Lively Case Discussion #564 12/22 - Christmas Eve

[Tylergal]

oh Mishy I do hope that sweet baby is well soon !!!!!!!!!! HUGS !!!!!!!!

Has BT's lappy arrived???    I can't read back today, my mom has me hopping   as only mom's can do.

I just wanted to post this here too, I posted in in the lounge but it's just one of my most favorite xmas songs. Kat McPhee sings Oh Come All Ye Faithful http://katharinemcphee.com/xmas_song/index.html

Waving to our merry elf Klaas HUGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bbl once Santa sends the sandman for Nana  

Thank you, None.  I love this song and the author. Remember the song you sent last Christmas Eve.  I still think of you and Rick when I hear, "Baby, it's cold outside."

[klaasend]

I think I told you this but once there was a sign not to go down this path, well that was an invite to me, and the next thing you know I 'm running out of the path with a Mother gator behind me.. Well the park ranger was there waiting and saying there is always one  and your the one that I knew would be going down that path.. The gator was guarding her nest and only chased me a few feet but it was funny..  I was zigging and zagging for sure..

Yep, that's what I thought  Be very careful!

[Cat]

Don't worry about aligators,just the bugs.I finished cooking and serving the gumbo,and no requests for charcol or syrup of ipec,so I guess it was okay.This has been a wild year and I hope that next will be a little more boring.We have a wedding to go to,not our own,no none funerals on the calender,and who knows.Maybe we will see justice.A simplw wish for a simple cat.I made a huge mistake,I got my little monkey a drum set and can tell this is a mistake,oh well.CAT      And you can't make fudge that quick,my duty station was in the kitch,after I tested postive TB and they took me out of the operating/burn unit.Cat

[terryd270]

I will post some pictures of the Everglades at night, they should be pretty neat.. There is a tower midway and maybe some neat pictures from there..  The people at work are some I worked with at other jobs so its not like they are all that new.. One reminded me that he has known me for over 25 years, that hurt..  So I know a lot of the people there and those I don't I know someone they know..

[terryd270]

Goodnight everyone and have a Merry Christmas and my thoughts are always with Natalee's family and I too hope they find some comfort soon..

td

[Tylergal]

Merry Christmas everybody  !

Merry Christmas, Sandy, and thank you for all the translations and all the support.

[Tylergal]

Klaas, I love the sand Santa!

Here is a pic of something cute that 3 of the people I supervise at work made for me.  I reduced the size of it, so I'm hoping I don't blow the margins

Eva is the #1 sock money mom. Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, baby.  Now go brush your teeth.

[Tylergal]

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON





LUKE 2

   1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

   2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

   3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

   4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

   5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

   6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

   7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

   8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

   9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

  10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

  11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

  12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

  13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

  14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

  15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

  16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

  17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

  18  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

  19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

  20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

A SPECIAL PRAYER TO THE HOLLOWAYS AND TWITTYS THAT GOD WOULD PROVIDE THEM STRENGTH AND PEACE AS THEY CELEBRATE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THEIR PRECIOUS NATALEE.

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Janet

You are so right.  Thank you for the reminder of the reality amidst all the clamor and all the commercialism.

[Tylergal]

One last REALLY QUICK trip to the grocery store, BRB

But you said you were through?  Is the Army coming for dinner?  

[Tylergal]

Hugs to all the monkeys today and always.... am off to deliver presents to my mom's house... be back later.

I believe that 2007 will bring Justice for Natalee's family.  

Peace to all.

I wub you, Frijole.

[Tylergal]

Hi Monkeys!
I'm writing now from the Grand Princess in the Caribbean.  We are having a great time!  We had a good flight and everything has gone as planned.  Our cabin is really nice as it is handicapped enabled and larger than most.  We have lots of storage in closet and drawers beside bed.  It's an inside so there is no window, but the upside of that is that we slept in today until 9:30 when the knock on the door awoke us.  We had ordered room service before we went to bed, so they brought us a tray of coffee, juice and croissants for breakfast at 9:30.  Nice way to wake up.  

We had a wonderful meal last night.  I had prime rib and all the trimmings. We went to the show in the Princess Theater but the comic was really lame.  Today Mom and Sister and I played bingo (lost) and I played some blackjack with BIL and Mom in the casino (broke even).  We went to wine-tasting this afternoon and everyone is resting now.  It's about 5:15 here and we are meeting in Mom and Dad's cabin tonight at 7 to have drinks and then go to dinner at 8:30.  It's formal dinner tonight, so after I write emails, I need to go up and shower and dress.

