Christmas Countdown - 2008

[ChristmasLovers]

^ ^ ^ ^
We were there to see it in person!

Cracker Barrel has had Christmas stuff out in the store since at least last week. And the Flower Factory and Hobby Lobby are getting their stock out now.

[Crown 84]

Well, Cedar! Glad to see you are still among the living!
Watch out for those elves and thanks for checking in to put our minds at ease.

Good Morning, all!

Days to the Season: 75
Days to Christmas Day: 117
Less than 2 weeks until we pass through the 100-Day Christmas Day window and move into double-double digit territory. Then things will REALLY start to move fast!

Overcast with a chance of rain here in Raleigh this morning.
We currently stand at 75 degrees.
Slightly cooler weather with much lower humidity is promised for next week.
I can't wait.

Well, have a Stupendous Saturday, everybody - and I hope your Weekend is off to a Wonderous start!

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning All.

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/WavingTurkey.gif Thanks for checking in, Cedar. I know it's hard to dodge those elves sometimes. At least, I was treated to Christmas music, the Sears Wish Book, eggnog and goodies. Sounds like they've been working you pretty hard. Guess they know if I was using a saw, glue or hammer it could be dangerous.

I've seen a few leaves changing colours already. Fall is coming, the Canadian Thanksgiving is coming, Eggnog hits the store shelves, Halloween is coming then the American Thanksgiving and then ... well you know ... Christmas movies hit the screen, non-year-round radio stations begin playing Christmas tunes, the pressure to shop mounts, decorations go up, excitement rules, etc.

Leading to ...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/ch22Sleigh.gif Loading lots of goodies on his sleigh

Think for now, I'll just enjoy the last weekend of the summer and change the batteries in my camera so I'm all set for taking more Autumn photos.

[ChristmasLovers]

A couple trees on my land are beginning the change this week. And it's feeling like fall, even though it's still been in the 80's and 90's. The closer it gets, the more we can't wait for Christmas. We've been listening to the Live365 channel here a few times this week getting a jump start on the holiday lol.

[Crown 84]

Hi, Dom.
Looks like you just beat me to the board this morning.

Days to the Season: 74
Days to Christmas Day: 116

Yet another bright, sunny, calm morning here in Raleigh with our temp standing at 74. (I really need to get a good walk in.)

Had more rain yesterday than predicted with the chance of more today.
Then, about 4 days of clear, cooler, lower humidity days to start out September.
In fact, it is supposed to be so nice, we may head over to the beach tomorrow afternoon to check on our place since the last of our summer renters will be out. If so, I will need a countdown volunteer for a few days (likely Tuesday through Thursday).
Will let you know tomorrow morning.

Well, have a Super Sunday, guys!
Get all rested up to start another week, another month, and soon another season.
Keep that Christmas song in your heart and the spirit of the Season with you.

[SparkleNana]

Happy Sunday Everyone!!

[trackrebel]

114 days and 17 hours....:D

tic toc tic toc tic toc

[Crown 84]

Well, thanks yet again, Dom!
And yes, we are about to head out to the coast and will be away until late Thursday.

We currently stand at 74 here in Raleigh at this hour with calm, sunny skies.
The humidity is noticeably lower, as the weather people promised.
Looks like Louisiana is getting raked by Hurricane Gustav. Hopefully, all will be OK there. Fortunately, this storm is much weaker than Katrina was.

Days to the Season: 73
Days to Christmas Day: 115
Two weeks from tomorrow will bring us to the 100-Day Christmas Day window. Remarkable!

Well, have a Marvelous Monday and a great week.
I plan to be back here Thursday evening or Friday morning.

[Binger]

"For that and those who were lost.... there will always be a loving tree in a yard that signals.."home.."

YABBA x3,0000

[Binger]

..there's a glorious breeze blowing... and summer has ended.... man...where did itgo?

YABBA YABBA YABBA YABBA.....

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

:hello: It seemed to go by faster than last summer, perhaps because I was busier, perhaps because I'm getting older.

In a few more months the snow will be flying.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/XmasPicAlbum/CuteMouseSnow.gif

First comes my favourite season of all - Fall. We found a few more spots to snap some pictures so I'll be looking more forward to the colours of Autumn than usual.

See ya all at the Shispering Pines!

[Ms_Speedy_Elf]

It does seem that the older we get the faster the year's go by. When I was in school it took forever for the school year to end ,it took forever to have Christmas vacation. Now it just flies by :(

[SparkleNana]

Happy September, Everyone!

[Ms_Speedy_Elf]

Happy September, Everyone!

Happy September Sparkle Nana!:tree:

[JayIsh]

Hi Guys and a late Happy Labor Day to all...Labor Day...The simbolic changing of the guard, the day when all thoughts turn to autumn flavored events and back to school clothes...The time of year when we all begin the process of battening down the hatches, putting away the lawn furniture, stowing the bathing suits and towels and begin to wonder if the lights that are stashed in the basement will work this year, and if time wouldn't mind standing still a day or two so that we can truly enjoy the seasons and their changes...We're in the home stretch friends!!!

Jay

[dvdguy]

..there's a glorious breeze blowing... and summer has ended.... man...where did itgo?

YABBA YABBA YABBA YABBA.....



Its on vacation down here in fl.

It doesnt really get cold here, it gets less hot

[SparkleNana]

Yes, DVDguy - Florida does keep summer for the rest of us. We may ignore your sunshine until after New Years Day -- but then we will start thinking and dreaming of your wonderful, beautiful winters.

And Jayish -- you expressed it beautifully! The day after Labor Day Weekend is a huge change psychologically here in the USA! Summer days go on and on - and time seems to last forever! Then - we wake up today -- and suddenly time is running out! There is so much to do - and so little time! What happened........

Luckily, we love this time of year!

[Holiday]

Good morning gang!!! I can't believe Labor Day weekend is over!!! Hope you all had a great one!! Was beautiful here...HOT! You know, the next holiday (in the USA) is Thanksgiving & to me that is the kick off to Christmas & the holiday season! :-D Hard to believe. I went to Ben Franklin Saturday & they have their Yankee Candle Christmas display set up!! Woo Hooo!! Of course I bought some....I think it's called Berries & Cedar, Eggnogg, & another I can't remember... I will have to look when I get home! I was excited to see it. They also have all their fall scents out...mmmmmm....

Have a great day!!

[Annette1990]

Good Morning! I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend. The temps. have been much cooler in my area. It's about 42 out now and the hi being 64 for today. The Fall Season is approaching quickly. Have a great day!

[Holiday]

I just looked at the candles I bought & they are:

Christmas
Red Berry & Cedar ~ I think this is a new scent
Eggnog
Silver Bells

Autum Scents
Mulling Spices
Autumn Wreath

General scents
Cinnamon & Sugar
Evening Air ~ this is new also

I can't hardly wait to burn them.... :-D

[Binger]

Its on vacation down here in fl.

It doesnt really get cold here, it gets less hot

I went to Key West in January and expected 80 degrees and got 57.... I had tro buy a sweatshirt and forget about swimming in the pool..... luckily there was coffee to keep me warm...

YABBA>> YABBA YABBA...

[Binger]

Hey Jay.. when is Italy??

YABBA...

[Holiday]

Woo Hoo! It's Hump Day already!!! :D Hope you are all having a great week!!

[SparkleNana]

Happy Wednesday!

[trackrebel]

112 days to go....it´s pretty chilly over here...around 59degrees....and it´s been raining all day long....still....only 112 days to go...and that makes me happy

[CharlieBrown]

Wow..amazing...fall is just around the corner..

[scoobie]

Morning all....

Guess what I saw yesterday? I went to my local supermarket and I was just wandering around, and I saw the first of the Christmas stuff! They had their advent calendars out.. I was so excited I was then walking around the supermarket with a big grin on my face!! cheesy

Anyway, thought I would share that with you all!

Scoobie

[SparkleNana]

Free coffee and donuts for everyone this morning!

[Holiday]

Good morning!!! :hello: It's ALMOST FRIDAY!!! I am waiting on my boss' wife to get here & we are going to order their tickets for the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert!! They go on sale at 10:00 today!!! :D

[Undrtakr]

Morning all....

Guess what I saw yesterday? I went to my local supermarket and I was just wandering around, and I saw the first of the Christmas stuff! They had their advent calendars out.. I was so excited I was then walking around the supermarket with a big grin on my face!! cheesy


Advent calendars eh? They dont label them that anymore :( Makes me sad. But MAN those chocolates will be stale! haha. Or maybe not...WHo knows HOW old they are actualy? haha. Oh and MAN we are getting closer! Almost under the 100 day mark too!

[Holiday]

I ordered 4 advant calendars yesterday from Bronners!!! I got 3 for my friends kids & 1 for ME!!! :D I have never had one before, so I am excited! :lol:

[Binger]

did someone say coffee???
YABBA...

[Binger]

coffee??

YABBA....

[dvdguy]

mmmmm coffee

[clarebear]

Hello everybody!! It's Friday!! I hope you all have a fab day and weekend! :dance:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t5/pegaduke/ITS%20FRIDAY/friday.gif

[Crown 84]

Hi-Yo! I'm here, Tonto!
Much thanks for your fantastic help! The count has never been better.

