Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy Hanukkah! Today, the skies parted and there was sun! I didn’t make it out of the house today. But it is starting to look like I might live! I hope you are all enjoying this special holiday with those you love. And if you are not, (or even if you are) you can always join us here. We are a merry (um not usually) band of misfits who will be here for you over the holidays.
This will be the Christmas of HAM for some of my family. I don’t know if I bitched about it here or just on Twitter so my sister wouldn’t see but I ordered a fancy ham and had it sent to my sister’s house for Christmas. It’s a strange gift idea but my sister is the matriarch of my family. She has five kids and grandkids and tons of friends that are family and a whole tribe of Brazilian extended family.
My sister is a great cook. She makes Sunday dinners every Sunday and there is always a house full. So she has a lot of people to feed during the holiday season. So, ham number one got lost. Like D’artagnan had no idea where it was. This never happens with them. So they said they could issue a refund or send another. Well today she got two hams. So um, all’s well that ends well? I am hoping to go for a sister visit soon. Perhaps a day or two after Christmas. I really want to see her tree! She has big balls. LOL. She lives in a split level home and the den has really high ceilings so she gets a HUGE tree and thus… she needs big balls.
Sorry I didn’t do the Best Christmas Tree Contest This Year! Click here to see the Year we did that!
I also got a call with my brother today. When I lived in Libya, he was in high school and went to boarding school in Switzerland because the US school where I went to first grade through fifth grade ended with grade nine. He was kinda my whole world as a kid so I never really got over him getting married (he’s ten years older than me) and becoming more than just my brother. My older siblings were back in the US and married and he was kind of my person. I wanted him all to myself. Now he has kids and a grandchild on the way! You may not have noticed but I can be kind of a bitch. 🙂 So it was great to talk to him about football, and kitchen renovations (I am so not going to do it) and life and stuff.
Anyway, the sun came out today in Atlanta. And I am forever grateful for sunshine, Christmas, my family, and especially my Internet family. Thanks for putting up with me for another year.
OH! And I forgot do ask. Do you have a themed Christmas tree? I once saw a beachy tree in one of my mom”s Southern Living magazines when I was in high school. I started buying fish themed ornaments at a young age. Some of my favorites are from the dollar store. I bought A LOT of them. I haven’t seen them in a while but they are I think made of bamboo and are very colorful.
Then I got real jobs and started buying hand blown glass fish. I have a shit ton of money invested in glass ornaments.
One Christmas very soon… hopefully on a beach.I will put my tree up. I also have a set of lobster dishes somewhere that I put away for “my beach house” that must be used soon.
What is your theme? What traditions does your family have for the holiday season?
I gave away all of my Christmas stuff after my kids were grown and gone. This year I bought all new stuff after not putting up a tree for 15 years. I have a carefully curated tree decorated in only white and red and it is beautiful. White lights, red and white ribbons around the tree as garland. A variety of red or white ornaments, lambs, cats, angels, reindeer, Santas, Cardinals, snowflakes. I just love it.
That sounds really pretty. Candy canes would look great too with that color scheme. My partner and I did a bluish-green theme this year. He got a Douglas Fir and I decorated it with blue lights and ornaments ranging from aqua to blue to blue metallic in various shades. The silver star on top blends perfectly. The colors remind me of the cold winter air outside while we are warm & cozy inside! Happy Holidays everyone! ❤️??
This doesn’t answer the question but I just wanna let you know that I’ve been reading this site for a long time and I think it’s awesome. And you’re cool so thanks for having it
I’ll second this! Wishing everyone some love , peace and laughter…Thanks TT and all of you…
MERRY CHRISTMAS, TAMARA! Thank you for bringing joy to my day, every day for years! I wish you, Banjo, and all your people much happiness in 2020! ❤❤
I have an angel themed tree…my favs are my angels made of cotton bolls. Merry Christmas!
Mine is 4ft, kids are gone an its just me I still need a tree , white lights and poinsettias my favorite flower. Merry Christmas, and thank you for your blogs!!!
Thanks Pat! You should comment here more. xo ~tt
We have two small trees with lights next to big windows so just keep them up all year. My mom does one with our traditional ornaments in the living room, some rotating theme in the so,arioum and glass balls on the second floor. Pretty, but I am not organized enough.
