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Post by Linda on Dec 24, 2023 1:37:22 GMT
you are still baking and sewing? You are an Energizer Bunny too! I hope you can have a day to relax tomorrow before the big day. I hardly baked anything this year - just the breads for teachers, DH's work, and a couple of local friends. I only made the two cookies for us for Christmas. I may or may not make others during the 12 days...turns out, no one seemed to notice I cut way back. Sewing wise - I have some scraps pulled to make little snack bags with but that's as far as I got. I might sew them before Christmas, I might not. I did finally get my friend's layered shadowbox cut and glued. What a nightmare that cut file was - and that's AFTER I increased the size significantly. Just too intricate I think. It's not perfect but it's good enough I think. I'll take a picture once I get it in the shadowbox (won't be earlier than Tuesday) before I mail it. Not many plans for tomorrow - Just deliver the breads. DH cooks for dinner (takeaway pizza) and we'll have our advent candle lighting and finish reading our Advent book of doors and the Jesse tree and of course read Twas the Night before Christmas. This'll be the first year I didn't make or buy matching pyjamas to unwrap tomorrow night - I'm planning on us all picking one of the previous years sets to wear in the morning. I have been relaxing - lots of reading this week...I'm only 150 pages away from my pages goal for the year so hope to finish that up tonight. nylene - so glad your plumbing was finished up. Do relax tomorrow. Glad you found the toffee bits- only one store near me carries them so they can be a bit elusive. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,621 
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Post by kitbop on Dec 24, 2023 2:05:24 GMT
nylene- muddy buddys are one of the few treats I cannot have in the house: I will eat until sick! I hope you have a LOVELY day tomorrow! grammadee - I hope to have that relationship with my grandkids (if I get any) someday - you are simply an extension of his immediate family. I grew up without grandparents - my Nana adored me (I think?) but we moved away when I was 7 and I only saw her perhaps 10 times over the next 17 years, until DH and I moved back to where she lived. My kids also grew up distanced from their grandparents and there is no getting that relationship feeling back. I'm jealous of all the pokeys with close family connections, and think you are great role models and what I've been building a future towards. As an only kid of divorced parents, I'm starting from the ground floor  I love your cards! The washi-strip tree looks so retro! justjac - is that chicken soup good? It looks yummy! I agree that the lights are the most important factor in glowing-up a room and glad you have some twinkle in the midst of your chaos! My goodness Linda, your "i'm done" still sounds pretty busy to me! I am working today and tomorrow which is limiting preparations. I wrapped all day yesterday and did the grocery shopping, thank goodness. I will be making mince tarts and pecan crescents tomorrow, and I remembered to take the turkey out today. Fortunate because he's a 22lb monster and will take a while to defrost! Christmas is exhausting guys!
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,043
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Post by joyfulnana on Dec 24, 2023 14:18:29 GMT
Same thing, different look, WAY easier I was informed that the peanut butter chocolate ratio would be off and they would NOT be the same thing. I'll give the jellyroll pan version a try at NOT Christmas and see if I can convince her otherwise ok, this seriously made me laugh out loud Linda! nylene I can't have muddy buddies in the house either lol. Or kettle corn! I'm popping to say Happy Holidays once more lol! I have a few gifts to wrap, my trip up to see mom is going to happen on Christmas day now and DS2 will ride along. It is raining here today. I have just one more trip out to the shops I think, then I will be in and finishing things up. justjac I love your December pages. I haven't even opened one prompt from JYC this year. Happy Christmas Eve pokey's! I don't know about anyone else, but I'm going to be ready for a crop Friday night! |
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Post by Linda on Dec 24, 2023 14:44:51 GMT
