BS: What did you get

Subject: What did you get
From: bill\sables
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 07:36 AM

I was just wondering what everyone got for Christmas. I was given a book from my father in law, an 1891 edition of "Allans Tyneside Songs". There are songs in there I have never heard before.
Bill

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 07:57 AM

For Christmas I was given guidance from a dear friend and a good flashlight from God so I can now see the path I want to walk in the New Year.
Guess the best presents come in all sorts and sizes.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: bflat
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 09:57 AM

Poor me, my computer forgot about all those special gift giving ideas that came flooding into my mailbox in the pre-season offers. I got the gift of friendship from my fiends, the real friends, quite lucky I'd say.

bflat

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Bernard
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 10:00 AM

My daughter got me a litre bottle of Drambuie... hic!

Cherry Mishmash e'ry body!!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 10:17 AM

Squid bits and a light up pen, gravestone-shaped soap and truly magic markers that change color. An antique corn bread mold, a wonderful selection of micro brews and a bottle of Bushmill's (strictly for medicinal -- voice -- purposes!). The joy and surprise of acquaintances who didn't expect a gift, but got one anyway.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 10:39 AM

I got one of the sweetest SO's in the history of the world, a couple of great coffee table books (one on the Battle of Britain, and one on the illustrated history of the British Navy....lotsa beautiful paintings of ships from Henry VIII days right to the present), and an egg made out of a semiprecious stone whose name escapes me at the moment (will have to ask SO). Then SO and myself shared in some computer stuff (CD burner, discs, etc. and a software program for learning conversational Spanish...Ay, chihauhau! Ay, caramba! Te quiero mucho, carissima. Ahora, donde esta mi burro? El con los pantalones verdes...).

I also got a framed picture of me and Mike Latter playing music at some gig a while back, and a book of poetry from his SO...cool stuff.

Good friends, good thoughts, good times.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Clifton53
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 10:55 AM

I got a Tascam Porta 2, 4 track tape recorder, for which I was very grateful. Now all I need is a team of experts to set it up for me, I am technophobic, but I'll work on it.

Clifton

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Alice
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 11:10 AM

I got a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner at a friends house, good conversation, and the chance to sing "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" to a very appreciative four month old baby (a real cutie and born music lover).

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: DonMeixner
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 11:37 AM

A woman who loves me, a happy family, and a healthy Mother for another year. Don't need more.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 11:42 AM

I got stuff I've wanted from friends and family who love me, but I also got this in the local newspaper, and would like to share it with all of you:

***

Christmas is much more than gifts By MICHAEL DeVAUGHN Guest Column

I learned the true meaning of Christmas in December 1991, when I was pastoring one of my first churches in Midland.

I remember this Christmas in particular because my mother was in the last stages of breast cancer. The doctors had told me she wouldn't make it until Thanksgiving, but it was Christmas and we were still together.

All of this was weighing heavily on my mind, and suddenly it was Christmas. I had no Christmas spirit whatsoever. None.

I tried to put up a tree, but it wouldn't fit into the tree holder. In true Grinch style, after struggling with it for more than an hour, I dragged it into the back yard and gave it a good toss. The neighbors came over later that evening and put up the tree. With no Christmas spirit, at least on my part, we did have a tree.

Christmas morning came, and about 9 the doorbell rang. A young child of about 10 years old was standing on the porch, and I noticed a shiny new bicycle leaning against the steps.

"May I help you?" I asked.

"My mother told me to tell you that Santa Claus forgot to visit the kids next door to us," he said.

I spoke with him more and obtained all of the details. A family on his street had awakened with nothing under the tree for Christmas. The mother, who was wheelchair bound, and her four children lived alone. The young boy's mother thought he should come over in person and bring this to my attention.

After speaking to the mother on the telephone and confirming this was true, I called my good friend Dr. Viola Coleman and told her about my young visitor; that somehow, the mother had fallen through the cracks of the social agencies, and the children had received nothing for Christmas.

She asked me if any of the stores were open, and I mentioned to her that I had just returned from Walgreen's.

"Meet me at my house in an hour," she said.