Merry Christmas Tamara. I’m happy to see that you’re feeling better. We all love you.
I have a tree with all bird ornaments and tiny bird nests. Merry Christmas to everyone and I am definitely having a white one.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. I hope 2020 is a better year for all!
Hi, Happy Christmas. I am trying. Growing up, Christmas, and holidays in general, were traditionally eventful, not in a good way. I have not really done any of them since my parents died, but I kind of want to. I have been working really hard at building a life in the past couple years, and I was doing OK with the holidays this year, but kind of lost my shit today. People who I thought were MY “people” have not been a part of my life for a long time, and my family is not close. It is technically OK for me to have moved away from toxic relationships and relationships that did not help me grow. But, it is hard to find to new people when you are 50, I think. Not just for people like me with umpteen steamer trunks of baggage. I am working on cultivating new people to have in my life, and figuring out how to not be a fucking spaz when someone actually likes me. I thought I was going to make it through just great this year. But, I lost my mojo over the weekend. My house is a mess, I am emotionally exhausted. I spilled my coffee all over myself and my car this morning and I started to cry. My sister, the only family member I have contact with, is coming over, and I cannot find any scotch tape to wrap presents. I am experiencing this as a much more significant failure than is warranted. OK, saying all that helped. Off I go, to find some sort of adhesive substitute solution. Thank you for posting this Tamara, I am happy I found it.
” I am working on cultivating new people to have in my life, and figuring out how to not be a fucking spaz when someone actually likes me. ” That last part is totally me. I’ve given up on the first part. I’m going to watch Green Book and probably fall asleep during.
I like you and I know a certain Stan that does too ❤️❤️
I was thinking the same thing, that part is totally me too. What’s funny is that I literally just finished watching Green Book! Loved it, now watching a Smithsonian Channel documentary about the Green Book.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all y’all ❤️
❤️❤️❤️❤️ Hoping you find the tape and everything else you need ❤️❤️
It’s harder to meet people the older we get. They have their lives squared away. The only place to meet new people seems to be bars or AA.
I hope you get through without being a spaz and have a very happy 2020.
Sweet friend,
Good for you for being resilient and hopeful by trying to forge positive relationships and refusing to give up. Be kind to yourself when you experience setbacks. We’re here and rooting for ya!
Merry Merry Christmas and wishing you all good things from your friend in Alabama.
Agreed, it IS difficult to make new friends as we get older. I went back to school last year at the ripe old age of 61 to get my Masters in mental health counseling. I now have a LOT of friends who refer to me as “School Mom.” It took some getting used to but, I am settling into this new me, kind of like a new pair of shoes, needs some breaking in. Happy Holidays to all and never, ever, ever give up. 🙂
Getting rid of toxic relationships will lower your stress. I’m going to be moving this year, and have 20 years of goldfishing in this house to get rid of. Is not a hoarder, but damn I managed to gather stuff. Has donated to the library and Good Will.
Merry Christmas to you, and you’ll make it through.
No tape, but I did find very nice tissue paper. So that was close enough. It worked out very well, and we had a really nice day. Usually we get Chinese food and go to the movies. I was so afraid I was going to be watching CATS. I saw it on Broadway, it is just too, bleh, cutesy, for me. Luckily, sister is broke, so we stayed at my house, ate chili and watched John Wick,which I really liked. It is a pretty good shoot ’em up, and I have had a celebrity crush on Keanu Reeves for over 30 years, so WIN! Thank you lovely stranger friends on the internet for your kind words and encouragement.
Regarding your original post, I just have to say that I totally relate to it. Like all of it! I, too have difficulty making new friends over 50, steamer trunks of baggage and act like a spaz if someone is nice to me or likes me, and don’t have MY people anymore either through death or by choice because they were inauthentic/toxic. I don’t, however have a sister to spend time with or talk to. So, I’m happy your day with your sister was nice. I’m just glad that Christmas is over and all the stress and expectations that go with it! Counting down the days to 2020… this past year kicked my ass! Time to BREATHE! xo
Oh and some asshole is having a loud party and shooting off fireworks.
Oh god….I feel we live in the same place at times….ok, many times. The fireworks and my oldest dog….I can’t even put into words how this goes…Thank you for what you give even when it’s no t easy.
