Hi everyone!
Now let me get it right… TODAY is Linda and her hubby’s 59th Anniversary!! I thought they got married on Christmas, oops!
We had a really nice Christmas visit today with Kristoffer. He had ordered some Swiss Colony boxes of goodies for us to eat before lunch. I’ve had those sampler boxes before but never really cared too much for them…but this one had such a fun variety of goodies in it… tiny little cookies, about 4 or 5 different cheeses, mini petit fours, mini sausages and cheeses, candies, truffles, etc. It was tiny little bites of joy every time you tried something. This was what one of the boxes looked like.
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge.
We sat there at the dining room table just chatting away until I finally said, “we should open up some presents…” so we did! The guys compared tools they got, Kristoffer helped my hubby together his new lift jack, then we all opened up gifts Rebecca had sent us, and just had the best visit.
When we were just about out of gifts, we got a call from Rebecca, so we had a long distance Christmas visit with her on speaker. That made the day perfect.
The last present I opened from Kristoffer was a new phone! Was I ever surprised! He spent the next couple of hours transferring all my information to the new phone…
By the time all the updates were completed, it was after 3:00, and Kristoffer and I were engrossed in him showing me how some things worked to take better pictures.
My hubby got up from the table and started cooking some boneless chicken thighs and some macaroni and cheese. Not exactly a Taste of Home Christmas dinner, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. It tasted good to have something besides snacky foods. I had baked a Marie Callender’s Razzleberry pie earlier in the day, but we were too full to try anything but just a taste of it.
After Kristoffer left, my hubby and I looked at our phones and had lots of messages we wanted to answer, so we turned on the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Bronco’s football game and “sort of” watched it while we sent some Christmas wishes to friends and family.
So… I decided to just do a little comparison with the picture I took yesterday… and see if there was a difference.
My nativity figurines were ones that my mom gave us kids each Christmas. Each year we’d get a new person or animal. I love it… my hubby made the crèche years ago.
Here was the picture of our Nativity set on Christmas Eve with the first phone Kristoffer gave me…
…and here is a picture I took on Christmas day with the new phone Kristoffer gave me…
I hope there is a difference. Kristoffer said he would come over soon and give me some picture taking tips!
When I looked at the 2 pictures on my computer screen, I could see a slight difference in them. So I opened the second picture and it was pretty well spread across my whole monitor, so I hit the control button and the (-) minus button at the top and backed it down in size 2 clicks, and that picture was really nice then! Yay! Small steps to success!
Well, I better go…it’s only 9:30 but I’m ready for bed. (no sugar tomorrow!)
Hope you had a special day!
Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you Monday!
Blessings, Jeanne
Sounds like you had a wonderful day, Jeanne, and how nice of Kristoffer to get you the new phone! I can definitely see the difference in the pictures–the one taken with the new phone is much clearer, and the lighting seems a bit softer, too.
Daniel was here and dinner was easy–we had turkey, dressing and gravy from Thanksgiving, that I took out and thawed, and he peeled the potatoes I cooked, plus we had some mixed vegetables. Easy peasy. Afterwards we took flowers to the cemetery. It was cold and wet, though, so we didn’t stay very long.
He headed back to his girlfriend’s and I came home and took a nap!
Jeanne, Your Swiss Colony box looks really good! I too, have not been all that enthralled with some of those snack boxes, and it is a shame when they all go to waste, but yours looks like something I would enjoy! Kristoffer picked out a good one!
I too see a difference in the two pictures of the nativity set. Your new phone shows more detail and better lighting. Side by side, the differences are more visible than just looking at each picture separately. So that’s great that you have an improvement in your picture taking, which you really need when selling your outfits. Again, Kristoffer hit the sweet spot!
Thank you Jeanne, for the anniversary wishes! You were just off a day, no big deal! Since we were married in a Catholic Church, there is no way we could have had a wedding in Christmas day! Easter is another holiday that comes to mind where it is not possible. Back then, we were only allowed to have morning weddings, so ours was at noon, which was the last possible time of the day for it. But then, I could be a bride all day, instead of having an afternoon or evening wedding!
Anne wrote yesterday that next year will be our 60th, and that is a Diamond anniversary, so you could all give us diamonds! LOL I figure that each one of you are already “diamonds” on a bracelet that I wear with friendship and love! Thank you all for being such wonderful friends!
