SUNday November 28th

[SuSUN]

Good Morning Magnificient Maintainers!

Just getting this started for now.

We are off to brunch with DD and her DH, Ella and another couple!
Choices will be very careful today. Ella is 20 weeks old today!

The Babysitting Test went well and I seem to have "passed" will flying colours last night. They came home at 10:30p.m. so it is getting longer. They left at 6p.m. to catch the "National Treasure" movie with Nicholas Cage. They had a good laugh and thoroughly recommend it.

Wavin and wishing you ALL a Fantastic Sunday!

Later.

SuSUN

[BarbCO]

Good morning -- beautiful white winter wonderland here!! Several inches now and still snowing! It's neat as long as one doesn't have to travel. We came home in that last night but did ok on the roads. I do feel for those com ing home today for work tomorrow. The 1-70 corridor thru CO was closed for days because of a major rock slide. The pictures looked horrid -- six foot deep holes. People traveling had a 250 mile detour up and around. The joys of living in mountainous territory.

I have almost all of my shopping done!! You couldn't even move in the mall on Friday, it was so crowded. Sales get started earlier and earlier each year. I was at Herbergers early in the am (before 11) and picked some nice bargains. Sweaters for $34 were $12.99 if purchased before 11. Except for a thing or two on the internet -- I'm done.

OMG -- reading past posts -- I thought I was the only one from a disfunctional family at the time of the holidays!

Coming from a large family, there are always conflicts. Of course, the DH comes from a very small family and they just don't have anything to do with some!!

This year it's my one sister's family. We have a family gift exchange, draw names, etc. and they decided to pull their family out!! The rest of us are happy with it because they are sooooooo fussy. One year my DH had my sister's husband and got him a sweater that he requested. A month later, he sent it back to us because it just wasn't right and didn't want anything in place. My husband wears that sweater proudly!!


Later, need to check the football schedule for today --
to all!

[Jewels]

Barb, I guess there are no Ozzie and Harriet type families huh? I had it good for a long time and should relish the memories. Having 4 at our table on Thanksg. was just so weird after our usual more than a dozen. We survivied and will suvive Christmas too.
I envy your snow. I love it but I too like it looking out the window at it.

See a few of us are going to join in the GY Challenge(maintain) I lost the 4 lbs. but somehow 2 crept back on. Probably that darn pumpkin cheesecake I made. Back to basics again. I WILL NOT GAIN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

SuSun, glad you passed the next test. Geez!!

[Loretta V]

Happy Sunday to all

Sure hope we are finished with company and meals for a while. Babysitting Leah today for a while. First she went to church with Mom & Dad with the Baptists and then we took her to the Catholics. She will be well rounded in her spirit. She is asleep for her nap now giving me some computer time.

Julie I'm glad you got a laugh out of that joke. Actually my brother sent me a TD card and that was the jest of it. I thought it sure fit right in with my whine. 2 bad about those 2 lbs showing back up. I will join Doug's challange too. Sure would come into Christmas about 5 pounds lighter.

Barb glad that you arrived safely home after traveling on those snow covered roads. I have been in the mountains (Smokeys) once or twice and did not like to travel on those mt rds even in nice weather. Glad to hear that you have a "normal" dysfunctional family too. You even have your christmas shopping done so you must fit right in.

Susun watch out now that you have passed the test. You might get "put upon" quite frequently. Hope your DH does go to the doc and check out those muscle aches. They are a frequent side effect of the statins. Congrats on losing those 4 pounds. Good for you. Why don't you join our challange over on the GB too.

Roger you christmas cactus is stunning to say the least. I see another opportunity to steal a beauty. Maybe Linda's son did not want his mom in that pc at all? I find my pc PERSONAL as the word implies. We got hit yesterday with rain all day, but no white stuff at all. Today is beautiful and sunny but cold in the 30s. Did you make that 35 min at 120 beats per min????? That would get that pie off for sure.

Linda too bad you forgot your camera. I find it difficult sometimes to get pics of Leah when I am babysitting, just busy with the kid. Bet you are enjoying your retirement. You seem to be very busy without all of that working.

back at ya Shawnee. Hope your dinner went well. Mine was OK but the kids were suspicious of the foods and did not care for all of them. DIL#1 brought her own chocolate brownies for dessert.

Later

[Loretta V]

I have been wanting to get this puss for quite a while.
Success.



Hope the bucket works.

