MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited December 2013


    I doesn't take much to amuse me, and that is why every year I make a few online snowflakes (and you can too!)


    Make-A-Flake


    image

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited December 2013


    Eli, then you will like these: http://daddytypes.com/2009/05/08/hans_christian_andersens_paper_cuts.php





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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited December 2013


    Wow, that is some fancy cutting, Momine! I have to stick to online versions. They don't let me use the sharp scissors around here.

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited December 2013

    enjoyed making a flake!

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited December 2013


    staynsane, your fruit cake story is the winner in my book, what a doozy! I love that most of us can take disastrous childhood stories, remember them, cherish them & laugh our asses off now! Life is good in that regard!

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited December 2013


    Eph! ThumbsUp

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited December 2013


    H. C. Andersen made those throughout his life, often as presents for kids.

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  • staynsane
    staynsane Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2013


    Thanks Eph. I think that being of a "certain age" allows us to reflect on our experiences of our lives in a simpler time. When we disappeared all day long to play and explore and get into "innocent" trouble. When there were no computers, cell phones and sophisticated electronic games to occupy our time and our minds. When, Christmas morning, I would race to my stocking, eagerly dumping out the contents to find a large navel orange in the foot, whole nuts in the shell, ribbon candy, a few chocolates, and if I had been really good, a couple of small presents.


    When I became Santa, the first year I put fruit and nuts in my kid's stockings boy did I hear about it. Almost as much as the yearly Thanksgiving discussion about the disgusting peanut butter pumpkin pie I made one year. One time, MANY years ago. But I digress. Let's just say Santa's stockings were a big disappointment that year. And when I scaled back and added tangerines and fewer nuts in subsequent years, I still heard that Santa was not living up to his billing.


    Since I have seen the error of my ways, and have eliminated any traces of whole fruit and unwrapped nuts and fill stockings mostly with chocolates, fun goodies and lottery tickets, my girls have declared that their stockings are their favorite Christmas tradition.


    The lure of those simpler times is strong in my mind. My motto in 2013 was "experiences, not things." It has been a good year, and I may just extend that motto for another year. All this reflection makes me sound like my grandmother, back when I was a kid. You know, when she would tell stories of how she walked five miles in the snow to go to school... Morphing into Santa is one thing, but I'm too young to turn into Grandma!

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  • Furfriend2
    Furfriend2 Member Posts: 299
    edited December 2013


    Elimar, the pixs are a hootHappy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2013


    image


    Happy Holidays ladies!


    I had my distal pancreas surgery on the 5th and just got released on the 13th. I have to say this was the most difficult time of my life, but I am SO grateful to have it behind me. They ended up taking about 50% of my pancreas (better than the estimated 75-80%! ), my gallbladder and my spleen. Good news! There were NO cancer cells! So why did I go through this? The pathology report indicated the cyst was mucinous. That put me at a higher risk of it developing into cancer. So yippee! It's all gone now with clean margins and I've dodged the chemo bullet one more time. Now it's time to enjoy the holidays! Hugs to all!


    Jill

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  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited December 2013


    HI all


    Have been busy and am in Miami for a pre-christmas/post-radiation break- will post a pic tomorrow. I have to start way back with the Wine- talked with my MO and an OBGYN friend- neither said no alcohol every again- my MO said 3 alcoholic drinks/week- That is doable for me and some weeks I have zero. My ObGYN friend said if you have a mimosa with brunch a beer watching the game and wine with dinner thats your week so as someone said- everything in moderation.


    Two final words and its delicious even to fruitcake "haters"


    Blonde Fruitcake

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  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited December 2013


    chacha I hope you heal totally and quickly. Congrats on the outcome, I was so happy to read that part :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2013


    Jill, that's great news! Rest up and heal. Don't forget the pain meds, no need to tuff it out

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  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited December 2013


    Jill..Congratulations on the all clear. Now you can celebrate life.....

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2013


    I remember heading for the stockings, too.Orange or tangerine and nuts in the shells in the toe, a banana and a candy cane sticking out the top, a few candies in between, a few small presents.In my house we could get up and get the stockings as soon as we woke up, had to eat at least one piece of fruit before presents could be opened.Usually we grabbed the stockings and piled in on Mom & Dad's bed, bringing their stockings with us.


    I couple years ago I told my family I was not going to do the Christmas shopping thing any more.No kids, none of us need anything or have room for clutter, I just want a nice visit and dinner with the family.I have actually enjoyed the Christmas season more now than ever before!


    I like the experiences, not things motto.I may have to adopt (steal) it!


    Jill--YEAH for good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hooray!!!!!Happy Dancing!!!!!!!


    Blonde fruitcake?Sounds interesting!

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited December 2013


    NM - my Christmas mornings sounded very similar to yours. We were allowed to get into our stockings and the present from santa when we awoke. That orange was to be eaten before any other goodies. I still do stockings with my family - it's the best part!


    Our extended family Christmas entails the children exchanging names and they have stockings. The adults have a gift exchange of sorts where we all bring a "re-gift" and one at a time we pick something from under the tree and can steal from someone else if we like their gift better. So much fun and no financial stress on anyone.


    Chacha - NO CANCER!!!! Such wonderful news to hear. Sending you healing vibes and gentle hugs for a quick recovery.


    Blonde fruitcake - have tried it but I am still a fan of the darker one.

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  • staynsane
    staynsane Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2013


    Yay Chacha! How great it must feel to have your scary surgery behind you! And to anyone facing surgery in the near future, may your experience be much like Chachamoms, with a great result and much desired relief.


