POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Miss Philicia on November 16, 2013, 12:17:10 pm
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I thought I'd start a thread about the upcoming holidays -- Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of us love this time of year, others dread it. But to pass the time let's state what we shall be doing and where, or if you dread the entire next seven weeks then just let it out and vent.
Me? I'm driving the three hours (yes, I can drive!) to Loudoun county in northern Virginia to have Thanksgiving with my parents. My older brother and his brood will not be attending for whatever reason -- my two nieces are in college (both at NC State, one a freshman, the other a senior) so getting them to family functions away from their home is no longer easy. So I will share cooking duties with my mother, and I told her to pass on a turkey and just roast a chicken -- I prefer it plus there are less left-overs. I make a potato gratin with gouda, sautéed rapini and bourbon bread pudding -- unless I dig up something new to try out. I will be down there for a week.
Then when I return home I am going to an HIV/AIDS (http://fight.org/gala/) (fancy attire!) gala at the illustrious Union League of Philadelphia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_League_of_Philadelphia). So I just spent the morning digging out what to wear since I've not worn a proper suit since my grandmother's funeral eight years ago. Now I just need to sort out a tie and have it steamed. It's a good thing I own a lot of formal clothing
Christmas will be a repeat of Thanksgiving -- back to Loudoun and after only being back home for 16 days since Thanksgiving falls so late this year. That won't give me much time to Christmas shop, that's for sure. Plus I will having a lil' AIDSmed forum visitor during that time which will be disclosed at a later date, most likely with photo documentation.
Actual Christmas will be somewhat stress free because my brother and his family are spending it in London... très chic. I will only see them for one day on the 20th. So again it will just be the threesome with my parents. Not to mention at my age there is really only one high school friend that I meet up with when I go home -- I've known here since 3rd grade believe it or not, so we get together for a meal out with her husband (a socially liberal Republican).
New Years will be in Filthy watching the eight hour long horrible Mummer's Parade that goes right in front of my house.
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Sounds a good set off plans Miss P , I remember rocking with laughter at your posting about the Mummers one year.
All up in the air for me.Its the first Christmas without our Mother, and the last 7 have all been , for me , fitting into her needs . odd set of feelings, sadness and giddy choices . Still I must admit it will be a pleasant change not to be in a minimum security Old folks Home for the holidays.
Swanky dinner---do you have a cummerbund , I love wearing them well I did the two times in 56 years I did.
All the Best ,
m
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I will be cooking a small meal for myself and my honey bunches. I'm very much estranged from my family for how they have treated me. Never want me around there children because I'm gay, upsetting but tis life. My boyfriends relatives are not from this country so we always celebrate thanksgiving together.
Christmas will be spent recovering from what I hope to be my finally surgery. So I'll muster up some food watch some good TV and call it a good year.
What I'm most looking toward to is Coquito, lord heavens yes.
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The preliminary holiday plans:
Thanksgiving - I will be heading up to Ocala, Florida to mom's house Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving. We will then make the journey over to the coast to Palm Bay to have Thanksgiving dinner with my cousin, her boyfriend, and my aunt (mom's 88 year old sister who has Altzheimer's). Thanksgiving Day is also my mother's birthday and would have been her and my dad's 50th wedding anniversary - Yep, that should tell you what kind of emotions should be going on that day...
We will make our way back to Ocala either Thursday eve or Friday and hang out for the weekend. She will probably be studying for her Medical Coder/Billing certification exam (which happens the following week) and I will be working on my school work - so, it should be a pretty "fun" weekend.
Christmas - The College I work at shuts down after December 20th and I will remain off work (but receive holiday pay ;D ) until January 6th.... I will journey back up to Ocala around December 22nd to be there for Christmas - since mom will have the tree up. We will most likely do Christmas day at her place and make our way to Orlando to go to Disney World or some other touristy place a day or two after Christmas. Of course, she will also want me to scoot over to Tampa, so that we can go to the Hard Rock Casino sometime while I am up her way.
I plan on getting back to Miami area around December 28th (oh my God, just realized that puts me with mom for around 6 days --- Note to self: Contact doctor for some anxiety meds.....)
New Year's - I will be back in the MIA for New Year's. I usually don't venture out on NYE, due to people insisting on firing guns who obviously have no desire to understand Newton's Law of Gravity that what goes up, must come down (every year multiple people get hit by descending bullets).... So, I will either be at my place or my "partner's" place - depending on whether we are on or off at that time....
School work will be splashed throughout the holiday break, as I am getting close to completing my MBA and would like to have it done by the end of April, if at all possible.
Hoping for a relaxing and overall uneventful holiday with measured emotional responses and a bit of tradition mixed in with some new elements
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Thanks Ms. P for this post. Oddly enough it is very fitting. For the first time in 10 years I will be spending ALL of the holidays back East, some of which I am looking forward to and some not so much.
I am leaving this coming Saturday to go back to assist my Mom who is currently in a rehab center with a broken should and a broken heel. She is actually ready to come home and wants to come home badly and of the seven of us that could care for her she thinks I am the best fit. I love her dearly, and my brothers and sisters, however the lot of them at once scares the hell out of me. One on one we are great, in a group and it gets heated and sometimes ugly.
It will be an interesting time I am sure and I hope so badly that it works, we will take it one day at a time. One of the greatest things about my relationship with my Mom is that we know when to say no, time out, your on your own etc., this time I am sure will be a bit different.