Good trip. The cottage was in great shape after the rental season.
Our guests are a good group and treat the place like home.
(Of course, I'm not so sure the next 2 possible guests, named Hanna and Ike, will be so careful!)

Days to the Season: 69
Days to Christmas Day: 111
Wow-Wee! Only 11 days to the 100-day Christmas Day window!
Remakable, most remarkable.

Well, the rain clouds from Hanna are supposed to arrive late today.
We shall see what else she brings.

Have a Fabulous Friday, Friends.
And I hope your weekend gets off to a great start!

[JOHNOR]

weather is terrible in northern england, really bad rain, so windy, dark and cold.

am i strange for loving it? lol! once the rain stops it will be really crisp and autumny!

[trackrebel]

110 days....:D so exited....:D

weather is so so....cloudy....sunny....fresh and hot....all in one day...lol...but hey...it´s autumn....and autumn is just like that!!!

[dvdguy]

Its kinda bleah out this morning here

But i have coffee & sweet italian creamer

Now if i could only find a way to not go to work

[snowytree]

I can't believe we are 10 days away from the 100 day point until Christmas! I love coming here everyday to check in, it puts me in a great mood!:wiggy:

[trackrebel]

crazy isn´t it? time is running....I was thinking exactly the same 30minutes ago...I even told my boyfriends....that´s only11 days....and days to christmas is below 100......Yay!!!

[SparkleNana]

Dom - iced coffe does sound good! Have you ever had Thai Iced Coffee? Sometimes they make it at your table in a real Thai restaurant. A tall, kind of thin glass. About an inch of thick, sweet evaporated milk on the bottom of the glass. (Trust me on this. It is good.) Glass filled with crushed ice. On top of the glass is some kind of metal thing that fits the glass. It has delicious, strong, fresh drip coffee in it. Boiling water is poured into the metal thing. over the freshly ground coffee. You watch the coffee brew and smell its delicious fragrence. The strong coffee drips down slowly over the ice - making wonderful iced coffee. When it is finished sliding into the glass, you remove the metal thing on top. You have a long, iced tea spoon. You stir the thick cream on the bottom into the icy coffee. There is usually a straw for sipping. It is strong and cold and creamy and so delicious!

[SparkleNana]

Johnor -- I love cold, dark, rainy days too! (Of course, they are not so exciting in February!)

[SparkleNana]

Dvdguy -- I am still looking for that Sweet Italian Cream creamer! I bought some Mocha Cream as a substitute -- and it was not so great! I want the kind you have!

Viva coffee!

[snowytree]

This sweet Italian creamer now has me intrigued, I need to go and get some.:))

[Holiday]

Happy, Happy FRIDAY!!! :D It is raining this morning & it's WONDERFUL!! We need rain so bad!!! Crown, I hope Hannah & Ike go easy on you!!

We are off to Lake Cumberland late tonight, so you all have a great weekend!!! :)

[JOHNOR]

Dom - iced coffe does sound good! Have you ever had Thai Iced Coffee? Sometimes they make it at your table in a real Thai restaurant. A tall, kind of thin glass. About an inch of thick, sweet evaporated milk on the bottom of the glass. (Trust me on this. It is good.) Glass filled with crushed ice. On top of the glass is some kind of metal thing that fits the glass. It has delicious, strong, fresh drip coffee in it. Boiling water is poured into the metal thing. over the freshly ground coffee. You watch the coffee brew and smell its delicious fragrence. The strong coffee drips down slowly over the ice - making wonderful iced coffee. When it is finished sliding into the glass, you remove the metal thing on top. You have a long, iced tea spoon. You stir the thick cream on the bottom into the icy coffee. There is usually a straw for sipping. It is strong and cold and creamy and so delicious!

i think i have died and gone to heaven, that sounds like perfection to me.

[Binger]

Hannah the storm is a joke here... nothing.. one little rain burst!

Here's to coffee and wrong weather forcasts!!

YABBA

[Binger]

Jay Dude>>> Cedar.... Time To Check In... Hey Aunti.... Plaid Gal......... Old Guard.... Crown...... Yabba Yabba Yabbaa.. Shispering Pines>>>

[Crown 84]

Hannah the storm is a joke here... nothing.. one little rain burst!
Don't let your guard down, my Friend.
It's quite rainy here in Raleigh at this hour and the weather service has stated there were gusts to 70 mph at some of the beaches. All this will be coming your way in a few hours.

Days to the Season: 68
Days to Christmas Day: 110.

Well, it's going to be a busy one this morning (not because of Hanna) so I am just checking in quickly.

Have a Stupendous Saturday, everyone.
(And keep dry, if you are in the southeast!)

[SparkleNana]

Crown84 -- what a nice wish you sent to everyone -- "Have a Stupendous Saturday!". I just felt a surge of energy and optimism when I read that!!! Right back at you, Crown84! With lots of smiles all day!

[pinkini]

Chicago just finished up with the leftovers from Gustav... now we are praying for those who are affected by Hanna and Ike.

Crown - thanks for the countdown - I nearly fainted when I saw 68 to the season! I need to get going on some gifts.

[Binger]

Crown84 -- what a nice wish you sent to everyone -- "Have a Stupendous Saturday!". I just felt a surge of energy and optimism when I read that!!! Right back at you, Crown84! With lots of smiles all day!

Crown and energy are two words that DO NOT belong in the same sentence.......

YABBA.....

[Binger]

Just some minor wind here... not much rain... no power outage ( for me at least..) some leaves down.. no limbs..... sunny.... everyone may now go and experience a life of religious happiness...

YABBA.........Hannah Montana.....YABBA....

[Crown 84]

Good Morning! Good Morning! Good Morning!

And a much better one it is here in Raleigh. We stand at 73 currently and it is CALM after a very blustery, wet day yesterday, curtesy of Tropical Storm Hanna which passed just to the east of us. My father's rain guage showed over 5 inches by yesterday afternoon.
Two dry days are predicted for here, now.

Days to the Season: 67
Days to Christmas Day: 109.
Well, well, well! Barely over a week to the 100-day Christmas Day window.
Can you believe it? (You can, through the magic of the Season!)

Have a Super Sunday, guys!
Rest up to begin moving yet another week closer to our special Season - so full of wonder, beauty and tradition!

[Annette1990]

Good Morning Everyone! A rainy and dreary day here today. D/D and I are off to go do some grocery shopping and get her hair cut. She has school pictures this week. And starts her piano lessons on Monday. Been busy around here. Our home renovations are finally getting somewhere. We had the footings poured for the basement and now most of the forms for the walls are up. Once that's finish we will get the concrete guys back over here to pour. Hard to believe we are down to 108 day until Christmas. I am so looking forward to the Holiday Season. Have a great day!

[SparkleNana]

Good morning and a great day to everyone!

[JOHNOR]

hi everyone,

strange day here today, quite sunny and warm. it has been cold and rainly the last few days. towards the end of this month it will be really autumny!

starting to think about halloween and bonfire night, need to make some plans.

[Maureen]

and for those of you who aren't familiar with Bonfire Night...........

Bonfire Night is celebrated across the UK on 5 November. The date marks the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes along with a group of co-conspirators in London in 1605.
The intention was to kill King James I and wipe out everyone in government. The group were Catholic extremists who wanted to return England to the Catholic faith. One of the conspirators had a friend in the Houses of Parliament and sent a letter to him, warning him to stay away from the House on the day the attack was supposed to take place. The letter was intercepted and handed to the king.
Meanwhile, Guy Fawkes and friends, having formulated their plan, known as the 'Gunpowder Plot', had rolled 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, and were waiting for the king to arrive when guards broke in and arrested them. They were tortured and executed.
Nowadays on Bonfire Night people organise their own parties or attend big organised fireworks displays. They stand around the bonfire, set off fireworks and eat lots of nice warming food, like sausages and jacket potatoes. They might also remark...
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
We see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot!
...Which sort of suggests that people rather admire the cheek of Guy Fawkes, trying to blow up Parliament, and that's why they celebrate Bonfire night, rather than celebrating the fact that his plot failed and he was caught!
Fireworks that are sent up on Bonfire night have really evocative names like, Roman Candles and Mount Vesuvius. There are also Catherine Wheels that spin and Sparklers that children write their names in the air with.
Children make life-sized effigies of Guy Fawkes which are called Guys, to put onto the bonfires. The English have been burning effigies to mark Guy Fawkes' treason for almost 400 years. The tradition started in 1606, the year after the Gunpowder plot failed. In these first bonfires, called 'bone fires' at the time, it wasn't an effigy of Guy Fawkes that was burned, but one of the Pope. It was not until 1806, two centuries later, that the people started burning effigies of Guy Fawkes instead.
Children make a Guy by stuffing some old clothes with newspapers, craft a head out of material, and either draw a face on it or buy a special cardboard Guy Fawkes mask. For a few days beforehand children are pushing guys around in prams, push chairs and go-carts, saying 'A penny for the guy'. Adults then give them money - how much depends on how good the guy is. The money is then spent on sparklers, or at least it would be, if children were still allowed to buy fireworks in the UK, so it is probably spent on sweets instead.

