Here it is! Official Countdown to Christmas!!!

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:52 am

63

Days to

CHRISTMAS!!

Dear Santa,

I would like a laptop please. A little snow would be nice and different too. I have been an especial good girl this year! And please Santa, let all my friends have a good Christmas too!

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:04 pm

Bah humbug!

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:05 pm

Peg;1255355 wrote: Bah humbug!

You beat me to it.:wah:

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:06 pm

64 days until Christmas is over with for another year.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:10 pm

Peg;1255355 wrote: Bah humbug!
Dickens would be so proud! Such relish and volume to that Bah Humbug! Speaking of which, they are gearing up for the big Dickens festival in Rochester. I hope to break out with the Victorian costumage and go 'in dress' this year! Sooo Fun!:-4

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:16 pm

Raven;1255360 wrote: Dickens would be so proud! Such relish and volume to that Bah Humbug! Speaking of which, they are gearing up for the big Dickens festival in Rochester. I hope to break out with the Victorian costumage and go 'in dress' this year! Sooo Fun!:-4

You going to post pics? Are those Victorian dresses as heavy as they look?

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:59 pm

Raven - Poughkeepsie has a very neat drinking hole called "The Dickens" - good place to misspend many hours on a snowy afternoon!!! I was once completely knocked out there after imbibing a single martini!!! Slumbered blissfully for three hours, I'm told, then did justice to a very fine Chinese takeout - Thanks Frannie and Pete!!!! :sneaky:

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:05 pm

Dear Santa, Minks here, please please oh pretty please give Raven my share of snow.

I have been a very good girl, only baited one troll this week. I would like the rest of the Diana Gabaldon Books for my collection and a pair of heavy duty riding boots.

Thanks

Luvers you

Minks

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:02 pm

Peg;1255362 wrote: You going to post pics? Are those Victorian dresses as heavy as they look?
Oh you know it, girl! I just posted pics of the sweeps festival in Rochester. It is one of my fav places! Took Minks there!

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:03 pm

Raven;1255386 wrote: Oh you know it, girl! I just posted pics of the sweeps festival in Rochester. It is one of my fav places! Took Minks there!

Ahhhh Rochester what a grand place I remember it well. Loved it.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:04 pm

AussiePam;1255369 wrote: Raven - Poughkeepsie has a very neat drinking hole called "The Dickens" - good place to misspend many hours on a snowy afternoon!!! I was once completely knocked out there after imbibing a single martini!!! Slumbered blissfully for three hours, I'm told, then did justice to a very fine Chinese takeout - Thanks Frannie and Pete!!!! :sneaky:
Rochester has a load of 'Dickens' as well! Havent misspent any hours there yet...but I promise I will lift a pint to you there! :yh_bigsmi

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:09 pm

Peg;1255359 wrote: 64 days until Christmas is over with for another year.

And counting . . .

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:54 pm

Peg;1255355 wrote: Bah humbug!

I'm with you on this one Peg!

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:57 pm

Rapunzel;1255392 wrote: And counting . . .

Can we count faster please? Or skip Christmas altogether this year? Please? Do you think Santa would go for it just once? I know! I'll put mud on Rudolphs nose!! :wah:

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:03 pm

On the naughty list perhaps?:p

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:17 pm

shelbell;1255422 wrote: Can we count faster please? Or skip Christmas altogether this year? Please? Do you think Santa would go for it just once? I know! I'll put mud on Rudolphs nose!! :wah:

Does this help? :sneaky: :wah:

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:18 pm

Rapunzel;1255435 wrote: Does this help? :sneaky: :wah:

Thats actually just awful!

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:24 pm

Rapunzel;1255435 wrote: Does this help? :sneaky: :wah:

Rap...the santa one is funny...but those poor reindeer...they didn't deserve that...they're so cute. :wah:

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:29 pm

It actually quite upset my husband. Sorry you dont like Christmas Rap, but WE do!

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:34 pm

Raven;1255446 wrote: It actually quite upset my husband. Sorry you dont like Christmas Rap, but WE do!

