tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post7285687065118932034..comments2023-11-13T02:00:52.653+11:00Comments on life's free treats: The Angst of Christmas Shopping…meggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00061112627819270427noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-30660366116385159942009-12-14T11:38:24.373+11:002009-12-14T11:38:24.373+11:00Thank goodness we've calmed down the gifting i...Thank goodness we've calmed down the gifting in our family. It was a gradual process. We keep things really simple nowadays. The grandboys still get fun things, and there is a household gift for each family. That's it. All of the grandboys love to read.Christine Threshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07472999420963274439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-42012034626256688982009-12-14T10:00:23.059+11:002009-12-14T10:00:23.059+11:00Earlier this year I sent out this video to illustr...Earlier this year I sent out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw" rel="nofollow">this video</a> to illustrate how the current administration is masquerading as a leadership team different from the previous one. The video documents how the choice between Democrat and Republican is really no choice at all. Recent history has confirmed the message of this video. Here we are almost a year after Bush left office and we see that really only the rhetoric has changed. The same program of economic, military, and civil rights disintegration remains in full effect. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebOTc-7shU" rel="nofollow">The sequel</a> to this video is now available to shed more light on this false choice of governance. This sequel exposes: 1) how mega banks like Goldman Sachs created this financial crisis to then introduce their solution: a government hand-out of trillions of dollars to them; 2) how this same scheme is being set up again on a global scale through the development of a cap-and-trade derivatives market; 3) how Obama is simply managing this economic disintegration program that was furthered by Bush (and his predecessors) going back as far as Carter; 4) how Obama's actions have been just as unconstitutional as Bush's and how our country is being pushed deeper into an oppressive surveillance society. The sooner we acknowledge this false choice of governance we are given, the better the chances are that we can produce a real choice that represents us, not the institutionalized power structure pillaging us. If you would like to learn more about the timely issues raised in these videos please visit <a href="http://www.infowars.com/" rel="nofollow">this alternative news website,</a> where these videos were produced.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-83665325249101352132009-12-14T04:26:07.996+11:002009-12-14T04:26:07.996+11:00Me too about the Christmas shopping thing...seems ...Me too about the Christmas shopping thing...seems like it all about $, and so I am trimming down this year and making a few things.julieQhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509047751868460895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-52227265332211134102009-12-12T18:25:17.855+11:002009-12-12T18:25:17.855+11:00Nice thought to buy a gift for needy child Here in...Nice thought to buy a gift for needy child Here in Christchurch there are several trees were you can put a gift and the people here are usually very good with that.<br />I just give my kids money so they can buy their own These teens are not easily happy anyway<br />Wish you a merry christmasMarjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17458942200244031009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-17787141090214888152009-12-10T13:03:46.403+11:002009-12-10T13:03:46.403+11:00I feel much the same way as you regarding present ...I feel much the same way as you regarding present exchanges. We're adults, and once we reach a certain age, we have all we need. (Most of us, anyhow.) If there's something we really, really want or need, we'll either go buy it or save for it. Gift exchanges unfortunately have a way of disintegrating into a matter of obligation and consumption rather than mutual delight.<br /><br />I'd far rather concentrate on other traditions and Christmas for the children. The things which warm my heart now are baking, decorating, contributing to the unfortunate, and awful old Christmas movies.<br /><br />Still, one does want to give something to the parents, even though they're of a "certain age". My current approach is to think of things which can be consumed. I sent several pounds of decent coffee to my father, and an assortment of dried fruit to my mother. I hope these things will be consumed and enjoyed. If not, well, perhaps next Christmas I'll ship each of them a case of toilet paper.Warty Mammalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07942793134631438689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-5796384658930556162009-12-10T12:50:12.356+11:002009-12-10T12:50:12.356+11:00I've got one daughter whose Xmas list always s...I've got one daughter whose Xmas list always seems over the top and the other daughter who hardly ever wants anything!<br />Your garden is looking colourful!The Sagittarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05513045101496737031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-50326736567766330012009-12-10T07:45:42.779+11:002009-12-10T07:45:42.779+11:00Why in the world did we let ourselves get caught u...Why in the world did we let ourselves get caught up in this commercial mess? If we don't play we are called "Scrooge"... The world tries to guilt us into participating... I remember the year my father-in-law finally quit. He told all of us that he was not doing Christmas. We still gave him gifts and he accepted them and thanked us. But when he stopped .. he stopped... Brave man, huh!! I've told mama that she should stop. I wish it really would go back to Christmas being JUST for children.ancient onehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12996555276368371467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-40064085266980508552009-12-09T18:59:55.165+11:002009-12-09T18:59:55.165+11:00It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind...It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of