Idhao - December Chat

[PhotoNut]

I think most of you know how much I love the NC group. Well, since they don't all live as close together as we do (and therefore dont have the opportunities to see each other as often as we do) they have a monthly chat thread that they use for every day chit chat between one another.

I was thinking that maybe we could do that too. I know we see each other at least once or twice a month, but some of us can't make all of the meetings and job/life/family/etc often keeps us from having as much social and supportive interaction with our fellow IdaHo bandsters as we would like.

So, what do ya think? Should we do a monthly chat thread too? We can test drive this one for December and see how it goes. If it becomes something that we all enjoy, we can have a thread for each month.

Sound like a plan? Ok, I'll get it started......

[PhotoNut]

Hello all you Idaho losers!

Has this month been as crazy for you as it has for me? I can't believe that Christmas is less than a week away! My brother is flying in from San Francisco Saturday night. We will be having our big Christmas on Christmas Eve, and then he has to fly home on Christmas Day. As my kids got older, we found it depressing to get up early on Christmas morning, tear into the few gifts we had, then sit and look at the mess in the cold stark light of day. So we started a new tradition of having a very special candle light dinner on Christmas eve, followed by our gift exchange around the lit Christmas tree, then drinks by the fire. SO much better! We will have some gifts out for Ethan on Christmas Eve morning, and then he will go to his dad's that night to have a second "Christmas morning" at his house.

What will your family be doing? And is there anyone in need of anything this Christmas? We are family here, if you need anything please say so!

[Jacqie]

I think the monthly chat idea is great. I have a hard at Christmas since my dad passed away just a few days after Christmas, but having my sister's kids around make it better. My family will be going over to my uncle's house on Christmas Eve for a wonderful dinner and time with the family. Then on Christmas day I will be headed over to my mom's for dinner, she is serving Prime Rib and cheese garlic potatoes, yummy!! I love prime rib!!!! Depending on how late I'm at my mom's I might pop over to my friends house to visit. They have a dinner for just about everyone that really doesn't have family close by to spend the day with. It is always a lot of fun. I know this year will be a bit harder for me with Brent not in my life and going off and doing things by myself again and having to answer all the questions as to what happened. Most of my family have no clue so I will have to answer the questions but I am so much better off without him. Oh well I have to deal with it at sometime. I have some amazing friends here with B2G and in Homedale that won't let me be a hermit like I really want to be at Christmas. I hope it snows on Christmas then maybe I can take the kids out tubing with the 4-wheeler, that would be so much fun!!!

[PhotoNut]

Wow, Jacqie! Your family doesn't know yet eh? Well maybe you could give them all a head's up prior to your visit? Then at least they wont be asking you where the dork is.

I know it must be hard for you to go thru the motions this time of year. Ive never been one to go it alone, which is probably why I was so quick to marry poorly (in the past!). I admire you for being so strong, and for forcing yourself to get out there and see that life really can still be fun. In fact, I'm sure that you'll soon be realizing that life is MORE fun now that you're not tied up in knots over the stuff you went thru with whatshisface. heh

I've been hoping for snow too! So what's with this rain?? Hello! Its December!! Bogus shouldnt be the only one with the purdy white stuff!

[LindaV]

We will be celebrating Advent at home here on Christmas Eve with some friends then heading downtown to St. Michaels where their choir will be doing selections from Handel's Messiah at 10:30 followed by a midnight mass.

We will then sleep in on Christmas morning (hopefully) and spend Christmas day here at home with my parents.

I love Christmas!!!

[SpookyJulz]

Susan,

I think the monthly Chat is a great idea.
Both of my kids are going to their dads for Christmas. They will be here Fri evening for Christmas with Tom and Me. Then they will leave Sat morning and be back on the 27th.
Tom and I are going to Idaho Falls to celebrate with my family. There should be plenty of snow in IF!! I don't care much for the lovely, white, slick, stuff. But, it is nice to have it on Christmas. I did miss it a lot when I lived in Calif. I just didn't seem the same without it.

[Dustbunny]

On the Solstice, Friday evening, I hope to go up to Idaho City. They line the main street with luminarias and people walk around the little shops and tube on one of the hills. I was told to bring a thermos of hot mulled wine. More like SF cocoa for me.
For Christmas it will be just Charlie and the three "boys" 14, 23,& 26 and me. We'll do gifts in the morning and visit Grandma and Grampa in the afternoon and exchange gifts with them. Then it will just be hanging out together. I love the morning after.