[Head Elf]

We celebrate our homecoming (football) with a bonfire and a pep rally. We have a burn ban here so, no bonfire for me at home. But I always wondered why our family had a bonfire on November 5th. My great grandfather was from Sussex so now I know the rest of the story.

:scarykitty:

[trackrebel]

108 days to Christmas.....:D ....It´s September...but right now over here...it feels like it´s early October....which is a feeling I love...

[MarthaK]

The approaching season reminds me of the really good sledding hill when I was a kid.
Right after a fresh snowfall the sledding is slower but you keep at it and the sledding gets faster and faster with each new trip down hill. Then one day, the snow starts to fade and melt in the sun but still refreeze at night. THEN things really start going fast!!

My friends, I think we are in the thaw and refreeze phase of Christmas!

[Crown 84]

Good morning, my frends!
A new week is upon us. And once again we begin to move another 7 days closer to our fantastic Christmas Season.

Time to check in on the count:
Days to the Season: 66
Days to Christmas Day: 108.
That all-important 100-day Christmas Day window arrives one week from tomorrow. Then just look how close we will be to the NINETY PERCENT Season milestone!
(Better start checking those Christmas gift lists twice!)

Sunny and calm here in Raleigh at this hour with our temp standing at 72.
This will be our last dry day for a while as rain, or a good possibility of it, will be in the forecast until at least Friday.

Have a Marvelous Monday, fellow Christmas Compatriots!

[JOHNOR]

i can't believe how close we are. where does the time go?

what do you count as the start of the season? is it november 1st?

[Crown 84]

November 13.
See post #1 of this thread.

[SparkleNana]

Greetings and Salutations to everyone!

[Binger]

YES>. make plans now to once again join us here at 11:30PM on November 12th as the insomniacs of MMC meet in "real time.." to count down the last few minutes.... put the cat out... put on the coffee... eat m and ms and plan now...... we meet here "in real time" once each year.....

YABBA

[Binger]

and for those of you who aren't familiar with Bonfire Night...........

Bonfire Night is celebrated across the UK on 5 November. The date marks the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes along with a group of co-conspirators in London in 1605.
The intention was to kill King James I and wipe out everyone in government. The group were Catholic extremists who wanted to return England to the Catholic faith. One of the conspirators had a friend in the Houses of Parliament and sent a letter to him, warning him to stay away from the House on the day the attack was supposed to take place. The letter was intercepted and handed to the king.
Meanwhile, Guy Fawkes and friends, having formulated their plan, known as the 'Gunpowder Plot', had rolled 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, and were waiting for the king to arrive when guards broke in and arrested them. They were tortured and executed.
Nowadays on Bonfire Night people organise their own parties or attend big organised fireworks displays. They stand around the bonfire, set off fireworks and eat lots of nice warming food, like sausages and jacket potatoes. They might also remark...
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
We see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot!
...Which sort of suggests that people rather admire the cheek of Guy Fawkes, trying to blow up Parliament, and that's why they celebrate Bonfire night, rather than celebrating the fact that his plot failed and he was caught!
Fireworks that are sent up on Bonfire night have really evocative names like, Roman Candles and Mount Vesuvius. There are also Catherine Wheels that spin and Sparklers that children write their names in the air with.
Children make life-sized effigies of Guy Fawkes which are called Guys, to put onto the bonfires. The English have been burning effigies to mark Guy Fawkes' treason for almost 400 years. The tradition started in 1606, the year after the Gunpowder plot failed. In these first bonfires, called 'bone fires' at the time, it wasn't an effigy of Guy Fawkes that was burned, but one of the Pope. It was not until 1806, two centuries later, that the people started burning effigies of Guy Fawkes instead.
Children make a Guy by stuffing some old clothes with newspapers, craft a head out of material, and either draw a face on it or buy a special cardboard Guy Fawkes mask. For a few days beforehand children are pushing guys around in prams, push chairs and go-carts, saying 'A penny for the guy'. Adults then give them money - how much depends on how good the guy is. The money is then spent on sparklers, or at least it would be, if children were still allowed to buy fireworks in the UK, so it is probably spent on sweets instead.

it is all a ploy to cover the world with plaid... I just know it...

YABBA....

[SparkleNana]

:nice: Good morning! Now -- a little grandmotherly reminder --- please take good care of yourself so you don't get sick during this season we love!

Are you going to get a flu shot this year? Do you take vitamins and drink lots of water every day? (No, soda and coffee do not count. Some of it has to be water.) Do you wash your hands when you come inside from being out - buying things and handling money and touching doorknobs and things with germs? All righty then!

[Crown 84]

...make plans now to once again join us here at 11:30PM on November 12th as the insomniacs of MMC meet in "real time.." to count down the last few minutes.... put the cat out... put on the coffee... eat m and ms and plan now...... we meet here "in real time" once each year.....
My coffee-soaked friend is so right. We look forward to that fabulous meeting every year to kick off the Christmas Season. I can't wait for our annual rendezvous!

Yes, Dom, Halloween items have been out at Crabtree mall for over a week now and "The Halloween Zone" (a Halloween-only store) is back open again.
Things are defitintely begining to "get seasonal".
What always starts getting me in the holiday mood every year is the begining of our annual State Fair which commences here in Raleigh in just over a month.
Things really seem to start moving fast after then.

Days to the Season: 65
Days to Christmas Day: 107.
As can plainly be seen, we are now exactly one week away from the 100-day Christmas Day marker.
And then......WOW! So close to 90% back to the Season!

Overcast in Raleigh at this hour with the threat of rain for the balance of the week. We are at a very pleasant 73 degrees, however.

Have a Terrific Tuesday, one and all!

[Holiday]

Good morning! 100 days....NO WAY!!! WOW! Now that is exciting!!! It's chilly here today! The high is only supposed to be 69º! I have soup in the crock pot for supper. Can't wait! (I love soup...) A friend of mine sent me a message early this morning asking for some Christmas Movie Suggestions for her to watch....so I dug out all my Christmas movies this morning & sent her the list! Now I am all Christmassy today!!!! :sparkle:

Have a great day!!!

[pinkini]

It has been quite chilly in Chicago since last Wednesday ... this morning it was 43 degrees in one of the suburbs! We should hit the upper 70s by the end of the week but fall is here!

I had my first pumpkin spice latte this morning... counting down the days!

[snowytree]

Expecting rain here for the next several days in GA...highs still in the 80s but it's starting to cool off..each day that goes by we are getting closer to the holiday season! :hello:

[Holiday]

I can't believe how early it is getting dark at night!!! That is a sure sign.... It's kinda depressing, but yet cozy all at the same time!! Lol!

[dvdguy]

its windy today & I'm waiting for the rain as some of Ike is over top of us as I type.

I'm rather crabby because I had to be at work at 6:30 & theres nothing for me to do

[trackrebel]

it´s 65,48 Fahrenheit.....a little bit of rain and windy.....:D....and I`m happy about it!!!!.....feels a lot like fall now...very nice!

[Crimbo_Spirit]

Hey All ! Generally cloudy over here in Merry Old England , definatly looks set to have a downpour sometime during the day.But who cares when Halloween and Christmas are not far off , Ive definatly started getting in the mood now by listening to many christmas songs.I have also noticed the shops over here are starting to bring out christmas goodies already! So have a great Wednesday Guys and Girls.

[Holiday]

Happy Hump Day!!! Friday's not far off now!!! :D Have a good day everybody!!

[Crown 84]

Hey, Holiday! You made it to the peak of the week ahead of me this morning!
How's the view?

Days to the Season: 64
Days to Christmas Day: 106.
Just look! Under a week now to the 100-day Christmas Day milestone.
We just keep going, and going, and.......

Cloudy with rain possible today. We currently stand at 75.
The wet stuff was predicted yesterday but did not materialize.
Don't think we will be so luck today.
And Texas - watch out for Ike!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday, one and all!

[JOHNOR]

the weather is dull but warm-ish here in england. in a couple of weeks it will be going dark really early and those crisp, cold mornings will be here!

[SparkleNana]

:merry: Good Morning -- and Good News!!!


I found the Nestle's coffee creamer flavor named "Sweet Italian Cream"! And I report -- I think it is TERRIFIC!

After morning regular coffee -- I switch to decaf. And I don't like decaf. But --- today I tried decaf with "Sweet Italian Cream" -- and I think it is delicious! This is my new, 24-hours a day, Christmas drink treat! :merry:

[SparkleNana]

I FORGOT TO THANK DVDGUY FOR LETTING US KNOW ABOUT "SWEET ITALIAN CREAM". IF IT WASN'T FOR DVDGUY, I NEVER WOULD HAVE NOW THIS STUFF EXISTS.

You know, dvdguy really does do a lot to help us have good times!

[Faithmom6]

So sad. I despise coffee. Now cappucino...now that's something to drink!!!! I also love Christmas tea, hot apple cider...eggnog...cheesy

[RadioJonD]

So sad. I despise coffee...

Careful! Binger will charge you with blasphemy!

...I also love Christmas tea... On the other hand, Crown will sing your praises!

[snowytree]

:merry: Good Morning -- and Good News!!!


I found the Nestle's coffee creamer flavor named "Sweet Italian Cream"! And I report -- I think it is TERRIFIC!