Merry Christmas Eve, good people. I truly appreciate this site and all of your wonky comments. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to you all! My tree theme is called “keep the toddler from breaking ornaments” so it’s 3/4 decorated. The bottom has lights and paper ornaments that the older kids made in school. We so fancy here. We host Christmas so it will be me hobbling around cooking and trying not to be snarky to my in laws. My tongue will be bleeding by the time they leave ?
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Hi Tamara, Merry Christmas to you and Banjo! Thank you so much for owning, operating, tech supporting, and writing for this awesome site! It’s gotta be a ton of hard work, and we appreciate so much everything you do.
You have so many fascinating stories and are such a great writer. If you ever write your autobiography, I’ll buy it in a New York minute! Until then, I’ll look for your stories on here.
Hope you make it through Christmas week safe and sound and have a wonderful 2020!
Thanks for putting up with all of us and giving us this space. I’m back in Orange County for the winter holidays, and I finally made it to the sushi place at Fashion Island today because why not. I spotted no Housewives today, but I now understand why Heather Dubrow did an event here (I want to say RHOC Season 11?).
This isn’t exactly the holiday season I was hoping for, but it’s the one we have. Thanks for giving me reasons to be cheerful tonight.
Happy holidays to you!
My Christmas tree always has my faith ornaments on it…the season is about the birth of Jesus after all! But, this year, the only other ornaments that went on were the ones from the places I have traveled. So, I guess you could call it my travel tree.
I will be heading down to Charleston in the New Year…for a family wedding on January 4th…On that same day (I believe) there is a gathering to honor Naomi Olindo’s late father. He died from the same horrible disease that took my husband two years ago, esophageal cancer. Wishing her family strength and God’s peace in the days to come…and hoping they will find comfort in this season of light.
Happy holidays, all! We had Christmas today at our son’s house with his family and our daughter and her fam. 3 darling little girls; 18 months, 7 and ten years between them all. We had a lovely afternoon with them, came home and did our little Christmas together. Tomorrow morning we drive 3.5 hours to be with my family 🙂
Happy Holidays to you and Banjo and all your followers! So happy I found this site too! Just the best! ❤️
Agree! Love this site and its wonky worldview. Lovely to be part of it. Happy Holidays all!
You are more beautiful than Cinderella. You smell like pine needles, and have a face like sunshine!
Merry Christmas, Tamara and company. ?
A truly Merry Christmas to you TT! Thank you for being a gossip blog I can trust more than the president (a few years ago that would’ve been really saying something!). Jokes aside, you threw me off with football I trust you even more now – as long as you’re a Niners or Falcons fan!!
Cheers!
I’m more of college football fan… UGA and Clemson.Rooting for them both.
Ya’ll if you haven’t seen Green Book, Showtime has it on Demand now. Such a great movie. I the piano playing alone is fantastic. I actually cried at the last performance of the movie. It’s a great road trip movie with a message. And it ends on Christmas Day so it is a good time to watch!
Taped it earlier and just finished it! Having to mop up my face. I love this movie and am about to watch it again with my three daughters. Absolutely amazing movie! Thank you for the heads up and hope you’re having a great day.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Merry Christmas everyone.
Merry Christmas Tamara and friends! I didn’t put up a tree this year. I’m afraid my 20 pound rescue cat, Kuro, will attack the tree and destroy 40 years of collected ornaments in one crazy kitty dive bomb! Also, my knee replacement that was scheduled for December 19th was cancelled again because of some other health issues, so I’m in pain and cranky. I declined my daughters’ invitations and I’m staying home alone with the crazy cat, my dogs, a ton of shrimp and a couple of bottles of Prosecco. I will devour said shrimp and bubbly in bed while binging Netflix all day. Kitty will get some shrimp and I made meatballs for the pups! The girls will come down next weekend and force me to be festive and jolly, but I’m actually looking forward to my lazy day tomorrow with my fur babies!
Now I feel like a shitty mom for just giving Banjo more Lamb wet food because I do not have it in me to go to the store for more kibble. He seemed to enjoy rice and fancy Lamb wet food (buy one get one free).
