Good morning everyone. It really is December. So dark this morning and yesterday afternoon. We still have 3 more weeks till the Winter Solstice. Our sky is looking stormy. I need to do a few errands then straight back home.
Okay, what is your opinion about me putting up a Christmas tree or not. I don't want to seem like a Grinch but there is a bit of work involved here. I would be the one to get everythig out, put up the tree and decorate it and then put it all away. Not expecting Val and her family. Maybe just a poinsettia.
Does the tree make you happy, Gloria? I mean, seeing it, decorating it? If it does, the work is worth it. Or, you could get a little table-top tree. I've seen some nice ones. I used to always think of Christmas Trees as being important for children, but I know quite a few people who either have no children or have children grown and gone, and they still put up a tree. I say, do what's easiest and happiest for you.
We've always put up stockings for the cats. One for each with their names on them. Then we stick little cats toys and treats in them. I'm glad I don't know where they're packed. It would be too sad to look at. This weekend, Joe & I went out and picked up a new stocking with just a 'B' on it and we hung it up & showed it to Bambu. He didn't care. :/
Gloria, I agree with Eva. Do what makes you happy. Before I moved here, I got rid of all Christmas decorations except the things that were precious to me. Everything fits in two small boxes.
I have a Norfolk Island Pine house plant. It's too fussy to put lights on it, but I do put the tree skirt Mom made when I was little under it. I have a mantle that I put the pre-lit garland on. All 10 of my precious ornaments are scattered around the garland. It's actually pretty and makes me happy. I love candles this time of year, and have lots of them. Makes the apartment smell like Christmas.
And I have the Santa vase hub's grandmother made for him in 1952, which I fill with candy canes, as well as Mom's vintage white Madonna. She's in my bedroom with white sparkly candles.
That's it! I unpacked two boxes and am content. Do what makes you happy!
Eva, you tugged at my heart strings about the B stocking. I cross-stitched my son's stocking while pregnant. Don't get to see him for Christmas this year, and I couldn't handle putting it up.
Surfie, We have a Norfolk Island Pine in our breezeway. Once we tried to decorate it with mini ornaments and lights. Did not work well. The tree limbs are too weak for any weight. It's a beautiful tree and lives in total shade with min care. Love you all.
The question is... to tree or not to tree. Every year our tree got smaller, especially after our big black cat climbed up inside, and tumbled the tree over. It was a tree set in a bucket of water to keep it fresh. We now have an artificial tree about a foot and a half high. Perfect for a table with gifts around it. Big enough to decorate with our favorite baubles. Leaves no mess, no pine leaves. You can light a pine candle somewhere in the house if you miss the pine scent, or buy a real wreath.
I figure last night's Seahawk-New Orleans game must have made you happy. I haven't seen any San Francisco games this season and I hear they've come on well lately, but I just can't imagine any team other than Seattle in the Super Bowl (NFC team, I mean). They are really something, both offense and defense!
As far as the AFC goes this year, I'm hoping to see Denver there, but you can never count New England out.
Love to everyone with hopes that it's an easy and carefree kinda day.
Good Morning Eva, Froggy slept through most of the game. But we are so happy about our Seahawks. Our quarterback is still considered a rookie... but he is such a good rookie!
I work today at Salvation Army. And Froggy is waiting for a Home Health nurse to come today. Will post update when I get home. We are hoping that it doesn't snow, but it is very cold.
Wog, glad you are having a home nurse to come by. It will take some of the pressure off you.
Talked to my daughter this morning. There was a car accident last evening. The single mom of 2 children was killed. In a town of 500 everyone knows everyone. She was driving home under bad conditions. The little girl is in 3rd grade and the boy is in 6th. The grandparents live in town. Remember these children in your prayers. My heart is aching for the kids.
In the scheme of things whether or not to put up a tree drops to the bottom of the list.
Our internet/cable/phone bundle was all wonky yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to come on and say hi to everyone. Hope today is a good day for all!!
Greetings from snowstorm flyover country. Left work early but it still took forever to get home. If our Production Manager (remember me telling you about Big Sexy Man) thinks we can get to work safely, he'll pick me up and give me a ride. I am NOT driving tomorrow.
I'm curling up with my quilt and laptop in front of the TV while food is cooking. It's beautiful outside.
