Happy Moments: The Christmas edition. - YouLookFab Forum

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Happy Moments: The Christmas edition.

Anonymous

Merry Christmas everyone. I thought I would make this a Christmas themed post this week

Just to start things off, remember the idea is to spread to feelings of cheer and perk ourselves up. A lot of us get very stressed around this time and we feel tired and ready for a rest over the festive break. So,sit down with a coffee, hot chocolate, tea or indeed something stronger if you're not driving and share some things you are looking forward to, or things you've felt grateful for this last week. I thought also it might be nice if you shared a favourite Christmas memory, or a link to a favourite Christmas song or hymn.

My turn:

I'm feeling happy to have finished work for the holidays. I did my last fitting last night for something to be finished in the new year and the last few alterations were collected today, yay!

My lovely, kind, thoughtful, funny and intelligent son turned 10 this week We took him and two pals to the cinema and MacDonalds on Sunday and on Tuesday we had a family party. Happy times.

Yesterday I did the big pre festivities grocery shop, phew! Glad to get that out of the way!

Finally a fond memory of Christmas time 2 years ago was when we had proper snow ( a rare occurrence at this time of year in the UK) and went on Christmas Eve to a local attraction which is a Victorian village where we went on a Santa hunt with DS. Such fun, though extremely cold!

Finally two of my favourite tunes at Christmas; the first is Wham's 'Last Christmas' : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI The second is 'Silent Night' a beautiful hymn which I remember hearing at one of my sons nativity plays some years back. It really brought a tear or two to my eyes : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRZOv31n1sY

Over to you now...

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32 replies

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Alassë

Veteran

We too got our grocery stock-up done. I was thankful that my husband tracked down more apple cider as stores are running out.

Hot drinks in the evening with the lights on on the Christmas tree.

Favorite memory: Driving through a nearby neighborhood with my parents looking at Christmas lights.

Favorite song: Right now, "O Holy Night" or "Mary, Did You Know?"

MsMary

Veteran

What a lovely post, Diane! Wishing the happiest of birthdays to your big boy, and a Happy Momiverary to you!

I have been having a lovely Christmas season despite being elbow-deep in divorce paperwork. At this point I am just oh, so happy to be out of that life and looking ahead to my new life!!

I had a beautiful happy moment last night at a Christmas party with some people from work. A gentleman I worked with some years ago, and whom I know only rather casually, came up and asked about my Marine son by name, and told me said Marine is on his daily prayer list, which he repeats at sunrise every morning during his hike up the local foothills. I was so touched I almost cried!!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

One of my favorite Christmas memories was on a trip to Sedona, AZ with DH, my mom-in-law and her DH, my brother in law and his DW, and a cousin who grew up with them. We spent Christmas Eve cooking a fun meal, then took our wine out to the huge Jacuzzi tub and sat in there while it snowed. We have a really great photo of us all in there. Next day we all had terrible hangovers (Jacuzzi and wine don't really mix all that well) but were still in a good mood despite it and we drove up a very steep and curvy road to Jerome, AZ where there is an incredible artists community in a previously deserted Victorian mining town. Still makes me smile thinking about that trip.

MsMary

Veteran

Oh, I forgot my Christmas memory: My son's first Christmas was when he was just three months old. He loved to swing in his baby swing, and that Christmas he sat in his swing and sang little tuneless baby songs and watched the proceedings, and we put a red bow on his bald head because he was the best gift of all!

Favorite Christmas song is... all of 'em!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I had a fun time at a christmas themed fun run last night at a local pub. There were some runners with lights and stockings and the whole bit on. I did red, white, and green running gear. It was the best I could cobble together without entering the stores the week before xmas. Danger zone. I'm avoiding the post office, too, for another week
Also, my BF is filling in at a store closer to home and popped in at lunchtime yesterday. Only 5 minutes, but it made me smile to see him.
Can't really recall a special xmas memory beyond singing Silent Night with my Gma circa 1975 or so.

Anonymous

Thank you for starting off the replies in grand style.

I'm pleased that your DH tracked down the cider Alasse. I also love to see Christmas lights everywhere on peoples houses. In our neighbourhood there are a lot of houses lit up and it's so pretty at night.