After morning regular coffee -- I switch to decaf. And I don't like decaf. But --- today I tried decaf with "Sweet Italian Cream" -- and I think it is delicious! This is my new, 24-hours a day, Christmas drink treat! :merry:

For the first time I saw a publix commercial for this stuff! It sounds good....Sparklenana how does it taste?

[dvdguy]

If enough of us drink it, it should stay on the market

[Holiday]

Hey, Holiday! You made it to the peak of the week ahead of me this morning!
How's the view?

Days to the Season: 64
Days to Christmas Day: 106.
Just look! Under a week now to the 100-day Christmas Day milestone.
We just keep going, and going, and.......

Looking Grrrrrrrreat! :hello:

[SparkleNana]

Faithmomof6 --- it is rich and creamy and luscious! Depending on how much you use, it makes ordinary coffee taste -- like cappucino!

Snowytree -- it is really good!!! It tastes creamy -- not chemical -- or sort of wierd like some of the flavors for coffee. Now, I do know that food and drink (and wine) tastes different to different people. Just like perfume SMELLS different on different people. Because we all have our own chemical composition.

I love rich-tasting things -- like eggnog and real whipped cream. And this tastes rich like them - to me. I really recommend trying it.

[Maureen]

Confused - again! A cappucino is a coffee with froth on the top. What's in your cappucino????

So sad. I despise coffee. Now cappucino...now that's something to drink!!!! I also love Christmas tea, hot apple cider...eggnog...cheesy

[SparkleNana]

:hello: Maureen -- in answer to your question, I respond - "Huh"?


I thought cappucino was espresso and hot milk - which makes the froth on top. But I don't really know......

My husband and I have a saying, to use when we are caught in a moment of blank stupidity. The saying is...."Doowickey?"

So, when you asked your perfectly reasonable question about cappucino --- the answer which came to my mind was ..."Doowickey?"

"Doowickey?" should always be uttered in a pleasant voice, accompanied by a blank look. I find it to be a very useful word. :hello:

[ChristmasLovers]

People think I'm nuts counting down to Christmas at 100+ days left to go lol.

[Crown 84]

Careful! Binger will charge you with blasphemy!

On the other hand, Crown will sing your praises!

Praises, Praises!

[Binger]

probably that fake stuff they sell at 7-11....... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

pure coffee... achiever's brew.....

tea... good snooze beverage...

[Binger]

hey dancing boy......................

[EdNog]

People think I'm nuts counting down to Christmas at 100+ days left to go lol.

I don't!
My countdown sort of starts at 100 days, I am really in the spirit now, with the nights drawing in, Halloween and pumpkins just around the corner and Guy Fawkes Night!

I hope it isn't too early to wish you and evryone here a Happy Christmas 2008!

Might even make some Eggnog later:snowball:

[Maureen]

SparkleNana, I think we're kindred spirits!!! Different words used but same pleasant voice and blank expression!!!!

Yep, I thought a cappucino was expresso and frothy milk too but (and I'm relying on Binger to keep me right here) isn't expresso REALLY strong coffee???

:hello: Maureen -- in answer to your question, I respond - "Huh"?


I thought cappucino was espresso and hot milk - which makes the froth on top. But I don't really know......

My husband and I have a saying, to use when we are caught in a moment of blank stupidity. The saying is...."Doowickey?"

So, when you asked your perfectly reasonable question about cappucino --- the answer which came to my mind was ..."Doowickey?"

"Doowickey?" should always be uttered in a pleasant voice, accompanied by a blank look. I find it to be a very useful word. :hello:

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning Everybody!!!!!

Do you have a delicious cup of coffee? Or tea? Or ovaltine (full of calcium but no caffine)? Or hot chocolate? Something to sip while you read posts and smile at what your pals have to say today!!!!!

[SparkleNana]

Coffee IS what I do love in the morning.

In fact -- did you know that there used to be such a thing as having a "coffee date"?

This was back when there was such a thing as "going on a date" -- which was a one time activity - designed to be a fun event WITHOUT sex! Can you imagine? A date could be a once in a lifetime thing with one person. Or - you could both decide to go on a "second date". Again - not involving sex. Involving conversation and -- a movie, a trip to the coffee shop - whatever.


And - one of the BEST ways to go on a date was to go on a "coffee date". Because - it only lasted for an hour. It would be set up if both people had a one hour break between classes. Or - after classes - before going to a job. Or to study.

There was no Starbucks. So coffee was very cheap (and not so delicious). The coffee date involved the cost of two cups of coffee. And -- conversation. It was almost always quite pleasant. It could lead to more "coffee dates". Or - it could simply lead to a friendship -- saying "Hi" when you passed each other. No strings. Very little cost.

I think it is good to have pleasant things in our lives, which don't cost much! How about you? What do you think?

[SparkleNana]

Dom -- Halloween Is Coming!!! And thats a good thing!


EdNog -- Happy Christmas to you, too! It is not too early to wish that to us here! It sounded beautiful to me, when I read it this morning!

[Holiday]

Good morning & HAPPY CHRISTMAS!! :-D

I LOVE coffee!! Especially this time of year!!!! Crisp cool mornings & a cup of hot java! Mmmmm! I would like to take my hubby on a "coffee date" but he doesn't like coffee! Lol! (can you believe that Bing...he doesn't like coffee! :o)

You all have a great day!!!

[SparkleNana]

:whisper: Good morning, Holiday!! I think that is romantic to want to take your husband on a date. What can we do if he doesn't like coffee? An ice cream cone date? A walk in the moonlight date? Dates ARE good!

Have a lovely day! cheesy

[Crown 84]

......but he doesn't like coffee! Lol! (can you believe that Bing...he doesn't like coffee!.....
Bing can't, but I can.
Give me tea anyday!

Good Morning!
What a fine Friday Eve it is, albeit a cloudy one.
We stand at a nice walkable 70 degrees at this hour.
Had a light rain yesteday with possibly more today.

Days to the Season: 63
Days to Christmas Day: 105.
My! My! My! Barely 5 days to go to the 100-Day Christmas Day marker.
We draw nearer - ever nearer by the day.

Well, have a Thrilling Thursday - and keep the faith - for tomorrow is.......
FRIDAY!

[Holiday]

Friday Eve....never thought about Thursday being "Friday Eve" Lol! I like it! :smile:

My hubby won't touch tea either! Give him a Mt. Dew anyday & he's happy! Lol!

I'm thinking it's about time for "movie night" again...he makes a mean batch of sugar popcorn! Problem is, he's working such long & odd hours right now, if he sits infront of a tv, he's sleeping!

[Crown 84]

Sleeping's good too, Holiday.
Sleeping, tea, big-band music. Anything but coffee!

[pinkini]

Friday Eve! 105 days! So much to be excited for!

[MsChristmas]

Friday Eve..I like that too! I dont like coffee either. But I LOVE tea and also hot chocolate. Speaking of dates, my wedding anniversary is Sunday! Hubby and I are going to a nice dinner, Im looking forward to it!

[Binger]

Good morning & HAPPY CHRISTMAS!! :-D

I LOVE coffee!! Especially this time of year!!!! Crisp cool mornings & a cup of hot java! Mmmmm! I would like to take my hubby on a "coffee date" but he doesn't like coffee! Lol! (can you believe that Bing...he doesn't like coffee! :o)

You all have a great day!!!

Divorce him...ASAP...

YABBA......

[Binger]

SparkleNana, I think we're kindred spirits!!! Different words used but same pleasant voice and blank expression!!!!

Yep, I thought a cappucino was expresso and frothy milk too but (and I'm relying on Binger to keep me right here) isn't expresso REALLY strong coffee???

you are correct ohhhh plaided one....

YABBA.. cofffee lovers unite... and smite the hand that holds a North Carolinian tea bag....... or better yet.. smite the hand that stays at ye old Carolinian Inn at Nags Head...
( I just bet you did...)

YABBA YABBA YABBA YABBA...

[trackrebel]

66,2 degrees...cloudy and we will have heavy rain...Icould go without the rain...but the temps are cool to me

[SparkleNana]

:hello: Good Morning, Friends! :hello:

[Crown 84]

...... cofffee lovers unite... and smite the hand that holds a North Carolinian tea bag....... or better yet.. smite the hand that stays at ye old Carolinian Inn at Nags Head...
( I just bet you did...)...
Been to Nags Head alright, but have not stayed at the Carolinian.
Do they have soft mattresses? Serve sweet tea?

Good Morning.
No. Good FRIDAY morning!
<< That's better, Crown >>

Rise, shine, and smell the tea, folks!

Days to the Season: 62
Days to Christmas Day: 104.
Getting close. Getting real close to that 100-day marker!

Overcast but a nice 72 here in Raleigh at this hour.
More rain is in the forecast.

Hey! (Or should that be "Hay!") Carl informs me there's going to be a big blow-out of a party this weekend at the Shispering Pines.
All the fired twinkies you can eat and all the tea you can drink.
(Um, Binger, there WILL be coffee but Carl says it's another of his experimental blends. Something involving blueberries. << Shudder >>)

Have a FABULOUS FRIDAY my Fantastic Friends!

[clarebear]

Hello all :dance: Hope you are all well :D

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning!

It is really hard to say anything appropriate about the massive hurricane Ike. It has caused such terrible damage to other countries, and now to our own. I will be thinking and praying today.

