OMG! What was I thinking?? Definite dark chocolate offerings to FCM and beerverages to DogButler, MBG, Swampy and Sean. Please forgive any oversights, and speak clearly into the clown’s mouth for any further orders.
Wonderful OP, MBG! And welcome Lucy!
A Happy Christmas to all the Cool Kids ™ and to everyone else at SDMD too.
The weather here has been rainy and chilly most of the day, but it’s warm inside, and I’ve been up baking and cooking since early this morning. I baked my sweet potatoes first thing, then snapped fresh green beans for my green bean casserole, which I made using Paula Deen’s recipe (which, btw, is absolutely deliciously sinful omg!). After I had the green bean casserole together, I made up the cornbread stuffing, adding mushrooms, onions and sage sausage, and boy does that taste good! Next was a batch of tollhouse cookies, after which I had to lay down for a bit. My daughter prepared the turkey for the oven, and it’s ready now. The last thing to get put together is the sweet potato bake, which is going into the oven just now. So we’ll be eating in just about 30 minutes or so!
Dessert will be the tollhouse cookies, leftover lime jello & pineapple salad from last night, or pumpkin pie with cool whip.
Hope everyone had a joyous holiday and has enough to eat. If not, I’d be willing to share some of ours … except I’m hoping to have enough leftovers to hold us through the week. laughs
The Cornish hen is in the oven, and the laundry is in the dryer. I took a nap earlier. I had an odd dream: Janet Fielding 1.was a Doper and 2. had the hots for me. Ever wish you’d never wake up? 
Here are my Christmas pics.
I’m so sorry, Lib, that you couldn’t travel
Welcome Lucy (SirLucy?) and Lemme - no rules here, just watch out for the goat and the squid
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and Happy Monday for the rest of us. For no reason I suddenly recall when it was I stopped writing Xmas instead of Christmas. I started doing it in grade school, they told us it was an acceptable abbreviation. But when a coworker I respected and considered a friend told me she found it offensive, I stopped. It never even occured to me that anyone would find it objectionable, since retailers all over the world (or at least the NY Metro area) used it with abandon. But because she asked nicely I stopped. And then I saw a sign outside a church that read “Put Christ back in Christmas” and it made sense to me on a literary level rather than a religious one.
My brother called. He was very blue. Understandbly. (for those who weren’t here last year, about a week before Christmas, my SIL suffered a sudden and severe heart attack. The paramedics got her breathing again, and the docs ran all manner of tests, but she was gone, altho her body hung on for a few more days, so the family could say goodbye. She finally died on Christmas eve.)Then I got blue because we started talking about family gatherings. Dad’s gone since '97, Mom since '91, and Sis since '81 - but ever now and then the wound feels fresh. Add to that Younger Nephew(the one who just got married in October)'s FIL is now really on his last legs (lung cancer) The docs are saying a week to 10 days at the most, and they are talking Hospice instead of home care, he’s gotten that bad.
Oh I am so sorry to bring every down like that, but typing it out helped me.
To lighten the mood I’ll repost someting I’d posted a few weeks ago, but it’s appropos so here:
I hope Santa was good to you and that you all have full bellies and sweet dreams - and that your pets purr or wag their tails content in their warm family environment
merry Christmas, ladies and gents. Hope it was awesome.
Hi, LemmeOut! what an awesome present to yourself! I thought I should make my first post sing, but it more likely whimpered.
Sorry about your troubles, Rose 
it really seems to pour around Christmas for some reason, doesn’t it?
Anyway. I’d give a KIDNEY for a fizzy drink right now. My dad got sparkling grape juice, but I won’t drink that because of the sugar. Other than that, all we have is water. and I’m tired of water. I want bubbles.
Christmas here wasn’t bad. But I’m certainly glad it’s pretty much over.
Dottie - have some sparkling grape - A little sugar won’t hurt you (you’re not diabetic, right?) It’s not like you’re going to have a glass of the stuff and then spend the next three days shoving chocolate down your gullet. Your dad wouldn’t offer it to you if it were bad for you. You know we all care about you here in the MMP, and we want to see you healthy. Make a New Years resolution, for us please. Eat sensibly this year. We don’t want to hear about you being in the hospital again.