Mary that's a lovely thing for that man to say about your son. You know I had big problems trying to conceive and shortly after I did my customer/friend said she had prayed for me every day. Then when we mentioned the name we would call the baby if it was a boy she told me that it meant 'from god'...

Oh, and thanks for the memory about the bow on your sons head, it made me smile

Textyle that's a lovely memory. It must have been fab relaxing in the hot water while it snowed.

Anonymous

Mo, cross posted. That evening sounded great fun! Don't blame you for avoiding the stores either. Over here the sales are starting already, so I'm trying to avoid temptation too.

Louise

Veteran

I broke up from work today; this half term has been the toughest ever emotionally due to the break up but I'm happy because I made it to the christmas holidays in 1 piece x

Louise

Veteran

Ooo and tomorrow night am off to a Victorian Christmas evening at the Black Country museum which I'm hoping will make me feel Christmassy x

Anonymous

Ooh Louise, the Black Country Museum is where we went on the Santa hunt. It was magical in the snow, $&!!**! cold though! As it was the year of the big freeze.

I'm glad you made it to the end of term though.

Anonymous

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all enjoy your holidays.

Our tile delivery was very, very delayed and we're still missing 40 boxes of tile, which my DH is going to try to pick up tomorrow, as we don't want to count on the blankety-blank shipping company to get it to us before Christmas. Needless to say, being at work is helping me preserve my sanity, as this whole ordeal feels like The Nightmare Before Christmas. We have relatives coming next week, and I'm stressed about where everyone is going to sleep, bathe and congregate. On the bright side, our tile guys are busily finishing up our office/music room today. At least we had enough tile to do that room. The type of tile I chose, as well as the color, is perfect and the part I saw when I went home for lunch today is beautiful. Also, the tile store is refunding the entire cost of the shipping, and offering to pay for the expenses we incur to drive to Atlanta and pick up the remaining boxes of tile.

Anonymous

Good idea! It's amazing how easy it is to get out of sorts during the "most wonderful time of the year."

MaryK, I actually teared up reading your story. What an amazing, kind man.

I am enormously grateful for my young son. Something about seeing the season through his eyes makes everything worthwhile. We've cuddled on the couch watching "Grinchy," decorated cookies together, and he even helped me wrap presents last night. (I use the term help rather loosely, but it was fun!)

My wonderful, thoughtful DH got me an incredible Christmas gift: a comfy, oversized reading chair for our bedroom. It's not so much the gift of furniture that matters; it's that he cared so much about finding something that's been on my wish list for years. Nothing recharges me like a good book and quiet time, and I was touched by his insistence that he'd make that happen.

My parents are moving early next year, so this will be our last Christmas in my childhood home. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories we've established there over the years. It will be different next year, for sure, but my brother is moving his family into the old house and I hope my niece and nephew get to build those beautiful memories, too.

MsMary

Veteran

These are all so lovely! They put a big smile on my face!

Anonymous

We are having a huge snow fall and freezing rain on top of that. I have the bare essentials of food and still have to work on Monday but all the gifts are in the house, my kids are home and I could cobble together a meal together if we get snowed in. I am happy my little family is safe and healthy after a bout with the stomach flu, strep throat and pink eye (a miserable 10 days for the kids, and me lol).

My favourite carols are Good King Wenceslas and The Ittle Drummer Boy

LACeleste

Veteran

Thank you Diane! You are lovely to start off the cheery thoughts. I have enjoyed reading all the responses.

I am happy because today is the beginning of Christmas break. My daughter played electric guitar at her school's Christmas concert and I was so proud of her.

I love Christmas and have so many wonderful memories. My favorite would be flying from LA back East to see my parents for Christmas when my daughter was 6 months old. My husband and I loved showing off our new baby and I enjoyed being doted on (snacks! pillows! naps!) by my Mom. Such happiness and comfort and a new understanding of the depths of parental love. We didn't have my Mom with us much longer so I really cherish the memories of that visit.

I love "Silent Night". The lyrics and melody always get me choked up. I was born in Hawaii so "Mele Kalikimaka" by Don Ho always makes me smile and think of my Mom.