Sorry Raven, but I think I was just encouraging it. I used to love Christmas, my favorite time of the year, but this will be the first Christmas since my hubby died in March, and I'm dreading it...he made it so special and wonderful. Sorry if I rained on your parade hun.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:38 pm

Rapunzel;1255435 wrote: Does this help? :sneaky: :wah:

Santa's reindeer are dead?

yipppee! Christmas is canceled.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:48 pm

You guys are plain sick.:yh_sick bet you pull off the easter bunnies tail too!:yh_tong2

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:06 pm

Raven;1255463 wrote: You guys are plain sick.:yh_sick bet you pull off the easter bunnies tail too!:yh_tong2

No, but thanks for the idea. :sneaky: :yh_rotfl

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:07 pm

shelbell;1255451 wrote: Sorry Raven, but I think I was just encouraging it. I used to love Christmas, my favorite time of the year, but this will be the first Christmas since my hubby died in March, and I'm dreading it...he made it so special and wonderful. Sorry if I rained on your parade hun.

I'm sorry Raven hunni, I didn't mean to rain on your parade either.

I, too, used to love Christmas. The best bit was always a huge family gathering just before Christmas. However, my sister caused a MAJOR family argument several years ago and now none of us talk to each other and haven't for about 5 years. It used to be the happiest time, now Christmas saddens and depresses me for all the joy that we had that is now lost. Believe me, I've tried to fix things, but no-one wants to know. Now I find Christmas unutterably depressing. I'm sorry I let my sadness at this loss of joy taint your thread. I'll try to summon up some joy for you from now on.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:21 pm

Raven;1255463 wrote: You guys are plain sick.:yh_sick bet you pull off the easter bunnies tail too!:yh_tong2

ohhhhhhhhhhh bunny tails!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

its just this Christmas I detest....

my husband walked out a few months ago, he found someone else.

:(

-5:rolleyes::eek::yh_pig:yh_wave

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:29 pm

Well at least we have each other! And thats saying alot! :yh_hugs:yh_kiss

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:38 pm

Raven;1255479 wrote: Well at least we have each other! And thats saying alot! :yh_hugs:yh_kiss

That is saying tons Raven...we can all be part of the fg Christmas family. :-6

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:57 pm

And so true! :-4

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:47 pm

I have a deal with Santa.:sneaky:

If I can save for a one way trip to England,Ireland,Scotland & Wales,he will give me the other half.

Silly Santa he now owes me big time:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

The plans are well under way.

I do love watching our grandchildren at xmas :-4:-4:-4 The wonder of it all:-4

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:35 pm

((((((((((((((( Shelbell ))))))))))))))))

I love Christmas now. When I was a kid it was one of the least happy times of the year. Family problems always seem to be more focussed then. I used to wander off as soon as I decently could.

The people across the road from my house were Latvian refugees. They had been interned by the Germans and then the Russians and finally released, with nothing, and one less child. But each Christmas they adopted me, the sad-eyed kid from across the road, and their family celebration was an inspiration. I helped decorate the branch of a gum tree with bits of painted newspaper, and in the kitchen they taught me to bake special sugar pastries and we all got covered in flour and ended up laughing and singing. The father played carols I didn't know on a guitar. There were very small gifts only, mostly home made. Somehow they'd kept the essence of the Festival without getting swamped in the mega stress, commerce driven mad rollercoaster which makes most people hate what really should be a season of love, joy and peace.

I've tried to carry on, for my own family, what I learnt then.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 3:26 am

AussiePam;1255524 wrote: ((((((((((((((( Shelbell ))))))))))))))))

I love Christmas now. When I was a kid it was one of the least happy times of the year. Family problems always seem to be more focussed then. I used to wander off as soon as I decently could.

The people across the road from my house were Latvian refugees. They had been interned by the Germans and then the Russians and finally released, with nothing, and one less child. But each Christmas they adopted me, the sad-eyed kid from across the road, and their family celebration was an inspiration. I helped decorate the branch of a gum tree with bits of painted newspaper, and in the kitchen they taught me to bake special sugar pastries and we all got covered in flour and ended up laughing and singing. The father played carols I didn't know on a guitar. There were very small gifts only, mostly home made. Somehow they'd kept the essence of the Festival without getting swamped in the mega stress, commerce driven mad rollercoaster which makes most people hate what really should be a season of love, joy and peace.