    Eli, I forgot to add to others comments about how "on it" you are with the page toppers. Great job keeping things fresh.


    NM and Bars- I like your Christmas style. I floated similar ideas to my family a few years ago and it went over like a lead balloon. I believe the most enjoyable part of the holidays is getting together with family, sharing a great meal, reminding others how much they mean to us and having fun and laughter abound. At some point I will step away from the shopping/packaging/shipping madness and just open up my home to those who would like to share some time together. For now, I got all my packages mailed out yesterday and feel quite pleased with myself...but I understand why some people get stressed out this time of year.

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  • BellaMomma
    BellaMomma Member Posts: 77
    edited December 2013


    Hi!


    Love the beach scene, Merry Christmas to you too!


    What a year! Three out of four son's graduate from college, one also had a wedding, and one more in undergraduate school.


    Been on chemo. since July, only two more to go! Hurray!


    Surgery in Feb., and then on to the future.


    Love scuba, hope I will see some blue water and beach before the end of next year!


    Merry Christmas, and praying we find a cure for Breast Cancer!

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2013


    Barsco--sounds like what we call a Yankee Swap!


    SNS--it took me a few years to work up the nerve to tell my family I wasn't going to do the gift thing anymore,When the time is right, it's right.In the meantime, don't stress, right?


    Welcome, BellaMomma!

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited December 2013


    Welcome Bellamomma - What a busy year for you. We will be cheering you on as you near the end of your chemo. And we will be in your pocket in Feb when surgery time comes around.


    NM & SNS - it was the yr that I was dx that we decided on the Canadian version of the "Yankee Swap" It was just getting to be too much of a burden financially for a few of us and we have kept the tradition going. Some were not keen on it in the beginning, but now everyone has a blast with it.


    Still buying for DH's side of family (kids only) so I am off today to get some last minute goodies. Happy Monday everyone!


    Chacha - hope you continue to feel better with every day.

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  • staynsane
    staynsane Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2013


    Bellamomma- What a year you've had! Best wishes for a much more uneventful 2014! We're glad you stopped by and hope you continue to so we can learn more about you and offer support when needed.

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited December 2013


    chachamom ~ I haven't been here in a couple of days or more, have lost count really, & what do I see?? Your fabulous news!! I am very happy for you! What a relief! Sending healing hugs & best wishes for a wonderful holiday. And what a beautiful fireplace & decorations!

    Welcome Bella!

    Have had some upsetting news about my Sister-in-law.... She is having memory problems according to my brother. A brain MRI has showed no signs of dementia + ....... they think maybe it is a result of many small strokes, not sure. We didn't go to a family Christmas dinner because of the snow storm that went through MI this past Saturday & they were not planning on going anyway because my brother thought it would be too much for her. (several people to be there)  I remember last May when we were all there together she could not even remember where the bathroom was & she has been to that house several times. She doesn't write me anymore, she always was sending me cards & notes. She'd buy new note cards & send me one writing in it, "You get the first one!" or just a card with, "Happy spring! Thinking of you!" ............... I'm very saddened by this............. I hear the sorrow in my brother's voice........... sigh.................

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  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,386
    edited December 2013


    chacha, I was thinking of you, so very glad to "hear" your news!!!!!! Rest up and stay warm by the fire.


    val, sad news about your SIL. I hope you can get together with family soon. Relish the memories and create new ones.


    my friend Karen, has passed on to the next state of being. Just last Monday I was with her and she said, they tell me I'm dying, but I don't feel like I'm dying! She was so strong and brave right to the end. We sat around her bed on Friday night and sang Christmas carols and hymns, she wasn't really conscious but she moved her eyebrows along with the melody. Very bittersweet! She is now free and out of pain!


    I'm right with you guys about the stocking stories. The orange always in the toe, that had to be eaten first before the chocolate orange that was somewhere in there, too. The year I had surgery 3 days afore Christmas, the kids did a stocking for me. It was so sweet. This year only my son will be home. My family has shrunk, but getting some packages off to nephews and brother and SIL.


    I am now having the inside of my house painted. Crazy time of year, but I've been waiting for the painter since spring. The workmen were so sweet, they brought in my Christmas tree and set it up. It had been lying in the yard since Sat. We are suppose to get more snow today.


    Welcome, bella!!!! glad you found us!


    wyo, enjoy the warmth. looking forward to the pics. Have a nice break.

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited December 2013
    macatacmv~ I am so sorry you have lost a dear friend....
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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2013

    Prayers. 

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  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,386
    edited December 2013

    thanks. I have some great memories. I wish I had taken more pictures, tho.

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited December 2013

    macatacmv - very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. What a beautiful way to say goodbye - singing Christmas carols and hymns.

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  • barsco1963
    barsco1963 Member Posts: 2,119
    edited December 2013

    Valjean - sorry that your SIL is experiencing memory issues. Sounds like she has not only been a SIL but a great friend as well.

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  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited December 2013

    Val, that has to be so hard to see a loved one progress with dementia. The notecard story is so cute though...what a treasure.

    Mac, sorry about your friend hon. There's no such thing as being ready no matter what we think. Great story about the singing though. I'm sure you could just feel love all around.

    Hope everyone is able to enjoy these days leading up to Christmas. Don't sweat the smallstuff sistahs :)

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  • Furfriend2
    Furfriend2 Member Posts: 299
    edited December 2013

    Hi Ya'll

    Val & Macatac- some very sad news and also uplifting stories shared here in the last few. Think of all the good times/great memories and stay strong...It is so hard to lose a loved one {{{HUGS}}}.

    Chacha, love the photo  you shared-your home is sooo lovely!Smile

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