I'm not ready for Christmas

[pjtoledo]

due to kids getting married and involving other families, the immediate family had Christmas last Saturday the 9th.
then on the 27th her side gets together. sooo,,, on actual Christmas day I'm thinkin' of having dinner at Waffle house.
logistics, what a PITA.

to cheer me up, I'm thinking of getting myself something expensive, that comes with tool bits.


no snow here in Northwestern Ohio either. so far the ONLY snow we had was DURING TRICK-or-TREATING, the kids got blasted with a 30 minute blizzard.

 

[pjtoledo]

No snow here either. Southwestern PA has always been a bit of a crap shoot for snow around Christmas since the 1970's anyway. If recent history is any kind of indication, we'll get something on the drive home from Ohio after visiting family. Whether is sticks or stays is anyone's guess. Since we'll be in the "Mistake on the Lake" region for Christmas, there is a higher probability we'll see some there than at home.

Lake Erie is open and warm this year. that makes for heavy lake effect. you have been warned.

 

[dvdswan]

Well I'm with you @Jim Oaks

It has been a bummer type of season. The wife is super stoked about our 1st grand child in February, and I mean super stoked. At first it was baby clothes but since mid-November it's been Christmas for her. I haven't put lights up outside the last couple of years. I'm not being scrooge Ish or anything like that. I'm tired of the pushing, shoving, I saw it first attitude when I'm shopping for groceries. I still have some spirit but it's not the commercialization of Christmas it's the lack of respect most everyone shows towards each other. I feel that is ruining all of our holidays.

On the bright side. Our granddaughter, when she arrives will be the best thing since sliced bread. Now that I'm excited about.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, I’ve had my fill of the over-commercialization of holidays and my favorite holiday being largely forgotten (Thanksgiving). And even that, it’s one day where we’re supposed to be thankful for what we have and celebrate that, then it’s run someone over in the parking lot on Black Friday while we rush to buy “stuff” like we weren’t thankful for anything the day before. Argh. I’ve said for years, Thanksgiving should be four days of feasting.

@Jim Oaks , @snoranger , Happy Birthday to both of you.

I know in our home the lack of “festive ness” is partly due to the loss of my one grandmother and to some dumb family squabbling. The mild weather and an effort to make the most of it doing stuff we can’t usually do this time of year doesn’t help either. It’s been a rough year. But in the end, all you can really do is make the best of it.

 

[rumblecloud]

Mine was on the

I don't know why.

My birthday was December 5th and my Christmas tree is usually up by then. It's usually up right after Thanksgiving.

I haven't put up a single Christmas decoration.

I've only bought one gift that I'm not even that crazy about.

I feel like Scrooge. I just can't get in the spirit this year.

I have less than 10-days to figure out gifts and get them sent.

Anyone else in this boat, or am I floating alone?

View attachment 103156

Happy Birthday Jim!!
Mine was on the 6th and I have no decorations up. However, we did get all our shopping done this past Tuesday, the 12th. Supplemented by online purchases, it wasn't too bad. Didn't seem like there were the usual crowds out this year though.

 

[Roert42]

Normally Christmas is my favorite holiday. Just been so busy that I haven’t been bothered to do anything.
First year I haven’t put up a tree or any decorations in as long as I can remember.


I normally start shopping for gifts around 4th of July. I got my wife a gift, that’s about it.

Although, every year a few of my friends I’ve known forever get together and have a Christmas party. So I’m excited for that.

 

[mikkelstuff]

Gratitude! Attitude of gratitude works best for me.

I now own the mighty fine 2002 4WD Ranger XLT extended cab truck that my older brother and I bought for our Dad back in 2005.

And yes the ovarian cancer has returned to my lovely wife of 5 years now meaning another year of chemo - but I get to value each day with her!

 

[Rick W]

I find Christmas and birthdays always challenging. Those are the milestones where we look back on who we are and what we’ve accomplished, and what we’re exposed to. Being stressed and disillusioned is normal, and healthy, as long as we also notice the things we have that are good, the quality of our friends, and the safety and happiness of the people we love.

