A Different Life II

[switz]

Merry Christmas.

Family dynamics can be a disappointment only if we let them do so.

You have really learned the important lessons of life and the one I use most often is setting my boundaries and non-association with those that just want to stir the pot.

Your level of happiness is tied to your giving of yourself to the grandkids, which is wonderful.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Lou

[ColoradoLady]

Maggie,
Your goodness and kindness will remain long after the nastiness of those others wilts away like a rotten fruit on a dead tree. Tolerance of mean or thoughtless bullies grows shorter with age and experience. It is not necessary to duck one's head in deference to a bully!

If 'mean kids' don't get the reaction they seek they are defeated. I feel negative people only berate and antagonize good people...in an effort to feel superior.....and fail miserably! I'm sure there are times when it is necessary to allow them to be in our presence, especially If they are family.

I recently told one, who could not be silenced by more polite measures...."I feel sad for you that your life is so miserable that you must hurt others to make yourself feel better. I would not want to be you. Bless your heart." She said not another word!


Have a wonderful day, Maggie. Angels are with you! Evelyn.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by mimiandrews

Black i.e. Is doing fine as a trailer dog. More challenging is getting her to get along with the resident dogs and one other canine visitor. She has a lot to learn, having been only dog and yard dog most of her life. Grandkids woke us well before dawn and presents were opened with much excitement.

Merry Christmas to all!

And to you, Mimi.

Good to hear that Blackie is doing her part, adjusting to the transitions and changes in your lives. She will be a great deal of comfort and companionship for you.

I hope you are at least thinking about making the drive out to our Shirley
Valentine gathering in Oregon next September.

Or meeting up somewhere while I am west, and more-west.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by ColoradoLady

Maggie,
Your goodness and kindness will remain long after the nastiness of those others wilts away like a rotten fruit on a dead tree. Tolerance of mean or thoughtless bullies grows shorter with age and experience. It is not necessary to duck one's head in deference to a bully!

If 'mean kids' don't get the reaction they seek they are defeated. I feel negative people only berate and antagonize good people...in an effort to feel superior.....and fail miserably! I'm sure there are times when it is necessary to allow them to be in our presence, especially If they are family.

I recently told one, who could not be silenced by more polite measures...."I feel sad for you that your life is so miserable that you must hurt others to make yourself feel better. I would not want to be you. Bless your heart." She said not another word!


Have a wonderful day, Maggie. Angels are with you! Evelyn.

I think you're exactly right, Evelyn.

Not being an unassertive person, it is still difficult for me to reconcile and manage the dissonance within relationships that should support and nurture...but instead can never be relied upon even as a safe place to land.

Don't feel sorry for me, tho, folks as I am basically a pretty strong person and do just fine. Sometimes, I just need to make an adjustment...one of those things you do when you are ready and feel you must.

I was and I did.

Skyped and had coffee with darling daughter before daylight this morning, then we did dinner prep together in our respective kitchens.

The miracle of the Internet.

At my son's, gifts are opened....and they are cooking, but I am not.

I am the guest who brought cranberry wine, biscuits and a favorite salad, and who is being cared for rather than being the primary caregiver.

I like.

Merry Christmas one and all, and hope to see many of you in the New Year.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by switz

Merry Christmas.

Family dynamics can be a disappointment only if we let them do so.

You have really learned the important lessons of life and the one I use most often is setting my boundaries and non-association with those that just want to stir the pot.

Your level of happiness is tied to your giving of yourself to the grandkids, which is wonderful.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Lou

Thank you, Lou, and Merry Christmaz to you as well.


Maggie

[cwf]

For unto us a child is born who is God incarnate and Savior of us all... Merry Christmas!!!

[Gearheart]

Lang May Yer Lum Reek. (May you never lack firewood) Literally long may your chimney smoke.

[Lily&Me]

And to you, guys.


Maggie.

[skitique]

Merry Christmas Maggie! Scott, the 2 Golden Retreivers, & I are in Key Largo today. Warm & sunny!

JANE

[TinCrumpet]

Maggie[/QUOTE]

Well .. sigh .. another Christmas Day nearly over ..
Scoffed 24 Brussel Sprouts and another 32 to go ..
Hans and I are staying with people on the East Coast of Jolly Ole ..
sleeping in the Airstream on their Land ..
One slight Niggle ... Local hunts .. all dressed up to kill ..
will probably ride across the fields on Boxing day ..
Our Family and friends loathe the medieval farce ..
in fact most English families do .. its a cruel unnecessary and hideous practice ..
I used to be a peaceful hunt disrupter in the days when i could run
Hang on .. its Christmas day .. stop it ..

