{CLOSED} Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other! {C

[Jill]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Everything crossed for the safe and rapid return to health for little Bruce, Lynnie. I understand your worry though, and the yearning to be closer.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Everything crossed for the safe and rapid return to health for little Bruce, Lynnie. I understand your worry though, and the yearning to be closer.

Did I say Bruce? I meant Luke. I am just a little worried for him. He is part of my heart and I love him so much...

 

[Jill]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I probably just got your grandkids mixed up. I hope ALL of them are well!

 

[bcgal00]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Good morning ladies. Busy time of the year but I am starting to feel the holiday spirit. Putting up the tree with my daughter and GD was a memory I'll always remember. Now I can't wait to find another holiday activity to do with Bailey. After 2 yrs in the hospital I just want her to experience every fun thing she can. I'm thinking we'll go out for Xmas light viewing and a snack and drink somewhere, if the rain stops (looks like a lot of it coming over the next few wks).

Lynnie - prayers sent out for Luke. Hope the little guy will be ok.

I've got lots of desk work this wk and next but then two weeks of very little....can't wait. I need to figure out who I still need to buy gifts for and think about ideas. I also need to start thinking about baking and make sure I stock up on ingredients.

Today I'm staying close to home, doing desk work, a bit of CT scrapping, walking Taz and puttering around the house. Quiet boring day...which I'm ok with.

Hope you all have a great day. I'm getting to work now.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

How about decorating cookies or a gingerbread house? They are always fun! I would think any kinds of easy, fun crafts where the beauty of the output is not important would be awesome and Bailey would love them! Maybe a night driving around and looking at other people's house lights?

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I probably just got your grandkids mixed up. I hope ALL of them are well!

Or I got my grandkids mixed up - both are equally likely haha!

Luke is home from hospital. He had a temp around 39c or 104f when he arrived at hospital. They brought it down, got some fluids into him, gave him some breathing treatments and gave Hannah antibiotics for him to take. He is to go back if there is the slightest deterioration. I think the hospital is about an hour away, they live in a little village, so it is not close. I am hoping for a call to get more information, but I totally understand that their priority is Luke right now, not me. I have never felt the pain of being so far away more acutely!

Sunday, my DILs cousin, Lilly came over. I had been really involved in creating things for Lilly's wedding. When "we" married DIL Nessa, we married a whole HOST of cousins. Lilly is by far my favourite and I consider her one of my own! I decorated glasses with rose gold vinyl (swear words were involved, like dang and darn, a lot for that one!) each with the name of her 11 bridesmaids and the date of the wedding. I made really cute cards. I made signs for the wedding. I made the bride gifts for the bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers in law! THEN, on the wedding day, I was too sick to go. So Sunday, Lilly brought over her wedding video and we watched it - three times. It was beautiful. She was a lovely bride and I was so excited to see everything. We also made a first christmas ornament for my grandson, Bruce, and for the son of the best man at her wedding. She gave me the most beautiful card I have ever seen. Well, not the card so much as the things she said. It made me cry and I have carried it around and re-read it for days.

SO - lights are up, stockings are up, tree is up (although a little green!) and we are just about ready for Christmas! Except for presents. I start making presents and sending out cards on Thursday. I am behind! I will get it all done, though.

 

[AJsRandom]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I guess I am feeling sluggish this week and last. Not much is happening here, though we did get our tree up on Nov. 30. I did the rest of the decorating a week ago. Then I felt a little Christmas-y. I've been reading Christmas-y books but not listening to as much music as I could be, which is probably contributing to the sluggish feeling. We have a couple of events this week and a couple next week, but other than that, it's a quiet month. Gotta get those Christmas cards out too! I guess I feel like I'm not doing enough rather than not doing too much. It's a weird feeling but maybe it's because I don't have young children anymore. Oh well! I guess I'll learn to love it.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Christmas is getting pretty close and I am getting a little more frantic about Christmas presents. I have to make most of mine (based on the Time Talent and Treasure agreement our family has, where gifts have to be one of time spent with each other, a gift made with a talent that we have that costs very little, and a treasure that we own that someone else would dearly love.

This year, we have decided that our collection of Star Trek Ornaments will go to Steven. We don't hang them on our tree as we used to, but he was so excited to find one on ebay that I think he would really appreciate them. That is a gift of treasure.

My mother needs a new case for her million knitting needles and various bits and bobs. I made one a long time ago that she loves. I will add a flap on that because her knitting needles do fall out from time to time, and make a bigger one out of some lovely English fabric that I have. I also got a few knitting supplies that had minimal cost associated with them. This is a gift of talent (sewing).