Hi all. This is my 3rd try today. I loved that thing about our little nat. A nat is tiny, right? I am given to understand that one of the meanings of shalom is completeness and nothing missing, nothing broken. So, little Nathaniel shalom.
Artic air coming in. BIL was at the airport in San Antonio and flying to hopingto get to Nashville. Icy cold is hitting everywhere. Val says that Sat the temp for them will be 1 degree not including wind chill. Their town has Winterfest scheduled with a parade. Val has asked me to pray for the cancellation of the parade. Little Kids marching in a parade trying to play their instruments and some riding on floats. Hoping that people in charge will use wisdom about the kids. Also tomorrow is the service for the Mom that passed this week.
I'm taking a snow day from work. It's absolutely beautiful, but the roads are a mess. The sleet & snow from yesterday got driven on, packed down, and turned into ice. It snowed all night. People think they can drive because they have traction on the snow but forget that THICK layer of ice just under the surface.
What to do? Surf the net, make chicken stock, bake chocolate chip & pecan cookies, work on a new ancestry project, do my nails. OH, I bought some vintage pillow cases and top sheet with sweet little crochet edges at a garage sale. I finally have time to iron those babies and get them on my bed.
It is so cold, the streets won't be safe for me to drive on all weekend. Good thing I'm perfectly content to putter around the house for 3 days!
Hey, Surf. I am making turkey stock too. I hate throwing stuff out. Had to throw out my frozen stock and grated citrus peel last week when the fridge failed. If you are still looking for food gift ideas there is a cute recipe for hot cocoa balls on Pinterest. They are rolled in peppermint chips which looks festive and are meant to drop into a cup of hot milk. Cute.
We don't have any snow and that is alright by me. Dang cold. At Val's house it is 7 degrees this morning.
Froggy, I hope you can feel the love coming your way.
This is a really good new site. They have already placed on the list of the top 200 political sites. I can see why they are getting so popular. Independent Journal Review.
Internet has been down since early yesterday evening. Arrrggghhh!! Finally called it in and had someone come out to fix it and it just got done. I'll never bundle stuff again. With no internet, cable or phone (landline) we were twiddling our thumbs. Of course, I was able to listen to my talk radio guys and read, and I had my cellphone, but I really felt cut off. It's good to be back.
The weather is pretty lousy here too, Surfie, although I doubt it will snow. Just cold and rainy and windy. Now that I have my TV and computer working, I can deal with it.
Little Nat (love it, Phooey) now weighs 2 lbs 3 oz & the doc calls it "good weight". I think that's because it's all from milk and not IV fluids. His heart rate is a little high and the doc thinks it's just from the antibiotic course he's been on to get rid of the last infection. That's almost done. It's all good really, but Nikki isn't allowed to hold him again until his heart rate calms down and she's bummed out again.
Nathaniel's bedding is all Christmasy, with trees and Santas. The chaplain came by to say a prayer and asked if Nikki was offended by the bedding! Nikki said of course she wasn't and the chaplain said she knew Nikki was Jewish and wanted to make sure. Can you imagine? I'm always surprised when someone asks that question. How could anyone be offended? I guess everyone is so worried nowadays about offending anyone. Sheesh!
Hi Deer Pond Family... Just took a couple days away from Internet. Would love to see Baby Nathaniel's Holiday trimmings. Must be so cute. Will write more tomorrow. Everyone stay safe and warm. Not sure what kind of cold or snow??? we are going to have in Seattle.
More wonderful news about Little Nat! It will be a wonderful day for both of them when Mommy can hold him in her arms.
Eva, every time my internet connection has gone down, I went into panic mode. That's when I realized how much I depend on it, from banking and bill paying to staying informed about the world to connecting with dear cyber friends here on the Pond and elsewhere. I'm in a good mood so won't get started on how the government is always trying to get control of it, tax it, police it.
Wog, hope to hear from you today. How are you doing? How is Froggy doing? When you get quiet, I start praying more instead of worrying. Love you girls!
It's a big 10 degrees today. Snow still on the ground. The sun came out yesterday and melted the roads but they froze over again last night. We're supposed to have more snow today. Temp. won't get above freezing until next Thursday! Getting to work and back this week will be a pain. I love the beauty of the snow, but it's times like these that make me really miss living on the beach!
