Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 22, 2019 18:41:35 GMT -5
I took the pictures and then forgot to post them! This may take a few posts. Here’s night time. In the cul-de-sac
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 22, 2019 18:43:26 GMT -5
Front of the house
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Dec 22, 2019 18:44:09 GMT -5
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 22, 2019 18:44:32 GMT -5
There are four more to the left of the big penguins. For some reason I didn’t take a picture of them. I’m in the car right now, so maybe later.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 22, 2019 18:46:36 GMT -5
I’d say 12 moderately paced human hours. So, we can get it done in six if two of us are working. I took these before I put up the 50 candy canes also.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Dec 22, 2019 19:08:39 GMT -5
Got Gwen's presents from us wrapped and my families and the picture I framed for MIL. I wrapped the dog presents at Abby's request.
That leaves Abby's to wrap and then their presents from my grandma and great uncle. I talked them into letting me do the shopping a couple years ago. Mom said see if I can get them to let me shop her and my dad too.🤣
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Dec 22, 2019 21:22:11 GMT -5
I have been done with wrapping since Thursday. I just have to shove some running socks and a hat that DH "bought me" (AKA I bought myself) into a gift bag and call it a day.
Let the kids stay up late tonight. We watched Home Alone, maybe not the best for a 3 and 5yo but they seemed to enjoy it, and then I let then help me make peanut butter blossoms. I did 3.5 kinds of cookies today, so that was decent. Too tired to roll out and bake the sugar cookies, so I will do that in the morning and we will ice them in the afternoon.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Dec 22, 2019 21:50:13 GMT -5
Yesterday got the sugar cookies cut out, baked, and frosted. Also made chocolate fudge yesterday. DD and I drove to a nearby town and picked up the ham for Christmas dinner. I also did a grocery run so I will just have a couple of last minute things to pick up, mainly rolls.
Today was house cleaning day. It took all day, I took a lot of breaks/computer time, but the bathrooms are clean, the house is vacuumed and the kitchen floor has been steam mopped. The dusting hasn't been done and probably won't get done before Christmas, don't care. I also just finished a batch of peanut butter fudge. With the two types of fudge I will have something to give the neighbors that I exchange goodies with. I still need to clean up the kitchen for tonight and start the dishwasher again. No presents have been wrapped, everything has been bought but is sitting in a pile in the office. The Christmas dishes aren't unpacked yet.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 22, 2019 21:57:52 GMT -5
In laws just left and it was a fun night. Snuggled the baby and played with the toddler. I think we'll have to make that a regular tradition. Setting up the Santa train under the tree and decorating gingerbread houses.
Wishing I had 2 weeks winter break from work about now!
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Dec 22, 2019 23:47:10 GMT -5
DH wrapped all the presents! Doing a little happy dance. We still have a few baubles en route, but the kids' stuff is all done and safely hidden away in the Christmas tree box.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Dec 23, 2019 0:28:40 GMT -5
6:20 am right now and time to get up and wrap presents. I'm only about halfway done -> can't get to it before I get here and at least oartially over my jet lag. In addition, DS1 and his fiancee be able to join in person this year, and he has (t)asked me to wrap their presents for the other 4 as well. DS1and DS2 are still trying to set up the perfect time for a Skype/Zoom time to join in the Xmas activities. I must admit that I don't even know the time difference between Germany and Singapore, but I am too lazy to look it up and let them figure it out. All that said: I sm having a wonderful time with my grandbabies and their parents
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 23, 2019 9:43:06 GMT -5
Baking is as done as its going to be. A lot less than I had hoped to do, but that's okay. My parents didn't get their tree or any christmas decorations up which mom seemed sad about but also pretty exhausted to do that as a final push just because. I offered to do christmas eve dinner at our house and I was surprised but she took me up on it. I'm looking forward to it, but will have to talk to dh and the kids to see if they want to do our gifts while my family is over christmas eve or still hold them for Christmas morning.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 23, 2019 11:41:32 GMT -5
Yesterday got the sugar cookies cut out, baked, and frosted. Also made chocolate fudge yesterday. DD and I drove to a nearby town and picked up the ham for Christmas dinner. I also did a grocery run so I will just have a couple of last minute things to pick up, mainly rolls.
Today was house cleaning day. It took all day, I took a lot of breaks/computer time, but the bathrooms are clean, the house is vacuumed and the kitchen floor has been steam mopped. The dusting hasn't been done and probably won't get done before Christmas, don't care. I also just finished a batch of peanut butter fudge. With the two types of fudge I will have something to give the neighbors that I exchange goodies with. I still need to clean up the kitchen for tonight and start the dishwasher again. No presents have been wrapped, everything has been bought but is sitting in a pile in the office. The Christmas dishes aren't unpacked yet.
