Christmas Countdown - 2008

[Holiday]

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

Here it is:

http://www.frankenmuthfundraising.com/viewproductdetails.aspx?pi=8322&st=10&idx=4

[Christmas Snow Angel]

I watched QVC all last evening. Such beautiful items...Can't believe it's less then 90 days away *so excited* lol

[Crown 84]

Mornin', Folks!

It's a cloudy, but calm, 68 degrees outside here in Raleigh at this hour.
Rain yesterday with the chance of more today and Saturday, then clear for a while.

OK. On to the count!
Days to the Season: 48
Days to Christmas Day: 90.
The 90% Home Stretch Season marker is now but 11 days away.
Just think - the day after tomorrow, we will be down to single digits to the NINETY PERCENT milestone! Goodness Gracious!

Have a Fabulous Friday, Friends!
And get ready for what promises to be a Wonderous Weekend!

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning, friends!

Dom - I am happy that you wrote your beautiful post today, and did not save it for later. Your words were a ray of sunshine today, and we needed that!

[trackrebel]

only 89 days til the big day....ain´t that great...

[RadioJonD]

Okay Folks! Let's all get ready to ride on the "Great of '78" Thirty Year Class Reunion Float! Homecoming Parade starts at 2:45pm, CT today!

[deepcreek]

I ,m getting the spirit and its only sept.Looking forward to the 2008 season.
love to all deepcreek:grin:

[HolidayHoney]

I like your name

[Binger]

OMG I LOVE THE CLASS of 78!!

[Binger]

Hey Dom... Ctrown is rubbing off on you- a good dayto stay in bed.. OMG..

yabba....

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

cheesy Rennabelle asks ...

"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."

The easiest way I've found is to click on the first page and when it starts to load, I click on the last page. From the last page it's easy to click back to the last page you visited. (I just did it.)

:hello: We've had some great weather this week. Seems like Spring to me! In fact, a female robin has been hanging around the last few days. I don't know if she's coming to say goodbye before she heads to Florida or if she's a young robin and can't find any friends yet. Nice to have her around, but the Ravens are trying to scare her off.


Keep a jolly thought in your head and if you're feeling brave, go ahead and sing a few carols out loud. What's the worst that could happen?

[JOHNOR]

i am feeling so festive, it's unbelievable!

it's actually freaking me out a bit, i can't get christmas or this forum out of my head!

i am looking forward to the coming months, but time flies by so quickly, i mean i remember last christmas like it was 2 months ago! i want october, november to go at a nice steady pace, i wanna enjoy every minute of it!

[Binger]

Paul Newman died!!

bummer..

[Binger]

Hey Crown.. get up its early I know ( noon)..but classic movie stars are passing away and we need to get a cup of coffee and chat...

y

[JanaBanana]

i just read that too :(

[Crown 84]

Sorry to be so late today (no, Binger, I was not asleep) but the "server" kept telling me it was "too busy" and I could not get on!

Days to the Season: 47
Days to Christmas Day: 89.
Days to the 90% Season Milestone:10.
(Wow! Single digits tomorrow!)

A nice 70 degrees outside with some clouds.
Chance of more rain today. (We had some light rain yesterday.)

Have a Stupendous Saturday, everyone.
And I hope your Weekend is off to a Wonderous start!

Don't forget to keep that Christmas song in your heart and the spirit of the Season with you this weekend!

[Crown 84]

Wow! I was typing as you posted.
Had not heard about Paul Newman! Sad.

[Annette1990]

Good Morning Everyone... Well I browsed around the farmers market today. Sounds as if they all hope to be there next weekend and then that will be it. A cloudy day here today with the hi being in the 70's. Looks as if we may start getting some cooler temps. and rain by next weekend. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning and Happy Day to all!

[SparkleNana]

It really is sad that Paul Newman died. But what a wonderful life he had! I hope there are lots of showing of all his movies!

[melindasue]

YAY FOR 88 DAYS :D only 59 till i put up my tree !!!cheesy

[CharlestonNole]

Late on Saturday, the friends have gone home, college football and hollaring at the tv is winding down :wink: and I have Christmas on the mind. Getting closer and I am glad for it.

Good morning to my friends in Europe and Good Night to my friends in the States!

[Binger]

hey Dom.. need rain? We got five inches here.....

yabba... rain...

[Binger]

hey.. Sunday AM.. CROWN GET THEE AWAKE YOU SLEEPYHEAD... AHHHHHHHHHHHH

Hey ever notice how Crown and Julia Child were never here at the same time?
hmmm very interesting...

yabba....

[Crown 84]

.... CROWN GET THEE AWAKE YOU SLEEPYHEAD... AHHHHHHHHHHHH....
I'M AWAKE! I'M AWAKE! Please! Don't drip coffee on me!

Good Morning, Christmas friends.

It's a bright, sunny one outside with our temp standing at 70.
Another beautiful walking-weather-day! (Although about a 30% chance of rain is present. We had some yesterday evening, but not until after dark.)

Days to the Season: 46
Days to Christmas Day: 88.
Days to the 90% Season Milestone: 9. (Single Digits!)

Hey! The "A Christmas To Remember" annual Christmas shop just opened this week at Crabtree Valley mall.
You know what that means!
Time to launch my annual "Christmas Blossoms" thread.
Will be posting it shortly, with a pix or 2 of the shop.

Have a Super Sunday, guys!
Rest up to begin moving another week closer to the Season.
And as Dom pointed out, October comes on Wednesday.
......And that means the holiday season is almost here!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

[Annette1990]

Good Morning. Lovely day here...hi will be 70. The leaves are changing color more and more everyday. While driving home last night I had noticed 3 houses all decorated for Halloween. Have a good Sunday!

[SparkleNana]

Greetings to all! Dom - thank you for reminding us all to relax today, before going into the new week. Sometimes we get so intense... it is good to just relax and enjoy being alive! And enjoy talking Christmas with friends!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

:hello: Hurray, Crown! I'll try to scout around more and take some photos to add to your annual "Christmas Blossoms" thread.

:tree: Honestly, I'm not very impressed with the local decorations at malls and stores, but I'm hoping for better this year.

[niktsak]

I AM NEW TO THIS FORUM AND I AM GLAD THAT I FINALLY FOUND SOME FRIENDS THAT LOVE THIS HOLIDAY AS MUCH AS I DO!!!!HERE IN GREECE WE DECORATE JUST 2,5 WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS(NOT ME OF COURSE) AT LEAST SOME SHOPS DECORATE A LITTLE SOONER!!!WHAT ABOUT YOUR PLACE?:tree::tree:

[Crown 84]

Welcome, Niktsak. Wow! A member from Greece. Please post some photos of how you decorate in your country in our "Christmas Blossoms" thread!

Good Morning, fellow Christmas friends.

It's a bright, sunny and clear 67 degrees here in Raleigh at this hour.
Promises to be a nice day with a low chance of rain.
(More opportunities to walk and get some outside work in.)

Days to the Season: 45
Days to Christmas Day: 87.
Days to the 90% Season Milestone: 8. (Wow! A week from tomorrow!)

Have a Marvelous Monday, everyone!
(I hope that Wonderous Weekend rest did everybody some good.)

Oh! Christmas merchandise is being put out at Sears!
Need to get my camera out there this afternoon to get a shot for the "Christmas Blossoms" thread.
It's really starting to happen, folks!

[HolidayHoney]

I was out in my yard last night, and guess what I saw? Four houses down the street were Christmas lights!!! A bit early for me, however it looked beautiful!!!