I hope to have that relationship with my grandkids (if I get any) someday - you are simply an extension of his immediate family. I grew up without grandparents - my Nana adored me (I think?) but we moved away when I was 7 and I only saw her perhaps 10 times over the next 17 years, until DH and I moved back to where she lived. My kids also grew up distanced from their grandparents and there is no getting that relationship feeling back. I hope that if I ever have grandkids, that I'll be the sort of grammy I see here - grammadee, gramma, nylene, joyfulnana... I only saw my English grandparents a handful of times - less than once a year for my first 6 years and then Gran stayed with us for a month at Christmas when I was 8 (after Gramps died) and then we saw her a couple of times when I was 9 right before we came to the States and then I visited her briefly in her old folks home when I was 16 and again at 19. She died when I was pregnant with my oldest. I saw a bit more of my American grandparents. We visited in 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1976 for several weeks and then we lived with them for a couple of years when we first came to the States in 1980. Grandpa died a few months after we moved in but even once we moved out, I was in and out of Granny's house several times a week - she lived right around the corner from our Church and the Jr high and not far from the library. She passed when I was 17. My kids didn't have too much of a relationship with my mum - we saw her every couple of years but she wasn't really good with kids - she did better with them once they were in high school. The older two both spent about 2 weeks with her the summer they were 16 so they knew her a little better. My youngest really doesn't remember her. My MIL was great with kids but she had raised many of her grandkids and was still helping raise great grandkids when my kids were small so while we saw her regularly and she loved them dearly, they weren't as close as I think she would have preferred. And by the time my youngest came along, she was caring for her children (3 died of cancer between 2007-2012, a 4th died in 2015 - she was a caregiver for all). She lived with us at the end of her life (2016) and she loved that opportunity to really get to know A. I hope that when DH retires, we can manage to move closer to the kids so that if there are grandkids...I can be an involved grammy. My goodness Linda, your "i'm done" still sounds pretty busy to me! I'm feeling much less stressed this year than usual - no houseguests and significantly lowered expectations helps. Christmas is exhausting guys! yes, yes it is and especially for women, I think, who tend to be responsible for most of the Christmas magic I don't know about anyone else, but I'm going to be ready for a crop Friday night! sign me up please! |
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Post by grammadee on Dec 24, 2023 15:34:43 GMT
Awww, you guys are so sweet...  I am really grateful for the way my kids and their spouses have welcomed me into their kids' lives, allowing for lots of opportunity to bond with them, creating memories we all cherish. kitbop and Linda, you will be exactly the grandparent you envision and create for yourself. I think we all make it up as we go, choosing to be more like that role model and less like that one. By the age of eleven, I had lost both my grandmothers. My dad's mother (a Brit) lived with us, and whether by situation or inclination was a disciplinarian: she could rule the whole house from her armchair. She wasn't touchy/feely but she taught us to read and played card games with us for hours. My mom's mother (Scandinavian) was more the roly poly iconic gramma, but we saw her only a few times a year. I used to think the different temperaments represented their different origins, but when I think back I had some Danish aunts who were much more like my Brit grandmother than their own mom. Happy Christmas Eve, everyone this side of the IDL! Merry Christmas, AussieMeg! My turkey is out of the freezer. I need to cook some jumbo prawns today, and make some pumpkin pies (purchased crusts--I am not a martyr), and put together a couple of treat trays. Dd & family will be heading out here again shortly after noon, and we will all be heading over to dh's sister's home for her traditional Ukrainian meatless feast, then back here to hang a stocking and leave out cookies for Santa. One more year for Santa to squeeze his behind down our chimney... (Dgs is on the fence about the big guy, but he really WANTS to believe, so we are happy to play along) Tomorrow will "just" be the five of us. But Dh's sil & family (8 of them) will be here for leftovers and probably a Canasta marathon on Boxing Day. I used to think I wanted us all together each Christmas, but when I think of all the work it would have been to have the whole 21 of us here this weekend, I realize that I like it this way. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 24, 2023 20:43:39 GMT
Merry Christmas lovely Pea friends! It's just after 7:30am, and I have just gotten up after quite a late night (after 1am). DSO has been up since 4:30am, which was lucky because I needed the lamb in the slow cooker turned on by 6am at the latest. We're just waiting for the kids to get here now. This is the first time they haven't been here on Christmas Eve / Christmas morning. There's a lot to love about this season of life, but gee, I miss the excitement of little kids on Christmas morning!
