The***OFFICIAL***Weekend Singles' Thread-(December 22-25, 2006)Christmas Stories ~ Christmas Weekend

December 22, 2006 | DollyCali and Snugs

[DollyCali]

CHRISTMAS
STORIES

Tim Burton's holiday classic, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993), makes a return to the big screen each holiday season.The dazzling new make-over of the musical-fantasy was led by writer/producer Tim Burton and the technical wizards at Industrial Light + Magic.

Audiences will get closer than ever to Halloweentown's beloved Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, as he attempts to take over the Christmas holiday. Against the advice of Sally, a lonely rag doll who has feelings for him, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters – Lock, Shock, and Barrel – to help him kidnap Santa Claus. Jack eventually realizes his mistake but has to contend with the evil Oogie Boogie before he can make things right and restore the Christmas holiday. Fueled by an unforgettable soundtrack featuring ten ghoulishly delightful songs by Danny Elfman who also provided the singing voice for Jack.

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1985) is humorist Jean Shepard's vignette-laden, nostalgic view of Christmastime in Indiana during the 1940s.

The main story involves nine-year-old Ralphie, who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas -- and is waging an all-out campaign to convince his reluctant parents that the toy will be safe in his hands. Meanwhile, Ralphie prepares for the big day with his rather idiosyncratic family. For example, his brother has a strange relationship with food, and his dad is obsessed with a crossword puzzle contest. But the most important question of all is...when Christmas Day arrives, will Ralphie be the proud (and careful) owner of a Red Ryder BB Gun?

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all - and it's Christmas ! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget about suicide ?

[darkangel82]

That's what I'm watching on ESPN.

[DollyCali]

night all.. no sleep last night & busy day tomorrow so I best crash

[darkangel82]

Good night.

[Kate of Spice Island]

Sleep well!

[Kate of Spice Island]

Hubby just changed the channel. Some semi-scary movie on HBO.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Argh, those threads are a bit too cumbersome to go through. I'm already in some unrelated threads on demographics/population/Congressional redistricting and on the thread regarding the untimely passing of Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson from "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"). We were surprised that Evans's brief replacement on the show, Damon Evans, signed up to FR today to post in the thread !

In any event, Victoria suggested this thread to meet other singles because of my singular rotten luck elsewhere, though I don't know how you guys operate here.

[Rca2000]

Hey Phil;

How's the social life coming along??

Anything "new" to share with all of us??

Any "special plans" for tomorrow night??

BTW everyone-- the 1988 Riviera has around $2300 in damages from the deer. There is NO way the book value is anywhere near that high. At the moment--the ball is in the insurance agent's court. If they do total it-- I am hoping that They will give me a reasonable amount and let me keep the car, if so, I WILL at least get the window, mirror and door replaced somewhere. It still drives fine, and the plastic sheet has kept out the rain so far(and it rained a LOT today here.) I heard "twelve pains of Christmas" and"Blue Christmas" with Porky Pig today while driving . I got the estimate today before work for the car. My van is STILL not ready(I am beginning to think it NEVER will be-- been over 2 weeks now!!). So--- I HAVE to drive the old Riv!!

[pcottraux]

Anything "new" to share with all of us??

Well, just the usual stuff. Things are going very good, although I've been terribly sick all week. (And she gave it to me). However, I'm on the road to recovery, so tomorrow she and I are going to see "We Are Marshall." Unfortunately, tomorrow night her whole family is coming to her house, so she'll have to entertain them. But we will get to spend Christmas together.

[Rca2000]

Well......... I would say this christmas is going to be quite fun and different for you. I can only fantasize about something like that. I face another Christmas in the usual way. But at least I am not in the hospital or morgue right now--and I could have been, after the deer incident.

You now can say you have "been in a real relationship". NOT one that was a "set-up", "gag" or some other sick, twisted ploy by others.
And you did NOT allow this one to "slip away", either.
That is more than I can say for myself.

I will refrain from further comments, as I do not want the "hit squad" to come here and start anything.

[DollyCali]

How are you? Saw this & thought of you...(well, you know what I mean!)

[snugs]

Mum actually died early hours Christmas Day last year but was desperately ill on Christmas Eve - I think dad feels this more than I do.

Somehow after dementia got her in my mind I had already lost her - sounds hard but the real mum had gone. She was always so busy cooking, cleaning tending to the animals etc when she no longer could do that she was no longer my mum. Yes I shed a few tears last Christmas but I had already come to terms with her being gone but dad is a different story.