I've decided to keep it simple and make cookies as gifts for people at work. Raspberry thumbprint cookies are almond shortbread rolled in coconut with a drop of raspberry jam in the thumbprint. Chocolate Nut Yummies were my big sister Susie's favorite. She passed away in 2001. I still miss her so very much, but enough time has passed that I remember all the hilarious things we shared growing up. Her twins are now in their late 20's, both very happy and successful, and joys to be with. It's all good!
Good Saturday morning, Pond Family... We are okay in Seattle. It's very, very brrrrrrrr cold, but the beautiful sun is out. That seems to make everything right. If I tell you that we are at the hospital, please, don't worry. Froggy fell at home while I was at work. She called ambulance because she couldn't get up. We will probably go home today.
So glad to hear news about our Baby Nathaniel. He is a gift for sure. Couldn't be any better Chrismas or Hanukkah than to hear about his success.
What? Me Worry!?! Are you kidding me Wog ? I've become a third degree Black Belt in Worry! I want to know..... should I call or e-mail..... or, is that too much too soon ? We all love you two so much. Forgive me for being so brash.
Deer Ones... We are home. Froggy is scared more than anything. I finally convinced her to lay down and rest. She didn't break anything when she fell. Just couldn't get back up, and couldn't wait for me to come home. I am just taking one day at a time now. She goes to see her primary doctor this coming Thursday.
Phooey you are so sweet about calling and emails. Right now the phone is turned off, and I don't know if Froggy has been on her computer much.
We'll all get her through this somehow. I always figure we are one week closer to her leg healing, and the "hurting" to stop. It was nice enough today for me to push her home in the wheelchair. But briskly cold, even though the sun was out. Just bundled her up...scarf, gloves, coat, blanket over legs.
Eva, I thought you really meant that Surfie had an earthquake! Silly me. OSU game!
Surfie, you really need to write some cookbooks. Maybe we Ponders could help you with the names for recipes and the name of the cookbooks.
Gloria, Paget...are you keeping warm? When we came home today, the downstairs community room has been decorated for Christmas. Beautiful tree (real) all sparkly with lights and trim, wreaths hung on doors. Lovely, warm feeling to come home to.
No, really, Oklahoma had a real earthquake! It happened during the game. I thought the same thing you did, but the more I read the story, the more I understood they really meant it. These people don't write very well.
It snowed for 5 hours today. Our first snow of the season. I ran outside and took pictures. Then my fingers froze. I need to buy gloves!
Hi Eva... I thought you were kidding about the earthquake. Earthquakes are even more scary than tornados. Don't know when they are coming. Don't know when they will stop. No place to hide. No warning. Seattle is in earthquake area.
Froggy is uncomfortable with the pain in leg, but I am helping her today. We are watching the Seattle Seahawks play San Francisco. Really close game so far.
Eva, guess you aren't quite ready for snow. Be sure to put blankets in trunk of car! And get several pair of gloves. You can't ever find them when you need them.
Good morning everyone. It really is December. So dark this morning and yesterday afternoon. We still have 3 more weeks till the Winter Solstice. Our sky is looking stormy. I need to do a few errands then straight back home.
ReplyDeleteOkay, what is your opinion about me putting up a Christmas tree or not. I don't want to seem like a Grinch but there is a bit of work involved here. I would be the one to get everythig out, put up the tree and decorate it and then put it all away. Not expecting Val and her family. Maybe just a poinsettia.
Does the tree make you happy, Gloria? I mean, seeing it, decorating it? If it does, the work is worth it. Or, you could get a little table-top tree. I've seen some nice ones. I used to always think of Christmas Trees as being important for children, but I know quite a few people who either have no children or have children grown and gone, and they still put up a tree. I say, do what's easiest and happiest for you.
ReplyDeleteWe've always put up stockings for the cats. One for each with their names on them. Then we stick little cats toys and treats in them. I'm glad I don't know where they're packed. It would be too sad to look at. This weekend, Joe & I went out and picked up a new stocking with just a 'B' on it and we hung it up & showed it to Bambu. He didn't care. :/
Eva, that is a good question and I am pondering it. Be back in a while.