She has promised that we will make Stollen and I will make cookies from the recipes in the latest Yankee magazine, which includes potato chip cookies, I swear this is true, disgusting as it sounds, right up Willy's alley.
I have searched for support groups for myself, thank you Ann for those directions a few weeks ago for another member. Not many, but I will start at step one and proceed.
Well there you have it, be safe and happy holidays wherever and with whomever. Be well!
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Oh, stollen is a big thing in our household for Christmas. My mother must make at least a dozen or more of them. It's our traditional Christmas breakfast, along with grits, farm fresh sausage, fried apples and fresh grapefruit.
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My gracious gift to everyone I work with was to volunteer to work both holidays. :) It's a tough time of the year for me, so I can make money and stay out of a funk.
I upset some in my family because I have refused to participate in the changing ritual of Thanksgiving. My younger brother's wife has done the dinner the last several years and I dread it and don't enjoy it. She is more concerned with getting it over with so she and her friends can go shopping.
Wolfie
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I have no idea what the Thanksgiving plans are. We usually spend part of the day with Brian's family and then my brother usually has dinner. However, Brian's parents are taking the whole family to a cabin in the Smoky Mountains next weekend. After spending a whole weekend with them, I am not sure I want to spend thanksgiving, too. I am already hesitant about staying in the same cabin with the "hate the sin, love the sinner" sister-in-law. I have to bite my tongue around her. We already had a big blow up a few times, where I called her a fraud.
We will start putting up the Christmas decor the week of thanksgiving and turn things on the day after. Christmas is shared between Brian's family and mine. We go to his first and then have my family's in the evening. We are opening gifts up to midnight. Christmas with my side happens at my brother's. It is very diverse. You have the 4 gays (sometime more), his partner's mother is black and his dad is Filipino. His father has been here since like the 50's, but we can barely understand him. He doesn't talk much, so he never got the language down. His wife won't shut up, so he just can't get in a word in. And, when she's taken a pain pill, it is even worse. You have to just jump in and talk over her.
So, his dad will make adobo, pancit, and lumpia. Lumpia is a spring roll; pancit is Thai noodles with chicken, and adobo is either steak or chicken in this delicious sauce. We have more traditional dishes, too. In years past, we have headed to Florida after Christmas. We have been busy with refinancing the house and having to replace the furnace, that we weren't sure whether we could do it. I was going to look to see if any affordable flights are still available.
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I love the holiday season! No travel plans for me this year unless I decide to venture away for New Years but doubt it would be too far away.
We picked up a turkey breast at the market this week for our traditional Thanksgiving meal. This summer we had some really good sweet corn so I blanched some, took it off the cob, and put up about 10 bags of it in the freezer. One particular batch came from some exceptionally good Silver Queen so I have a bag of that marked for T-giving. Mother will make the cranberry chutney sometime this week and of course we need to pick up some sweet potatoes from the farmers market too.
All Christmas shopping done with the exception of picking up a gift certificate at Talbots. For me, one of the best things about Christmas is that its time for me to make batches of party mix, crock pot candy, home-made toffee, roasted pecans, and other goodies so I can pack up gift boxes for my friends. I sometimes include jars of the stuff I canned over the summer in those gift boxes too. It really is the highlight of the season for me to give these home-made goodies to the special folks in my life. This year I made some really good potpourri (all natural) as a new item to include in the Christmas boxes.
We don't script it out too much... I think the basic plan is to attend a few drop-ins here and there and just enjoy the sounds, tastes, and aromas of the season. I love going out to the farm and cutting white pine to put around the house. The smell of that is amazing and the trek to the farm is part of the fun too. Our holiday is not complicated, usually relaxed, and always enjoyable. Ahhhhhh... in the spirit already just typing this out.
J
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Ah, yes the holiday Season -- (I say that just to piss off Sarah Palin.....)
Thanksgiving -- Sid and I started a new tradition last year and will be having dinner at a Brazilian Churrascaria. Nothing says thanks quite like an endless supply of meat being paraded around by some hunky Gauchos!
Christmas Eve -- we will, for the 12th year, dine at a Thai restaurant in Carytown and then go to the lovely Byrd Theater here in Richmond (look it up) and watch "It's a Wonderful Life" -- after they do a Christmas sing-along with the "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ on site.
Christmas -- this will be a quiet affair for us. Just a few stocking stuffers for Sid and I. Our safari has eaten into our Christmas present money. Although, I will have shipped off the 30+ wrapped gifts to my daughters a couple weeks before (5 grandkids are NOT cheap). After that we will watch "White Christmas". I will then cook up some delicious crabcakes and scallops for dinner. Followed by a nice stroll (weather permitting).
New Years -- if Sid's work schedule allows we will spend New Years eve at Busch Garden's Christmastown in Williamsburg.
Then it becomes a 6 week countdown to Tanzania and our Safari to celebrate my 50th.........
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Oh, stollen is a big thing in our household for Christmas. My mother must make at least a dozen or more of them. It's our traditional Christmas breakfast, along with grits, farm fresh sausage, fried apples and fresh grapefruit.
Now THAT is a tradition that I would enjoy! Home-made stollen would be sooooooo good with a freshly brewed mug of coffee.
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It's a good thing I own a lot of formal clothing
When I quit Corporate America, I only kept my second-favorite suit. (my local cleaners lost my favorite one). It's now almost 20 years old. I have been looking for a replacement for it, but I feel it's a crime to spend on something I'm just going to use for marryin' an' buryin'.