In one hour I was there. When I arrived, Dr. Coleman pulled up in the driveway and the back of her van was loaded with boxes of Christmas gifts - radios, dolls, tape players, puzzles. It was amazing. Everything a child could possibly want or need for Christmas was in the back of her van.

"Take these to the children you called about," she said.

"What will I tell them?" I asked.

"You'll think of something," she replied.

I loaded the items up and drove to the home where the children lived. I took one box out of the car and carried it with me to the house. When I knocked on the door, two little girls opened the door, with their mother watching from the sofa.

"I'm sorry." I said. "There seems to have been a terrible mistake. Santa left a whole lot of toys at my house, but he had the wrong address."

I looked at the box and read one of the girl's names. They both began to jump up and down, yelling, "That's us! That's us! That's us!" at the top of their lungs.

Together, we quickly unloaded the car, and the children where exuberant. I never will forget the joy on their faces as they tore open packages, tried on hats and gloves, and placed batteries in their radios. It was overwhelming.

As I drove home, I thought about what had just happened in light of my own personal struggles with my mother's illness and her imminent death. I learned then, and have always remembered, that the true meaning of Christmas is to bring happiness into the lives of others.

It's not about what we have, or what pain and suffering we have endured, but it is about our capacity to live beyond these tribulations, to live outside of ourselves, and in the process bring joy, hope and love into the lives of others.

I decided to place my sorrow on a back shelf and make this the best Christmas my mother ever had. I was like Scrooge waking up on Christmas morning after having been visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past. I saw things differently.

My mother passed away shortly after Christmas, but my experience with Dr. Coleman and the children grounded me and helped open my eyes. Even in my sorrow, at Christmas, I was able to bring joy into the life of someone else.

Just as the Christ child lying in the manger brought great joy to humankind, this Christmas I challenge you to forget about yourself - for just one day.

***

Michael DeVaughn is minister of Amarillo's Carter Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Rizla the Green
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 11:42 AM

A partridge..a couple of turtle doves..three french hens and a few other things.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 12:02 PM

Sarah, thank you for your post. A wonderful message of love.

bflat

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Alice
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 12:10 PM

Thanks, Sarah, for sharing that story.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Banjer
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 12:33 PM

Sarah, what I got for Christmas pales in comaprison to what the minister, Rev. De Vaughn, recieved. What a wonderful story, thanks for sharing it with us. I'm sitting listening to one of my favorite presents. The first of a four CD set of AMERICAN ROOTS, A History Of American Folk Music. Featured are names like Woodie Guthrie, Roy Acuff, Pete Seeger, Cisco Houston, Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, and many others....Wonderful music!! Currently playing: Ida Red by The Blue Sky Boys with Curly Parker

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 12:45 PM

floor mats for the car, flannel pants, a new computer, and lots and lots of love.......Kate got striped neon colored toe socks with fringe and Scooby Doo slippers! At least her feet are warm, *BG*

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST,Bob Schwarer
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 01:01 PM

Great Christmas!! Got my wifes parrot to sing "Jingle Bells" (Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle 'way). She tries hard. Also gives us "Ho, ho, ho merry christmas".

This will go on for a few weeks then we'll give it a rest 'til next December.

Our other bird found out how to turn lights off and on. We used one of these Clapper things to power some decorations from a hard to reach outlet. When Jake squawks the lights go on or off. Lots of fun for him.

Bob S.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 01:28 PM

On Christmas Eve (my family's traditional gift time), I had the loving presence (with a C) of my Beautiful Wife, my three great kids, a good son-in-law, and some and beautiful, intelligent and (for the most part) well-behaved grandchildren. Lots of warmth, not to be accounted for by the cheery fire in the fireplace.

Oh, and by the way, the de regeur shirts and ties, moccasin sox, Woody and Arlo Guthrie CDs, and a few other odds and ends.

May I belatedly wish each of you a wonderful Christmas (or Chanukkah, if that's your persuasion), and in just about six more days, a Magnificent Brand-New Millennium. And be sure not to let it go to waste: Use it all!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: roopoo
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 01:45 PM

Well. I got a diamond cross on a chain from my mum, a silk tablecloth from China, chocs and a teapot from the SO, a still non-existent web page from my son, and a home made picture from my younger daughter. But the older girl bought me a cookery book (via Amazon): "White Trash Cookery Book"! It's a belter, including a recipe for 'gator! "Uncle Willie's Swamp Cabbage Stew"!