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kellyr21
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,000
Location: California
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Post by kellyr21 on Dec 25, 2023 0:43:50 GMT
Happy Sunday! Waving hi and Merry Christmas to you all! We went to church today and planning a relaxing day tomorrow. Hope you have a wonderful time.  |
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Dec 25, 2023 5:57:54 GMT
Hi Pokey Pea friends! Merry Christmas to you all I wanted to thank those of you who reached out to me with your kind words, and also to apologize to all of you for dropping off the face of the Earth this past year. Lots of ups and downs for our family in 2023, but thankfully mostly ups at the moment (knock on wood.) My crafting mojo is still all fizzled out, but I'm hoping it will come back to me eventually. For now though, I'm just planning on hibernating for the winter months. Or, maybe cocooning is a better word; I'm hoping for a transformation of sorts. I'm working on my mental health, and recognizing and breaking some habits that used to serve a purpose in my life but don't anymore. The DDs are doing better than they were this time last year. The migraine/fibro DD got married this year and is hoping to take a couple online college courses in the spring. The eating disordered/ASD DD had a really bad year, but she's doing much better now. And the ADHD DD who has been paralyzed by anxiety since graduating high school in 2021 finally got her first job a few weeks ago. So, still lots of challenges, but overall things are good, and hopefully continuing to get better. It's just been a lot. Everything is a lot. I missed you all, but I had to dip for awhile. Thanks for understanding. Sending warm wishes out to all of you for a Happy and Healthy Holiday  |
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,043
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Post by joyfulnana on Dec 25, 2023 14:48:35 GMT
Happy Holidays Pokey's! (((hugs))) msliz so good to see you popping in! Happy Holidays, I hope 2024 is calmer for your family. Congrats to DD! Linda and kitbop I agree 100% with grammadee. I didn't have grammas either growing up, and while I intended to move from Indiana to KC at some point, once I knew Rudy was on the way, I started planning my move right away. I knew I didn't want to be a gramma that lived far away and didn't see him often. You two will be the best grammas if you have the opportunity. I didn't think I would have grandkids so I'm very grateful for the one Although I would totally take more lol. gramma Rudy's card came thank you, it's so cute! So adorable and he was stumped trying to open it at first lol. We had the best time last night, lots of laughing and fun. I'm going to finish this post and go see what Santa brought across the street, then go pick up DS2 and go see mom. AussieMeg Christmas is soooo different with an empty nest! I'm finally getting used to it now lol. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with fun and family! |
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Post by Linda on Dec 25, 2023 14:53:08 GMT
Merry Christmas to all celebrating today!
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,621
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Post by kitbop on Dec 25, 2023 20:31:44 GMT
 Merry Christmas pokeys! I hope everyone is having a cozy day. msliz - so glad you are in a place of positive growth and development. Life is so hard. Congratulations to your DD on her marriage! I am not looking forward to an empty nest at all. The kids all still feel happiest with our games and traditions, and I'm crossing my fingers that they continue to centre Christmas at our house as they move forward. Katie went to her BFs Christmas Eve party last night and had fun, but left at 8 to come home and do our traditional games/photos. And we had a goofy blast playing cards and then Mario Party. We have now finished presents and clean up (I really try hard to reuse wrapping so I trim edges and re-roll for next year!) and the construction phase of Christmas. DS constructed his new chair. DH mounted art and a new shelf. DD installed her heated car seat, steering wheel cover and dash cam (ah, first "old car" ownership love!). And I have the turkey in the oven and cranberry sauce cooking. DD did a Starbucks run for the whole family as a pick-me-up and we're ALL drinking frappucinos...it's so warm here we didn't want warm drinks  I didn't ask for anything scrappy this year, but got 2 pieces of original art from a FAVOURITE local artist of mine. It was a complete surprise and I am so happy!!! The puppy (who is 9 months old and really not a puppy anymore) is completely overwhelmed and sleeping a lot, refusing to come into the living room or participate in the mayhem. |
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Post by grammadee on Dec 25, 2023 20:47:47 GMT
Hope all the Pokeys are enjoying your day. So good to see your avatar pop up this morning, msliz . Thanks so much for checking in. Here is to an upswing for you and your family over the next year. Do you have Boxing Day in Australia, AussieMeg ? If so I hope you are enjoying it. That is one of my fav holidays with nothing to wrap or clean or cook. kitbop , dd’s two dogs are handling the holiday frenzie differently: the oldest found a spot out of the way to sleep til it’s over. The youngest was frantically sniffing all the gifts as they were opened and is now completely exhausted. Gifts have been opened, turkey is in the oven, and family is grazing on finger foods in lieu of lunch. A big father & son Lego build has been started. I am lying down for a bit before supper prep needs to start. Merry Christmas, all my dear pokey friends—YOU are one of the best gifts of all! |