TT you need to check out Instacart. You don’t need an app all you need is your computer. I’ve been using is as a personal shopper while laid off, but it’s really good if you are sick, tired, don’t like shopping, or getting things you can’t carry. They deliver anything within two hours.. usually.
Also I got a new job! I went for fingerprinting late last week and will hopefully start soon after the holidays. I am so thankful.
I tried Instacart a while back when trying to send food someone online. It was kind of a nightmare. And IIRC there was a big delivery fee.
I loved having Whole Foods Delivery for a bit but that was outrageously expensive.
They have unlimited delivery for $14.99 a month, in my area at least, but there does have to be a minimum. Maybe your area is different since we only have five stores total who use it in my city ?
That’s still almost $200 a year. I’m a miser. I stack every little bit away I can for travel. I am trying to lighten up a bit now that I am OLD AF.
OH AND CONGRATS ON THE JOB!
Thank you!! I would go shop for you for free if I lived closer! ❤️
@JustJenn, Congrats on the job! Yay! I know you have been stressing about that. So happy for you. Best of luck with it! ?
I’m so glad to hear about getting a job! Congratulations!
Congrats on the new job. What an auspicious way to begin 2020! I hope it just keeps getting better.
Merry Christmas Tamara, Banjo and everyone here!
Your sister’s house sounds lovely, warm, cozy and fun. I’m glad she received two hams and I’m sure she is too. I know I would love that as a gift.. delicious!
I can’t believe the Christmas tree contest was only two years ago, it feels like it was a long time ago. I think I was just coming out of lurking at that time after many years.
My whole life, my family always used to do just Christmas Eve, then just relax Christmas day, but my sibling and I changed it to Christmas Day for some reason.
When I was a child ‘Santa’ came Christmas Eve while celebrating. It was something! By coincidence, when my siblings and I would go into one of our bedrooms, all of a sudden there was a lot of banging, like an elephant dropped into the house, it was real loud! A lot of commotion would be going on while ‘Santa’ was dropping off the presents. For some strange reason, hmm, my siblings and I couldn’t get out of our room when he arrived. (someone was holding the door shut.) lol
One time on of the Christmas Tree contest was all it took for me to know I could not choose. Maybe next year we will just show off our trees?
Yeah, that was fun. I remember it being hard to choose myself, b’c they were all so pretty, and I didn’t know how you were going to choose among so many pretty trees. When I looked back tonight, my favorite was #15. But, they were all so pretty!
I’d also like to take a minute to thank those of you who sent stuff for Lawn Kid. He got a lot of it but we are in the process of setting boundaries.
And some of you people are RICH. lol. While Lawn Kid got the bulk of it, there are items left over. Some have already gone to a family on my street. And they will get the remainder of the puddings and fruit chews and such. I’ve already given them a few gift cards from a VERY kind reader. I am pretty sure it was the difference from three of my favorite kids I see going back and forth from school everyday having something to open for Christmas.
Thank you everyone who sent things. What you may not know is that I didn’t always know who sent what. So I wanted to say thank you to all who sent things. It was a bit overwhelming to me with the response.
I still have another load to share with my neighbor with the three beautiful kids.
What I have come to realize through all of this is that some of you need a bit of help too. So if you need one of the gift cards to CVS or Kohl’s or Target… email me @ tamaratattles on gmail. I suck at mailing shit. Like What is stamp? lol. So it may take twenty forevers. Or a may give them all away IRL. But it’s worth a shot to ask!
Yay! Made it home! Ho, ho, ho! My little red sleigh is dirty and covered in snow but she pulled right in to the garage, unloaded her plunder and now I wrap as she melts…
It’s Christmas Eve, I do wish I had a little one to read to tonight, maybe next year…
Merry Christmas TT and friends, I have to function a few times tomorrow but I’m sure I’ll be back tomorrow night!
XXOO,
Kipper
God having to function is my worst nightmare.
Yup, brunch at my parent’s at 11, I’ll be drunk by 12, then supper for my family where my youngest has invited her boyfriend! Umm, she offered to help clean the house too, lol.
Ham it is, it’s easy, green bean casserole and maybe mashed potatoes, probably gonna boil, butter and dill ’em though, little fruit, coffee and cookies for dessert, viola, then jammies! (and any leftover prosecco).