Congrats on your anniversary. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a pic of your dress.
Yes, you have, Joy! Jeanne showed it last year I believe.
Brain is slipping. I’ll go back and look. 🙂
Happy Anniversary and wishes for Many Many more!
Thank you Sissy!
For whatever reason I didn’t remember the fur on the sleeves. I enlarged the pic and wow that was a lovely dress and so perfect for the time of year. You were a cute couple and I’m sure still are. 🙂
Congratulations on your anniversary, Linda! We were married at 1 in the afternoon–because at that time I was working the 3-11p.m. shift at the hospital, and my coworkers informed me we Had to get married at a time when they could attend!! Some of the girls came in their uniforms and went directly to work afterwards. Because our wedding was so big (about 250 guests–when you’re the pastor’s daughter, you either invite everyone or you elope! LOL), some of the girls didn’t get a chance to come to the reception. I wish I’d thought to say something to the ushers, to make sure that my coworkers got dismissed from the sanctuary early so they could come downstairs. (Our wedding lasted about 45 min., I think, as we had special music, a message, and a congregational hymn.) But at least they all got to the wedding!
I forgot to add, today is Barbara’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Barbara!🎂
Jeanne and Charlotte, how nice to have family for Christmas. Kristoffer’s goods look wonderful and how nice to have a better phone. Charlotte had Daniel to be with her to help cook and to go to the cemetery.
Peyton and I opened a couple of things we gave each other, family gifts were all goodies, but I had something special. My Simone is now fourteen and had a job at a Christmas shop for 3 weeks. She had sent me a gift, small and wrapped. This was the first time she has EVER sent me a gift herself. I opened a lovely shell ornament for our tree, pink and gold with a “pearl”in the middle of it. Perfect addition to our seashore tree! Family called and sent photos. I got a little sad thinking of the times we had family Christmas. I think I have had some family every year, so I really am blessed. Our Christmas eve church service was so special. I was surprised that so many came at 10″00 at night.
Wishing you all a good weekend, we are heading out to the YMCA.
What a thoughtful gift from Simone. 🙂
Oh, how sweet of Simone to get you that gift and send it, all on her own! That is a treasure, indeed!
I miss the Christmas Eve services we had at my dad’s church, back in the day. He always had one at 11 p.m. as well as, I think, an earlier one, plus he would get about 4 hours of sleep and then get up and drive to Seattle to conduct the Swedish Julotta service at Gethsemane Lutheran Church there. Usually he both sang the liturgy And preached, all in Swedish! He’d come home, have some breakfast, then have a Christmas morning service at our church, and then take a nap!
Anyway, I liked the 11 p.m. service because I would volunteer to work Christmas Eve at the hospital (we could choose Eve or Day, and since I was the only ward clerk on evenings, I always got my choice), and since it was usually very quiet on Christmas Eve, if they were looking for people to leave early, I would volunteer. That way, I could go to Christmas Eve service, AND be free all day Christmas Day!
Nice box of goodies! yum!
Your nativity scene looks beautiful. My eyes are getting kind of crummy, so they both look clear, the second one slightly brighter.
I am so happy everyone had a happy Christmas.
We had a quiet Christmas. My older daughter and her girls are coming up tomorrow for a few days. they will stay in our “old house” down the street, much better than a hotel.
I guess they could stay there a few more times before we have to get down to business and sell the place.
Anyway, yesterday afternoon, my older sister suggested we have a big Facetime on our iPhones. It was well attended, my nephew in Tennessee, my niece in Herald Harbor Maryland, My niece in New Hampshire with her hubbs, her 2 year old boy, adorable red head, was napping.
Also, YES, Elizabeth came on at 3:00 with the kiddos. It was nice to see the loving eye contact and little waves of “hi” from them to me, I know it was because I was just there, I doubt Elizabeth would have joined in except that she felt comfortable that there would not be any shocking surprise statements from her kids since our surprise meeting. It really felt so SO good. My older daughter also tuned in with her girls, they were baking a Christmas dinner and Jason, her husband, parents were there after a trip first up from North Carolina (Morehead?) to Northern Virginia to see her daughter and grand fella, then drove south yesterday to see Jason and his happy family. They are the grand parents that bring the cool things. The girls got a little fairy that flies around the house like a drone. Imagine how lovely that sounds…. now my daughter said it was actually quite alarming as the fairy flew into the walls and knocked a lot of stuff off of tables. hahahaha
We can all hope… together, that this year is a good one, a healthy one, a sensible and devoted one, and most certainly we can count our blessings generously provided by our Great Father God for protection from fear, our inner turmoil, our hopelessness, and sadness.