[Jewels]

Need to vent!!!!!! Spent the day crying....had a big ole talk with Nick and planning for the future and you'd think we didn't know anything. Really got into it. Feeling bad about not getting invited to the "Nutcracker" with DD and DGD. Private Pity Party!!! Just as well I hadn't planned on going. Right after Nick and I got into it, Jana, DGD called bawling, come and get her. She spent the night at her mom's and all hell broke lose around noon today. Then DD called and not wanting to get in the middle of it, just listened but cried the whole time. Damn, Chuck and I are going to move to Arizona!!!!!!!!!!! Can't take much more of this sh!!t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, I'm done now. Thanks for listening.

[SuSUN]

Hi Gang!

We had a lovely, long brunch today from 11:30 till 2ish. I was very good. Lots of bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs. I took an eggs benedict and scraped it off the english muffin. The dessert table was overly full and the Sunday dinner section was rare roast beef, that didnt seem to entice me at all.
Later, I took some cantaloupe, a thin sliver of orange slice and some honey due melon. I did taste some blueberries of the top of the cheese cake DD took. I had lots of coffee and cream, so hope I can sleep tonight. LOL!

Julie,
WTG! Losing those 4lbs
Yep, I passed the "test" but I still have to adhere to DD's routine and little nuances.
Enjoy the Football games today. It is a lot more interesting than Cdn.

Loretta,
I know what you mean about being "put on." It has started already! DD has booked us for next Saturday, her DH's Christmas Party! I guess, "Tis the Season!"
DH will be following up with his Doc this week. His legs do seem a little thinner (wasting) but he has no pain, just the weakness, a bit of an ache, and the knees giving out on him.

Roger,
Thanks for the tip on Coenzyme Q10. I bought DH some this aft at 60mg a capsule, so I will get him started on 2/D to see if that helps. He is beginning to get depressed, as he has always been so active all his life, and this is really "clipping his wings." It also has him worried too about what else it could be, especially after the shingles followed by pneumonia.

DD was cleaning out her Deep Freezer and found about 5lbs of jumbo scallops, she was tossing them, as the bag was not sealed to well. DH said we would take them. Most look fine but will have to sort them out as some do have freezer burn.
Do you think they will still be okay?
Looking for some good recipes to use them up. Got any?
The white fish with the cream sauce sounds delicious right now.
I have a recipe for Coquille St. Jacques somewhere, that's good to use up the scallops. It is usually a starter but will have to be the main course to use them up.

Linda,
Where are you today?
Didnt you have a good Mom's recipe for white fish sauce?

Barb,
It seems WE all have "Normal" Dysfunctional Families. An old English saying, goes, "There's nought so funny as folk!" I think it means Kin folk!

Shawnee,
Are ya keeping warm on the left coast? It is a tad cooler today. We had pouring rain this morning. The SUN came out as we were leaving the Golf Club, so it was a great spirit lifter!
I picked up the old plain yoghurt this aft to go with my frozen blueberries. Do they still have enough antioxidants when frozen? I keep reading conflicting info. Tastes good!

Jacki,
What creative project are you busying yourself with? I'll bet it is gorgeous for Christmas!

Wavin to Y'all!

SuSUN

[SuSUN]

Loretta,
LOVELY PIC! she has so many teeth already! All the better to smile with.
It took me so long to type my post that you and Julie had been on in the mean time.

Julie,
Glad to came to vent, best way to get it out!

SuSUN

[OrchidCactus]

WHEW!!!!!!!!!

Ok, y'all, I'm back now and all is normal in our little household for the time being.

Thursday, I made the ever traditional Thanksgiving lazagne, which of course is the 'real stuff', not lc. I enjoy doing that much more than the big turkey dinner, especially since once Mom went home we'd be stuck with a ton of leftovers Anyways, the lazagne went down very well, and we should see the end of the leftovers with tomorrow's lunch.

Friday was an early rising, time to take Mom to meet my DB, halfway from us to him. We made it up early (wonder of wonders), got showered and dressed, woke Mom up and got her headed to the shower, packed her things, loaded the van, loaded us, got 5 miles down the road and the unibelt (fan belt thingy for those who are mechanically declined) broke. Put spare belt on and got back to the house, swapped over to the F150 for the journey and were on our way, albeit late. The truck did quite well for it's first long drive since we've had it. We were late for the 'exchange', but had a nice late lunch at Western Sizzlin' in Franklin NC. My niece decided to ride along with DB, and it was great to see her. Filled DB in with all the info he needs re Mom and what we've discovered. Then we headed up to Bristol TN, where DR and his DW live. Got there @ 6:00 in the evening.

Friday night and Saturday were a BLAST!!! It was so so so so nice to relax, cut up, let it all hang out (figuratively, mind you), just get a chance to unwind! We had planned to leave Saturday afternoon, but wound up deciding to stay the night up there and leave early this morning to come home before the game.

