Community Chat

[SelahG]

Rowan: NAUGHTY! May as well confess up front. I am beginning to get on my own last nerve now. Here's a little taste of Christmas decorating in N.D. and how my weekend's been going.

That Martha2 certainly gets around! No sooner than I tracked down her forum-hopping on Delphi, than she was off to deck the halls of ... Biltmore???

That should keep her busy for a day or two.

They must be doing the candlelight tour thing. I remember us doing that one year as a family, when the kids were small ... and ALL HANDS! I think I had 15 nervous breakdowns before we got outa there. I wonder if it's changed at all. I wonder if Gracie went!

We couldn't even make it to church today. Too much snow. My highlight of the day has been munching on Lurky's coconut peanut brittle while watching my granddaughter's winter fashion show.

Lurky, Ima' come live with you, where life is easy and bright---sign me up! We'll ride scooters together to the shops and tea rooms. This way, if we break down, I can probably get us going again.

Snappy, your doc is right! I found congenital myopathy on WebMD and it is more of generalized symptom of MANY varied disorders, but I'm sorry it slowed you down so much during your childhood---no matter the exact cause. Can't have been easy to deal with. Considering this, I'm more impressed than ever at how well you cope---and go on to encourage others, too. God bless you, friend and I'll keep praying for you. Glad your sis can now move into her new place. Likely much more spacious for herself and all those furkids! What a nice birthday gift to herself! May she enjoy many more. Prayers for her safety on the freeway if she visits!

At least your SIL is beginning to get offers now. The new realtor must be working out. I know he'll need a garage to store his "baby" in, too. Praying he and your dd find the perfect home for all their needs. Hope you enjoyed church today, if you attended. Would love to see some CA Christmas cheer from your area. I love all styles personally. The diversity is part of the beauty! Maybe Anu will post some after her visit home. I recall you're not big on posting pics. We once visited one of those beautiful old missions down on the Baja, but that was during the summer months way back in ’99. Of course your weather doesn't vary much, but I know the folks and businesses decorate for Christmas. I just never was there during the holidays.

Pearl Harbor; what a solemn memory that must be. It changed the history of the world.

I know DeLaney and Mike went skiing yesterday. Hope they made it back in one piece each!

Thank you for the beautiful pics, ladies---and the prayers---and here you go:

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas season from our house to yours!!!

[agnesann]

Hi, snappy and thanks for being thrilled for me. I'll be thrilled for you, too, once these tests are behind you and you will hopefully be feeling much better soon. I'm thankful your Christmas will be just what you had wished for! Happy birthday to your sister. I have heard about the system coming your way by Friday, and in fact it's pouring rain here now and will continue through Friday. Must be heading your way then. Your sister is a brave one - she just may decide to come on and see you anyway. I'll help you pray for her. I'm grateful I was able to do the waterproofing here. Seems like it's going to go right on being very, very wet here. My dad just called asking what I wanted most for Christmas. I told him a gas card! That should be easy enough, seeing as how he hates to shop anyway.

DeLaney went skiing! I didn't know that - I hope she took some snow pics in the mts!!!

Lurky, I heard the same bad news concerning the flu shots and I woke up sneezing my head off today. I hope if it's anything, it's only a cold. Would hate to have to miss work now. Can't wait to hear all about what the young couple did with your old house! The baby must be due soon. What did you buy her? Thanks for the gorgeous snow pic! All I need is the horse drawn carriage now. Want to see my "park-like setting" lately?

Jacob enjoyed this last year:

The Holiday Express Train!

And Ugly Sweater Day:

Our French restaurant has red flocked Christmas trees now:

And I did manage to finish my decorating, including:

Ta-daaa! Easiest Nativity mantel ever!

I'll hopefully get some better pics later, but this is not a very traditional area. You would see lots of laser type lights and pastel rainbow wreaths and trees. You will even see Christmas weed trees with tie-dyed bows. Very out of my element here - I was considered conservative in Denver... I would love to visit the east coast at Christmastime. Your and Rowan's pics are so sweet!

Rowan, I especially love your art studio - so relaxed and natural-looking! The lighted boats, they also do here, up in Portland. How lucky are you and your mom, that the guys will do most of the cooking for Christmas dinner! My dad couldn't boil water - the Keurig doesn't count, as Mom loves reminding him!

I googled the Biltmore Estate - good grief! Would love to tour it any time at all, but especially this time of year. It has like 70 Christmas trees!!! And that's only counting the ones inside. I'm sure Joy/Martha2 is in decorator heaven! No wonder they charge so much to tour it. I wonder how many people they employ just to get it ready for Christmas?

