Dazzling and Diligent December

[papmom3]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Cyn-you have snow??? We had 40's and partly sunny today. let the dogs out at 7pm-could see the moon and stars. Just let them out again and it's raining!! Gotta love New England!! No snow in the forecast for at least a week and for that I'm grateful!

Star-thank you so much for the kind words. I'm having trouble accepting the praise-I've gone my whole life convinced I didn't have a creative bone in my body or the skill to do anything with my hands. Its quite the feeling now!! I need to work on my believing. Hope you get to the Windy City to see the sights!!

Sped-hope you're having a lovely visit to New Orleans.

Lav-hope your shopping went well

Chill-did you get up to Glasgow?

Bear-if you're not feeling well, take it easy on the exercise and just concentrate on riding the crave wave

Blonde-I'm sure it was a busy day at the shop-hope you had a great time.

Tomorrow is my breed clubs party-the one I did all the favors for. Had to do 3 more tonite plus wrap the Yankee Swap gift. 18 months ago I would have chosen wine over those jobs and hoped I woke up early enough tomorrow morning to get them done. It was so cool to think-"hey-it doesn't matter how long it takes me to do this-I'm not drinking so I've got all night!!" For the record i was done in an hour :H.

After the party I may accompany my hoarding friend to western ma to help her pick up 2 paps taken from a hoarding situation (how freaken' ironic is that???). She is planning on fostering them but I know her. She'll end up keeping them. Still haven't decided if I'm going to go with her or try to get some xmas shopping done. I have until after the party to decide. And no, I am not fostering one of the dogs!!!

That's it from here. See you lovelies tomorrow at some point.

[Kaslo]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Hello all Decembrists. The 10th is supposed to be a full lunar eclipse at 6 am pacific standard time in western north America. So I'm going to set my tri pod up and see if I can get shots of a blood red moon. If I do I will post them. And at least I don't have to worry about doing this with a hang over

Sweet dream or alternatively if you are waking up...somewhere in the world, good morning.

Kas

[Chillgirl]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Good morning guys

I'm hoping it's the strength of this full moon because im really in a funk. I went to Glasgow yesterday with my Mum but I was horrible company. I didnt enjoy the shops or anything remotely about Christmas, i felt like an alien arriving into something i have no understanding of. Will i never regain that joy of Christmas? I just want to sleep as its the only time I get to escape the monkey mind. It feels like there is a permanent buzzing in my head and last night I even entertained thoughts of drinking to stop it. This intense feeling of agitation is new to me, it's different from the usual blues and is bordering on an anxiety attack.

I'm so sorry not to be my cheerful self, I will try to get to the gym later to see if some exercise helps my mood. If its the moon then I should wake up tomorrow feeling lighter.....

[BlondeAFAmbition]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Hi Gang!

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post last night. Hubs and I had an early dinner and then crashed on the sofa. Heading into another busy day today...a Saturday during the holidays. It is fun though.

Pap, have fun at your party! Let us know what you end up with at the Yankee swap. Those are always fun...if you end up with a good gift . No snow for us in the coming forecast either. Unheard of this time of year. Makes you wonder what we are in for this "wintah"? We have yet to turn the heat on so glad to save on the oil bill for sure!

Dear Chilll, I am sorry you are in a bit of a funk. I'm sure it won't last. A workout should make you feel better. Hope the day gets better and better for you!

Kaslo, I totally forgot about the eclipse! If you get some pics, please post them! Would love to see! The moon here was so lovely last night. Clear and bright. Loved seeing it through sober eyes and drawing from her energy. Also explains why it has been such a funny week...the full moon tends to bring out all the weirdos...lol.

Hi to everyone checking in and I hope this finds you all have a fabulous weekend thus far! I have a full day of work ahead of me and then I need to go do some shopping with hubs tonight when I get home. Need to pick up stuff for my mom's bday party I am hosting on Wednesday. I ordered a big chicken pot pie from a local farm (sooo good, and easy, just bake and serve), with crockpot mashed potatoes, spinach casserole (mom's bringing that, it is her signature recipe and so yummy), a green salad and cupcakes for desert. I'll also put out a big cheese platter and maybe some deviled eggs for apps. I'm having about 15 ladies total and a visit from Santa Claus, my mother's friend Rudy who she has been dating for over a year. He plays Santa in most of the local venues, including coming into the harbor on a lobster boat . So he will be coming to the party dressed in his santa suit...I'll try to get pics of that!