Got home today @ 11:45, unloaded, fed the puppies, watered plants, watched the game, did (still doing) laundry, playing catchup here, but we now have the house to ourselves once again and it feels HEAVENLY!!!

We have been keeping in contact with family up north re my DMIL, and yesterday she was feeling a bit better. Still not out of the woods yet, but if she continues to get better she should turn the corner soon. Pneumonia (double) still there and other problems have been found, but she is 80 years old and this will take some time for her to get over. Hopefully there will be more good news tonight when we talk to DSisIL. Thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers!

Here's a few things I've learned lately: DO NOT, under ANY circumstances feed an Alzheimer's patient SUGAR. Not only do they get wound tighter than a banjo string, they get ORNERY too! Puppy gates, with puppies on the other side, keep wandering Sundowner's sufferers out of rooms. Reversing the parent/child role is NOT easy, even with help. I can survive just about anything

To all y'all: holidays, weddings and funerals bring out the worst in family members (especially the ones that are a pain to start off with LOL). Sorry to hear about the family troubles with the holiday season, and I think every family has 'theirs'. Keep your chin up, and remember all you can do is take care of yourself! No matter how much you would like to make things 'right', you can't control how others act, so don't even try. Sometimes all you can do is absent yourself from the problems and take care of #1.

Well, better end this novel.....

Today is a good day--my Vikings WON!

[Loretta V]

Julie so sorry to hear that the problems continue.
It is really difficult to listen and hear their side of the story, and then listen to the other side of the story too. Just not easy.
I sure do like Ginny's advice:

No matter how much you would like to make things 'right', you can't control how others act, so don't even try. Sometimes all you can do is absent yourself from the problems and take care of #1.

Ginny thanks for that and good to hear from you regarding your Thanksgiving Holiday and your mom's visit. We are back to normal now here too. Just DH and I for dinner tonight since last Tuesday. We ate in front of the TV. Good thing you were not that far from home when that belt broke. At least you were not in the middle of the interstate far away from home. Glad you got to see your niece also. Enjoy being "home alone."

Susun it will be interesting to hear what the doc has to say for DH. Hoping for a simple answer to his problems. Maybe it is the Crestor.

Dishes to do and early to bed tonight. Will meet DSons # 1 & 2 for breakfast in the am.

Loretta

[Jewels]

quote:
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No matter how much you would like to make things 'right', you can't control how others act, so don't even try. Sometimes all you can do is absent yourself from the problems and take care of #1.
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I know our lives will never be the same, I've reconcilled to that. I also know I can't control them or their actions. But how do you absent yourself when one lives in our home, the other calls crying for your help?? With DD I did just listen but it's not easy. The DGKids and I have cried enough for a whole years worth. Jana is back home with her dad. Nick just left for a NA meeting. We had a compromise of a kind a little while ago. It might make us all happy for a few months. I feel the huge holes in his ears are not going to help with getting a REAL job come spring when he graduates. The other piercings can come out and not show as bad. Did talk him into NOT coloring his hair pitch black when it's suppose to be dark blond. He also cut off his looong side burns. He actually looks much better even with the piercings. Life goes on... Not sure what is going to happen with DD and DGD. Not sure how long the stand off will be this time. Heading for the mental health doc at 8:30 in the morn. It can't come soon enough for me.

[OrchidCactus]

Me again.....

Hugs, Julie! For those problems you can absent yourself from, you do, and for those you can't, you only do as much as you can. You can only do so much, then the rest is up to the individual needing help. In Nick's case, he has a good support base with his AA/NA. He will most likely always need you, but he also has to learn (and I'm sure he is, the longer he is in group) how to deal with life traumas on his own. It is a very hard transition for him since his usual 'cure' is not available any longer and he has to learn what to do without the chemicals. You know the drill! With your DGD, it is a bit different since she is so much younger. Even with that, can she get involved in Al-Anon? Would her dad be willing to take her if there is a youth meeting she would benefit from? As you know, the sooner the cycle is broken, the better off she will be in life. As far as Nick's piercings, it may take him some time to realize the benefits AND detriments of obvious personal expression. Remember, you are in close to him, and it may take some rejection for him to accept that corporate/public America does not necessarily appreciate this look. This is one thing he may just have to survive on his own, even if it makes him angry. It also depends on what he wants to do for a job or career--many occupations are more lenient about personal appearance, so long as there is no safety or health hazard. Anyways, to you!