Off to the family birthday party for a grandchild this afternoon. There was a sleep-over last night -- and apparently the party kids did not go to sleep all night. The parents are zombies now. Maybe the grandparents can let the parents escape for a nap this afternoon.

[trackrebel]

it´s raining and cold outside....57 Fahrenheit....when I went outside to smoke a cigarette (yeah I know...terrible habit...but I´m trying....just doesn´t work as of yet)...I could see my own breath....and no...it wasn´t the cigarette smoke...I thought so, too in the beginning...but it wasn´t....I found that to be very cool

[Crown 84]

.....That next milestone will be coming up any day now. Just realized today is the 13th, 2 months from today is the season! I remember in Jan when we were happy to get to 10 months to the season. Amazing how we've gone through this year right towards the holiday season.....
Indeed, indeed! Time sure flies.
(I used to suscribe to the old adage that "time files when you're having fun" but now that I'm older, I've shortened it to just "time flies"!)

Good Morning!
I hope everyone's weekend is off to a wonderous start!
Let's check on the count:
Days to the Season: 61
Days to Christmas Day: 103.
And a bare 3 days to the 100-day mark! Fantastic!

A beautiful, sunny day outside here in Raleigh. We currently stand at 78.
It should be warm and humid still, but no rain is forecast for the next few days. A good time to get some outside work done (as long as it is not too vigorous, that is!)

Have a Stupendous Saturday, friends.
I hope your day is the greatest!
(And you folks in SE Texas take care!)

[Binger]

blueberry coffee.... yummm

YABBA.. miss ya Cedar and Jay....

[Binger]

I was at Harris Teeter this AM and told to leave.. seems they don't like it when I stand for thirty minutes with my head in the mocha java blend and sit there sniffing it...

EVERYONE BOYCOTT HARRIS TEETER,, BOYCOTT....

YABBA.. I smite the handof tea folk in NC...

[SparkleNana]

Binger - I am absolutely boycotting Harris Teeter! They are so selfish!!!

I am going off to make a cup of decaf -- and drink it in your honor! Of course, now that I have "Sweet Italian Cream" coffee creamer-- even decaf tastes delicious!

For me - life is better with a cup of coffee!

[Crown 84]

I was at Harris Teeter this AM and told to leave.. seems they don't like it when I stand for thirty minutes with my head in the mocha java blend and sit there sniffing it.....
Binger getting high on coffee beans - it figures!

[Binger]

Sparkle.. Thank God.. a kindred spirit here where some tea person down south continues to lead a revolt against we God fearing coffee drinkers.... welcome to the status quo...

repeat the mantra.. Mrs. Folgers... Mrs. Folgers.. Mrs. Folgers....Mrs. Folgers...

YABBA.. miss ya Cedar and Jay....

[Binger]

FALL? It is so hot and humid here the shingles are curling up.... my legs squeak when I walk due to the humid sweat...... omg ac ac ac ac..Crown is a sleephead....ac ac ac ac

YABBA.. Miss ya Cedar and Jay..

[Crown 84]

....repeat the mantra.. Mrs. Folgers... Mrs. Folgers.. Mrs. Folgers....Mrs. Folgers....
That's funny. What I'm hearing is Lipton...Lipton...Lipton...Lipton, harmonized against a chorus of Sealy...Sealy...Sealy...Sealy.
(But you are right about Jay and Cedar, my friend!)

Good Morning.
Good Sunday Morning!
SUPER Sunday Morning!!

Rise and shine! Ignor that coffee, there's tea brewing!

Days to the Season: 60
Days to Christmas Day: 102.
The day after tomorrow, folks........(!)

Keep that Christmas song in your heart and remember the spirit of the Season as we prepare to coast into another week, one that will see the Christmas Day count down to double digits and nearly bring us to the first day of Fall, which is one week from tomorrow.
Then it's on to the 90% Season Milestone!

WOW!

[caseydbell]

Crown, you have really put me in the Christmas mood, you and MMC radio that I'm listening to right now, they just started playing its beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I'm starting to feel merry, which is good. Glad to be back, havent visited in a long time, will satrat coming on a daily basis again, good huh, since were almost to a hundred days to Christmas and only 60 days from the season. My prayers go out to everyone that has been effected by Ike, God Bless. Merry Christmas to all.

[trackrebel]

what´s up homeboys and homegirls....lol....weather been very bright today....clear sky, very windy and around 60 degrees I think...now it´s 50.....very nice.....

[Binger]

UP AND AT EMMM HEY CROWN WAKE UPPPPPPPPPPPPP its 5:00AM!!!

YABBBBBBA.... Fifth cups a brewing........

[Binger]

Yepper... one week from tomorrow is fall.. days are shorter.... longer nights.. more sleep time for Crown... there's happiness and religious fulfillment everywhere......

YABBA.. Miss ya Cedar and Jay..... ( is Jay in Rome?)

[JOHNOR]

nearly there!

weather's been quite sunny and nice here over friday and saturday, then yesterday, i woke up and went outside at about 9am, it was kinda foggy and really crisp and cold, i loved it!

[Holiday]

Good morning! What a wild day we had here in Ohio yesterday as Ike came through. I can't even imagine what it was like in Texas...was bad here I thought. I have NEVER seen wind so strong (in Ohio) the whole day. I have seen it that strong before a storm, but this was an all day event....and no storm! We were only out of power for 5 hours, but there are a lot of places still out today. My prayers go out to all affected in Texas. How devastating. Hope you all had a great weekend! I'm off to get my Monday started.... (after I catch up on a few of these 663 new messages! Lol! Was a busy weekend around here! :)

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning, Friends!!!

I turned on the television news -- not so good today.

I turned on the Merry Forums of My Merry Christmas -- always good news here!

[dvdguy]

Its a gorgeous day today.

Fresh pot of coffee on when i woke up, & I'm getting to cook up an omlette with the sausage from the german butcher down the road

[Crown 84]

Wow! Look how many of our fine members are here so early this morning!
That seasonal feel must be starting.
(But 5:00 AM?? Gee! But then we must consider that owing to coffee overdoses, our Binger doesn't really go to sleep at all.)

OK, let's check out the count:
Days to the Season: 59
Days to Christmas Day: 101.
Tomorrow, guys - TOMORROW. The 100-Day window. Marvelous!

Calm and 78 here in Raleigh at this hour.
Maybe a sprinkle or two by this afternoon.

Have a Marvelous Monday, folks!
I hope your week gets off to a great start.

[snowytree]

We've made it to 100!:wiggy:

[SparkleNana]

:yahoo: What -- snowytree -- what did you say? We have made it to 100!??!?!

Hip Hip Hurray! Hurray for US! Hurray for 2008! Hurray for Christmas!!!! :yahoo:

[caseydbell]

Good Morning! WOW! TOMMORROW IS DAY 100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are getting so close! A high today of 83 and a low of 60 here in FTW but tommorow are lows will be in the upper 50's for the next three days.....Yeah! Have a great day.

[SparkleNana]

Caseydbell -- it's tomorrow? Thats great too! 100 days!!!!! The countdown.

[yolie8174]

Wow, almost 100 days till the most wonderful time of the yearcheesy

[Rennabelle]

It is so hard to wait this year, I'm worse than all my grandkids. ha

It is lots worse today as I went to Lowes and they were putting up Chirstmas decorations. Now I will visit there every time I go to town. Yessssssssssss

[MsChristmas]

Cant believe we are within 100 days! Its really here! Weather here in Maryland will start to feel a little more fallish this week. Highs in the low to mid 70's and lows in the upper 50's.

:tree:

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning!

[pinkini]

What a wonderful morning! Happy 100 Days!

:celebrate:

[clarebear]

Hello all :)

[SparkleNana]

:hello: Would you like a second cup of coffee?

Yes, thank you. I will put "Italian Sweet Cream" in this one. cheesy

[snowytree]

My youngest son, daughter, and I,watched Christmas vacation this past weekend....we were cracking up...can't wait till Christmas. I really love the part of the year we are getting into now, looking forward to changing weather and the fun of holidays.:wiggy:

[JOHNOR]

this morning, i got up early, made a cup of coffee and sat by the window. outside, it was cold and crisp and i noticed alot of the leaves have started to fall from the trees. beautiful.

[Crown 84]

Remember the father in "A Christmas Story"" when the leg lamp arrived:
"It - is - here!"
Well, folks, it IS here - the 100-Day Christmas Day marker.
Tomorrow: DOUBLE DOUBLE digits! Then things move fast.
In fact, the 90 PERCENT home stretch Season milestone comes up October 7, only 21 days off - barely 3 weeks! Unbelievable!

Days to the Season: 58
Days to Christmas Day: 100.

Well, it's a wet Tuesday morning here in Raleigh with a light rain falling.
We stand at an even 70 degrees.

Just think about the count and.......have a Terrific Tuesday, guys!

