*lol*
To anybody who complained: I did update. Teehee... Feel free to tear me apart, I am not at all satisfied with that piece, but then again, I guess I expected too much, for I could clearly picture the scene in my mind and haven't been able to write it down properly... Hm...

Greg, so you have like extra stairs for the slide? Besides the regular ladder? Sorry, I really can't imagine what it looks like then. My daughters bed has two holes in the railing. One for the ladder and one for the slide. So it's not a problem at all for me to squeeze the shelf in to keep her from getting on the slide. See, the bed is not really high, maybe 1,20 m, and with the matrass right in front of it, I am not worried at all that she might fall.
Maybe you could take a picture of that bunkbed for me so I could come up with a decent idea? I am very creative once it gets down to stopping children from doing dangerous things, you know.. hehe...

Okay, Merry Christmas everyone. I didn't have the time to read anything besides Greg's reply... we're gonna go over to my grandma's in a few hours, then to church, the graveyard, have dinner and finally unwrap presents, so I'd better get myself under the shower now. Hehe.

Talk to you in a couple of days! *wave*

Nadja

Merry Christmas everyone. This will be real quick. We are baking for the get together this afternoon.

Nadja, this is their bunk bed here. The big problem besides the stairs is she can climb up the slide at anypoint by just standing on the lower bed.

Darcy, Hot Fries are a type of potato chip. It is long and thin and round. Sort of the same shape as a cheese stick. It has hot spices on it. I remember feeding them to Amanda as a toddler. Her little face would turn red but she loved them. She would eat them as fast as I would hand them out.

Oh Greg that naughty smilie thing is sooo funny!!! Hehehehe and those bunk beds look like your girls could have a lot of fun. i know that I would have loved that as a kid. Me and my brother had bunk beds when we were very small, Our dad made them. And then when i got my own room, my dad made me a bed which floated in the air suspended in between the walls. my room was so small you see

I updated my fic, at long last and yes Jim mysterios things are afoot!! I'm rather evil.

Janet, how did I know someone would say that, and i thought that perhaps that it would be you!

Jim, yes he was rather confused. He gave me this weird look, and then went, "Well...I think he's a poop too!" Awww Cameron, what will I do with him eh? lol.

A Very very Merry christmas everybody! I hope you get lots of presents, under my tree, there is a very iPod shaped box so i'm really rather excited

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

A very, very happy Christmas to all of you!

I hope you all will get what you wish for and that you all will be very happy. Oh and don't eat so much, you don't want to get sick!

I just had to give a very loooong explanation on religion and all in spanish. I'm exhausted!

Anyway, again: Merry Christmas!
And a special Merry Christmas to you Jim, it was so great talking to you on the phone today.

Take care and a big hug for all of you!

Olivia

LOL Greg that really made me laugh! I dont know what i'd do without the adult websites! the day would go a lot slower thats for sure! IT wont even let me on hotmail! i have to use their email systems, which can be monitered if the IT people decide to check out what im doing. I hope being sick wont ruin your christmas.

the crowd was bad enough yesterday in town, i hate to think what i was like today I went up town to pick something else for Olivia, blinding flash of inspiration i had!

Darcy, I bet he does! and he has his own little goldfish bowl, so he blatantly does! Addictions, hmm. Chocolate Oranges are the nicest things in the world, I just cant stop eating them whenever i start one! whoever thought of mixing chocolate with orange was a genius!

He was quite drunk at the time wasnt he?! You do have a slight evil side to you dont you, i say slight!

It was great talking to you too Olivia, it made my christmas

Im watching the philosiphers stone on tv now, so funny to see how young Dan, Rupert and Emma all look! he he!

Well i wish you all a fantastic christmas, you and your families. Having you guys here to talk these last few months has been wonderful, and you've all been so good to me i wish you all the happines in the world.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope everyone's holidays are bringing you lots of joy and cheer (and goodwill to men, and all that jazz).

I've been trying to make some desserts for tonights family get-together. Ethan's been helping. It's taking twice as long. Isabel helped for a minute, but burned her little fingers (though I can't quite figure out where), so they whipped creamed got over-whipped, and the cake-roll got over-baked. Sigh. . .it should all taste the same, right?!

Helen, am I that transparent that you figured it'd be me? Teehee.

Everybody have fun with your addictions (though not too much fun depending on what it is). ..Bach is probably fairly tame in the addictions department!

janet

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to take a quick moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope Santa is good to everyone this year.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I just filled up a big tin with cookies, brownies and fudge and placed it out for everyone. This way, everyone gets some.

Well, I'll be back after Christmas!
Take care and again, have a very Merry Christmas!

A slight evil side to me Jim? a very evil side. and yes, Cameron was very drunk, nearly passed out. lol

My addictions are those little cocktail sausages I love them so much, every christmas my mum buys a box of like 50 or something and i just gobble them all up!

back to a really old topic of conversation. I had Haggis for tea. lol! it was nice. hehehehe!! And then i promptful fell asleep on my mum in front of the Odessey or something only to wake up just in time for Porit! (sp) lol. I love watching those dramas, watched Miss Marple ealier.

Thinking about going to my bed so that i can wake up early tomorrow and get to my folks in time to open all of my pressies before christmas lunch

I'm so excited!!!

Oh Olivia, you have to tell us what that sparks of inspiration of Jim's was after you get his present! Hehehe

Well, i hope that Santas good to everyone!!!