The nice thing about a tuxedo is that you can update the tie and the cummerbund and be done. The bad thing is that, if you go with the wrong colors for your tie, etc., people will mistake you for one of the servers. :P
Turkey day:
Heading to my wife's family get-together. My FIL passed away this spring. This holiday and Christmas will be quite emotional for her and her family, too.
Christmas:
Again at the in-laws. I'll drive in for the day. My wife usually stays for up to a week. The kids come and go as their schedules allow.
New Year's Eve:
The kids host their friends and I usually stay out of the way. Some years, my wife stays at her parents until New Years Day. She then drives home while the roads are clear (while football is on the tv).
Where are all my relatives through all this? I have no idea. Trust me when I say their absence makes the holiday better.
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I have had great fun pretending to be one off the servers.
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Thanksgiving is spent at my brother's-in-law sister's. It's always a huge meal. I am off work for that day and the day after. I am quite disgusted with all the stores opening on Thanksgiving.
Christmas is spent at my sister's in Michigan. Except Christmas Eve, where I go to my best friend's (who also lives in Michigan). This is only a 20 minute drive from where I live in Indiana, so it's not much of an effort travel wise. Since my parents both passed, my best friend includes me in her family's Christmas, which is nice.
I buy Christmas presents throughout the year, when I see good sales and have extra money. That way I'm not scrambling at the last minute to get everyone something.
I will start baking holiday breads probably this week, and then freeze what I will be giving away. The Christmas cookies and fudge (I make Fannie May fudge every year), will be done sometime during the beginning/middle of December.
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A parade sounds good. My Thanksgiving will be spent with my family of three, ( my husband and daughter), in our new home. My older sister here in Montana is upset we turned down her offer to go to her house for any holiday this year. Plus that and the fact someone thought she was my mom the other day at the store. I laughed hard.
For Thanksgiving my daughter and I are cooking turkey, vegies, and rolls. We make clover rolls from scratch.
And Christmas is the same meal, except we have a ham instead of turkey. We will of course be opening gifts. We usually open gifts in the morning and eat Christmas dinner at two in the afternoon. Later we eat leftovers throughout the night.
Christmas Eve we go to Midnight Mass and receive communion.
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For the next 7 weeks, I'm not going anywhere or doing anything, suddenly this past summer I have a new Truck payment ::)
so, I'm Car Note Poor for the rest of the yr. till then I'll crimp & save my ass-off, till i can afford to do a little better in 2014
that's my Holiday Season Vent, at least for the rest of the the 2013 yr.
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Me? I'm driving the three hours (yes, I can drive!)
No.
I will need a behind the wheel selfie of you to believe this.
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Didn't Miss P take the side mirror off a car trying to park last holiday season ?
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No.
I will need a behind the wheel selfie of you to believe this.
Didn't Miss P take the side mirror off a car trying to park last holiday season ?
Oh nevermind, I forgot we had this photo of her. Maybe this was when she had that unfortunate mirror incident..
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/IwuvPhilly/07_old_age_driver_woman_51176.jpg)
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OK -- It's still 4 days 'til Thanksgiving and I just finished ALL my Christmas shopping today!! Well -- still need to order my Dad his usual Harry & David gift.
Woo Hoo -- I can spend the Turkey Day weekend wrapping my little head off!!
M
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Leaving Wednesday for Ocala... ;D
In the meantime:
With 36 days left until the end of 2013, I only have to work 18 of them...
The college I work at closes from December 20 thru January 2 for holiday break (and it doesn't count against our vacation time) and I took a couple of extra days off (Jan 2 and 3), so I will be off from December 20th until January 5th. Can't wait - need a break from work
If my mother's passport comes in time, we may fit a cruise in over the Christmas holiday - just a 4 or 5 day one (probably Cozumel and/or Turk-Caico Islands)... If we don't make it for the holidays, it will definitely occur in March or April - but hoping to do it over the holiday break.
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Got a bit of a reprieve,
Instead of driving from Miami to Ocala yesterday (5+ hours) and from Ocala to Palm Bay (3 hours) today and then Palm Bay to Ocala (3 hours) late today and Ocala back to Miami (5+ hours) Sunday....
Mom is going to meet me in Palm Bay (only a 2 hour 40 minute ride) and we will have Thanksgiving at my cousins... We then will stay at a hotel up that way and I will make my way back to Miami tomorrow...
A lot less driving --- only 6 hours and 320 miles compared to the 17 hours / 1,200 miles I would have been driving.
Very happy and relieved.
Today is my mother's birthday plus it would have been her and dad's 50th wedding anniversary.... those things in addition to it being the first Thanksgiving without my brother will probably make it a bit emotional later today....
Still glad I am getting to spend the day with her - and her gift is an upcoming 4 or 5 day cruise (her choice) - shortly after the holidays (probably in late January or early February).
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Thanksgiving: cooking one half of butterball Turkey, doing nothing, and staying home
Christmas: cooking the otherhalf of butter Turkey, doing nothing, and staying home
New Years: doing nothing, and staying home
if I survive New Years Eve, and don't get a bullet
thur my roof caused by foolish people w/ hands guns
life in-da-hood can be ruff, if your not careful
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I'm ready to get our Griswold Christmas up. I am not ready for shopping. I began asking for ideas back in early October and haven't gotten any as of yet. So, I will just buy something I think they will like.
