OT: Official Off-topic Thread XLVII-Santa Claus is coming...

[Kovi]

was it stevie wonder?

It was actually an astronomer....you know how those "star gazers" make stuff up....

 

[Dojji*]

I'm glad you guys had a better Christmas than we did.

After a 2 year struggle with something the doctors can't quite put a finger on, Dad's medical leave expired first week of December. Since he still can't return to work, that job's gone now. 29 years out the window, at least for the next 6 months while the disability lawyers fight things out and we try to get a better grasp of what the problem is than a tentative diagnosis of clinical depression.

Dad's boss went above and beyond the call of duty and made sure Dad still got a Christmas bonus, but the younger generation had to pull together hard to make sure that there was a Christmas celebration at all. Especially Yours Truly, since due to a quirk of fate I'm the only member of the family left with a full-time job after spending years being the designated bum.

So Christmas this year was the cheapest ham on the rack that didn't feel like it was made of solid bone, apple cider I stretched my budget for after getting lucky with the ham, and potatoes and turkey generously donated by our church from their relief fund. No presents other than a few cheap games I got people on sale from Steam. Weird position to be in when you're used to being comfortably middle class and in a position to help others. Still managed to be Christmas somehow, which is kind of the awesome thing. Little bro who's in Nevada on his Mormon mission managed to grab some time and call in and we played some games together, listened to all the outdated radio specials and enjoyed each other's company. I missed the candy though. :/

Ahh well, like I said, hope you guys had a good holidays.

 

[Kovi]

Still managed to be Christmas somehow, which is kind of the awesome thing.

because you had love and warmth in your heart.....


thats all that matters.


*look at the past 4 posts or so....we all got "gifts" that you cant buy

 

[Dojji*]

That's pretty much it.

In a lot of ways being poor really sucks, but there's some things that are just unaffected by it.

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

It was actually an astronomer....you know how those "star gazers" make stuff up....

well if you look towards the moon, Jupiter should be right above it.

i looked it up...it's true.

 

[Gee Wally]

That's pretty much it.

In a lot of ways being poor really sucks, but there's some things that are just unaffected by it.

Hang in there man. Wealth isn't really defined by a bank account.

I know millionaires that would trade it all for the voice of one missed or the health of one loved.

 

[Kovi]

well if you look towards the moon, Jupiter should be right above it.

i looked it up...it's true.

*runs to window*


(squeal!)

 

[Kovi]

What?

 

[Topshelf88]

Glad to hear you had a good one Dojji.

I just lifted a ten ton weight off of my shoulders. My biological father and I have not had the best relationship since he left us 14 years ago. Long story short, he called me tonight to try and make me feel bad about not making time for him on the holidays and I calmly went off and let 14 years of frustration out way more calmly then I thought I would. I ended it with telling him he lost one of the best things he could have ever had in his life (little conceited, maybe).

I will never, ever not be there for my kids. A child should not have to try and be in their father's life, that much I know. Finally hit my boiling point and it was therapeutic and heartbreaking at the same time.

End rant. I don't like putting personal stuff like this out there but I couldn't help it this time.

 

[Kovi]

Glad to hear you had a good one Dojji.

I just lifted a ten ton weight off of my shoulders. My biological father and I have not had the best relationship since he left us 14 years ago. Long story short, he called me tonight to try and make me feel bad about not making time for him on the holidays and I calmly went off and let 14 years of frustration out way more calmly then I thought I would. I ended it with telling him he lost one of the best things he could have ever had in his life (little conceited, maybe).

I will never, ever not be there for my kids. A child should not have to try and be in their father's life, that much I know. Finally hit my boiling point and it was therapeutic and heartbreaking at the same time.

End rant. I don't like putting personal stuff like this out there but I couldn't help it this time.

a hug for your wounds....

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

What?

what?

 

[Kovi]

what?

dont copy me

 

[WickedBruinsGirl]

I can't stop laughing.

I forgot to tell a family friend mom was coming home yesterday and she went to the hospital to visit her today.

OMG that might be the most priceless Christmas gift ever. I cannot stop laughing about it. It completely skipped my mind or I thought I told her because I thought I told everyone.

 

[JRull86]

Glad to hear you had a good one Dojji.

I just lifted a ten ton weight off of my shoulders. My biological father and I have not had the best relationship since he left us 14 years ago. Long story short, he called me tonight to try and make me feel bad about not making time for him on the holidays and I calmly went off and let 14 years of frustration out way more calmly then I thought I would. I ended it with telling him he lost one of the best things he could have ever had in his life (little conceited, maybe).

I will never, ever not be there for my kids. A child should not have to try and be in their father's life, that much I know. Finally hit my boiling point and it was therapeutic and heartbreaking at the same time.

End rant. I don't like putting personal stuff like this out there but I couldn't help it this time.

My patents got divorced when I was real young, but my dad did the best he could to try and be there for me as much as he could. I can't imagine how that feels for you man.

 

[Dojji*]

Glad to hear you had a good one Dojji.

I just lifted a ten ton weight off of my shoulders. My biological father and I have not had the best relationship since he left us 14 years ago. Long story short, he called me tonight to try and make me feel bad about not making time for him on the holidays and I calmly went off and let 14 years of frustration out way more calmly then I thought I would. I ended it with telling him he lost one of the best things he could have ever had in his life (little conceited, maybe).