[trackrebel]

99 days to go to Christmas....98 for me in Germany....the exitement rises everyday....I wish Germans would start the Christmas season as early as You guys....we will probably the first X-Mas commercials mid-November....the Weihnachtsmärkte start around the last November weekend...I think the shops will start putting out decorations around mid-to-end October.....:(....but then...it´s not really far anymore...I`m so exited....I hope Kaufland (Grocery Store over here) will have the Rudolph DvD soon again....because somehow my daughter destroyed it....when I can buy it...it´s Christmas for me...:D

[yolie8174]

HAPPY 100 DAYS

[Holiday]

WOO HOOOOO!!!!! I can't believe it's only 100 days...99 to Christmas Eve...my favorite day of the year!!!
:merry:

[caseydbell]

Happy 100 all! It felt like fall all day yesterday and does again today, I'm in such a holiday mood!

[Crown 84]

Hey, Hey, Hey! Nobody here today!

Rise, shine, and smell that delicious sweet tea, guys.

Our count:
Days to the Season: 57
Days to Christmas Day: 99.
My, My, My - Don't those double-double digits look nice?
And less than 2 weeks to the 90% Season milestone - the home stretch begins! Unbelievable!

Well, another overcast, dampish looking day outside and we stand at a cool 65 degrees.
BEAUTIFUL weather is predicted for tomorrow and the rest of the week, however, with highs in the low to mid 70's and lot of sun. Can't wait!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday, everyone.
And doesn't that weekend view from the peak look nice, Holiday?
Just wish the clouds weren't obscuring it this morning.
(Then again, how can Christmas ever really be obscured??)

[caseydbell]

Double digits is wonderful, have a great day everyone

[kerst]

My count down has begun !!! I can only start on "98" days as there is only one number 9 in the package.

http://www.mymerrychristmas.com/forum/picture.php?pictureid=985&albumid=130&dl=1221660089&thumb=1 (http://www.mymerrychristmas.com/forum/album.php?albumid=130&pictureid=985)

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning, Friends!

The double-digit excitement is here!!!!! It is all good from now on! (You know what I mean -- all good on the Christmas front!)

Today, I needed TWO cups of delicious coffee. Soon I will switch to decaf with - "Sweet Italian Cream". It is really good.


Just think - if we all happened to be together today, we could talk about Christmas all day long and nobody would say, "EEEuwwww -- it's too early to talk about Christmas."

[JayIsh]

Just a quick note to say hello...somehow I have gotten away from daily posting on the countdown and I miss it!!! So hello my friends! Let's celebrate cause the Season is drawing near!!!

Jay

[Holiday]

Happy Double Digit Day!!! :D

Welcome back JayIsh!! You've been missed around here!!

It's a beautiful Ohio day today....Perfect view to the weekend & it's lookin GREAT!!!!

Have a good day everybody!!!

[SparkleNana]

Holiday - I can't see the weekend from here.

More coffee, please.

[trackrebel]

98 days to Christmas...now if that ain´t great...I don´t know what is!

[Maureen]

98 days to Christmas...now if that ain´t great...I don´t know what is!

I'll tell you - 97 days.....then 96 and 95 and 94 etc. etc. etc!!!!!!!! cheesy

[Yuletide Junkie]

November 1st: The day I start listening to Christmas music all of the time. My MP3 player is loaded & ready to go for a two and a half hour bus trip with 7th grade confirmands that morning. Silent Night it isn't.

[Faithmom6]

I am getting so so so so so so so so excited!!
I'm so thankful to have all of you here to be excited with!!! cheesy:wiggy:

[pinkini]

I cannot believe how fast the season is coming! Wonderful. I keep updating my iPod with new Winter Music to get in the mood...

[Crown 84]

Welcome back to the fold, Jayish!

[ArkansasChristmas]

I knew yesterday was special. I felt a huge inflowing of the Christmas spirit, and now I know why, it was day 100!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

"I wish we could bottle up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month."
~Harlan Miller (Better Homes and Gardens)

That's my wish too! Welcome to "the first of the double-digits day" Christmas friends!

Open up a bottle of Christmas spirit every time you visit and when you contribute to the warmth and fun, you'll be leaving another jar of Christmas cheer for someone else to discover.

I'd like to see a roaming STAT holiday emerge celebrating the 99 days to go marker. Wonder if the various governments around the world would go for it?

O'Malley the cat wanted me to share something with y'all to mark this special day ...


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/OrnieHistoryCat.jpg


Now it's time for me to get a little shopping done. I'll save a few gifts until November and Decemeber though.

Cheers,
A.M.D.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/AMNorth342x176.jpg

[trackrebel]

everyone is so happy bout the double digits on the countdown....I cannot even imagine how we all feel when we are in the single digits section....:D


97days to Christmas....96 for me...You know....Tschermaniiiiiiiiii :D

[EdNog]

They were putting out Christmas decorations and Christmas wrapping paper yesterday when I was out doing some shopping. Lovely to see the colouful sparkly things again!
The season is here as far as I'm concerned!
A good day to all.

[MsChristmas]

They were putting out Christmas decorations and Christmas wrapping paper yesterday when I was out doing some shopping. Lovely to see the colouful sparkly things again!
The season is here as far as I'm concerned!
A good day to all.


What store were you at where you saw more Christmas items going out? Im waiting for my Kmart and Walmart to start!

:tree:

[Holiday]

Good morning!! It's almost Friday!!! :D SparkleNana, can you see it now??? It's just right up around the corner!!! :merry:

Hope you all have a great Thursday!!! As my sister always says:

"MAKE it a good day!"

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning!

Holiday -- I can see the weekend! It IS right around the corner!

I am so happy that I can come here and be with people who know what is important! Like Christmas ...... and the weekend...... and friends...... and all those things that give us strength and make us feel GOOD!!!!! :gift:

[Crown 84]

.....That next milestone is the 3/4 xmas milestone I think? Sorry I'm going off the top of my head here. I just thought of that. Crown, confirmation on this?.....
Quite correct, my friend!

I often get so caught up with the Season milestones, I sometimes overlook the Christmas Day ones.
The 3/4 Christmas Day marker arrives on Sept 25, just one week from today.
<< Mental note to self - include the Christmas Day markers into the chart for 2009 instead of just a note to "add 42 days to the Season markers for Christmas Day" >>

Days to the Season: 56
Days to Christmas Day: 98.
And (for Trackrebel) - Days to single digits to Christmas: 89; Days to single digits to the Season: 47.
On we move, folks. Getting closer and closer by the day!

Clear, sunny and crisp this morning here in Raleigh, with our temp standing at 60. Low 80's by this afternoon, then 70's for highs the next few days after that with no rain. Invigorating!

Have a Thrilling Thursday, friends. (And a Fantastic Friday Eve, too!)

[pinkini]

Happy Friday Eve everyone! :)

[Holiday]

I just love it..."Friday Eve" :D I was going to email a "Happy Friday Eve" to my friend this morning & I forgot! Darn!!!! (I have already emailed her this morning) Next week I will! :)

[Binger]

[QUOTE=Crown 84;99215]Quite correct, my friend!

I often get so caught up with the Season milestones, I sometimes overlook the Christmas Day ones.
The 3/4 Christmas Day marker arrives on Sept 25, just one week from today.
<< Mental note to self - include the Christmas Day markers into the chart for 2009 instead of just a note to "add 42 days to the Season markers for Christmas Day" >>

Days to the Season: 56
Days to Christmas Day: 98.
And (for Trackrebel) - Days to single digits to Christmas: 89; Days to single digits to the Season: 47.

and if you take the standard deviation and then multiply it by 7.. no wait.. again with the new math and I am confused.. think I will go and have a cup of coffee and make little "NO NC" signs with the sugar cubes...

YABBA.. miss ya Cedar and Jay.. long live the vets of Christmas.com...

[Binger]

beautiful here.. fall has arrived.... low 70s windy- even a slight chill at evening..sorta like a Helen Steiner Rice Birthday Card.....

YABBA.. long live the vets of The X Mas place.....

[Holiday]

Happy, HAPPY FRIDAY!!! :???:

46º here this morning!!! Brrrrrrrr......but beautiful!!! :-D

[Crown 84]

Not as cool here, but a very pleasant 61 degrees in Raleigh at this hour with bright, sunny skies.
We topped out at 81 yesterday and will be in the 70's today.
Time to get that outside work done!

Days to the Season: 55
Days to Christmas Day: 97.
Days to Friday: ZERO! It's here, guys!

And may your own personal Friday be a Fabulous one.

Don't forget to keep the spirit of the Season with you this weekend as your heart sings that Christmas tune.
It will be here sooner than you think!

[pinkini]

Happy Friday! :tree:

[SparkleNana]

Good morning, and Happy Friday to one and all!

[Binger]

hey is it time to claim the days for special posts in the countdown? Traditionally, I have posted on day 4.. I'll take that one..

( I'm into numbers..... Crown is such a 5.. everyone knows it too..)

YABBA.......

[Binger]

Crown.. this afternoon when you awaken.. go ahead and explain this tradition... though our traditions here are certainly dieing....

yabba....

[SparkleNana]

Good morning friends! Long live traditions! (Please just keep explaining them for the newer members!)

[Crown 84]

Crown.. this afternoon when you awaken.. go ahead and explain this tradition... though our traditions here are certainly dieing....
Thanks for the reminder, my friend! The old memory is slipping. (Not enough sleep, I guess)

Anyway, what we like to do is present special posts for the days immediately leading up to the start of our Christmas Season (November 13). One member will take day 1 (Nov 12) to post their special message. Someone else will take day 2 (Nov 11) and so on, back to day 5 before the Season (Nov 8).
These posts can be thoughtful, sentimental, funny, a nice poem or story you know, a memory of Christmas past - anything you like - just as long as it is related to Christmas or the Christmas Season.

