Daily Ooo's: Tuesday, December 17

[faerywings]

Must. Drink. Coffee. :tea:
Don't tell my kids, but I got them chocolate covered coffee beans for their stockings and it is taking about all of my resistance to not unwrap and eat them hahaha!!
last night was the first night in a long time that I slept almost all of the way through. I woke up once- too hot, too cold, hate this time of year when it is impossible to regulate my body temp- but was able to get back to sleep relatively quickly. However, I think it is going to take me a while to catch up on sleep.

I got a lot of stuff done yesterday. Still not everything off of my list but getting closer. X-rays went smooth. My Dr will automatically have access to everything by Wed. I was going to try to go to the place near me, but this was so much smarter so I won't have to worry about getting records and CDs and stuff to him.
I was then able to get (almost?) my Christmas shopping done. Lunch with my mom as very nice. We didn't fight at all even when she told me that she isn't sure if she wants to get the pacemaker because she isn't "sure that she will like the way it changes how she feels." What???? :frusty: On one hand I *do* get that, When I was sick, and for so many years, I was scared what it would like to get better, to not have Lyme be the factor in everything that I did. Now that I am better and *feel* better, I don't want to have a relapse and feel like that again. But really, Mom?? This could be a literal life and death difference. argh.
What.ev.er.
heh.

I am also experiencing some good stress. My ILs have been wanting to take the entire family on a cruise for years and they booked it last night. I am soooo excited to be going on a "real" vacation and be able to get pampered a bit. I am sad that Gary is not able to go with us. He is ok with that. He doesn't want to hold me or the kids back. But not only have I never been away from him for 8 days (might be a good thing!!!), it is like a piece of my heart breaks for all of the things that we *should* be able to do together. It sucks. But I bet that the kids will keep me laughing- as long as they don't desert me 100% to be with their cousins. OTOH- It might be nice to be left alone. I am not a people-person so to be "trapped" makes me anxious. Even with family that I adore.

Today I have lots of loose ends that need to get completed. I think I should be able to finish almost all of my wrapping. I think that the baskets should be almost ready to go too. The menu for Christmas day needs to be finalized and then I am placing the food shopping order online. The weather isn't great but Scott's final doesn't start until 3 pm and Cait's is at 11. Hopefully, the roads will be ok to travel because they don't have an option to not go in.

Deeeeep breaths...
I got this!!

Hugs!!!

 

[faerywings]

Felis- :tape: I am not saying another word about the book!!
Hope the decorating wasn't too chaotic.

Nancy- be careful if you need to go out today. Even with the temps in the afternoon yesterday being just above freezing, it was so raw. I couldn't get warm at all.
Does your DH get impatient texts and emails from his students about grades? I know that Caitlyn hates waiting for them to get posted. Both kids have professors that say their essay grades will be posted by XYZ, and then they never are. They would never email them but have heard that other students will.

Trudy- The staircase looks AMAZING!! Well done!!!! Looks like it is right out of a magazine. For real!! (I am sooooo jealous!!!)
I pack the cookies int he freezer but the fam has been known to eat them frozen w/o me catching them.
I think I am giving up on any possibility of scrapping until after the holidays. Hope you get some time to do that for yourself.

Rae- I hope that you were able to get everything done that you needed to do. If I know you, I am pretty darn confident that you did.

Felis- I hear ya. I really do. :sleep:
That is too bad that the drama has taken over at your house. Maybe spending some time with the fur-babies will help your mood a bit. As much as they drive me crazy being underfoot all of the time, petting my puppers - so soothing.
SPOILER ALERT!

I said that I wasn't going to say another word-- but since you guessed already... yes, the old woman ended up being the one who killed the other people. The first man died while choking on a bone from a deer he had poached. While she was in his house afterward, she had seen a photo of him posing with some other hunters with dead wild animals along with her Little Girls- her two dogs. Her Theory was that the deer were killing them by telling her to kill the hunters.
You figured it out! She still reminds me of you but I don't think you would murder anyone. You might *want* to if anyone hurt your pets but I d don't think you would actually do it. Right? hahahah!!!

Gatta run! ::grouphug

 

[BrightEyes]

Morning, all. Brrr.rrr.rrr.... it is cold outside. Only 22 when I got up. I dug out my long-johns yesterday. Looks like I might need them for the next several days. Even with sweat-pants on, my legs were cold. I didn't think when I got up this morning and walked around without the boot on. Finally realized it and put it on after being up for over an hour. So the foot is healing but will wear the boot for protection for awhile. I have a couple errands I need to run that I have been putting off. SiL got the disposal installed on Sunday... it is so nice to have a working one again. Need to get over to the Dollar store to get some bins to store stuff under the sink.