Have a grand day all, I will be thinking of you!

[Lavande]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Good morning December friends!

Sunny & in the 40's today - not bad!

Kaslo, we are not supposed to be able to see the eclipe here on the east coast so if you get a picture I'd love to see it

papmom, have fun today!

Chill, the moon effects hit me real hard last week - real hard but there was no way in hell I was going to make the choice to drink - screw it, right?
I've been outside the last few nights viewing the huge moon & just smiling at it. Even EB noticed it the other night & mentioned it to me - not bad for a 3 year old, huh? :H

Blondie, have a good day at work today. Chicken pot pie sounds pretty good right now

Well, I plan to do some cleaning & more decorating around here today.
Wishing everyone a fabulous AF Saturday!

Lav

[cyntree]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Good morning, Pap and Blondie - congrats to you both on your crafty ways - the wreaths and your runner are really beautiful. Pap, you are a quilting star, I couldn't imagine that you ever lacked confidence in that area!

Chill!!!! I'm so sorry for this monkey-mind anxiety...I do so hope that it is the full moon. I myself have felt off-kilter, but then that's nothing new. I think this moon was particularly strong - my boy dog would NOT settle down last night, it was as if I had slipped him a double espresso. (Didn't).

I'm off to the farmer's markets (indoors) to get as many stocking-stuffers as I can. That's the gift-giving I do for my family and friends...then we donate the 'big' holiday money to charities in everyone's name. But I do want to support my local vendors here, and to find some small meaningful gifts...

Good day all!

[cyntree]

Dazzling and Diligent December

X-post Lav! I had a laugh - I read YB for EB, and thought you were calling YB a three-year-old! Glad you are facing down this moon --

Chill, I had another thought - could this be part of the lack of light issue? You are so used to that sunny Portugal, and we are now coming in to the darkest time...hang tight...the solstice is only 10 days away, and then we'll be gaining our light back...

[sdlovespackers]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Good Afternoon!

Chill--I really think Cyn may be onto something with the whole darkness thing. Honestly, when I know "winter in coming" and we are starting to lose so much of our daylight here...those first few weeks I almost feel like I'm going to have an anxiety attack and get pretty down. I start realizing how dark it's going to be, how cold, how much snow, how I'll never be able to get outside...and for how long this seems to last...UGH! I don't do well in winters...but there is such a thing as seasonal depression....maybe we could have seasonal anxiety or seasonal funk?? I feel for you though, it's a tough way to feel because what do you but ride it out and make the best of it??? Me, I go to Florida once a winter....honestly, it helps break up the long winter and I get to see and feel the sun on my face and body!! I come back to SD feeling SOOOOO much better!!! Wanna meet me there...I'm going the first weekend in March?!?! :H

Lav--that's neat that you (and others) are so in-tune with the moons...I couldn't tell you what the moon looked like from day to day...I don't pay much attention...unless I notice it's super bright or something when I'm driving or getting out of my car. Teachers say that the kids act crazier when there is a full moon...really??? Mmmmm...no more than usual!!!

Pap--have fun at your party--win something cool!! Doesn't anyone do a check on people that adopt those animals that are taken in? Not saying your friend wouldn't provide a good home, but doesn't she already have a bunch of animals to care for? Is there a law in your town of how many dogs a person can have? It's 4 here. Just curious...

Blondie--Your party sounds awesome...your mom is going to have a blast!!! I will tell you though..I haven't been able to eat chicken pot pie since I was a child...my mom raised 3 girls on her own....so down at the store they would sell chicken pot pies for like 4 for dollar....so we ate those ALL THE TIME!!! She fed all of us for a buck....she was pretty good at stretching her money!! I see them on menus all the time now and think...they look sooooo much better than I remember! :H

Star--I've always wondered where you lived near...I see your little sign thing says midwest and I always wondered where that meant...meaning how close to me?? Quite aways east still if you can get to Chicago fairly easily....that would be cool!! The closet "big city" to me is Minneapolis.....and that's still 5 hours....east!!! I live in the middle of nowhere!!!!!ull

LilM--It was soooooo good to see you!!! It has been awhile!! SO glad to hear you are still doing so well!! Stop by again real soon!!