Since Binger thinks I am "such a 5", I will bow to their judgement and take that day (Nov 8). Binger has day 4 (Nov 9). Now we need volunteers for day 3 (Nov 10), day 2 (Nov 11) and day 1 (Nov 12).
First come, first selected!
(This is not to say anyone else cannot post their thoughts, feelings and stories as well, we just need a committment for someone to take a given day.)


With that said, on with the count!
Days to the Season: 54
Days to Christmas Day: 96.
And a mere 5 days to the 3/4 Christmas Day milestone.
After that - only TWELVE days to the 90% Season home stretch marker!
Wow, guys!

Chilly here this morning with our temp standing at 58.
Calm and sunny, though, with no rain in the forseeable forecast.

Have a Stupendous Saturday, everybody!
And I hope your weekend is off to a wonderous start.

[Maureen]

May I please have 3???

[Annette1990]

Good Morning Everyone! Hope you all are having a pleasant Saturday. I just returned from the Farmer's Market. Picked up some wine and a vegetarian quiche. Looks as if we may get some rain later. I hope you all enjoy your day!

[MerryChristmasLydio]

I can't wait til Christmas is here!!!!!!!:)):))

[MerryChristmasLydio]

Good Morning Everyone! Hope you all are having a pleasant Saturday. I just returned from the Farmer's Market. Picked up some wine and a vegetarian quiche. Looks as if we may get some rain later. I hope you all enjoy your day!

My Saturday has been pretty good!

[trackrebel]

95 days to Christmas....it was cool and sunny today....and the day went by fast since my daughter was at a baby gymnastics things....where the babys show what they can do....like sumersaults, climbing....and on....she got certificate and a gummibear medal....:D....mommy was very proud...:D

for me....it´s only three hours to 94 days!!!

[Crown 84]

May I please have 3???
You may. And are down for Nov. 10.

[dvdguy]

Its a beautiful morning here. Time to go out & get some breakfast

[Binger]

wow.. I did some serious driving yesterday... 400 miles... my legs are as rubbery as Crown's super deluxe mega big waterbed....

yabba... long live opera!

[Binger]

Hey Crown..... should we go ahead and explain the other tradition of meeting here the last hour of the countodwn? For those insomniacs who stay up late... itis harried and fun..

yabba.. I miss the vets....

[Maureen]

"And I would drive 400 miles, and I would drive 400 more" It's called poetic license. If I can't misquote the Proclaimers, who can?!!!

I suppose it all depends how many newbies you would like to attend!!

[Holiday]

Good Sunday morning my Christmas friends! It is a busy weekend for us...lots of running around! But the weather is beautiful!! Hope you are all having a good one!

Glad you had safe travels bing...that's a lot of driving in a day! My hubby does that sometimes for UPS...almost 500 miles a day (to Louisville, KY & back) UGH!

[Crown 84]

.....I read your tradition when I joined in Jan and read the posts from last year for it. It was really interesting and nice. I'd take day 2...if that's available. I just hope I wouldn't choke under the pressure Crown....
It's yours, Dom!
(And the only thing to choke on around here is Binger's coffee)

Good Morning, fellow Christmasoholics!!
(There was once a support group created to break the habit, but nobody came - we WANT to be addicted!)

Days to the Season: 53
Days to Christmas Day: 95.
Down to 4 days to the 3/4 Christmas Day milestone. My, My!

A cool, but pleasant and sunny 64 degrees here in Raleigh at this hour.
Should be another nice day for outside activities.

OK, one more space to fill. Who would like to commit to the special pre-Season post for day 1, Nov 12?

Have a Super Sunday, everyone!
Get all rested up to start moving towards our Sensational Season!

[Crown 84]

Hey Crown..... should we go ahead and explain the other tradition of meeting here the last hour of the countodwn? For those insomniacs who stay up late... itis harried and fun....
Sounds like a good idea, my friend. You are good with words. Take it away!

[Annette1990]

*L* at Maureen...I liked that song. Hi gang! Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday. Been busy around the house doing some cleaning up and laundry. Busy weekend here too. We continued working on our addition. Got alot done in the last few days. Went to Chico Hot Springs last night to swim and have dinner. It was awesome last night, there was a little rain coming down while we were there. It couldn't have been more perfect being in the hot water and the rain falling on us. It was a little piece of heaven right here on earth that's for sure. Have a good one!

[RadioJonD]

"And I would drive 400 miles, and I would drive 400 more" It's called poetic license. If I can't misquote the Proclaimers, who can?!!!

I suppose it all depends how many newbies you would like to attend!!

What's a hundred miles between friends?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ23AjRCNr8&feature=related

My favorite line - "I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you"

[MerryChristmasLydio]

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/TreeSmiley.gif I want Day 1!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/SnowmanSmiley.gif I need Day 1!


Hey, Mo - I heard that song in a Spin class recently if you can believe it!

[dvdguy]

does anybody else hear the three stooges when someone says "hey mo"?

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/HoHoSmiley.gif Yes, and quickly followed by Curly and Larry.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/FlowerWink.gif Well, it's the last day of summer gang!

Christmas is on the way! Not rushing it though, the leaves on the maples are just beginning to turn, my favourite colourful season arrives tomorrow!

Hurray! I have four birthdays, a baby shower, our Wedding Anniversary to get through before I pick up more Christmas gifts though.

[RadioJonD]

http://tinyurl.com/3rrmyy

[JOHNOR]

first day of autumn!

it's well and truely on the way!

[Christmas Snow Angel]

Hello AUTUMN!! We woke up to a very chilly morning, even turned the heat on for a few minutes to take the chill out of the house. Although our leaves haven't started to turn yet, our overnight low's are dipping into the 40's and 50's. Time to start unpacking our sweaters!!

[Holiday]

Happy Fall Ya'll
:scarykitty:

The best coffee drinking season is upon us! :D

[Crown 84]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/TreeSmiley.gif I want Day 1!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/SnowmanSmiley.gif I need Day 1!

You want it, you need it, you have it!

Our list is now complete:
Day 5 (Nov 8) = Crown
Day 4 (Nov 9) = Binger
Day 3 (Nov 10) = Maureen
Day 2 (Nov 11) = Dom
Day 1 (Nov 12) = Auntie
November 13 = THE SEASON ARRIVES!!


Good Morning, folks!

Let's check on our count:
Days to the Season: 52
Days to Christmas Day: 94.
Three days - count 'em - Three days to the 3/4 Christmas Day milestone.
Close. So close.

A beautiful, crisp, calm and sunny 66 degrees outside here in Raleigh at this hour. Perfect weather still predicted for the forseeable forecast period.
Let's get that outdoor work completed!

Have a Marvelous Monday, friends!

[pinkini]

Happy Monday everyone and a very happy first day of fall! So much to be thankful for right now.

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning and Happy Fall! You are so right pinkini - we ALL do have so much to be thankful for right now. Entering fall - or entering spring in the other half of the world!

[JayIsh]

Hi guys!!!

The days are slipping by!!! By the way Binger and Crown...I'll be aboard for the final countdown live...Can't say I'll make it till midnight but I'll be there for some of it!!! I was around for some last year too and loved it!!! You guys/gals are great!!! I'll be Curley to your Moe and Larry anytime...Or Patty to your Maxene and LaVerne...Anyway...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

jay

[Crown 84]

Looking forward to it, my friend!

[Binger]

there is something seriously wrong with that guy..yabba..

[Binger]

love it radio jon.. except it assumes my gender and I am an unassuming type..

YABBA. YABBA YABBA...

[Binger]

ok here's the way I see things of late....
Day 3 of the countdown will be unreadable since it will be in some plaid lingo.. very tartan and very very unreadable.. Thank God for the Irish,,,,,

When Auntie says I gotta have it.. I know the feeling.. nothing like a crisp cup of coffee and when I gotta have it.. ohhh yeahhhhh...

Crown will start us off on Day 5.. which means they will sleep days 4-1... so please no mentioning them or the state of NC.. though that is not hard to do....

Jay will join us... that is awesome.. he needs a new pair of tights and all is welll.....

well now.. I think thattakes care of everything...

yabba!

[Binger]

correct me if I am wrong folks....

yabba...

[RadioJonD]

love it radio jon.. except it assumes my gender and I am an unassuming type..

YABBA. YABBA YABBA...

By necessity ancestry includes both genders! Doesn't matter which we are!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

HoHoHo! I know what you are Binger. I had a dream about you. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/XmasPicAlbum/OrangeKitty.gif O'Malley enjoyed a delightful afternoon of bird watching today.

Is it a sign of Autumn when the chickadees, nuthatches and sparrows remove insects from your windows because there aren't as many on the trees and the ground for them to munch on? Just wondering.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/AMNorth342x176.jpg I'll be posting my Day 1 treat pretty early in the morning on the 12th as I'll be heading off in the afternoon for a three day conference. Looks like I'll miss the gathering in the evening though. That's a shame.