WOW, Trudy!!! Love how you decorated the staircase! It looks so professional - like out of a decorating magazine! Love the lights in the planter and going up the side of the stairs. You have out-done yourself this year, gal. Good luck on getting the cards finished and mailed.

Nancy, the dinner sounds like it was a hit. I like having left-overs, too. Even though we would go to DD's for the family dinner, DH wanted me to fix a turkey/trimmings so he could have the left-overs - especially turkey and dumplings. Bet the boys will scoff them up. Hope they saved a bit for you.

Chris, I agree... think you have been doing too much. You need to rest that leg abit more. I have to shake my head over your mom's reasoning about the pacemaker!!! I have 2 cousins who had them and they made a world of difference in what they were able to do. Hope your mom figures out that she really needs it. Wow.. what a treat to get a cruise for a present... just wish that Gary could go too.

Jean, glad you got the present sent.. but hate that it costs so much to send. I am sure he will appreciate it when he gets it.

Coffee is done finally. I reheated the cup that was left from yesterday but need more than one cup this morning. :tea: Glad the liquid creamer was on sale last week ($1 off each jug) so I bought several. That should hold me until I go to the commissary. LOL

 

[scrap-genie]

The world turned white here overnight and a light snow is still falling, but it is supposed to be above freezing this afternoon. The newsletter isn't finished, but I should still be able to get it done, print those that need it and get them to the PO today. Yesterday involved yet more stuff on the cousin's estate (that has been happening repeatedly) but the end of my involvement may be very near. A really nice thing yesterday was having a Hairy Woodpecker spend a little time in our yard. They aren't uncommon, but we rarely get one here. They aren't great, but I did get pictures of her.

Chris, stay away from those beans! You really don't need that concentrated a dose of caffeine no matter that you want it. Hope the kids get good driving conditions today. Nice they have finals now so to really enjoy the holidays after. And your mom will get there eventually, I think...hope. It is a huge step for her to take. Wow, a cruise!! How long, where, and will the kids be out of school and work to go? So sorry Gary can't go. Give him lots of lovin' as consolation.

Kay, long johns sound just the thing. Wonder if Chris shouldn't be wearing them too (or is she?). Good news on the disposal and getting the stuff reorganized. Good news the foot is getting better.

Felis, sorry you have negative things and that you are keeping them inside to stew while giving the family and us a calm time. Maybe you should vent here and just keep the family in the dark? Anyway, let the furbabies cheer you up.

Rae, you are always so busy but amaze us all with how you get so much done. The extra work now will give you the pay to cover the time off for the holidays that you can relax and enjoy.

Trudy!!! The staircase looks exquisite. I too am so jealous. Would never have imagined that lovely arrangement of decorations. Guess I should get out some more of our decorations as I have only a little now. Hope the cards are done and you find a pretty new top to wear.

Nancy, bet that dinner was wonderful and the benefits from it will be so good. Hope your weather gets better.

 

[taxed4ever]

Morning ladies... it has turned milder overnight and the rain has finally stopped. Today I get my hair cut and coloured and it will be nice to get pampered by my hairdresser! She always takes extra time shampooing my hair and gives me a great scalp massage! I think I love her LOL. I put together a nice gift basket for her, so hopefully she will continue to give me those wonderful scalp treatments!! Have my cards all ready to mail and now just need to get a few more done for when everyone is here for Christmas Day, no sense mailing them when we will see each other anyways. I have to make a guacamole dip for DH's Christmas Buffet lunch tomorrow and I am happy that I will make a small one for me too :hungry: No scrapping for me yesterday, but I did get a set of coasters painted and resined for my Chinese gift exchange basket, now I just need to figure out what else to put in it. Perhaps I can find a little something while I am downtown today. I had a really nice Facetime with Heather and Hunter yesterday morning and was so happy to hear that Mason went ice skating for the first time with his Daddy on Sunday!! Heather sent me photos and a little movie of it. So nice!! Also a few pics of Mason at his swimming lessons, the little man is finally coming out of his shell and not quite as shy anymore Hunter is the total opposite and has no problem going with anyone or doing anything on his own. (not sure that is a good thing) LOL.

Chris - So happy for you that you finally got a better night of sleep! I am the same way throwing the covers off and on all night long, hard to regulate the body temperature when the weather is so crazy too!! Freezing one night and nice and mild the next :loco: Thank you for the nice comments about my staircase you are so sweet! I think I like it better than having it hanging on the railing! Your Mom will hopefully understand soon that the Pacemaker will make her life so much better!! I suppose it is the thought of having something foreign in the body that might be making her feel anxious about it?? :noidea: Glad that you both had a nice lunch together! I am over the moon happy for you that you get to go on a cruise!!!! Where will you be cruising to? That is too bad that your Gary will not be going along, but you know what they say... absence makes the heart grow fonder and perhaps it will be a good thing!