Thanksgiving turned out good on both my side and Brian's side. Brian finally noticed what I've been saying for a few years about his sister. She is constantly sick and I think responsible for getting me sick a few times. She was hacking again today. She sticks her fingers in just about every dish to "sample." I mean, running her fingers through mashed potatoes. If she isn't sampling, she has this habit of rearranging food. Cookies, rolls, turkey slices, etc can be perfectly arranged on the plate; however, she has to rearrange them. We are going to secretly record her at Christmas. She denies she does this.
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I'm ready to get our Griswold Christmas up. I am not ready for shopping. I began asking for ideas back in early October and haven't gotten any as of yet. So, I will just buy something I think they will like.
Since you don't know me well I just wouldn't feel good if you spent more than 50 bucks on my gift Ted . I really want one of those clappers to turn the lights off on the chandelier in my bedroom .
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Since you don't know me well I just wouldn't feel good if you spent more than 50 bucks on my gift Ted . I really want one of those clappers to turn the lights off on the chandelier in my bedroom .
I love that old commercial, where the old lady acts all pissed the TV is still on and claps off. I will ask Santa to give you the clap in your stocking. :o
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Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and that some of you have a day off work today too.Bring on Christmas....and internet shopping.
Im halfway through a 2 week holiday....at home.I had booked a mega cheap weekend away, first one in months,
and had to cancel as feeling yeuchy.Its cold here but im lying snug in my bed and just going to sleep and watch Christmas films.Still got another week off so will stay at home!
Got to love True Christmas channel .Lol!!
britchickx
Ps.... I've lost 6 pounds in weightxxx
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Thanksgiving was quiet and relatively nice. My Mom is mending and we are still at the "very nice" to each other stage, I'm sure that will change and we will progress to humans any day or hour now. I have been cleaning on the sly while she snoozes, gets dress, or both of which are hour or two hour increments. She has a house keeper but I don't think she has ever seen the inside of the refrigerator, oh well one day and that section at a time. We might be clean by Christmas.
It is frigging cold here! And dark so early. Woe is me.
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I'm about to go out for a very civilized wine tasting with my mother and then my father is meeting us for lunch at a new brewpub downtown, followed by some Black Friday (but post-mayhem crowds) shopping.
Hunger Games 2.0 3D matinee tomorrow followed by a wine & cheese party featuring Batali culatello, the caviar of cured pork.
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I'm about to go out for a very civilized wine tasting with my mother and then my father i
Hunger Games 2.0 3D matinee tomorrow followed by a wine & cheese party featuring Batali culatello, the caviar of cured pork.
the caviar of cured pork.
Yum , pork eggs .
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Happy Queer Torment Season Everyone!
In all seriousness, I am thankful for this forum among a plethora of other things.
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I used to have visions of sugar plum fairies in my head but it stopped when I got off Atripla .
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Thanksgiving: cooking one half of butterball Turkey, doing nothing, and staying home
Christmas: cooking the otherhalf of butter Turkey, doing nothing, and staying home
I'm wondering how you split this Turkey in half? Do you have a band saw in your garage?
life in-da-hood can be ruff, if your not careful
Fo' serious. A band saw might come in handy, if only for the intimidation factor.
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I'm wondering how you split this Turkey in half? Do you have a band saw in your garage?
Fo' serious. A band saw might come in handy, if only for the intimidation factor.
LOL Henry your funny, you made my smile ;D
I ususally have the butcher ( @ my local Grogers) saw it in half, if i get a 15 to 20 lb'er and save the other half in the 2nd freezer in our pantry ;)
where we stock-pile most of our meats, and also here in ABQ every New Years EVE without fail, some ass-hole(s) like to pop-off
hand-guns, but are to selfish to understand that what go's up, must come down somewhere ::)
and i just bought a brand new truck, and I don't anything thing to happen to my new baby ;D
glad to see you around, and hope you are doing well, and OH Happy Holidays Henry, be well
HUGS
DEN
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I WIN!
I was at Walmart today in the midst of Hillilly Black Friday Extravaganza (but only for cat food and tea).
Thereafter, I was at Dillards to pick up some Clinique. It was much quieter there.
See... I'm such a versatile gal and can play either part quite well. :-*
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I WIN!
I was at Walmart today in the midst of Hillilly Black Friday Extravaganza (but only for cat food and tea).
Thereafter, I was at Dillards to pick up some Clinique. It was much quieter there.
See... I'm such a versatile gal and can play either part quite well. :-*
When I go into the high-end-stores nobody even notices me ( I'm such a feeble cheap old man)
who mumbles to myself and gawks at all then high price items
when i go into walmart I feel like king, everyone is so nice to me, and I don't feel like a cheap
feeble penny-pinching old man , and i never mumble to myself it just scares people away
i really gotta stop doing that in them high end stores ;D
HUGS
DEN
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I WIN!
I was at Walmart today in the midst of Hillilly Black Friday Extravaganza (but only for cat food and tea).
Thereafter, I was at Dillards to pick up some Clinique. It was much quieter there.
See... I'm such a versatile gal and can play either part quite well. :-*
You? Clinique? Details pls
Ps: I went to Tar Ghey today and bought a single fitted sheet. Exhilarating to be with the masses!
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You? Clinique? Details pls
Since we are headed into the dreary winter months, my sun time will be limited thus I need to shore up my beauty regimine with Clinique For Men Non Streak Facial Bronzer. It's not easy being beautiful.
