Reinholt1

Bwaaaahhaaahaaahaaa! Like it wasn't already a smelly trip with an old man drinking all that milk cocoa! But with an offer of beer and pizza, I'm sure there will be plenty of Santa's helpers volunteering!

Yay! Thanks for the update.

Hey Bopeep! You haven't mentioned anything further about the two "lost" secret santas. Did you reach them? I am assuming you must have by this late date....Is everyone on track this year?

Holy cow! I am exhausted just reading this! I think you need to put a little "somethin' something'" in those cocoa bombs as a pick me up!

Double surprise! The Amazon truck pulled up today and dropped off a small box. What to my surprise, there was another book! And from my Secret Santa! What a surprise! (I could easily get used to this....having Amazon bring me a new book every few days! You are spoiling me Secret Santa!) Anyway, this new book is a novel called "The Lying Life of Adults". I am not at all familiar with this book or author but it looks very interesting. I hope you will take the time to tell me about this book choice next weekend! Thank you again Secret Santa! You out did yourself with 2 books! I am a very happy camper!

LOL For some people it's just not Christmas unless there is a "holiday rush". Happy Christmas!

LOL! I am glad you asked today and not yesterday! I got all the wrapping finished yesterday. I have one more box to ship tomorrow and that's about it. Not doing much baking this year, but will probably do it tomorrow. Right now I am focusing on Christmas dinner and am making my list for the final run to the grocery store. I am thinking to hit Kroger either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Otherwise, mom and I are watching Christmas shows on TV and, when I can drag her to the car, mom and I go out to look at holiday decorations.

LOL. That's a neat trick....colored lights and look at all the pretty packages.....white lights and all the packages disappear That's one way to keep the family in line...."You there! Get out from under that tree! Or I am turning the white lights on again!" Seriously though, it is a lovely tree. The candy cane tree topper is very unique!

Well, the biggest difference will be that I will not be working this year. And there will be no going to services. (I will watch on the internet. I always watch a Christmas mass on tv every year, and the lessons and carols on tv/radio). It's just been mom and I for a few years now. So that won't change. Mom always liked to go to Christmas concerts and shows and we would normally attend 7 or 8 over the holidays. So that feels very strange this year. But it is OK. We will just spend a quiet day at home. Yes, it is different this year for all of us, but it is a good time to pause and give thanks for the blessings of family and health that we still have. A quiet hopeful pause in life is actually what Christmas is about. Next year the celebrations will be all the more joyful when we can gather together once again. And we can enjoy them all the more!

There was a package from Amazon waiting for me at my front door today! My first thought as I picked it up was...."I wonder which book this is?" Because I haven't ordered any books for myself in 3 or 4 weeks. (I order used books all the time.) And so I opened it. It is a copy of "The New Jim Crow" and it's from my Secret Santa! Oh boy oh boy! Thank you so much. That is actually a book I have been meaning to read. I am so glad that you choose the option of sending me a book that is special/important to you. I am looking forward to reading it. HOWEVER, Secret Santa, you owe me one more thing! When Bopeep reveals who you are, I would love to know why this book is special/important to you. Book referrals are always more meaningful when you know the story behind them! Thank you again!

Nope, on my tablet there is no movement. It's just stuck....like a photo.

Unfortunately, it won't play on my tablet. But I love the llamakah sweater! And I like that you have a decent sized candle to sing by! ☺

To all my Jewish sisters and brothers...I wish you a joyous Chanukah as you begin your celebrations this evening.

LOL. Every time I am near MIS I think of all those wonderful summers at church camp. The Irish Hills are a pretty area. Looks like there are at least 4 of us in the same region. We should meet up after the virus...maybe over a chicken dinner in Frankenmuth.....

It is beautiful! I'd make room on my tree for that one!

Great minds think alike! First thing I saw was that Bronner's bag. Whatever you got Kash, it' s going to be a goodie!

Beautiful tree! Love the moose!

Hillbillyswife! Thank you so much for sending mom a Christmas card! We got it today. That was very thoughtful of you! Mom loves it!

I agree with Wittenlover, reach out and let's give them a little more time. I am assuming they are folks who have been with us a few years. Hopefully they are just delayed or busy. Our local news tonight was reporting how backed up they are, between the deluge of packages AND postal workers out due to the virus. They reported that even when a postal rig arrives, it is a 20 hour wait, in a line of rigs, to unload the rig! I've been tracking a package that went out last Monday. It was supposed to be delivered last Friday. Then USPS said Saturday. Now the USPS tracker simply says that the package will arrive late and that it is in transit.

::playing devil's advocate:: Maybe they are wrapped....most people appear to wrap....you could be enjoying pretty wrapped packages while you wait....hmmm mmm?? Tempting isn't it...... And the kitties want a new box to play in..... Open it.....go ahead...open it. ::ducking out quickly::

Sorry Stevierocks, I am having trouble seeing your pics. And the id # are all the same, so I don't think they took. The throw sounds comfy cozy though. If it makes you feel any better, mom finished polishing off all those mounds and almond joys about 5 mins ago. Don't let her see those 5 bags of candy of yours!

Mom got into the rest of her presents. Wow (not so secret) Secret Santa! You really out did yourself! Mom is very happy! She loves the shirt, immediately feeling the fabric and pronouncing it "very soft!...this is going to be really comfortable!". She is thrilled with the snack cakes, but her favorite at the moment are the mounds & almond joys candy bars. She is eating her 4th one as I type this. (See picture below) Mom also received a couple of pieces of Russell Stover's dark chocolate candies and a blistix lip balm. (And we mustn't forget a can of potato chips, a box of coffee cakes, a kitten calendar and a tree! (We both really like that a tree was planted somewhere where it is so needed.) Mom also hung your pretty ribbons on her tree for added decoration. Thank you again! Mom keeps saying how thoughtful you are!

Mom just opened another package.....I managed a quick shot as she ripped off the paper. Potato chips! Mom is very happy! Another favorite that I totally expect to be eaten in it's entirety today! Thank you secret santa!

Ummmm.......errrrrr......do we really want a bathtub photo of .....ummmmm........the bath salts?!? ::covering eyes just in case::

I guess we're not going to see a picture of that..... ::ducking away quickly before I get thwapped again.! Hee hee hee::