For Older People with Sense

Wren44

I saw an almost accident tonight that still gives me the willies. A teenaged boy ran right in front of a car. He actually leaped for the curb. I was so sure I was going to see him flying in the air.  It was so close I wondered if the car brushed him. His mother witnessed it and I'm sure he's in big trouble now. He was staying well out of reach as they walked down the street.

crog234

Lassie11. That is a beautiful lace scarf that your daughter designed...

barbe1958

Lassie, I didn't know you had bc twice!! Beautiful scarf, lovely words....

gardengumby

granellie - those are simply beautiful. 

and lassie - same with your daughter's patterns.  Beautiful. 

Isabella4

Granellie, what absolutely fantastic work you do...HOW do you find time.

Leah ...are you OK over there ??? Things look very hairy on the news, can you and yours be safe ?? Why do people need to be always fighting ?

Alyson. I feel for you with your sister and her problems in your house. It would drive me to drink ! You really need to sort something out for when DH retires, or it will be all out war in your house !! You only have one life.

Trying to put a bit of enthusiasm into Christmas. I just cannot get interested this year, and wish it would pass me by. I shall go to DDs for the day, but it will be mayhem. The house will be full to bursting..so far there will be 21 going. I am taking DH with me, or he will be alone...but...I'd much rather sit at home for the day, feet up, box of chocs, and microwave Christmas dinner. I keep trawling sites on the internet for presents, but don't seem to be able to see what I want. Actually I have no idea what I want as DD and family seem to have everything. Been there, done that, I am at a loss. I have asked DD what they all want, but she says 'anything will do'.  Fine.  I know anything WILL NOT do for these label conscious kids of today, if I waste money on something without the correct logo it will never get used.  I am just looking around my house now, and my nearly 4 yr old Gd has toys galore all over the place...good toys, that someone has spent a lot of money on, and she just has a big basket of them here, plus a collection of dolls which seem to be placed in every nook and cranny of the house. When she comes she hardly gives them the time of day, but woe betide me if I try and shift them ! I think I will have to upset her after Christmas, and move them away. I am sick of dolls watching me eating, sewing, watching TV, and they're even in the bathroom. I feel watched when I go 'spend a penny' or hop in the shower!!!

Isabella.

Wren44

Isabella, It depends on where you live, but we've given passes to the zoo or science museum, or similar to our grandkids. It lasts the year and can be used multiple times. DD almost lived at the zoo with her two for several years. Children with that many toys are not going to notice another after the first surprise. Children's magazines are another idea. Our family has scaled it down to one present to your spouse and presents to grandchildren. At my age, I want people to come and take stuff away.

ptdreamers

I now understand my parents. They used to send checks and I resented that they didn't spend time trying to find gifts. Now that I have reached their age I realize I have no clue what anyone really wants or needs as they are all far away. So I get gift cards for Starbucks, Walmart, Itunes and Visa cards they can use for anything. I do try to find a small trinket to include that I think they might like.

SoCalLisa

Bah humbug

QCA

Just read some news reports and thinking about Leah.  Hope all is will with her.

Kathy

barbe1958

I have begun giving things I make to my kids these past Christmases. Framed photos, wall quilts, pastels, etc. I think it will mean a lot more when I'm gone. The grands get a little bit of a toy as they are too young to know the diff. 3 under 3 this year!!

SoCalLisa

The adults have a secret santa so we all only have to buy one present and the kids do the same thing 

We usually give our grandkids a week of camp...

purple32

THX for all the help on the pics...we'll see !

Leah_S

Things are very tense here, though where I live is not within the range of Hamas's missiles (at least for now). My DD and her family have relocated to her MIL's house since she lives down south (this is not the one with the newborn twins; at least she's able to stay home).

All I can do is pray.

Leah

chabba

Leah, You, your family and countrymen  have been in my heart and prayers since the current strikes started. 

Nel138281

I am just finding this group.  How wonderful.  Isabella4, I don't have any young kids to give to, but I think this would work as well.. I have told my closest friends that instead of exchanging gifts that I wan to "do something " with them this year.  So a play, concert etc even after the season is over.  Something to look forward to ..  The idea of passes to the zoo or a museum is wonderful and maybe if you are close enough, you go with them.   A coupon book for an activity a month, ie: ice cream , pizza , the zoo, the library.  I think I will do this with my kids this year, teens tho they may be!   It is the memories not the gifts. 

Be well,

Nel

Wren44

Leah, Hope you and yours are able to stay safe.

SoCalLisa

Welcome Nel..pull up a chair...

Leah thinking of you and yours,

Alyson

Have had busy day but good one. Starting to think about a trip next year and I have said I wanted to go to Nova Scotia to do some research on one line of my family. DD said I should do some more searching before we go so in about an hour found my gggrandfather's family in Cape Breton so feel very pleased- its such a big break through. Up until now not a thing could I discover about him.

Nel welcome, join in the fun.