I've tried to carry on, for my own family, what I learnt then.
I think we could all do with a big dose of humble pie. The season shouldnt be associated with stress, so why do we do it to ourselves?:-2

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 3:28 am

62

days to

Christmas!!

told you it was a countdown! :p

Barman · Post by **Barman** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 4:03 am

Raven;1255554 wrote: 62

days to

Christmas!!

told you it was a countdown! :p

63 and it will all be over, hooray.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 4:15 am

Barman;1255561 wrote: 63 and it will all be over, hooray.

Scrooge! :p

Barman · Post by **Barman** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 4:16 am

Raven;1255567 wrote: Scrooge! :p

Not really, just bought a new Karaoke machine and the kids are coming over for Christmas, pity the neighbours.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 4:18 am

Barman;1255569 wrote: Not really, just bought a new Karaoke machine and the kids are coming over for Christmas, pity the neighbours.

Sounds fun! They'll get over it!

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:02 am

Raven;1255553 wrote: I think we could all do with a big dose of humble pie. The season shouldnt be associated with stress, so why do we do it to ourselves?:-2

I don't know, Raven. It is possible to stop. To say no to most of the work etc gettogethers you don't really want to go to anyway, to keep gifts small and meaningful, to refuse to get impatient and rude in shops when everyone else is out of their minds fighting their way through the crowds, to sing the songs, do the family stuff quietly, eat a nice meal but not stuff oneself till you're ill, and enjoy a glass of champers without getting totally wasted.

We're being brainwashed and manipulated by commercial interests into believing that love can only be shown by spending money, and spending it until we've maxed out our credit cards.

Resist!! Relax! And have fun.

I hafta find the priceless Tom Lehrer Christmas song - if I can, I'll post it on the music embed forum.

YouTube - Tom Lehrer- A Christmas Carol

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:18 am

Exactly! LOL! That was hilarious! but true. Since when did we stop getting excited over clementines and a bit of ribbon for our hair?

The commercial capitalism has so embedded into the modern psyche, that Christmas is now associated with a credit card versus the birth of Jesus! It is so powerful an industry, it even makes Jehova Witnesses resentful!

I refuse to buy into that this year. Which will be easy, because as a full time student, I'm bloody poor! I'm going to stick with the simple pleasures. Homemade treats for pressies, and enjoy midnight mass the 24th. In spite of Debenhams having 75% off everything! :p

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:28 am

Raven;1255593 wrote: Exactly! LOL! That was hilarious! but true. Since when did we stop getting excited over clementines and a bit of ribbon for our hair?

The commercial capitalism has so embedded into the modern psyche, that Christmas is now associated with a credit card versus the birth of Jesus! It is so powerful an industry, it even makes Jehova Witnesses resentful!

I refuse to buy into that this year. Which will be easy, because as a full time student, I'm bloody poor! I'm going to stick with the simple pleasures. Homemade treats for pressies, and enjoy midnight mass the 24th. In spite of Debenhams having 75% off everything! :p

Me too, Raven!!! I took the kids every single year, even when they were tiny, to Midnight Mass - and we loved looking at all the lit up windows and tree lights on the way, and the stained glass windows of the church looked like old gold illuminated manuscripts, and the incense was wonderful, and the singing and bells and everything. Laughing people. Getting home at 2am, all of us having a glass of sherry (only time in the year) and a mince pie (and leaving one of each out for Santa), then sleeping till late morning... then putting on a carols record, opening pressies while grazing on summer fruit and bits of leg ham (once a year) - then sticking the turkey in the oven and all going out for a long walk in the bush. Greeting neighbours who were doing the same. Christmas Day is hot in Australia, so we have the main meal in the early evening. Gentle and slow.. It's only a slightly more complicated Sunday roast after all (I do make bread sauce but no big deal) .. and then we fall down in front of some silly Christmas film repeat.....

That was in Canberra. Now I'm living in Sydney, we go to the beach for a mid afternoon swim.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:35 am

AussiePam;1255597 wrote: Me too, Raven!!! I took the kids every single year, even when they were tiny, to Midnight Mass - and we loved looking at all the lit up windows and tree lights on the way, and the stained glass windows of the church looked like old gold illuminated manuscripts, and the incense was wonderful, and the singing and bells and everything. Laughing people. Getting home at 2am, all of us having a glass of sherry (only time in the year) and a mince pie (and leaving one of each out for Santa), then sleeping till late morning... then putting on a carols record, opening pressies while grazing on summer fruit and bits of leg ham (once a year) - then sticking the turkey in the oven and all going out for a long walk in the bush. Greeting neighbours who were doing the same. Christmas Day is hot in Australia, so we have the main meal in the early evening. Gentle and slow.. It's only a slightly more complicated Sunday roast after all (I do make bread sauce but no big deal) .. and then we fall down in front of some silly Christmas film repeat.....

