Everyday Chatting & Waffling {2023} Let's get to know each other!

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Ginger, I am SO sorry that you're having all of these issues! I imagine it's driving you all NUTZ! I thought it was just me. Thank GOD it's not, but I'm sure you've been crying. Good luck to all!
 
Thank you, Ginger! Here's hoping the IT team can work miracles quickly! :)

I struggled getting on this morning, but have had no issues this afternoon.

Happy Friday, all! Hope everyone has something fun to look forward to this weekend!
 
I have been getting the error message off and on the past couple days, crossing my fingers that it will be fixed soon.

Is it really December already!

We have been painting for days, did the whole basement. It has been such a chore moving furniture around the rooms to be able to work. Also, I am a messy painter and always make boo-boos to fix. Our son comes home for a week from Dec 11 - 16th so we wanted his old room done by then, he had so many holes in the walls that I think it is 3/4 putty! The new fresh color, "Spring Thaw"(a light neutral grey) looks awesome over his almost navy blue walls. We purchased a new bed, headboard and nightstand, new bedding and I shortened the drapes. I love the fresh new look!

Then we purchased new living room furniture (great black Friday sales) but it is on back order so I guess I will not have it for the holidays. I still have to paint the living room and the master bedroom, kitchen and bath and my crafty room.

Did anyone else get Black Friday deals? Whatcha buy?
 
It has been incredibly hectic. I was getting my friend's annual calendar ready, and then mine. If you want to take a peek, here it is:

https://www.printingcenterusa.com/f...ette's 2024 Calendar&desc=Our annual calendar

My friend Pam and I do one every year. She orders 20, and they run about $8.25 each. I do 10, and they run about $11 each. It is a great Christmas gift!

Tomorrow, my husband Rand and I have tickets to Mary Poppins at 2:00 pm and Believe (Carole King Story) at 6:30. We are looking forward to it, but it will be a very busy day. Eek!

I am also working on my daughter's annual planner. It is a very big job with face-to-face months and a page per week. It doesn't sound as big as it feels. This year, it is ocean and mermaid-themed. She loves them, but they take so much work. I am trying to think of an inexpensive gift for my neighbours. I make something every year. Last year it was a Christmas Stocking with their name on it and a bottle of Martinelli's inside. The year before, I baked and decorated the sweetest cookies with their names on one of them. I have made little candy sleighs and all kinds of things. I have not been inspired so far.
About half of my gifts are wrapped and under the tree. The stockings are all sorted, although I have a few new ones to make this year. I hope I get a little time at home to make the rest of the gifts on my list haha.
 
GingerScraps said:
Yes, we are having a database issue. We are working on it, I’m not sure how long it will take to fix, hopefully not too much longer.
If you get an error page, just wait a bit and try again. The longest it has been fully down is about 40 minutes, then it will work for a bit and then crash again.
Send prayers to the tech gods that is it fixed soon! lol
Click to expand...

It has been intermittant access for me. But I did notice that almost every layout I posted today, didn't keep credits on the page, even when loaded on the second page. IYKWIM.

Gorgeous buffet kits this month. So not believing its December
 
Yes, Thank you, Ginger. I know you guys have been working double time to get the problem fixed. Everyone on FB keeps asking about the problem as well. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Gorgeous Calendar, Lynnie! I keep saying that I am going to make one similar to that, but I never get around to it.
 
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Lovely calendar Lynnie! I have made one similar for my Mom for the past 20 years, it helped her to remember special events and like you, I put pictures of the person on their month of birth. Sadly, I will not be making one this year.
 
Thank you for all being so kind! You girls are really the best! The forum should be totally fixed now if you have any trouble accessing the forum or the gallery, please let me know.
 
Lynnie, thank you for sharing your calendar. You are an inspiration!

Ginger, so glad to hear that the issues are getting fixed. I haven't had any issues getting to the pages. But I have noticed that I keep getting signed out and have to sign back in. Not a huge deal, but definitely not normal.

Karen, sending you a hug. I miss my mom, too. Holidays can be hard.

Sherri, I know what you mean about being vigilant to make sure those credits stay attached to our layouts.

This past weekend was a whirlwind. We had five events (three of which we hosted) for friends and family. Two holiday dinners, a birthday party, a retirement party, and we took my dad and his wife to a really fun play at a lovely dinner theater. The play was called "Catch me if you can" and starred Jim O'Heir (he was on Parks & Rec). The play is different from the movie with the same title. It was a fun mystery about a man, his missing wife, and the strange woman who shows up who claims to be his wife. There were only five people in the entire cast, but it was delightful!

In between events, we finished our family Christmas card. I design our card every year in PhotoShop, upload the images to AmazingMail, upload our spreadsheet with addresses, and boom... done! I remember my mother would take weeks to hand-write all of her cards (her penmanship was lovely... mine is not).

I'm almost glad to get back to work this week! We have one more board meeting of the year, so I have one more business trip this week. Then the rest of the month will be smooth sailing! :)
 
Shana, I've also had trouble staying logged in to the forum. I hope that got fixed too!