Luv u girl.
Have fun Kipper!! Dinner sounds delicious and it’s always fun to be with family. I know you work a lot and it’s nice to see that you have off to celebrate and enjoy your family.
Thank you Laila. I love your name btw. Only a few more presents and I’ll be down for the count.
My parents are in their 80’s. Still together, hosting and traveling a lot. I couldn’t ask for better parents. I want what they have. I’m good at keeping up appearances.
LOL I was once taken home for Thanksgiving? I think and just passed out on the couch. The hotel also stole my Xanax at the most inopportune time. When you have chronic anxiety there are two choices. Xanax or booze.
I got WASTED. It was bad.
Hopefully it is long ago enough to say… I broke up with him because he was gay. I literally told him that and he freaked out and said WHY DOES EVERYONE SAY THAT?
I don’t think he was willing to acknowledge that. He talked shit about me in our online circle and then immediately married a girl named Tammy.
I hope they are living happily ever after. SO VERY GAY.
Oh and he had custody of a girl and said he would give her up for me. REALLY?
I hope he didn’t have any other kids. It’s more than a river in Egypt. Gay men love me. Especially the closeted ones. I love them too…..but just not like that.
Afterward he told everyone that I was fat and I didn’t even care! Imagine that. lol! PS I am way fatter now.
I mean I wish I could marry a lot of gay guys. Just not those in denial. lol.
I remember my Mama talking about how gay guys love me. Then one night I went to a bar with my gay sister and she told my mom, ” It’s not her fault, every gay guy in the bar came up to her.” Like it was a problem.
IT EVEN HAPPENS ON THE INTERNET.
And Gay men have literally kept me alive. We have a bond I cannot explain. They are the only people in the world who get me. Like really get me. And it’s a space where I can be me and pretty much nothing I do is wrong and I get a lot of support.
I can’t explain it. But I am ever so grateful for the acceptance….
No explanation necessary. Nice to hear about your experiences though!
Am quietly snickering under my comforter so I don’t wake up my husband. Can relate to soooo much of your post but just love how you write. Funny as Hell! This post is my fave Christmas gift.
Much much love to you Miss Tamara and Merry Christmas!
My worst nightmare too. I used to function so well, now not so much. I am also afraid (the night owl that I am) that I will not wake up in time. I’m in charge of appetizers and dessert! Talk about pressure!
Oh, and all the grocery stores are packed, like ridiculous. Do people only shop when there is a storm coming and Holidays? I don’t get it. GO HOME! I wanted to scream in the store.
I braved Walmart on my lunch break for a few more stocking stuffers today, hello? A fricking nightmare! 2pm, I’m starving (or I think I am, when is lentil? I pray I get into this dress tomorrow!)
I should still be bagging stocking stuffers (stockings? Overflowing because it wasn’t going to be about us this year, epic fail on my part).
You are very brave. lol I would never go there. I have a local grocery store that is expensive, but didn’t have the items I needed, so I had to go to the big grocery store that’s even packed on a normal day.
We say this ever year, no more with the gifts, but no one listens. lol
I’m sure your dress will fit fine.
So much for us to worry about for just one day. This is why we all get overwhelmed.
Kipper… I think we should at least do LENTIL in January or so…
It helps me get my shit together. And um… shit is happening. I need my Lentil girls.
I’m here for lentil season!
YOU could start the Official Lentil Season ANYTIME! Because Teresa is too stupid to follow anything written here and the only people who know that Lentil was about Lent wouldn’t CARE if you start it early!
I just made keto cheesecake for our family Christmas dinner. It is EVERY BIT AS GOOD as regular cheesecake. Keto cheesecake is the PERFECT way to bring a delicious “too-lean” low-carb dinner up to the “enough fats” keto macros. Mmmmmmmmmmm GOOD!
I will be ready for
The Lentil after Jan 1. Appetizer City over here. Please remind us when it starts!
Jesus. I am so oversharing. Stay tuned for more stories like this when I travel again.
I could have sworn I shared my story about NYE with Sebastian and the hilarious bicycle ride back with y”all here or maybe I was trying to keep people from knowing I was in Paris?