Merry Christmas! lol

It's Christmas Eve. Tomorrow I go to a friend's house to listen to her grandchildren freak out for not getting enough toys, just clothes. I can't wait. But seriously, no one really wants to be alone at Christmas. It was nice of them to invite me. I'm bringing candy and cookies and Doritos. lol

I hope all of you have a good time and I look forward to hearing how it went for everyone!

Merry Christmas, All! I had a lovely Christmas Eve, full of family and laughter. Most of my gifts were just space taker-uppers, but I did get a chocolate fondue fountain, which should be fun for parties, and two tanzanite rings!!! Yay! Tanzanite on both hands! What a spoiled little girl I am! Also, my cousin came for the first time since she got pregnant in high school and her parents kicked her out. Her folks told us we had to choose between them and her. We pick her! So good to see her and her husband and her little girl, who starts kindergarten next year--I can't believe it! Anyway, hope everyone has fun and gets at least one thing they really wanted!

Well, I survived. lol

I walked over to Cathy's and listened to young people scream all afternoon. Then I was driven home and fell asleep for almost three hours...I don't know if I needed to recover from actually getting outside and walking a couple of miles, or from the screaming young people. Good grief, I live a sheltered life!

One cool thing though--there were six cats! Pet, pet, pet the soft furry purry kitties...mmmm. I love cats.

Fawksey, I was glad to see you got to spend time with your cousin! She sounds like a nice kid. And you got jewelry! Yay!

I look forward to everyone's accounts of the day!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!

We had a lovely day yesterday. Santa came and was very good to Chloe. It was a Cinderella and polly pocket Christmas. Then the family came over for dinner and get this! My dad and uncle took over the big cooking! All I had to make were a few side dishes and the salad, but they prepared the rest. I do like to cook, but it's nice when somebody else does it.
As for me, I got spoiled a bit too... I was given a lovely new handbag and a digital camera. ( I really did think I was the last person with out one)
Well, I can't wait to hear from everyone else...

I'm glad you had a good holiday Fawksey and Darcy!

Have a great day, everyone!

Cori, I don't have a digital camera, lol, i just have a camera phone, it will do.

I had a good day, i got up about half ten, went to my folks, opened pressies, got an iPod, slippers pyjamas, couple of books from my brother, but an iPod!!! Woo!!!

A-hem, ok, yeah we ate lunch pulled crackers (they were blissfully mice free ) and then played 'Scene it?' which i won by a landslide! Yay!!! It'a a movie trivia game, I never win board games in my family. In Fact i don't think i've won once! until yesterday

The family only had one wee squabble (about ham sandwiches of all things lol) so it was all good! And i didn't have to cook which was good because otherwise everyone would probably be in hospital...i can't cook...

Then i went home and played eith my iPod...which i nearly broke, it's all good now though! Although the battery seems to be going down at an alarming rate....eeeek!

Hope that everyone had a good christmas,

Only new year to go guys! I foresee very drunken Helen. TeeHee!

Kittens and Ipods and digital cameras, Oh My! Sound like you all had fun! I also need a digital camera, but my dad's got a really good one, so I can make good use of it now and then. My dad's working on uploading some pics to our family's website, and I'll post the link when its ready. There will hopefully be a video of Lily having way too much fun with one of those big rubber balls you can buy at any grocery store. So funny!

I'm glad you all had a nice christmas.

I'm leaving for Spain tomorrow, I have to wish you all a happy new year now as I don't have a computer in Spain.

Happy New Year to all of you.

I'm a little nervous. I hope everything will turn out fine for me and that I'll get the lucky card, as I usually get the unlucky one.
I'm sorry that I sound kind of depressed but the last couple of days were hard for me as I don't really like christmas. I hope I get better soon. There's a song by Jewel which has got a line in it that describes my situation perfectly 'I'm half alive but I feel mostly dead' but I'll get better, I always do when christmas is finally over.

And in five years I will be happy as everyone else is.

Wow, I have a lot of wishes for myself.

take care!
Olivia

Hey everyone!

i had a great day yesterday and i feel so much fatter now! i just had to have everything! Presents wise i got lots of useful stuff, underwear, socks that sort of thing, but also quite a few dvds cds and video games, plus about £30 to spend in HMV, im happy

I'll have to wait for the best present though, You know who i mean Olivia

I spent this morning walking in the woods, and this afternoon, and most of the evening and my aunt and uncles with my grannie too, they have a new cat, who, is a little timid, so would tend to stand on the stairs, and whenever i went upstairs to the bathroom, she'd charge away the second my foot touched the bottom stair!

I still feel really fat, i hope Olivia doesnt get too much of a shock!

I hope everyone's well, and your families too

I'm sure she won't Jim

I'm eating as much chocolate and junk food, takeaways as possible this week because the new year (about the 5th) brings.....oh yes...

The DIET

Lol! Me and a few friends have decided that the time has come to loose some weight, so we're really stuffing ourselves now I don't think it's really meant to work that way but....meh...

Oh god...mr and mrs upstairs keep making um...noise of their bed oh for crying out loud 'STOP!' please? *cries*

I'm glad that everyone who's 'reported in' (lol) seems to have had a good christmas, and your ma didn't give you too much grief Jim.

The family are all going to see King Kong tomorrow and go out for dinnner (wooo!) not to fussed about the film, but free food!!! I have an obsession over free food teehee!

Man....upstairs are still at it. it makes me rather scared...they're making a lot of noise...no one makes that much noise...the beds scraping...

Well, i cant remember the last time we had this much snow! the truly terrible thing is i might not be able to go to work today as there are no trains, no buses, my parents are out all day, so unless my boss comes and picks me up, im not going to be able to make it in!

