Everything to do with XMAS!

[Bob Maxey]

You are morose this evening. Has Santa p...d on your parade?

I'm glad you still like something. I'm fond of his singing too. I hate the commercial side of Xmas but after the c....py year I've had, I need something to look forward to. No money as usual so it will just be food and family this year.

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Nothing wrong with just food and family, Hayles66. As for Santa, I have a personal relationship with Santa. I love the guy, but I kid the fella from time to time. Santa is cool.

To be clear, I love Christmas. I love Elfs, Elvis, Bing, Christmas pudding, roast goose, last minute shopping. I love the eight tiny reindeer and their 32 tiny cloven hoofs, Christmas Carols when done all proper like by qualified singers and backed by a kick arse band of trumpeters and flautists and little drummer boys. I like kissing random wimmen under the Missle Tow, (Tow Missles, as well, by the way) and especially, the traditional naked Christmas Pagents and The Feast of Twelve Sins.

I loves me Christmas. I want to try spending a Christmas in England, Scottland and/or NYC. Not sure why, but not Bethlehem.

 

[Hayles66]

Oh that's good. I was getting worried about you. I just watched The Muppet Christmas Carol. I love Michael Caine as Scrooge. Classic.

Scrooged next! Bill Murray. Love him too.

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[AdmiralAdama]

Hoping global warming favours my part of Canada with snow on Christmas Day and New Years only.

National Lampoon Christmas is cued up and ready for Christmas Eve.

AA

 

[Hayles66]

Oh yes. I was a late watcher of that movie with Chevy Chase. Saw it last year so will see it this year too. We started tonight.

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[Bob Maxey]

Who here has watched "The Man That (or who) Saved Christmas?" Starred George Costanza in a true story about a real company. One of my favs.

 

[Bob Maxey]

What about old TV programming? Andy Williams Christmas Specials starring the Osmond Brothers. Not a fan of either but I recognize and absolutely respect the talent of Williams and the Osmonds. Andy's voice is about as flawless as a voice can get. Ain't Christmas without it.

 

[leelai]

I do love Christmas Hayles and right now ours is always large but I know that will surely change with time and circumstance. The girls will one day leave home and begin their own lives as will all the nephews and nieces, so while it's like this I will continue to enjoy it and come what may. I forgot to mention our 2 cats and dog also get a stocking filled with special treats for Christmas, the girls could never let them miss out.

Most of us will then head down to the Gold Coast and celebrate the New Year there together also. It's really a time for family and friends.

To Bob, you are one amazing story teller, your Christmas sounds extraordinary to say the least.

So glad everyone loves Bing at Christmas.

 

[Kaykaykay]

The commercial side of Christmas can be good.

My friends and I spent one Christmas Eve delivering a bonanza of Christmas gifts to a needy family. They were overwhelmed -- tears, smiles and thank you's. At one needy school I donated a mess of gifts to, I later heard that the older kids traded their gifts so their younger siblings would receive gifts instead. Every year, my husband and I donate money for needy families. It's great to know that a bit of money can make some families' Christmas better. And it's always fun to see kids open their gifts, and to receive their thank-you drawings and notes.

My husband and I rarely bother with gifts for each other. It's amazing to have enough to share with family, friends and even those we don't know.

 

[Bob Maxey]

I do love Christmas Hayles and right now ours is always large but I know that will surely change with time and circumstance. The girls will one day leave home and begin their own lives as will all the nephews and nieces, so while it's like this I will continue to enjoy it and come what may. I forgot to mention our 2 cats and dog also get a stocking filled with special treats for Christmas, the girls could never let them miss out.

Most of us will then head down to the Gold Coast and celebrate the New Year there together also. It's really a time for family and friends.

To Bob, you are one amazing story teller, your Christmas sounds extraordinary to say the least.

So glad everyone loves Bing at Christmas.

Naw, I just talk a good story. I am complicated in unusual ways. And cranky, do not forget cranky. Fairly harmless.

We need to forget the stuff that some people only think is important. It can be difficult with kids expecting loads of stuff from Santa. For me, I could care less about presents just as long as they are costly and rare and grand. A good dinner and a few friends is all that matters. Well, that and the family, but one must include them; I think it is a law or something.

Think about our troops that do not necessisarily have a Christmas filled with joy. Sometimes their Christmas is filled with gun fire and bombs and crutches and a life without limbs or worse, funerals. Not to be a downer, but in contrast, a terrible Christmas for me is usually a far better Christmas than a soldier's Christmas spent in a hospital. Let no family wonder what those two uniformed soldiers walking up the walkway and knockin on their door will have to report.

You can find lists of names of soldiers and the hospitals they are in on the web. For those inclided to spend a little time, writing a letter to our men and women that do not have it so good right now is a very nice thing to do. Makes them feel good and ditto, you, the writer.

On a brighter note, I am looking forward to the Christmas Concerts. I really want to be in a Christmas Play. And I want peace on earth and winning lottery numbers.

Bing rules!

 

[leelai]

So true Bob. My dad was in the air force and spent time in New Guinea. I have friends in the Forces also but none are over there at this time. It is a very sobering thought but what a lovely idea to send some greetings to them. I will put that on my list.
I always enjoy your postings, so spontaneous and whacky. You have a wondrous mind. You really do.

 

[Hayles66]

I just heard Andy Williams announce he has cancer! Of the stomach, I think! How sad. I love to play his music when I'm feeling mellow or late at night. That and classical FM radio.

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[ipadbraincell]

I love Christmas, have 5 grand kids i can spoil rotten.

I live in the UK, years before the grandkids we went to Zalma Zee, Austria by coach.stayed in an establishment called 'The Water Fal'l.

We arrived 8 hours late, but the hotel owners cooked us all a fresh dinner, we were then invited xmas eve to share the owners for Xmas Eve.

There were 2 women, i assume mum and daughter who sang carols, then they lite real candles on a real tree in the dinning room, gave us all a small token hand made gift, it was like i'd imagine an Edwardian Christmas.

Bing Crosby - pah! This was a real deal White Christmas.

 

[Bob Maxey]

I just heard Andy Williams announce he has cancer! Of the stomach, I think! How sad. I love to play his music when I'm feeling mellow or late at night. That and classical FM radio.

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That is very sad to hear. When I was a wee lad, I was on the Captain KC show. That was a local kids show produced in Utah, at KSL Studios, as I recall. Some of the Hotel Balderdash crew worked there and most here likely do not know that show. I had a chance to meet Mr. Williams. Then, when I was in "The Music Man" at Valley Music Hall, he was there as well. Love the guy, a monster talent.

See IPF . . . you did not know you had a star for a member. I now demand more respect.

Smiley.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

We watched the Andy Williams Show as a family. Enjoy his rendition of MacArthur Park and Moon River.
AA

 

[Hayles66]

Watched Scrooged last night. Great movie. Slightly dated now but I love Bill Murray. So over the top!