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 25, 2023 22:11:36 GMT
Do you have Boxing Day in Australia, AussieMeg ? If so I hope you are enjoying it. That is one of my fav holidays with nothing to wrap or clean or cook. Yes we do have Boxing Day. But today is not a day with nothing to wrap or clean or cook..... I'm having my side of the family over today, so I will be cooking for 11 people - even more than I had over yesterday! I'm not doing a big fancy meal this time. There weren't many leftovers, so we won't be having that. I haven't quite decided what to do yet, probably just a bit of a mish mash. I hope you're all enjoying your Christmas Day! |
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Post by Linda on Dec 25, 2023 22:47:07 GMT
Merry Christmas all! kellyr21 - enjoy your quiet day! msliz - glad to see you again. I'm sorry that 2023 was a rough year. Best wishes to your daughter on her marriage - I hope it is long and happy. No worries about disappearing - you have to do what's best for YOU. We had the best time last night, lots of laughing and fun. I'm going to finish this post and go see what Santa brought across the street, then go pick up DS2 and go see mom. I'm so glad you had a great time -I hope today is awesome also. I didn't ask for anything scrappy this year, but got 2 pieces of original art from a FAVOURITE local artist of mine. It was a complete surprise and I am so happy!!! how wonderful! Enjoy! Gifts have been opened, turkey is in the oven, and family is grazing on finger foods in lieu of lunch. A big father & son Lego build has been started. I am lying down for a bit before supper prep needs to start. Sounds like fun! Merry Christmas, all my dear pokey friends—YOU are one of the best gifts of all! 100% agree - thank you all! AussieMeg - wow -enjoy your family time! We slept in - and then video chatted with DD23 and DS32 during present opening at both houses. We're planning a round 2 once their gifts make it here - somehow they ended up in New Jersey on their way to FL. Eggs Benedict for breakfast (at noon, lol) and appetisers (cheese, fruit, veggies, chips, and dip) around 4 and I have the beef roast in now - aiming to eat 7/730 aka when everything's ready. Quiet day mostly though. DH surprised me with an AWESOME olive wood nativity from Bethleham and a generous gift card for HL  |
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gramma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,114
Location: Sacramento, Ca
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Post by gramma on Dec 26, 2023 18:13:47 GMT
Happy day after frenzy day to all of you. This year was very strange for me. But also some very special moments. Ken presented himself for years as Santa - for a charitable organization - at the Sacramento Zoo - and for our grandkids. We always said he thought he really believed he was Santa. This year the suit and the tradition moved to our oldest son. I simply could not attend this - but my DIL sent me pictures of a very emotional Santa and his oldest daughter's family  411337834_10224808178612147_5155249011588240578_n by CLAUDIA LOVELESS, on Flickr |
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Post by Linda on Dec 26, 2023 18:24:03 GMT
beautiful photo gramma (((Hugs))) |
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Post by grammadee on Dec 26, 2023 19:13:18 GMT
Such a wonderful photo of a sweet family tradition being carried on, gramma. When you can see through the tears, THIS photo needs to be scrapped along with the story you just shared with us. (((((HUGS)))) |
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gramma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,114
Location: Sacramento, Ca
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Post by gramma on Dec 26, 2023 22:49:20 GMT
Such a wonderful photo of a sweet family tradition being carried on, gramma . When you can see through the tears, THIS photo needs to be scrapped along with the story you just shared with us. (((((HUGS)))) For sure it will be. There are many others taken that day -- - But this will be the center piece. I need to looks for pictures of Ken from his time of being Santa and believe me there are plenty!! |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,621
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Post by kitbop on Dec 27, 2023 13:59:28 GMT
What a treasure gramma. That your son so values the tradition and has picked up immediately is priceless and bittersweet. |
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Post by Linda on Dec 27, 2023 14:14:06 GMT
How are the Pokies today? We did our 3rd annual book exchange last night - so instead of leftovers I did a smacking spread for dinner. The older two joined us via video and we all opened our books - youngest to oldest. We draw names online and the website remembers our previous draws so we can't draw the same person two years in a row. I had DH this year and got him an audio book on CD and DS32 had me and I got a cold war historical novel - very good so far.  DH got a ride into the city (2hrs away) to finally pick up our Mini from the collison centre - it looks great! He also went to the Hallmark store and the Lego store and got an oil change at the dealership. I had a quiet day at home - mostly reading. Today I think might be a scrappy day... |
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Post by grammadee on Dec 27, 2023 15:12:12 GMT