Good thread material, methinks!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: bbc
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 02:09 PM

My family around me & a full day in church on Christmas Eve. Blessings of the season to all!

bbc (also some misc. fun stuff)(I'm thinking of buying my own autoharp w/ gift money, looking ahead to the time when my borrowed one will be reclaimed.)

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 02:09 PM

A central heating boiler packing up on christmas eve 3PM !!
HUMBUG
christmas socks (with santas on them) DOUBLE HUMBUG
....and a book on rare wildflowers of the UK, one of the pages took me back to a lovely holiday a few years back. We stopped the car on a quiet road and "found" Old Winchester Hill quite by chance. The hilltop (site of an old fort/castle?) was covered in wild flowers and butterflies flitted around in the sunshine while we took in the wonderful views. one of the plants in flower I had never seen before or since until the photograph in this book. Round-headed Rampion (Phyteuma orbiculare), and the blue flower heads were covering the hilltop, a beautiful place
Another page has Water Lobelia, which reminds me of Irish bog pools this summer, between Roundstone and Clifton, where it grows beneath the water and puts up flowers above the surface into the windswept wilderness beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Twelve Bens
Anyone going to be at the sword dancing at Handsworth tomorrow? Might see you there or in the Cross Keys after????

Roger

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 02:18 PM

Wonderful story Sarah and thanks.

Ol' Spaw got what he's been getting for several years now, and I am lucky to have it the other 364 days as well. I have two fine young sons, each meeting his life in the best way he can, and both with love for Mom and Dad. I have the finest wife I could ever have imagined who tolerates me and actually loves me for reasons that I cannot fathom. We have Connie and Wayne and their boys and the family we've built rather than been born to and all the traditions we try to maintain for our kids.

And I am lucky and blessed to have found this place two years ago (about now as a matter of fact) and to have the wonderful friends that have been made here.

So what else do I need?

Spaw (well hell, if you're flush, you could send me some money.......)

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Matt_R
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 03:33 PM

Clothes, my annual Tolkien Calendar, a T-square (hey, I'm an artist), and CD's (Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell II, Moody Blues' Days of Future Past, and Billy Ray Cyrus' Greatest Hits...an AWESOME album). Oh yes, and a 19" color TV to replace my 23-year-old B&W TV.

Now I'm sitting here blasting U2's Rattle & Hum . Listening to a kick-ass song U2 wrote and sang with Bob Dylan.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: InOBU
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 05:06 PM

I got a real act of kindness from a Greyhound driver. I had to put m wife on a bus to Virginia this morning, (her mum got sick see Chrismas in the UK for details...) Well, Genie was on the bus, which was delayed in starting, and crying ... and as you know, US is the nation of rules, and NYC is the point to the rule book capital of the world... so I asked the driver if there was time for a phone call at any stop. He told be that there was in Baltimore. I asked him to tell that to my wife. He looked about to see that the dispatcher wasn't looking, and said, "why don't you go on the bus and tell her yourself." That was the best Christmas gift (even if it weren't the only one so far) I could have gotten. Genie got a great gift last night, her brother, who has been homesteading in Alaska since she was 5, called out of the blue. First time she spoke to him in her adult life. He gave us his teliphone number and email adress! Email for a guy who lives by hunting bear and moose and lives in a cabin he made himself in the wilderness! Amazing days we live in!
Merry Christmas all
Larry

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: tar_heel
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 05:32 PM

my son gave me a 4 box set of cd's...the music of bill monroe from 1936 to 1994.even has a history book included with photos and info about the life of bill monroe....all total,98 songs by the father of bluegrass.........thank you,son....................

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 07:23 PM

Oh those wonderful kids! Got a bike rack for the car; holds three bikes and a three CD collection with book of Joan Baez. And, three bottles of wine for future use.

bflat

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 07:25 PM

Bill/sables that sounds like a really lovely and impressive book; I didn't know there were any songs you didn't know.:-)

One of my sisters works with Native American teens, many of whom live well below the so-called poverty line. One little boy, 13 years old, has stolen her heart. When she found out his family circumstances, she and my other sister, who is a minister, went to their church and spoke about it. Much in the way of Sarah's story, my sisters said the thing they loved this Christmas was delivering toys, clothing, and groceries to this boy's home, courtesy of the church. The children were thrilled.