[Holiday]

Welcome Niktsak!!! :welcome:

Good morning gang!! It's MONDAY again..... Can't believe the weekend is over!


(I hope that Wonderous Weekend rest did everybody some good.)

Who had time to rest over the weekend???? :lol: I'm tired today!! Had to come back to work to get some rest!!! Lol!!

Have a great day!!!

[Holiday]

I was out in my yard last night, and guess what I saw? Four houses down the street were Christmas lights!!! A bit early for me, however it looked beautiful!!!

I don't want that at my house, but I would love to see somebody else all decked out!!! That's cool!! :sparkle::grin:

[JanaBanana]

Oh my Christmas lights already huh? I have to get through Halloween first :D

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning friends!

I found some great things in the dollar section at Michael's yesterday. (Lots of Mary Engelbrecht things for those who love her work.) Plus the Halloween animated things were 40% off. (I bought some orange lights to string in the bushes outside.)

[HolidayHoney]

I can't wait to start on my things, and I can not wait to put the tree up! The day after Thanksgiving will be when we start, if we can still move after overeating on Thanksgiving!!

[Binger]

hmm christmas blossoms is really an attempt to induce sleep.. I just know it...

yabba.. yabbaa

[Binger]

IT IS SO HUMID HERE.. my hair is frizzing the size of crown's pillow..

yanbbbaa... hi ya radio...

[Crown 84]

Over 14 hours with no posts. And yet here we are barely a week away from the start of the Season Home Stretch? What's wrong with this picture??

Well, anyway, Good Morning!

Days to the Season: 44
Days to Christmas Day: 86.
Days to the 90% Season Milestone: 7. (One week!)

Very overcast here in Raleigh at this hour.
We stand at 64 degrees. Chance of showers.

Hey! I got another couple of "Christmas Blossoms" shots yesterday.
Check them out in my thread of the same name.

Have a Terrific Tuesday, guys!
(Meet me at the week's peak tomorrow, Holiday, and we will take in that beautiful view together!)

[caseydbell]

Morning All!

Wow we are getting so close. I read crowns first post again, and it really put me in the holiday spirit.

High in the 80's and low in the 60's this week. Around Oct. 18 we should finally get our high down to the upper 70's, I'm ready for cool weather. I was at a retreat this weekend and it got down to 50's in Hunt Texas!

Have a merry day & listen to a little MMC radio.

[SparkleNana]

GOOD MORNING WONDERFUL PEOPLE!

Let's have fun! 'Tis the season!

[yolie8174]

Good morning, Christmas is getting close.

Have a good day everyonecheesy

[Holiday]

Good afternoon! I hope you are all having a good day!!!

It might have been slow at this thread yesterday, but I was at the lake this weekend, so I didn't check this website all weekend. When I looked on Monday morning, there were 1,145 new posts!! :o It must be getting closer!!! Another note...tomorrow is not only hump day, but it starts our 4th quarter of the year, which includes.....DECEMBER!!!! :merry:

[SparkleNana]

Tomorrow will be a GREAT day!

[dvdguy]

rather wet here today

[Binger]

still humid here.. hard to sleep.. I sat around all day drinking coffee.. couldn't sleep at all. not sure why.. but I coiuldn't...

YABBA.....

[Binger]

is dancing boy in Italy yet?

yabba paus du lux..

[SparkleNana]

I agree, Dom! Halloween buildup (beginning October 1st) is the start of the Christmas holiday season for me!

[trackrebel]

it´s 54 degrees and a bit rainy......and it´s only 85 days to the biiiid day

[Crown 84]

.....We roll on towards the home stretch. I remember reading that milestone in early Jan on the front page and thinking that's a pretty awesome sounding milestone....
Indeed it is, my friend, indeed it is!

Days to the Season: 43
Days to Christmas Day: 85.
Days to the 90% Season Milestone: 6. (And that's the same as less than a week, Yogi!)

Yes, friends, we have moved into another month - possibly the single biggest step in our march to the Season. It always seems to me that once October first has been reached, we have taken a really big leap forward.

Cloudy/somber here this morning. Had lightning, thunder and rain in the early morning hours today, which woke me up (not so easy to do!). I could swear I heard the sound of a certain someone slurping coffee but I guess it was just the sound of rainwater running into my downspout.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday, friends.
And Holiday, my oh my, doesn't that view from the week's peak to the weekend look nice!

[Undrtakr]

Morning all :) Its going to be in the 50's in London Ontario Canada (Where I am). Had to wear my jacket to work too!

[yolie8174]

Good morning everyone. October is finally here and over here in California the temp will be around 96 yuck. Well at least Christmas is on its waycheesy yippeeeeee

[Holiday]

Happy Hump day, Happy October!!!! :smile:

It's a beautiful, crisp, clear, sunshiny day today....PERFECT view to the weekend!!! :-D

Have a great day!!

[JayIsh]

Binger!!! Yabba back atcha!!! And Crown...The mystery twins...There are those who believe that they are the same person...sort of like Batman and Bruce Wayne...Or BatGirl and...umm...well...Whatever here real name was...I do know that she was Commisioner Gordon's neice or daughter though...No piece of trivia is too small...

[Binger]

No No Crown and I are not the same person... they can not stay awake long enough to fulfill two personalities...

YABBA YABBA YABBA.. Hi ya Plaid

[Binger]

hmmm my 1,000th post is coming up... something special.. like ODE to a North Carolinain Rip Van Winkle.. or a new Paus Du Lux..... hmmmmm busy busy..
yabba yabba yabba...

[SparkleNana]

Happy Day To All!

[Crown 84]

No No Crown and I are not the same person... they can not stay awake long enough to fulfill two personalities.....
And I could never drink that much coffee - well - ANY, really.
But what an interesting idea - Jekyll/Hyde.
Hmmm.... I hear Hyde liked coffee.....hmmm

[RadioJonD]

.

http://www.cafepress.com/grimmy.3088428

.

[JanaBanana]

.

http://www.cafepress.com/grimmy.3088428

.


Cute!

[Crown 84]

.

http://www.cafepress.com/grimmy.3088428

.
Priceless, Radio, priceless.

Yes, Dom, "pre-Friday" is here. That wonderful Friday-Eve when thoughts turn ever to that wonderful last day of the work week!
Gee! If I was Auntie, I would feel a poem coming on about now.
If I was Binger, I would put that coffee decanter down and get cracking on a opera!
And if I was Jay, I would be dancing all over the floor, walls and ceiling (with apologies to Fred Astair)

Good Morning!
Let's get straight to the count:
Days to the Season: 42
Days to Christmas Day: 84.
Days to the 90% Season Milestone: 5. (Getting closer!)

A surprisingly chilly 52 degrees outside here in Raleigh at this hour.
Low 70's for this afternoon. Mid-40's predicted for the next night or two!

Have a Thrilling Thursday, everyone!

[JayIsh]

I'm dancing alright!!! I just make a little more noise when I hit the ground than I'm comfortable with...Gotta pass that Dunkin' Donuts in the morning instead of stopping in everyday...

Jay

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning, Friends!

Have a wonderful Thursday! October 2nd! Wow!

[Undrtakr]

Happy pre friday to all. And to all a good night? lol heh. I see more and more Christmas stuff coming out in stores!! CANT WAIT!

[Holly11]

Just a quick note, I don't post much (guess I don't usually have much to say - not the description my husband would give), but, I wanted to say how much I enjoy the countdown! Great idea! Kudos to you Mr. (Mrs./Miss/Ms???) Crown. (my catch up reading seemed to reveal you are a mystery).

