|
|
Post by ann1953 on Dec 24, 2016 13:30:39 GMT
This is a place for all those in their 50's & 60’s to get together and gab. Talk about what is on your mind be it the WW'er program, family, friends, or anything you'd like to share. The Lighter Side Cafe is open 24/7....First one here please use the copy/paste method to get us going. All like-minded people are always welcome here.
|
|
|
|
Post by ann1953 on Dec 24, 2016 13:32:39 GMT
Good morning all. Throwing open the doors, lighting the fireplace, putting out our 'holiday spread' all points free LOL and brewing lots of coffee. The tree is also lit and the Christmas carols are playing away.
Come on in sit down and enjoy!
I'm going to enjoy the bites, licks, tastes, smells, magic and love of the Christmas season.......
Wishing all of you and your family a blessed day.
Thank you for being such a HUGE part of my life. You gals have made this journey meaningful and lighter for me.
Love you all!
|
|
|
|
Post by judy709 on Dec 24, 2016 13:49:59 GMT
Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!
We are now in NJ with DS and DDIL. We arrived yesterday with little traffic the whole way. DH says it's because we drove in the "geezer " hours of 10-3. Lol...that's us now...Geezers for sure!
I loved reading all the posts. Kathy, so glad you are into your new place! Sending all my peaceful vibes to Jeremy and you are so right. You can only control you.
Carolyn, I love your family! My dear sweet 90 year old aunt and her family always has the crossword puzzle set up at parties. It is such a great and quiet way to chat and connect when you need a break.
I agree on all the holiday expectations and I also appreciated everyone's sharing. I am so lucky to have had the warmest Christmas memories all my childhood. When we moved to Ohio, my Mom left all her very close Swedish family and Christmas eve traditions behind. She was sad so she created a true Wonderland with my dad and invited all our neighbors and family to their big party every year. There were about 75-100 every year! But it was warm and so fun. We had a big Victorian style house so lots of room. But it also left me with a hard act to follow later. Up until last year, my DB and family and all our kids had our same traditions on a smaller scale at our house or in Boston. Now, they've acquired another home in Naples, FL on the water and spend holidays there. So ooooh, this year we will be celebrating Italian style with DDIL and her family. Very grateful but feeling a tad sad, too.there will be many of their friends there tonight. I sort of feel like I am "crashing" their traditional group, but it's so nice to be included.
|
|
|
|
Post by judy709 on Dec 24, 2016 13:54:37 GMT
Doug and Daisy are with us this time! They are very well behaved but it's a little challenging with more stringent house rules for doggies.. lol.
Wishing everyone here a WONDERFUL Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. I'm very thankful for all of you!!
Ps. Had Chinese takeout last night. I had shrimp with broccoli and brown rice. Now that's progress. No generals fried chicken and crab rangoons!
|
|
|
|
Post by ann1953 on Dec 24, 2016 13:58:19 GMT
Merry Christmas Judy and family. Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas with us.
Growing up our Christmas eve and day were most definitely ALL about the food!!! Gramma and my mom started days before preparing all the cookies goodies and meals. We had a small gathering but it was always a warm and joyous time.
After we ate (and ate and ate) LOL, mom would go into the parlor and play Christmas songs on the piano and we'd gather around and listen and sing. Ahhh, those were the days.
Those are the memories that I hold close to my heart. Those memories are the ones that sustain me now. I shall have a toast and salute them all.
Stay safe and warm. Right now it's snowing/sleeting here. I'm very fortunate to be homebound. Our tree is already lit and the Christmas music is playing.....