Ho ho ho, one and all! I didn’t think I’d get to post, but here I am. We had a fun Eve with the future son-in-law’s family, and a goofy gift exchange here in Ocala at my in-laws’ house. Way too much food was consumed and I’m exhausted.
Tomorrow, we return to Orlando to the Science Center to see The Body exhibit, and on Weds, we head home. Fa la la la la and all that. 
Welcome, newly initiated Cool Kids, with a special gold star to **Lemme ** for the chocolates, although after today, I don’t know if I can handle much more… Hope you all enjoy the rest of the day.
Is that mistletoe I see??? MWAH!!
Hey y’all, we’re back in Charleston, the road home.
I have a pitworthy story how Maddy ruined the trip by pissing off our host, coming soon to an MMP near you…
Evening, everyone! Merry Christmas, and chat with you all tomorrow.
This was the best Christmas EVAH! I didn’t have to see anyone in my family, and I don’t have a stomach ache or a migraine, nor did I have to listen to extremely vicious, albeit quietly voiced, arguments. Pure bliss.
I had eggs fried in butter, over easy, with grits and “bacon” for brunch. It was delicious. An hour ago I made chocolate chip cookie dough. Yes, dough. I love chocolate chip cookie dough, although I don’t care for chocolate chip cookies, unless they are hot out of the oven. Cold ones leave me, well, cold.
I plugged the Christmas tree in last night and this afternoon and it looks very pretty. Skunk has curled up in his bed so he can keep an eye on it. It spooks the cats for some reason.
I took a stroll around the neighborhood and it appears that one of my neighbors got a new drumset for Christmas. Thank goodness he’s 2 1/2 blocks away!
Well, I’m back. T’was the usual assortment of Christmas festivities, though we got the gift giving over and done with before dinner this year. There was much merriment once the flurry of wrapping paper and boxes settled. Then we ate, and it was quite the feast. Turkey, maple glazed ham, Waikiki balls, mashed potatoes, gravy, glazed carrots (yecch!), stuffing and cranberries. Fortunately I didn’t overdo it on dinner – just one plate. Then we retired to various activities. The kids went downstairs to the BIL’s apartment to play with his new Nintendo Wii. It was interesting, and rather amusing to watch the kids swinging and bobbing in the various Wii Sports games. I didn’t get into the action except to play some Donkey Kong Jr. that BIL downloaded to his Wii. Being an old schooler, I naturally skunked the competition at that game.
The house itself (as well as their neighbours) were fairly decked out with lights and illuminated Christmas lawn critters – I’ll have to post some pics. I rather like the pervasive decorations of the holidays. They speak of seasonal celebration, and I find them very comforting. I love to see a nicely lit up house and tree. Not overdone like some I’ve seen, but gussied up enough to gleam in the twilight with a warmth that says “here there be Christmas, we bid you welcome.”
Anyway, I have a bit of a headache from all the activity so I’m going to pop a few Advil.
Merry Christmas, MMP!
We had a nice time today. I got pretty tuckered out by the time dinner was eaten, and was the only one who dozed off! Hee!
We got my son a bicycle and he seemed pleased, and also with the WalMart gift card. Also an electronic dart board, and one of those 20Q games.
Dad got a Texas Longhorns watch and a new bathrobe, which he loved. He threw his old ratty terrycloth one in the ragbag! Also we got him the 6-episode DVD of Police Squad from back in the 80’s. He’s already watched the whole thing!
The dogs got Kongs - little chew toy things that you stuff full of treats. Mmm!
Mr Rebo got an electronic chess game that you can play against the computer - since I can’t play. I keep hearing him cussing when it beats him! He also got a gumball machine, and a cute little “redneck horn” that when you press the button, spouts out obscene remarks to bad drivers. Very funny! And a shirt. Just small things, because we are shopping the after Christmas sales.
Except - he spent a lot of money on me, dammit. I got a beautiful heart necklace with diamonds in white gold. I got a wonderful chef’s knife (that I proceeded to cut with myself first thing this morning.) He’s such a sweetie that I can’t stay mad at him!
Dinner was down home all the way. Honey baked ham, sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, black eyed peas, corn, asparagus, and rolls. Cheesecake, chocolate cake, and Christmas cookies for dessert. I’m still stuffed.
