She apologizes and gives you a sincere MEOWWW!

---

Greg in Phoenix

@SJ,

Angel knows you are the best cat daddy in the world. She adores you.

People like you give all the bad people in this world a good name. You are the heart and soul of what is good. Take good care of Angel as I know you will and give her a big hug for all of us!

Oh I will, take care of Her and give Her lots of Hugs, She got Me today though, I've got an 1.5" or so scratch on My right forearm, But I'm not worried as It was My fault Her rear leg got Me, As I'd been holding Her here and talking to Her.

---

My Amazon Wishlist
The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

@SJ,

Angel knows you are the best cat daddy in the world. She adores you.

People like you give all the bad people in this world a good name. You are the heart and soul of what is good. Take good care of Angel as I know you will and give her a big hug for all of us!

---

Greg in Phoenix

...they were afraid no one else would want it...

Oh my! Those words are exactly our motto for adopting cats!

I picked Angel cause She came towards Me at the Shelter, I had to pay $20 back in 1992 to spring Her as She had to have some surgery first. :D

---

My Amazon Wishlist
The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I remember a lot more snow at Christmas time in Ontario.

I do too...but we were 3 ft tall at the time. LOL

---

I do not fight fascists because I think I can win.
I fight them because they are fascists.
Chris Hedges

A riot is the language of the unheard. -Martin Luther King, Jr.

...they were afraid no one else would want it...

Oh my! Those words are exactly our motto for adopting cats!

Last night I gathered up some of the Grandkids and we went out for a tree. The oldest girl 14 saw a perfect tree and I thought that was it. Then the 12 year old boy found a tree in the back that had a crook in it and looked a bit funny. I left it up to the kigs and between the 5 they decided on the crooked tree because they were afraid no one else would want it and it wouldn't have a Christmas. I was shocked the oldest wasn't happy but I think the tree is perfect. I guess that brought a bit back, then the fighting over decorating......

---

Official Abuser of Boinc Buttons...
And no good credit hound!

As a kid we used to go to Xmas Eve services at church.

As we've grown, though, and my brothers married and their families grew, we've found that it just doesn't work time-wise.

Usual routine: Shrimp + hors d'œuvre Christmas Eve Family Dinner (Prime Rib this year--YES!!) and then the kids open presents. Then Christmas Day the kids are at their mother's house (brother is divorced). The adults arrive at my parent's house at 9am and we open stockings. Then it's Family Brunch with family-recipe amazing Cardamom Rolls. Then the adults open presents.

Then about 1pm Suzette and I run home, pick up the pups and head down to do it all over again with her family about 45 mins south. Usually presents and a Ham or Turkey Dinner.

Since Xmas Day is a Friday this year, we'll stay in Perry overnight rather than rush home and come back Saturday.

---

I remember a lot more snow at Christmas time in Ontario. I don't remember ever seeing a green Christmas.

Our Christmas was spent on the road going from one uncle and aunt to the next. Our families loved to cook so it was a big meal at every house we went to. It always seemed like a very busy time for the family. I always felt that my mom was the best cook, but in reality all the sisters were great cooks.

Every other year, it would be at our house; about 30 people. Our Victorian kitchen was huge, so it didn't seem that crowded.

In most of Southern California It's almost always a Green Christmas, But the Temps are too warm for Snow, Of course the mountains are a different story, They get snow if a storm comes through.

We actually had a Tree like the one I posted in this thread when I was growing up, those were good times before 1972, I'll tell You who got Me My first bicycle though, It was My older brother James, Not our Dad, Mom couldn't do much as She was stuck with a low paying job and was lucky in that the owner of the duplex didn't raise the rent from 1971 till 1979 when We moved out and It was $180 a month and that's all She could afford, If I wanted something I had to accept what I got although later on for almost 5 years I earned some money on My own on a paper route and then part time work in a county library(below minimum wage, as that was county policy, minimum wage law didn't apply to US, back pay was never awarded to Me either).

After 1972 My Mom gave Me what She could for Christmas, Dad though He just gave Me a years worth of Child support(all of $12) and nothing else, I didn't see Him until around 1980 when Her brother gave Her a barely livable house and property in San Gabriel, Termites and all, I had to reroof the Garage and I did It all on My own too.


This was the place, Of course the place had a White Roof instead of this brown junk and there was no gate across the driveway back to the garage(It's a balloon framed house too with real 2"x4" and such, splinters and all.

---

My Amazon Wishlist
The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I remember a lot more snow at Christmas time in Ontario. I don't remember ever seeing a green Christmas.

Our Christmas was spent on the road going from one uncle and aunt to the next. Our families loved to cook so it was a big meal at every house we went to. It always seemed like a very busy time for the family. I always felt that my mom was the best cook, but in reality all the sisters were great cooks.

Every other year, it would be at our house; about 30 people. Our Victorian kitchen was huge, so it didn't seem that crowded.

I grew up with an Angry Alcoholic for a Father.
I typically got very ill physically during Christmas time. No virus just anxiety. I was so wound up that I would vomit anything I ate. I really thought I was a good kid. Funny how I don't even enjoy the holidays to this date. I want my kids to enjoy it but sometimes I think I'm a bummer for them.
This isn't a pity party. I really wish I didnt have to work this time of year because I get tired of hearing all holiday cheer from folks. I also get tired of people wanting to "get me in the spirit". I have a wife that puts a price tag on the thoughtfulness of her gifts. So no there is no wonderful holiday memories.