Hi everyone! I had a pretty busy weekend. Friday night, all 3 of us went to see a madrigal play done by the high school. Dinner came with it, so we were fed culturally and literally. Saturday was the usual shopping followed by some time with Eren and hubby's work party. It was nice, nothing scripted except dinner, and we left when we wanted to (although I had to sit through lots of boring work talk. I did find someone to talk to). Yesterday was church where I taught a lesson and choir practice for a concert happening the 17th. In fact, all my weekends will be busy, up to Christmas.

I don't have anything happening this week except a doctor appointment Wednesday. Oh, we are getting a new roof today (hail damage). They say they can get it all done in one day, and I hope that's true (though I don't want a rush job either). The last time we got a new roof (about 11 years ago) it took two days.

(in the time it took me to write the post, I was logged out. Thank goodness I copied it before I went to post!)
 
Good morning, all! I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Once I get through an afternoon of committee meetings, I am getting together with my brother and his family (there are now 11 of them including a toddler and a baby). I'm hoping the weather will cooperate and we can get some good family photos for them. I'm a little concerned since it will be dark by the time we meet, so we'll need to find somewhere well lit or inside to take photos. And when you're dealing with toddlers and babies, I know I'll need to take about 300 photos for every good one! Ha!
 
breoni said:
Good morning, all! I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Once I get through an afternoon of committee meetings, I am getting together with my brother and his family (there are now 11 of them including a toddler and a baby). I'm hoping the weather will cooperate and we can get some good family photos for them. I'm a little concerned since it will be dark by the time we meet, so we'll need to find somewhere well lit or inside to take photos. And when you're dealing with toddlers and babies, I know I'll need to take about 300 photos for every good one! Ha!
Click to expand...

And even that might not be enough :) They will be a little crabby, won't they! Maybe a well-lit park? Stairs are always good if they are well-lit.
 
Ha, Lynnie. Well, one of the kids ended up having to work, so we didn't take photos. But I did get to play with the baby and the two year old. He said my name for the first time. Sooo cute. And the best part is that he calls my brother (his grandfather) "Grumps!" Ha!!! I'm now going to call my brother "Grumps" from this point forward. LOL!
 
Happy Friday everyone, I have had a busy week with cleaning, shopping and organizing since our renovations. We still have some painting to do but the new guest room is ready for my son when he comes home on Monday. Next week we will be going to some fun places we like to do with him and will have our "Christmas" celebration on Thursday as he is headed back home on Saturday. I can't wait to have him home, even if it for a short time.

We are having a get-together tonight with my siblings and spouses, will be nice for us all to get together since Mom's funeral. We hopefully can make this a yearly tradition at Christmas as we all go in different directions during the holidays even though we all live so close to each other.

What kind of traditions does everyone do, I need some ideas for fun gift exchange games?
 
Karen, our traditions for the older grandkids is to play a game where they get gifts. It's ranged from the cling wrap ball to the cup game. (I've linked my layouts of the kids playing these games). This year, we will play "left, right, center" with the extended family.

For hubby's side of the family, we do a White Elephant gift exchange. We cap the exchange at $25, and gifts can be nice, practical, homemade, or silly. Whatever people want. We draw numbers to see what order you get to select the gift. When it's your turn, you can pick an unwrapped gift OR you can steal someone else's gift. But, a gift can only be stolen twice.
 
Karen, I've played a game where someone reads a story, and when the key word(s) come up, you pass the gift left or right. I'm guessing these kinds of stories can be found on the internet. Another one is everyone draws a number and the first person one picks a present and unwraps it. The second person can pick a present or steal the first person's. A gift can only be stolen twice before whoever ends up with it keeps it. I'm thinking there were other types I've played, but can't remember. I'm sure you can find more on the internet.

We have another busy weekend! Tonight we are making a gingerbread house for a church Christmas party tomorrow night. Tomorrow we'll do our usual shopping and go to the party. Sunday, instead of choir practice, we're going to a Messiah sing along in the city. I've always wanted to do this, so I'm pretty excited!

Happy Friday everyone! :)
 
So glad it's Friday! I scrapped for an upcoming kit last night. Tonight we are going to see a friend's band play locally. This weekend is full of making the food for my gift boxes. Going to be a busy weekend! Everyone have a good one.
 
Sorry Karen, we're boring. We just buy gifts for the grands and stocking stuffers for "everyone". Santa still comes for all in our house and gives "necessities", like Lacy wanted new cookie sheets and silicone mats this year and everyday salt and pepper shakers. Nick and Kolten always get hand-warmers and wool socks. (my outdoorsmen) Anne gets her homemade chili sauce and pate. (if she participates this year... we shall see, sigh) Everyone gets their special choices in candy and toiletries. And Santa-Freddy hands out special envelopes at the end that hold cash. That's our tradition. Hopefully, Anne will let us have the kids. I highly doubt she'll be there. Things have only gotten worse. I don't foresee them changing.
 
