The Lighter Side Cafe - Monday 12/16 - Sunday 12/22

Great posts and good memories for all of us.  How cute to think of your Italian grandpa singing Christmas in Killarney in a thick accent.  I, too, had a wonderful storybook Grandpa (my dad said he was much more strict with him!) but he made up songs constantly and always gathered all of us up with ALL our friends for outings and fun times.  I miss him but feel lucky to have had him. He was the life of every party!

Pam, I loved your stories about your 2 year old yelling help!  When our little Sophie was 2, her favorite expression was "It's FAKE!"  So at places like the art museum, she'd scream that out at a painting, etc. She was funny!  Our little DGS is a fan of HELP! too.  If he doesn't like his car seat or wants to get down from a chair, he yells it out like he's in trouble!  They are a riot, aren't they? I can't wait to be with them.  I heard a funny one from a friend at work.  Her little first grader did not want to go to gym one day at school because of some activity they were doing.  He wrote his own note saying: "Dear Teacher, Please excuse Nate from Jim. Love, Mommy"    Can you imagine the teacher's reaction?!! Ha ha.   And, yes, we all have our sorrows.

I am sorry about losing your hospice patient.  I am sure you are all too familiar with them passing... Also, sorry about PL (Princess Laila) as Kathy called her.  I wonder how Kathy is doing with her adorable DGD in CA and her son and family. I thought I saw them in Disney a while back on WW Connect. 

I met with my TOPS/Stars friends today. It was good to talk about challenges and holidays and also to see one of their daughter's wedding album.  Beautiful!

I am off to be spiffed up today. Hair needs it and then I will work tomorrow. We leave at 1 PM on Saturday so I may leave work at a half day tomorrow. 

TTFN...

Yes Judy we sure could use some Hawaii. Glad you are meeting with your TOPS group. Do you still go to weight watchers meetings?

Lol I so enjoy reading about all Christmas memories.

Tonight is PIZZA NIGHT. Seeing as I have the extra points and it IS the end of my weight watcher week I shall sit back relax and indulge

LOL to tracking both the good and the bad. Hang in there....'tis the season' That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Good morning all. Had a very restless sleep last night. HOpefully I will stay awake today while spending the day with Donna and LuLa. Carl has grand jury duty once again. At least it's not snowing for his trip to the courthouse

Pam that is awesome that you still have your silver dollars The pizza was good and worth each and every oz. that I more than likely put on.

Wishing AWF a wonderful and OP day. Will try to pop in later.

Donna was very wound up today. I lent a shoulder and listening ear best I could being so sleep deprived. We were able to get in a half way decent hood walk.

Carl is on his way home from grand jury duty. I have a chicken rice casserole in the oven. Smells good

Pam kudos on your weight loss. Very hard to do this time of the year! So happy you enjoyed the ringing of the bells Awesome that you are now beautified. Nothing quite like good hair

Glad the PT is helping DH hip. Awesome that DH is making supper. Enjoy.

I never did get that nap in. After I hit 'send' I shall shut down the desktop and relax.

Enjoy the rest of the day, all!

Pam, I read Where’d You Go Bernadette a couple years ago and LOVED it! I believe it’s a movie too. It’s hilarious!

Ann, I hope you rested well last night.
You are a good friend to Donna. I hope it is not taking too much out of you and that she’ll be adjusting better as time goes on.

I’m all packed and the airport shuttle will pick us up at 1. D&D are headed to the doggie inn and spa soon.☹️ They do love it there and will be groomed while there, too.

We had dinner from a local favorite spot last night. I chose a grilled salmon with artichokes an other veggies. DH had a pasta bolognese which was huge. He ate half. I only ate half of my salmon.

I received a nice gift last night delivered - a new fancy immersion blender by Braun. I use the one I have a lot but it’s an older and not very good one. Also my boss gave me a nice gift certificate from Williams Sonoma. I already bought new kitchen shears and some high end cookie sheets. Lol. I needed both. I’ll use them more for roasted veggies than cookies hopefully! My weight is up now a couple lbs but I’m planning on lots of moving around and healthy eating in CA!

I’ll check in when I can! Merry Christmas all!!

Good morning!

Judy - Wishing you & DH safe travels. I'm glad the fur babies like the spa, so you don't have to worry about them while you're gone. We will all sort out the WL thing in the New Year. Meanwhile, let's just do the best we can while still enjoying the holiday season.

Ann - Sometimes all a friend needs is a good listener. Donna will work things out, I'm sure, but sometimes talking things out helps us clarify the steps we need to take.

Sue - I know you are happy to be starting Christmas break. Enjoy!

I may have mentioned that we have a new couple moving into town. The husband is the cousin of my cousin, what we in my family call a "shoestring cousin": no blood relation, but a tie nonetheless. They closed on their house in NOLA on Monday and have to have everything out by the 23rd, which is causing problems. Their new house (my aunt & uncle's old house) is requiring lots of renovation and isn't nearly ready. They had to get a pod put in the yard to hold some of the furniture. Anyway, we have tried to help them find local electrician, plumber, etc. and offered to help any way we can. Yesterday, I got a text asking if they could possibly stay with us at night January 6-10 while their floors are sanded and varnished, so they can avoid hotel costs. Of course we said yes, as we have 3 empty bedrooms. I am hoping they will become good friends. The husband likes to shoot, just like my DH. The wife and I seem to have lots in common, too. It will be good to have a close female friend again. They have jumped right into working with the Cultural District events and have been a big help.

Today, we will have family cookie-decorating, something my mom did with me and my siblings and later, with our kids. Our children have continued with their children and it is a time filled with love, laughter and good memories. Sadly, some of the grandkids are getting older and really don't care to come and several are too busy to make it this year, but some of the ones with little ones still plan to carry on the tradition today at my DB & DSIL's house. The first year we did it after Mama had died, I cried all the way home. Now, it just brings on warm, happy feelings, thank goodness. DD3 won't be here with her two, but she does the same with them at home on the years they don't make it here for Christmas. Abby will have a blast, I'm sure.

We are in for a rainy weekend, so it looks like the recumbent bike will replace walking for a couple of days. It's always good to give my feet a rest anyway, and use some different muscles. Not sure yet what I'll have for lunch, but dinner will be chicken fajitas. Usually, I just eat the chicken, onions and bell pepper and skip the tortilla.

Have a great day!