Merry Christmas all!
|
|
|
|
Post by ann1953 on Dec 24, 2016 13:59:08 GMT
LOL Judy that's what we are having tonight...the general along with the crab rangoons. You are my hero not having that!
|
|
|
|
Post by kca195 on Dec 24, 2016 14:08:15 GMT
We are about to head out for all our Christmas Eve activities with family. Here's hoping every one has a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah/Holiday! I truly appreciate all of you!
|
|
|
|
Post by ksbruns on Dec 24, 2016 14:11:26 GMT
Good morning, Ann and Judy! Thanks for laying on the spread, ann1953 . I loved what you said, Ann, about making the journey lighter. Since I don't have many close friends anymore, and none are local, there is no question but that you guys lighten my load. LOL, judy709 , on the geezer traffic! I was only caught in traffic once on the move, and that is exactly why...out the door and catch the midday flow. If I have one more person say to me, "Ooh, that must make you sad, not to be with Brady for Christmas." Boy, it is what it is, folks. There is no question that last year I was VERY sad, seeing the writing on the wall, but J and I had such a fun day on our own. No question but the new job and move have provided nice distractions this year, but it hasn't gotten to me. I am also staying off Dana's Instagram feed which definitely made me feel like my life was a little *less than* last year. I know we are invited to go and one year, maybe we will, but I definitely get the feeling of crashing someone else's holiday...but you are too fun, judy709 ; you'll just be a great addition. I'm going to leave Leia (that is presuming I can find clothes and beauty items to get out the door) and go to Lessons and Carols at 3. I don't want to have to find a parking place or figure out the bus today, so am going to see if Uber can find me....don't I sound young and happening??? I would actually prefer not leaving Leia for a few more days, but I hate to not go to church today and we're eating lunch out tomorrow, so here goes! Hopefully, our furniture and the Cartoon Network will all feel familiar enough. Have a day of comfort and joy, Friends. (Edit: Hahaha, I won't regale you with too many of my Christmas memories, my mother was NOT a natural hostess and gift giving was raced through so that she could fret about our meal. I just remember lots of stress and wanting to eat the kind of food my friends had at their house, how sad is that? So, I have spent my adult life trying to create my own Perfect Christmas, which of course included lots of cookies and candy. I'm truly grateful that it is simple now with lots of love (oh yeah, and a few cookies!) |
|
|
|
Post by ksbruns on Dec 24, 2016 14:17:28 GMT
Good morning, Ann and Judy! Thanks for laying on the spread, ann1953 . I loved what you said, Ann, about making the journey lighter. Since I don't have many close friends anymore, and none are local, there is no question but that you guys lighten my load. LOL, judy709 , on the geezer traffic! I was only caught in traffic once on the move, and that is exactly why...out the door and catch the midday flow. If I have one more person say to me, "Ooh, that must make you sad, not to be with Brady for Christmas." Boy, it is what it is, folks. There is no question that last year I was VERY sad, seeing the writing on the wall, but J and I had such a fun day on our own. No question but the new job and move have provided nice distractions this year, but it hasn't gotten to me. I am also staying off Dana's Instagram feed which definitely made me feel like my life was a little *less than* last year. I know we are invited to go and one year, maybe we will, but I definitely get the feeling of crashing someone else's holiday...but you are too fun, judy709 ; you'll just be a great addition. You're doing great with the food choices; as time changed I truly lost my taste for fried food...maybe you will, too! I'm going to leave Leia (that is presuming I can find clothes and beauty items to get out the door) and go to Lessons and Carols at 3. I don't want to have to find a parking place or figure out the bus today, so am going to see if Uber can find me....don't I sound young and happening??? I would actually prefer not leaving Leia for a few more days, but I hate to not go to church today and we're eating lunch out tomorrow, so here goes! Hopefully, our furniture and the Cartoon Network will all feel familiar enough. Have a day of comfort and joy, Friends. (Edit: Hahaha, I won't regale you with too many of my Christmas memories, my mother was NOT a natural hostess and gift giving was raced through so that she could fret about our meal. I just remember lots of stress and wanting to eat the kind of food my friends had at their house, how sad is that? So, I have spent my adult life trying to create my own Perfect Christmas, which of course included lots of cookies and candy. I'm truly grateful that it is simple now with lots of love (oh yeah, and a few cookies!) |