[JanaBanana]

Happy Thursday to all :D I too have seen quite a bit more Christmas stuff out on store shelves!!

[MerryChristmasLydio]

83 more days til Christmas!!!!! I am sooooooo excited.

[Crown 84]

......I wanted to say how much I enjoy the countdown! Great idea! Kudos to you Mr. (Mrs./Miss/Ms???) Crown. (my catch up reading seemed to reveal you are a mystery).
Binger and I are the Mystery Twins, Holly.
Glad you like the thread!
(Can we "count" on you to be a regular visitor?)

[Holiday]

HAPPY "ALMOST FRIDAY!!" :D I'm late posting today/tonight!! Boy was it chilly this morning! Makes the coffee x-tra yummy!!! I bought some more Boston Nut Cream coffee tonight...Mmmmmm! Hope you all had a great day!

Holly11..don't be a stranger!! :sparkle:

[MerryChristmasLydio]

I like Christmas!!!!

[clarebear]

Morning all! :D

Howdy, I hope you all have a fab day, happy Friday!! :dance:

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning Friends!

Dom.. "the home stretch" sounds so nice! Enjoy!

[Crown 84]

.....A cool 50 degrees here currently and the sun coming out slowly today.....
Binger and I may be the Mystery Twins, but today, you and I are the Temperature Twins - we are also at 50 here in Raleigh at this hour.
Lots of sun though, and it's calm. We are supposed to reach the low 70's by this afternoon with no chance of rain. Beautiful Friday!

Hey! Did someone say FRIDAY? That's right - it IS Fiday, isn't it?

Our daily count:
Days to the Season: 41
Days to Christmas Day: 83.
Days to the 90% Season Mark: 4. (That's the milestone up ahead! Next stop - the Home Stretch Zone!)

Have a Fabulous Friday, Fantastic Friends!

[caseydbell]

Morning All! Surfing MMC & Listening to Christmas radio before I leave for work!

Wow 4 days till the home stretch begins, does that mean it's time to start pulling stuff out or am I jumping the gun? Probably, the season starts in 41 days...Awesome!!! November 13, Thanksgiving on the way and decorations come out!

Have a awesome day everyone and remember only 83 days till Christmas, the season of peace and joy is so close!

[Undrtakr]

I cant believe that in LESS then a month (November 1st) my Christmas stuff goes up!!!

PS I cant wait

PPS did I mention Im excited? lol

[Crown 84]

.....Wow 4 days till the home stretch begins, does that mean it's time to start pulling stuff out or am I jumping the gun?.....
Can one really jump the gun when it comes to Christmas, at this time of the year?

[Undrtakr]

I believe I ALWAYS jump the gun when it comes to Christmas lol.

[Holiday]

Good afternoon & HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! :D I started putting up my Halloween decorations this morning before work. I got the fall garland around the banister & orange lights are going up next. I love having lights up in the tv room. It is making me excited to get out...you know what.....CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS :sparkle:

You all have a GREAT weekend!!!

[Undrtakr]

Holiday - That sounds nice :) I saw a house yesterday with pumpkin lights up in the windows. Actualy saw someone with Christmas lights up, but I think it was a college student house :P

[Holly11]

Hi All! Very chilly here also this morning. The kids are cute walking around in their Cars and Hello Kitty slippers. Saw some Christmas stuff out at the local Kroger grocery store. Just a few stocking gift holders and Christmas cards. Just another sign of how close.

[SparkleNana]

:nice: Good Morning Friends!

I love it that Dom reminds us to do some relaxing. I can feel my blood pressure go down when I read his posts!

[pinkini]

Oh my! Chicago was in the 30s this morning so my husband and I had to turn on the heat this morning.

Off to do some grocery shopping and I am going to pick up some stuf to make cupcakes.

[Crown 84]

And I thought it was cool here at 53 this morning! (Well, this is NC after all, not the north)

Good Morning, friends.
How is the begining of the weekend treating you? Started getting excited about the start of our Christmas Season yet?
Well, let's check on the count:

Days to the Season: 40
Days to Christmas Day: 82.
Days to the 90% Season Mark: 3. (Moving right in there, now!)

It's calm, sunny and still here this morning with a jacket-friendly nip in the air. I can almost hear those oaks outside my window thinking about cutting their leaves loose for the year. Vigorous raking isn't far away - always a symbol of fall and the start of the holiday season.

Have a Stupendous Saturday, folks!
Keep the spirit of the Christmas Season with you in your travels today.

[Binger]

what you talking bout willis??

YABBA YABBA YABBA

[Binger]

I believe I ALWAYS jump the gun when it comes to Christmas lol.

I'm having the college crowd over the weekend before thanksgiving- hence- the stuff goes up early this year...... timeto string the lights around the coffee pot..

YABBA YABBA YABBA WAKE UP CROWN>>>YABBBA HI YA RADIO..

[Cedarfarm]

Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!

ShiverMe Timbers!!! It is SO COLD here. Guess Winter is giving us a peep-show. Cozy flannel sheets will be on the bed tonight, that's for sure!! Think I'll make myself a hot cup of something. (Hot Toddy?) Yeah!!

Good to see you all...our season is fast approaching! cheesy

~Have a great week-end folks!

YABBA!

[clarebear]

Hello all :dance:

Hope your all enjoying your weekend so far :D I'm just enjoying a hot mug of cocoa! yummy!

[Crown 84]

CEDAR!
Long time, no count!

[bastones]

80 Days away and 12 hours and 7 minutes away in the UK. I remember when it was agggges away!:snowball::tree:

[Maureen]

Interesting - I make it 80 days, 16 hours and currently 47 minutes. Where's the 4 hour difference.........:?

Doesn't matter, it's still only 80 days!!!!!

[dvdguy]

tick tick tick

Its coming

Can you feel it?

[bastones]

Interesting - I make it 80 days, 16 hours and currently 47 minutes. Where's the 4 hour difference.........:?

Doesn't matter, it's still only 80 days!!!!!

...sorry I probably meant 79 or 80 days, not sure but the clock on the forums is for a different timezone cheesy

80 days will fly by - but the best part is Christmas eve!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

:hello: Great to see you, Cedar! How's the project coming along?


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/ani_elves002onBike.gif I"m really getting excited!

Spent a few hours in the local Hallmark store. I could scoop up at least half of the ornaments I saw and be happy-happy! I saw something unique for just about everyone on my list that fits with their interests.

Bought another box of beautiful Christmas Cards.

The autumn and Halloween decorations were out too, but I had my mind set on Christmas mode.

[Crown 84]

Thanks for the friendly reminder, Dom.
Yes, it's time to prepare to move another week closer.

Let's check on the count this morning:
Days to the Season: 39
Days to Christmas Day: 81.
Days to the 90% Season Mark: 2. (Good Grief! Only TWO?))

Coolish here at 59, but seasonal for October. Lots of sun.
Reminds me of our annual State Fair which opens here on October 16 this year.
That is the first event that I regard as opening the holiday time of year, so I can't wait!

Have a Super Sunday, friends!

[TooShort4]

Cold sunday morning here. About 50 degrees F. High in the 40's tomorrow. Hoping to see some snow next month!

[JOHNOR]

i am stressed out, i have sooooooo much to do this month it's unreal. part of me is wishing october away so that i can chill out a little more in november, the other part of me is saying "this is the best part of the year you daft woman, don't you DARE wish it away!" i'm gonna listen to that part and enjoy every day the best i can.

weather has been very cool and crisp here this last week, also lot's of rain, really heavy rain.