That was in Canberra. Now I'm living in Sydney, we go to the beach for a mid afternoon swim.
Swimming on Christmas!! :-3 Where I'm from it's snow up to the armpits! :yh_rotfl

It sounds like you have a FANTASTIC one! It's magical going to church at midnight. There is no feeling like it.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:42 am

Raven;1255604 wrote: Swimming on Christmas!! :-3 Where I'm from it's snow up to the armpits! :yh_rotfl

It sounds like you have a FANTASTIC one! It's magical going to church at midnight. There is no feeling like it.

I've had a few white Christmases. In some ways they feel more traditionally Christmassy.. grin.... but then I'm used to the heat too. The smell of gardenias and sunburnt pine needles. The cicadas. Lots of people have ditched the roast turkey which is climatically silly really and opted for a barbie or picnic on the beach. And I'm always rather sorry for the store Santas all done up in fur etc in 100 degree heat.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:49 am

Yeah now that you mention it, my 3 Christmases in Phoenix Arizona felt like Christmas too. The palm trrees strung up with lights...funny but you can tell a mexican lives in a certain houses because they leave the lights up all year round! Wonder why?:-2

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:56 am

OOOPS. One year I forgot the Christmas wreath and left it on the door till the following November... :sneaky:

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:51 am

I am going to try my hardest this year to carry on the tradition of making Christmas cookies and fudge with my daughters and grandson, but I think that part will be easier since hubby wasn't involved with it. My youngest and I have been talking about decorating the house a bit different and I'll probably have my grandson over for that too...hubby was a big part of that. I'm not sure how Christmas Eve or Christmas Day will go...I think I'll just wait til it gets much closer to make any decisions for that. :-4

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:58 am

shelbell;1255640 wrote: I am going to try my hardest this year to carry on the tradition of making Christmas cookies and fudge with my daughters and grandson, but I think that part will be easier since hubby wasn't involved with it. My youngest and I have been talking about decorating the house a bit different and I'll probably have my grandson over for that too...hubby was a big part of that. I'm not sure how Christmas Eve or Christmas Day will go...I think I'll just wait til it gets much closer to make any decisions for that. :-4

Why not invite the whole family round? Maybe even neighbours too for a lunchtime drinkie? Keep yourself busy, busy, busy until it's all over and you can slump into an exhausted but contented sleep?

Alternatively, go to family for the day. But the first would be my choice.

Hugs sweetie, it's a tough old choice. :yh_hugs

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:32 am

Rapunzel;1255641 wrote: Why not invite the whole family round? Maybe even neighbours too for a lunchtime drinkie? Keep yourself busy, busy, busy until it's all over and you can slump into an exhausted but contented sleep?

Alternatively, go to family for the day. But the first would be my choice.

Hugs sweetie, it's a tough old choice. :yh_hugs

It's too hard to get everyone together...my family all goes to their partners families houses. I'm not close to my neighbors, unfortunately they are all alcoholics and I'm in recovery.

I'm sure everyone will meet up at my moms house, we usually do, for at least awhile....but if my gramma dies before that, I don't know if she'll be up for it. So it's going to be a wait and see thing, which is ok with me cuz I just don't like making any long term plans since I don't know if I'll be up to it at that time or not. But I know I'll make it thru the day...I have no choice in the matter, and will just try to focus more on the reason for the season. :-4

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:16 am

Raven;1255479 wrote: Well at least we have each other! And thats saying alot! :yh_hugs:yh_kiss

true, so will you be at my place Christmas day?:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 1:14 pm

Shelbell - you're five generations there! That is awesome. Christmas is a very hard time when you've lost someone so close to you. But you do get through it, somehow.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 2:25 pm

Odie;1255692 wrote: true, so will you be at my place Christmas day?:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl
I'm a poor student! Maybe you can come to mine?:-6

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:06 pm

Raven;1255774 wrote: I'm a poor student! Maybe you can come to mine?:-6

Odie doesn't do airplanes!:yh_rotfl