af day Tues 25 Dec

[treetops]

Merry Christmas All!
Yes its Christmas Day here in New Zealand and we are expecting at least 25 degrees Celsius - so we might eat Christmas dinner outside under the trees. Baked salmon, salads and new potatoes - plus lots of dessert later. I have done the Santa thing (although my daughter is nearly 15 years old - she still expects 'Santa' - plus the pressies under the tree!). This time Santa did not have a glass of wine (actually this Santa would have had a bottle or two last year) and wake up with a headache and anxiety about the day ahead. I think my new sobriety is the best gift to her, my partner and most of all myself! Still early days I keep telling myself and I must not be complacent - as the beast loves to try and sneak in when it can.

Mick - loved your 'excuses' for not drinking. TDN, Kuya, Porquoi, Nudl, Lavande, CanToo - also great to hear how you spent Christmas Eve. And to everyone else - have a great Christmas day when it comes to you - breathe, its only 24 hours and for part of that you will be sleeping - and you will not wake up on Boxing Day with regrets (that doesn't mean you have to be Pollyanna - you can be the Grinch if you want), a sore head and other nasties. :h:goodjob:

[kuya]

af day Tues 25 Dec

MERRY CHRISTMAS TREETOPS

raining her and humid, but music playing and all is well with the world......have a great day wherever you are

[blondie]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Morning and Merry Christmas Treetops and Kuya and hi to those still on Christmas Eve.

A hot one here too; already 29 and heading up to 38. Had a quick paddle in the river with doggie to cool down. Eating junkie, sugar-laden chocs and they're not as good as I remembered!!

We'll be dining under the gum trees too, Treetops, though toes will be dipping in the dog pool and perhaps even a knotted-hankie hat to completed the look!

Hope everyone has a fab fun day. Was a bit maudlin last night and couldn't watch the Carols as that was my traditional drinking and remembering and weeping time. Will try and get a piccy up at some point.

Off to read back
lots of Christmas love to everyone here

[blondie]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Great syntax there! I meant I'd try and get a Christmas pic up; not one of me down in the dumps.

Ho Ho Ho

[CanToo]

af day Tues 25 Dec

You guys all sound great. Hope you filled up with food and new memories.

Almost time for Mick and Molly to get up. Wake up wake up.

CT

[blondie]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Hi CanToo!
Just about to fire up the barbie. And I really can't be bothered. Hot. Grumpy and slightly miserable and, worst of all, feel like a drink. Partner is all happy, because he's about to head out with a coldie, but the thought of sitting outside in this mood and weather watching someone drink does not appeal. But it's Christmas, so I can hardly sit inside and sulk.

Oh well, I know it'll pass. Just need to find the cheer again
Bahbloodyhumbug :H

[treetops]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Hi there Blondie. Hope you got through the drink feeling. I drank so much soda water today I could burst. Partly drank it cos it was so hot and I was cooking - and I wanted something other than tap water. Last year that soda water would have been wine. The wine would have given me energy for several hours and then I would have fallen asleep. But could get away with such behaviour on this day - except my problem was always that I drank but did not eat...
This year We ended up eating inside as there were too may flies outside and we were having salmon (thanks to the Canucks I found a great festive recipe for this). Had the white chocolate cheesecake I made later while we laid under the trees.
So my friends in the Northern climes - you will be now starting your Christmas Day or about too. Hope it is lovely and not too stressful.

[RunningCourage]

af day Tues 25 Dec

A marvelous Merry Christmas! fellow abbers.

I'm still in me pit... need to go stuff a turkey. Hope you all have a very stuffed christmas, whether that be BBQ, Salmon, Turkey, or, as it might be with Mick, another box of choccie biscuits :H

[Mick]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Cantoo.................yawn yawn thats me up

Merry Chrimbo everybody..now you are all awake...hope you all have a great time today..its rainig here, not much but its that fine stuff that gets you wet!!!!!

First pressie for me...two Irish coffees in a box!!! look out someone you will be getting them as a pressie!!!

Right not going to spend too long on here , let you get on with your various stages of Christmas Day...heres a little game for you alll...below are a number of sayings...see how many you hear today

Aw you shouldnt have bothered

Thanks its really nice..just what I have always wanted

No thanks Im fine dont need any help

What are we having for tea

This kitchen isnt big enough for us all

Go on put the hat on

You go and sit down..we ll do the washing up

Snore...Snore !!

