My mom thinks that it is funny that he has no other patient to compare things to. She asks him if certain things are normal for someone her age so that is why he told her that. He does try to find studies on things that are wrong with her. He is a really good doctor. He has really helped her a couple of times when she was really bad.
      Is Adam getting to help with the kids at all during their break. It is hard when you are working like they do to take care of the kids. I hope that came out right.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      It was funny that your dil and I got similar presents. Mine was that good a purse though. He bought mine at Penny’s. He does not like to order things he wants to go someplace where he can pay cash. He has always been that way.
      That had to be a tiring trip for Joey and Lisa. They had a long lay over in Chicago, Will you fix a meal or something for them now that they are back. That would be really nice. You could have a nice dinner and visit with them.
      I have thought going back to work part time. Just for something to do. I would like to be a greeter at Wal Mart or s store like that. I do not know how many hours that a person can work after they retire. I know that there is only so many. Another job that would be good is a receptionist. You just answer phones and talk to people that come into the offoce.
      Some days it is better to just stay in bed and relax. Take a nap or watch tv or read. My personal favorite is napping. I can do that for a long time. I can fall asleep reading or watching tv.
      It has been a long day today. We went to my mom’s for our last Christmas dinner. She wanted us to come for dinner and she ordered pizza. It was okay they make a good pizza. Mom made me a couple containers of sugar free cookies. She always makes really good ones. I am going to have to get her recipes.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi everyone,
      Tonight we say goodbye to 2018 and hello to 2019.
      Barbara, I’m glad Joey and Lisa got home after that long flight. They must have been rerouted because of weather. I know they were getting snow in NM. Brent said he got about 3 inches but Wendy was visiting her parents in Ruidoso and they got about 2 feet. It’s a ski area though so they are probably happy.
      If you need to report something just go to members and look up Tiago or The Quacker Factory-that’s James and leave them a note that someone is spamming the board again.
      I realize that some people grew up not celebrating Christmas in a big way-but I think most of us women like to feel that we have been at least thought of on gift giving occasions. It really is the thought more than the actual gift. Especially when we have spent the time to try to figure out what everyone else in the family might want it seems like it should be simple for our husbands to think of one little thing that we might like. I guess it it just not something that is important to them for some reason. As i have said before they seem to lack the gifting gene. And I know, like you I really try to give people something that i think they would really like. I was so happy this year when the gift we gave our friend Tim seemed to be a real winner. He likes to cook-and he also plays banjo and guitar and I found a guy that makes measuring spoons in the shape of musical stringed instruments and gifted Tim with a set and he seemed to really be thrilled with them.
      I kept telling the kids they should find work in the field of the elderly as all us baby boomers will be needing all kinds of services but no one listened to me. The ortho docs are really raking it in with all the joint replacements and my ophthalmologist must be constantly doing cataract surgeries.
      I think if you are looking for a purpose it’s an excellent idea to work again. or just volunteer at someplace that could use your special skill set. Do you have to test to be licensed again or is your license still good? Nothing makes me feel better than doing for others-so it may be just what you need to boost your spirits.
      Adele, the spammers usually go to general Quacker chatter and start different topics there. it could be anything from a video game or movie to viagra. If you come directly in from an email which I can’t you would never see them. Sometimes it’s written in a language that doesn’t use our alphabet like Russian or maybe some middle eastern language. Just go to The Quacker Factory-which is James or to Tiago Ramos and leave them a message that spammers are at it. You can look them up under Members.
      My friend Nan was always in WW before she had her stomach removed. I guess she was a failure too as she never seemed to lose weight-but I don’t think she really stuck to the program either. You have to be really dedicated and i just cannot whip up the enthusiasm.
      I don’t have the Lenox butterfly dishes. They are pretty but I already have dishes. I just admire them from afar.
      I will be glad when Tilly is finally seen by a doctor but he may very well say she needs some tests and then you are back to square one. I wish you could bribe her like you can a little kid.
      You would be proud of Greg he is making bacon buns today. This is his once a year foray into baking which he usually does over New Years. (and makes a mess of the kitchen with flour all over and the stove top a mess from cooking bacon and sausage) That’s another gene men don’t seem to have. the one that has them cleaning up their kitchen messes.
      I just found out we are dog sitting Callie tonight as Jenny and the kids are doing the usual overnight at a hotel with a pool for New Years Eve.
      Colleen, Aliza is funny. I like the way she was saying goodnight and Happy New Year.
      Your Mom sounds like she has a really good doctor. Also she does really good if she is still baking cookies for you. Greg’s Mom could never have been on her own like that. Your Mom can still do a lot of things. I am happy for that.
      Adam has been watching the kids in the mornings on vacation but he goes to work before Jenny gets home so that’s when she needed the help. He is on vacation this week so he will have the kids after tomorrow. i get the dog tonight instead. someone always needs watching. lol
      Happy New year, Everyone!
      Gail