Love to all of you. I am going to be a flurry of activity today, preparing for tomorrow and Sunday a day of visits and fun.
I’m so glad to hear that, Rosemary! Praying all the wonderful things continue to happen.
Rosemary, may the new year be as successful in reuniting with yourdaughter as the last couple of days have been.
OH, Rosemary, I am SO glad Elizabeth joined all the rest of you on the giant Facetime!! What a joy that had to be for you!!
Sounds like Jeanne and family had a wonderful Christmas. How nice for Jeanne to get a new phone. We gave our oldest grand a new phone. His was no longer keeping a charge by the end of the day, so he was very happy. He spent time moving things from the old to the new. No problem for him like it would have been for us. 🙂 We woke up to lightning and thunder and then a lot of hail. What a start for Christmas. However, our hour and a half drive down to see the grands had only a few sprinkles. By the time we arrived, the sun was out which was perfect for middle grand to try out her new electric bike which we bought for her in pink. If you can believe. But that’s what she wanted and loves it. Youngest grand spent time with his new Ipad but mostly was circling around inside the house on his new skate board like thing. The kid is a whiz. We enjoyed some great Chinese food. I especially loved the orange chicken. And then we actually had a yule log cake which was also delicious. Lots of pies too and other treats.
Heading home, we had a few sprinkles, but not bad at all, so we had happy travels. I’ll have to try out my new crow caller gift. I’m sure that the neighbors will think that I’m nuts. I think that I received a little crow statue a couple of years ago. Guess I can’t live down my feeding crow friends. 🙂
I forgot to add, that the pic from Jeanne’s new phone appears to have more clarity. Still haven’t figured out how to fix my problem with the resolution dropping when I send to another device with mine. Got some pointers from son in law, but still clueless here.
Haha, a crow caller gift, Joy. I can’t wait to hear what the neighbors think when you try it out. You will enjoy these videos then. My daughter and I were looking for wide plastic lids (yogurt or oatmeal) to put out when it snows again.
Crows are very smart!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QzGMPYzgtK8
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Org1OG1bIN0
Dear Jeanne, what a wonderful Christmas you shared with your family. I enjoyed reading the comments by the Sofa Sisters of their time with family. The pending weather prevented me from traveling, as I planned, so I did a “phone” Christmas with my family.
Well, I guess the count down to 2026 begins now.
Happy 59th Anniversary to you and Michael, Linda!!
Happy Birthday to you, Barbara!!
The new phone picture does look better. More detail and brighter.
Thank you, Laura! I would guess your parents have been married about as long as we have, since you are about the same age as my daighter.
My parents would have been married 63 years this year. Unfortunately, they got divorced when I was a sophomore in high school. They have remained good friends though.
I guess we are all winding down now. 363 days to the next one! For us anyway.
Happy Birthday Barbara. I called my sister last night to wish her a happy birthday too. I think they are enjoying their new house but it is smaller than their old one apparently so they are still trying to find places to put things. Fortunately they are now just down the road from their son where they spent Christmas Day, though I guess they picked up Amanda first so still went in the car. She is our baby sister so only 75!
I planted out my strawberries that the next-door neighbour gave me but will have to wait till he comes home to find out what to do about the red onions. It is a bit late for the strawberries so don’t expect to have many this year but hopefully they will do well next season.
It is Ashers birthday on Monday so she is having a sleepover with some friends. She is in Kais sleepout so they won’t be in the house this year for which I am very grateful!
Have a great day everyone.
Linda, I must say I did wonder about your anniversary being on Christmas day lol!