[Chisaimama]

I think the monthly chat would be fun. I will be having a quiet Christmas Eve at home. On Christmas morning , I hope my niece will pick me up and take me to my sisters house. We usually do late morning brunch, then open gifts and have a Christmas dinner about 6:00pm. Great minds think alike Jacqie. My sister just told me we are having prime rib, shrimp, and garlic.sour cream potato bake.
Susan (Idaho Beauty) and Linda V. amd I had a nice lunch today at Applebee's. I'm sorry you weren't well and couldn't come P'Nut. Then Susan took me to Dr. Cahn's. He said I had a half cc in my band and he put a 1/2 cc in.If I need more I can go back in but we are moving forward cautiously as I still have a lot of swelling from my knee surgery. I was up 9 pounds. What a bummer. but I think it is mostly swelling, water retention, the big lunch I ate and the fact that I was wearing sweats. I'm going to tell myself that and really get back on the ball. It sounds like everyone has a great Christmas planned. Hope to see most of you at the meeting Thursday night.

[PhotoNut]

Linda - I've only gone to one Christmas Eve service and I absolutely loved it. That was the night we started the tradition of doing everything on Christmas Eve. I hope your family has a very blessed night together. And I hope you get to sleep in the next morning! I'm hoping for the same. Hm, is Bogus open on Christmas day? hehe

Julz - How old are your kids again? Do they spend Christmas with their dad every year, or do y'all trade off? And finally -- *sings in a loud froggy off-key voice* Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow... *holds the last note thru the rest of the words* but let Tom and Julz have a safe trip to Idaho Falls and keep the airport open so my brother can be here with uuuuuuuusssssss! *bows*

Deb - The evening in Idaho City sounds enchanting. Like something out of the olden days. I hope you, Charlie, and the boys have a great time. Tell us all about it ok?

Margaret - I'm so sorry I missed your lunch. I was going to call you and talk to you personally, but after talking to Susan for about 10 minutes, I had no voice left! lol I hope you told Dr Cahn what a great party we had, and that he felt bad for not showing up! Especially since you came after getting out of the hospital that morning! lol I have to remember to take his and Deb's gift bags over to them. Hm, I might not make it before Christmas if I dont get better. Oh well, they should have come! lol

Hey, has anyone gone to the gardens out by the old State Pen? Every year I keep planning to go but never make it. We were supposed to go with Pat and Susan last year, but the plans got buggered at the last minute. Is it worth suffering the cold?

Several years ago, I took my kids to see the Boise State choir at the Morrison Center for the Christmas concert. It was awesome! Darn it, next year, I'm going to do more! MORE! haha! I love Christmas.

Where's the snow?? :smow:

[Chisaimama]

I hope you're feeling better P'nut. Deb was planning to come to the party and had all her stuff with her but developed a migraine during the day and went home to bed. We missed you at lunch but we're going to try to have another lunch when Susan and Pat get back and before I go back to work. Maybe you will be able to join us then.

[PhotoNut]

Sorry to hear about Deb. I was really looking forward to having her join us. Poor gal. Migraines are so awful! Let me know about the lunch plans. You know I'm always up for that. :)

[SpookyJulz]

Susan,

Jake is 25 and Jessica is 21. They trade off for Christmas. The only reason my son is going is because his dad bought his ticket to fly up there. But at least they get to go.

[PhotoNut]

Well no worries about the airport for us. My brother just called and one of his closest friends, Dan, has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. His friend has no family nearby, so everyone in their circle of friends have canceled their plans to leave town and will be putting on a "family" Christmas for Dan. I'm very proud of my brother, but I am so sad that he wont be with us. It was to be the first Christmas we were together in almost 30 years.

[WorkInProgress]

Well P'hut since you asked . . . I would like a pony.

[SpookyJulz]

Well P'hut since you asked . . . I would like a pony.

Heather....

A Pony chewing on a Dog House?
:laugh: Not a Chocolate phone with a network?

[KristiR]

An I DEE HOHOHO Chat?! Sounds like fun!

For the last many years I have had a very hard time with seasonal depression. The closer it gets to Christmas, the worse I feel. This year it has not been as bad. I don;t know if it is because Rick is in Iraq or if it is because I have another family living here with me, but the depression is not as bad as it has been in previous years.

I am still having some down time, like when I think about my mom and oldest brother ( mom died in November of 2003, Jim in March of 2004 ), but it helps that my other brother, Mike, and I are finally close. We used to fight constantly! I learned to call him when I knew that he was not home so I could leave a message on his answering machine! Now we talk to each other at least once a week. He is the only one I have left from my family.