[Binger]

Interesting - I make it 80 days, 16 hours and currently 47 minutes. Where's the 4 hour difference.........:?

Doesn't matter, it's still only 80 days!!!!!


it got lost in the plaid.....

YABBA x 4

[Binger]

Hi All! Very chilly here also this morning. The kids are cute walking around in their Cars and Hello Kitty slippers. Saw some Christmas stuff out at the local Kroger grocery store. Just a few stocking gift holders and Christmas cards. Just another sign of how close.

I thought only Crown had Hello Kitty slippers...

YABBA x 5!

Hi ya Jay..

[SparkleNana]

Happy Sunday Friends.

I went to Ikea today. (How many countries have Ikea stores? I know it is lots of them.) Ikea always sets up a display of Christmas decorations. For the last two years, they have had lots of black decorations. the traditional-kind of straw Christmas decorations are in red and black this year. Some natural straw color mixed in.

I think Ikea has great lights in their Christmas section -- not the normal, small Christmas-tree lights. everything looks nontraditional to me. But I could have bought tons of stuff!!! However, I was being very virtuous and only bought the things I planned to buy (total around $16.)

By the way, at this store, Ikea had succeeded in training its customers to do self-checkout. The last time I was there, most customers were fuming and complaining about having to do their own check-out. This time, things went smooth as silk. (Of course, Ikea gives free coffee if you arrive in the 30 minutes before the store opens on weekends; and Ikea offers the best breakfast prices I have ever seen - so the customers who were there early with me, were very happy and content!)

[Crown 84]

I thought only Crown had Hello Kitty slippers.....
Meeeeoooow...ZZZZZZ!

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning friends!

Dom - I agree! Christmas seems much closer today!!!!

[Holly11]

Morning All! Been away for the weekend. Bought a couple of gifts for the kids. Couldn't find what I was looking for for husband.

Crown, I'm sure the Hello Kitty slippers look stunning on you!

[Crown 84]

Well, let's see if we can make it seem even closer, Sparkle!

Days to the Season: 38
Days to Christmas Day: 80.
Days to the 90% Season Mark: 1. (And that's the same as tomorrow, Yogi.) WOW!! The HOME STRETCH!!

And another milestone of a different sort has been gradually creeping up on us and is under 140 posts away - our record for Countdown thread posts for the year. Our prior record was 3,756 countdown thread posts for 2006 back on The Christmas Place (remember it, guys?). We would have set a record here last year but the thread was not launched until July. Even then, we still managed 1,957.
And it's only October 6th. We are going to shatter the 2006 record, folks!

Chilly but sunny here. We stand at 57 currently here in Raleigh at this hour.
No rain chance shown until at least Thursday.

OK. Another volunteer request!
The Crowns are heading to the coast to do some more work on our rental place tomorrow. Will need someone to do the count for Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Possibly Friday also as I am not sure whether we will head back here Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. If I have not posted by about 10:00 AM on Friday, whoever volunteers should post for that day too.
Thanks!

Have a Marvelous Monday, everyone!

[Cedarfarm]

Have a great time Crownster!!

cheesy

[Cedarfarm]

[quote=AuntieMistletoeDear;105834]:hello: Great to see you, Cedar! How's the project coming along?


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/ani_elves002onBike.gif



Hi Auntie!!

My 'REALLY BIG SHEW' (Ed Sullivan speak for you youngsters out there!) is coming up this Friday, Saturday & Sunday!!!! I've been in the workshop 24/7! only coming up for air (and beer) once in awhile!

Gulp... Gulp.....

[shelle02]

Time is just ticking away!
We had our first snow fall of the season this weekend. Ski slopes are revving up! :snowball:

[Binger]

well at least you came up for a good reason Cedar! Cheers.....

YABBA..x 6

[Binger]

ONE DAY TILL the 90% mark.. wow where did the year go? Just yesterday Crown was trying on their new hello kitty Christmas slippers on Christmas Eve..

YABBA..

[Binger]

hmmmm 4 posts till the 1,000 mark... and if we were still at Christmas.Com I think I would be over 5,000 by now...... think I'll go a super mocha java latte and celebrate..

YABBA

[SparkleNana]

Binger - I also celebrate very very special things with a latte. I can't even remember how I celebrated before lattes were invented. (Well, not invented,.. but before Seattle sent gourmet coffee drinks (and prices) throughout the world.

[Crown 84]

hmmmm 4 posts till the 1,000 mark...
Wow! Post fast, my friend. I would hate to miss your 1,000th!
But in case I do, C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S!!

[SparkleNana]

Good morning friends!

Wakey, wakey.

Please have as many cups of coffee, tea and/or cocoa as you like this morning. Our one-horse-open-sleigh ride may be a little bit bumpy. But - if you start to fall off - we will all pull you back on! You are safe with us!

[Crown 84]

Indeed, my friend, indeed!
And thanks once again for volunteering. I can now leave knowing the count will be in good hands!

Fifty-Nine degrees here in Raleigh at this hour.
No "windshield frost" yet but it should be on the way soon (along with the fall of those tiny little willow oak leaves, that gather in every nook and cranny of my car!).

OK, let's see, hmmmmm..... OH, YES!
The HOME STRETCH has arrived!! We have rounded the far turn and have started in a straight line for the finish!
Days to the Season: 37
Days to Christmas Day: 79.

Yes, folks, it's hard to believe that our Christmas Season count is now 90% complete.
(Didn't we just start it something like yesterday??)
Better start checking that Christmas gift list twice!!

Well, we are off.
See you here Friday or Saturday, depending.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do. (Well, OK Bing. You CAN drink some coffee.)

Have a Terrific Tuesday and a fantastic rest of the week.

[Holly11]

Chilly here this morning also. We're in that time of year when laundry seems to double. The kids need one outfit for the chilly mornings, but the afternoons get so much warmer that the long sleeves and pants are too hot. Small, small price to pay for the season getting so very close.

[shelle02]

This morning we have a chilly 33 (F). I had to bundle this kids up nicely. Suppose to get a rain/snow mix down here below the mts this weekend....mts already got their first snow this past Sunday.

[caseydbell]

I know a lot of people do Halloween, if you do enjoy your candy! I do not do Halloween, and because of that I am already looking ahead to the milestones that I wait for each year, besides the ones on the calendar.

November 1: Christmas music starts being played on T.V. music channels such as Music Choice & DMX

November 13: The Season Arrives! Which means we can officially start pulling out the Christmas stuff (if you are having family over for Thanksgiving, this is not recommended until Friday, November 28).

November 27: Thanksgiving Day! Remember watch the parade & football

November 28: Black Friday: The first official Christmas shopping day!
November 28: Today or maybe a few days or week before, radio stations that play Christmas music will kick off your Christmas season!
November 28: Holiday in the Park opens at Six Flags, if you have never gone you need to.

December 1: ABC Family’s ’25 days of Christmas’ Begins!

December 3: Rockefeller Center tree lighting (date subject to change).

December 24: Christmas Eve!

December 25: Christmas Day!

Obviously, all the wonderful things in December are not listed, I put my two favorites on the list. As you can see we don’t have to wait till December, things start in November!

[SparkleNana]

Caseydbell -- I love the November/December calendars you posted! It reminds me how much fun there is ahead of us!

[Holiday]

WOW!!! I haven't been here for 3 1/2 days & there are 1587 new messages!! :hello: Everybody must be in the Christmas spirit!! :-D

Hope you are all having a great week!!!!