Here's a link on its history and includes many gorgeous pics:

The Biltmore Estate

Is it how you remember it, Selah? It's certainly in a beautiful location, too, being right in the Blue Ridge Mts. Bet no one called those Vanderbilts hillbillies!!!

Did that elk moose (isn't it?) get tangled into your hubby's Christmas lights?! I hope he didn't have to tangle with it, to get it free!!! Sorry you couldn't get to church, but the brittle sounds so good. Just 3 more days and the last surgery will be over. Just think how much better you'll be feeling by next Christmas! Hugs to you!

Going to watch a couple of my favorite TV pastors now, then get to bed early. Wishing you all a peaceful night!

[SelahG]

Agie, I hope you're not catching the flu! Take some zinc and vit c, if you don't already. Glad you got your decorating done---love the nativity candles! The red trees are cute, too. Had to laugh because I'm sure I saw the "weed trees" back in the late 60s. Then I went to OMO's FB page ... Many of them could have been enjoying those same trees back then. More retro than progresso. What in the world do they want? Have you recently searched the job listings in the Denver area? You never know when something might open up in your field. Don't settle, if you're not happy there.

Yep, that's how I remember the Biltmore! I'm going to their official site next and see what the costs are, and if they still serve dinner, etc. Maybe next Christmas we can be in that area, we have family there.

Snappy, I found these pics of the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA decked out during their Christmas Festival of Lights. Beautiful! Would love to visit there some day.

Today I'm braving the BIG grocery store and have several packages to mail. My neighbor is going with me, in case my legs decide to misbehave. Hope you and all our friends here have a nice Monday.

[DeLaney]

Good Monday, all! I'm really enjoying the pics you're sharing here. I just emailed a few from our weekend, since I don't post people pics or vids here, so SNAPPY will have to take me on my word that we actually got my mom on the snow tube! She loved it!!! First she rode sitting up, then laying on her tummy--then on her back! I think it was very good for her. I haven't seen her really cut loose and enjoy herself like this for years. Dad mostly stood around videoing, but he enjoyed watching her--and us enjoy ourselves. It was Mike, his sister's family, my parents and cousins and their kids, plus two friends from work here and myself. Since everyone so enjoyed the tubing, we didn't actually ski that much, but could watch others--had great views!

AWESOME to watch!

Here you go, Agnes. . . Until you get home to CO:

For Gracie and JOY!

And LURKY:

But I don't think he'll sleep at your feet--or that you'd want him to!

For SELAH:

And her Luke:

For ANU!

ROWAN & SNAPPY: Christmas in Montana!

Best wishes with the testing, SNAPPY! Feel better soon, AGNES.

Prayers for all those devastated by the storm in the Philippines.

A safe, blessed day to all posters!

[Q-Anu]

Hey, everybuddy! Wow, you've all been so busy, and I would LOVE to skate up there, DeLaney - high on a mountain top, in the peace and quiet. Never have, but some day I will! Not sure if I could adjust to living in such solitude - being the chicken I am! But a long vacay there would be great about now! This is exciting news on your mom enjoying time with others, maybe even easing up around Mike - and trying new things! So happy for her and your whole family. My mom is naturally brooding over the ordeal with my youngest sister..... Who could blame her? Seems to be no answers to that one. She fears she'll never even meet that grandchild.

Not to be a total Negative Nelly, but what a weekend we had..... First our son fractured his wrist Sat, during a football game. Then, we arrived at church yesterday morning to learn there could be no services, since it was vandalized! No arrests on that so far..... Came home to find the EMTs next door. Our 41 y/o neighbor suffered a massive heart attack. He is stabilized now in the ICU. I'll have their son over after school and for dinner while his mom stays close to his dad. Must be something to it...... Bad things run in 3s. Please pray for his (CB's) recovery. TY!

Sorry, I don't have any Christmas pics on this phone to share. Will post some later. I do have a link to the Wiki article on the coliseum that snappy referenced, for you history buffs:

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Selah, you and your grands would love the Festival of Lights at the old Mission Inn. Hope you get there some day. Don't wear yourself out shopping, etc. before your surgery!

Maybe Martha2 went to buy that estate, so she can decorate year round! Hope they had fun there. I will read the link from home. Thanks, Agie! For sure, it's good you had your basement sealed when you did. Hope you awoke feeling much better today.