The really neat thing was, while they were there, a huge moving van pulled up. There is a donor in Lincoln, Nebraska, who gives away 100 brand new bicycles every Christmas to needy children. My sisters and the children watched in delight as 4 new bikes, of appropriate sizes, were unloaded and given to my sister's student and his siblings. Absolutely made their day.

We had a few of the usual type gifts, bathrobes, etc.. Rue gave me a Tibetan Singing Bowl. The thing that I really will cherish, is my sister, the minister, wrote in page after page of a small spiral bound notebook, the many reasons why she loves me and what she remembers of me throughout our lives. I couldn't read it right away as it started to make me cry.

And, of course, there is my SO and my daughter whom we live with and my other children and grandchildren. It's been a pretty great day all in all.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 07:33 PM

LilBonaphyte, I forgot to say, it sounds to me like you passed on what you got...to me. Thanks for that, darlin'.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 08:21 PM

I got to play my gutar with a Borouque Flute player and a Viola de Goma player and a realy happening bass drum.. The first was my brother in law Brian the second was Erica my wife and the third was my other brother in law Seth.. Tons of hello's to all here who I've had the luck to talk with over the last few years.. I loved Bonnie's post !!!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Mark Clark
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 10:30 PM

I really hit the jackpot so far. Boxed sets of Lighting Hopkins and the songs of Willie Dixon. It's been sounding really great around here all day.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Troll
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 11:59 PM

I had BOTH my kids all day and my daughter-the vegetarian- fixed dinner. We had a tofurkey (yes. I am serious) and it wasn't bad. I made pies and sort of hovered. It's my kitchen and I worry about my knives and things.
My daughter gave me a nifty detail sander, my son gave me a six-pack of socks-which he will doubtless steal- and the Memsahib gave me a recliner and a book to read while sitting in it.
My brother gave us a little fountain to go in our new sitting room and the duplicating company sent us our new CD, Klezarchy.
All my mudcat friends seem to have survived the holidays so far. What more could I ask for.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Matt_R
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 12:18 AM

Hee hee, sounds like a boxed set Christmas for everyone! I got both of ELO's box sets...but I was impatient and bought them myself! 4 litle diamonds!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 03:22 AM

I just finished up the dishes from dinner, which we shared with good friends. I'm fortunate to have people in my life that can open up new worlds with the simple act of unclasping a guitar case. Earlier, amongst an undeserved bounty, I opened gifts from my sister which included two LP records ( they're large round, black vinyl things with music on them): Dubliner's two record set, and a Clancy Brothers/Makem home recording. Lovely. But, the thing that made me weep- a collage she made of photographs of, and words by, our late brother. I wept at our loss, and our resilience, and his poetry, and our ability to learn and be strong. And I thought that part of what makes me a grown-up is the lessons I learn from grieving. It's coming up seven years, now, since he died, and not having him around at Christmas is throat-tightening, but what I get from his death and life every day is the ability to empathise. I hope I do not lose that.
Peace,
Bardford

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST,(Mollificent at Mum's house)
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 03:41 AM

Thought you 'Catters would appreciate the song we whipped up at our traditional Christmas Eve bar carol last night.

On the first day of Christmas, Alex (proprietor) gave to me,

One very tall Long Island iced tea;

Two pints of beer,

Three mai tais,

Four salty dogs,

Five shots of rum!

Six scotch and sodas,

Seven whiskey sours,

Eight Bloody Marys,

Nine Fuzzy Navels,

Ten Margaritas,

Eleven Margaritas,

Twelve Margaritas...

(by the end, of course, we were all too schnockered to remember the bloody words anyway, and couldn't pronounce what we could remember...)

Moll

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST,Moll again
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 03:44 AM

Bardford,

Incidentally, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. My grandmother died four years ago the day before Christmas, and it's still really hard. I sang "Christmas in the Trenches" for my parents and some friends tonight, and then they requested "Kilkelly, Ireland," and by the time I got to the last verse I was almost bawling. Finished it, but just barely. This can be a tough time of year.