Well ladies...I apologize for not getting to each and everyone right now....my son I think is hanging from the ceiling out in the living room...I better go get him fed, get some cleaning done and HAVE TO get some more Christmas shopping done...does it ever end!!!??? I'm going to end up getting everyone 20 bucks in lotto tickets...and say DONE!!! If they win a million bucks I'll be the best present giver EVER!!!

I'll catch up with everyone a little later!!! Stay warm....or is that just me that's in the negative numbers??? LOL!!!!
SD

[Kaslo]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Bummer. Got outta bed before the crack of dawn and discovered that the moon goes down in the WEST and the sun comes up in the EAST. When did that start?

Anyway it is apparently WAY too mountainous here, the moon had buggered off in the wrong direction behind the Monashee Range before I got a chance to nail it. Mr Kaslo made the muffled and somewhat grumpy suggestion that I drive out to Scottys Marina on the Arrow Lakes where the sky opens up a bit, and to take my tripod with me and ..... hey WAIT A SECOND. Was he suggesting I stop rattling the tripod and banging doors at 5 AM?

Anyway, Chill, Cyn is probably on to something that us Canuckles face every winter. Lack of vitamin D and A. = Seasonally effected disorder, SAD, what have you. Running around naked with a five foot tripod and heavy lens at 5 Am tends to take care of that, to some extent, but its also a lot easier just to take the vitamins. It doesnt kick in immediately either...

So as you all know I am new to this thread, so I hope you dont mind that I havent a clue who people are and hope they dont think I am rude or self-centred, as I dont know quite what to say except THIS BEATS A HANGOVER.

And for all of us struggling with thoughts of drinking over Christmas, please dont do that.

I will try posting something else interesting that I find. .....

Happy Saturday

Kaslo

[cyntree]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Evening all -

Kaslo, I meant to say 'welcome' earlier - great to have you here with us, and I laughed out loud about the tripod story...sorry you missed your shot, but we got the benefit of the tale. Thanks for posting about the vitamin supplements for SAD. I have just come to the NE from the desert, and I should probably be adding those to my regimen - I totally forgot, I was just thinking about the light.

Chill?! Chill? Check-in please! Also missing your voice Rusty, hope all is well. Good to hear from you, SD! Can you all tell that I'm alone this weekend? Plenty of time to post....
Take care -

[papmom3]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Evening Dazzlers!!
Party was great! Blonde- I won a trivia contest and got a gift set from The Body Shop-Coconut even! My fav scent right behind vanilla!! My exchange gift was a dog toy, key ring with bottle opener and a cool christmas battery operated candle (I won't burn candles anymore-it's all battery operated for me!) We had a really fun time, great food and there were lots of belly laughs. My favors went over very well so I am happy. Guess i'll join up again for next year-they really are a nice group of people even if only 2 of us do performance sports.

After the party my friend and I went shopping in town while waiting for a call from the crazy dog lady. I actually was able to put together a butterfly themed exchange gift for next year-Hope I don't forget I have it LOL!! Call finally came at 3:30 and she wanted us to get there for 7pm. Nope. No way. Nada. Not driving 1.5 hours in the dark there and then back (not to mention the time spend with the transfer and then another 45 min back home) when I have to get up at 5. My friend convinced her to put up the dogs over night and she will go get them tomorrow morning. A rescue group is going to help her out with posting on petfinder and I hope covering any vet costs. My friend already knows someone who is looking for another pap and since we don't thing they have to stay together that could be one down.
SD-my friend has a kennel license from her town so she's OK with numerous animals. It's me who has a 2 dog limit.

Chill-glad you got to go to Glasgow but sorry it was such a bust. Now you know. Hope you're feeling better today and can figure out how to beat this SAD thing while you wait to move back to balmier climes.

Lav-40's today-sunny and big huge moon on the way home. I was going to take a pic for y'all but by the time I got home and the dogs out it had risen higher and wasn't so spectacular.

Cyn-hope you had a great time at the indoor farmer's market. I really envy you your new small town. I love things like that the chance to be a part of a community. Well, it might have taken me over half my life to figure out I can be creative but at least I did. I figure I have a few more good years to explore this new side of me!

Time to get ready for tomorrow I suppose.

