tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post6755182761985989397..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: Must We Deck The Halls?Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-30855586784877968492009-01-05T07:19:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:19:00.000-05:00Pat, put down the credit card and back away slowly...Pat, put down the credit card and back away slowly...*g*<BR/><BR/>Really, it feels like madness in retrospect, but somehow we can justify it at the time. I don't understand the holiday madness thing at all! But this year I plan to have a firm budget and stick to it, by gum. Maybe budgeting TIME would work as well? I'll have to try that.Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-3370016658308724272009-01-05T07:17:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:17:00.000-05:00Virginia, the GR was supposed to be dieting for th...Virginia, the GR was supposed to be dieting for the new year! I guess he didn't stick to his resolutions. Or mine. *eg*Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-60413357950170835332009-01-05T07:16:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:16:00.000-05:00Jo, I'm still perfecting the "priority" thing. It'...Jo, I'm still perfecting the "priority" thing. It's easy for me to set OTHER people's priorities, but hard to do my own! I decided to resign from something (kind of a NY's resolution), but it will still be hard to do!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-68007354731604179182009-01-05T07:15:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:15:00.000-05:00Jo, my husband gave me the same lecture. Maybe it'...Jo, my husband gave me the same lecture. Maybe it's in the Man Book! *g* It was about the childcare, I think. He was right, though. They turned out fine (even if they would have turned out better had things been done MY way. *eg*) You really needed Dr. Big's help with 7 kids. Good gosh!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-31054455623292331072009-01-05T07:13:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:13:00.000-05:00Jo, I think it's a universal. Certainly in my fami...Jo, I think it's a universal. Certainly in my family of origin, if Mama wasn't happy, NOBODY was or ever would be. *g* I'm afraid I wield a similar power, but try to do so with a light hand. Still, somedays are might-y trying on the nerves...Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-20075447884416057822009-01-05T07:11:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:11:00.000-05:00Jeanne, congrats on the new office space. I DREAM ...Jeanne, congrats on the new office space. I DREAM of having an office in my home! When the second one goes to college in--2-1/2 years, holy smokes!--I can start working on that plan.<BR/><BR/>Enjoy the paint fumes!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-75291592059973492352009-01-05T07:09:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:09:00.000-05:00Kate, I had a feeling your dh was from the land of...Kate, I had a feeling your dh was from the land of ice and snow. How much snowier does it get than Buffalo?! It's great he's willing to do the work for his traditional Christmas, too. Do you sip cocktails and cheer him on? *eg* <BR/><BR/>And if the GR eats GR cookies, is that like us eating gingerbread men?Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-91365730068942769052009-01-05T07:07:00.000-05:002009-01-05T07:07:00.000-05:00Christine, I could seriously dog-pound some cold b...Christine, I could seriously dog-pound some cold boiled shrimp at Christmas. You know, if I were in Australia and it were summer. Oh, okay, I would eat them even in winter! I say go for it, Bandita!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-29367593738523943792009-01-05T00:13:00.000-05:002009-01-05T00:13:00.000-05:00Caren, I must admit it: I'm an over-doer and an ov...Caren, I must admit it: I'm an <BR/>over-doer and an over-spender when<BR/>it comes to the holidays. I keep<BR/>telling myself that I can't do that<BR/>again, yet I do! My sweet Honey had<BR/>to make two trips to our son's to<BR/>take all the gifts over for the <BR/>family celebration. I did most of <BR/>the cooking, too! Of course, when<BR/>told my 6 y/o grandson said it was<BR/>"awesome" (describing what all<BR/>Grandma had done for the family)<BR/>I admit to a warm feeling! Is<BR/>there a Shopaholic group nearby?<BR/>I think I need their assistance!!<BR/><BR/>Pat CochranPat Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997396930842831460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-45613686861656627722009-01-04T23:26:00.000-05:002009-01-04T23:26:00.000-05:00Hey Jeanne, that Golden Rooster polished off that ...Hey Jeanne, that Golden Rooster polished off that plate of cookies in no time. He said they were not as good as Tim Tams but since I didn't have the Tim Tams he would munch on those rooster cookies.Virginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06924888528166831610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-65716241328225839852009-01-04T20:41:00.000-05:002009-01-04T20:41:00.000-05:00Caren, you're so right about us women taking on to...Caren, you're so right about us women taking on too much. I'd been feeling guilty about not helping out in the many organizations that've given me so much, so I signed up for the membership committee of one of them. No problem, right? Well, I forgot that membership reneweals coincided with my trip to New York, so I came back to many, many emails on my personal email. Plus I had to sift through all the viagra ads! <BR/><BR/>Still, I think persons who've been doers all their lives find it very hard to say no. Some get great personal satisfaction from it and others just feel it's the right thing to do. As women we have to be very gentle with ourselves. Think hard about what our priorities. And that's different for everyone!