For the life of me, I cannot make sugar cookies.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 23, 2019 11:48:45 GMT -5
We are through
~DH's work lunch party--at a restaurant (only had to wrap one regular size present and 15 mini-presents) ~my work breakfast party--at our house (besides breakfast prep, had to wrap one regular size present and 20 mini-presents) ~DH's extended family party--at his brother's house (only had to wrap five presents and bought our food contribution at Costco) ~First Christmas with all four children--at DS#1's apartment
We're back home now after being gone all weekend. We're now posting on FB about the inflatables. With the storm we had last Thursday - Saturday and then us being gone Friday - Sunday, we'd not turned them on. We didn't want to announce they were up and then dissappoint kids since the whole goal is to bring kids joy.
We still have Christmas Eve service, Christmas Day morning festivities with just the girls, Christmas dinner with the girls, DD#1's BF, and a friend of DD#2's who is often at our house. Then, we'll host DD#1's BF's family for dinner on Dec 26.
While we've purchased the food for all of that, I still need two more stocking stuffers for the girls, and I need to wrap a few more presents.
I also need to complete the Christmas cards for the neighborhood.
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crazycat
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Post by crazycat on Dec 23, 2019 16:20:01 GMT -5
I am baking today . Also , decorating my mason jars full of homemade Moonshine . I made 12 cases this year .
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Dec 23, 2019 16:40:56 GMT -5
I feel like such a sloth. I mailed one Christmas card. I bought chocolate chip cookie dough but I've been too lazy to shove them in the oven.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Dec 24, 2019 19:16:03 GMT -5
Made it The Christmas gifts are all wrapped, stayed up late last night to get that done. Not necessarily pleased with everything but it is hard to find unique one of a kind things when you are running way behind. Today
I made two pies (pumpkin and marion berry)
Put together the carrot casserole Made the green jello (it's fussy so it takes longer than it should) Got the neighbor goodie plates distributed Made Chex Mix Got the Christmas China out Went to 3 different grocery stores (Should have only been 2 but I forgot ice ) The dishwasher is running Just need to put the Chex Mix away once it cools some more and wash the pan I used to make it.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Dec 24, 2019 22:46:46 GMT -5
We've decided not to do stockings this year. I asked DH to pick some stuff up at the store yesterday, he got overwhelmed and didn't. I'd only picked up 2 or 3 things for each stocking. We went to and xmas eve party and the hosts gave both kids stockings. They didn't really dig into them and we dumped all the candy into a box. I was going to reuse it in their stockings at home but they are 1 and 3, I think it is more for us at this point anyway.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Dec 25, 2019 0:17:25 GMT -5
It's shortly after midnight here in EST, and the presents are now all wrapped, and I finally got into bed. This is actually better than we usually do--normally we're done 1/2 a.m. We could have finished earlier is 1) my brother didn't hang out here late, after showing up late, and 2) had my DH not bought a shitton of presents for the kids. At least there was a good helping of clothes in there, but it was stuff they didn't really need. I will not complain, though, as he did nearly all the shopping this year. I usually do most of it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2019 8:47:42 GMT -5
And I think I may get myself a Christmas present- a pair of prescription diving goggles.@athena53 my DS1 got his at the Red Sea, same day, very inexpensively. They may sell them much cheaper wherever you're going. Mine were $52 with shipping so I'm happy. I'm headed to the Galapagos and don't know if we'll be snorkeling or not but now I'm prepared. The cruises I take tend to be to remote areas; I've been snorkeling off Panama, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, in the Sea of Cortez, and I've never seen a dive shop in the area. I think I'm going to stop at Kleinschmidt's Western Wear on I-70 on my way home from SC and get myself another pair of boots from the sale rack- I've looked at my taxes now that the capital gains distributions are in and my realized investment results are well below 2018 levels so I'm getting a fat refund. The rest will go into the grandkids' 529 plans.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Dec 25, 2019 12:45:29 GMT -5
Christmas obligations are nearly done--hurray! Playing in church kind of sucked, but now it's over. Now we just have to entertain my MIL for too many hours, but we can deal with that later.
