POKEY PEAS REFUGEES CHALLENGE for DECEMBER 2015

Thank you for all the well wishes. The ENT did a couple of procedures on me that really helped the vertigo. I have new medications that should help the ears to drain. The Dr. thinks that a week on the meds will make a big difference. I'm hoping so.

Cindy, I don't know if my email got through to you. My computer totally crashed and I tried to email through my old ipad which won't stay connected to the internet for more than a few minutes. It keeps trying to connect to all the wifi in the area. I have about 4 minutes before it disconnects, so I hope my quick message got through. Doug has worked on the computer so I can use it, but it needs some BIG help. I've known it was about time for a new one, but have been dragging my feet. You know me and new technology that I have to learn!!! Are your grands all ready for Christmas. Are you doing some baking with Maggie?

Kelly, I vote for wreath #3 for my door. My door is green so greenery blends in too much. Gorgeous work, my dear! How tall are you? You look so tall and beautiful in that photo! Glad you got to do some Christmas things around your town. We have New Years' things around here, but it's toooo cold for me.

Mary Ann, congrats to your DD on her job offer. It's so nice when kids can leave college with a job and not just student loans. You sound so busy that it makes me tired...of course it doesn't take much to make me tired right now. LOL! Good luck to your son in interviewing for colleges.

Beautiful cards, Maribeth. I'll go leave love in the gallery. Thank you again for the quotes. I'm keeping a file of them! Keep them coming when you have the time.
Your decorating sounds so beautiful. I can't wait to see photos of your pretty home. Glad things are working out for your dinners. I think you are brave to entertain. My entertaining consists of having kids and grandkids around and that's about it.

sarahyoo72, Sarah!!!!!, so good to see you. I have wondered if you were still in the US. I'm glad you'll be here a bit longer. Sounds like your family is growing up. Have you become Americanized by now? Hugs and prayers for a great result for your surgery and a great visit with your mum. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. Hugs and more hugs. I found holidays following my parents' deaths to be so hard and melancholy. I think it happens to most people. I hope having your mom around will keep you all upbeat.

Lisa, what a time to be in the middle of a mess. Christmas decorations take so much time and space. I'm sure you are in a dither! We have decided that a few little things around the house will have to do unless I feel MUCH better by next week. If I do, we'll pull out the tree. I can't wait to see what your renovation looks like when finished. Be sure to take photos of "along the way".

Have a great day, everyone. I'll be back later if my computer cooperates!

Your MIA hostess is checking in.  I'm sorry I've been missing so much this month and last. I thought I was feeling better and woke up Sunday with the worst ear pain.  Of course the ENT couldn't see any inflammation, but it still felt like someone was poking a pencil in my ear.   It took until Tuesday to realize that the pain was from TMJ. I remember patients coming in to our office just sure that their ears were infected, and the diagnosis was TMJ. I have had problems with my jaw but not for years and never this bad. Because the fluid in my ears makes them feel heavy and throbbing, I was gritting my teeth to  stop the throb. That irritated the joint and the pain radiates into the ear. So, now  I'm trying hard not to clench my jaw. It has really helped. 

I have been able to read the thread, but not post. We are having wifi issues so I start typing and lose connection and lose what I have typed.  So irritating.  I think we have it back up and running at least for a while.  I know I need a new computer, but I'm dragging my feet!

kellyr21, to tag someone, just put the @ symbol in front of their user name. You need to hover over their user name and use whatever comes up.  If they have changed their username, you need to use the original that they signed up with.  BTW, I love your artwork.  It is so bright and pretty. I can see why you love those colors. Beautiful work.  Your outing to Embassy Suites sounds like fun.  I've kind of missed out on the lights, and excitement this year.

maribeth, I love the quotes.   I have always wanted to skydive, but I think I'm too old now!  I loved the "don't sweat the small stuff" quote.  My son adds to that, "and as you look back on it, it's all small stuff!"  He went through a  very sad divorce and was so devastated, but when it was all over and his life was back on track, he decided that he had worried about lots of small stuff.   Glad your dinner went well and I wish I could drive by your house to enjoy your lights.  Love your layout and left you some love.

LisaDV, I understand about not being able to reach things.  I am 5'1' (or was before osteoporosis) and can't even reach the top shelves of my kitchen cupboards.  I don't know what I'd do without a little stool handy.  Did you get everything moved that needed to be moved for the renovation? I'm sure your family will have a wonderful Christmas, even without everything finished.  It's being together that counts.

maryannscraps, I wish I could get you and Kelly here and I'd help you with your sewing adjustments and needles. It is really frustrating to get ready to stitch and find that something isn't working right.  I try to teach my little 4-Hers to adjust the tensions, thread the machine and to wind and load the bobbins themselves.  Once they have those techniques they can just sit down and sew without much help.  My mom used to unthread the sewing machine before we stitched, so that we had to thread and load the bobbin each time.  As upset as we felt having to do that EVERY time we sewed, I thank her now as it's just second nature.

knutschen, (Jana) I am wishing you a wonderful wedding day. I must warn you though, that your anniversary may get lumped into Christmas each year! LOL.  We were married on Dec. 20, and we usually celebrate in January since December is so crazy.  My DD, Anj was also married on the 20th of Dec.  I hope everything works out well for you.  I know you will chose the right dress for it.  Hugs to both of you!

scrapincin, (Cindy) I'm so glad you are doing better on the new meds.  Glad the EKG was good and that you are not so short of breath anymore.  That's so hard! I feel so much better today that I think I really am going to get well. I still have some baking to do.  What all do you bake for Christmas?  Are your grands getting excited for Christmas?  Lyssie felt so bad that we didn't have decorations up that she begged her mom to let her come do ours.  She was out of school early on Monday and just tore into all the boxes.  Steve carried things up and set up the tree. Lyssie put everything on it.  She told me I could move anything I wanted, but I haven't moved a thing. She is such a sweetheart and I'm so glad it is done. We won't do the Village this year, but I don't mind.

I know I am forgetting things I wanted to comment on. I think I will be able to keep up with things now. I'm still taking it easy, but it feels so good not to hurt and not to be dizzy.

I'm sending Christmas hugs to each of you!