|
|
|
Post by ceebee53 on Dec 24, 2016 14:49:49 GMT
Good Morning All! Thank you, Ann, for the opening and for the holiday spread. I especially love that it is points free!  I have had many different kinds of Christmases, and there have definitely been unusual ones. One that comes to mind was a couple years ago when several of us got the stomach flu. The silver lining that year was that we all spent the day together and didn't have to go to any place else! It was the ONE year that we spent the whole Christmas Day at home with our kids and grandkids being here all day long! I don't think any of us got out of our pajamas all day, and we did manage to open presents--we just couldn't eat! It was probably also the only Christmas when I actually LOST weight! I definitely wouldn't have chosen to spend the day that way, but we did the best we could with what we had. As Kathy said, it is what it is. I hope all of you have a peaceful, enjoyable holiday doing whatever it is that makes YOU happy. Carol |
|
|
|
Post by suewms on Dec 24, 2016 15:46:46 GMT
Good Morning, WW Friends ~
Happy Christmas Eve!! Yesterday ended up being perfect (for me) as I stayed indoors in my sweats all day. I didn’t realize how much I still had to do to get ready for Christmas. I got all my gift wrapping done and underneath the tree. I baked a batch of Christmas brownies to take tonight and started packing up some things to take as well. I found downstairs an adorable snowman cracker dish and a dish for a cheese ball – both still in their original package and never-been-used – so they went in the tote bag to go with us (along with crackers and 2 cheese balls). I got a couple of loads of laundry done and put away. Then I did the second layer of my Pretzel salad and got it in the fridge (to chill overnight). We warmed up leftover Turkey 3-Bean Chili for supper. This morning we had our bacon & bagel breakfast and I made the top (Jello & fruit) layer of my salad, which is now setting up in the fridge. Now all I have left to do is get myself ready and we don’t have to leave for hours yet. SO nice not to have to rush.
Ann ~ Thanks for opening up the Cafe this morning and for the warm welcome into the Cafe. What a relief to just sink down in a comfy chair and enjoy the tree and music, etc. Just what I needed this morning. We are homebound until this afternoon when we head out to DBIL's and will return about mid-evening. The younger folk will leave his house and we always hate to leave him there alone so we sit and talk for another hour or so before heading home. We enjoy that time together.
Judy ~ Glad you are at your destination. I am sure you will enjoy the party tonight and not feel the least bit like you are "crashing". They are very lucky to have you join them and bring your own "gifts" (which we know are many). Change is inevitable; and seems to be felt more so at holiday time. I do envy you the warm memories from your childhood; but grateful that you have them.
Kathryn ~ Hope you have an absolutely fantastic holiday season!
Carolyn ~ Yes, my DH is truly a blessing in so many ways. I am very fortunate to have found him.
Kathy ~ So good to hear from you this morning. I know what you mean about people asking the pointless questions - and of course, it is what it is. People kept asking me about my daughter for what seemed like years after she was absent and I just wanted it to stop. I was able to move on, but it always caused me a bit of pause for a moment. I am definitely better since no one asks.
Carol ~ Good to see you this morning. What fun to share each other's memories, and some so laughable. We have had some great ones and some OK ones, but surprisingly we made it through all of them.
Chele ~ I also LOL'd at "elfing around" and think that phrase is definitely a keeper.
It does seem at Christmastime we especially miss those who are no longer with us. When we first married and I went to DBIL's for the first Christmas Eve, my DMIL and DFIL were still alive and for a number of years thereafter. I have many fond memories of times with them. They had been divorced for years and DFIL had remarried, but everyone came to Christmas. I always recall that DMIL loved Entenmann's fruit cake. One year I took her one and DSIL took her one, so she offered us a piece. When asked why? when she never shared them? she said because she had two this year. Up until this year we have ordered a Collins Street Bakery fruit cake from Texas but didn't feel the need this year.