Just want to let you know I read all the messages. I do hope everyone is doing great. I have been trying to decided what to do and decided to send papers in to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I did get a call to be a service missionary working in Family Search. I will train for about 4 months and then hopefully will be able to help people with family history. I will start this month. It will help a lot giving me something to do and especially at this time of year. I will still be able to work on scrapping and go anywhere my laptop goes and help others. I wish all the best for each of you this time of year.
 
I'm just popping in; it has been an extra busy week, although compared to Shana, not THAT busy, haha. I love that you are going to call your brother Grumps, Shana.

I have enjoyed reading about the traditions. We have some lovely ones. We encourage people to give gifts of Time, Talent, or Treasure. Time is time together (give a game night, organize a picnic, etc.), and talent is to make something (crafting, painting, making a CD or thumb drive of songs, scrapbooks) or treasure. A treasure is something you already own that the person would love (a favourite book, mother's tea set, a family heirloom). That way, costs are kept to a minimum, and we have a lot of fun coming up with very creative gifts.

I just got off a four-day babysitting spell. I left this morning, had brunch with some friends, came home, and worked on gifts, and I will go back to babysitting tomorrow. I am a little wiped out. :)

Catch you all soon.

(Oh, Katherine, good luck, and make sure you keep in close contact with us!)
 
Katherine, what a wonderful path you've chosen to take. I can only imagine how grateful families will be for the help in learning their histories.

Lynnie, I adore the "Time, Talent, Treasure" concept. I may have to admire and acquire that one.

I'm already at the office this morning. It was a lovely drive with all the colors before dawn and just a hint of sliver of a moon. I need to cram about a week's worth of work today as I will be out of the office the rest of the week. Hubby has his gall bladder surgery tomorrow morning, and then I'm working from home the rest of the week so I can make sure hubby follows the after-care instructions. I sure hope this procedure will help him to feel better.
 
Katherine, good luck on your service mission! Family Search is awesome. :)

Lynnie, good thing you are hale and hearty! I've babysat my grands, but never more than a few hours in a row. Yay for getting stuff done, but remember to get some rest too.

Shana, I'll be thinking about you and your husband, especially tomorrow. I hope he feels better too, and that you don't have to go see doctor after doctor like I did for so long.

I survived my weekend, yahoo! I now face a week with stuff and a weekend with a little less stuff, thank goodness. Not too much required of me beside helping with cookie making (we make some labor-intensive cookies).

Have a great week everyone! :)
 
Hello ladies! Just dropping in to see how everyone is doing. I finally got our tree up and surprised myself by getting all of the gifts wrapped and placed under it. Usually, it is Christmas Eve before I am finished wrapping, but only because I take my good-natured time about it!

So, I was going to make some cookie mix jars for of my ladies' group, but the jars that I have (1-pint jars) were too small and would not hold all of the cookie mixture. So, I decided since I already had all of the mixture measured out, I would just make the cookies and bag them up to give to the ladies. Not happening! I mixed everything together and got the first batch ready to go into the oven and my oven would not even heat up! Kent thinks that the thermometer has gone bad and is gone to town to see what he can do. It will be either a new thermometer or a new stove/oven. Not a good time for this to happen with Christmas upon us but it will all work out eventually!

Have a great week and keep a smile in your heart!
 
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Hi ladies. Finally got moved into our new home in Okotoks Alberta. Unpacking is going to take some time, especially since I've been moving like a slug (been sick for 3 wks). Got my PC hooked up today and if my EHD's hook up ok tomorrow, then I can scrap a bit (in between unpacking and organizing). It is so exhausting, especially since we just did this last year. I sure hope we never have to move again. So far I do love it here, we have enjoyed the snow. Calgary is close and I've enjoyed shopping for new things for the home. I still haven't found my camera batteries or chargers but hopefully soon, so I can start taking photos. I have taken a few with my phone but I really miss my sony.

Decided not to put up a tree this year, we'll focus on unpacking instead. I put a red table cloth on the table with a small decorative berry plant. A tin tree sits on the magazine rack at the front end of the house, in the DR window. That's going to be it for Xmas decorations this year.

Looking forward to getting back to scrapping soon. Life has been crazy, I'm ready for some peace and quiet now.
 
Katherine, Congratulations on your new path in life, it sounds very rewarding. I do hope you will keep in touch as we will certainly miss you.

Ane, I love baking cookies at this time of the year but with reno's going on I only make a small batch of shortbread, mostly for gift giving. Enjoy!

Lynnie, You are a superwoman! I can't imagine doing as much as you do everyday. I hope you slow down during the holidays and enjoy the moments of the joy of the season.

Carla, Hugs to you for your stove problems, especially at this time of the year.

Rae, Welcome to your new home, we missed your updates.

Reno's are on hold officially today until after the holidays, my son is coming home today until Saturday. I know, a bit short but that is all he gets right now, work is busy during the holidays and he is scheduled almost everyday. We will certainly squeeze in all the fun we can during his stay.
 
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