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-49780596329217958112009-01-04T20:23:00.000-05:002009-01-04T20:23:00.000-05:00I hear a refrain from among our readers of having ...I hear a refrain from among our readers of having to do everything ourselves. And if we dole out the jobs to other family members, they don't perform to our standards and we re-do them.<BR/><BR/>I learned an important lesson from my (mostly) wonderful husband years ago. He said that if I asked him to do something then I had to let go of the how and when of it. I had to allow him (within reason) to do the job in his own way. His ways, of course, were never like mine, and I'm still convinced MY way is far better (g), but once I let go of the control, I learned that his way was just different, not less. It was a very stress-alleviating lesson to learn.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-63789201262880190262009-01-04T20:18:00.000-05:002009-01-04T20:18:00.000-05:00Great topic for an after-holiday post, Caren. I t...Great topic for an after-holiday post, Caren. I think most women very vulnerable to this kind of stress. We want things to be wonderful, to be perfect, to be memorable, and in trying to attain that, we forget to take care of ourselves so the holidays can be pleasant for everyone.<BR/><BR/>As someone said, if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.<BR/><BR/>Yay, Virginia, treat the rooster kindly.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-81836163457919695122009-01-04T20:12:00.000-05:002009-01-04T20:12:00.000-05:00Hey, Posh, great post. I have to confess, I did m...Hey, Posh, great post. I have to confess, I did much the same thing this year. I hosted my local chapter's Christmas party, so I did decorate. However, when I only got half the decorations on the tree, I let it go.<BR/><BR/>Now, don't think I did it without stress, the way it sounds in that last sentence. HAHAHAHAH! Right. But by about the 15th, I let it go. Then again, that was right after the tree toppled over and broke half the ornaments I DID put on it! Arrrgh. :><BR/><BR/>Cookies? Oh, yeah. So NOT. Once the boys get a bit older and can help...maybe.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of cookies - WOW, Virginia! Love your icon. Is that the GR immortalized in sugar cookie dough? Coooooool! And congrats on nabbing the bird himself today.<BR/><BR/>But back to the subject, surprisingly, this year, I stressed a whole lot less. We set a better, smaller budget. We didn't fret so much.<BR/><BR/>I liked it.<BR/><BR/>THe other cool thing was that I had time to reflect on the year. That, however, caused some...fun. I'm taking over a infrequently used bedroom for my "new" office. I spent the day cleaning and painting and tomorrow, I'm pulling up the been-on-the-floor-way-too-long carpet to reveal the lovely hardwood floors beneath.<BR/><BR/>I have totally gotten off your topic, Posh. Sorry! Blame it on the paint fumes.Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-36578515557653468702009-01-04T19:44:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:44:00.000-05:00LOL - you guessed it, Caren, the DH is from Buffal...LOL - you guessed it, Caren, the DH is from Buffalo, land of snow and lots of old family traditions! He's got boxes of ornaments his mother knitted or box-stitched or...heck, I don't know what they are, but they're handmade and we must hang them everywhere!!<BR/><BR/>Virginia, those are the cutest cookies!! I'll bet the GR swooped them up!Kate Carlislehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16863555050062113192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-22483034938209739022009-01-04T19:43:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:43:00.000-05:00Posh, it would be really interesting to see what t...Posh, it would be really interesting to see what they come up with! Knowing my father, there'd be a lot of cold seafood. And I'd be happy eating Tim Tams and Nutella sandwiches if it meant I didn't have to do more than buy and pour the drinks:) That would raise a Christmas cheer from me!Christine Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260589566405262159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-81042647194277211912009-01-04T19:34:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:34:00.000-05:00Christine, I like the idea of you starting a peace...Christine, I like the idea of you starting a peaceful Christmas protest. Now, you may all end up eating Nutella sandwiches and Tim Tams, but it would still be Christmas, right? I'm sure the men could light the barbie and grill some chicken or steaks or something. *g* I think you should go for it! <BR/><BR/>I really appreciated my Christmas card, by the way. Yours should arrive about Valentine's Day. *g*Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-79972934285656144742009-01-04T19:31:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:31:00.000-05:00Trish, at least you don't have to fret about takin...Trish, at least you don't have to fret about taking the tree down, since it was never up. I promise you, one of these years I am getting the plug-in tree that comes in three parts! <BR/><BR/>I think, this year, I'm going to reinstitute my strategy of only taking off the lowest limbs, then putting a sheet over the tree for dust protection until next year. My husband thought I was crazy, but man did it save us some time!