[Jewels]

Ginny sweetie, thank you so much for the advice. Are you some kind of counslor? LOL You are right of course. Nick will be ok, just needs to grow up some. He'll be 19 next week but a very young 19. Jana is only 15 but her life has been turned upside down. She is in a better place now. She loves her step mom and that is wonderful.
(((hugs)))

[LoveMontana]

Hi gang,
Been running around today and haven't been on the computer much.

Nick was very good except for about an hour of "fussing" aka he found his scream about an hour before his bed time. OY!

Ginny, you sound just like a psych Rehab counselor. Way to go with that good advice to Julie. You hit it the nail right on the head.

Glad you had some much needed R & R this weekend. It's extremely difficult to take care of an Alzheimer's patient. Both my FIL and one of my grand mothers had that disease.

Julie, listen to her. She is right on with her advice. Hope things smooth out soon. Maybe all of you should go to some meetings to help with the coping.

Congrats on getting rid of the 4 lbs from the cruise but those new 2 may be just fluid. Don't get too upset. They will come off.

Barb, I saw that rock slide on the news. YIKES! Guess that's something people living in those beautiful mountains have to put up with on occasion.

How brave of you to go to the mall this weekend but I'm so happy you found some wonderful bargains.

Susan, glad you passed the test but now you are going to be taken advantage of. LOL You might as well get used to it until Ella is old enough to watch herself.

Some brunches are just not very good. Too much food of poor quality.

Loretta, Leah is getting so big and so very pretty. Bet she keeps you busy.

Sure hope you and DH are through with company for quite some time. You have had more than your share of it. Hey, how about you and DH going to their places for the next holiday or just go away for Christmas weekend. I've always wanted to stay at a quaint Inn over Christmas.


Roger did the rain hold off long enough for you and Bob to get to the theater?
My daughter in law and the girls were bent out of shape by all the crowds in Manhattan. They went shopping before the "Nutcracker" and were almost crushed in front of Toys are Us. Never did make it inside.

Shawnee, so where are you today? Fill us in on your day.

Hi Ya Jackie. What's up?

[shawneesioux]

Hi Y'all

Brrr, WeatherGuy says its gonna be down to 26* tonight....I want a second opinion!

Loretta, Miss Leah's impish grin is so cute! ...add a Santa hat, and use it for Christmas cards.
DGBrat really went all out with a gorgeous table setting, and pretty recipes for our Faux T Day dinner..she's one of my special blessings.

Goddess, great to hear y'all got in some good unwinding time; certainly well-deserved. (share those huggles with the Puplets, please)

SuSUN, Bless your heart (and patience)...if I had a kid, I'd sure feel secure knowing it was in your care. A routine is wonderful for babies; trouble is, Life doesn't always run on a routine schedule.

Julie... Goddess is amazingly good with "right on" info..especially for being our youngster here.
I'm all for people taking responsibility for their actions: remember, they ALL SURVIVED while you were gone. Personally, my heart goes out to the one who needs attention the most, your young DGD.

All families seem to have their share of Drama Queens and irresponsible members...mine all get tough love from me...and they must like it, they come back for more.

Hey to Montana, Barb, Jacki, Zip and Lurkers.

Hoping y'all find some peace and contentment in our crazy world.

Shawnee

[OrchidCactus]

Can you tell I'm getting in some much needed 'puter time? LOL!

I've had some slight experience with counselling and other types of self-help programs, and really only know enough to be 'dangerous'. There were quite a few drunks falling out of my family tree, and although my parents never drank or used any form of chemical coping, the psychological fallout was still present. I have done a bit of reading here and there, but my biggest asset here is that I can sit back and observe since I'm not in the situation. Sometimes just being an outsider can bring a perspective that those in too close don't have access to. Anyways, glad to help if I can!

Linda, glad it went well with Nick....I wouldn't have a clue what to do with them if they can't talk and TELL ME!!!

Shawnee, pups were totally THRILLED when we got home. Insert large quantities of lethal tails, slurping tongues and grinning canine faces Quite the welcoming committee! I like your attitude on the Drama Queen family members....filing away for future reference .

Loretta, great pic of Leah! I know you're glad to be able to relax once again. I think I'm getting to be more and more of a hermit anymore. We have a small circle of friends/family that we associate with, and the rest of the time it's just us. We both like it that way.

Susan, well OF COURSE you passed the test! Silly! Who taught your DD all this stuff! LOL Enjoy the babysitting--we do know you will!

Barb, YIKES, SNEAUX???????? I sure enough don't like that word, I won't even use the 'normal' spelling! That rock slide sounds pretty dangerous, but I can sure understand how it happens up there. Been through the Rockys one time, and just the fact that the roads exist as well as they do is amazing.

Well, reckon I better go lurk some more......withdrawls from LCF are finally fading