Of course there's the very real possibility that if it doenst clear up by friday im going to seriously struggle to get to the airport on friday, actually im really worried about that I dont even want to think about what would happen if i couldnt go

Helen, thanks for your running commentary, thats good to know, really is! Mum's been ok actually, the christmas cheer will wear off soon though, by that time i'll be in Spain though! hopefully Im really worried now

Ah, Helen, the infamous New Year's diet.... good luck my friend...
just remember to replace your usual snacks with fruit or veggies.
LOL! The scary people upstairs.... oh, how was the movie?

Jim, I hope the weather clears up for you in time, however, enjoy the snow day
You and Olivia have a great time while in Spain! Take lots of photos!

I'm working on New Year's Eve. The overnight. You all will have to have a great New Year's eve for me

You all have a great day!

*chuckles*
Reporting in!
*lol*

Ygraine: Are they still making weird noises? *lol* You might want to try my Mrs. Upstairs trick. Start moving around your furniture. *lol* It definitely ruined it for us... *chuckles*
Ah, and the diet. Well, I am with you! I know I will have lots of workout when I'm in the new flat. All the stairs and not so far from uni, thus no excuse to use the car...
I was in a forum once before where we posted our sucesses and it did help a lot. Maybe we can open a new thread for all of us, who desperately want to lose some weight after New Years Eve and it will keep us going? *chuckles*

gaburdette: That's my sugesstion:
bed
You should at least put a shelf in the back, so she can't use the slide. If you are afraid she will climb down the second ladder, just put another shelf there. I don't know your daughter, but mine didn't start climbing once I told her she would hurt herself seriously if ever she tried it. I guess the disadvantage is that you'd have to go there every single time she needs to go to the bathroom. But then again, that doesn't happen too often, right?

to everybody else: I had the most wonderful christmas with my daughter, my boyfriend and my family. Plus I must have been such a good girl. I got two sets of earrings, a beautiful black watch, lingerie (yes, but from my grandma, hehe - I was amazed, I really liked it. It's like black silk and fake diamonds *lol*), a whole set of brushes and different shampoos, thingies to style my black mane *lol*, a black leather wallet, an awesome black coat and the latest book of my all-time-favourite author Terry Pratchett Thud! which is definitely his best book I've ever read. Usually I laugh so much I have tears all over my face - this time I also laughed because I was so moved. *sigh*
I have no idea how this man manages to squeeze problems like racism, drugs and a beginning war into a medival fantasy world (the Discworld, in case anybody knows) so easily and with so much to laugh about...
A werewolve and a vampire (who don't get along. Werewolves and vampires never do) from the watch are after a secret regarding a murder. They both can (and have to) change their shapes at will - but they always leave their clothes behind. Oh my, did I have a laugh... Sergeant Angua, the werewolve, carries her extra clothes in a handbag in her mouth - but of course loses it. Sally, the vampire, can change into 155 bats (she can't change into one bat, too much difference in size). And poor Sally can't make one of the bats carry her clothes along. Awe, it's priceless.
The hero only survives because the thought that he needs to read "Where is my cow?" to his toddler at six a clock, gently reminded by his Dis-Organizer, a little imp in a box... (-> iPOD) awe, I could go on and on for hours. Go have a read... It's priceless!
Wonder if there's a Terry Pratchett Forum out there... hm...
Maybe I can type a paragraph for you later on - that is if you're interested...

I had such a nice day with my daughter. We have sooo much snow and went for a stroll. I took her on her sleigh. On our way back she dropped to the ground each three meters and made snow angels.

Ah, and yesterday... Maiden CurlyCrown stayed with her dad, thus Shadow and me were off to the sauna... *sigh* It was sooo relaxing! Yay! Twenty minutes lying in the 90°C/ 194F sauna, then a five minutes stroll naked in the snow, a freezing shower, a cold orange juice, some time in the hot tub, and all over again... ah... life is good...
Just that I think I've seen enough naked men for like the rest of the year. *chuckles*

I hope you guys had a really good time during the last few days. And hey, who got a kitten?
I am seriously considering getting a cat myself. I love cats! My friends mom breeds British Blue - they are so beautiful! Since British Blue usually have Persian cats amoungst their ancestors (did I say that correct?) some of the kitten have really long hair, and they are so cute! She has seven kittens right now, and as far as I've been told there are four kittens with long hair... awe... gotta go see them this week. Maybe I'll get one... even though I now my family won't approve at all... *sigh*

Bye for now, Flutters

Jim where would life be without my running commentry? It'd be pretty darn bleak

just come back from having a boogie (a night out in other words) and hilarious walk home ever. This Girl (liv) fancys my mate (andy) and andy as a girl friend and she just can't except it and is all over him! Now andy is pretty flirty and er....gropey (am i even allowed to say that...i don't know. sorry!) to all his mates who are girls and even the guys (he's Bisexual) and he likes Liv as a mate and doesn't treat her differently, she doesn't understand that he's not leading her on, he's just being Andy...it's a shame. But he has told her...'i love my girl friend, i don't like you that way blah blah blah.

Any way, Liv kept holding his hand and when were in the ques for foor Liv and Ben were outside she was sending him messages saying 'Hurry up sweetie!' I mean....no! lol. so we were all teasing our poor andy. Then he said that I wasn't a girl.

'You're not a girl....You're just Helen!' Cheers andy...love you too! kinda struck in a way i didn't think it would...it's weird.

You see Jim running commentry is good! Sorry, i thought that it was funny Andy yelling...'I've been hand raped!' just because she was holding his hand. 'I'm a rape victem' was amusing.