Kay - Sounds very chilly at your place this morning, sure hope it warms up for you soon! Glad to hear that your foot is feeling better, but good plan to keep the boot on for support for a while longer! Thank you also for the lovely comment on my staircase! I am happy that I did it finally! Hooray for the disposal being installed!! You will be happy to have it working again! Great score on the coffee creamer and hope you find what you need today at the dollar store!

Jean - (from Sunday) . How nice that you are gifting your lovely artwork, but ugh on the cost of the shipping!! Can you believe that I had to shell out $50 to mail Heather her parcel!!! I just about choked!! Hope you are getting your family history newsletter completed and sorry that your knee is acting up on you!

Nancy - I see that you are online so we are most likely cross posting. I will catch up with you soon!

Have a great Tuesday everyone! :wave:

 

[taxed4ever]

Ha, Ha it was Jean that I cross posted with! Hi Jean! Thanks for the comment on my staircase! You ladies are so sweet!! I have been making most of my decorations for years now and keep thinking it might be time to get something new, but I love my funny old Santas etc. How special to see the Woodpecker!! We often hear them drumming away at the old trees around here, but rarely get to see them.

 

[taxed4ever]

Hi Felis - I almost forgot you LOL. Oh and still no Donkey for my Nativity scene :sorry: I will have to get DH to cut one out for me so I can paint it. Probably not this year though. Sorry that the family drama happened for you and hope that you will all feel the Christmas spirit soon! :hug:

Rae - Sure hope that your work schedule slows down a bit for you today!

 

[bcgal00]

Good morning, everyone. Got thru yesterday....boy was it a busy work day...whew.

A good thing that happened yesterday is that I was able to load windows 10 onto my laptop (the one in my office that I watch shows/movies). I followed a link thru the cnet site and it worked. I really didn't want to pay to put w10 on it as its an old system, I only use it in my office for tv shows and it just didn't seem worth it to pay the money. So, it looks like it should be ok. I figured I'd try it on my laptop and if it continues to work ok for the next few wks then I can do it to my work computer. Since my bosses will be gone til New Years it is a good time to try this. Windows 7 won't be updated and supported after mid Jan and I really didn't want to have to unplug it all and bring it into the store to get it updated but I will if this home update doesn't work. I'll transfer all my work files off of it first so if it does crash or anything it's ok. So, fingers crossed it continues to work.

Today, more work but thats ok, I just have to get thru it til Fri and then maybe a bit of leftover to do on Monday and then I'm done till after NYs. Yay. I have to work on taxes, organizing around the home, visit family and friends and get some freezer cooking and baking done over the holidays so I'm sure the time will fly by.

So today....desk work, walking Taz of course, will pop into the pet store later to discuss food for Taz as he doesn't seem to like the new food which doesn't surprise me...picky boy. D is going shopping. I just can't think of anything I want (little things). I'd really be happy with nothing but he wants to buy a few gifts for each other. I browsed ads and store sites last night but just can't find things under $100 that I want. Any ideas????

Chris - glad you got a good sleep and how exciting about the cruise....where to???

Kay - glad the foot is feeling better. Long johns....haven't worn them since I was a kid, growing up in Ontario.

Jean - I love the hairy woodpeckers. We get them at our suet feeder. Not so many this year, I think the jays and flickers chase them away. They are so cute, aren't they?

Trudy - sounds like you're well organized with all your projects. Enjoy your hair appt today. I'm not going to make it in for a trim before Xmas but with my short hair its ok to let it go for a bit. I did try a new shampoo/condition this wk and like it...for fine hair....Living Proof.

I'm getting to work now. Have a great day, everyone!

 

[nancyr]

good morning - I was up early and PT is done. Always feel good when it is done. The weather is rain all day. Yuck. But luckily it is just rain as the northern part of NJ is getting hit with freezing rain. My son purchased the Disney streaming service and I am having a great time. Today I am watching the new Christmas movie Noelle. And I got sucked in. So now I will finish. Well my Devils traded Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes. It is good for both teams but sad as he was a really good player. Hall should be in the line up for the Coyotes tonight when they play against the Sharks.

Chris I am so sorry you mom is still not decided about the pace maker. I am so happy you are going on a cruise. Where? Sorry Gary cannot go but this way there is someone home to care for all the animals. And you will be warm! Yes my DH does get emails and students wanting their grades. But as he is the chairman of the department he also get notes from students who do not think that their professor was fair. Those are the worst.

Kay I think we will be getting your cold temps come Wed and Thursday. And we will be getting wind so the chill factors will be the pits down near zero. Not looking forward to that. I may have to dig out my long johns. Keep warm. Glad the installation went well and congrats on the creamer. It is the small things.