I will never, ever not be there for my kids. A child should not have to try and be in their father's life, that much I know. Finally hit my boiling point and it was therapeutic and heartbreaking at the same time.

End rant. I don't like putting personal stuff like this out there but I couldn't help it this time.

I would not have been calm at all. I might have been quiet, which is not the norm for me, but it would have been from barely suppressed rage and disgust.

If that "man" walked away from his family, they're better off without him. Doesn't make it feel any better I'm sure. I can't say I've ever experienced what you feel about that, but I wish you the best and if you ever need to air it out again, no one here is going to think worse of you for it.

 

[Ladyfan]

Merry Christmas everyone.......

Having 3 kiddos (and 1 surprise on the way) is exhausting but also what fuels me every day. Cant wait for my wife to be done wrapping so we can sleep. Until then I will valiantly sip my beer and watch TV.

I have a surprise one on the way as well. Congratulations and a merry Christmas to you and the fam Bru.

Congrats to you both.

 

[Ladyfan]

Have a great holiday everyone. I feel like I know every one of you outside of the forum now just from posting in here. Great bunch of people.

Lou, that post was perfect. So true. Stay safe, happy, and full everyone.

Also, I am engaged now. I have never, ever been more nervous to do anything in my life. Not because I didn't think she would say yes though...can't describe it.

Congrats

 

[Ladyfan]

It really is a fantastic bunch on these parts.


I bought my mom a Roku cuz she recently ditched cable and the basic channels just aren't enough (half are espanol), so she can use my Netflix subscription on it. That was a late night genius idea and Amazon had some discounted. I originally checked them out for myself, but it made more sense to give to her and she actually liked it!

Only presents under my tree for me were two gifts from my friend in TN, two tins of cookies, and a Bruins scratch card. Honestly, this morning I did miss the excitement of the presents and stuff, but in the grand scheme of things, there was no clean up, no big messes, no returns, and just a laid back day. Went over to a friend's house for the 3rd straight year and had so many laughs and played games with the kids.

Told my mom simply put, we'll do presents another day if she wants. If not, that's okay too. (Helps to have a birthday less than a month away. )

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Thanks again for the thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

You are a good daughter and know what is important.

Good Things will come to you .

 

[Ladyfan]

That's pretty much it.

In a lot of ways being poor really sucks, but there's some things that are just unaffected by it.

Some of the people who are rich have less of the things that really count than you and your family.

Keep your chin up...Things will get better for you.

 

[Ladyfan]

well if you look towards the moon, Jupiter should be right above it.

i looked it up...it's true.

We saw that ! I wasn't sure which planet it was so thanks ...now I know.

 

[LSCII]

Had that last night. My mother, 78 years young, can still put on one hell of a prime rib feast for 20.

That's tremendous! I struggled to put on a meal from a can when I was single, so I can't even imagine cooking for that many people and having it come out great.

 

[LSCII]

Merry Christmas everyone.......

Having 3 kiddos (and 1 surprise on the way) is exhausting but also what fuels me every day. Cant wait for my wife to be done wrapping so we can sleep. Until then I will valiantly sip my beer and watch TV.

I have a surprise one on the way as well. Congratulations and a merry Christmas to you and the fam Bru.

Congrats to both of you! There's nothing more amazing than bringing a new life into this world!!

 

[TD Charlie]

I'm glad you guys had a better Christmas than we did.

After a 2 year struggle with something the doctors can't quite put a finger on, Dad's medical leave expired first week of December. Since he still can't return to work, that job's gone now. 29 years out the window, at least for the next 6 months while the disability lawyers fight things out and we try to get a better grasp of what the problem is than a tentative diagnosis of clinical depression.

Dad's boss went above and beyond the call of duty and made sure Dad still got a Christmas bonus, but the younger generation had to pull together hard to make sure that there was a Christmas celebration at all. Especially Yours Truly, since due to a quirk of fate I'm the only member of the family left with a full-time job after spending years being the designated bum.

So Christmas this year was the cheapest ham on the rack that didn't feel like it was made of solid bone, apple cider I stretched my budget for after getting lucky with the ham, and potatoes and turkey generously donated by our church from their relief fund. No presents other than a few cheap games I got people on sale from Steam. Weird position to be in when you're used to being comfortably middle class and in a position to help others. Still managed to be Christmas somehow, which is kind of the awesome thing. Little bro who's in Nevada on his Mormon mission managed to grab some time and call in and we played some games together, listened to all the outdated radio specials and enjoyed each other's company. I missed the candy though. :/

Ahh well, like I said, hope you guys had a good holidays.

We served ham too Nothing wrong with that.

All in all Doje, it sounds like you actually had a really enjoyable holiday, and through the lack of traditional "gifts" you managed to appreciate the important part of Christmas, the company! Happy holidays to you sir.

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

So in today's world... the Christmas season starts on November 1st.

However, it seems to end on December 25th and 11:59pm. How ass backwards is that?

 

[Kovi]

It wasnt without bumpinesss....

but you know...this was the Christmas I've had "the least"....yet it was one of the warmest Christmases ever.
When you are struggling or/and going thru transition...fake friends fall off your radar (either my their choice, or yours)...so, you are left with the real deal.....

and a lot of support and warmth.

the presents were few...but the "gift' was huge.