Praying for your test results, snappy. I hope they show nothing very serious to be dealt with. I hope the potential buyers of your SIL's unit are flexible. Would be great if he and your dd could be settled in somewhere fabulous by the new year! Excited for your sister, and I pray she arrives safely, if she visits you on Friday. That is a massive system heading your way.

Hoping all is well with HiLo - haven't seen her here recently.

Hello to Rowan, Lurky and ALL who stop by. Enjoy your day, friends and God bless you!

[Rowan72]

(((((Anu))))) I'm so sorry! That certainly was a bad weekend, for many in your area. I've paused to pray for CB, his wife and son, your own precious son and your church. Even if the vandals are never apprehended, our Lord knows of their deeds. No one ever really gets away with anything. The sooner they are brought to their knees before Him, the better it will be for their own sakes.

I am still praying over your sister's circumstances, too, and for your dear mother. Grandparents do have rights! That may be an angle worth investigating, though I know how these cults operate. They may ship your sister's family off to Heaven only knows where... I have contact info for you to pass on to her, if and when she is ready to safely break free. Wish I could do more in the meantime.

Love all the pics, ladies! DeLaney, did you make that snowhorse yourself? I'm stealing it - I'm a snowhorse thief! Would they still hang me for that in Big Sky Country! Too gorgeous for words up there! Let us know when you're having us all up for a ski/skate/tube holiday! I think, like your mom, the tube will suit me best. May as well start out on my bottom, since that's likely where I'll end up anyway.

Selah, thanks for those CA pics - it would be something to see, wouldn't it? Loving the idea of meeting up in N.C. for Christmas next year. I'll check out the links, too and run the idea by my guys. You have cabin fever and it's not even Christmas yet... Better download more books and movies!

Goodness, Agnes! I didn't realize the Occupy mobs were so prevalent in your area. I haven't seen evidence that they've accomplished anything anywhere, other than making nuisances of themselves. Hopefully they will burn out before drawing the wrath from the wrong people. Love the little red trees, but they need some gold lights, or... something. I'm sure the French will appreciate the tip! Sure am praying you and Snappy's areas will suffer no flooding, or mudslides.

Yes, Snappy, we do honor tradition and history over here... It's not so all over the east coast, so much as here and other pockets, but I get your meaning on the differences. Pros and cons to either extreme, I think. I am going to read Anu's link now on your lovely coliseum. I hope you were able to make your appointments with no trouble today. Prayers for good results, too!

I'm on the hunt for a particular type of vintage lamp. Was outbid on eBay - some have lightning fingers, or software I don't possess! Wish me luck, friends, and have a relaxing evening.

Grace and peace.

[SelahG]

Ro', if you are still around ... It's not an exact match, but close:

"shop freely"

Thank you for the pink moon and dazzling tree, DeLaney!

Prayers going up for CB, your son and Justice, Anu.

For those watching "The Red Tent" on Lifetime, don't forget part 2 airs tonight.

Dream sweetly, friends.

[Rowan72]

Thank you, Selah! Better late than never. Grabbed it this morning. I think he'll love this one even more!

Have a nice Tuesday, everyone!

[WaJa61]

Nice lamp! I love the vintage Art Deco style, Rowan. Hope whomever "he" is will, too. If not, ship it out to me! I would love to some evening take the candlelight Christmas tour of your village. I was only there once, several years ago -- for one day and night -- as we toured the NE. Loved it!!

Happy Tuesday, dear ones! It's a gray, windy, drizzly, cold day here so far. Luckily, I can stay in and get more wrapping done... Now that I've bought and decorated the Biltmore estate. Truthfully, even if I had Martha's money, I wouldn't want it. For all it's beauty and elegant grandeur, it always gives off a bad, creepy vibe to me. My mind immediately goes to Hill House from "The Haunting." (Stop laughing, Selah -- you'll pop your implant!! And yes, you can still stay and dine there -- get married there, too, if that's your cuppa.) But, we were having dinner out with friends and one brought it up -- both couples had never seen it, sooo... One of hubby's brothers lives along the way and his family met us there. Got to give them their gifts, rather than ship them. "A good thing."

Gorgeous pics, all! If you ladies haven't tried this yet, you may want to consider it!

Vanilla candle wrapped in fresh cinnamon sticks. So simple -- use a wide rubber band, until you tie your twine or ribbon bow, then snip it away. Smells divine!!

Selah, thanks for the reminder... I see The Red Tent will repeat on the 12th. Have set it up to record. I remember enjoying the book -- hope the mini-series is well done. My prayers go with you tomorrow and through your recovery. Your daughter-in-law, bless her heart... will change when her schemes no longer work on anybody -- including her poor mom. A united front.