[Holiday]

OK, let's see, hmmmmm..... OH, YES!
The HOME STRETCH has arrived!! We have rounded the far turn and have started in a straight line for the finish!
Days to the Season: 37
Days to Christmas Day: 79.

I can't believe we are on the HOME STRETCH!!!! :???:

[jollyhelperelf01]

I am one of those that 'do' Halloween but this year I can't get in the mood.. normally I am finished with the inside and concentrating on the outside.. this year i just want to skip it and go right to THE Holiday Season! Oh well, at least it's always Christmas here!

[Holiday]

I am one of those that 'do' Halloween but this year I can't get in the mood.. normally I am finished with the inside and concentrating on the outside.. this year i just want to skip it and go right to THE Holiday Season! Oh well, at least it's always Christmas here!

I really thought about not putting up Halloween stuff this year, but the bug finally bit me & it's all up now! My niece was over last night & she helped me, so it was fun!! :pumpkin:

[MsChristmas]

Im not really into the Halloween spirit this year either..not sure why. I did put out most of my inside stuff but I usually decorate my bay window really nice and this year I just put my one light up ghost in it. I think im too busy thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas cheesy

[Boogedy]

I did put up my Halloween decorations last weekend and I enjoy the month for all the horror movies playing on TV, but usually by mid-October, my mind has already skipped over the holiday completely and I am in the Christmas mood. :)

[Binger]

I see Crown already has their Halloween mask on.. very frightening.. OMG.. scary..

YABBA YABBA.. ohhh radio radio....

[Binger]

hmmm I bet Crown wentr off and forgot to pack their Hello Kitty slippers again.. hey Cedar.. can you loan Crown your Hello Kitty slippers....

YABBA YABBA... hi ya Cedar....

[Rennabelle]

Well if Cedar wont loan out her kitty slippers I will load Crown my Tweety slippers. ha
I have been decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving, when Halloween is over I just need to make a few changes and I will have all my Thanksgiving decorating done. Love decorating for these two holidays almost as much as for Christmas.

[trackrebel]

77 days to Christmas...just looking at this number....I´m getting very happy!!!

[SparkleNana]

Isn't it funny how much better Wednesday seems than Tuesday?

[caseydbell]

Morning all! It was 50 when I left the house this morning! Bring on the cold & the Holiday season!

[Lorn--xx]

I love this countdown, Im new to this and I honestly never realised that people love Christmas like i do.. i thought it was just me! :tree:
My boyfriend says im crazy.. but now i know there are more lovers out there i feel much better! Hope everyone is well..

Can't believe how close we are to Christmas now! :merry:

[Undrtakr]

Lorn--xx yeah my Wife thinks Im crazy about Christmas too :P Oh well. haha

[Lorn--xx]

Lorn--xx yeah my Wife thinks Im crazy about Christmas too :P Oh well. haha

Well we can be Carzy about Christmas together cheesy

MERRY CHRISTMAS

'If you can't be crazy about Christmas.. what can you be crazy about?'

[Lorn--xx]

I ment Crazy ... typing to fast there obviously! Sorrrrrry!

Ho Ho Ho xxxxx

[Holiday]

Just dropping in to say :hi:

Hope you all had a great day!! :)

[HolidayHoney]

:hi:Hi Holiday!!!! Have a great evening(whats left of it)!!!

[Rennabelle]

Hello and Happy Holidays to you. Our evening is brisk here. We had to start our gas heater. sniff sniff. But suppose to be in the 30's tonight and snow down to pass level. brrrrrrr

Welcome to the countdown Lorn--xx you have come to the right place, we all are Christmas fanatics here.

[CharlestonNole]

77 Days to go.......Good morning all!!!

[Lorn--xx]

OHH DEAR.. IM FEELING VERY EXCITED TODAY!!

:snowball:

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! cheesy

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning! Happy Thursday!

Rennabelle - They were predicting "snow down to pass level" for last night? Is that the big mountainous curving really long drive between Oregon and California?

I remember that drive from when gas was cheaper in the USA -- and flying was cheaper and more pleasant. That is one pretty darn impressive pass between Oregon and California!!! I do not think there is anything like it on the east coast.

[Holiday]

Good morning!! It's tough to get use to this being 7:13 am & it's still dark outside!!! We are supposed to have beautiful weather for the next several days with temps in the low to mid 70's. But the evenings are pretty chilly!!

Welcome Lorn--xx! :welcome: I'm feeling excited today too! Lol! I ordered my hubby's Christmas present yesterday (I'm having it delivered to my work) & he is going to LOVE IT!! I ordered him a projector ~ our neighbors at the lake have one & we watch football games at night, movies, Nascar...whatever. My hubby made a big screen that hangs off of our trailer at the lake, so now we have easy set up, but we always have to use the neighbors projector. He has been wanting one for over a year now & I found a really good deal, that comes with 2 free (after rebate) pull down screens, a free (after rebate) ceiling mount & there was a $50 rebate on the projector itself!! I hope I can hold off until Christmas w/o him finding out!!!! I love it when you find the "perfect" gift!! When I saw the deal, I tried to call him on his cell to see if he wanted me to order it, but he didn't have his phone on. Then I thought ~ you dummy...get it for him for Christmas!!!!!! :???:

Well...I was going to post a pic of our set up at the lake w/ the big screen, but photobucket is down for maintenance, so I guess I'll post later...

Have a great day!!!

[Lorn--xx]

Holiday, how brilliant im glad youve found the perfect gift for him, as i know from experience its not always easy to get presents for men in particular! I have no idea what i am buying my boyfriend but just going to make sure i put back the money and when i find something he would like ill grab it with both hands and with my teeth too!

Im so glad i found this site i REALLY never realised people loved Christmas as much as me that they would want to talk about it all the time!

I think ill start writting the Christmas cards tonight.. a job find kind of exciting and i don't want to have to rush them.. i have the most beautiful cards, ill have to post a picture of one there lovely!

:merry:

[Lorn--xx]

Days to the Season: 35
Days to Christmas Day: 77


Thanks for the update Dom Im super excited now and i just can't hide it!

:) So FIVE WEEKS till the Season and its FRIDAY tomorrow.. could it get any better????? Think i might need to watch a Christmas DVD or Listen to a Christmas Song Tonight nowww!!

Ho Ho Ho!!

'It's the most wonderful time of the year.
With the kids jingle belling,
and everyone telling you,
"Be of good cheer,"
It's the most wonderful time of the year'

:busy:

[caseydbell]

closer by the day. Yesterday i was listening to the radio and a commercial said the longer you listen the closer we get to Christmas! this was the first mention of Christmas I've heared on the radio, man I'm getting excited!

[SparkleNana]

:elf: Caseydbell - that was exciting to hear on the radio! It kind of gives a jolt to realize that people OFF these boards are thinking about Christmas too! A very happy jolt, that is!

Wow - 77 days! Isn't 7 supposed to be a lucky number? So we are all double lucky? Yeah, that seems about right!

[Holiday]

Here is a picture of the big screen from Saturday night, when we watched the Bucks outside at the lake! The picture on the screen doesn't look as clear in my picture as what it actually is.... This picture doesn't do it justice...

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/bucks_fanatic/94d7d4ab.jpg

[Holly11]

Holiday, my husband would be so jealous if he could see your incredible set up. He is a Buckeye fan through and through. Watching them with such a screen would probably be more than he could handle (picture a kid with big eyes in a candy store, then multiply it).