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When is your first Botox session for 2014?
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I WIN!
I was at Walmart today in the midst of Hillilly Black Friday Extravaganza (but only for cat food and tea).
Thereafter, I was at Dillards to pick up some Clinique. It was much quieter there.
See... I'm such a versatile gal and can play either part quite well. :-*
Was this you? ;)
I bet these folks fighting over stuff will post "Keep Christ in Christmas" and "Jesus is the reason for the season" on their Facebook timelines.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=dFFqUdToBGc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdFFqUdToBGc%26feature%3Dshare
http://youtu.be/zSbecxssAD0
http://youtu.be/whV3cRsqUnc
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I am waiting for one more gift to arrive from Amazon -- then I am FINISHED. Everything is bought and wrapped, the house is decorated (though that is all Sid......). I wrapped somewhere around 50 gifts in the last 3 days (yes, I do spoil my grandkids) -- although that includes some birthday gifts for Sid (on 12/21). Now all I need to do is pack them up and get FedEx to deliver them to NC and RI.
Oh -- Christmas cards are still to be done...... but I have NEVER, EVER been this far ahead of the game -- not even the years that we traveled around the holidays.
Sid is in shock, I think he fears that I will keep on buying for the next 3 weeks! ;D
M
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The meds are to blame.
(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o745/mjm711/DSCN0948_zps84f230d1.jpg) (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/mjm711/media/DSCN0948_zps84f230d1.jpg.html)
Oh, and this after the Thanksgiving meal. :)
(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o745/mjm711/DSCN0940_zps11d281d0.jpg) (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/mjm711/media/DSCN0940_zps11d281d0.jpg.html)
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Very, uh, beautiful Mitch
Now when you say the meds are to blame, do you mean the lack of meds?
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You all remind me of a group of old women.
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You all remind me of a group of old women.
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/IwuvPhilly/index_zpsff78f10e.jpg)
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You all remind me of a group of old women.
we are. Wumpella is in denial tho. :)
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we are. Wumpella is in denial tho. :)
Don't you have some knitting to do?
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Don't you have some knitting to do?
Yes. A shawl. Color preference? :)
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I like Old Women.
ed to add--even love some
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I like Old Women.
ed to add--even love some
:)
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Hey, nice lights.
Incandescent christmas/party/garden lights.
I'm surprised these are still sold in France. Maybe it's a grey market.
http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00197Z152/ref=asc_df_B00197Z15216142861?smid=A2P2JN1SD7RV9V&tag=legugrounetw_kitchen_mp-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22802&creativeASIN=B00197Z152
I always liked the traditional American big fat bulb christmas strings C7 C9 - the kind that get so hot and are a really a fire hazard, indoors.
http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6301170/il_570xN.293404021.jpg
I have a good selection of all the generations of different lights. But now the European forms, not the American ones.
To get bulbs for the oldest kinds of strings, you have go through the back door of a traditional lightbulb factory buried discretely in the Alps, and not closed, despite the new laws. They can't legally sell to the public. It produces edison type bulbs - sold in UK and the US -- and specialty bulbs for theatres, museums, city governments that haven't updated their technology, etc.
http://www.righi-licht.ch/topic6989.html
That old theatre dressing room mirror that gives you everlasting youth and beauty? Try getting that luminescence with the new fangled lights.
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/stinkylulu/media/TR-thelmarittereve-nag.png.html
http://bertandmorty.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/nataliewood1.jpg
I have a good supply of the small colored bulbs. They do get hot.
I have a wish list for some big frosted globes, the kind in 70's mod lamps. They are 30-50 bucks a pop now. I got a couple in reserve. Sometimes i see them on broken down old lamps in thrift stores and try to convince the salesladies to sell me just the bulb because I don't want the broken down hideous lamp. Usually they are horrified or bewildered at that idea. Anytime the swiss are bewildered or faced with something new, they say no.
Even though the whole lamp might cost 5 bucks... I won't buy the lamp, just for the bulb. Silly game I play to amuse myself.
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Hey, nice lights.
Incandescent christmas/party/garden lights.
I'm surprised these are still sold in France. Maybe it's a grey market.
http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B00197Z152/ref=asc_df_B00197Z15216142861?smid=A2P2JN1SD7RV9V&tag=legugrounetw_kitchen_mp-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22802&creativeASIN=B00197Z152
I always liked the traditional American big fat bulb christmas strings C7 C9 - the kind that get so hot and are a really a fire hazard, indoors.
http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6301170/il_570xN.293404021.jpg
I have a good selection of all the generations of different lights. But now the European forms, not the American ones.
To get bulbs for the oldest kinds of strings, you have go through the back door of a traditional lightbulb factory buried discretely in the Alps, and not closed, despite the new laws. They can't legally sell to the public. It produces edison type bulbs - sold in UK and the US -- and specialty bulbs for theatres, museums, city governments that haven't updated their technology, etc.
http://www.righi-licht.ch/topic6989.html
That old theatre dressing room mirror that gives you everlasting youth and beauty? Try getting that luminescence with the new fangled lights.
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/stinkylulu/media/TR-thelmarittereve-nag.png.html
http://bertandmorty.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/nataliewood1.jpg
I have a good supply of the small colored bulbs. They do get hot.