DeleteAfter thinking about it the answer is no the tree does not make me happy.
DeleteGloria, I agree with Eva. Do what makes you happy. Before I moved here, I got rid of all Christmas decorations except the things that were precious to me. Everything fits in two small boxes.
ReplyDeleteI have a Norfolk Island Pine house plant. It's too fussy to put lights on it, but I do put the tree skirt Mom made when I was little under it. I have a mantle that I put the pre-lit garland on. All 10 of my precious ornaments are scattered around the garland. It's actually pretty and makes me happy. I love candles this time of year, and have lots of them. Makes the apartment smell like Christmas.
And I have the Santa vase hub's grandmother made for him in 1952, which I fill with candy canes, as well as Mom's vintage white Madonna. She's in my bedroom with white sparkly candles.
That's it! I unpacked two boxes and am content. Do what makes you happy!
Eva, you tugged at my heart strings about the B stocking. I cross-stitched my son's stocking while pregnant. Don't get to see him for Christmas this year, and I couldn't handle putting it up.
Love you deers!
Surfie, We have a Norfolk Island Pine in our breezeway. Once we tried to decorate it with mini ornaments and lights. Did not work well. The tree limbs are too weak for any weight. It's a beautiful tree and lives in total shade with min care. Love you all.
DeleteThe question is... to tree or not to tree. Every year our tree got smaller, especially after our big black cat climbed up inside, and tumbled the tree over. It was a tree set in a bucket of water to keep it fresh. We now have an artificial tree about a foot and a half high. Perfect for a table with gifts around it. Big enough to decorate with our favorite baubles. Leaves no mess, no pine leaves. You can light a pine candle somewhere in the house if you miss the pine scent, or buy a real wreath.
ReplyDeleteHow's Froggy doing, 'Wog? And how are you doing?
ReplyDeleteI figure last night's Seahawk-New Orleans game must have made you happy. I haven't seen any San Francisco games this season and I hear they've come on well lately, but I just can't imagine any team other than Seattle in the Super Bowl (NFC team, I mean). They are really something, both offense and defense!
As far as the AFC goes this year, I'm hoping to see Denver there, but you can never count New England out.
Love to everyone with hopes that it's an easy and carefree kinda day.
Good Morning Eva,
ReplyDeleteFroggy slept through most of the game. But we are so happy about our Seahawks. Our quarterback is still considered a rookie... but he is such a good rookie!
I work today at Salvation Army. And Froggy is waiting for a Home Health nurse to come today. Will post update when I get home. We are hoping that it doesn't snow, but it is very cold.
We love you, WOG!
DeletePhooey, you make me blush. I'm not used to all this attention. Love you back, Phooey.
DeleteWog, glad you are having a home nurse to come by. It will take some of the pressure off you.
ReplyDeleteTalked to my daughter this morning. There was a car accident last evening. The single mom of 2 children was killed. In a town of 500 everyone knows everyone. She was driving home under bad conditions. The little girl is in 3rd grade and the boy is in 6th. The grandparents live in town. Remember these children in your prayers. My heart is aching for the kids.
In the scheme of things whether or not to put up a tree drops to the bottom of the list.
Love ya all.
Gloria, you have a good heart! I'll remember the kids.
DeleteI'll remember this family in my prayers tonight.
DeleteThey are in my prayers tonight. Oh those little ones!
DeleteYou guys are awesome. Thank you.
DeleteSis and I join with our Pond Family in sending prayers to the family and especially to the kids. What an awful situation for kids to deal with.
DeleteWeds night. I'm home. Froggy is sleeping, so I need to be quiet. Actually a nap sounds like a good idea. I don't get enough naps.
ReplyDeleteOur internet/cable/phone bundle was all wonky yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to come on and say hi to everyone. Hope today is a good day for all!!
ReplyDeleteHi Eva, how is our little nat ?
DeleteGreetings from snowstorm flyover country. Left work early but it still took forever to get home. If our Production Manager (remember me telling you about Big Sexy Man) thinks we can get to work safely, he'll pick me up and give me a ride. I am NOT driving tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'm curling up with my quilt and laptop in front of the TV while food is cooking. It's beautiful outside.
How is everyone?