We have on beautiful fall day here. Bright blue sky, light breeze, cooler temps. Doesn't get much better (well, snow on Christmas would obviously be much better)

[caseydbell]

There are quite a few people on for mid-afternoon, setting here on MMC & watching Christmas shoppe on QVC. Should be cleaning the house right now....guess I'll do it after Christmas Shoppe is over, I can't help myself, I'm just in the Holiday spirit.

[Holiday]

Holiday, my husband would be so jealous if he could see your incredible set up. He is a Buckeye fan through and through. Watching them with such a screen would probably be more than he could handle (picture a kid with big eyes in a candy store, then multiply it).

We have on beautiful fall day here. Bright blue sky, light breeze, cooler temps. Doesn't get much better (well, snow on Christmas would obviously be much better)

Send him over for the October 25th game!!! ;-) It really is fun! ALMOST like being there!! :)

[Lorn--xx]

Im sooo excited!! for me there is only 8 and a half hours left of my friday here in the UK and an hour and a half of my work day! yessss! The weekend is nearly hear.... and so is Christmas xxxxxx

:tree:

[Holiday]

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! :D I hope you all have a great weekend!!! I can't believe how close we are to CHRISTMAS! now!!!! :sparkle:

[SparkleNana]

:hi Good Morning, Friends!

It is so wonderful to hear the holiday excitement in your voices -- caseydbell, Dom, Lorn--xx; Holiday11. And Holiday - I LOVE the big screen setup you have! It looks so friendly and warm, with room for your neighbors to come over and sit in comfort, and watch the game with you!

[clarebear]

Hope your all well! HAPPY FRIDAY!! :dance:

[SparkleNana]

QVC did a Christmas show this morning, and they have another from 5:00 to 7:00 east coast time. Then tomorrow, QVC seems to have a lot of Christmas shows. The first is from 10:00 to 2:00. Is this their usual pattern? to have so many Christmas shows this early in October?

[Binger]

usually they are on the 25th of the month... and usually in the evening when they run... say 8-midnight...

YABBA ART ART ART YABBA

[Binger]

my 1000th post.... I'd like to thank the academy for this honor.. and to all the little people.. especially the littlest of them all- Crown.. who so enjoys a nice 17 hour nap.. and to Jay... may you paus du lux forever.. and naturally to the Plaid Dominatrix of the forum Maureen.. may your stripes shine forever.. and to Dom.. mini Crown without the naps.. andto Cedar.. may your puzzle saw forever.. YABBA to you.,... and to Auntie... who inspires me to become more Canadian.....bless all of you... thank you.....

YABBA YABBA YABBA YABBA....

[Maureen]

the Plaid Dominatrix of the forum Maureen


I have SO got to work that into my signature/avatar/everyday life!!!!!!!!

Here's to the next 1000, my opera-penning guru!!!

[clarebear]

lol, Congrats on you 1000 posts Binger!! :dance:

[clarebear]

Aww, I love your sig and avatar as it is Maureen!! :)

[Maureen]

Don't you think, underneath the "MMC Chat Hostess" bit, a small but telling "The Plaid Dominatrix"??!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could have a word with Auntie MD and see what all sorts of clever animated things she could come up with to suit my new description.......

The mind boggles!!

[clarebear]

lol

[SparkleNana]

Maureen..... about "The Plaid Dominatrix...... I say...... YES!!!!

[SparkleNana]

Binger...... Happy 1000th..... And Many More!!!

[caseydbell]

have a great night all!

[sila]

hi guys back again and lookimg forward to xmas
i have a week of work and im going to do xmas shopping !!!

[JOHNOR]

can you believe it? i cannot get over how quick the season has come back around this year, we are almost mid october! give it a week or two and the christmas adverts will be on tv. cheesy

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning, Friends.

Johnor, you're right, the season is here and we are loving it!!!!!!

[Crown 84]

my 1000th post....
Ah! Congratulations, my coffee-soaked, opera masterpiece writing pal.
In honor of this singular occaision, I will even lift a cup of java to you in toast. (Won't drink it, of course, but I'll lift it!)
Carl also congratulates you and would like me to tell you that he is sending you a gallon jug << only one gallon, Carl?? >> of his latest experiment - a coffee-breadfruit blend I was afraid to ask too many details about.
(He also wants to know when your next opera installment is coming and......um.......what his part will be.)
That darn camel will not be satisfied until he has the starring, lead role! I told him it's not going to happen but he's relentlessly hopeful (that narcissistic camel!).

Well, we had a good visit to the coast. Everything is in ship-shape and the weather cooperated. No rain until the day we left (yesterday).
Speaking of the weather, we stand at 64 currently with overcast skies.
No further rain is predicted for today, however.

Wow, Dom, what can I say? Great job with the count as usual.

Count? Did I say count??
Let's check on it, shall we?
Days to the Season: 33
Days to Christmas Day: 75
Hey, Hey, Hey!
What do you say?
The season begins one month from the day after tomorrow. My, My!

Have a Stupendous Saturday, Christmas friends!

I hope your weekend's made a great start.
Is that Christmas song on your lips?
Is the spirit in your heart?
(With apologies to Autie!)

[Crown 84]

And look, everyone!
In only 66 more posts, we will break our all-time Countdown post record!
Keep those messages coming!

[HolidayHoney]

Hello Everyone, I do have a Christmas song on my lips today! Up On The HouseTop..........

[teddy.fergason]

:munch:MMMMMHHHH Turkey is cooking and smelling good now i know the christmas season is very close. Plus we had some snow. :snowball:Well merry christmas. Hope the season doesnt fly by to quick.

[HolidayHoney]

:munch:MMMMMHHHH Turkey is cooking and smelling good now i know the christmas season is very close. Plus we had some snow. :snowball:Well merry christmas. Hope the season doesnt fly by to quick.


Merry Christmas to you!! I can almost smell the turkey/dressing/gravy/.....aaahhhhh

[Binger]

Hello Everyone, I do have a Christmas song on my lips today! Up On The HouseTop..........


click click click.. let's go to STARBUCKS>..... ( is that it?)

[Binger]

ok ok OPERA coming due to my 1,000th post... hmmmmm. how to revise the darth vader evil tea drinking NC charatcer...hmmm.
yabba yabba today's the day.. good luck...
xoxo

[SparkleNana]

:elf: Only 33 more days til the Season!!!!!

[Holly11]

Holiday, thanks for the invite on the 25th!

Is it really only 33 days until the season starts?! I have to get to work. So many things to plan. So many things to do. So many places to shop!

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!

[caseydbell]

Ok, I'm looking forward to stuffing, have a great day everyone.

[HolidayHoney]

click click click.. let's go to STARBUCKS>..... ( is that it?)


Nope, but your idea sounds good!!! cheesy

[teddy.fergason]

Merry Christmas to you!! I can almost smell the turkey/dressing/gravy/.....aaahhhhh

oh im going to eat the turkey , the mash potatoes and gravy, the stuffing, and last but not least the cranberry sauce there is other stuff that i didnt message but it started to make me hungry so i couldnt go on haha.

[CharlestonNole]

oh im going to eat the turkey , the mash potatoes and gravy, the stuffing, and last but not least the cranberry sauce there is other stuff that i didnt message but it started to make me hungry so i couldnt go on haha.


That sounds so good, I can't wait!

[sila]

weird i cant click last page to see the last post it just gives me the internet explorer cant display the page error message so i have to post something using page one
hope that makes sense
morning xxxxxxxxxx

[JOHNOR]

hey sila,

i have the same problem. not really sure why?

hope everybody has a lovely, relaxing sunday. i could really do with a peppermint coffee from starbucks, that would make me feel incredibly festive! :treeguy:

[SparkleNana]

Good Morning, Friends.