My DH is at Walgreens trying to find her razor blades for her stocking. He's going to spend way too much there. He bought the wrong kind at the regular (cheaper) store, and didn't realize it until I opened my stocking. We used to all use the same razor blades, which are priced like they're made out of precious metals or something, but he changed to Dollar shave club, so he forgot. I didn't really need any yet, but I'm sure she'll greedily accept hers, because that's what she always does.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 25, 2019 17:55:40 GMT -5
Christmas obligations are nearly done--hurray! Playing in church kind of sucked, but now it's over. Now we just have to entertain my MIL for too many hours, but we can deal with that later. My DH is at Walgreens trying to find her razor blades for her stocking. He's going to spend way too much there. He bought the wrong kind at the regular (cheaper) store, and didn't realize it until I opened my stocking. We used to all use the same razor blades, which are priced like they're made out of precious metals or something, but he changed to Dollar shave club, so he forgot. I didn't really need any yet, but I'm sure she'll greedily accept hers, because that's what she always does. It amazes me how much razors cost. And not in a pleasant way.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2019 17:56:54 GMT -5
Yesterday we went to a local store called a "pawn shop". It ain't. Nothing is pawned there and most of the merchandise is from estate sales or local $$$$$ folks who only wear it once. Fell in love with a pair of earrings but at $2,495 I'm not going there. I may go back later this week and buy a sterling silver/copper Santa brooch which probably goes back to the 50's for $40. Or maybe an incredible, limited edition contemporary bronze charging bull. Which I need like the proverbial hole in my head but is freaking awesome. I'll do my research on the artist and how many in the edition.
As a point of reference, several years back I bought a diamond ring there for $1,000 cash (yes, real folding green stuff gets you a 10% discount). That baby appraised for $11,000 (no, I didn't add an extra zero-platinum has been rising).
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 25, 2019 17:57:53 GMT -5
Well, the presents have been opened, and I've now balanced the accounts. Dear goodness, we're spending a ridiculous amount on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We're not going into debt to do it, and I would say the stuff we purchase is reasonable for a middle class family. However, it is still ridiculous. I'd like to say we're going to spend less next year, but I don't know if that's true. Sheesh.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Dec 25, 2019 20:23:30 GMT -5
Now for the clean up. Everyone has left and I have a pile of dishes to wash. The dishwasher is packed full but I don't want to start it until I am done with the handwashing. DD was going to stay and help but my two year old DGD had reached critical mass, after two days of no naps and too much sugar, and was in continuous melt down cycle. I'm tired and wish I had tomorrow off from work.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 26, 2019 14:14:25 GMT -5
well - I finally executed the low-key Christmas I've been foreboding for years. It was a great success and I at least enjoyed it!
Total cost was 938.61 aside from specialty food/stocking treats - and it seems not/can't be accurate? I've gone over it a few times, and the overall food total is not out of line with most months....so....well....I'll see if anything else gets posted to cc, etc.
But so far - looks like I stayed in budget.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2019 16:34:41 GMT -5
I didn't completely sort the numbers yet but it looks like it was between $500-$600. Mostly gifts for the boys. I could have (and probably should have) done better, but it was cashflowed anyhow.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2019 8:59:42 GMT -5
I think I came out ahead! Visited family in SC and we don't exchange gifts (for which I'm grateful) but Dad moved to a smaller place in his retirement facility (in the main building so he doesn't have to drive there for meals) and is still de-cluttering. I scored an air compressor for inflating tires (he just sold his car) and a Kindle that he bought and decided he didn't like. The last e-mail on it was from 2013. Then my brother asked if DS and DDIL could use a giant container of Legos for their kids. Their response was yes, so I have a plastic tub of Legos in the trunk- most are in plastic bags for each project with instructions. DDIL is very organized and I bet she'll keep them that way, maybe letting the kids choose a project and giving them that package only, which also allows them to build something different.
I did stop on the way home and buy a pair of boots that cost about 10% of what I think my tax refunds will be. The other 90% will go into the kids' 529 accounts.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 28, 2019 11:43:34 GMT -5
Yesterday we went to a local store called a "pawn shop". It ain't. Nothing is pawned there and most of the merchandise is from estate sales or local $$$$$ folks who only wear it once. Fell in love with a pair of earrings but at $2,495 I'm not going there. I may go back later this week and buy a sterling silver/copper Santa brooch which probably goes back to the 50's for $40. Or maybe an incredible, limited edition contemporary bronze charging bull. Which I need like the proverbial hole in my head but is freaking awesome. I'll do my research on the artist and how many in the edition. As a point of reference, several years back I bought a diamond ring there for $1,000 cash (yes, real folding green stuff gets you a 10% discount). That baby appraised for $11,000 (no, I didn't add an extra zero-platinum has been rising). Nice!!!
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