Trudy yes I was online but that movie sucked me in. It was with Anna Kendrick and it was set a lot in Phoenix so I just finished it. Your stair case is spectacular! I love the Santas. Sounds like you have been busy. How fun that the Mason is skating. Suck a Canadian thing LOL. Glad he is opening up more!

Jean hope you don't get overwhelmed with snow. We are still getting rain. Glad that most is done!

Felis I am so sorry that things are not as calm and merry as you had hoped. Family dynamics are hard. Hoping for better times soon. In the mean time have fun with fur babies.

Have a great day all!

 

[Scrapmemories]

Hey everyone. So hard to get in the holiday spirit with the high 80s and humidity level to match. I need to go the beach and build a snowman, I mean sandman LOL

Chris you had me at chocolate covered coffee beans. Yummy. Where is the cruise taking off from and which region will you visit. My first cruise was at 16 years (many moons ago lol) and it is a fun way to relax and explore.

Glad the foot is better Kay.

Jean, we haven’t had many birds around here lately but I sure love when a woodpecker visits. He attacks the electric wood pole in front of my house. I find them so special.

Can’t wait to see your hair Trudy. Please give me some inspiration on getting organized.

Nothing more frustrating Rae than computer problems. I’m still using my old slow machine because I’m afraid to put back my newest one since it got repaired.

Oh Nancy, PT is hard. I have a frozen shoulder so I know it is worth it but boy it can hurt. No pain no gain is put to the test. I hope you recover soon

Apologies if I left anyone out

Lorraine

 

[felis]

Hello ladies,
Christmas should be easy and should be joyful! We have good system of preparing it and I can't understand why it's not work this year?! We decorated too late this time. And argued a lot about the need of buying new tree. Am I wrong to want to spend my whole life with only one tree?! You can't just replace things because they are get older and don't looks pretty anymore! I can't get it the arguments of my family, it's like they just tries to be opposite of everything I say.
Once decoration was staged, now the cats for which this is first christmas gives their best, to destroy everything shine and ball. It's cute at some point, but also dangerous as their decoration is put on the cornices for drapery and it's very possible my drapery also to suffer. Exactly as my avatar says LOL lol.
Usually New Year is big thing: end of one chapter, and the beginning of new. But this year I didn't wait, and I started lots of things around my birthday, so now Christmas is more like some island in the middle of story for sailing, the feeling is very unusual and straaaaange.

Chris, hooray for the cruise! I'm so happy for you! Leave to Gary frozen meals and canned food. And try to find friend to help him with the dogs, and he can make one small in-home vacation too LOL . Sounds as you doing very well with your ToDoList! Wish you successful day!
Ughh, this end of the book disappointed me! It's predictable (as I did) and it's a stereotip - she is antisocial so she is psycho, as every blond girl at young adult book is bad person. I hate when one good fabula is killed by a cliche. I'll read it anyway, but I'm disappointed. Especially for character I felt so close.

Jean, thank you for your support (from all of you), it's mean much for me that I have shoulder to cry on! But no, there is things that better to keep only for me! I don't want to let anyone with wrong impression. I swear pets do not get sick so often! I just take to foster harder cases, that others don't want, and that is why I so often fail! But people shouldn't be scared to adopt, this is all I'm working for and it worth it, I promise!
I'm so jealous for the snow! Please send some in my direction! Hope the newsletter to arrive on time, because delivery really sucks at this time of the year! I guess you'll scrap these Hairy Woodpecker's photo, I want to see them!

Kay, don't jump on all errands at once, even if you feels that the foot is ready! Be careful, dear!

Trudy, I'm very disappointed for still no donkey! :cry: . I'm just kidding, it's your scene and your decision, forgive my curiosity! After such a long saga I feels like you'll have to send to show me card/layout with it. Actually my sister also did it. She sent me this pic from Germany. My grandpa was horse trainer and he had a donkey, so my family is a huge fan of them!

Great for the finishing of cards and coasters too! Giving these cards at personal, will allows you to see their faces when opened it, which also is good feeling! Oooh, the kids are so sweet and I'm sure they have lot of fun with the winter!

Rae, it's so good to be able to make your schedule at way that left you free time between the holidays, bravo! Yes, my sister notice me about Windows 7 too, but for now we aren't taken any steps, so I'm curious do this will work for you?! To bring it into the store to get it updated, it's not so easy for us at this time of the year.

Nancy, we have the Disney channel and at some moment I was much hook up to it. It's something nice to left as a background, without to worry that can be interrupted by news announces, which I hate when I try to craft and create things. I'm not watched Noelle yet, but want to! Sorry for the bad weather you have!

Lorraine, I know some girl here who will love to exchange with you :wink: . It's not like in Christmas movie, but for New Years eve party it's so much better when shouldn't freeze in your dress.