Sila and Johnor - I have the same problem. I have to hop my way up through the posts. It is a small price to pay to get our morning greetings!

Wishing everyone a beautiful Sunday.

[Crown 84]

Well, Dom, in less than 2 weeks, our Crabtree Valley Mall shopping center will start putting up their Christmas decorations. Always a nice kick-off to the holiday season around here. I will be sure to post a photo or two in the Christmas Blossoms thread.

OK, our count for the day:
Days to the Season: 32
Days to Christmas Day: 74
(Wow. Look at that. The season arrives one month from tomorrow.
Hard to believe, isn't it?)

A sunny and calm 60 degrees outside here in Raleigh at this hour.
Rain threatened all day yesterday but I did not see a drop fall.
Should be nicer today.

Have a Super Sunday, Super Friends!

[Annette1990]

Good Morning Friends...
It's been snowing here off and on for a few days now. We have about 10 inches or so total. Talked to my sister this morning (she lives about 1hr. from me) and she has 2 ft. of the white stuff. Took this lovely pic. the other day. I hope everyone has a nice Sunday!
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j85/annette59011/OctoberSnow2.jpg

[Lorn--xx]

thats a lovely picture... ohh im so excited about Christmas!!!

:rudolph:

[JOHNOR]

annette, that is stunning!

i take it you have been wrapping up warm in that weather?

[Wenceslaus]

Annette, now the Mickey Mouse animation in your signature area looks like it's sledding right out from the photo. Perfect!

[Boogedy]

Lovely shot Annette! Can you imagine if that tree had lights on it? Now that would REALLY be something!

Today I am going to try to finish the stocking I am sewing for my dad. Anyone else have Christmas-y things to do today?

[caseydbell]

Afternoon Everyone, hope you all have a relaxing Sunday.

[RadioJonD]

Great photo Annette!

Binger, may your next one thousand posts drip through the grounds as fluently as the first 1k!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Good Morning, Friends.

Sila and Johnor - I have the same problem. I have to hop my way up through the posts. It is a small price to pay to get our morning greetings!

Wishing everyone a beautiful Sunday.

The reason so many members are having difficulty reaching the last post is due to the number of posts that have accumulated while we've been waiting to greet "the season".

I get it around it in two ways. 1. is simply click on the first page and then click on the last page from there and it works. If I missed a few pages I can double back from there.
2. Is to use my history and click on the last page I visited in the Countdown thread and it directs me there.

:cry: Nice shot, Annette - I'm hoping I don't see any white stuff for at least another month. I guess if it's going to be freezing cold, I'd rather have some snow.

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Binger, don't forget to thank the caffeine that has kept those fingers tappin' out those posts.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Feng%20Shui%20Stuff/mz_4708413_bodyshot_175x233.gif

Congratulations on reaching 1,000 posts just chatting about Christmas, coffee, plaid, sleep, the shispering pines, etc.

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

:hello: Hold on there folks! I'm not suggesting by that image that Binger is a she.

That's me after only one cup of java.


YABBA JAVA YABBA!

[sila]

morning everyone xxxxx

[Lorn--xx]

One Month to the season...... Can't wait!! cheesy

' Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.. '

:tree:

[Holly11]

Annette, it is supposed to be 84 here today. Your photo was just what I needed to remind me of how close we are to the season! Thanks for sharing the beautiful shot.

Thanks to all for keeping the Christmas Spirit alive! I always seem to be happier when I log off of this site.

[Crown 84]

Good Morning, Friends!

Let's get straight to our count, because our Season begins exactly one month from today!
Days to the Season: 31
Days to Christmas Day: 73
.....Like sand through the hourglass.....so are the days to our wonderful Christmas Season.

Cool this morning with the temp standing at 56 here in Raleigh.
It's sunny and calm, though, and should be a nice day with the temp topping out in the 70's. I'll take it!

Have a Marvelous Monday, fellow Christmas travelers!

[Lorn--xx]

Its so close i can almost touch it....... EXCITED!!

:snowball:

[Lorn--xx]

Woooooooo

[JayIsh]

Hi guys!!!

I'm back from an incredible trip...My brothers and Father and I chipped in to take my Mom to Rome to see the Pope...And we did, and she did...We got back last night and I'm at work already today so my head is spinning mightily but I wanted to say hello at least...We were literally fifty feet from Pope Benedict during his weekly audience...My Mom cried just about the whole time...He blessed us, and all those in our minds and hearts...So all of you got a blessing from the Pope~~ A breathtaking trip that I'll remember forever...And especially the big smile on my Mom's face...These are the moments that make a life and I enjoyed every one of them...

Binger, congrats on the big 1000!!!

[Holiday]

Good afternoon!!!

Jay...so cool that you took your Mom to Rome! What a chance in a lifetime!! I can't imagine how THRILLED & special she felt!!!

[Crown 84]

Wow, Jay!

[SparkleNana]

What a wonderful day!

Jay - wha a wonderful trip for your family! And thank you so much for including all of us in the blessing, and for keeping us in your heart and mind! Right back at you! Many blessings to you and your family!

And Dom - Dom, Dom, Dom.....A month? You say... A MONTH? Only a month until the season!!!!!! Wow! That is good news!

Blessings, and wishes for a happy day to all!

[JOHNOR]

thanks jay! what a fantastic trip, that's what life is all about. she must be a special woman your mum?

say my first christmas advertisment last night - wow, just WOW! it's so close!!!!!!!!

:tree:

[caseydbell]

have a great evening all

[ChristmasLovers]

A month? Already? OMG! Time to plan the lights!

[SparkleNana]

Dom, I second that. Thank you for the countdown, Crown! it helped me keep the faith through July and August, which are endless months for me.

Good Morning Friends. there is no ice here (since it is 80 degrees outside). But - I feel like I just walked onto a huge sheet of black ice - and I'm completely out of control. I feel like .....things won't be perfect.... I can't control it all........ There isn't enough time........Waaah.

OK. I feel better.

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting "black ice" - I will explain it. I think I will explain it wrong, so please correct me. Black Ice occurs when it has been raining (and it is nighttime) and everything is black and dark and shiny. (And you are on the highway, driving 60 miles an hour.) Suddenly - the temperature ahead of you turns to freezing and the water on the road freezes. Cars suddenly slow to 5 miles on hour. Except for those first cars and trucks to hit the ice. They often slide off the road. Those vehicles careening off the road are a warning to the cars behind thm that something is up.

[Crown 84]

Aww, shucks!
My little thread is nothing without your and everyone else's support.

We are colder here this morning than you are, Dom, with our temp standing at 54, currently.
A good morning for leaf raking, just to get in the seasonal feel!

Our count:
Days to the Season: 30
Days to Christmas Day: 72
Can it be? Yes, it can! We are now UNDER a month to the begining of the Christmas Season.
Got started working on that list, yet?
Getting the dust off those decorations?
Finishing dowloading your favorite Christmas songs on to your MP3 players? (I just finished the latter - 4 1/2 hours of solid Christmas music!)

Have a Terrific Tuesday, everybody!

[Crown 84]

Hey!
Only 20 posts to go to our all-time Countdown post record count!

[SparkleNana]

Crown - that is so cool!!!! More and m ore people here - sharing ideas about all the good things about Christmas!!!! We like it a lot!!! Thanks you!!!!

[caseydbell]

Good Morning All! wow 30 days till the season officially starts! cant wait to count down the HOURS & MINUTES to thseason, its great fun. Hope yall have a wonderful day.