I also am very grateful for this group and all the encouragement and support I receive here - yes, and a feeling of unconditional love. I send my love and best holiday wishes to each and every one of you!
|
|
|
|
Post by ksbruns on Dec 24, 2016 16:02:06 GMT
suewms It's one of the plusses of moving so much...no one around here knows anything about me/us! I have no idea how I *quoted* myself!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2016 16:30:52 GMT
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Holidaze and Buckeyes for Everyone!
I borrowed the "elfin' around"from an online friend. It was too good not to pass on.
Iggy and I will meet friends for dinner tonight but tomorrow it will be just the two of us. We have gone to other people' homes but like others we always felt like we were borrowing their traditions even though we were always made to feel welcome. We enjoy just the two of us so it will be very nice.
Love "geezer" drive time. Everyone laughs at me because I usually leave before "rush" hour. I have "geezer" grocery shopping time, too. Weekdays before noon.
Whatever your traditions, I hope everyone enjoys the weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by carolyn0506 on Dec 24, 2016 17:00:46 GMT
Good Morning:
Ann: Oh Thank You for the Welcome. I feel the Ann love and acceptance when I walk through the door.
Judy: So glad you arrived safe and sound. Your childhood Christmas stories are magical. I wish you happy moments to blend with those memories this year.
Kathryn: Thank you for the muffin info. I’ll take a look at BB&B. I did some straightening yesterday and found enough 20% coupons to last until the year 3000. I know you’ll have fun camping. Enjoy.
Kathy: I LOL’d on Leia and Cartoon Network. That is such a fun picture in my head. I hope she does feel settled enough to relax and that you have a lovely time at the service. There have been so many holiday configurations of family since my kids have grown. (Traveling, sharing with in-laws, work, hate me (just kidding!), etc) I don’t feel sad when one is away as long as the child is well and we are connected by love. Which is certainly the case with you and Brady and now Dana. What a year of love for you!
Carol: Great Flu story. It’s funny how sometimes those trials when we pull together are the ones we remember and even cherish in a way. I know I remember the quirks, surprises, challenges, more than when things go off without a hitch. It sounds so cozy but nice that you all recovered and this year you can eat!
Sue: I think I’ve eaten that Jello salad. Does it have cream cheese in it? It’s been a long time but it was good as I recall. You are all set for a fun holiday I can tell. Even without the fruitcake. Great story. I love fruitcake. My Grandpa worked for Hostess and sent us a Hostess fruitcake in a large round tin every year. Those tins were used to store cookies when they no longer held fruitcake. Love fruitcake and cookies!
Chele: Love your elfing around! I think you’d make a fun elf. I love to shop Geezer hours. I have a horror of shopping on the weekend now!
Thank you for kind knee words. Improving. I stayed home yesterday too and got lots done. Today I need to hustle and pack. We’re taking the trailer across the city to park in front of DS’s house. We did that at Thanksgiving too and it’s so nice to have a our own bed. We may or may not have couch guests. Not sure when we’ll return home. Either late Sunday or Monday sometime. This will be a large gathering—the whole family with extras. Cooking duties were divided. I’m in charge of Sunday’s dinner. Sunday is DS#1’s birthday. Of course the birthday child chooses dinner and since he was a youngster his request has been tacos. So tacos has been our Christmas Day meal for years and years.
Grateful for all of you. I feel each of us has prepared to spend this Holiday sharing Love, Peace and Good Will with those dear to us.
|
|
Art
Transcendent Member
Posts: 1,117 
|
Post by Art on Dec 24, 2016 19:25:24 GMT
Hope everyone has a great Christmas tomorrow. Linda is still with her daughter, helping her the rest of the day. Went to the gym this morning. First time since just before I was in the hospital. I have totally lost drive. Maybe, get back to it the 1st of the year.
|
|