[SheryBery]

Ideeho Chat!! Yeehaw!! I've had a busy week so far with my new job. My poor little brain is stuffed full & overflowing with all the information! Yikes! It's going to be very interesting and rewarding when I get into it farther. Each day they're pushing me a little farther outside my comfort zone. But it's been so good for me to do something new. I'm discovering a lot about myself.

As for Christmas plans, we'll be going to Christmas Eve service at our church and then possibly to a movie! My brother & sis-in-law fly in from Phoenix at 11:30 PM on Christmas Eve, so we'll kill some time waiting for them. Christmas morn will be at my house, as we have more gifts to haul than the others, since my boys are spoiled rotten. Then in the afternoon it will be over to my parent's for dinner and games and visiting. Will be a wonderful day. I'm looking forward to having my brother here for a week.

[SpookyJulz]

Shery~

I'm so happy for you with your new job!! Change is hard....but Change is good!!! Congrats and keep up the good work!!!

[Dustbunny]

Cheryl:
Isn't it fun to learn a new job? It's so exciting to stretch yourself and grow in your abilities. I know that if I needed to call 911 I'd feel so good knowing it was a caring competant person like yourself on the line.
I'm happy for you.
Are you the person I should thank for the Gingerbread candle? It makes the whole house smell like gingerbread. Yum! Thank you.

[SheryBery]

Yep Deb...I'm a candle freak! Glad you liked it!

[Jacqie]

Cheryl~
I am so proud of you for taking on the new job!! It must be exciting!!

By the way since P'nut asked I want a pet hedgehog for Christmas!!! I have been looking for one for a long time but nobody in Idaho breeds them anymore that I can find...So if you know of one let me know.

[PhotoNut]

Um *looks up at the thread title* That's just too good. I'm leaving it! :pound:

[PhotoNut]

Kristi - I'm really glad to hear that this Christmas is going better than most. Sorry to hear that you lost family members, but I'm also glad to hear that you and your brother have mended your relationship and are now close. My brother and I were never on the outs, but we had lost touch with each other. This year has been hard but it brought us back together. I guess the same happened with you and your brother. Sometimes it takes the bad times to show us good things. Will Rick get to come home for Christmas at all? It must be hard having him so far away for so long. *hugs*

Cheryl - I really do envy your family. You all seem so close and so relaxed with each other. I love how you all focus so much on family time together. I wish mine would do that! I hope you have a great time with your brother while he's here! What movie are you guys going to go see?

*jots something in her little book, nodding and mumbling* a pony and a hedgehog - got it

[cjyoung61]

Jacqie, Go to http://hedgehogcentral.com/breederusa.shtml#idaho and there is a list of breeders in Idaho. We once had a miniature hedgehog, and he was very cool!!

[Dustbunny]

Susan I am sorry You still the sick ho. And also that your brother can't make it up and that his friend's so sick. I also love the new avatar, you have one of the great smiles.

There's something I need, I need to calm down. I took on a big volunteer job that I want to do but I'm so wound up. Exercise is not working. I may have some wine or tequila before bed. I can find a case for wine being good for you, is tequila healthy? It's not so good for worms.

Carla I just read all about Hedgehogs, how sweet. Jackie can I hold yours when you get it? Bring her to meetings ok?

[SpookyJulz]

Deb~

Here is the nutritional info for tequila. Tequila does not have carbs in it. The info can vary from one brand to another. But this is pretty accurate. As far as nutritional value, It would have more protein with the worm in it!!!hahahaha!!!
(per 1 oz serving)

Calories 69
Energy (kj) 288
Fats 0g
Carbs 0 g
Protein 0 g

Fiber 0 g
Sugars0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 0 mg
Alcohol 11.3 g

[SheryBery]

As for movies....maybe The Chipmunks or National Treasure, the 2nd one. Nothing set in stone yet. And just to rave about my family.....I have the BEST!!!!! If anyone needs a family to share, I'll share mine. I'm so blessed.

[Dustbunny]

:pound:Guess I'll go eat worms Julz.

[Chisaimama]

The meeting turnout was small but the topic was interesting. We had a new bandster there who had been banded on Monday. I got the gist of the meeting even though I was having a very hard time staying awakw. I had taken some pain meds at dinner and hydrocodone was getting the better of me. The two ladies who spoke to us were interstng and gave a good overview of their journey through OA. We sure missed those of you who were sick and hope you are beginning to feel much better. Thanks again Kristi for the ride.