[Rennabelle]

Help Auntie, I know a while back you told a bunch of us how to get on to this last page easily but I have tried everything and still can get on only by clicking and clicking and clicking. Help, with dial-up it is a slow process.

I can hardly wait also, The stores have been putting up Christmas all over the place and I am going to go shopping on Friday. Hope I can find Polar Express as mine got stuck in a dvd player and got to hot and now nadda.

[scoobie]

Howdie all...

I've not been posting for a while, work is keeping me way too busy at the moment! I am still keeping in touch with the countdown thread as the forum emails me a summary of all the posts :-)

Anyhoo, I had a question about the live countdown until the season begins, but I wondered what time zone your 12:00 midnight will be in? I'd like to come join you all for it, but would need to get up nice an early in the morning!

Merry Christmas!

Scoobie

[JOHNOR]

the weather is wonderful in the north of england today! it's bright, crisp and cool. the leaves are falling from the trees and you can smell christmas in the air!

i need a cup of coffee........

[Holiday]

Good morning! 50º this morning and looking like another BEAUTIFUL day!! :-D Hope you all have a good one...we made it through Monday!! :)

[Crown 84]

Good Morning, friends!

It's a bit overcast, but we stand at a walk-friendly 63 degrees here at this hour.
It is supposed to be clear today and tomorrow, then light rain for a few days.

Days to the Season: 51
Days to Christmas Day: 93.
Down to a mere 2 days to the 3/4 Christmas Day miilestone.
Good Gracious and Merciful Heavens!
<< Well, hey! I'm running out of superlatives. >>

Have a Terrific Tuesday as we climb to the peak of the week tomorrow.
Be sure and meet Holiday and me at the summit. The view to the weekend is always great!

[Binger]

hey ho.. what a glorious afternoon- think I'll walk over to Starbucks and get a cup of java.... nice breeze here.. nice hammock weather Crown.

YABBA

[Binger]

Auntie- most people here have NO idea what I am.....

YABBA.. miss ya Cedar and Jay...

[Crown 84]

.... nice breeze here.. nice hammock weather Crown....
Ah! You are making me sleeeeepy just talking about it!

OK, guys! What's up?? Over 17 hours with no post in our little countdown thread. And considering we are only ONE DAY away from the 3/4 Christmas Day milestone, this is just unacceptable!

Days to the Season: 50
Days to Christmas Day: 92.
That's right - TOMORROW is the 3/4 mark!

Chilly here this morning with our temp standing at 57.
Clear, though, for one more day before rain moves in tomorrow for the next few days.

Well, Holiday, here we are again at the peak of the week, looking at the fabulous view. Seems like just yesterday we were standing here enjoying the view to last weekend. Why does the time fly so fast?

Have a Wonderful Wednesday, fellow Christmas Comrades!

[Crown 84]

.....most people here have NO idea what I am.....
Well blow me down, they y'am what they y'am!

[Annette1990]

A cool and crisp morning here too. Should warm up into the 70's by this afternoon. I hope everyone has a great day. I am off to take d/d to school and head to work after that. Have a good one!

[Holiday]

Good morning! Happy Hump Day!! You are right Crown...it DOES seem like just yesterday we were at the peak, looking out the weekend...that's crazy how fast time is flying!! I'm always glad to see the weekend come, but it's almost scary how fast they come around!!! ENJOY the view!! :D

I'm having some Merry Mocha Mint coffee this morning....Mmmmmm :sparkle:

[Undrtakr]

Welcome to Wednesday Everyone! :P We are sooo close to the season! I cant wait!!!!

[Binger]

windy here right now.... poor hammock weather Crown.... get inside to the super deluxe mattress....

yabbaa

[Binger]

nor easter coming... auntie em.. it's a twister.....

yabba.. 3/4 tomorrow.. math time 3/4 x Crown's weight= Maureen's worst plaid configuration.


new math.....

yabba...

[Holiday]

My niece just called me & she is coming over right after work, selling "stuff" from Frankenmuth Michigan for a fund raiser at school!!! I can't wait to see what it is she's selling...Christmas "stuff" I'm sure!! YAY!!! :D

[JayIsh]

I'm here, I'm here!!! I'm just actually working for a change!!! We've been swamped...Ever notice that when the economy does what it's doing you feel like you are working twice as hard for half the money???

Countdown gets me through those days though...and when I see Crown and Binger around it warms my heart...Tradition at it's best!!!

Where is that Cedar???

Jay

[Crown 84]

.....and when I see Crown and Binger around it warms my heart.....Tradition at it's best!!!
Aw, shucks! I'm speechless.
I'm sure Binger is, too. No - wait - it's just that their mouth is full of coffee.

[Binger]

ohh that's rich.. like you'd be awake to even notice.....

yabba.. Jay thanks....

[Binger]

HEY QVC all day Christmas starts at midnight- crank up those c cards!!

yabba yabba...

[Crown 84]

Ah! "Pre-Friday", "Friday Eve", "The Day before the Day".
No, No, No. It's the day OF !

That's right - we have reached the day OF the 3/4 Christmas Day milestone! Three quarters gone, one to go. Time has slipped away, folks!

Days to the Season: 49
Days to Christmas Day: 91.
And note that the Season starts 7 weeks from today.
And wait - there's more. And mark this well. The Ninety Percent (and that's the same as 90%, Yogi) Season marker, the start of the Home Stretch, arrives on October 7. For those disinclined to check their calendars, that's a mere 12 days from today.
Hey! Better get that gift list started or get left in the snow.

Chilly and rainy here this morning as promised by the weather folks.
We currently stand at 60.

Have a Fabulous Friday, everybody!!

[pinkini]

:celebrate:

Happy Friday Eve... 3/4 to Christmas Day...

I am going to work on my Holiday Planning spreadsheet a bit. My Christmas cards arrived this week. Very exciting - they are beautiful!

Unfortunately, I hurt my neck this morning so I took a few medication and cannot wait to get home at the end of the day to rest. But I still am very happy today!

[Holiday]

Ah! "Pre-Friday", "Friday Eve", "The Day before the Day".
No, No, No. It's the day OF !

That's right - we have reached the day OF the 3/4 Christmas Day milestone! Three quarters gone, one to go. Time has slipped away, folks!

Days to the Season: 49
Days to Christmas Day: 91.
And note that the Season starts 7 weeks from today.
And wait - there's more. And mark this well. The Ninety Percent (and that's the same as 90%, Yogi) Season marker, the start of the Home Stretch, arrives on October 7. For those disinclined to check their calendars, that's a mere 12 days from today.
Hey! Better get that gift list started or get left in the snow.


WOO HOOO!!! :???:

Good morning all & Happy Friday Eve! :D I just pulled up the 10 day forcast & according to weather.com today is the last day of 80º's. They are calling for highs in the 60's next week!!! YIKES!! Not sure if I'm ready for that yet!!!!

My niece sold me a little snowman that is a "Countdown to Christmas" snowman from Frankenmuth!!! It has 2 digits on it, so I am assuming it starts at 99 days. I also bought some cheese spread from her for one of our many Christmas parties we attend!! Can't wait!!!

Have a great day!!!

[Undrtakr]

oooh a countdown snowman sounds cool! Any chance you can post a picture of it?

[SparkleNana]

:yahoo: Happy 3/4 to Christmas Day, everyone!!!!!

[Annette1990]

Good Morning! Hard to believe we are at the 3/4 mark. A lovely day here in Montana. It's been cool and crisp in the mornings here but our afternoons have been in the 70/80's. The leaves are slowly changing color and some leaves have started to fall. I love this time of the year. I hope everyone has a great day! The weekend is almost here!cheesy

[Crown 84]

My niece sold me a little snowman that is a "Countdown to Christmas" snowman from Frankenmuth!!! It has 2 digits on it, so I am assuming it starts at 99 days.
Then you can start using it right away!

[Binger]

We're getting slammed here- nor easter which is tropical..... and its also QVC Christmas.... a good day to stay in and buy "stuff.."
\
YABBA...

[Binger]

AND remember how depressed we were back in January.. and we hung there and are ready to bring it home....

yabba...

[trackrebel]

90 days to Christmas....wow...time passes by so quick now....it will only be 50 days in no time....time is running....for me even faster since my sister in law is going to give birth to my nephew (that´s what the doctor said..haha) in late October....probably earlier...so that´s a big thing to happen...and when he´s there...it´s only a month to December....oh how I love December

[JOHNOR]

i am beyond excited now!

today, i spent the day with my cousin and her baby daughter. my cousin and i are very close, just like sisters, she is a christmas nut like me so all day we spoke about christmas and all of our plans, we started to organise our annual christmas party for all the kids in our family. it was a great day!

[trackrebel]

sounds like a lot of fun

[JOHNOR]

happy friday everyone!!!!!!

i have been up for about an hour and a half, pottering about and doing some housework, now i am sat in bed on my laptop with a cup of coffee and just browsing the forum. i'll have to get myself ready in an hour, i have a busy day ahead of me!

[Holiday]

Happy FRIDAY!!!!! :D Hope you all have a great weekend!! We are making 22 gallon of chili in our kettle on Sunday with friends & family so we can all stick some in our freezers for quick & easy winter meals!! I LOVE making big batches of soup like that...so fun!!! Have a great day!!!