Tom’s family came over and much fun was had by all!
Thank God it’s over…
Oh, forgot to say welcome! to all the noobs!
Hey there people,
This is my first MMP and my first day as a member, so y’all let me know if I do anything wrong here.
First, I want to say that this message board is fabulous. I’m more amazed all the time. I’m waiting for the mean people to show up, but I haven’t seen them yet. So thank you to everyone for the niceness.
Then, Merry Christmas everyone!
Thanks for the OP. One day, I hope to get comfortable with Christmas, but I’m just not. I count the hours as it passes by every year. It’s my least favorite time of the year and it can’t be over soon enough for me. For dinner, I had a peanut butter sandwich, some tofu and a baked potato (I’m a vegan) and that was OK, but other than that, I just want the whole thing to be over and it can’t go fast enough for me. I hope next year it’s better. But reading these posts has made me feel better and has given me some ideas, maybe for next year. I like the idea of sparkling grape juice and I haven’t made cookies in forever, so those are some great ideas.
P.S. LOUNE, if you’re reading this, I joined so you wouldn’t kick my ass.
MBG Thanks for the great Christmas OP, and to all: HAPPY HO! HO!
Yesterday, we went to Hubby’s elderly parents in Sequim, WA. We had decided no gifts, since this year hasn’t been very good.
We decided instead, to take everything to make a nice Christmas dinner to the folks, who have provided so many of them for us in the past.
For some reason, “Mom” wanted a picnic, so we had Ham with Pineapple/Cherry sauce, Potato Salad, Corn on the Cob, Green Salad, Shrimp Cocktail, Deviled Eggs, and Stuffing (!?) There was Lemon Pie for dessert.
We didn’t have any ants, or bees to share our picnic, but all in all it was good.
We made enough of everything so they will have a couple meals they won’t have to fix in the next few days.
They were tearfully grateful which, for me, was upsetting. I thought we’d taken better care of them. We’ll pay more attention now.
We came home tired, but unstressed. We didn’t buy gifts for each other. We decided we have each other and that’s enough. Isn’t Christmas about love, after all?
Happy Boxing Day! I am getting ready for work, coffee is brewing and the critters are stirring.
picu, maybe they were just happy to have someone to spend Christmas with?
Heff, you can’t go wrong in the MMP. Christmas can be a drag for me, mainly because I work in retail.
Jahdra, Brainpasture, Rebo, gland you guys had a good time.
rosie, I’m sorry this is a bad time of year.
It’s 3:45 AM, and I just walked the dogs at our hotel. I spotted a Jeep Cherokee in the lot with the license plate ‘CINDYLU’. Who?
Was it an '04 model? Then it would be no more than two.
dogbutler, We’ve spent every Christmas with them for the past 9 years, unless Hubby had to work (once, IIRC) And his brother does the same when he can ( he worked this year)
We visit them every three weeks, unless hubby works overtime.
We talk to them on the phone twice a week.
I’m pretty sure, it’s just getting harder for them to cook and clean. They have home health aids twice a week, but maybe even that isn’t enough.
They have their house on the market, and they’re looking at senior housing/ retirement living.
Hubby is afraid that what they’re looking at isn’t going to meet their needs.
Pop has a vision of what places like SHAG offer, and we don’t think it jibes with reality. He seems to think they’ll have help with meals and cleaning anytime they need it, but I don’t think that’s the way it works.
We’ll see.
So the big day’s been and gone, and we all survived it one way or another. 'im indoors managed an entire day without looking at World of Warcraft once so that made me happy!
We didn’t do much at all, lazed on the sofa watching trashy films (Monsters Inc, Bridget Jones’ Diary, The Lost Boys) and drinking champagne. How very civilised! I cooked a roast dinner for us, although I don’t eat meat myself, and we did very little else.
Today we’re just getting ready to head up the road to Port Glasgow for a bit of parental visiting. His father has Parkinson’s disease and is now very unsteady on his feet and as I haven’t visited since last year, I don’t really know what to expect in terms of how much worse he’s become.
So I’m hoping for a dry day with no traffic queues and a very clear motorway. Fingers crossed!
See you all again on Thursday!