Well, the truth is... it's balmy here and I'm ready to curl up with my wife, dog, and .38 S/W.
DeleteLOL! Phooey, you are a hoot!
DeleteFroggy !!! I love you !!!
ReplyDeleteHi all. This is my 3rd try today. I loved that thing about our little nat. A nat is tiny, right? I am given to understand that one of the meanings of shalom is completeness and nothing missing, nothing broken. So, little Nathaniel shalom.
ReplyDeleteArtic air coming in. BIL was at the airport in San Antonio and flying to hopingto get to Nashville. Icy cold is hitting everywhere. Val says that Sat the temp for them will be 1 degree not including wind chill. Their town has Winterfest scheduled with a parade. Val has asked me to pray for the cancellation of the parade. Little Kids marching in a parade trying to play their instruments and some riding on floats. Hoping that people in charge will use wisdom about the kids. Also tomorrow is the service for the Mom that passed this week.
Shalom Pond friends Stay warm.
Gloria, love your post. Shalom Nat! Shalom Pond Family!
DeleteI'm taking a snow day from work. It's absolutely beautiful, but the roads are a mess. The sleet & snow from yesterday got driven on, packed down, and turned into ice. It snowed all night. People think they can drive because they have traction on the snow but forget that THICK layer of ice just under the surface.
ReplyDeleteWhat to do? Surf the net, make chicken stock, bake chocolate chip & pecan cookies, work on a new ancestry project, do my nails. OH, I bought some vintage pillow cases and top sheet with sweet little crochet edges at a garage sale. I finally have time to iron those babies and get them on my bed.
It is so cold, the streets won't be safe for me to drive on all weekend. Good thing I'm perfectly content to putter around the house for 3 days!
Hey, Surf. I am making turkey stock too. I hate throwing stuff out. Had to throw out my frozen stock and grated citrus peel last week when the fridge failed. If you are still looking for food gift ideas there is a cute recipe for hot cocoa balls on Pinterest. They are rolled in peppermint chips which looks festive and are meant to drop into a cup of hot milk. Cute.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any snow and that is alright by me. Dang cold. At Val's house it is 7 degrees this morning.
Froggy, I hope you can feel the love coming your way.
This is a really good new site. They have already placed on the list of the top 200 political sites. I can see why they are getting so popular. Independent Journal Review.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ijreview.com/
Internet has been down since early yesterday evening. Arrrggghhh!! Finally called it in and had someone come out to fix it and it just got done. I'll never bundle stuff again. With no internet, cable or phone (landline) we were twiddling our thumbs. Of course, I was able to listen to my talk radio guys and read, and I had my cellphone, but I really felt cut off. It's good to be back.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is pretty lousy here too, Surfie, although I doubt it will snow. Just cold and rainy and windy. Now that I have my TV and computer working, I can deal with it.
Little Nat (love it, Phooey) now weighs 2 lbs 3 oz & the doc calls it "good weight". I think that's because it's all from milk and not IV fluids. His heart rate is a little high and the doc thinks it's just from the antibiotic course he's been on to get rid of the last infection. That's almost done. It's all good really, but Nikki isn't allowed to hold him again until his heart rate calms down and she's bummed out again.
Nathaniel's bedding is all Christmasy, with trees and Santas. The chaplain came by to say a prayer and asked if Nikki was offended by the bedding! Nikki said of course she wasn't and the chaplain said she knew Nikki was Jewish and wanted to make sure. Can you imagine? I'm always surprised when someone asks that question. How could anyone be offended? I guess everyone is so worried nowadays about offending anyone. Sheesh!
Hi Deer Pond Family...
ReplyDeleteJust took a couple days away from Internet. Would love to see Baby Nathaniel's Holiday trimmings. Must be so cute. Will write more tomorrow. Everyone stay safe and warm. Not sure what kind of cold or snow??? we are going to have in Seattle.
More wonderful news about Little Nat! It will be a wonderful day for both of them when Mommy can hold him in her arms.
ReplyDeleteEva, every time my internet connection has gone down, I went into panic mode. That's when I realized how much I depend on it, from banking and bill paying to staying informed about the world to connecting with dear cyber friends here on the Pond and elsewhere. I'm in a good mood so won't get started on how the government is always trying to get control of it, tax it, police it.