Btw, i'm sure the snow would have melted. I saw it on the news all the snow in Kent, that's scotland every year! i guess you're just not used to it. Don't worry you'll get to Spain with the nice warm weather (lucky little devil i'm not envious...honest! nice warm Spain...) It's sooo cold today...i nearly froze to death!

Flutters...Blue cats are amazing! I love them! Although i've never seen one, just on TV and the like... they're so pretty.

It was a memorable day.

First there was the bad part. I had felt a cold coming on for days, and on Christmas Day I woke up with a bunged up nose and a painful throat. I called my brother and said in a croaky voice that I wouldn't come early, and I went back to bed. I didn't feel like going at all, but when I woke up later I decided to brave the public transport system and travel across town to my brother's house. Outside in the crisp air I started to feel a bit better.

Then came the surreal part.
Standing in front of the door, I wondered why nobody opened it. I rang the doorbell again. At the same time the mobile phone started to ring. Ever try to fumble those finickety buttons with cold-numbed fingers only to find you manage it just too late for the impatient caller? I called the Voicemail and heard my sister's voice: "Where are you? Why are you so inconsiderate? We're all waiting for you, but we can wait no longer. We're starting now."
Great, I thought. Typical. I rang the doorbell again, wondering if they were all someplace else and had just forgotten to mention it. But then I heard a noise inside. It had just been a defective doorbell.

When the door finally opened, something completely unexpected happened. Instead of reproaches, a warm welcome. A dinner I couldn't taste at all owing to my cold, but nicer than any family Christmas dinner had ever been. Even my sister mellowed, thanks to the dry wit of her new boyfriend. I had had hopes, of course, but never could I have dreamt that the absence of certain family members would have such a great effect. Free from the humiliating reviews of our shortcomings, we could just be our plain, truthful, silly selves without being clubbed over the head with it. It was wonderful.
The kids got out their Karaoke game and we all had a stab at it, even though we didn't know half the songs and some of the performances were side-splittingly horrible. That got us to discuss Bill Nighy's performance and brutal honesty in "Love Actually".

Incredibly, they then all turned to me for advice on how to become better at singing, and my sister-in-law said she wanted me to give singing lessons to the twins, and why couldn't we sing something now. Even though my voice was shot to hell by my cold, I ended up giving a singing lesson, which they tackled with surprising enthousiasm and fun. It is also such fun to see the surprise on a face at the discovery of the unexplored regions in their own vocal apparatus. It's a very contagious delight. After a series of singing exercises, we ended up singing a round together. I thought I was dreaming. Never before had anything that I was able to do ever been a source of fun for another member of my family. Never had they acknowledged I might be able to teach them anything. It was weird to have them hanging at my lips in clear acceptance of my authority in these matters. But most amazing of all, never before had I been able to convey to my family any of the things that bring joy to me, let alone see it take root and blossom among them ... and become a shared joy.

So this was my precious, amazing, magical Christmas.

It sounds as if everyone had a nice holiday. I did not get the chance to run around in the snow naked with a bunch of men like Nadja did but it was still fun. Today is my one and only day at work this week. Can you guess how much I will get done here today by myself. I am playing secretary and occasionally looking at my engineering work.

The girls got plenty of gifts. Santa brought Amanda a cheap $20 digital camera. I think it is her favorite gift. She runs around all day long snapping pictures. She brags to everyone that she got a digital camera before her Daddy. I am not a fan of digital pictures so I will stick to film cameras.

I lost a tooth Christmas Day while eating dinner with my wife's side of the family. I spent all morning cooking the food (Yes Girls, I did all the cooking myself) and then lost my appetite when I lost the tooth. I had a root canal done on the tooth eighteen years ago. It has been giving me so many problems lately that I have an appointment in a week and a half to have it removed. It just did not want to wait that extra few days. Luckily the root canal removed the nerve or I would be in major pain right now with the roots of the tooth exposed.

In honor of my favorite Christmas movie (A Christmas Story) we always go out for Chinese in the evening on Christmas Day. No one was hungry and I still did not have an appetite so we decided to do it the next day for lunch. We tried a new restuarant (to us) that has been around a while and has a good reputation. Halfway through eating my Won Ton soup, a baby roach floated up out of one of the Won Ton noodles. I was rather enjoying the meal up until then. I think that will be the one and only time I eat there.

We took Amanda to pick out things for her new room last night. Kaitlyn is doing so great in the bottom bunk we are going to start tearing down the nursery and probably shedding a lot of tears in the process. Now we just have to decided what little we want to keep for the girls and what gets sold at a garage sale. Amanda picked out the bed spread designs and got all the matching accessories for her room. We had her put it on Layaway and use a Christmas gift card to pay the down payment. I am sure Mom and I will end up paying most of it but she needs to start learning a little about managing money.

To those who had a cold white Christmas, can you please send some snow south. I would love to have a white Christmas for once in my life. Temperatures here in Florida have been about 68F (20C) during the day and sunny. I know perfect weather but it gets old year after year and I would love to have a white Christmas for once.