You mentioned you were in Paris, but not sure if you told us at the time. I wouldn’t. Everyone would of asked you a million questions.
I might recall a bicycle ride. I know you love their ham and cheese sandwiches.. it’s always about the food with me.
It was actually NYE. I was there for quite a bit.
So let’s call him S. lol. He is one of those kinda snotty men who run the show and the front desk. So on NYE we went to a gay bar. It was shit loads of fun, So much fun that the metro closed before we got home. Short story he tried to ride my fat ass on a bike because that was all that was available. He was young and hot and for reasons I will NEVER understand dateless. Though many guys offered.
But bless his heart getting a fat girl back to the hotel on a bicycle was um CHALLENGING.
I don’t remember the whole thing but he had to drop me off way before the hotel and I had a bottle of champagne for breakfast.
It was THE BEST NYE ever.
When I go back to that hotel totally expect to see him. And we might get up to more shenanigans, I’ve stayed at that hotel many times over the last decade or so and somehow, they always remember me.
“Somehow,” indeed. I bet you are the favorite guest ever. I bet the employees entertain each other all making up stories about what you might be up to with every visit. And I bet the REAL stories are always better.
The last time I went to Paris was sort of a nightmare. I met this very nice man at the airport. He was in first class, I was in middle cattle class. lol. But at baggage check he was taking the train into the city. I thought that sounded fun. It was a disaster for many reasons. I had also drunk booked a hotel room for eleven nights because it was very cheap and the reviews were good.
So I clunked my luggage UP TWO FLIGHTS OF STAIRS after getting off the train. Got a bit lost looking for the hotel. Found it and the room was claustrophic and I was in full blown panic attack. I cried and left.
On foot. I cried my way through Paris trying to find the K+K on by the Rue de Bac metro. If you have the luxury of not having panic attacks you may not know that sometimes you break out into PANIC ATTACK SWEATS. Panic attack sweat STINKS.
Like two hours later, I went up to the counter and asked for a room for ELEVEN NIGHTS. That took them some figuring out while I sat in the very nice lobby.
I am quite sure I am know as that crazy drunk American woman who travels alone.
But they are very sweet to me. Sometimes I sleep through the “not really free breakfast” and they would either sent it up for me, or offer it to me when I came out of hiding. And some days I just sit in my room and smoke cigarettes on the balcony or watch foreign TV all day with the DND sign out and the front desk would call my room and ask if they could get me anything.
I feel like the Queen of Sheba at that hotel. Next time I might have to splurge to stay at the George Cinq for just one night. But K +K Hotel Cayré Paris will always be my home and it totally worth the money.
Your panic attacks sound absolutely horrific. I’ve had many but they were associated with times of severe personal trauma. You traveled abroad expecting “a fix” and in a way, you got one. But damn! I curl up when I spiral down, I would buy something online but getting out of my protective position and travel abroad? No. You are one brave lady Tamara! You have the tales to tell too!
I am usually fine when I travel. It’s weird. GETTING MY SHIT TOGETHER TO GET TO THE AIRPORT is TRAUMATIC. But once I am having a cocktail in the Delta Sky Lounge, I am in my happy place. Actually the last time I had a fancy car and driver (it was not that expensive) to get me to the airport and that was kind of fun and fancy and something I will do again. It’s actually cheaper than paying for parking and my car is in the driveway making it look like I am home as usual. No fear of flying (but may be passing on Boeing in the future) I do get a bit claustrophobic but usually only on the way BACK for some reason.
I rarely have panic attacks when traveling to distant places. I often have them at the grocery store three miles from my house.
I’m weird, I know.
I was right, there was a bicycle involved. I remembered the story, but each time your stories get better and better! I absolutely love your travel stories. You are not the crazy American traveler, you are a fun traveler. It’s weird, I get panic attacks going to the store, but stick me on a plane to go anywhere and I am just dandy!! lol
Oh goodie, a Christmas thread. Here is my report on Countess and Friends Christmas show. It was fabulous, totally fabulous and cool. Her show had a Christmas theme since it was so close to Christmas. Countess Luann announced she was supposed to come to River Spirit Casino in June but we had floods in Oklahoma and I kid you not the casino on the river went underwater by a few floors. The place was closed for weeks.