Moll

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: paddymac
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 04:08 AM

Ah, Mouldy, you'll love that swamp cabbage, provided you can get the real stuff, fresh. It's actually the apical meristem of the cabbage palm tree. The outer layers are very bitter, so be sure not to use them. A good rule of thumb is to take a little nibble from the bottom of the leaf. Don't use it if it has any bitterness in the taste. Just boil it up with some fat-back or good smoked bacon, add a little salt and pepper, and enjoy. It's one of those things that's hard to make a little of, so be sure to get the gang together. If you've never had it before, you've got a treat in store. Don't know where you live, but tell your green grocer you want fresh "heart of palm." I doubt it's in the market on a regular basis, but the suppliers' mart of any sizeable city should have access to it. Damn, I'm getting hungry for it just by thinking about it. It's amazing how an old-time survuval food can become kinda chic in better times.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: paddymac
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 04:22 AM

I got off on a tangent thinking about Mouldy's swamp cabbage recipe and negelected to mention my favorite gift. My eldest son plays mandolin in our pub band, but also plays lead guitar in a heavy-metal. Way back in the summer of '97 they asked me to record the A part of the irish trad tune "Dunmore Lasses" with them. It was fun, but I never expected anything more than a demo tape to come of it. Well, the group self-produced it as a CD to sell at their gigs. He gave me a a copy of the CD as a surprise christmas present. I think I can now truthfully say I'm probably the only fat-old-fart that ever played hammered dulcimer in a heavy metal band, and has the CD to prove it. Never realized life could be such a hoot.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Banjer
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 05:50 AM

Kat's post had a message that we could all pick up on. How hard could it be to start right after New Years day promoting the following thought among coworkers and family, and anybody else we can think of:

THE THOUGHT

If you could get each person you contact to supply one toy a month. If each person bought a $5 toy that would mean $60 over the course of 12 months. Most of us could swing that. (in my case there are about 15 coworkers, and 6 family members as a base group. That's 21 pieces per month X 12 = 252 toys)

When the space becomes critical, one could find someone with a rental storage facility that has room, or maybe get a local business involved and donate some space.

Then, next November, contact a local service organization to donate the toys for needy kids. OR - arrange to go to a local youth facility and hand them out ourselves. The small effort would produce great results, for ALL

Think about it!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 06:06 AM

I got to spend time with my son, which is always a treat. I'm just now eating some wicked barbeque sauce my brother gave me (that he made himself... on top of basmati rice and tofu based meatless hot dogs... yummy). I know, 6:00 AM is a funny time to be eating barbeque sauce on anything.

I got a really nice phone call from a good friend who lives far away.

And some other interesting stuff.

Carol

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:07 AM

Hi, Bill! How have you been? I thought of you yesterday when I opened my new Intellitouch Tuner from my dad- you inspired me to ask him for it! Now if I can just get it to work...
A day at home with my family- never once started the car. My sister, brother and mum showed up from various points and no one had a tantrum (it was the sibs I was worried about, not the kids!). I never touched the computer. My kids were wonderful all day.
It was our first Santa-free Christmas; my daughter finally gave him up at age 11 this year; so we became Santa for a little girl off the local giving tree, so we had fun picturing Felicia's pleasure at opening the doll and other things she had asked for.
There are still 11 days left of Christmas; may they continue merry and bright for us all!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: John P
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:08 AM

Three CDs that I had on my list to get after I dumped all my vinyl: Jethro Tull - "Benefit", Janice Joplin - "Pearl", and The Beatles - "Abbey Road".

We had a Tofurkey dinner, a Pictionary game, and a nice jam session with some new friends who are fast becomming really good friends.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:36 AM

I had a wonderful Christmas at Rick and Heather Fielding's home. Gifted with presents of much love, warmth and good friendship.
And Santa put under the Fielding Christmas tree a very special friend for me..........Little Ricky
He is a beautiful Betta fish. Maybe I'll get Little Ricky to join the Mudcat. He is so cute!
Oh got to go, Little Ricky is blowing bubbles at me, guess its time to feed him breakfast.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Bernard
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:39 AM

First time in over twenty years that I haven't roasted a Christmas turkey.