The unbridled corruption in the government, and lack of faith in general, I think, all caused by the power of the infinite knowledge in the cell phone, have made this time particularly difficult.

While I try to conduct my life being helpful and humorous, and not just with the people in my circle, I find that a little giving works magic this time of year. I live on a two lane road in a very nice neighborhood, but it is very busy since it’s the main road in and out of the area. There is a Jewish synagogue in walking distance of my home & let me say I’m a Catholic. If you’re not familiar, the Jews, as part of their religion, wear very modest clothing, usually black or very dark colors, when they attend services. When they come out of the synagogue at night, it can be hard to see them on this dimly lit residential street.

Twice, I came way too close when someone was crossing the street in the dark, and from talking to my neighbor, I’m not the only one.

Well, I’m probably going to hell for as much as I complain, but I try to address concerns or problems with a helping hand, and a solution, and usually with a little humor.

I drove over to Grainger and bought two of those double sided reflective “Stop sign” hand paddles ($140). At about 6 o’clock last night I went to the synagogue, doors locked, and I knocked on the door. A buzzer let me in to the empty cavern, and a quiet voice said “over here.”

It turns out the Ranbi was wrapping up for the day, so I got to meet the head man. I told him my story, and I gave him the paddles. It’s the first time in a long time I have seen a grown man so obviously touched with emotion. In this time when half the world wants to exterminate these people, and my experience is they’re very good people, a total stranger came in and offered him the paddles so his people would be safe.

“Rick W saves the Jews!”

No, scratch that.

I challenge you. When we do a favor for or help a friend, it’s always very nice for both of us. When we go out of our way, with a gesture of goodwill, a helping hand, a little time and money, to someone in need, well use your imagination…

I’m not looking for any kudos or praise for doing this. Not the reason I mention it. When do I’ve done so before, I’m usually completely anonymous. But I thought I’d offer up the suggestion in these very troubled times. Do it! and inspire others.

I guess my main point is to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas:

“ @Jim Oaks followed the star to Bethlehem.” (Or was it Joseph?). Regardless, you know how it ended up. God came into our lives as the Lord Jesus, in the most humble fashion imaginable, as a baby, lived among us, and then gave his life so that we would have everlasting life. (if you choose to buy in).

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a RANGER; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
-Luke 2:7 (sort of)

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, good health and cheer, and success to all of you!

 

[James Morse]

As usual we talk for weeks about "we need to get stuff for Christmas" then we wait until it's almost too late and then say "next year we have to start earlier" (but never do).
For a few years what we mainly do it pick out stuff for ourselves and maybe even order it ourselves then when we open it say "wow! that's just what I wanted! How did you know?"
Went to Marshall's for some stuff and there was a serpentine line really long. 12 registers and only 3 open. It was packed.
Found Meisha's stocking (one I had to put down Dec. 4) that kind of bummed me. I guess I'm not missing all the hair, seems like brushing or not it was always necessary to clean every 3 days, but then I always had GSD my whole life except for, usually, brief times without so I was used to it. Haven't thought seriously about another dog yet but looked around a lot. I kind of tend to think it's not a bad idea to find one say four to seven (approx) months old if they are house trained and have their AKC papers, lots of times have some obedience training, then you're spared some work, but you have to ask questions. It's probably a roll of the dice however you go with it. And wtf is "rehoming fee" if the person is trying to find a place for a dog they don't want, why are they trying to recoup money on it? Between all the stuff I had to do with mine over the last couple years it added up to about what I spent on the Ranger. Problem is, dogs aren't trucks. Vet could fix anything until it got to the cancer, that's a bitch. Sorry for thread wander.

 

[sgtsandman]

I find Christmas and birthdays always challenging. Those are the milestones where we look back on who we are and what we’ve accomplished, and what we’re exposed to. Being stressed and disillusioned is normal, and healthy, as long as we also notice the things we have that are good, the quality of our friends, and the safety and happiness of the people we love.