Hello again, All!
Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas, Annie! I'm so happy for you. Must be the start of a truly magical New Year!
Greg--ouch! Think you went into enough detail about losing that tooth? My jaw hurts....
Nadja--I had forgotten how different it is in Europe. We Americans are so private about our bodies. We will occasionally take a community shower at the gym, or be naked in a sauna or steam room, but only with members of the same sex. Even then, you see people avoiding eye contact, or shifting around to try and hide their bodies. Only people in nudists colonies would go walking around naked together--thata just too wierd for us. What if you saw the guy the next day in the supermarket?! That being said, I'm jealous. Sounds like you had a wonderful day. I love spas, but I rarely get to go. So expensive! if I were wealthy, though, I'd be there all the time.
So, here's an update for ya'll. I will have a true "starting over" this New Year. My husband and I are seperating. Don't be all sad and offer condolences, though. We wouldn't be doing it if we didn't think it was the best thing. I don't have to go back to Arizona! Yay! It was a little wierd for my parents. We were visiting them, you see, for a few weeks, and yesterday they came home from work and looked around and asked, "where's Lance?" "Uh..." said I, "he went back to Arizona." They blinked at me. "I kind of live here now." My mom started laughing. I swear, she did, and said, "I just told your dad at lunch today, 'I don't think they're going to make it. I bet they don't leave together.' " Boy did my dad shoot her the evil eye! It was okay though, it felt good to laugh, and not be all serious and trying to explain things. I think my dad thought she was being insensitive, but I much preferred her blunt response to the awkward silence I got from him. Anyway, it will be a little wierd at first--I'm not looking forward at all to the dividing of "assets" (not that we have any) and that stuff. Not to mention the fact that I don't have a vehicle, and no idea how I'm going to get all my stuff here. Ah, well. Time will tell. Meanwhile, I'm pulling my clothes out of the suitcase and stowing them in closets. It will be an adjustment to live with my parents again, but I missed them so much--it will be great having them so nearby.
Wish me luck!

Bumblebee, I'm really happy for you! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! And all together too--not a bunch of people in the same house, not interacting. You were all enjoying each other's company! Sorry about the cold though, I hope it's easing. And darn it, I never listened to Bach! I listened to Brahms, though.

Greg-Ouch. I have a molar that's going to bite it soon, too. Reminds me of the book Dave Barry wrote about turning 40--that by the time you're 40, most of your teeth have been ground into powder. Not that you're 40 yet--but maybe by then? I have two root canals, capped, and a molar...grrr...that's more filling than tooth. Blech. And the roach in the soup was just...yeah, don't eat there again!

Fawksey--Well, I'm not surprised either. I kinda saw it coming, but I've learned never to predict these things. I won't go all sad on you, because I know that it was a really hard decision for you, and it actually probably feels a lot better to have come to a decision about it, instead of the stress of trying to hold something together. It'll work out. You have loving parents, and people who care about you. You'll be on your feet in no time.

All The best Fawksey! I'm sure everything will turn out all right. It seems to be a mutal agreement and not on bad terms so that's one thing to be thankful for at least. And you seem to have loving parents who understand and don't seem to order you to 'try make things work...again' because i'm sure you've done all that and failed.

Like Darcy said, it's probably a relief to merely just come to a desicion.

Nadja...strolling through the snow naked...that sounded....well..cold to tell you the truth? weren't you dieing in the cold? Sounded quite fun though do you live in the country where no one could see you, or is it just not that big a thing there? ike Fawkesy said, in the UK we too are like...'Ahhh can't be naked!' lol.

fawksy, i'll do as you ask and not provide condolences! All i will say is i wish you all the best for the future, be around the people who love you, and if that fails, theres allways us lot

Greg ow! apart from that im glad you and the girls had such a good time, kinda wish i was a kid again! but then again i wouldnt be going to spain tomorrow if i was! To add my own Dental problems, i have a wisdom tooth coming through on my bottom left jaw, was a bit worrying when i was brushing my teeth and took it out to see it covered in blood i just hope theres room back there for it to come out!

Well as i mentioned tomorrow i go to spain for a week, so you'll have to live without me annoying you all! I wish you all a very happy new year, dont get too drunk I'd like to say we'll be thinking of you guys, all alone on here without us! but we wont! about 2 months ago we promised you couple pictures so we'll have to sort that out!

Take care all, talk to you later!

Jim

*chuckles*
Oh you guys just make my day! *lol*
Yes, in Germany it is pretty common to sit in the sauna naked - we even have naked beaches and special areas at the swimming-pool where you can lie down and tan naked. It's no big deal, especially in Eastern Germany.
To me it was weird in the US. When I was at the gym... I already saw people went into the sauna in their whole sports outfit, including shoes. So they did look really strange at me and my bathing suit... hm... well, different cultures, I guess.
I think the worst thing that could ever happen to me is to meet a professor at sauna. I know that one of them goes regularly, and I seriously hope not to bump into him one day. *lol*
But if I would... you know, it really won't be that big deal. You're not allowed clothes, so everybody is naked. And seeing all the others you get a pretty good picture about what is Hollywood and what is normal. I usually feel better about my body once I've seen the others. *chuckles* Does that sound weird? *lol*
BC (haha, I learned it) I would go to sauna with a bunch of friends - 100% of them male, since in reallife I don't get along with other women too well... But there's just nothing sexual about it. It's just what we're brought up with, I guess...
And, no, it is not cold to walk naked in the snow after you spent 20 minutes in 194F. It's actually quite refreshing. And it is good for your health, too.
The sauna has a big backyard... kind of.. however you want to call it. It has a little lake and some benches and there is a fence around, so really no big deal. Nobody will watch you. *chuckles*

Big D: Have a great time at Spain! And don't get too drunk yourself... *chuckles*