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      I got an e-mail saying Ali a new team member is in charge of the Social page now. A good way to let them know about a problem is go to the top of the page where it says about Quacker &click on contact us & you can send an e-mail & they will answer. I figured Adele never sees it because all she ever looks at is the e-mails from the one place. This site has so much to offer but goes to waste.
      Gail will we have a problem when my Eagles beat your Bears.
      You know WW & any other diet fails unless you stay on it forever. Even Greg doing so well with no carbs will gain when he starts eating them again. That is why I cannot lose weight & keep it off as I am not willing to give up my favorite foods forever. Adele you are right that you are to exercise also but I think what you were eating was not that it was too much but the wrong things. To many carbs as you said you eat bagels & I know you eat a lot of pasta & your pizza is carbs & fat Chinese take out is bad for the diet. I am not critizing you I love those things too But my doctor says they are big no no’s. But if I listened to him I would eat nothing but veggies. I like veggies but also like things with my veggies. So I am wishing you luck on WW.
      Happy Healthy New Year to all.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Sue,
      I thought of you immediately when we found out the the Bears were playing the Eagles. So you want to do a little trash talk. lol Of course we were hoping the Rams would lose so we would get that bye week.
      To be perfectly honest I don’t think any of us were expecting going into the season that we would do so well. We knew Nagy was putting together a good team but were not sure what stage of development they were in. Our kicker scares me-he is so inconsistent-one game I think he missed two field goals and two point afters. I thought he would get booted that week but they kept him but he missed a point after yesterday again-and for the pros those should be sure things.
      I think your quarterback was injured yesterday. Don’t know what his status is now. It should be a good game.
      Thanks for telling us about the new social person.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      Do you have one of those eds where you can raise the top and bottom tobe comfy watching TV? That is my next big purchase, if we have no winter crisis to spend our tax return on….LOL You two sound so comfy and warm in your snuggly throw, watching TV.
      I am glad your son and his wife are home, all safe and sound. I bet they are both re-evaluating their wish for a little one….LOL nothing like caring for a toddler, as the best birth control ever. But, I do hope they change their mind soon.
      Wow- that spam stuff would have freaked me out too. Does that mean we got hacked,and someone ahs our addresses, etc?? I hope not.
      We do not have that restaurant up here. We have Panera Bread, which has the best broccoli cheddar soup ever.
      It was dreary here, and we are getting an awful rain storm, with high winds tonight. they think the midnight fireworks may not happen in Boston. They did have a small :family” fireworks display in Boston, for the little ones at 7:00 pm. I can see it is raining in NY, as the show just started on TV.
      We just got in from our…”grey hair special dinner”. that is what obby called it, when we told him we were going out at 3 to beat the crowds…..LOL
      Have a great New years Eve- all snuggled in your comfy bed, with your heated throw!! We will be in our recliners.
      Wishing you the best new year, with no more health issues.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Please read the post to Barbara for all the news of the day…..lol
      We are back from our dinner (very early one) with Al and Joanne. It was fun to see them. Al is very quiet. very quiet. I told him not to forget that he can come by the house anytime.
      Our Mom’s are quite a challenge right now. Gary told Tillie she needs to come up for dinner tomorrow night. We stopped in to spend some time with her before we came back upstairs. heather gave her a shower today, and did her hair real nice. I told her how pretty her hair looked.
      Tomorrow I will start tkaing some things down. Gary took in the Nutcrackers, and Santa, before the rain started. It will pour tonight, with wind. I am betting we get another leak.
      Wow- I didn’t see any of those spams. glad I missed them!
      The cream I got for Gary is the First Aid Cream- pretty sure that is the name of it. It helas the skin, and moisturizes very well, with no greasy feeling. It is worth every cent.
      On the way home, we drove aorund to look at the lights. I was disappointed. Gary thinks people took their lights down becasue of the rain coming. I am hoping he is right, as it was a sad display of Christmas spirit for this Town!
      have a good night, and a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      GOOD GOD LADIES…..COME TO YOUR SENSES QUICK……