First her appearance, she is gorgeous, she is tall, she is in shape, her arms are not the least bit jiggly. Luann looks exactly like she looks on TV only prettier. Her first dress was a beautiful low cut sequined red long dress that was sheer from above the knees down. Her next dress was electric blue, sort of a silver blue, also long and beautiful. Her third outfit was a jumpsuit, sorry I forgot the color, it’s been a minute or two since her show. She had her hair pulled back for the jumpsuit outfit with a very long pony. The last outfit she wore a green dress. All her outfits have the typical Jovani look that she wears on the RHONY when she does her Cabaret show. Her movements are incredibly graceful and fluid as she performs. Every outfit had statement necklaces, some had gloves, she wore a lot of other jewelry for each outfit change. If you want to see photos of her at the show Google Tulsa World, Countess and Friends. They have over a dozen of all angles of the red dress and her performance, very nice photos.
Now about the audience, the Paradise Cove venue holds 2700 people. I was sitting middle of a middle row, everything in front of me was full. The back part was about 60 or 70% full. I can’t guess what the total attendance was but I would say it was a good attendance considering the cancellation of her first show in June and that this show was just days before Christmas on a Friday. A lot of people had Christmas parties and family events that night. The audience was primarily women. The men fell into two categories, their wife made them come and then the rest of the men came with other men mostly and they were hard core Luann fans. One man had a jacket with Luann’s face on the back. In fact nearly everyone that was there except for my friend and the husbands were total Luann fans. These people came to see the Countess. A few people in the audience randomly yelled Jovani and it was completely annoying to me but Luann took it in stride. Fortunately it wasn’t a constant yelling during the show. I need to emphasis the audience overwhelming loved the Countess, every song and story and joke was wildly cheered.
The venue has several tables and open floor area on the floor right in front of the stage. Nearly every woman sitting at the tables wore sequins or dressed up to the nines and they were super enthusiastic singing the songs and standing up dancing. A lot of the audience wore sequins including some of the men. Luann noticed and mentioned it. She talked about what an eventful year she had, married, divorced, arrested. She mentioned it all, she makes light about her ups and downs but was also serious about it too.
Luann engages with the audience a lot, she called out the sequins, the guy with her face on the jacket, people dancing and singing along. She tells personal stories and mentions a lot of RHONY stuff. Right before she sang her girl code song she made it crystal clear that song was mostly inspired by Carole Radziwill. During a Q&A she was asked her least favorite housewife and she said without hesitation Carole. She had a Q&A session with the audience, the guy with the microphone covered all over the audience. She said Sonja was her favorite housewife, someone asked her if she was in a relationship and she said she was single and enjoying her alone time and getting to know herself. She was asked for selfies and what she was doing after the show and she told people she could be found at the blackjack table. Someone invited her for a drink at one of the many casino bars and she politely declined and said you can find me at the blackjack tables. I don’t know if she went as my friend and I did our gambling before the show.
Believe it or not my friend loved the show even though she has never seen a minute of a Bravo show. The Countess is entertaining independent of the show. Luann knows how to keep the audience’s attention, she sings, dances, jokes, tells stories, shares her life and does a Q&A. She has earned the success she is experiencing with this Cabaret show. Countess indicated that she has a new song coming out with Desmond Child ( “Livin’ La Vida Loca”, Bad Medicine, I Hate Myself for Loving You) called Viva La Diva after the first of the year. She said Sonja will return to some of her shows with a new game called Marry, F, Kill. That is how she said it too, she never said the complete word.
The Countess had two guests, a comedian named Jade Catta-Preta who neither my friend or I found funny. Her schtick pretty quickly descended into jokes about sex and what I call potty humor which I am not a fan of. The piano player sings, but the other singer she had on the show was David Burnham, he sang songs with her and also alone. He has a great voice and jumped off the stage to dance with one of the women in the front tables. Everyone liked David Burnham.
Luann sang all of her songs and some Christmas songs. Countess Luann may not be Adele but it matters not, she is enchanting and entertaining. If you are a Luann fan and have a show close to you, I can recommend going to see it.
Lovely review! Makes me wish I had been there and I’m not much of a Countess fan. Thank you so much for sharing.
Excellent review! Thank you MsCarlyTx!