Leah, big hugs.

chrissyb

Hi Nell and welcome to our little family. Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and jump right in to the conversation as the mood takes you.



My grand children are all teenagers and of course are always short on the shiny stuff (money) so they get a card with cash. Makes my life easy and they enjoy the things they can do or get with the gift. They usually save it as well as what they get from others and buy a big ticket item that otherwise would be out of reach for them.



Leah keeping you and your family in my thoughts and hoping you stay safe.



Have a good day all!



Love n hugs. Chrissy

barbe1958

Prayers to you, Leah, and all who you love!

Because so many of my kids and I were in retail, we usually do Christmas on New Years Day. Much more fun, takes the stress out and you can get some discounted gifts! Then last year, my son wanted me to make a stocking for his new son and he showed up BEFORE Christmas!! Good thing I was ready!! Whew! Not getting together on Christmas Day gave them the time to see their Dad and other family sides without worrying about us, but now this year I have NO idea what is going to happen! Saw NO ONE for Thanksgiving again this year!! I won't be waking up at 3 am to be at work at 5 am for Boxing Day again this year. That took a lot of joy out of Christmas, that's for sure!! Working the day is a lot different than shopping the day!

Dilly

Welcome Nel. This is a nice group. As ever, we are sorry you had to join us.

Leah, I was relieved to see your post. Have been concerned for you and your family and adding my prayers.

Christmas:  bah humbug.  I can't get in the mood.  DH & I will likely get together with family during the holidays, but nothing special planned for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Gift cards or money seems most appreciated by my kids & grandkids.  I like it when they let us know what they got with the money.. but that doesn't happen often.

SIL is coming this weekend though. She'll watch the house & dog while we go on our sailing adventure cruise - we leave in about 10 days.  I am getting pretty excited.  So excited I've broken out in a rash that has to clear up before going to the tropics... has the doc stumped on such short notice so we are throwing everything at it - if it's bacterial, I have cream. If it's fungal I have ointment.  He says use em both.... Plus gave me a cortisone shot (my first).  He thinks I may have an underlying, unknown infection.  I may try to see him again tomorrow (he only has office days sometimes since he is now in admin too) especially since it's a holiday week ... I am trying to keep my small disappointments in proper perspective, but I'm a bit bummed and anxious - which only aggravates the rash... oh poor me.

gardengumby

Leah - take care.   I've been thinking of you.

Christmas this year will be with family in Hawaii.  We're going for a month.  My MIL lives there 8 mos of the  year, and our son and his family (they live on a different island) will come join us for a few days over Christmas.  I'm doing a little shopping here, and will finish once we get there.  I'm looking forward to celebrating Christmas with the grandkids, as we haven't been able to since they moved to Hawaii about 5 years ago.  Unfortunately we didn't plan ahead well enough in the car department - and renting a car in Hawaii over Christmas is prohibitively expensive.  It's almost cheaper to buy one and then sell it when you leave.  So we'll be doing a lot of walking (I keep telling myself that it will be healthier for me.....).

ptdreamers

Leah, Prayin for you and yours. Our nephew, his wife  and their family live there. His SIL has been called up and they have a new baby. So sad. Golda Meir said it so well when she said there will only be peace when they love their chilldren more than they hate us.

Granellie

gardengumby, we spent last Christmas in Hawaii ( 2 weeks on the big island plus 1 on Oahu). We rented cars on both islands from this site at reasonable rates:

 www.DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com

They were good cars from recognized car rental places. Hope you find this helpful.

3jaysmom

yep dec 17th.. got a lot done BEFORE the biopsies were done, cause can't put weight on one of nmy legs, yet.. gonna get one at a time cut out.. i could never get both done at once and walk!!

 this week has been a bust for cleaning, packing, but next week, gotta get busy again.. i don't want to take even 1/.2 of what we have here. much of the furnitures' going, as he's leaving all of his, which is WAY better than ours!!

 I'm getting excited, now its all approved....hope you glas have a great thanksgiving.. with much argument with my dil family, my eldest jay says its at his house thurs.. he's cancelled last minute before,. so we're ding one here, in case.. enjoy, and take some pepto.. thats the paln here.....3jays

Gingerbrew

Leah you have been in my thoughts and prayers since all of this began. Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. 

Hugs Ginger

Ossa

Leah.. thinking of you, stay safe

gardengumby

Granellie - thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try.

Alyson

Hope all of you in the USA have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Elisimo

Leah - I was glad to hear you are safe at least for now. You and all the ones you love are continually in my prayers. Stay safe and keep us posted on how you are doing and those precious babies. Love and prayers, AJ



Lassie - the scarf is beautiful. Your DD has some other pretty patterns as well, I am sure you are so proud of her.



We are spending Thanksgiving with some dear friends and will be at DD#2 for Christmas this year. Gift cards and special handmade gifts are what my all my grandchildren want for Christmas. They all have requested another quilt, so that has been keeping me really busy. Hugs and love to all. AJ