P'nut, I love your picture. I really enjoyed meeting your mom also. I hope when we do lunch again before I go back to work you both will be able to join us. Christmas wishes, let's see. No more surgeryies and all their bills. Well I have to go get ready fo rPhysical therapy. Love all of you, my bandster friends.

[SpookyJulz]

:pound:Guess I'll go eat worms Julz.

You know Deb~ I've seen Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel eating fried worms. Maybe we can get his recipe.

[LindaV]

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!

I've got 5 boys sledding down my driveway as I type this. I LOVE winter!

[SpookyJulz]

Linda~

I'm actually glad I don't have kids at home these days... My driveway is very steep and I could see my boys doing that. It's a curvy street and would be difficult to see someone sleding down the drive.
My oldest was about 17 and snowboarded down the basement steps. The snowboard didn't go all the way into the basement so he got stuck at the bottom of the steps. He was basically hanging in mid air. Apperently he, my brother and Jake were all laughing so hard that no one could get him off the snowboard. So he had to tip over against the wall to get off of it. I have no doubts they would be on my driveway having a ball!!!!

[PhotoNut]

*sighs contentedly* I love winter. I love the snow. And I love Christmas. I'm listening to awesome music by Conjure One, drinking wine and enjoying quiet time at home with dawg. This is a rare night for us, and it's wonderful.

[LindaV]

It looks like Judah and I are going on an impromptu road trip right after Christmas. Some good friends from California are spending Christmas at at timeshare in Utah and invited us for a few days so we will be heading to Utah on the 26th, then to So. Cal. for New Years, then up to N. Cal. for couple of days before heading home.

I bought myself an early Christmas present for the trip--a GPS! I can't wait to use it.

[AnnDe]

Oh Linda Have a wonderful triip~~ you have fun with that GPS and travel safe!!!

[Dustbunny]

Has this happened to anyone:
As I was scrolling down the posts to find the last entry of Word Train I passed by a post of my own and checked my ticker to see if my weight went down?

[LindaV]

Merry Christmas Everyone!

[PhotoNut]

Merry Christmas All!


We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with the family. Ethan was happy with his visit from Santa and played with his new toys all day! The adults really enjoyed Ethan's Legos! ha! We had a lovely dinner together and then exchanged the adult presents around the lit tree. Ethan was the gift bearer, asking with each gift he handed out, "Is -THIS- one mine??" Today is lovely and quiet. We are having coffee and orange cinnamon rolls for breakfast, while listening to Christmas music by the fireplace. Ahhh.. I love Christmas.

[chopka]

We also had a Wonderful Christmas - but it was also very sad for us. Our son and daughter-in-law moved to England last spring - which was ok but they took our g-daughters with them. Our first Christmas without them was very sad - BUT - we were up at 2AM this morning and watched the girls via web-cam open their Christmas presents!!! They shared each present with us which was very cool - thank goodness for technology.

I hope you all had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gweniper]

Merry Christmas all

I got a nice present.... i had went from a size 26 and have been wearing a 18 the last month and this morning tried on some 16 as the 18 was loose. they fit!!!!! little snug but no problem zipping or buttoning the snug is around the lower belly. I am so excited. love the NSV's

[Jacqie]

P"nut it sounds like you had a picture perfect Christmas!!! How wonderful.
I actually did alot better through Christmas then I thought I would and I am so proud of myself.
I spent the morning having a nice relaxing breakfast by myself in my warm fuzzy jammy's and socks, while a read a book. I then made 2 peanut butter pies and then I was off to my mom's. It was a relaxing day I had a blast watching the kids play with their gifts and helping my mom in the kitchen. We had great food and I didn't stuff myself. It's been kind of weird I crave milk and meat, all I want is meat, meat, and ice cold milk. I barely touched the candy and stuff. I didn't even eat pie I had jello fruit salad and it tasted so good. What's his name called and chatted for a bit and I was ok with that - He was actually not haveing very good day with the new girlfriend and her family - he was in Provo with them and he just didn't want to be there and basically I think he wanted me to say "I will hop in the car and come and save - I mean get you" but I didn't, I just listen to him tell me all that was going wrong and the whole time I kept thinking to myself - I am so glad I am were I am in my life it may be a bit lonely but I don't have the drama, caios, hurt feelings and the whole mess anymore. I think he has met his match she is doing to him almost exactly what he would do to me. Time for a bit of his own medicine. I am just so proud I didn't give in and go and get him because last year over even 2 or 3 months ago I would have done it no matter how stressed it would have made me or complicated my day/evening. I would have done it. I did well for myself Merry Christmas to me!!!!!!!