I had beans and sausages on toast instead.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Morticia
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 11:12 AM

On the 23rd, I got my telephone lines vandalised.....no phone calls from friends and family, no e-mail and no Mudcat.But we all had a great time anyway, gales of laughter and lots of daft games and today.....the cable modem kicked back in.....hurrah!!!!A belated Merry Christmas to all!!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 11:30 AM

Ah, Bliss! THE DAY is over and I can get back to some sembalence of Normal Life. Yesterday, we opened presents as soon as Mr. got home from work, about 8 AM, had breakfast in front of the fire, and cleaned up the mess. Then:

Mr. went to bed, Luke went "out" with the SO, Kate went cruising to see what she could see, and the dogs and I sat here bored out of our minds. Forgot to go to Library and get new books. TV, as usualy, bombed. Can't play music when Mr is asleep.......I guess I could have done laundry, lol!

No Christmas Dinner to speak of--there was no one here to eat it. So I had tamales and Chile Colorado (I cheated--bought the tamles from the vendor) and just made the chile gravy. On top of that, I think I finally seperated a rib coughing........so, I am off to do the laundry today, and maybe call Dr. and get some Humibid.

PS--Why is today called "Boxing Day"? Did there used to be boxing matches, or maybe it'ts because you "box" all the presents to return? *BG*

Love ya'll-------Sorch

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 11:42 AM

I had a Christmas celebration with my son - the first in four years. AND a surprise visit from my niece in Florida - the first in countless years. Some family squabbles were settled (No, I was never a part of them). A new baby led a lot of people back to their senses. No tree. And the lights refused to work after the first ten minutes. But the Smith boys' candles lent a warm glow. 2001 has all the markings of a banner year.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 12:31 PM

What did I get? One more fine afternoon and evening with friends, a turkey that worked, and a lotta nice feelings. A book on music and a book on baseball (someone knows me well) and from Heather's Dad, the present of my choice! Ooh! OoooH! Gonna be a new Dremel to replace the one that blew up during my shed renovation!

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 12:56 PM

Mark Clark, what is the name of the Lightnin' Box Set? I'd love to get it.

Matt R. What Bob song did he do with U2?

We had a wonderful Christmas. My family gathered at my sisters house on Christmas Eve. It's not very often that I'm with my brother, three sisters my mom, my 2 children and my niece and nephew and my SO. The fact that we were all there made this night very special.

We are not really Turkey fans, we had our "traditional" dinner. Sushi, Curry & Roti, many appetizers, home made lasagna, Greek & Caesar Salads. I also discovered that there is something I like more than Jameson's. Tullamore Dew is scary it's so good.

After we opened the presents the kids (ages 6-10)put on a Christmas play that they had written. They then went to bed and a couple of my sisters friends came over, both working musicians and we had a wonderful kitchen jam. Three wonderful, tasteful guitar players creating beautiful music. It called for more Tullamore Dew. I even got the five string out long enough to chase my mom and brother home.

The only CD's I got were Bob & The Band "The Basement Tapes" and one that I bought for myself when I was shopping, "The Best Of Arlo Guthrie" which I had on Vinyl, then Cassette and now CD. I've always felt a kinship with the fellas on the Group W bench.

I'm glad to hear so many others had such a wonderful Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 02:01 PM

Sorcha, it is called boxing day because in days gone by it was considered wrong to open presents on Christmas day which was a day for churchgoing. They therefore opened their 'boxes' on the following day. For this reason boxing day can never be on a Sunday and moves to the 27th if this happens.
I got dream catcher earrings, duck earrings, Aztec earrings and I've still got a spare set of holes!!!!!I also got lots of chocolate and some sensuous body lotion----bye!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Mootlefish
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 02:07 PM

I got a train set, a megabloc piano, fluffy pink slippers, pull along ducks and a video remote control that plays lots of tunes and lots of paper and boxes too!!

Subject: RE: BS: What did you get
From: Boats
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 02:15 PM

I got a kitchen, a popalong train. slippers with Pooh on, stacking ducks, a video remote control that plays lots of tunes and even more paper and boxes.
PS my sister talks too much.