Mum will give each person the gift of a meal out with her. That is a nice gift for each of them, plus it gives her time with them.

I made a family calendar for everyone - so cute! I will publish a picture under the hybrid projects later. It looks awesome. It is a gift of talent because I scrapped it, although there was a small cost for printing. The calendar has all family birthdays and anniversaries. Not just my immediate family, but all the cousins as well.

I am making a directory of Vanessa's Aunts, Uncles and Cousins for son Steven and his wife. Nessa's mother is one of 12 children, Nessa's father is one of 9. That is 42 Aunts and Uncles (if you include their spouses) and each one has children. That is a lot of people for Steven to memorize. Nessa will be thrilled. I have them all in my family tree, most with birthdays and anniversaries. I will use that for the directory and print Nessa a copy that includes a birthday and anniversary calendar.

I am making my niece a family tree for her baby nursery, if I get the information back from her husband's mother in time. I have my fingers crossed.

Bruce has a beautiful signed book from a friend who is a children's author (treasure) and another book that was my son, David's favourite when he was a baby (treasure).

Karen has already opened hers. I had this amazing little net blouse/cover up that was covered with hand-embroidered roses. It is over 60 years old, my aunt made it. Karen wanted it so badly

I also have some ornaments to make with permanent adhesive vinyl, and some wine glasses. I have some great little canvas shopping bags and cosmetic bags to customize, along with a bunch of baby onesies.

I still have a way to go, but I am getting there

ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS

 

[bcgal00]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Good afternoon, ladies. Busy work day for me so not much time online today. I need to get lots of desk work done today as tomorrow I'll be spending a chunk of the afternoon with Bailey and then on Friday will be meeting with all of B's support workers/team/caregivers for the quarterly checkin and assessment. This always makes me nervous b/c with a few new staff on her team, you never know what asinine ideas they might have. Because her chart is so thick and there is so much info, they never seem to be very aware of her state, not having time to review it all. I understand that she is just one of many clients they have but still...you'd think they would inform themselves on her deficits before making big decisions. So....the quarterly mtg is always nerve wracking for us. Hopefully eventually my daughter will get the capacity test certified and guardianship will be hers so that will give her more control over what is done to and for Bailey. But that's another mess b/c we're having trouble finding a psychologist that will take her case and read all the info to make that determination. Its a big job and we've yet to find one who will do it. Our medical/healthcare system sucks.

So....nose to the grindstone today. Must be diligent about work.

Lynnie - gingerbread house might be fun but not sure if she will have the dexterity to do it and it might frustrate her which can then trigger her, making her depressed and panicked. I'll have to think about that. Good idea though.

I'm getting out of here....have a great day everyone.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Maybe a super easy gingerbread house - a gingerbread tent! Or even just cookies and gingerbread men! It is all fun and if perfect isn't important, it is even more fun!

She can make Christmas cards - have her paint random swirls in watercolour or watery acrylics in Christmas colours, then when they are dry, punch out shapes (stars, snowflakes) from it and glue them to cards. My DIL does this with my grandson and the cards are just lovely! If you own a double punch that punches two layers, you can have them look even more amazing by doing the first layer in red or green and topping with Bailey's layer.

Probably a lot of Christmas crafts for really young people might be fun. You can always update them to suite her

 

[bcgal00]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Good morning, ladies....I've got high hopes for it being a productive day. I want to get lots of desk work done, get groceries, do laundry, scrap a CT page and get out with Taz a few times. I also want to finish up my book too (the newest in the Stephanie Plum series).

Lynnie - that is a great idea. I have all the scrap supplies including punches. I think I'll bring those over to B on Sunday and we can make a few cards. I might try the gingerbread cookies rather than the house. Her artistic skills suffered a huge deficit so I think cookies are a safer bet.

Thanks for the help. I'm getting another coffee and getting a CT page done now. Have a great day, everyone.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I am in a little bit of shock right now. I may have mentioned in the past that we have these great cousin reunions with cousins who were like brothers and sisters to us. My uncle was in the army and when he was deployed, or in between finding new housing, etc., my aunt and the oldest three of my cousins used to live with us. The youngest three were not born yet. So Ken, John, Dave and I were like the four musketeers. Brian was too little, but tagged along from time to time. I have loved them like brothers for as long as I can remember.