The ship is beautiful.  I told DH I felt like we were in a big casino/hotel in Vegas.  Long hallways, and shopping arcades with gift shops and jewelry stores, and lots of bars and lounges and dining rooms.  There are several pools that are really pretty.  One has water that you can swim against and not move--you swim in place against the current.   It was really cold and rained last night while we were at sea and it was a bit bumpy.  We were rocked to sleep!  Today is nicer and the sun is shining.  I think we'll have a nice day tomorrow in Cozumel.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.  Peace on earth and goodwill to everyone.  Happy Holidays!

AZLady

Darn, I was going to send you a Christmas greeting and thought you had already deported.  Merry Christmas, my friend.  May you have a lovely journey and return safely and soundly to your monkey friends.

[Tylergal]

Hi Monkeys,
AZLady your trip sounds lovely.
BOC is that really you?

I brought this email into to post for Carnut. Its a Christmas story. I thought it was beautiful.

Please read it all....

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been    
anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to
him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. He
was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last
hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless
man stepped through.

Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his customers
told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. "Thank you, but I
don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy, I'll  just go
"Not without something hot in your belly." George said.

He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It
ain't much, but it's hot and tasty, "Stew ... Made it myself. When you're
done, there's coffee and it's fresh."

Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me, be
right back," George said. There in the driveway was an old '53 Chevy. Steam
was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked. "Mister can you help
me!" said the driver, with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with child and
My car is broken."

George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the cold,
the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned
away.

"But Mister, please help ..." The door of the office closed behind George as
he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck
and went back outside. He walked around the building, opened the garage,
started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting. "Here
take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but
she runs real good."

George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the
night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the
truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ." George
thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos
was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he
got something in his belly," George thought.

George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked
slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had
been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas Eve
meant no customers. He discovered that the block hadn't cracked, it was just
the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can fix this," he said to
himself. So he put a new one on.

"Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the
snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't
going to drive the car anyway.

As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a
police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left
shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me."

George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had
received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention.
Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been
there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct
tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said,
trying to make the policeman feel at ease.

"Something for pain, " George thought. All he had was the pills he used for
his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the
policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance."


The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk
box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into
the dashboard destroying the two way radio.

He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the officer
"You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area."

George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the Army
and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for
bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya.
Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your
gonna be right as rain."

George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked.
None for me," said the officer. "Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city
Too bad I ain't got no donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same
time

The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun.
Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was
shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this
before.

"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.

"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George, "You need to put the cannon
away. Somebody else might get hurt."

The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now
give me the cash!"

The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to the
cop, "we got one too many in here now."

He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you
need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that
pee shooter away."

George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man,
reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released
his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good
at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he
went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last week
..."

George handed the gun to the cop. Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now
and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we
can."

He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from
the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup
of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in
here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort
this thing out."

The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot
you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer."

"Shut up and drink your coffee." the cop said.

George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an
ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn.
Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer

"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?"

"GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the
other cop asked as he approached the young man.

Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just
dropped his gun and ran."

George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other.

"That guy work here?," the wounded cop continued. "Yep," George said, "just
hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."

The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man
leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"

Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks
for everything."

"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve
some of your problems."

George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring
box. "Here you go, something for the little woman I don't think Martha would
mind. She said it would come in handy someday."

The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I
can't take this," said the young man "It means something to you."

"And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories.
That's all I need."

George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared
next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's
something for that little man of yours."

The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man
had handed him earlier.

"And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that too,"
George said, "Now git home to your family."

The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in
the morning for work, if that job offer is still good."

"Nope. I'm closed Christmas Day," George said. "See ya the day after."

George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you
come from? I thought you left?"

"I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you
don't celebrate Christmas. Why?"

"Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother
was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin'
cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and
besides I was gettin' a little chubby."

The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the
holiday, George.
You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry.
The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.
The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people fro m being killed by
terrorists.
The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and not take any
for himself. "That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as
any man."

George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know
all this?" asked the old man.

"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when
your days are done you will be with Martha again."

The stranger moved toward the door "If you will excuse me, George, I have to
go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."

George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the
stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill
the room.

"You see, George ... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas."

George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord."

I have had too much eggnog to figure out who George is.  Will you tell me this story after New Year's day?  It looks like a good read.

[Tylergal]

Good evening monkeys.....

Sam that one is wonderful....am sending it along to my family....should send some handkerchiefs along also...!