[Dewdrop]

Dazzling and Diligent December

No time to check back so I trust everyone is well, busy week here as usual. Yes I am going to Paris, France for the work Xmas Doo and yes it?s a very short flight across the Channel, to be honest I love Paris and I am really looking forward to the trip. I love the language, the accent, the food and the atmosphere and in an ideal world I would meet and fall in love with a Frenchman; however we all know that will not happen so I will continue to dream

I picked up a rugrat from nursery after work yesterday and she was fed, bathed, into bed and I read 4 story books before she was fast asleep, I was so tired myself that I was in bed with her by 9.30pm ? how sad is that on a Friday night!! Actually it?s not sad at all because I really, really enjoyed the early night and loved the early morning wake up ? fresh, alert and looking forward to the day ahead ? just pure magic (a Scottish saying). Well we put up the tree and decorated the place and it looks lovely and I am into the Christmas spirit, just need to buy the pressies and sort out the cards (might be a bit late this year?). We are all going to No 1 son and his family for Christmas Day this year which will be great, they are expecting about 14 - so glad it's not me cooking!

Sorry I haven?t responded individually but I will get time over the holidays to catch up with you all, just want you all to know that I read all the posts and love hearing from you and really enjoy hearing from the new folk on the thread. Was out with some friends for a meal tonight so just home and its cold out so tucked up now in bed with my laptop. Nite nite from a cold and frosty Scotland.

Dewdrop :h

[Lavande]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Evening all!

I read last night about the 165 mph winds in Scotland this week - Geez!!!!

Dewdrop, I wish I had a party to go to in Paris! I love, love Paris
Glad you had some nice rugrat time last night!

papmom, I received a package today - thanks.
Despite the huge moon I have slept quite decently the past two nights (still tired from last week's crappy sleep I guess). Glad you enjoyed your party today

SD, Florida in March is good provided it's not Spring Break!!! Only did that once back in the dark ages :H

cyn, I love the Lancaster Central Market - indoors & they have everything! Haven't been there since my spouse disappeared. I should take the year old, he'd be good company :H
Hope you found some goodies today.

Well, I did some of the cleaning I wanted to do, went food shopping, made soup. Still need to do more decorating, wrap gifts etc. Oh well.

Wishing everyone a great AF & cozy night!
Lav

[ladybirdheart]

Dazzling and Diligent December

?just pure magic?, Ms. Dew? I am a Scot by heritage as well, my father 100%, Isle of Mull, he looked like an enormous ruddy warlord in pictures (he died when I was three). I also study French now and then, including three weeks in an immersion in Canada a few years ago where I got a major headache before the "release" into the new world. There is a phrase for it "yoko meshi" in Japanese that I think means being turned on ones axis when trying to communicate. I hate it. As are you, I am sorry not to respond to each person, I rarely can/do, but while I just may mention one or two on the thread at a time, nobody is safe, I will find you and put you in my sites (who will be next???). After starting the day with success at finally defrosting my garden hoses and most importantly replenishing, through a hole in the ice, my sweet fish pond, I had another crazy cooking day (?tis the season) with two new creations, a vegan butternut, coconut, cashew curry and a ?Tuscan? soup of Italian kale, potatoes, and sausage. Watched a creepy film about Saddam Hussein?s mentally ill son and now there is a holiday party at the house next door (young handsome German professor and his even younger and more elegant male partner, a truly adorable Philosophy doctoral student?everybody loves them, men, women, ancient cats? along with an entourage of characters that should keep me thinking if tongue tied). I am OK but a muscle spasm in my back (I fell hard walking my dogs a couple of weeks ago) has surfaced and in my fine tweed, silk, and beads, I look far more romantic, ancient, and fragile than I would like. Off to hear several languages babbling at once over skewers of sausage. Not for me to respond this time, just drift, be. Love, Ladybird.

[Chillgirl]

Dazzling and Diligent December

Good morning folks

LBH - your party sounded devine, I hope your back spasm didn't stave your enjoyment.

Kaslo - thanks for making me smile with your photo story! It was a special lunar eclipse last night but only to be seen in places like Australasia, looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Thank you for all your ideas about my "funk" I never even thought about the SAD but it would make some kind of sense considering the dramatic change in my environment. When I got my bloods done for the arthritis I was found to be seriously lacking vitamin D and so already take a supplement of it. Not sure what else to do. You can buy special light boxes but they are expensive. Anyway for now I will continue to lie low. When I'm down I retreat even further as can't bare to have to pretend all is ok. I stop answering the phone and prefer to go inside until it passes. I will still check in here as it is the one place I can at least be honest.

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday! :l