We got a call today that John had been rushed to hospital and was in ICU. They don't think he will make it through the night. He has to make it, he just has to. I can't imagine a world in which there is no John. John is the short fellow in the top left and bottom right picture of the top layout. I just can't imagine a world where he will not be part of it. So I am waiting, on edge, checking my phone every two minutes to make sure I haven't missed a call.

We have all been through so much here, I hear your stories and think I could never survive that. It is strange that the potential loss of a cousin is making me more anxious than the loss of my children did. Perhaps because I had things to take care of, things to do. This time I just sit, waiting for the word.

 

[Route66]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Lynnie, I am so sorry to hear about John, I pray that he will be alright. leaseangle

I am in a little bit of shock right now. I may have mentioned in the past that we have these great cousin reunions with cousins who were like brothers and sisters to us. My uncle was in the army and when he was deployed, or in between finding new housing, etc., my aunt and the oldest three of my cousins used to live with us. The youngest three were not born yet. So Ken, John, Dave and I were like the four musketeers. Brian was too little, but tagged along from time to time. I have loved them like brothers for as long as I can remember.

We got a call today that John had been rushed to hospital and was in ICU. They don't think he will make it through the night. He has to make it, he just has to. I can't imagine a world in which there is no John. John is the short fellow in the top left and bottom right picture of the top layout. I just can't imagine a world where he will not be part of it. So I am waiting, on edge, checking my phone every two minutes to make sure I haven't missed a call.

We have all been through so much here, I hear your stories and think I could never survive that. It is strange that the potential loss of a cousin is making me more anxious than the loss of my children did. Perhaps because I had things to take care of, things to do. This time I just sit, waiting for the word.

 

[bcgal00]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Good morning ladies. Busy wkend ahead with CT work, home stuff and desk work....but wanted to give a hug to Lynnie for this sad time. Sorry to hear the news.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Well, it is the next day and cousin John hung on through the night. He is still in critical condition, but he made it through the rough part. He is heavily sedated and intubated. He is not stable enough for surgery, but he is alive and has shown a very slight improvement. If he can show a slight improvement, he can survive. I have to believe that.

If you are a praying person, hold him close in your prayers, he needs them.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

On a brighter note, I got out most of my Christmas cards - then realized I had dated them all 2020 in the corner (I always put the year on my card!) I laughed myself silly when I realized what I had done. I am such an idiot Still, I am not going to open 110 cards to fix it.

I cut down my card list DRASTICALLY this year and still had 110 to send out. I usually send between 150 and 190 depending on whether or not I get around to sending them individually to various club members. This year I decided not to.

It was hard writing the Christmas cards to family, having just heard about John. I was writing throughout the night, when they were saying he was not going to make it. I am so grateful he lasted the night.

 

[Route66]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Lynnie, still praying! The human body can certainly heal from anything...there is still hope. You and your family are in my hearts.

Well, it is the next day and cousin John hung on through the night. He is still in critical condition, but he made it through the rough part. He is heavily sedated and intubated. He is not stable enough for surgery, but he is alive and has shown a very slight improvement. If he can show a slight improvement, he can survive. I have to believe that.

If you are a praying person, hold him close in your prayers, he needs them.

 

[Firstoscartgrouch]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin Lynnie. There is hope, always, you know that too by knowing my story. Prayers and hugs.

Alexis has a huge test tomorrow. She is stressed about it.
I have a meeting at my sons school to try to .... im not even sure what actually. He can’t /won’t do what is needed for classes. I’m so scared he is just going to call it quits.

Nutcracker on Friday night was awesome.

Still kind of reeling from my neurologist appointment last week. She did request a MRI of my brain but I can’t get it done in my city due to my internal defibrillator, I’ll have to travel a couple hours to get it done.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Thanks for the encouragement

 

[bcgal00]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Good morning, ladies. This wk is going to fly by. We are getting so close to Xmas now and I will have a lot to do - cleaning, wrapping, shopping, baking, etc. I have to remember to get a turkey soon too before they start running out. Last year I had to travel to 3-4 stores looking for a decent turkey at a reasonal price (well, none of them are a reasonable price IMO). I also need to look downstairs for my big roasting pan, it's somewhere in the basement. I guess I should work on a grocery list later this wk too as I always forget stuff if I don't have a list.

There's a natural store close by and they started carrying GF bagels that are really good so hope to get some of those this wk for breakfasts Xmas wk for Jen and I. They don't have them everyday and they sell out fast. Fingers crossed.

Work is going to be crazy this wk I'm sure b/c its the last wk for both of my bosses until the next year so I'm pretty sure they are going to load me up as much as they can with backlog stuff along with the daily reports to transcribe. No complaints tho b/c I will have 2 wks of no paycheque so a few extra dollars this wk helps.