I have a wish list for some big frosted globes, the kind in 70's mod lamps. They are 30-50 bucks a pop now. I got a couple in reserve. Sometimes i see them on broken down old lamps in thrift stores and try to convince the salesladies to sell me just the bulb because I don't want the broken down hideous lamp. Usually they are horrified or bewildered at that idea. Anytime the swiss are bewildered or faced with something new, they say no.
Even though the whole lamp might cost 5 bucks... I won't buy the lamp, just for the bulb. Silly game I play to amuse myself.
I also like the old C7 and C9-- either clear or frosted. We use to line the roof with them, but switched to LED to save energy. The LED color bulbs have grown on me, but I still prefer the old school. Well, at least in the larger bulbs. I see some old miniature color lights now and think they look odd. I do prefer the incandescent miniature clear lights. LED clear just doesn't look right on garland. But, I have seen some LED clear on some trees that I thought looked good.
Those party lights you posted look similar to ones we use on one of our Christmas trees, but they are G40 bulbs. But, they blow so often. We probably have to replace a quarter of them during the time they're up. We have probably switched to 50% LED, but still like some of the electricity hogs.
We are almost finished with our decor. I will have to post a pic or two.
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Got all the decor done-- inside and out. I haven't taken photos of the outside. I may just do a video.
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/20131204_233009_LLS_zpsffbdbe89.jpg)
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/20131204_232659_LLS_zps61fb134c.jpg)
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/20131204_232612_LLS_zps819b818e.jpg)
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/20131204_233358_LLS_zps65d544b2.jpg)
I loved Rudolph as a kid and now. It is the story about being gay, after all. I know many would think these tacky and childish. I got the Disney one as a gift. I really would have preferred another Rudolph piece.
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/20131204_203307_zpsf3fdc664.jpg)
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I am now ready!
(http://i39.tinypic.com/js0u2o.jpg)
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David,
Great pic and great staircase. Why do you wear a name tag in your apartment? I assume that's the penthouse apartment. ;)
Those stairs remind me of the White House stairs to the residence. Looking very dapper.
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Got all the decor done-- inside and out. I haven't taken photos of the outside. I may just do a video.
Pretty. And you have 2 trees?
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I am now ready!
(http://i39.tinypic.com/js0u2o.jpg)
Hmmm?? is that a wrinkle I see on that tie????
Just kidding -- you look wonderful
M
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(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/20131204_233009_LLS_zpsffbdbe89.jpg)
Tedderz dear your tree is AMAZING, I love the lit up gifts. All your decorations are very beautiful. So I take it you have 2 trees in your house? I suddenly am getting in the spirit just by looking at your picscs.
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They are awesome pics Ted . This is my first year to have a tree in a very long time so Im still shopping for cool holiday decor . I found an old bubble light mantel piece from the 50's the other day in a second hand store but for got to grab it before checking out so I my go see if its still there one day this week .
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They are awesome pics Ted . This is my first year to have a tree in a very long time so Im still shopping for cool holiday decor . I found an old bubble light mantel piece from the 50's the other day in a second hand store but for got to grab it before checking out so I my go see if its still there one day this week .
I've got a string of those bubble lights that are at least 40 years old. Only about half of them still bubble, but I LOVE them. Especially since they were on my tree every christmas as a child.
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oops... my bad -- I double posted that picture of myself in another thread just now. I was drunk when I got home last night and was eating three take-out authentic beef tacos.
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Thanks for the compliments. We have a tree in the living room and one in the basement family/TV room. We added those lighted gifts, because we were getting gifts wrapped at the last minute more and more, and it looked bare. It is a lot of work, and I now appreciate why our parents have downsized to one simple tree.
And, to compete with Miss P's beautiful pic, here is mine. He looks much better in his nice suit. The London phone booth is nice, but I loved that staircase. I want to see everyone's pics.
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps742977ba.jpg)
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Wow you're a cutie Tedderz.
and missp cleans up pretty good.
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This week one of my coworkers, who is taking the organization of the office Christmas party way too seriously, badgered me into participating in Secret Santa again this year. I had decided not to participate after last year's drama when one of my coworkers didn’t like her gift and sent the giver a text message stating that she didn’t appreciate her “crappy” gift of “an ugly scarf and some stale old pretzels” (they were homemade), she expected at least one of her suggested gifts and if the giver didn’t know how to play Secret Santa she shouldn’t participate. Meanwhile another coworker, who is from Africa and really didn't understand Secret Santa, spent over $100 giving her recipient every gift the person suggested. This year the person I drew for Secret Santa is Jewish, creating the unlikely scenario of an atheist giving a Jew a Christmas gift.
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Lookin' good, Ted! :)
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And for those still wondering what to tip who, McDonald's employee website had a handy chart, telling their employee's emilypost's recommended holiday tips for their aupairs, nannies, dog walkers, fitness trainers, massage therapists, and pool cleaners.
http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/06/apparently-mcdonalds-thinks-its-employees-have-swimming-pools-and-nannies/#ixzz2mi7mm3o7
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Got some shopping done. We got a very late start. My brother wants some Sonos speakers and Target is offering all customers 10% off this weekend, due to that breach of card numbers. So, I will still shop there and use the 10% off.
For our Dirty Santa gift exchange, we bought these. I want them. I'm impressed with the sound and how they work. These are Dancing Water Speakers. You can find on amazon, if you are interested. I shot video of them that you can view below. I have no financial interest-- just showing them to you..lol.
http://youtu.be/Ljx-2VLj36Q
Modified:
I'm curious whether you can view it. I got an email from YouTube listing the song clips by name, that I played for demonstration. Wow! Technology. It claims it is still on YouTube, but may be blocked as it may violate copyright.