Oh, I remember those slumber party days well from daughter’s teen years. Still have to keep an eye on them, even if slightly removed. 🙂
I am so hopelessly behind in visiting with my Sofa Sisters. It was a bit of a struggle for me this year trying to get things done for the holidays while not being able to move easily so I tended to focus on things like finishing my village, wrapping presents and getting ready for Christmas Day. Christmas Eve at church was difficult for me. Our choir only sings at special services so we were singing Christmas Eve. I made it up the steps to the choir pews okay but at the end I decided to not join the procession back down the aisle and went the back way to the back of the church. I had visions of at least one of my legs locking up on me and me falling flat on my face. I had an option and took it. I will be seeing my new diagnostic chiropractor soon and get my body readjusted. I’m sure that’s the problem since sometimes I feel almost normal but I think I stressed more about the holidays than usual (even though I didn’t do much) and I became my worst enemy worrying what might happen if I moved. Fortunately I can sit and lie down without a problem but I’m spending way too much time doing both of those. I need exercise.
Well today is my 79th birthday. Where has the time gone. David and I will be going to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. We usually go to the one in Houston so I can see the wonderful decorations at the mall but we now have one in a closer mall so we will be going there. The parking at the other one can get pretty dicey at this time of year and the new one is much easier to get to. We always get a slice of cheesecake to bring home since after we eat our dinner we have no room to appreciate dessert. Waiting awhile allows us to enjoy it fully.
We went to Sean and Dionne’s yesterday for Christmas and had a wonderful time. Dionne and the grandkids made little gingerbread houses. I had to guess which one made what: Azure (with Dionne’s help), Skyy and Jaiden. It was easy to pick the one Azure and Dionne made because it was covered from top to bottom with goodies, I knew Skyy’s immediately. It was totally organized and understated which is typical of him. His room is immaculate (takes after his dad) and Jaiden’s was cute but cluttered like her bedroom. I was spot on. Do I know my grandkids or what. They are so different and so amazing.
Son Jason decided at the last minute not to come. No good reason other than he had something else he wanted to do. He sent Stephanie to make his excuses. He’s done this before and relies on her to bring home the presents and something for him to eat. Somewhere Rosemary mentioned immaturity. Well these two are 45 and 50 but act more like they’re in their teens. They have decided that they feel insecure living on her uncle’s property but they continue to depend on everyone but themselves for their survival. I just mentioned that as long as they keep depending on others for their needs they will continue to feel that way. To which she replied, “Yeah I know”. But she really doesn’t. Those two are a struggle.
Since I didn’t get to comment much over the past few days. I want to say how wonderful that Rosemary broke the ice and reached out to her daughter. I’ve been in her position with my stepdaughters, and I know how difficult that can be. Hugs to her.
Joy, congrats on all the new appliances. So glad you are happy and all went well.
Once again Elizabeth did an amazing job with her vision of the school room and the amazing Santa Claus dolls. I was blown away by both.
Loved the beautiful Christmas Cactus and Amaryllis. And am happy to see that in spite of his difficulties Reuben is remaining as sweet as ever. It appears he is not in any pain and that is a good thing.
I know I am leaving out a lot of things, but this is getting very long and I’m discovering you cannot make up for several days of blog neglect in one sitting. I will be going back and reading everything and comment on things I’ve left out.
Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Barbara, Happy birthday to you… And many more… Can you hear me singing? I hope not as I’ll probably be off key. 🙂
Dear Barbara, Happy Birthday, friend! I am so delighted to have met you on Jeanne’s Sofa. We, here in PA, wish you the very best birthday.
Happy birthday and many more, Barbara! I hope you can get your diagnostic chiropractor to fix things for you. Don’t feel bad, I have had to skip the dear blog myself a few times.
Happy birthday from me too, Barbara,
I was laying in bed 2 nights ago and remembered it was Linda and Michael’s Anniversary… (well, I thought it was) and so I grabbed my phone off my nightstand and added a Happy Anniversary wish to them. I remembered it was someone else’s birthday too, but couldn’t quite remember whose it was… IT WAS YOURS! I hope your family made you feel special and blessed!
I have been too busy lately too, and I’m hoping with the new year coming, I can come up with a plan to slow down some! Sounds like we are both in the same boat. If you get something figured out before I do, let me know.
Happy Birthday, Barbara!
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy birthday, Barbara! You are a little behind me–I will be 80 on my next birthday, and I am sitting here, wondering how that can possibly have happened!! 😂 I mean, wasn’t I just 55 the other day?! My brain still thinks I am, but my body has other ideas!
Dear Charlotte, I think that many of us here on Jeanne’s Sofa ask ourselves that question: “how did I get this old?”.
It is scary and amazing at the same time! Luckily we have each other for support and guidance and, of course, the laughter that comes with friendship.