rushed this time of year, isn't it? Take care of you, please! xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-26784997087114538262009-12-09T16:05:51.989+11:002009-12-09T16:05:51.989+11:00I finally convinced my in-laws that Christmas is f...I finally convinced my in-laws that Christmas is for children. My sister-in-law hough it was unfair to her daughter who is childless, so I told her it would be better if we simply exchanged cards. She was happy, I'm sure, since I have 11 grandchildren and she only has 2......Kathy's Klotheslinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17881966393157941515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-259310928963142682009-12-09T11:28:03.333+11:002009-12-09T11:28:03.333+11:00meggie - your photos are wonderful as usual. I rea...meggie - your photos are wonderful as usual. I really like your idea of getting a gift for a needy child rather than getting for family members who don't need anything else. I think I will share that with my family and see what we can do for those less fortunate this year!Paulinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14555472024981357622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-86476731384933420782009-12-09T09:26:36.632+11:002009-12-09T09:26:36.632+11:00Meggie, do you have a terracotta pot with a hole i...Meggie, do you have a terracotta pot with a hole in the bottom? You could use turned upside down that for snail bait, you could push it down into the soil and the slugs can get in through the hole.<br />I'm with you on the "Bah Humbug" Christmas!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04461697058136548513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-49663560599754453812009-12-09T09:13:42.183+11:002009-12-09T09:13:42.183+11:00I haven't even begun to think of Christmas sho...I haven't even begun to think of Christmas shopping yet. My next step will be thinking about it. And the final step will be actually doing it. Frankly, I hate them all. I haven't a clue what I want, so how can I consider what somebody else wants?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-74813811274035086132009-12-09T09:05:40.289+11:002009-12-09T09:05:40.289+11:00Well done little grand son. I am sure your helpful...Well done little grand son. I am sure your helpful guidance has helped shape him into a kind sensible younf lad.<br /><br />The tomatoes look promising inmy opinion - keep at it.<br /><br />I didn't know Hamilton had no Hospice.Ali Honeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12671890094425941272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-64082336665307205602009-12-09T08:37:24.018+11:002009-12-09T08:37:24.018+11:00I hear you on this one Meggie.
My byword this year...I hear you on this one Meggie.<br />My byword this year has been simplicity, both in gift choosing and decorating. It's all done and I'm ready for the 25th, and I didn't break the bank.<br />Next year will be even simpler. We didn't have all this faffing about when we were kids and we had great times and were happy with what we got.<br />I'm not buying into it anymore, it was my own fault I did in the first place.<br />We live and learn.<br />hugs<br />xxSheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06731396546695910306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-8987715412090363052009-12-09T05:20:02.449+11:002009-12-09T05:20:02.449+11:00This seems to be such a common complaint! Our fami...This seems to be such a common complaint! Our family has never over indulged in spending on Christmas presents but it still has had moments of anxiety. Years, actually. I find it heartbreaking to know that something I so carefully chose was not appreciated, and I feel guilty for receiving a useless present that someone spent money on.<br />Still, I love finding a little something for someone at a craft market and am always happy if my pressie includes food.VioletSkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10222821877918680480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-56891771380951699652009-12-09T00:11:53.125+11:002009-12-09T00:11:53.125+11:00I hear ya Meggie. I don't have a problem with...I hear ya Meggie. I don't have a problem with my side of the family 'cause we understand each others hobbies, but with the in-laws it's a different story. After years of getting each other unsuccessful gifts, we've devolved (if there is such a word) to exchanging gift cards. I hate it -- what's the point - it's so darn impersonal! "Here's a giftcard to Store A for X dollars and thank you for my giftcard to Store B for X dollars." What the heck? Why don't we just skip it and call it even? <br /><br />Thanks for opening that old wound this morning LOL!!!Thimbleannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03650582809426872051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-74772122186248929432009-12-08T22:59:52.784+11:002009-12-08T22:59:52.784+11:00I am with you an the shopping. We draw names among...I am with you an the shopping. We draw names among our immediate family so I have to get one gift and now the teen aged grandchildren get cash. The ones in Australia also get cash because I no longer want to spend $30 to send a $20 gift. Buying one gift is not too stressful.Joycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083924435653058457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33880433.post-608546895262394862009-12-08T22:36:07.662+11:002009-12-08T22:36:07.662+11:00Oh Meggie I am so glad I am not alone in this Chri...Oh Meggie I am so glad I am not alone in this Christmas angst thing and I am determined that this year when writing my thank you letters I will suggest that we all give whatever we might have spent on prezzies to charity thus saving some of the aggro of shopping for trifles nobody wants and spending huge amounts on postage of said rubbish!! Bah humbug eh?!! How lovely to see your plants though - it really does lift the spirits doesn't it?<br /><br />JMarigold Jamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02895195019277206960noreply@blogger.com