Wishing everyone health and happiness. I appreciate you so much.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the happy Xmas thread, Diane. I enjoyed reading everyone's happy moments, and wish you many more.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I just love reading those Christmas newsletters people write about themselves, my Mom and I pass them around and get a good chuckle over the perfection with which some of our friends paint their lives. Actually my (now deceased) father used to write one every year, people probably got a good laugh over his too.

Even though I have complained about the extra 5 in the healthy habits thread, I am also enjoying connecting with my German heritage via a large shipment of Lebkuchen, Chocolates, and Stollen. My 91 year old aunt from Dusseldorf sent them.

And as always my dogs make me laugh the way they expose themselves indecently (while napping) as if there isn't a care in the world.

Anonymous

I'm so pleased that it sounds like you'll get a happy outcome with your tiling project Ruth. I know you'll have a good feeing of satisfaction when it's complete.

Stacey, it's a precious feeling to spend time with our kids around Christmas isn't it? I haven't made cakes with mine for ages, but I remember the mess all to well I love the sound of your reading chair. What a lovely gift... enjoy!

I'm glad your children are getting over the various bugs and viruses now, just in time for the big day. And well done you for being prepared in cased you're snowed in. You know I was singing Good King Wenceslas only this morning... It's one of my faves too.

LACeleste, I enjoyed reading about your Christmas memory and your favourite songs. I'm glad they give you fond memories of your mum. Lovely photo btw.

Glad you're enjoying this thread Angie, me too

Denise thanks for that memory, We've had a few of those types of letters over the years, good fun Those food treats from your aunt sound delish too. Just remember, calories don't count over Christmas Funny image of your carefree dogs eh? Nice to have no cares.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm thankful my husband is back home! It will be a quiet Christmas here, but that is fine with me.

One of my fun childhood Christmas memories is how my parents would sometimes drive us around at night, just before my bed time, to look at all the Christmas lights in the surrounding neighborhoods. We had fun picking out our favorites, whether they were tasteful and simple or colorful and fun. One time I even remember that they bundled me up, already in my pajamas, for this little excursion. How I miss both of them!

I'm generally not a huge Christmas music person -- in fact, I recently joked that all Christmas tunes should be more like Ramones songs, clocking in at under two minutes. But I do enjoy these:

The Monkees performing Riu Riu Chiu:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y.....RljpaOe2YI

Happy Rhodes' version of O Holy Night:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a.....YQ4uisQHTA

Makrame

Veteran

Thanks for the thread, Diane! I just queued up some Christmas songs (including Silent Night) on youtube, thanks for the reminder!

DH and I just came back from our annual work conference - it is always set in a big city (the location changes every year), and it is always nice to walk around the city that is lit up in preparation for Christmas (like in the attached photo of the convention center).

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annagybe

(website)

Veteran

So call today was incredibly busy. But I finally had a lull to set up my very pink Christmas tree.
I bought this the year my Mom died and I wanted the most untraditional Christmas tree. The lights bubble.

Growing up my Dad didn't have a lot of money. One year on Christmas Eve we went to a local store that were giving away their Christmas trees. We found the two bushiest specimens and took them home. I think the trees were harvested from the local national forest because they were very Charlie Brown. At home we duct taped the two trees together to make a slightly better tree.

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JulieJohn

Veteran

What a lovely thread! First, a big thank you, Diane, for this wonderful weekly tradition! I love it.

Favorite Memory: my first Christmas with my husband, we were just engaged, and his Mom invited me for Christmas Eve. I didn't realize the whole family would be there, but even more surprising was that they had each bought me a present. Nothing huge, just kind small gifts, but I hadn't expected anything. I just thought we were having dinner. At the arrival of each gift I was more flabbergasted, and felt more like part of the family. I'll never forget it. Now as our nephews and nieces get married, I am thrilled to help pay forward such a great tradition.