FawkesyLady: Well, I wish you all the best. I can only tell you how it was when I split up with my daughter's dad... Ronja was 10 month old and I had just come out of psych... But it was all for the best - even though I had a hard time with my mom and grandparents. Now they are really happy about it. Everybody sees that it was the thing to do, and my daughter gets to see her dad twice a week, her grandparents like every other week... I think everybody is happy about the way it is and I have the best boyfriend I could possibly imagine.
I really wish the same to you, and I am sure glad for you your parents help you out like that and understand. *hugs*

Greg: Hm, I am really selvish these days with my snow. Because even though it keeps snowing, they cleared the sidewalks and put salt out, and it was no fun at all when I was about half my way to uni - with Ronja on her sleigh - and I had to pull her over the concrete... hm...
20°C?
oh, well... have some....
I hope we'll get some more. *chuckles*
It seems you're having as much fun with decorating your daughter's room as I have. *lol* I already bought Ladybug curtains and bedding, to match the bright red carpet in the new flat. *lol*
You send pix, I send pix, okay? *twinkle*

Bumblebee: how weird. *lol* I am sure glad they finally let you in, hehe. ANd about the singing... that's so great. Hey, record some for me, okay? *lol* Are you still having "Star Search" over there? Or is singing something you do for your living?

Ygraine: Well, answered the naked-in-the-snow-question above. *lol*

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement, I really appreciate it. I just realized I forgot to post the link to the little film of my daughter playing. Here it is--its really cute!

http://www.thesawyers.8k.com/

Enjoy!

All right, here I am reporting in. . .finally! I'm glad everyone seemed to have pleasant Christmases. . .and eventful. Mine was, well, exhausting, but I knew it would be. We just got back from West Virginia (where we visit my grandma and rest of family); Grandma had 12 people staying in her little house and only one bathroom. It was an adventure! I, too, caught the cold. Ick. I think my daughter has it now. Can't really tell, she may just be very tired. That's one thing I really hate about diabetes. . .my immune system is so low, that I catch ever possible thing that floats my way. Ah well.

Good news, too. I had my eye appointment today to check on how the surgery went, and things look better! So, i'm clean for three more months. (Now if I could just get those stupid blood sugars down where they ought to be.)

Fawksey . . .best of luck to you! I hope that starting over goes very smoothly for you and that nothing becomes bitter and messy! I'm so glad that you have the support of your family! I'm sure that helps a lot.

Greg, if you want a snowy Christmas. . .have holidays in Vermont sometime. Of course, the year you do that, it probably won't snow in Vermont, but it's more likely to be white there than in Florida!

Jim and Olivia, have a great time in Spain. Don't get too tan because I'll get jealous. Man, I need a trip to a warmer climate too! Ditto on the loads of pictures advice. We're nosey and voyeuristic. I wanna see. (well, not everything, but you get the picture)

Helen. . .you know, I'm often introduced as "Eddie's Sister." So, at least they know your name! Oh, and now I'm "The Juggler's Wife." Sigh. So much for an indentity.

My husband enabled my addiction to HP this Christmas. He got me the Time Turner and Snape's Wand from the Noble Collection. Now, if only they would work. . . maybe that's for next year!

Take care all!

Janet

I've been in work for three days now and nothing has happened - all my clients are off on holiday, and so I'm sitting here in this freezing cold office, posting as much as I can in order to keep my fingers warm.

I am so bored I'm about to drop off, and have drunk so much coffee I'm about to go postal...

Fawksey, I wish you nothing but the best for the future. I do hope that this "transition" period will be smooth for you and your family.
Lily is too cute!

Janet, that's such a cute gift to get! Man I wish I had a working time-turner! But alas! I am but a muggle.

Greg, that's awful! I hope you had your meal comp'd for finding a creepy crawly in your soup. Yuck!

Goodness, I haven't seen Star Search since I was a kid! Is that even still around?

Well, have a great day everyone!
( I can't believe tomorrow is New Year's eve... that just doesn't seem possible!)

Oz, i can really tell things are getting desperate for you since you've posted just about everywhere you can post! It amused me, at any rate. Hope your boredom level only decreased as the hours wore on.

Cori, he's always been good about letting me obsess with HP. He even made me my wand for our anniversary this year. That one doesn't work either, go figure.

I've been getting my "Serenity" fix. I got the movie and the "Firefly" series for Christmas too. Ah, it brings tears to my eyes. "We're going to experience some turbelence. . .then we're going to explode." My sides hurt. (Yes, I know it's not a comedy. . .but, lemonade, baby.)

OOh, and I wanted to post a picture of my darlings when they're actually looking darling (which isn't happening at this precise moment, but I do have the evidence that it's possible).

The Darlings

Hope all is well. . .(aren't elipses the best grammatical invention ever?)
janet

What did I do today?

Spent about an hour updating my siggie (i love it!) i'm not very savvy when it comes to putting piccies in my siggie (teehee) And that's it...ah, the holidays

Janet I'm envious of you, I love Firefly, and i've yet to see Serenity, it came to the cinema in September but i just didn't get round to seeing it But Firefly was ace!

Can you get Time turner's and wands and stuff? What's the noble collection I am intrigued.

oooh, Helen! I love the new siggy! Such a great movie--I haven't seen it in ages. Must buy that on DVD once I get some spending cash. Things are going to be tight for awhile of course. I hope I don't go totally nuts living with my folks. Hopefully, I'll have a place of my own by next Christmas. Maybe that should be my New Year's resolution--just to get the point where I can stand on my own two feet. Its gonna be some year....

What did I do today?

1. Sewed while watching the 1st half of "The Stand" on DVD. Still not done with the obligatory "two movie" sewing requirement for the day.

