[starringashrslf]

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

It's the Circle of Life!!

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This post has been edited by starringashrslf: 14 December 2009 - 10:31 PM

[Mike]

Rory has that, 'what's the matter with these people', look on her face.

[Karen]

Thank you Maggie. And the same to you. What a beautiful bunch. Just look at that beautiful baby.

[Mike]

The scary part is that Nathan seems to be taking part, this year. Poor guy is being assimiliated.

[starringashrslf]

Thanks Karen!

Yeah Mike, poor Rory has no idea what she has gotten herself into

And Nathan has been sucked in, he is one of us now

[Mike]

Since I am the absolute epitome of procrastination these days, I am placing my own holiday wishes here today. Aye, it may be a bit early, but that is much better than a bit late.

I want to wish everyone a safe, joyous and merry Christmas! I pray each one of you will be able to gather with your friends and loved ones, after the gifts have all been opened and the feasts have been devoured, to simply reflect upon the true Spirit of Christmas. The holiday so often becomes the culmination of hectic days filled shopping, cleaning and cooking. We so often think the lights, the wreaths, the decorated trees and a jolly old man in a red suit are the symbols of the day. In actuality, the day is not about any of those things, but rather the birth of a child in a lowly place.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'" Luke 2:8-14 N.I.V.


And may His favor rest upon each one of you, that you might know peace on earth. This is my Christmas wish for you. Merry Christmas!

[Maitland]

To all at Clann Alba

Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur

White Christmas I suspect. About 7 inches of snow on the ground with temperatures currently at -4. More snow forecast today and tomorrow with it remaining cold until Saturday. Thank goodness we don't have it as bad as the poor Southern English, it would appear that their part of England has came to a grinding halt after some cold temperatures and a couple of inches of snow !!

I hope everybody has a peaceful 2010. An interesting year in Scottish Politics and one I will keep you all up to date with as it happens.

M...

[Mike]

Mrs. M sounds as if she loves the snow, so she should be in good shape. I suspect the bairns are enjoying it, at the very least. As for yourself, I can only extend my heartfelt sympathies.

30° / -1° with snow showers here this morning. I am so ready for Spring to get here.

Maitland, my usual greetings to my extended family, if you would be so kind.

[Maitland]

Oh Mrs Maitland can't get enough of it. She will be beside herself with grief if it melts before Christmas day. It is midday and the temperature has already dropped by 2 degrees since my last post. We are now sitting at -6. There is a snow bank someway in the distance so once that rolls in temperatures should rise a little but will obviously bring more snow.

The kids (The girls) have already been out and built the obligatory snow man. The wee man just getting over a high temperature and cough but I am sure it will stay long enough for him to get out in. As for myself I can't stand the stuff and can't wait to see the back of it.

The Christmas spend will be complete tomorrow with the delivery of the Christmas food, that is then it. I appreciate the children love the Christmas period but come January 1st I will need to start saving for Christmas 2010 !! Bah Bloody Humbug.

Very few cards sent out this year, circumstances didn't really allow. I suspect 2010 may be a bad year for the family but that I am afraid is life.

Once again a very merry Christmas and peacful 2010 when it comes. I will hopefully be about more as we move into the new year.

M...

This post has been edited by Maitland: 22 December 2009 - 07:14 AM

[Mike]

The postal service is now saying their volume is down about 28%, so I suspect there are very few cards being sent. I've only received 3 or 4, two of them from members of this site. So there you have it.
Christmas dinner at Laird Maitland's manor? Perhaps my invite has been lost in the post????

It's currently 33° / 1° here, with freezing rain. We had about 1.5" of snow to drive in yesterday morning and freezing rain today. With snow forecast straight through the weekend.

[Maitland]

We decided not to send cards this year in an attempt to save the planet. Mike if you can arrange a flight to get here by 2pm on Christmas day then I will set a place for you. You must remember to check your post at the new year

Here is a wee story.

I went to get Mrs Maitlands Christmas presents on Friday. I went into Argos and up to the wee lassie at the cash till. I handed her the wee piece of paper with the code number for the product I wanted to buy for her Christmas and said to the wee lassie "My wife is going to love this" She replied "Oh that's nice" just before she punched in the code number to get the details of the product.

Now let me set the picture for you. Behind me there are about 6 other women in the queue and 3 female cashiers.

As the details of the product appeared on the screen the cashier looked at me in a way that only a women can do, "are you serious" she asked "Why of course" was my reply "she will love it" The cashier then rose slightly off her chair and addressed the women in the ever expanding queue "This man has just bought his wife an ironing board cover"

I would like to say that I made it out of the store in one piece. Why are people so ungrateful at times ?

M...

[Karen]

I didn't send any cards out this year. WHY???? Don't know, guess I am lazy. We got very few cards this year. People are just watching their pennies. We have so many people out of work in our church and people around us. We have one family in the church with the Father in the hospital and four teenagers. They have NOTHING for Christmas.

[Webmaster]

How unfair would it be to make Mrs. Maitland iron on a worn-out ironing board cover? Sometimes women just do not think.

(Sometimes?? Did I really type that?)

[Mike]

Maitland, I personally find your level of generosity to be touching and a bit overwhelming.

I suggest if she takes good care of the cover you might consider purchasing her a new iron in a few more years.

[Maitland]

Mike we seem to walk the same path. I did consider a new hoover, however I wasn't really sure whether I would have the time on Christmas day to take her through the basics of the on switch etc . Tying the new ironing board cover to the board will certainly be a chore in itself

The eldest daughter now has a temperature of 101. The middle one a temperature of around 100. Mrs Maitland lying in bed sniffing and shaking feeling rather sorry for herself (Women !!) and the wee man running about like a headless chicken most of the night shouting "Santa is coming" He is now lying in bed with Mum trying to go to sleep as he has been told Santa can't come till he is asleep, poor wee boy is desperately trying the bring the sleep on. Thankfully I am well and looking after my poor long suffering wife (No jokes please)

Table all set for the guests for breakfast and Santa should be setting out the presents shortly. I hope he brings the new set of Junior Drums in quietly and doesn't slip on the ice and snow on the way in. Mild here this evening -4 but at least it is white for Mrs Maitland.

I shall venture onto the computer at some point during the day to officially wish you all the best and Mike a wee prayer for those who are needy at this time of year won't go amiss, I appreciate you will be talking to yourself (remember I am an athiest) but many will benefit from your words.

M...

[Mike]

I saw you were about rather late. I do hope everyone is on the mend and will be feeling better tomorrow. Mrs. Maitland will simply have to tough it out, else the ironing board cover will never get tied on.

It's quiet here. Lauren's wagon and wee scooter are assembled, sitting under the tree and Santa has already filled her stocking. I am about to settle into my recliner with a rather good book on Eastern philosophy and a wee sip of a single malt.

Merry Christmas, my friend. And please pass along my best wishes to everyone, along with my usual salutations, of course. I will lift my cup to you, this evening. Peace and good will to you.

This post has been edited by Mike: 24 December 2009 - 06:38 PM

[ladyinthemists]

I hope that everyone had a very merry Christmas and I wish you all a happy, prosperous and healthy New Year 2010.