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Never mind. You can't view it. That's a story for another thread. Several people were able to upload the speakers with music playing, but mine got pulled down. And, I didn't even have mine set public. You had to have the link. I uploaded it to send to a friend. I played small snippets of 3 songs. But anyway....
Here they are.
http://youtu.be/ZIXQ0wYmFII
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Never mind. You can't view it. That's a story for another thread. Several people were able to upload the speakers with music playing, but mine got pulled down. And, I didn't even have mine set public. You had to have the link. I uploaded it to send to a friend. I played small snippets of 3 songs. But anyway....
Here they are.
http://youtu.be/ZIXQ0wYmFII
Those are so cool Ted! :)
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As Christmas bears down on me, I have just compiled a "to do" list..
1.Shop (I've only bought 1 gift so far)
2. Clean house (for neighbor who will look in on my kitty)
3. Wash
4. Eyebrow wax.
Christmas Eve I will be attending services at Travis Park "we love teh gays" United Methodist Church, then afterwards stroll the grounds of University of the Incarnate Word under the christmas lights while sipping hot cocoa with the other homos.
Christmas day I will be travelling north and attending Christmas day festivities with my two son, granddaughter, ex wife and "that side" of the family :-*
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Nothing like celebrating the birth of the Baby Jesus with an ex-wife and her new STRAIGHT redneck husband.
For me it is yet another suburban dream holiday in the wealthiest county in the US... Lovely Loudoun County and the sole company of my loving parents. Oh, and a lot of salt-cured Virginia country ham.
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Nothing like celebrating the birth of the Baby Jesus with an ex-wife and her new STRAIGHT redneck husband.
Oh, and a lot of salt-cured Virginia country ham.
The rednecks adore me.
In addition to Turkey and Ham, we are sure to have some sort of Deer, probably Deer Bites which are chicken fried backstrap bits with cream gravy...DELISH!!!
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Deer? Wow, Turkey and ham... no a real Christmas dinner is a home roasted prime rib. Now that's class.
It's ham for Easter, turkey for thanksgiving, and prime rib for Christmas.
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Deer? Wow, Turkey and ham... no a real Christmas dinner is a home roasted prime rib. Now that's class.
It's ham for Easter, turkey for thanksgiving, and prime rib for Christmas.
I have ruined prime rib 2 years running now but I will get it right . Last year I used a digital thermometer and still over cooked it . I followed the directions to the letter that came with the roast . I bought it from Omaha Steak so that may have been the problem . It was the fanciest aged one they offer .
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always cook it for les than it says then let it rest ( it continues cooking in its own). They are tricky but when they come out right they are wonderful. Nothing says xmas like a good prime rib with horseradish and some potatos. I can't wait!! Oh yeah and a nice bottle of wine or two or three.
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There is a difference between oven roasting and a pot roast, first of all. IMO prime rib is somewhat over-rated and going to a proper butcher not a supermarket will open up alternatives.
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/how-to-cook-big-cuts-of-meat
Ps: everyone should own a Rosle digital thermometer
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As Christmas bears down on me, I have just compiled a "to do" list..
1.Shop (I've only bought 1 gift so far)
2. Clean house (for neighbor who will look in on my kitty)
3. Wash
4. Eyebrow wax.
Christmas Eve I will be attending services at Travis Park "we love teh gays" United Methodist Church, then afterwards stroll the grounds of University of the Incarnate Word under the christmas lights while sipping hot cocoa with the other homos.
Christmas day I will be travelling north and attending Christmas day festivities with my two son, granddaughter, ex wife and "that side" of the family :-*
Do you have to worry about the neighbor finding anything that may cause a fainting spell? Many can't help but to snoop.
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Do you have to worry about the neighbor finding anything that may cause a fainting spell? Many can't help but to snoop.
Oh God yes, and that's what they get for snooping...if you didnt want to see my sling and blow up doll room should have kept that door shut.
Ok so the presents are starting to roll in!
Not only did I get "Rimming sugar" (see avatar)..everyone should have a container of rimming sugar on hand, amirite! But I also got some Coffee Flavored Vodka!
Now I can incorporate Vodka into my morning routine! Yay!
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/IwuvPhilly/vodka_zpscde1d316.jpg)
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Oh God yes, and that's what they get for snooping...if you didnt want to see my sling and blow up doll room should have kept that door shut.
Hey Will,
Pictures please or it does not exist.
Joe
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Will, I can tell you I definitely do not want rimming sugar, lol.
I've gotten fudge, cash and 3 gift cards so far, with more family to go tomorrow. Merry Christmas! ;D
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Will, I can tell you I definitely do not want rimming sugar, lol.
I've gotten fudge, cash and 3 gift cards so far, with more family to go tomorrow. Merry Christmas! ;D
Will, I can tell you I definitely want Betty's share. :)
edited to add:
I'm in a tipsy Christmas eve zone. :-\ :)
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Mom made it to town. Brian and I cooked dinner for everyone here, before they went to Midnight Mass.
Here's mom and me. She was in a wheel chair for this, due to my brother accidentally knocking her down in Vegas and she broke her foot in several places. They claim they hadn't had a drop to drink.
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/Attachment-1_zps56b3799d.gif)
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So now that it's the 2nd of January am I the only one glad that five entire weeks of holidays (practically speaking) is over? And can you believe that I spent a total of SEVENTEEN days with my parents and didn't have a single fight with them? TOTESMAGOTESAMAZEBALLS.