[SheryBery]

We too had a great Christmas. Started at my house watching my kids open presents. Connor, my 12 yr. old, went ballistic when he opened his Wii! Was too fun to watch him. The oldest got a new cell phone and was thrilled with that. My brother & his wife are here from Scottsdale so it was a great day. Had dinner at my parents around 4 pm and visited and everyone played the Wii till late. Was a very nice day.
Tonight I start swing shift on my new job....5pm to 3 am!! Hopefully I'll stay awake!
Hope everyone is well. Jacqie girl....I'm so proud of you!!! You've come a long way in a short time. Hang in there....it gets easier, I promise. You're finding out how much better you are without what's his name! Good job!

[Jacqie]

SheryB~
Wow your son got a Wii??? I keep thinking I will get my niece and nephews one just so I can have an excuse to play it. I want to do the boxing one and the bowling one. It looks like alot of fun. Good luck on the swing shift and I'm sure you will stay awake, I am just so proud of you and I think your new job is so interesting!!!

[SpookyJulz]

My kids went to Vancouver Wash to see their dad for Christmas. So far they have only called once to say they got there and once to wish me a Merry Christmas. Usually they call 10 saying they wish they could come home. Maybe they are all growing up. Including their dad!! LOL!!
I just got back from IF. We left Sunday morning. Got there around 2ish. We spent Sunday evening with Mom and Dad. My parents live in a 2 bedroom apt. where they are the managers. My brother was visiting so we stayed at a motel.

We spent Monday finishing with a few gifts. My mom had a nice 35mm camera. But someone stole it about a year ago. So we found her a nice digital camera. She was so excited. It was so fun. Then we went to my sister and brother in laws for Christmas Eve. I was walking up to the door when my niece, age 6, looked out and squeeled....Aunt Julie is here!!!! Then her little brother, age 2, squeeled and did the same thing. We got a little drumb set for my nephew. He just loved it. I started a fight because my niece thought it was for both of them.

We spent Christmas with my Folks then went to my brother and sister in laws to open gifts there.

The greatest gift I got this year is my mom's cedar chest. They have not had room for it in their apartment so it's been in storage for at least 10 years.

Then my dad told me that he wanted to give me a tapistry that belonged to his mom. He said that he wanted me to have it because I would be the only one in the family who would take care of it. Oh my gosh I almost cried. That was the best gift of all to have him say that to me.

The tapistry hung at my grandmothers house my dads whole life until she died. It's been in storage since then. My dad is almost 77. So it's been in the family along time. When he went to get the cedar chest, he thought the tapistry was in it. But, it wasn't so he is going to have to look for it.

It snowed and snowed the whole time we were there. We had a bit of a break on Christmas but were glad to get headed home today just incase it started to storm.

[Dustbunny]

We didn't make it up to Idaho City on the 21st.
We had a nice quiet family Christmas. In the afternoon Christmas day we went to my Mom's house and exchanged gifts there. Then it was home for more zombie and robot fighting. We let the boys use their x=box in the living room for a few days. I feel as though I've been in a battle zone for two days! It moves to the family room tomorrow.
My 14 year old went for his first snowboarding lesson today. I am waiting for he and Charlie to get home. The roads are so bad.
Charlie went snowshoeing while Mike had his lesson. He said the road is awful coming down.
Tomorrow Mike will take the bus up and back.
I am determined to get some pounds off from now through January. No more oh well it's Christmas, one taste won't hurt excuses.

[SpookyJulz]

I got the new O magazine the other day. It has a lot of articles in it that go along with our meeting that we had with the OA people. There is a whole section on Self Esteem Repair. Ther is one on thinking yourself fat and how to deal with poor body self image.
Lot of good stuff in O this month

[Jacqie]

Thanks for the info in the O magazine, I'll have to pick it up toay. I have been really struggling with my self esteem and body image lately. Could someone give a run down on the OA meeting, I was able to hit dinner that night but we had a major power outage at the plant and I had to get back to work with USDA on product control. It was one meeting I really wanted to go to. Maybe I could call and chat with one of the speakers if someone has a phone number for them.
THanks

[Idahobeauty]

Jacqie, I am so glad to see that you made it through the holidays so well. I thought about you often during the last week and wondered how you were.

[Dustbunny]

What happens now? Does this become Jan. Chat?
Happy New Year Dear Idaho People of the Band!

May we all be losers in 2008!

[Idahobeauty]

Yep... I am gonna start a Jan chat..LOL

[shackdog]

yo, hope all of you had a grt xmas,,,,,work work work was in store for me, but maybe this year things can only get better........................to all the bandsters out there happy felice navia da...................