Hope your cold has run its course, Agnes! I just love your Nativity candles -- such a sweet and simple idea. Will look for a set of those for the dining room mantle. Clearly work, of any kind, is not the forte of the OccupyBrats. They are entitled to Nirvana and have no thought to the needs of others. What this will result in eventually, out of necessity for peace and order, is the exact opposite of what they claim to want: the police state. No doubt their extremely wealthy sponsors know this all too well. BAU for the enemies of freedom. I'm sorry it's impacting your life and even interfering with your son's treatment sessions. I would complain to the city council and send them the bill for each appointment missed due to this nonsense. Any wages loss from your job, too.

DeLaney, your mom was so cute on her tube!! You all were, but it's especially heartwarming to see her enjoying herself. Thank you, from Gracie and I, for the snowhorse! She'll insist on making one now, when we get some snow. Hope you kept the mold.

Anu, I've prayed for CB and family, your sister's situation, your son's wrist to heal well and for your church to be restored to the glory of Christ. That happened here once, but rather than vandalizing the inside of our church, they were limited to the outside. Back in the late '80s before our church was built, on the edge of the property, up on the hill overlooking the highway, the Rev. Bernard Coffindaffer planted the three crosses as he traveled through on his mission, "Crosses Across America". There they stood until 2007, when vandals decided to take a chain saw to the center cross, then spray-painted neo-na_zi graffiti on the outside of our church. Desecrated a small cemetery, too. Fools will be fools until the end of time here. Pray for them and carry on. Our pastor had a new, exact replica cross built and he, himself planted it back, while we all scrubbed away the symbols of hatred. It all pales in comparison to what our Lord suffered on our united behalf. This will only make your congregation stronger, affirming their faith. Enjoy this most blessed season!

Dear Snappy, so glad your state is finally getting the much needed rain. Hopefully not too much at once, though. Woo-hoo, your sister's dream is coming true, and soon enough your daughter and new SIL will be realizing theirs , too, God willing! I have no doubt He will guide them in wisdom. See you through these health concerns, as well! You're not missing anything in the larger department stores anyway... Just more and more of the same. Your Christmas Eve and Day plans sound ideal!! Our son-in-law's parents have invited us to their local ranch for Christmas Eve dinner, then I'll host Christmas dinner here, with the help of my daughter, daughter-in-law and youngest son's fiancée. Her parents are coming to stay with her, then dine with us. Gracie is in charge of decorating cookies and folding the napkins to look like geese. My sister will be here for a few days, but my brother's wife isn't up to the trip this year. That following weekend, Zach and family will visit, as Gracie keeps reminding Bo... He seems to get it, too. Gives one short "wuff", like "yes!"

Youngest son moved into his new home over this past weekend. He believes himself done -- hah!! Now the interior decorating and landscaping begins. I will leave his fiancée, her family and friends to it. Gladly... while I pray the relationship has what it takes to endure. My son's idea of decor is the widest, wide screen TV ever made, a NASCAR banner, Bose speakers everywhere and his Atlanta Braves bobble head collection. Lord help her -- I did try!!

Wishing you each a wonderful day, with love and blessings in abundance!

[SelahG]

Hill House

Biltmore Estate

I can see that, Joy! Makes me want to go all the more ... Just to listen for the banging and watch the wooden panels morph!

WELCOME BACK!!!

Thanks for the prayers. I am set to go. I think. Forecast looks good for our very early trip in. Have to leave here at 4:00 am. Luke will call Rowan if anything goes awry. Otherwise, I should be in touch by the weekend.

Hey, I've seen the three crosses all over the country! Did you meet the Rev who erected them? Going to read the link, thanks.

Yep, a united front is required and maybe some sort of therapy, too. Her mother is a very sensitive and rather naive, or innocent type lady. Maybe family counseling could help, but I don't feel it's my place to suggest that, other than to my son.

You're going to be busy straight through the holidays, as usual. But then I know that's how your crew rolls! You MUST send us a pic of Gracie's napkins. Wonder where she picked up this talent? Hugs to her and little Zach when he gets there.

Your son's future bride has her work cut out for her! Have they set the date yet? Knowing him, he'll want to elope!

Enjoy The Red Tent. I thought it played out very nicely. Loved the cast, but of course the book was better written. Last episode EVER for SOA tonight. That is sure to be explosive. Catch it, if you dare!

Waving to all our friends here! God willing, I'll chat more with you soon. A nice rest of the week to you all.