Took down both trees, wreaths, garland, etc. Just have to haul all of the boxes out to the garage.
And of course I have the Rose Bowl Parade on!
ok Christmas and new year were ok. I wish I had a facebook life! My h hates to shop basically sucks at it and has to be told. However my gift although pricey comes at the end of January and he thinks its ok for me to have nothing under the tree or for my birthday . I know I am childish but I would never do that, I am the one who makes everything ok for everyone else. Yes and H never got to completely finish decorating the house. The story of my life. Went to see D2 in Dc it was fine. We met BF’s parents, very nice people. The kids are doing well. and handle life well. but funny they worry about what we think too much and making sure we are entertained , which we do not care about. Which stresses me out because I have to participate in being entertained even when I would rather not be entertained. Geez guys between work, school, Christmas, D1 BD, I am fried. They are both thinking of law school and biting off that nut,which makes them stressed which makes me stressed. In my mind it all works out, we will help them as much as we can. My H will not commit to helping but I will have to finagle it. Not a very relaxing Christmas at all. thanks for listening. I just wish everyone would relax and enjoy life it goes by so quickly.
So sorry you did not have a relaxing Christmas, downtoearth. Does your husband not get you anything for Christmas to open? That would bother me and I would say something. Happy New Year to all!
Congrats on the engagement. We just returned from our several day NYE event – described by someone as what it would be like if NPR ran a theme park. I learned some really interesting things. The kids were entranced with an astronomer. ShawSon spent quite a bit of time talking quantum mechanics with a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. I may have found a coauthor for a book I want to write. We found a number of couples will see in California (we had met a few before). So, now on to a bit of packing.
DTE that would bother me as well. H even wrapped a picture of my sewing machine and then got me little things so that I did have stuff under the tree. Maybe you just need to remind your H how much you do. I think they can easily forget or miss it at times. Cold still hanging on. House almost back to normal. Should be able to finish it up today. Not the way I wanted to spend my time of though with this stupid cold.
Hugs, dte. Please feel free to treat yourself with what you wished you have gotten. You deserve it!
DTE, that makes me sad. I learned years ago that I need to tell H exactly what I want… And sometimes buy it myself. I ordered a Kindle Paperwhite when Amazon was having a good sale and ordered a case for it on cyber Monday. I put the unopened Amazon boxes in H’s closet then they appeared under the tree. Exactly what I wanted!
DTE, sorry to hear that. We used to have that problem sometimes, but less for gifts than for celebrations. I do buy ShawWife presents but wasn’t always as good at it. (For her birthday this year, I bought her two pairs of Bernie Mev shoes and a red purse to match the red ones. She wore the good ones on NYE and the red ones the day she gave a talk. ) But, we have an arrangement. ShawWife will call me and say, “I’m at a store and see a pair of beautiful earrings. Do you want to buy them for me?” I of course say yes and later when she gets compliments, she says “My husband bought them for me.” Her friends are surprised I have such good taste. We laugh about it sometimes.
My D and her bf of 6 years each buy themselves what they want for Christmas, then compare the amount spent, and then even it up if necessary. I thought it was interesting a couple in their 20s came up with this method! They are both happy and get just what they wanted.
Good Morning All! I just caught up with all of the posts. Happy New Year! We were at the lake and I no longer have internet service there for my laptop. We had a lovely Christmas here at home. Christmas eve was church ,our annual appetizer competition and games. Christmas Day was opening gifts with everyone here for breakfast, opening gifts, lunch and then visiting. Had so much fun playing a small game of passing gifts left, right and across. Laughed quite a bit. H’s parents and brother and his family came for appetizers and drinks late afternoon. A very good day!
After Christmas H and I went to the lake, D2 and her H went to Florida and D1 and fiance stayed home to continue to unpack at their new home.
missy…hope D2 is on the mend.
Wish I was playing with a new sewing machine! How fun!
Congrats on the new engagement!!!
I usually get my own gifts, too!
I am fighting off something. Scratchy throat,a little congestion and watery eyes. Hope it doesn’t develop in to anything else. Having people over for dinner tonight and then I am done entertaining! I need some quiet down time and sleep!
I hope you wise folks can help me. I’m trying to figure out a way to think about these holidays. As Monday draws nigh, I am fighting off depression myself. The last week of the year is my time to rest and recharge. We work puzzles and go to movies and I take naps. I missed that and the Christmas Eve Mexican food and the Christmas morning stockings and so much more. I am a big girl and of course the Dec 26th tornadoes that killed 11 people slammed perspective in my face. D is getting better (a roller coaster as they say) but Mom is so miserable. Last night she was sobbing loudly in her bed. I guess I am just letting myself live with the experience and not mourn the lost activities or rest. Maybe we’ll have an ice storm and I’ll get some rest
Tomorrow fiancé and her mother and I are meeting at the florist. (Before Mom’s cardiologist appointment ) I said I would pay for the flowers which could be awkward, with them trying to keep costs down for my sake. I am going to call the florist beforehand and ask if the budget I have in mind is reasonable (not stingy but not extravagant )
Hugs, mp. Yes, I think you have earned the right to be sad. Is there any way you can take off a few days maybe in the next month or so after everything settles down at home? Maybe you can treat yourself to some r & r . Wish I knew something that would make your mom less unhappy.
