:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: to all.

Ah, so sad.

We gave our daughter a cactus in her stocking.

nm :)

I have to disagree with you on this. I started dating my husband when we were teenagers, and we are still married 20+ years later. I've said this before and I'll say it again: I have done many stupid things in my life, but marrying him was the best decision I ever made. I agree that the amount of texting you are describing sounds extensive, and obviously the disobedience has to be dealt with. But as far as a relationship between the two of them goes, I personally don't see any reason to discourage it, especially since you've said you really like her.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: and prayers. I am so sorry.

Merry Christmas!!!

I'm so sorry, Garga. You are the coolest. Try to let their disapproval slide right off of you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Unless her children have chemical sensitivities. If some kids ate a bunch of chemical-laden food on Christmas, it is not exaggerating to say that it could ruin their day.

In older European legends, Saint Nicholas was accompanied by a demon who went by names like Black Peter, Krampus, Dark Helper, Knecht Rupprecht, Pelznickle, etc. Some of the characteristics of our American Santa Claus have more in common with Nicholas' "Dark Helper" than with the saint himself. (The helper comes down the chimney, has a long beard, carries a bag, and punishes naughty children, for example). When Thomas Nast illustrated Twas the Night Before Christmas, he based his Santa Claus not on depictions of Saint Nicholas, but on his childhood memories of St. Nicholas's helper. The two characters have melded over time and were already doing so long before Nast's depiction. "Ho, ho, ho" is a phrase that can be found in mythology, so I suppose it's not surprising to have a giant and a "jolly old elf" saying it. It was a common exclamation of the character Puck, who is variously depicted as a fairy, a hobgoblin, an imp, or a demon. In the morality plays of the 15th and 16th centuries, the devil also usually entered with the line, "Ho, ho, ho, what a fellow I am." I find this sort of thing very interesting!

Truth. They don't care, and/or they think... It's all in their head. A little won't hurt. They're so mean to not let their kid eat that. She's probably just picky. I can eat it with no problems. :banghead: My sympathies, OP.

OP, I've found that I get the best turnouts when people are reminded at least once or twice shortly before a social event. Honestly, the need for reminders seems to be a generational thing. Don't take it personally, if you can help it. I'm glad your daughter was okay with her picnic. :grouphug:

LOL, me too. Sadie, I have always pictured you as cool. :coolgleamA:

Darling!!! Do you think he might have some dachshund in him?

A Dollie and Me nightgown fit my daughter's Bitty Baby just fine. However, it was a pullover style and Bitty Baby has a bigger head than AG, so it required a little wrangling. :)

I like Christmas. We keep it very simple: We put up a tree, a nativity scene, and few other special decorations. We have a few string of lights up outside because my child likes them. We do two stockings, one for my child and one for our dog. I don't bake cookies. We buy a few special ones. :) We buy gifts only for our immediate family and for our parents. We don't do Santa. Our families don't feel we have to get together on Christmas Day--we get together whenever it suits everyone. This tends to spread out our celebrations. We stopped mailing cards this year. Idk. When I was a little girl, decorating the tree, seeing outdoor Christmas lights, and opening my stocking and presents made Christmas plenty magical. I think my child feels the same.

Girl, don't waste your money. What you have is fine. :)

:iagree: I personally would be totally fine dispensing with gift-giving between adults in my family. I don't need or want surprises or anything extravagant. I enjoy being with family and enjoy eating holiday yummies, and that's enough for me.

Yeah, I meant that your mouth was probably irritated by some sort of physical trauma, likely the suction thingy. I agree with the PP that it sounds like a mucocele. Wikipedia says salt water rinses can help, but you said you've tried that. This site says to wait two months to see if it resolves, but if it's really bugging you, I might just have it out and be done with it.

That kind of thing can arise from irritation in the mouth, even from just being slightly allergic to an ingredient in toothpaste. It will probably go away by itself, but what a pain. :grouphug:

.

I'm just so glad you are all okay.

Amira devotes much of her time to helping refugees. I am sure she has no nefarious intentions.

Yes

We've enjoyed James Herriot audiobooks. They are quite funny and especially good for animal lovers and Anglophiles.