2. Ordered Chinese food, which required me to actually get dressed so I didn't look like a total scuzz for the delivery guy.

3. Ate Chinese food. Am saving precious Russell Stover mint bar for later.

4. Wrote to Ygraine, saying that yes, Russell Stover Mint Bars are to die for, because the package I sent her containing 2 of said Russell Stover Mint Bars finally arrived in Scotland. I assume I'll be sending these bars on a regular monthly basis once Ygraine is no longer dieting.

5. Found a "Year in Review" article by Dave Barry (the guy who said that all or most of any 40-year-old's teeth have been ground into powder). He had this to say about the premiere of the latest HP book:

"In book news, millions of youngsters snap up the latest in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter Must Be, Like, 32 Years Old by Now. The book has a surprise plot twist that upsets some fans: Beloved Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore is killed by Severus Snape, who, moments later, is acquitted by a California jury."

Since apparently they will acquit anyone if they are famous enough.

Rest of hilarious article here.

6. Hmmmm....listened to Baroque music for two guitars.

Read some of "Snively" by Bubotuber Pus.

Yep, that's about it.


Janet, your kids are gorgeous! And Fawksey, your kid is gorgeous, and funny. And Cori, remember when people on "Star Search" never actually became stars--people just laughed at them? Now someone goes on "American Whatever" and even if they don't win they get a contract! What's up with that? Fantasia can't even read and she has a new book out! This world is so bizarre...

Darth OZ! You crack me up.

In other news, yesterday it rained. Which is why we woke up to a foot of new snow today....????

Darcy! You're not on IM! Or are you just wearing your invisabilty cloak and hiding from me?

I did my 2005 survey on my LJ which can be found...Here If any one wants to read about my smelly year, lol.

Yes Fawkesy...you must get it! Labyrinth is such a great film! Have you seen Dark Crystal? That's another amazing 80's cult film

Darcy...I ate both of those Mint bar things and now i'm really regreting it because I want more! *cries* why can't you get them in Scotland.... *sniff* stupid diet... *snarl*

Ygraine! Hi! Even though we're also on IM at the time, which I wouldn't allow myself to go on until I had finished the hated two-movie requirement.

MJ did it! Every time! Muahahahahahaha! He's just...eeew.

So, Helen. . .are you enjoying the ipod? My stocking was stuffed with an itunes gift card that is burning a hole in my desk. Must go get tunes. . .NOW. That cracks me up that you, also, have a brother named Eddie. I usually say "Yes, my name has been legally changed. Thanks for taking the time to notice." I then get the blank stares and the nods of head as if I'm the one who's uttered the faux-pas. Sheesh people. . .get a sense of humor. Or change it to mesh with mine. Whichever is easier.

I'm cleaning. Again. I must be dirty since I have to clean all the freaking time. And laundry is my arch-nemisis. Seriously. It has the sharp-pointy teeth and everything. Sometimes it leaves offering of money in the dryer, just to confuse and pacify me; but on the whole: it's evil!

Let's see. . .we watched "Our Mrs. Reynolds" last night for the "Firefly" fix. I just love this show. Everyone. . . get it and watch it over and over. "I've got to check on the inevitable mutiny." Oh, I haven't been this addicted to a show that doesn't contain any teen angst in such a long time. There are rumors about them making a sequel to "Serenity." They'd better do it up propper if they're going to.

The noble collection: http://www.thenoblecollection.com/catalog/...og.cfm?catid=21
They also have available for the insanely rich and obsessed: stuff from Batman and LOTR. (And other stuff, but those are my main interests you see, except the sculpture of Waterhouse's Lady of Shalott (which I own, too).) Ooh, getting a grammatical head ache.

And that's it for my mainly Helen-centered post. Must start responding to more people inside of one post.

Janet

So, like...Janet. If I come to your house and do the laundry, a chore I actually enjoy, would you come to my place and clean my bathrrom?

Noble collection stuff is so cool! I love it. I always wanted a LOTR leaf brooch!

I'm going to drag my behind today, I can tell. I went to bed after two and was up by eight, and that just doesn't do it for me. Last day to eat any garbage I so desire! Then it's time to eat like a deer for a year.

Dunno if I mentioned it here, but tomorrow is also the day I get married. To myself. For a year. That is, taking all the energy and money I used to put into men and spending it on myself. Eating right, buying things I want, watching movies I want, buying decent new clothes when I can, etc. And of course, this also requires that I do not date--lest I fall prey to transferring that energy and money. Just for a year.

We'll see how it goes. I remember doing this same thing in 1998. Which was probably why I was engaged by April of that year. Murphy's Law. If you say "no relationships!" the men start hovering around like fruit flies...so weird. But this year--NO! I shall be strong!

Well, to anyone going out to party tonight--have fun! And be careful!

Hi everybody,

Janet, I just looked at those collections. Wow! I always thought that the elven jewellry looked beautiful. Now I have to restrain those itchy fingers ... I'd better! Because I've already pigged out buying the LotR extended DVD editions (yeah, all three of them, guess what I'll be overdosing on in the weeks to come).

I've just heard something amazing. I've just become an auntie for the fourth time ... the newest addition to the family was born this afternoon in London.

The amazing thing is her name. She has been given two first names. Both these names have a special meaning to me -- the first is the name of the main character in a long piece of HP fanfic that I haven't published anywhere yet, and the second ... well ... !!!

Elenor Alba, welcome to the world!

Aww, bumbles. . .congrats on your newest auntiedom. Her name is awesome.