Right have a quick snooze before .......comes on

Is nobody going to help me

You know I feel a wee bit tipsy....(NOT you)

Oh go on then just another one

Come on eat up its all got to go

Thats me Im full

Couldnt eat another thing..ok just one more

Pudding? just a little bit

:stomper:Is anyone else going to help

Been slavin away all day and thats all the thanks I get!!! :upset:


Big shout to all those that arent here..Lills, Shue, Floss, if you are there have a great time...and hurry back x

SL....chin up keep smilin, PPQ, remember numero uno, Cantoo all the best, Lav one coffee on wheels for you, KY...doing great matey, Det ...garlic turkey?? Molls..no fightin :H Nurdl..top down today??:H Rabsy...behave!!..stuffin turkeys..youll get caught..treetops well done on the soda water..TDN have a great day, YAH hope you are ok, Hippyman you ok?SF, how are you
Apologies to any I havent remembered

Take care

10 Reasons Why a Woman WOULD LIKE to Be Santa Claus

There'd be no more early morning decisions about what to wear to the office.
No one would bother to ask Santa Claus for a ride to work.
Buy one big brown belt and you'd be accessorized for life.
You'd always work in sensible footwear.
You'd never be expected to make the coffee.
There'd be no need to play office politics; a hearty ho-ho-ho would remind everyone who is the boss.
Juggling work and family would be easy. All your children would adore you; even your teenagers would want to sit in your lap.
You'd never take the wrong coat on your way home.
You could grow a tummy the size of Texas and consider it a job requirement of a funny Santa Claus.
No one would ask to see your job description.

[porqoui]

af day Tues 25 Dec


MERRY CHRISTMAS

[ThreeDogNight]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Merry Christmas to you all.

Not going to post much, as I woke hoping that letter was just a bad dream. Not feeling much like celebrating, but have to at least manage a smile for our friends who are coming for dinner this afternoon. Need to get an attorney to help me, and hope that this season doesn't mean they are all off work. KY, this letter wasn't just a deterrent to keep me off the roads--I can't drive anyway.
Thank you all for just being here every day.

TDN

[Mick]

af day Tues 25 Dec

TDN.....think KY i s right..its a blanket, so thayt if you were caught driving now then you could not say you had not been warned.Very much suspect it will be reviewed after the silly season...Dont think there will be anyone doing much today or tomorrow...so stay calm and chill just now till it is sorted one way or the other and then you can make plans..I know its hard, but try not spoil your todays with what ifs..Big Chrimbo cuddle for you :l

[Lavande]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Merry Christmas morning Abbers!

Sitting here in the quiet & enjoying the coffee ~ nice

TDN, there is nothing anyone can do today but tomorrow courthouses & attorney offices should be open & back to work as usual. I know YB was summoned to appear at a hearing tomorrow re a motorcycle accident he witnessed 2 months ago. Please hang in with us today & feel our collective strength :l

I found this in my email this morning - what a hard thing to read but serves as a reminder that our troubles may not be as bad as we think.....

Twas 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 when 20 beautiful children
stormed through heaven's gate. Their smiles were contagious, their
laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they
saw there. They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to
say.They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. Where
are we? asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. This is heaven
declared a small boy. We're spending Christmas at God's house. When what
to their wondering eyes did appear but Jesus their savior the children
gathered near. He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the
same. Then He opened His arms and He called them by name. And in that
moment was joy, that only heaven can bring Those children all flew into
the arms of their King and as they lingered in the warmth of His
embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face. And as if He
could read all the questions she had He gently whispered to he, "I'll
take care of mom and dad."Then He looked down on earth, the world far
below He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe, the He closed His
eyes and He outstretched His hand, "Let My power and presence re-enter
this land! "May this country be delivered from the hands of fools" I'm
taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools! "Then He and the
children stood up without a sound."Come now my children let me show you
around. "Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran. All
displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can. And I heard Him
proclaim as He walked out of sight,'in the midst of the darkness "I AM
STILL THE LIGHT

Wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas Day!
Lav

[kuya]

af day Tues 25 Dec

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU NORTHERNERS

Christmas Day here was wonderful, with family and friends and good food and gifts.

My son's fianc? and family came and it was amazing. They are from Colombia and we talked of the amazing wealth and peace we all enjoy here ( and I sure that applies to all here).

So we all were grateful for what we had, and remembered the 8000 children that die of starvation every day....... Which puts our first world problems in perspective.

So be happy, rejoice for what you have and be sober to enjoy it thankfully

Love youse

KY

[Mick]

af day Tues 25 Dec

Glad all is well KY