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-29271304346132484472009-01-04T19:28:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:28:00.000-05:00Nancy, I think you're dead on about women putting ...Nancy, I think you're dead on about women putting their needs last. I'm not sure why we do, except there seems to be a great long history of it throughout the generations! My mother was forever and always doing, doing, doing for us and others. She never even thought to do anything to please herself (and believe me, she is a strong-minded and independent woman, not a shrinking violet) until a therapist told her to! <BR/><BR/>Of course, once she did it was most inconvenient for me and my teenaged siblings still at home. Then she went a litle overboard and sort of abdicated for a bit, which wasn't helpful either. *g*<BR/><BR/>But I think men today are more apt to be willing to take on things their fathers may not have. My husband has certainly done his share of cooking, cleaning and laundry. He also does most all the running of people to appointments, practices and rehearsals. Thing is, we have to ask for help. I'm getting better at asking!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-75554673653021681132009-01-04T19:27:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:27:00.000-05:00Posh, I think you're so smart to scale back on the...Posh, I think you're so smart to scale back on the Christmas activity. I don't know how you would get all that done with a full-time job! My family and friends are accustomed to my not sending Christmas cards by now--in fact the only ones I sent this year were to all the Banditas! Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time but it all too often falls to the mother's lot to make sure it's fun for everyone but herself.<BR/><BR/>I am SO tempted next year to convince all the women in my family to fold their arms and refuse to do any Christmas cooking. I'd love to see the men handle the day for a change! <BR/><BR/>Sorry for the rant but I really identified with this post!Christine Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260589566405262159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-6169420018172049232009-01-04T19:24:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:24:00.000-05:00Joan and Anna, isn't that the coolest avatar ever?...Joan and Anna, isn't that the coolest avatar ever? No wonder the GR keeps darting off with Virginia. He's a vain bird!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-8100971260668047712009-01-04T19:22:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:22:00.000-05:00Nancy, you are my hero! Isn't it odd how saying ye...Nancy, you are my hero! Isn't it odd how saying yes once can get you sucked into these perpetual cycles of behavior? When my MIL was alive, I INSISTED that my husband buy her Christmas present and one for his sister. If I hadn't demanded that he do it, he would never even have thought of it. He would have assumed I would handle it - or not - and probably wouldn't have cared either way. By demanding his participation, I drew a firm "do not cross" line for him.<BR/><BR/>Now, if only I can figure out how to do that with all the other gifts I buy. *g* Actually, I think next year I'll put the girls in charge of buying gifts for my younger nieces and nephew. They are much more clued in to the kids than I am!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-83480073737965401902009-01-04T19:17:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:17:00.000-05:00Anna, thank you for the cheering session! I have b...Anna, thank you for the cheering session! I have become a fan of the midday nap, which I used to think was a bit of lunacy dreamed up by those too lazy to cram a few errands into a lunch hour. *g* I'm a true believer, now, that taking a nap two or three days a week does wonders for you all the way around.<BR/><BR/>I plan to take a nap at least twice this week. I'm really looking forward to it!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-46731981980461373672009-01-04T19:15:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:15:00.000-05:00Tawny, I admire your holiday fervor! Some years I ...Tawny, I admire your holiday fervor! Some years I have really felt it. When the kids were little, they were year-round school and had 3 - 5 weeks off in December. By the weekend, they were ready for some serious cookie baking and decorating. <BR/><BR/>These days, the younger ones are in high school and the approaching holidays mean projects, papers and tests. It is stressful for all of us! All they want to do on the weekend is decompress and I completely sympathize. <BR/><BR/>Maybe if my "take it easy" plan works this year, I'll once again be full of vim and vigor when Christmas rolls around. I hope so!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-10351109996809733122009-01-04T19:11:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:11:00.000-05:00Dianna, I think it's great you have found an alter...Dianna, I think it's great you have found an alternate way that works for you. I tell you, if it isn't worth the bother to you, why bother? <BR/><BR/>I promise you the Christmas light police did NOT come by our place this year to see whether our lights were up - they weren't, btw. But I had bought these plug-in three little trees at an after-Christmas clearance sale that we plugged in outside.<BR/><BR/>The third one kept leaning over in a very special way - like "short bus" special. We finally gave up and just let it lean. It amused me every time I saw it! They're still out there, but we stopped lighting them after New Year's day. *g*Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.com