I know what you mean about those itchy fingers. You'd think I'd be satisfied with my presents, but then I look there and add twenty more things (all things slytherin, of course). Oh, and did you notice the basilisk bookend? It makes me laugh because that's what the genious running the "your patronus" thread stuck me with as a patronus. I have one that I'd be afraid to use. Go figure.

Cleaning went well. Jamming to U2 while dusting and straightening. If they only knew how much they inspire me. Darcy. . .please. . .next flight to Cincy is surely soon. I'll scrub your toilets. Um, is this an ongoing arrangement?!

(ooh, one of fave songs coming on. . .must pause)

Okay, much more relaxed now.

Darcy, good luck with your new marriage. I've heard of doing that, but have never done it. Of course, can't really now. . .hmm. We'll offer all the support we can when the fruit flies start buzzing around.

Hi Passerby and anyone spending time at the computer listening to favourite songs.

Here in The Netherlands we've entered the final phase of a phenomenon called "The Top 2000" -- the two thousand best songs of all times, voted for by listeners of Radio 2. It has been playing these last days, 24 hours per day, since Christmas. So I went straignt from Bach to a different kind of nostalgia.

edited: <removed links and list>

Poo. I had just finished adding my latest fanfic chapter (yeah, I know...New Year's Eve and I'm writing fanfic-- ), and I thought I'd try the radio, but it's been edited out.

Congrats of the new little niece though, Bumblebee! Sweet name, too! I'd love the extended DVD of LOTR! I have them all on VHS, but my VCR is broken. It must be great to have all the extras though! You don't get those on VHS.

Happy New Year! Well, we still have 23 minutes to go! lol

And Janet? I'm there, dude. I'll do all your laundry! I think I like it because I like sewing so much. I like to play with fabric, wash it, fold it, hang it out to dry in summer...mmm...smells so good then!

Take care, everyone!

Aah, Darcy, sorry. I edited the links out and the list as well, because there wasn't much point leaving it up there after the whole thing had ended. However, if you're interested in a great collection of pop music, you can use the site's Listen Again function to listen to any hour of the six-day marathon at your leisure.

The Listen Again function hasn't been updated to the 2005 edition yet, the information is still from 2004, but I expect it to be updated soon. To listen to it, clikck on the link and select a day and hour. http://top2000.radio2.nl/2005/site/page/artikel/36004/

The 2005 list can be downloaded in excel format here: http://top2005.radio2.nl/data/media/delijst/Top2000_2005.xls

Thanks Bumblebee, that's so kind of you! I'm going to tune in to these links tomorrow while I'm cutting out new projects. Just this week Ygraine was astonished that I don't usually even think to use my computer for listening to music, but I think this will help! I think the thing I'll find the most interesting are the non-English language selections. We get so little music over here that's in languages other than English or Spanish.

Well, the New Year has finally reached the central American states. I am now officially off the junk food. And was I ever naughty today! I had Fettucine Alfredo, a 24-oz. Heiniken, a whole pint of Coffee Haagen Dazs...just show me where the sty is, oink, oink, oink! lol

James and I opened a gorgeous bottle of lime Perrier to celebrate the new year. Well, it is bubbly!

Going to go to sleep now, hope everyone had a safe, yet fun time, and didn't hurl!

This must be what Death Feels like....

I'm never drinking again, the pain...it's too much! I haven't had a hangover like this in soooo long!!

Any way, Happy new year everyone!!! hope everyone had a good new years eve and well as Darcy said didn't Hurl Sorry Darcy alas i wasn't able to have that. I did throw up at some random time at night Tis my own fault cos all i ate yesterday was a ham sandwich. Was I really expecting anything different? lol.

Still remember my first words of 2006. "I don't think this is how it's supposed to work" How random?

Bumblebee congratulations on becoming and auntie again!!!

Ow...my head!!

Awe, I had the best New Years Eve ever. We had Fondue, thus it took us more than two hours to eat, with that humangus salad I made to start with. I guess my friends were pretty impressed (and I have to admit if was the first time I spent three hours in the kitchen for dinner *cough*).
And, no, no cheese fondue - veggie soup fondue. *smile* So the healthy stuff. We had poultry and pork to dip into the boiling soup, along with broccolie, cauliflower and mushrooms. Yumm!
To bad I have so many leftovers and nobody cared for dessert when we were done. *chuckles*
In fact all we were able to do were "roll over" to the couch and watch "In & Out". *chuckles* Love that movie! The scene when they are in the chappel and the priest ask Kevin Kline if he wants to get married to his lovely bride and all he says is "I am gay"! *lol*
Not to mention all the dancing scenes and the kiss with Tom Sellek. Awe...
It was close to midnight when the movie was over and I got the champaign. We set fireworks off from the balcony! *lol*
Okay, I live on first floor, but still it was funny. Hehe.
And then what happened afterwards...
Do sit down...

My boyfriend proposed!

(Suffice to mention my friend ruined the moment by saying 'I am gay'. *lol*)
He got the most beautiful rings ever! (In Germany both wear rings from the engagement on, and you just switch the hand at your wedding. So you wear the ring on the left hand first and then put it on the right hand. )

I think my new year couldn't have started any better. What do you think? *grin*

Flutters

Flutters--Let me be the first to say congratulations and Happy New Year! I think that 2006 will be a very special year for you! All best wishes!!

Poor Ygraine. Me sorry you hurled.

Oh, and Janet, I think it's kinda cool you have a basilisk patronus. I think as long as it doesn't have eyes, you should be OK.

Oh, and "I am gay!" Well, not really, I just felt it was the appropriate thing to say.