tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post2128079077543084468..comments2023-10-21T04:15:51.229-06:00Comments on CHROME ON THE RANGE: CHRISTMAS (P)RESENTSRob-bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-73861576313173930872009-12-29T15:57:24.582-06:002009-12-29T15:57:24.582-06:00Hello Rob-bear.!
A really appropriate post for th...Hello Rob-bear.!<br /><br />A really appropriate post for this time of the year. I have only bought what was essential for my Grandchildren this year. Next year I will be simplifying everything more.<br /><br />I always like to remember the elderly folk, some are on their own and feeling terribly lonely. To pop in and see them and spend some time with them not only brightens their day but mine too.<br /><br />Hope you had a lovely Christmas dear Bear and that the coming of the New Year you will be blessed with Peace, Health, and Happiness.CAMILLAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04741990891794651299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-1427871105706552532009-12-26T05:26:26.832-06:002009-12-26T05:26:26.832-06:00Sorry to be slow in responding to your thoughts. N...Sorry to be slow in responding to your thoughts. Now that the first phase of my eye surgery is over, I can actually see some things more clearly. (But not well enough that I get my spelling right al the time.}<br /><br />® CW: since I don't know your husband, I have no suggestions. A book, a puzzle he can take apart and try to put back together again?<br /><br />® Sonia: Ah yes, your little "menage a trois." Is your husband a bit jealous, perhaps? <br /><br />As for the rest, I can't remember. After 30 years of journalism, I've long since given up worrying about "intellectual property," in most cases. Quote what you want; revise what you want. Sharing the ideas is the fun part.<br /><br />® Lady Fi: Thanks for sharing. I like your idea!<br /><br />® FF: Not getting each other presents? Sacrilege! (says Bear with tongue firmly planted in cheek.) I got Momma Bear a single rose for the little rose holder on the wall outside her bedroom. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever," or whatever. <br /><br />® Cait: Yup! Glad you enjoyed the post. As I said to FF, I got something simple and beautiful for my wife, pretty much on a whim. Nothing much for our kids. Educational games for our grandkids, who are being home-schooled.<br /><br />® Tattie: Yes; the clash of expectations is a challenge. Something home-mead; excellent. Plead change of circumstances" in our "peculiar" economy, if you think you can get away with giving something smaller. Sorry I cannot be more helpful.<br /><br />® Jeanine: Thanks for both your notes! Second Christmas in a row that I've not been doing particularly well. The bad news is that my overall health continues to deteriorate. The good news is that I now know there are some things which can reverse the situation, at least in part. But these will require major changes in my life, far beyond what I had expected. <br /><br />Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and that 2010 will be a year of health and joy.Rob-bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-60346813844822296792009-12-19T15:56:09.247-06:002009-12-19T15:56:09.247-06:00Hello, Rob...just checking in to see how you are a...Hello, Rob...just checking in to see how you are and to wish you a Merry Christmas!!! Hugs, Janine XOSniffles and Smileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10073156486641622612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-87726337822930358802009-12-17T04:08:44.934-06:002009-12-17T04:08:44.934-06:00Oh it is so difficult when two families have diffe...Oh it is so difficult when two families have different ideas about christmas. I try to steer people in the right direction preferring that if they must is it not better to club together to get something someone really wants that just get gifts? But in my husband's family gifts are the BIG thing and woe betide you if you don't do it. Especially if you combine the christmas present with the birthday one. I hate it so much and it really gets me down. I used to love it teasing my family months in advance to work out what they wanted then clubbing together with other family members to get the one gift they really wanted be it a spa day, a new handbag, whatever. Does that make my family materialistic? Sorry I've rattled on but your post hit home. I love giving things and seeing people really appreciate the gift whether it's home made sloe gin, chutney or something more expensive...Tattieweaslehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10723634612274763884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-45863315769716198392009-12-16T15:58:52.684-06:002009-12-16T15:58:52.684-06:00I really really love this post Rob because you exp...I really really love this post Rob because you express exactly what I feel. I tell everyone not to buy for me or M because we do not need anything (and if we ever do we buy it). Present giving should not be enforced nor should jollity it should be spontaneous and random. Like you I am trying to simplify my life as much as possible.Cait O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04569760764766505179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-17246525131685789292009-12-16T14:50:08.813-06:002009-12-16T14:50:08.813-06:00AMEN!!!!! Perfect post for this time of year, Rob...AMEN!!!!! Perfect post for this time of year, Rob!!! Love it!!! How are you? You've been in my prayers during the last several weeks...Hugs, JanineSniffles and Smileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10073156486641622612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-38350594061781668272009-12-16T07:39:11.119-06:002009-12-16T07:39:11.119-06:00Couldn't agree more, Rob. Mr FF and I have dec...Couldn't agree more, Rob. Mr FF and I have decided not to do the present thing this year. There is simply nothing that we need or want - people just get so greedy and grabbing, buying the latest this or that - why bother?French Fancy...