Good morning, Pokeys! joyfulnana, I won't be able to join in a crop on Friday evening, although I had totally planned to before opening my gift from dd & family. They purchased tickets to Cirque de Soleil in Edmonton, and are picking me up to go with them in the morning and bringing me back late that evening. Linda, that sounds like a perfect day, yesterday for both of you. I love to hear about your book exchanges. And having a day at home alone to read and relax sounds heavenly. On the other hand a trip to a Lego store like your dh did sounds fun, too. Dd and family are heading back to their home in town today. They have been here at the farm since Christmas Eve. They have invited us to come over to eat snacks for lunch and watch the Canada game in the World Junior hockey tournament. We can pick up the mail and check on parcels while we are in town: one ds's family had sent a box with Purolator just before Christmas. We are hoping that ended up at the little store that is the courier depot. |
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gramma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,114
Location: Sacramento, Ca
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Post by gramma on Dec 27, 2023 16:00:45 GMT
What a treasure gramma . That your son so values the tradition and has picked up immediately is priceless and bittersweet. Yes it is. He was so emotional about it that he practiced twice before the "big visit". |
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Post by scrappyrabbit on Dec 27, 2023 18:50:12 GMT
I hope everyone had a great Christmas! We had a quiet one at my parents house and we were planning a larger gathering with extended family later this week. Well Santa brought me covid for Christmas so that’s cancelled! The baby is doing fine and has no symptoms, and my husband also tested negative. gramma that is such a special tradition and amazing that your son is able to step into the role! linda your book exchange sounds so nice. |
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Post by Linda on Dec 27, 2023 19:33:07 GMT
grammadee - what a fun Christmas gift! Enjoy! And yes - yesterday was a very good day for both of us. gramma - Bless him! I love that's he's continuing the tradition but I bet it was emotional all around. scrappyrabbit - I'm so sorry about Covid for Christmas. Hope you're feeling better soon and everyone stays well. (((Hugs)))
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nylene
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,779
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Post by nylene on Dec 27, 2023 19:44:17 GMT
scrappyrabbit, I am so sorry about your Covid dx. I hope no one around you is afflicted and especially that sweet baby. Hope it doesn't last long. msliz,so nice to "see" you. Congrats to the newlyweds and hope the coming year is better than this one. Come visit here if you feel scrappy. gramma. that photo is precious. How sweet that the tradition could be passed from father to son. Makes me weepy! We had 19 people in our little house and all at once for Christmas dinner. It was pure bedlam, but so nice to have everyone here. I guess I overdid, because the next day I couldn't use my arm and shoulder. I am typing one-handed so won't type much. I can't see the dr.until next week but was told not to use it until I see him. I have spent the last 2 nights not sleeping because my arm falls across my body and hurts enough to wake and keep me awake. I will check in again later. I would love to join the crop Friday but probably won't be scrapping. I'll just hop on to chat.
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Post by Linda on Dec 27, 2023 23:36:03 GMT
Oh nylene - I'm so sorry. gentle ((((Hugs))) and prayers. Please take it easy and rest up. I'm a solid maybe for a Friday crop - looks like the last Christmas parcel is due in Friday so we may be doing Christmas part 2 Friday night |
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Post by grammadee on Dec 28, 2023 1:08:25 GMT
Oh nylene I hope you can find a way to get some rest. Do you have a sling that can immobilize it day & night I found mine invaluable when my upper arm was broken
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 28, 2023 6:04:40 GMT
gramma  What a very precious photo. I love that your son has accepted the Santa baton from Ken. nylene oh no! I hope your arm is better soon. What do you think caused it?
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,621
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Post by kitbop on Dec 28, 2023 16:25:53 GMT
nylene - Hoping for a Christmas miracle that you wake up all hunkey-dorey! Chronic injuries/conditions are just so very wearing. You never really know when a good day or bad day is going to happen. After having company all day yesterday, I woke up with a wicked "trying hard not to vomit" headache, and I just laid on my couch for 2 hours while meds kicked in. However, I lay in the dark room (it's raining and gloomy *again*) with the tree lights twinkling, a dog and a cat watching over me, and felt quite grateful for being in the situation I was! I'm hoping to get crafty today if my head/neck allow me. I've had a New Year's party develop at my house. We usually have very low key evenings - family games, food, and try to get to midnight but often not Yesterday DD said her friend group (5-6 of them) planned to go to a bar, but she doesn't enjoy that and asked if they could join our family games/food at home routine. Hmm. That sounds like, party at my house? I said for sure and now we have a supper planned too, and we'll see how DH and I feel after a New Years with 20 year olds!
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Post by Linda on Dec 28, 2023 17:33:03 GMT
kitbop - I hope you're feeling better now. The New Years Eve party sounds fun - be sure to take photos! Quiet day here today - no plans so I'll do some cleaning and some sewing; continue updating calendars and habitica and goals for 2024; and hopefully make some New Years cards nylene - I hope you're less sore today - do take it easy
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I love your cards! The washi-strip tree looks so retro!