Am packing for a trip south tomorrow....after feeding breakfast at the hospital.....I always think of the monkeys as I go....I pass BOC, CBB, BT, Anna, all the Birmingham area monkeys, Natalee's family...Beth first and then Dave in MS....ending up near Cubbee who is up North for the holidays.

Please have a wonderful Christmas.....I will see you again in a week or so....

Give me a report on the Quarter when you return.

[SunFreak2]

All I want for want Christmas:




And Joran in the same place too.

[Florida]

Quote: ALTRUIST

& I certainly may be incorrect but I did read NativeLingo & ArubaGirl but to tell you the truth I usually rode by SandraK, she aggitated me I didn't pay her much mind or spend time on the nonsense posts of her which were 95% CRAP.

ALTRUIST: Who/what do you think SandraK is?
Early on, Billy Brite wrote that if anyone wanted to find Lorenzo to look for a bakery in Savaneta.  Right near L's house is "Brite's Bakery"
SandraK posted a photo on RU "Me & L."  It looked like the bakery.

Like you said, she "unnnerves" me.....Has little info/facts to share.
Is now on BFN wishing all her friends at BFN a happy holiday....LOL

[Tylergal]

Hello!  Its almost time to make those New Years Resolutions..  I think BTGirl stole my laptop..   Lately I've been examining my life a little closer than usual. Trying to figure out what I want, what I'm capable of. The New Year is an ideal time to do that. It's an arbitratrary date, of course, but it's a day full of promise, of possibilities, portents. We stay up to greet the New Year with toasts and kisses, fireworks and heartfelt wishes of "Happy New Year." We mean it every time, but each year seems, more and more, to resemble the last. We make lists of resolutions, the same ones every year, and fail to keep even one, or even to make a token effort. It seems pointless to make another list of things that we want to accomplish when we have no real intention of fulfilling them. Just another way to add more Unresolved Guilt to our lives.  So I'm not going to make a list of pointless resolutions. I do want you to know that you here at SM's have made me realized that there really are some good people in this world.. So with that said, I will leave with a smile..  The silly peeping squirrel..

This time next year, reckon where I'll be, had it been for Grayson I'd been in Tennessee.  Oh, Terry, we wub you.  You sneaky little squirrel, where ya been so long.  Come fly with me, the best is yet to be.  It's not too late.  We may never be able to greet 2008.

[LouiseVargas]

Klaas, I think you should make the calendar. I will buy it. ~ Louise

[klaasend]

Klaas, I think you should make the calendar. I will buy it. ~ Louise

Working on it right now Louise  

[Florida]

CHRISTMAS:  A time to celebrate the birth of Christ!  
We extend this feeling of love of Christ by exchanging gifts to those we love.

I admire the SM's women...Their intelligence, devotion to Natalee, commorodity, ...swapping recipes & ideas.

There are a few of us, with no spouse, children, family to celebrate Christmas with.....Please keep them in your thoughts.



"Christmas Memories..."

[justinsmama]

My dear, dear monkey friends~ Natalee has brought us together and we have remained together for her, her family and each other. We have shared so very much of ourselves!

My greatest wish is for Natalee's family to have answers, short of having Natalee come home.

Mishy~ Hope your baby feels better real quick.

AZ~ Enjoy your wonderful holiday at sea with your loving family.

Nonesy, my daisy sister, my heart breaks for you not having your Rick by your side.

Terry~ Stay away from those damn gators, man!

Cat~ Hope all goes well with your + TB. I want gumbo, too! Yum!

BT~ You silly, wonderful woman, I love you!

Klaas~~ You are very special, even amongst all of the special people here.

Lala's, Anna, Car, Tyler, Sam. San, Jaque, Mrs., Peaches, Ms.DarthVada, Sunfreak, Florida, Flying Mermaid, Red, Tom, FOM, TheCuz, IBE, Robot, Sunny, Beachwego, crazymom, crazybabyborg, dearest Louise, Blah, OldFart, Hat, MeMere, A'sfever, KatGram, 2NJsonsmom, dawench, GreatOwl, Lilpuma, hubbylove, lexie, sharon, Sue, Dinaah, Elaine, Carpe, Bean, Third, Spooky, Rob, Easy, Mishy, Dana, Bearly, Magnolia (whereever you are, my dear), misgivings, Beth, Dave, Robin, all of Nat's loved ones, Angie and any monkey I've not named~ Each and every one of you are in my heart and have filled it to the brim with love.

Merry Christmas!

Klaas~ Can you please delete the one I entered before I was done?!