I take that back. a little. As a child I always enjoyed having my grand parents at our house. My Grandmother made the best smelling food. I say smelling because as mentioned before I couldnt really keep food down.

"I want my kids to enjoy it but sometimes I think I'm a bummer for them."

I think that may be my problem, I wonder if I feel I will fail?

I've tried to explain to my kids that its not about getting a closet full of crap you didnt want and never needed. It is about the birth of the Savior. Beyond that the relationship between a big screen TV and santa escapes me.

---

In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

My idea of a Christmas tree is a bit retro(As I'm tired of putting lights on a tree and garland and such), But then I've always liked aluminum pom pom trees and the flood light projector with the color wheel(Besides when in storage they don't take up much room really), Of course back then one used a 60w incandescent bulb, Today I'd use the equivalent LED lamp with a screw in base instead, But then It uses very little electrical and the tree sets up quickly as It's just branches and shiny ornaments. One of these days, But then It's not something on My near term list of things to get done, yet, As It's a long term goal for the moment.

Kind of like this one, which is 6' tall:

---

My Amazon Wishlist
The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I grew up with an Angry Alcoholic for a Father.

Well, at least I never became a father.

An angry alcoholic I can confess to...
or sometimes a jolly drunk...........
And I am not angry or sad ALL of the time........it's called manic/depressive........and it sucks sometimes.

But I have never done anything that a kiss on the cheek, a simple apology, or a couple of bucks on the palm could not make right........

Except for those who simply do not have it in their nature to forgive anything ever...........

And they will die with so much hate stored in their souls that they will explode on their way to hell. To Satan's laughter. See ya going down whilst I am going up. If you can read this, you still have time to hit the 'up' button........

Choose wisely, you must.

---

"Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow." Albert Einstein
"With cats." kittyman

I grew up with an Angry Alcoholic for a Father.
I typically got very ill physically during Christmas time. No virus just anxiety. I was so wound up that I would vomit anything I ate. I really thought I was a good kid. Funny how I don't even enjoy the holidays to this date. I want my kids to enjoy it but sometimes I think I'm a bummer for them.
This isn't a pity party. I really wish I didnt have to work this time of year because I get tired of hearing all holiday cheer from folks. I also get tired of people wanting to "get me in the spirit". I have a wife that puts a price tag on the thoughtfulness of her gifts. So no there is no wonderful holiday memories.

I take that back. a little. As a child I always enjoyed having my grand parents at our house. My Grandmother made the best smelling food. I say smelling because as mentioned before I couldnt really keep food down.

"I want my kids to enjoy it but sometimes I think I'm a bummer for them."

I think that may be my problem, I wonder if I feel I will fail?

---

Official Abuser of Boinc Buttons...
And no good credit hound!

I grew up with an Angry Alcoholic for a Father.
I typically got very ill physically during Christmas time. No virus just anxiety. I was so wound up that I would vomit anything I ate. I really thought I was a good kid. Funny how I don't even enjoy the holidays to this date. I want my kids to enjoy it but sometimes I think I'm a bummer for them.
This isn't a pity party. I really wish I didnt have to work this time of year because I get tired of hearing all holiday cheer from folks. I also get tired of people wanting to "get me in the spirit". I have a wife that puts a price tag on the thoughtfulness of her gifts. So no there is no wonderful holiday memories.

I take that back. a little. As a child I always enjoyed having my grand parents at our house. My Grandmother made the best smelling food. I say smelling because as mentioned before I couldnt really keep food down.

---

In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

Thank you all for so many fond Christmas Memories, I still don't feel it but will go out and get a tree today. I am thankful that so many people seem to care here. Seti is like a family at times....Thank you all again!

---

Official Abuser of Boinc Buttons...
And no good credit hound!

Dropping in while making sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies.

I suppose you understand what Angela is saying ... that someone has to care enough to do the work, to show the love, to be there as a friend and family.

Are you that person?

When you realize that if it is to be it is up to thee, then you will be the magic in Christmas. The TV will turn off, the Christmas songs will come on, the "dumb games" will come out where you have to talk to people.

The kitchen will be warmer, friends will be closer and the Magic will happen.

So the MAGIC is YOU, my friends. The Magic in SETI is YOU; the Magic in Christmas is YOU too.

Go make MAGIC. The forum will wait.

---

Greg in Phoenix

Looking back and remembering the christmases I had as a child, they were full of fun, laughter and love - even although my parents were struggling financially most of the time. They always made even little things fun for me.

When I was in my mid twenties and first married there were family get togethers with our parents and we had a good (if very busy) time.

Now that our parents generation is gone, (my wife's father died in February, her mother in July) this year is going to be a bit quiet.
Still, we will enjoy the day at home together, watching the constant reruns of "The Great Escape" (must have seen it 20 times) and eating too much Turkey.

Far too much commercialism surrounding Christmas these days - shops selling Christmas things in August and people feeling stressed about Christmas before Advent even starts. I thought Christmas had a religous basis - but not if you believe the retailers.

I enjoy Christmas, but in a quieter way than before - free time to see a few good friends and some family members I don't see otherwise.

Christmas is still good for me.

Tom

It was just my response to Angela's post...yuk yuk

Don't worry My Humor Radar may be a bit blind at times, Sometimes It works and sometimes It doesn't. :(

---

My Amazon Wishlist
The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

It was just my response to Angela's post...yuk yuk

---

I do not fight fascists because I think I can win.
I fight them because they are fascists.
Chris Hedges

A riot is the language of the unheard. -Martin Luther King, Jr.