      IF you really feel the need to go back to the daily grind of work, first, set up a lemonade/hot chocolate stand in your driveway. THAT should get rid of this need to work feeling real quick, and think of all the stress it will save you in: looking for a job, going to the job, and realizing it was not the best idea of 2019. We have EARNED our retirements. Don’t give it up, or the president will get wind of it, and set the retirement age to 80.

      Respectfully yours……your wacky New England friend.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Colleen
      Forgot to say, your Aliza is such a cutie. I Know how you felt, as once Aizen came in, hugged me,and said he missed me. I melted, like a snowman in Florida! LOL

      Gailster
      It just started to pour here. The poor people at First Night in Boston. It has been raining in NY too. such a shame for everyone.
      That was a fabulous find for your friend- who knew they make musical shaped measuring spoons, etc? Wow- where did you find them?
      So,you think our friends are searching for a purpose, and I think they are giving up a freedom. Perspectives are amusing.
      Please read all my posts to the girls for all the info of the day….I am getting tired, and need to get into my recliner…..LOL
      I do get on here by the emails only. It is rare I go another way.
      What is a bacon roll? never heard of that one. It must be another regional treat. I am intrigued…especially since bacon is worth a lot of points on WW.
      Have a good night-a safe, healthy, and HAppy New year- I have one more email to read.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, Sue!
      I am laughing my butt off. We could do an entire comedy routine on diets and our failures on them. You just say the word diet, and I begin to get anxious. I am not, and never have been, one to deprive myself of anything. It must the the only child thing.
      I totally agree. Our doctors would have us eat nothing but veggies, and veggies have no points on WW- neither do fresh fruits, eggs, or chicken with no bone or skin. They didn’t say I couldn’t lather the chicken with chocolate….LOL LOL Apparently, I would have to count the chocolate.
      I did my “weigh in” yesterday am. the funny thing is, I weigh 2 pounds less than I did the last time I started WW- about 2 years ago. I felt proud of that one….LOL
      Are you getting blasted with rain too??
      I heard the Blacklist is back on Thursday. the other shows are not far behind.
      I hope you have a healthy, safe and Happy New year.
      I am tired, so getting into the faithful recliner…..is that considered a WW exercise? LOL (I think I got my sense of humor back!)
      Adele
      PS- you are right-i come on through the emails.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      starting new discussion for January 2019. See you all there.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I did really good last night. I fell sound asleep way before midnight and Ron woke me up at midnight to give me a kiss. It was funny he is usually the one that falls asleep and I have to wake him up. That was different this year. Next year we may both fall asleep and not be awake at midnight. I misses seeing the ball drop in NY and that was disappointing.
      I do not blame you for going out to dinner early. It is a mess when you go later in the evening it is crazy. You have to wait in line and the service is usually slow. We have done that a couple of times and we decided that it is not worth doing.
      Maybe Tillie will come up since Gary said something to her. Mom listens to the men more then she does us girls. I do not know if it is because she had 4 girls and just the boy and he is special to her. She is good to all of but what he says goes.
      I am not taking anything down until the sixth of this month. We leave everything up this long every year. We are going to get rid of the Christmas tree and we have to replace the lights that I put on my deck. We have had them for a long time. I am not sure where we are going to get our tree.If we do not go pretty soon there will not be anything left.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen
      p.s. How are you doing with the leaks? I hope you did not get any more.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Everyone,
      We are over on the December page now. Just a friendly reminder. Come chat.

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