As for the flowers, I think calling ahead is an excellent idea. FWIW we set a budget for wedding flowers that we thought was reasonable and the estimate was double our number! So we had to go back an trim down. (the flowers were gorgeous, though).
We haven’t had weddings in our family. The closest we have come is that on New Years Eve, each family member fills in a time capsule entry (one page about the past year and one about to start, both of which ask detailed questions). On 2016, it asks “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” ShawSon said, “In startups. Engaged.”
For Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, ShawWife, who is very frugal and very artistic, goes to the Boston Flower Market and got flowers wholesale and created things. I recall for our wedding, though, things were different. My in-laws lived in a very upscale neighborhood in Toronto and went to a place around the corner that charged an arm and two legs for the flowers but, according to people who know and care about flowers (which does not include me), they were exquisite. But, if one wanted to keep the costs down, one would have gone in a different neighborhood. So, I think setting expectations in advance would make a lot of sense.
dt, thanks for writing how everything is going.
About 10 years ago I was so fed up with H and his inability to give me a nice gift that I bought my own. I put it under my bed and opened it Christmas morning. Never even told him.
It has always upset D that he had not been attentive.
Fast forward, now he really tries. It is a nice change. Understand your hurt.
mp, gads, such a weird and different experience for your Holiday.
I hope you have discussed your Mom’s mood and possible medications such as antianxiety or antidepressants with your Mom’s doc. My own mother refused but my G’pa did take some and was much better off.
Oregon, my sister and I have both been trying to get her to try anti depressants for years to no avail. I was able to get the hospital dr to prescribe Xanax for her insane anxiety and she has been willing to take a couple of those.
I’m working a half day today. The office will seem like paradise
Back at work with a cold. Drat. I keep hoping that this will be it and it will be over but no…
Oh well I know that it could be worse and I did go to the gym this morning. We’ll see if that helped or hurt me.
MP - I think you have every right (and maybe even a responsibility to yourself) to mourn the loss of your down time. It is so difficult at times to even get down time that I feel that we all need to appreciate it when it comes our way. Maybe today will be better. I’ve decided that I’m taking 2 days off in Feb. D is taking one of those days and I think we are going to get pedicures and go out to lunch – maybe even go look at wedding gowns. 
The other day is MINE MINE MINE! Selfish maybe but it is still MINE!
^ I like how you think, rm.
Yes we could have bought/arranged flowers ourselves and likely done a lot of other things to keep wedding costs down, but we felt we had neither the time nor the talent for that. I do not have an artistic bone in my body. Thee are different ways to do this and while we chose a more expensive route, it was what worked for us.
FallGirl, I just can’t stand the idea (or even thinking of the pressure) of DIY wedding flowers. Some people do that so beautifully but not my talent either.
My H sent me flowers for Xmas - mainly because he wanted them on the dining room table. But I had to assemble them (came with a vase) and he had to re-do it, because I didn’t assemble/arrange them very well. I shudder to think what any DIY wedding flowers I did would look like!
Was on vacation last week - we alternated a busy day with a relaxing day, which was a good strategy. Otherwise I’d be exhausted now!
We are iced in–the entire area as well as many parts of WA.
Poor dog has to slip on the crusted snow to go potty.
I bought a kiln for glass fusion work! and it was suppose to be picked up by H and friends.
BabyH’s daddy figured out how to move 400lbs without jarring it and then the ice hit.
I know just enough to know that I know very little but have wanted to do this for years.
Am also buying a smaller one that can go in the house, while the big one goes in the garage.
Very excited.
D’s BF has been here since the 25th. I am afraid D thinks I ask too many questions…
He is a very nice guy. They are very good together.
Problem is that I adore BabyH’s father…he is everything that I enjoy…but married and not a match
for D in any event. I find myself watching what I say about him as to not set up any rivalry—
but then maybe I flatter myself
:))
We had our annual party Saturday–14 this year. Thank goodness as there was a lot of food and the storm hit hours after it ended. The white elephant
game was hysterical and people really put effort into really awful selections.
I have decided, though, that next year we will do appetizers and salads.
One gluten free and one vegetarian made for many choices.
Remember D’s old BF (the one who broke things off abruptly (she was thinking about it herself but still))
His parents and sister arrived 75 minutes late and did not apologize. We were beginning the mains and it was very disruptive. grrrr
Next year we are telling them one hour earlier (have done this before and they are still late but not as late). I find it so self-centered.
Old BF is engaged. I am glad and want him to be happy. Also glad he is not with D. Imagine all of the family functions with that family arriving late…
See all the trivia you get to read when there is an ice storm!
mp, enjoy your time at work!
I thought about taking flower arranging classes, it is something I think I could learn.
Never would want to do it for a wedding…well actually, maybe if it was not a formal wedding.
Off to make meatballs for D’s BF
We all like the game Exploding Cats and have been playing often.