No it was Brenda that was in California a couple of weeks ago she visits her son each year at that time for his birthday. She was a friend semi carer for mum and has continued to visit dad and help me with household chores what with working full time I need it.

Phil is with his youngest daughter this year for Christmas which is good because she was daddies favourite if you get my drift it just worked out that way. She was terribly upset when Phil and his wife parted and Phil left even though he religiously visited each week it was not the same of course. It has in a way made her hard and selfish which goes against her real character of a soft kind person.

This year the oldest daughter who in a way is now closer to Phil will spend the time with her family (2 small children and husband) and their friends and family (coming from London her husband has lots of both). So Hazel (youngest) was upset that Phil might be on his own and got him an invite at her boyfriend's for Christmas Day. Phil is not really looking forward to this as during the year he had a very messy breakup with a very strange lady one he realises he should never have got linked with in the first place. He spent last Chirstmas with her and New year and it was a disaster so he wanted this year to be alone quiet and be reflective but did not have the heart to turn Hazel down.

Compromise is that Hazel will come to him on Christmas Eve he will cook Christmas dinner to serve that night at about 6.00pm. This continues the family tradition when Hazel was young of serving the meal the day before so that Christmas Day was family time of opening presents and enjoying them. This I think again will be special and Hazel needs it to start really bonding again as an adult with Phil. They are not estranged but there is somewhat of a barrier there.

Phil has a rotten cold so he will decide on Christmas Day whether he joins Hazel or not at the Boyfriend's parents or she may go there alone. In a way the cold is probably a blessing in disguise as it gives him a legitimate reason to bow out if he wishes to.

Regarding our Christmas he came round last night and we exchanged gifts he may come round next week for a day/evening depends really on how his cold is and how he feels emotitonally he may just wish to spend a fews days at home quiet and reflective.

He has to work one day as his office is open between Christmas and the New Year but there are 3 in the Department so they are all taking turns at doing just one day.

[snugs]

Off to do last minute Christmas shopping and post letter for work as documents arrived at my home this morning. They were sent here as we finished yesterday until after the new year and the documents had to go to the bank before the new year to get forwarded to Morocco before the boat docks in Morocco.

[DollyCali]

You know I do recall the timing of your mom's death..BUT due to the time differential between here & England, it was Christmas Eve here.. I need to get that straight.

And I do understand what you mean re: mom being gone already..my years as a hospital chaplain & working with the ethics committee, it was always challenging to have folks understand on their own, what life is etc. I have always felt we try to hard to keep a body alive at any cost.. NOW, if the mind & spirit are there, great..but too often I observed the relatives REALLY didn't care about the person, just wanted the Social Security check that was part of them remaining alive. Sad, isn't it.

I already have DNR, living will, power of attorney etc documents signed. I do not want to be sustained if "I am gone" more or less.

Will be interesting to see how it unfolds for Phil. I am sure he appreciates you all the more since he had a relationship w/crazy lady...sometimes we don't really appreciate what we have until we have opportunity to see the dark side of "what else" is out there.

Need to bathe & get some things done.. you have next two days /pings.. I will be posting a few things both days along the way.

Morocco.. In movie Babel was 1/3 story line in Morocco.. some positive observations desite the poverty & primitive life depicted in movie. This was a rural area/not big city.

I am seeing The Nativity tonight, finally.. with my friend Paul..close family friend for close to 20 years. Never married, retired Chemistry teacher.

Saw Rocky Balboa this past week. Fun (I don't like boxing much however) ..but have always enjoyed his flicks & this one for some reason resonated well with me..

I am guessing your package did NOT arrive yet? It was supposed to be there by Christmas..I paid accordingly. UPS. Sent to work addy. I did recieve the two books yesterday.. thank you! great recipes in the one & ideas/info in other.

[DollyCali]

as I do not want the "hit squad" to come here and start anything.

***wink***

but WE LOVE YOU JACK!!!!

:-)

[mware]

Here is my favorite painting, perfect for Christmas.

Song of the Angels

William-Adolphe Bouguereau

[Fierce Allegiance]

Good stuff, thank you!

[rzeznikj at stout]

(looks around)

Nobody here?

(sneaks in through the back door)

[MotleyGirl70]

Very lovely! Thanks for sharing those pictures with all of us :)

[MotleyGirl70]

Happy Weekend to you Dmitry :)

[krunkygirl]

Shyla,

Is it possible for you to post pictures of your "babies"?

I am curious--I'm guessing others would like to see them too.