I still need to think of a few small things I want for Xmas from hubs. He keeps asking but I can't think of anything. All the things I want are bigger ticket items and we can't afford them at this time. I need to sit down and think about this. I don't even care if I get any gifts, I would be ok with that but hubs likes to exchange a couple....so....need to come up with some ideas.

Lynnie - any word on your cousin? Prayers sent for him. BTW...that is a lot of Xmas cards...wow.

Sherri - the nutcracker sounds like fun.

Gotta get back to work for a bit so....have a good day everyone.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin Lynnie. There is hope, always, you know that too by knowing my story. Prayers and hugs.

Alexis has a huge test tomorrow. She is stressed about it.
I have a meeting at my sons school to try to .... im not even sure what actually. He can’t /won’t do what is needed for classes. I’m so scared he is just going to call it quits.

Nutcracker on Friday night was awesome.

Still kind of reeling from my neurologist appointment last week. She did request a MRI of my brain but I can’t get it done in my city due to my internal defibrillator, I’ll have to travel a couple hours to get it done.

It all seems so much crazier at the holidays, doesn't it.

I hope that Alexis' test goes quickly and she does really well.

What are the consequences of your son not doing what is needed? Will he have to repeat the grade? It is a huge thing, but maybe sitting with him and pointing out that he does not like school, so why increase it by a year? Point out that every thing he does not do means he may have to repeat one or more classes and that will make graduation even further in the future. Maybe even go so far as to create an image of the future without an education. I don't know if any will make sense to him, or if you even have already tried that. Nagging never helped with son David or grandson Mark. Actually, I am not sure that the 'future' picture helped either.

Your test? All I can do is pray for you. Keep us posted.

Cousin John is not holding his own. They say his heart has shut down and his liver. It is a matter of time, hours, maybe days, but probably not. I am so far away and the family is not providing as much news as we want (hourly updates, maybe, jk) but I understand the need for sitting by the side of someone you love and just holding their hand while they leave us. You don't want a million people around. You don't want to keep providing updates. Even his brothers and sisters don't have the full picture. They all got to say goodbye, and that is what is important.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Cousin John died peacefully, in his sleep, with his wife and two daughters by his side. The world will never be the same. He was a brother to me, we grew up together, there is not a childhood memory without him by my side.

 

[AJsRandom]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I am so sorry to hear about your cousin, Lynnie. It is good you were so close to him. I wish I was closer to my cousins, but other than Facebook, we don't talk. Ah well. (((HUGS))) going out to you!

We had a pretty quiet weekend here. Hubby and I are in a choir that does an annual Christmas program. We had a practice Saturday morning. The program was supposed to be last night, but was postponed because of weather. We spent the rest of Saturday making cookies. I had a nap then we went to our church Christmas party. It was pretty nice. Sunday was church, another nap and more cookies. We also watched a couple of Christmas movies and listened to Christmas music. It snowed about an inch so we also shoveled for a bit. School and work were cancelled for today, so I have hubby and Hannah at home. Today it is snowing much more and Hannah's concert for tonight was postponed. So more cookies are coming!

 

[Jill]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Lynnie...big hug and magic red threads coming your way ((()))

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Thanks for the good wishes. My brother drove down and we had a pint for John at our local pub. We FaceTimed with the folks in England. I am just numb. John has been there my whole life, it is like losing a brother.

 

[Firstoscartgrouch]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I am so sorry Lynnie. It’s almost like losing a part of ourselves. My sister passed Dec 23, 2017 and it still just numbs me. It sounds like you were way closer to John than I was to Wanda. I’m so sorry.

Alexis thinks she did well on her exam.
She also got official confirmation she has been accepted into the training program for girl guides.
She then found out one of her treasured Girl Guide leaders Fran passed very unexpectedly and the funeral is Saturday.

Austins meeting was a non meeting. The person that arranged it called in sick. And no one else on his team seemed to know it was even scheduled. None of his teachers put in an appearance, i’m kind of at a loss. It’s been thought many times by many professionals that Austin has ODD. Oppositional defiance, but no one wants to “label” him with it. He erects walls around himself and it takes time, patience, and much energy trying to tear it down. It’s not malicious, it’s like a self preservation wall. Teachers don’t have the time or energy to try to breach the wall. They consider it malicious defiance. We have discussed so many times that if he tries he can get out in 10,11,12...... and if he doesn’t then he will have to do 10,11, 12,12. It’s just hit and miss as to which it will be on any given day. He has to have a Math 20. He can’t graduate without it. He has less than a month to salvage his failing grade.