Winds are howling and the rains pelted down ..
Hanson jnr will be on his way tomorrow .. staying for couple daze
We shall have many a jolly hour taking pictures of Seals near Horsey Windpump
and Sizewell Nuclear Power station
which is not far from a pretty fishing village .. its quite gorgeous in this area ..
Niece Laura .. who is also a keen photographer ..
is travelling to see us for New Years Eve and just before ..
were not great revellers but after her tiring
8 hour journey we'll have a chilled glass of champagne at the ready ..
were in the sticks and the nearest Railway Station is 20 miles away down Country roads ..
so a bit of a treck ..
After she comes and goes .. ... we travel to Friends in Frinton on Sea
and were jolly well looking forward ..
Hans and I didn't bother unwrapping Christmas Presents this year as he bought me the Leica and I bought him an Aeroplane programme just after Muffin died as a mutual cheering up ..
I did purchase a very large mug with a horn on the side which one squeezes for refills .. but .. forgot to bring it .. described it to Hans instead and he laughed .. Hope you and yours enjoy your Christmas as much as the Leatherbys Maggie ..
Love from Lili Lettice .. Hans RR .. & Muffin Too ..
ps .. We've had trouble with the Gas .. heater misbehaving ..
A gun was fired very close by .. Hans was wearing headphones ..
looked up at me like a startled Rabbit .. thought it was the Airstream ..
People were staying with Clay Pigeon Shoot .. must be a trial run
but makes us rather nervous hearing guns go off in the darkness ..

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by skitique

Merry Christmas Maggie! Scott, the 2 Golden Retreivers, & I are in Key Largo today. Warm & sunny!

JANE

And to you, Jane.

Mmmmm....Key Largo.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Good to hear from you, Lili, and happy holidays to you and yours.

Have had a very nice day here, a delicious dinner and am now back in the little house....where Lily is crashed on the carpet, catching up on her naps.

Miss Emma asked for "a bedroom inside my bedroom" for Christmas...which, as any good Grandma would know, means a play tent or some other little private space for her room......an 8 1/2 year old girls version of the "fort" stage the boys entered into a couple of years ago.

So, I bought her a "Frozen" play tent. Getting her out of it will now be the problem.

Sweet babies, and I love them.

Tomorrow....the extended family thing. Yeaaayy. I will smile and play nice, crochet quietly, get thru it and it will be over. My favorite family members will not be present, she caring for a rapidly deteriorating 94 year old mother as well as the three grandchildren she has had guardianship of for years. Yikes.

Her only respite is the weekends when her adult daughter is off work and around to care for her Grandma. She sounds exhausted, and I worry about her. Lots on her plate. She will put her feet up tomorrow, I will miss her but understand and try to catch her elsewhere before I head to SC.

And now....a soak in the tub.


Maggie

[ColoradoLady]

Maggie, my thoughts were with you yesterday. We don't feel sorry for you...you do not need that...I do offer empathy for a situation many of us must deal with. One of the things I admire about you is your strength and determination, as well as your obvious kindness.

We can only wish all people were decent, warm, kind, loving.....some are, many are not. We cannot change the leopard's spots! Folks are who they are. I gravitate to goodness, and choose to avoid, as much as possible...the hyenas.

How sweet that you and daughter were able to enjoy a portion of Christmas together, in your respective kitchens. The internet does have some nice uses, and Skype is one of those!

Good for you, that your son and family are taking over the task of holiday dinner prep. This is a time for you to be cared for and treated as a valued guest, to relax and enjoy the day...and those sweet grand babies.

I am the cook for all occasions....as I enjoy feeding them well. Unfortunately, my daughter is not a cook. I 'let her do dishes, tho'! I jokingly tell her two, Nicole and Matt, to prepare to take over the cooking at family occasions, as one day, someone else must take over for me. Nicole, like her Mom, is not a cook. Matt likes to cook, so I guess it will be him. They all are very concerned to keep me healthy and well, as they laughingly say they don't want to have to 'order in' holiday meals! LOL!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Evelyn.

[Lily&Me]

Hi Evelyn!

Good karma must have been abundant, as the extended family gathering today was without any snarkiness from those who often seem compelled.

We gathered, we visited, we ate, all was okay....I am now home, and Lily is off with dog-walker Emma.

We go to pick up Alice in the morning....then I will be happily kid-saturated for a few days.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Lily and Me.

[ColoradoLady]

Maggie,
GREAT! Whether good karma, or perhaps, somehow....the Christmas Spirit....I'm glad for you that all was peace on earth, good will toward men and women. ( did you fleetingly think to yourself....It's about time?) LOL! Evelyn.

[Lily&Me]

Did you know that three kids can now build with Legos.....electronically, and all on the same game at the same time?




Maggie

[ColoradoLady]

P.S. Sweet love of a dog and her Mom! Is there anything better? Evelyn.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by ColoradoLady

Maggie,
GREAT! Whether good karma, or perhaps, somehow....the Christmas Spirit....I'm glad for you that all was peace on earth, good will toward men and women. ( did you fleetingly think to yourself....It's about time?) LOL! Evelyn.

You know, it has been overdue for about 20 years.

For whatever reason, I'll take it.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by ColoradoLady

P.S. Sweet love of a dog and her Mom! Is there anything better? Evelyn.

She does love her Mama....loves to kiss and nibble and be sure I know it, too.


Maggie