[Undrtakr]

I was at the mall and they have Christmas trees all setup and lit for sale!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

Greetings Christmas Enthusiasts! Last day of vacation for me. Back to work tomorrow. The weather was great. Today's weather is another story.

If it was snowing outside it would be a blizzard. It's so windy 40-50 KM/H with gusts to 90. Brrr! And I have to get out and vote today. Ick. The rain has been off and on, but the wind hasn't subsided much since this morning.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/ElfNorthPole.gif So, I'm thinking about Christmas and still thinking about turkey since yesterday was the Canadian Thanksgiving.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/AuntieMistletoe/Holidays/TurkeyLady.gif Grab a fork!

[AuntieMistletoeDear]

:hello: Good to have you back, Jay and thanks for the mention. Bet your mom was thrilled.

cheesy Onward to the merriment I go ...

[Annette1990]

Good Day! A busy day here today. The snow has finally melted away and we are now pouring concrete for our basement floor. About 44 out now and blue skies. Luckily s/o has helpers on this project. Looks pretty messy to me. I will stand back and take a few pics. instead....*L* Have a good one!

[clarebear]

Hello everyone :D

[JOHNOR]

hi everyone!

absolutley bucketing it down with rain here in england, it is getting dark so early..... cheesy

holidays are comin', holidays are comin'

[Lorn--xx]

we had a few days of sunshine over the weekend but now its back to the rain and its soo cold, came out of work at 5 and it was getting darker... horrible! but a true sign that the Chrismas season is sneaking up on us..... xxxx

:rudolph:

[SparkleNana]

It is 80 degrees here today. HOWEVER - that is wonderful weather for children going trick or treating. So - I hope the weather stays pleasant until after Halloween.

By the way, the government has made Daylight Savings Time after Halloween again this year. (Second year in a row.) Very good idea!!

[Crown 84]

Nine more posts to the record!

[Undrtakr]

8 more ;) Days are shorter and the leaves are falling! Christmas will be here soon!! CANT WAIT!!

[Maureen]

7 more! I took my chest infection and dogs out for their last walk (it was a very slow walk!!) and discovered a Christmas store has opened about two blocks away from me!!! It might not sound much you you should see the size of my town. Non-existant!!! I'll have to go back in daylight and see what plaid goodies they may have for my ornament buddies - despite already having something....

More to the point, how did I miss the opening of a Christmas store - am I blind???!!!!!

[Undrtakr]

Maureen - We forgive you for not seeing the Christmas store. Just dont let it happen again lol heh

[HolidayHoney]

5 more! We had beautiful weather today. Good Evening to Everyone

[Binger]

Maureen- the plaid probably blinded you.. it happens....

YABBA...

[Binger]

hmmmmm should I stick around and make the record post? hmm.. I sense a speech coming.. where I once again thank all " the little people.."

YABBA

[Binger]

or maybe take it down to 1 and allow Crown.. when they wake up tomorrow afternoon to see the record..... yes.. that's it.. be a humanitarian.... yes...

YABBA .

[Binger]

ok ok..so one more post and we hit.. I will give my speech anyway..

I Binger.. being of sound mind and fantastically sexy body.. do hereby annoint the next person as the record breaker.. be it the spandex of Jay... the sleepiness of Crown.. the plaid of Maureen.. the puzzle master of Cedar... the dudle do rightmistress of Auntie....

YABBA YABBA YABBA YABBA....

[Jeff Westover]

There's a record being broken and I don't know anything about it?

[Lorn--xx]

This countdown is brill... really does get me through my work day.... sad i know!! hhaaaa!

Ill be posting some picture tonight when i get in.. was going to do it last night but didnt have time with the parents coming back from there holiday...

love to all my fellow Christmas Lovers xx

:rudolph:

[JOHNOR]

maureen, try and get some piccys of the christmas store.

morning all! i had a NIGHTMARE last night, i have had this nightmare about 4 times a year since i was about 11 now.

what happens is, i wake up and it is christmas eve, i have missed all the build up, all the shopping, all the christmas movies and music. i swear, it is the most terrifying dream to have : (

[Lorn--xx]

Ahh thats a horrible dream....!!!!

Its so weird that youve been having this dream for years.. suppose its one of your worst fears!!

[SparkleNana]

The Record Is Broken!!!
The Record Is Broken!!!
Tra La La Tra La La!!!
The Record Is Broken!!!


Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray!

[irishsnow]

What record???

[Maureen]

Hey!
Only 20 posts to go to our all-time Countdown post record count!

This record!!!!!!!!

:dance:

[irishsnow]

This record!!!!!!!!

:dance:

Very good

[Lorn--xx]

Im so happy that we broke the record everyone, well done x

[SparkleNana]

The Record Is Broken!!!
And - unlike the stock market --- we are going to go Up! Up! Up1

[Lorn--xx]

Yes thats very true SparkleNana... i hope your having a wicked Wednesday xx

[Lorn--xx]

ho Ho Ho

[Crown 84]

There's a record being broken and I don't know anything about it?
Yep. Jeff. And you were the poster who broke it with that message!

Wow, guys! We have shattered the all-time post number record and still have over 2 1/2 months to go!!
Just one problem. We will be setting a new record that will be even harder to break next year. (But it will be fun to try!)

Speaking of records, let's check our current countdown record tally:
Days to the Season: 29
Days to Christmas Day: 71
My, my, my! Down into the 20's to the Season. Four weeks from tomorrow.
Time is just racing by, folks.

Coolish here but sunny. We stand at 56 degrees with sunny skies at this hour here in Raleigh.

Our annual state fair opens tomorrow afternoon and runs for 11 days.
A wonderful kick-off to the holiday season around here.
And yes, they usually do have some Christmas displays. (Maybe I can snap a pix or 2 for the Christmas Blossoms thread.)

Well, Holiday, here we are together once again at the peak of the week.
I can easily see all the way to the weekend and......can it be??....are we just starting to see the Season not so far away now in the mist??

Have a Wonderful Wednesday, friends!

[caseydbell]

The record has been broken! (its only Oct.15) & we still have 2 weeks of October, then November and up till December 25. We're going to have some record! Have a good day all. 29 days wow, I'm so ready....actually Iv'e been ready since mid September

[kelly ann]

70 Days to go!!! Ive seriously got to start shopping!!

[caseydbell]

Wow, guys! We have shattered the all-time post number record and still have over 2 1/2 months to go!!
Just one problem. We will be setting a new record that will be even harder to break next year. (But it will be fun to try!)



Crown, we just need to get started earlier in the year!

[mac55]

So what factor determines the start of the season?

[Lorn--xx]

excited!!!

[Holly11]

We are really down to the 20s for the start of the season count? My son just asked for paint for his stocking. He's starting to gear up. That's my boy!

[Holiday]

Good afternoon!! I placed an order this morning that pretty much finished up my Christmas shopping!!! I have a few things to get yet (wouldn't be fun to go on our annual Christmas shopping trip & not have any presents to buy!!!) but it feels pretty good to have bought what I think are some pretty darn nice gifts this year!! It's getting so close now!! :-D SO EXCITING!!!!

Hope you are all having a great Hump Day!!! I do believe from the peak I can see past Friday & on to a glimpse of "the season" up ahead!! Check out that view!! Wah Hoooooo!!!
:merry:

[Lorn--xx]

Woooo Im looking at the view now to... im VERY excited!!! wooo

[Crown 84]

So what factor determines the start of the season?
Post #1 of this thread will explain it all, Mac.