The unbridled corruption in the government, and lack of faith in general, I think, all caused by the power of the infinite knowledge in the cell phone, have made this time particularly difficult.

While I try to conduct my life being helpful and humorous, and not just with the people in my circle, I find that a little giving works magic this time of year. I live on a two lane road in a very nice neighborhood, but it is very busy since it’s the main road in and out of the area. There is a Jewish synagogue in walking distance of my home & let me say I’m a Catholic. If you’re not familiar, the Jews, as part of their religion, wear very modest clothing, usually black or very dark colors, when they attend services. When they come out of the synagogue at night, it can be hard to see them on this dimly lit residential street.

Twice, I came way too close when someone was crossing the street in the dark, and from talking to my neighbor, I’m not the only one.

Well, I’m probably going to hell for as much as I complain, but I try to address concerns or problems with a helping hand, and a solution, and usually with a little humor.

I drove over to Grainger and bought two of those double sided reflective “Stop sign” hand paddles ($140). At about 6 o’clock last night I went to the synagogue, doors locked, and I knocked on the door. A buzzer let me in to the empty cavern, and a quiet voice said “over here.”

It turns out the Ranbi was wrapping up for the day, so I got to meet the head man. I told him my story, and I gave him the paddles. It’s the first time in a long time I have seen a grown man so obviously touched with emotion. In this time when half the world wants to exterminate these people, and my experience is they’re very good people, a total stranger came in and offered him the paddles so his people would be safe.

View attachment 103407

“Rick W saves the Jews!”

No, scratch that.

I challenge you. When we do a favor for or help a friend, it’s always very nice for both of us. When we go out of our way, with a gesture of goodwill, a helping hand, a little time and money, to someone in need, well use your imagination…

I’m not looking for any kudos or praise for doing this. Not the reason I mention it. When do I’ve done so before, I’m usually completely anonymous. But I thought I’d offer up the suggestion in these very troubled times. Do it! and inspire others.

I guess my main point is to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas:

“ @Jim Oaks followed the star to Bethlehem.” (Or was it Joseph?). Regardless, you know how it ended up. God came into our lives as the Lord Jesus, in the most humble fashion imaginable, as a baby, lived among us, and then gave his life so that we would have everlasting life. (if you choose to buy in).

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a RANGER; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
-Luke 2:7 (sort of)

View attachment 103406

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, good health and cheer, and success to all of you!

I have a bag of chunks of coal from the AOAA trip to distribute for Christmas. The girlfriend and her daughter liked it. I guess I'll see if the trend continues. Her daughter didn't even know what it was until we explained it to her, she's 18...

 

[Rick W]

I have a bag of chunks of coal from the AOAA trip to distribute for Christmas. The girlfriend and he daughter liked it. I guess I'll see if the trend continues. Her daughter didn't even know what it was until we explained it to her, she's 18...

You gave the girlfriend and the daughter coal and they liked it? Hey, it’s the 22nd, do you think you could airfreight me a piece for sweet pea?

Oh, and one other thing: do you have a spare room I can stay in?

 

[sgtsandman]

You gave the girlfriend and the daughter coal and they liked it? Hey, it’s the 22nd, do you think you could airfreight me a piece for sweet pea?

Oh, and one other thing: do you have a spare room I can stay in?

Yep! The girlfriend got a big old chunk of it too. It is about 6" on the longest side.

We leave for Ohio this evening. So, shipping you a chunk is not possible.

Yes, we have a spare room. Luck would have it that next week is supposed to be pretty warm. In the 50's for a high. You might not even need to dig out the parka for the stay.

 

[RobbieD]

You gave the girlfriend and the daughter coal and they liked it? Hey, it’s the 22nd, do you think you could airfreight me a piece for sweet pea?

Oh, and one other thing: do you have a spare room I can stay in?

Simple. When presenting sweet pea the gift, just hold it in front of your face.

By the time you come to in the ER, the coal has become a diamond, and she's so happy with a new diamond that maybe she'll buy you a button for Christmas, which you can then use to replace your nose.