There's so much activity during those five weeks what with (at least for me) traveling back and forth to my parents and seemingly little down time when visiting them (for almost-80 year olds they are very busy beavers every day, more so than I am) that when it's all finally done I'm so exhausted I just want to hermitize for a week in my apartment and do nothing. I still have yet to finish unpacking all of the things my mother sent back with me -- household supplies to last me a year and what not. I literally have 30 rolls of toilet paper, though she buys it at the Dollar Store so it takes 3 rolls to equal one roll of Charmin.
Anyway, I have no big plans for the next five weeks other than my normal scattering of medical appointments (four of them).
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I just realized that I missed seeing a few days of this thread.
Ted, great job on your decorating and loved the pics of you too! :)
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I just realized that I missed seeing a few days of this thread.
Ted, great job on your decorating and loved the pics of you too! :)
I enjoyed that too. Nice pic of you and your Mom. You both looked as though you were having a good time!
Ray 8)
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Teddy is pretty easy on the eye and then some too .
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I'm happy it's over too. Besides I need to stop eating. So hard to stay svelte during the holidays. I brought in to work about five pounds of Christmas chocolate and have it to the support staff just to get it out of my house. Now it's time to get back in shape although this time of year sucks at the gym. It gets so crowded with all the resolution people.
Ted's adorbs and has a sweet smile
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(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/Mobile%20Uploads/Attachment-1_zps56b3799d.gif)
Oh yes Tedderz is gorgeous. It's just that I cant get past that pic of him squeezing puss out of his toe...
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I missed the toe jam thread I guess .
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I missed the toe jam thread I guess .
It was worse than Mama June's gnat infestation
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It was worse than Mama June's gnat infestation
As long as Ted doesn't get Mama June neck dirt Im good .
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As long as Ted doesn't get Mama June neck dirt Im good .
hey go easy on June June, it's hard to get EVERY single neck roll cleaned out.
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hey go easy on June June, it's hard to get EVERY single neck roll cleaned out.
I bet it smells like Cheetos and parmesan cheese when you hug her .
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Oh yes Tedderz is gorgeous. It's just that I cant get past that pic of him squeezing puss out of his toe...
Oh thanks, I'd managed to forget about that one! >:(
You guys should organise a AM Calendar with pin-ups of Ted (but not his crusty toe) to fundraise for AMG 2014. :o
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Oh thanks, I'd managed to forget about that one! >:(
You guys should organise a AM Calendar with pin-ups of Ted (but not his crusty toe) to fundraise for AMG 2014. :o
Teddy on a bear skin rug , teddy by the pool , teddy in a teddy ... I don't care for my last suggestion at all .
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Teddy on a bear skin rug , teddy by the pool , teddy in a teddy ... I don't care for my last suggestion at all .
I think Teddy in a teddy is spot on! You forgot g-string, high-heels and a basque. (Not to be confused with Basquo.) Or maybe in a Basquo would be nice too! ;D
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teddy in a teddy ... I don't care for my last suggestion at all .
Right, you don't want to sell any calendars at all do you?
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Oh dear! I have missed all this praise. Toe nail is gone and new one almost back. That pic was pretty gross. It was like that spray cheese to spray on a cracker.
Seriously, the compliments are nice for my birthday. After dx, I did a tad too much comfort eating-- always ordering the dessert, when I would have barely finished my meal before. I put on about 40 pounds. I've lost right at 30 now. Jeff, I hinted around that Louisville was just about 2 hours from where you spent Christmas. :-*
My legs are too hairy for a teddy. I do have a thing for kilts, though.
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Oh dear! I have missed all this praise. Toe nail is gone and new one almost back. That pic was pretty gross. It was like that spray cheese to spray on a cracker.
Seriously, the compliments are nice for my birthday. After dx, I did a tad too much comfort eating-- always ordering the dessert, when I would have barely finished my meal before. I put on about 40 pounds. I've lost right at 30 now. Jeff, I hinted around that Louisville was just about 2 hours from where you spent Christmas. :-*
My legs are too hairy for a teddy. I do have a thing for kilts, though.
We were there only for late Christmas eve and left the day after Christmas day . I was also driving my high maintenance friends LOL .
If you guys are ever in Bham be sure to visit, dinner will be on me and I promise not to make you eat it laying on a bear skin rug .
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If you guys are ever in Bham be sure to visit, dinner will be on me and I promise not to make you eat it laying on a bear skin rug .
Careful Teddy -- it's a well known fact around Birmingham that she LIES!!! There are many horror stories of the events that have taken place on that rug.
Though, I hear the dinner is fabulous................
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Careful Teddy -- it's a well known fact around Birmingham that she LIES!!! There are many horror stories of the events that have taken place on that rug.
You get invited over for dinner and the next thing you know you are in a teddy on a bear skin rug with Jeff sitting in his easy chair sipping a scotch rocks and whispering, "nice, very nice".
That's pretty much how it plays out.
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Careful Teddy -- it's a well known fact around Birmingham that she LIES!!! There are many horror stories of the events that have taken place on that rug.
Though, I hear the dinner is fabulous................
Its not really a rug , just a poor old bear I shagged to death .
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Its not really a rug , just a poor old bear I shagged to death .
I just got a very unsavory image of Trey and Fisher at AMG.