Favorite Song: well, it's hard to choose, so here's my newest fave, from the Partridge Family, "My Christmas Card to You". This was written in 1971, and we are singing it to some seniors today as part of our annual rest-home concert tour. It was written by Tony Romeo, who also wrote that David Cassidy hit, "I Think I Love You". Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm3ZOMDS8Gw

This Week: I'm so grateful for my beautiful husband. He cheers me up all the time with little jokes and a generous attitude. We are singing today with friends and will have a potluck later. I am so lucky, I can't even wrap my mind around it. I have my dearest DH, fur babies Penny and Pfefferneusse, good friends who are positive and loving, and I am safe and warm with enough to eat. Hot damn! Thanks for having me count my blessings.

Anonymous

I'm really enjoying reading all the memories and listening to the music links, thanks!

Enjoy your quiet Christmas with your hubby Janet! And thanks for the Christmas memories.

That's a lovely colourful photo Makrame. I just love all the colour around at this time of year and the lights in the bigger cities and towns are fab. Also, I'm glad I encouraged you to enjoy a bit of festive music

I love your tree Anna, I bet it helps remind you of your dear mum. And that's a fun story about the duct taped trees!

Julie, you're welcome!... What a lovely memory about meeting your DH's family, they sound a kind and generous bunch. I enjoyed the Partridge family link. I have a bit of a soft spot for their songs and I had a crush on David Cassidy in my youth Your week sound great and your gratitudes are lovely, thank you for sharing.

Runcarla

Veteran

The boys and I have had a very eventful and successful 2013 but DH gets the gold ring--and it happened very quickly.

On the 4th he applied for a new job, on the 6th he was told he made the short list. On the 12th he had the interview and on the 16th he learned he was the successful candidate!

The job is with the same agency he has been with for 25 years but requires a relocation (to the area we hoped to retire to!) and instead of working at head office, he will be at the local university. We are so happy and excited about this.

The move will be effected over the next 6-8 months.

I listen to the Vince Guaraldi Trio 'A Charlie Brown Christmas ' or Medieval Babes 'Mistletoe and Wine' while busy in the kitchen. Carol of the Bells is my favourite Christmas Carol, but this year I am getting a kick out of 'Santa Baby'.

Jeanie

Veteran

Just loving hearing everyone's stories and music. Love the Wham flashback Diane G and Janet, I didn't know anyone else listened to Happy Rhoades!

This Week: I am enjoying watching my boys putting their hearts into their gifts. They don't have money to buy gifts so they are using their talents to create gifts. My youngest son has been secretly recording Christmas songs, played on his cello, for his dad. DH will be surprised as he loves Christmas songs. Tonight my oldest son came over to sketch a portrait of my youngest son (his half brother) to give to my folks. We put on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang so the youngest could sit through the posing!

Favorite Song: I have a hard time with favorites in general but the last 2 years I have gone to see Over The Rhine in December for their Christmas show. I do love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU6NzGq9lyk

Deborah

Veteran

Diane thanks for this thread. Loving reading what everyone has to share.

I am thankful this week for :

Having finished work for the year. Im back at work for three days on Jan 6 and then off again for the rest of January...yahoo.

Having my family visit for Christmas, along with members of DH's family.

And for my DH and Master 10 who are just awesome. I am blessed!

Anonymous

Well, the house is a mess and my living room floor has been stripped down to the bare wood subfloor, but we managed to find everything we need for our family tradition: Texas Hold 'Em Poker game and some good wine. We can spend all of our time at the breakfast room table, lol. There's nowhere else to sit.

Anonymous

Hey, I'm so pleased for your DH Carla. What fab news! And I like Santa Baby too

Jeannie, I think it's a lovely idea to make Christmas presents as they are much more personal and something to treasure. Gosh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang takes me back a bit. I loved it as a kid Nice song link too. Thanks for sharing!

Deborah, it sounds like you have a nice restful time ahead of you in January and a lovely family Christmas before that. I want to take some time to make some clothes for myself after Christmas, so a kind of 'busmans holiday' as we say in the UK.

Sounds like things are progressing well on the DIY front Ruth; and I'm glad you're staying upbeat amongst the inevitable upheaval. Here's hoping it moves along swiftly.

Anonymous

Despite the ice storm and snow and ploughed in driveways and treacherous walking, we didn't get badly hit, have had power te whole time (poor people in Toronto, still 50-70K households that might be out past Christmas!!)

We slid down the hill in our backyard, and it's quite pretty out!

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