Wog, hope to hear from you today. How are you doing? How is Froggy doing? When you get quiet, I start praying more instead of worrying. Love you girls!
It's a big 10 degrees today. Snow still on the ground. The sun came out yesterday and melted the roads but they froze over again last night. We're supposed to have more snow today. Temp. won't get above freezing until next Thursday! Getting to work and back this week will be a pain. I love the beauty of the snow, but it's times like these that make me really miss living on the beach!
I've decided to keep it simple and make cookies as gifts for people at work. Raspberry thumbprint cookies are almond shortbread rolled in coconut with a drop of raspberry jam in the thumbprint. Chocolate Nut Yummies were my big sister Susie's favorite. She passed away in 2001. I still miss her so very much, but enough time has passed that I remember all the hilarious things we shared growing up. Her twins are now in their late 20's, both very happy and successful, and joys to be with. It's all good!
Love you Deers. What's everyone doing today?
Good Saturday morning, Pond Family...
ReplyDeleteWe are okay in Seattle. It's very, very brrrrrrrr cold, but the beautiful sun is out. That seems to make everything right. If I tell you that we are at the hospital, please, don't worry. Froggy fell at home while I was at work. She called ambulance because she couldn't get up. We will probably go home today.
So glad to hear news about our Baby Nathaniel. He is a gift for sure. Couldn't be any better Chrismas or Hanukkah than to hear about his success.
What? Me Worry!?! Are you kidding me Wog ? I've become a third degree Black Belt in Worry!
ReplyDeleteI want to know..... should I call or e-mail..... or, is that too much too soon ?
We all love you two so much. Forgive me for being so brash.
OMG, 'Wog, I'm with Phooey. We'll just worry, no matter what. Give us news when you get back and yes, we love you both sooooooo much!
ReplyDeleteSurfie, you had another earthquake? I heard it came during the OK-OSU game.
ReplyDeleteDeer Ones...
ReplyDeleteWe are home. Froggy is scared more than anything. I finally convinced her to lay down and rest. She didn't break anything when she fell. Just couldn't get back up, and couldn't wait for me to come home. I am just taking one day at a time now. She goes to see her primary doctor this coming Thursday.
Phooey you are so sweet about calling and emails. Right now the phone is turned off, and I don't know if Froggy has been on her computer much.
We'll all get her through this somehow. I always figure we are one week closer to her leg healing, and the "hurting" to stop. It was nice enough today for me to push her home in the wheelchair. But briskly cold, even though the sun was out. Just bundled her up...scarf, gloves, coat, blanket over legs.
Eva, I thought you really meant that Surfie had an earthquake! Silly me. OSU game!
Surfie, you really need to write some cookbooks. Maybe we Ponders could help you with the names for recipes and the name of the cookbooks.
Gloria, Paget...are you keeping warm? When we came home today, the downstairs community room has been decorated for Christmas. Beautiful tree (real) all sparkly with lights and trim, wreaths hung on doors. Lovely, warm feeling to come home to.
No, really, Oklahoma had a real earthquake! It happened during the game. I thought the same thing you did, but the more I read the story, the more I understood they really meant it. These people don't write very well.
ReplyDeleteIt snowed for 5 hours today. Our first snow of the season. I ran outside and took pictures. Then my fingers froze. I need to buy gloves!
Hi Eva...
ReplyDeleteI thought you were kidding about the earthquake. Earthquakes are even more scary than tornados. Don't know when they are coming. Don't know when they will stop. No place to hide. No warning. Seattle is in earthquake area.
Froggy is uncomfortable with the pain in leg, but I am helping her today. We are watching the Seattle Seahawks play San Francisco. Really close game so far.
Eva, guess you aren't quite ready for snow. Be sure to put blankets in trunk of car! And get several pair of gloves. You can't ever find them when you need them.
Definitely wasn't ready for this. I'll be better now.
DeleteWhat a game that was. Unfortunately, it didn't have the right ending.
Tell Froggy that more prayers are coming in her direction for healing and no pain. And prayers are coming for you, deer 'Wog, for strength.
Thank you Deer Eva. Everyone at The Pond has been so loving. We, Sis and I, love you back. As our Phooey would say...Smoochies
Delete