 

[FormbyGirl]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

I am so sorry Lynnie. It’s almost like losing a part of ourselves. My sister passed Dec 23, 2017 and it still just numbs me. It sounds like you were way closer to John than I was to Wanda. I’m so sorry. /QUOTE]

It is all relative! It is still a huge loss and a big reminder of our own mortality. Right before Christmas is hard. What on earth will his lovely, beautiful, wonderful wife do. She was truly the love of his life. After all this time (they met when she was 16) they were like teenagers in love. She texted my brother that the love of her life had gone and she was lost. She is the most wonderful of people and she loved him SO much. His daughters and grandkids are maybe the sweetest on the planet. They are her sweetness reembodied. I love them all so much and Moira, today, I can only imagine what she is going through. She lost her dad less than a year ago and they lost John's mum (my mum's sister) about 2 years ago. I want to be there and hug her, instead I am half a world away.

In John's last email to me, he said "I can NEVER forget for a moment that our Formby start in life was good and Did know that at the time! Our separation was hard, but in life the choice is not always yours to make. You have to live with it. I cannot share these Special memories with anyone but you guys, and KEN!! The pond is 5 hours across and quite deep, but that Depth Never gets in the way of our friendship!" (Capitalization John's )

I love those words, they are so special. I love them, love them, love them! Our separation is hard, but in life the choice is not always ours to make. I love John and will miss him so much, but I am so grateful for the time we had.

Alexis thinks she did well on her exam.
She also got official confirmation she has been accepted into the training program for girl guides.
She then found out one of her treasured Girl Guide leaders Fran passed very unexpectedly and the funeral is Saturday. /QUOTE]

I am so glad she did well! I am so sorry about her leader. It is so hard losing a mentor - it takes your breath away.

Austins meeting was a non meeting. The person that arranged it called in sick. And no one else on his team seemed to know it was even scheduled. None of his teachers put in an appearance, i’m kind of at a loss. It’s been thought many times by many professionals that Austin has ODD. Oppositional defiance, but no one wants to “label” him with it. He erects walls around himself and it takes time, patience, and much energy trying to tear it down. It’s not malicious, it’s like a self preservation wall. Teachers don’t have the time or energy to try to breach the wall. They consider it malicious defiance. We have discussed so many times that if he tries he can get out in 10,11,12...... and if he doesn’t then he will have to do 10,11, 12,12. It’s just hit and miss as to which it will be on any given day. He has to have a Math 20. He can’t graduate without it. He has less than a month to salvage his failing grade.

I am so sorry that, with all your other struggles, you have to deal with this. I hope you find a way to get him on your side - maybe turn the oppositional defiance into defiance against expectations? It is so easy to come up with suggestions when you are not in the middle of it, I am sure you have tried most of them. Are you able to team up with him against a system which is 'trying to hold him back' so he can 'show them he is more than what they are expecting of him?' I think Mark may have been that way, too. He was very socially dysfunctional in grade school. He had to sit in the principal's office every day because he was just not functional in a classroom. He wanted to sit and colour rather than do anything with learning. The problem was he was bright, but we could not motivate him to learn and every effort to get him to do school work was met with violence. It was so difficult. He has apologized quite often as a young adult (23 now), but he is still not very functional as an adult.

I wish I could extend a huge hug for everything you are going through and try to make it easier!!

 

[bcgal00]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

So sorry to hear that he passed, Lynnie. Sounds like you have so many good memories to hold onto. Cherish them.

I'm working today so other than a bit of CT work, not much going on other than making Xmas plans and trying to figure out when and how to get everyone done in time (but it always does get done so I'm not worried).

Have a great day, everyone.

 

[Route66]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

Lynnie, So sorry to hear about John. I hope the memories that you had with him comfort you today and all your tomorrows. :cry

 

[bcgal00]

Re: Thread: Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2019} Let's get to know each other!

The days are flying by now. It's hard to believe this wkend is the last before Xmas. I'll be getting out to shop tonight and hopefully tomorrow night to finish up. Lots of desk work too this wk as the other girl who job shares with me is taking time off b/c her mom had surgery. So busier time for me but I'm ok with that b/c I wasn't going to have any work for the wk of and after Xmas so this way I get a bit to do for a few extra days to help the paycheque.

Today is work, laundry, post office, shopping and I'm still trying to figure out what to ask hubs to get me for Xmas (little things).