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04941577892849157015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-80234406412307149042009-12-15T01:58:26.358-06:002009-12-15T01:58:26.358-06:00Coming here via Sonia... I wholeheartedly agree wi...Coming here via Sonia... I wholeheartedly agree with you about the over-consumption at Christmas time.<br /><br />Here in Sweden where I live we have Action Aid, where you can buy a goat or pig for someone who really needs it on behalf of a loved one at home who has everything they need.LadyFihttp://ladyfi.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-54523646259014122452009-12-14T14:45:25.071-06:002009-12-14T14:45:25.071-06:00Rob-bear, I linked to your blog today. Hope you en...Rob-bear, I linked to your blog today. Hope you enjoy "My Italian Lover" story. If I remember correctly, you pointed out liking this blog post, based on something else, a while back. I don't want to give it away, as I altered the story a little.Gutsy Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02226653890127738115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-38051662572178188332009-12-14T14:20:13.681-06:002009-12-14T14:20:13.681-06:00If husband wants something he goes out and buys it...If husband wants something he goes out and buys it, unless it is clothes, which I usually end up buying for him, otherwise he would wear the same old clothes forever. Right now he seems to have enough clothes. So what do I buy for him???cheshire wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944869219641386387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-85794163757068798262009-12-14T13:42:31.961-06:002009-12-14T13:42:31.961-06:00Thank you, friends, for your comments.
® Gutsy So...Thank you, friends, for your comments.<br /><br />® Gutsy Sonia: You're welcome for the thoughts you inspired. But you've clearly identified the kinds of things I'm try to say. Thanks for that help.<br /><br />® Snowbrush: I suppose this has taken on some urgency for us because, for the first time, I've had to think seriously about moving from a house to a smaller place (condo or apartment). We cannot take all this stuff with us. I had to run some errands today (temperature -28°C, wind chill -41°) and I was hurting when I got home. Absolutely chilled to the bone. And I was well dressed for the outing.<br /><br />® Natsy: I should have had you write this for me! Brilliant thoughts. Thank you.Rob-bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-2270138768210079272009-12-14T01:02:48.260-06:002009-12-14T01:02:48.260-06:00We often give vouchers for massages, outings,groom...We often give vouchers for massages, outings,grooming etc. A treat or a suprise that we know the recipient can't afford.<br />Last year a food hamper to those who needed it.<br />Also, we have taken people on special outings ie Botanic gardens, Picnics etc, where we shouted the meal or afternoon tea etc.<br />Babysitting would always be appreciated here, as would meals being prepared etc. Little acts of love. :DNataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12919764140075852854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-23466557656165869922009-12-14T00:15:34.907-06:002009-12-14T00:15:34.907-06:00" I'm seriously focusing on simplicity.&q..." I'm seriously focusing on simplicity."<br /><br />Despite my honest efforts, I own a few more things at the end of every year.Snowbrushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-31630434800135296312009-12-13T23:31:47.777-06:002009-12-13T23:31:47.777-06:00I forgot to thank you for your present to me. The ...I forgot to thank you for your present to me. The post you wrote. Sonia.Gutsy Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02226653890127738115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1780769436411348454.post-88637887563979042902009-12-13T23:28:38.188-06:002009-12-13T23:28:38.188-06:00Great post Rob-bear and I have a few thoughts that...Great post Rob-bear and I have a few thoughts that relate to me.<br /><br />1). Volunteering recently at a Mayan Village in Belize, was a way for me to be a present for others. Yenni, the 11-year-old I bonded with, was my gift. She truly touched my heart.<br /><br />2). I know that by taking care of my home, and cooking meals and cleaning for my family, I am contributing to my family year round. This is often not considered a present, especially not by kids. They really do like receiving something they've been looking forward to for a while, but for older adults, things don't mean as much as memories of times spent together.Gutsy Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02226653890127738115noreply@blogger.com