This was a STELLAR review. You MENTIONED IT ALL! Sometimes, with a good review, you say “I don’t need to go now.” Sometimes, with a GREAT review, you say “Now I REALLY want to go!” Now I REALLY want to go!
Happy holidays to you! Thanks for the “gift.”
This should so be a post and not a comment remind me tomorrow?
Okay sorry, I am not a great writer so I just slipped it in. I will remind you. I am spending Christmas alone this year so I did a crazy random thing and posted on Nextdoor does anyone need a home cooked Christmas dinner? I had to close the thread quickly, I got several responses. I am now delivering meals to a Group Home, 3 families in need and two single elderly ladies tomorrow by noon. I cooked giant hams, loads of mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon. I also bought rolls and cookies.
You are amazing.
I second this ! Amazing and kind.
MsCarlyTx You brought tears to my eyes. You are an angel in this world, and I happen to be writing you as I am currently at work in a Group Home early Christmas morning. Fortunately for my clients, though, we are STOCKED from soup to nuts for multiple feasts. Have a marvelous Christmas and phenomenal 2020. Thanks too for the Countess review! My favorite city of housewives!
I was told due to house budgets the Group Home only had food for a regular meal and the employees were trying to pool their money to create a more festive meal. I am going to see how this goes tomorrow, they have 3 ladies living there for medical, mental reasons and 2 employees at all times. I may become there holiday meal cooker when I am available. My Son lives out of state and we don’t do every single holiday together.
*their* holiday meal cooker. I do know the difference, silly typos.
You FUCKING ROCK the holiday spirit. Bless your everloving heart! The way you are going, I predict YOU will be the belle of the ball next Christmas season.
MsCarlyTx, you’re a good egg. Hugs to you for having such a big heart!
Loved the review of Luann’s show too. I really enjoyed the details about the dresses, hair, and accessories as well as about the other guests and the audience reaction. Fun reading.
Merry Christmas to all!
I survived delivering meals to several different total stranger’s homes. I went into some sketchy parts of town, let me tell you. I really bonded with the group home people. The caretakers gave me a tour and introduced me to the adult ladies they are caring for. I think I am going to cook special meals for them on the holidays I am in town.
The group home was in a good part of the city, the duplex was nice and had a lot of windows to allow the sunshine in with a cute side and backyard. The house was immaculate and the furniture was looked great. Not at all what I pictured for a group home, I don’t know what I expected. People fight zoning so hard when they want to put a group home in and after visiting one I don’t know why. The house and yard are taken care of so the appearance of the house couldn’t bring down the value of other homes.
These people aren’t mentally ill or any kind of threat to the neighborhood. These ladies are mentally challenged due to birth defects, injuries and health issues and need constant care. I’m going to be this group home’s food champion for some holidays in 2020. Going there was the best part of my Christmas day.
Your posts, and the posts of others were the best part of my Christmas day.
MsCarlytx, thank you so much for this. I absolutely love what you are doing. You’re an angel on earth. Many blessing to you. You brought joy to people on Christmas, and it is such a wonderful thing. I am so glad it brought joy for you too!! I just love this so much!!
Wow!! You are so cool!! Just amazing! And a better writer than you see to think. Merriest of Christmases to you!
Hey….I’m crying happy….that is beautiful.
Love This!
Checked out my favorite Paris hotel and they have really upgraded. But I want to stay there for a month and kind of want to stay at the George V for one night… And then I will figure it all out.
Figure it out and tell us all about it!
I’m going to bed now, hopefully I fit in to my planned dress tomorrow.
Lentil? I see you.
Merry Christmas, Tamara, Banjo, and everyone here at Tamara Tattles! Just checking in before I nod off. Hubby and the fur baby cats are already all snuggled in. It’s quiet and I can type in peace.
I can’t decorate inside because of all the cats so my tree goes outside!
This year I purchased two 7 ft. tall blue juniper trees. Hubby likes the wild and bushy instead of shaped so they are just growing wild. One is taller than the other so that’s hubby’s tree and it’s decorated with glittery yet rustic ornaments and my shorter tree is blinged out and dripping with pearls and all shiny things. Hubby likes blue lights so everything is blue, silver, white, and gold. Two kinds of blue lights. I love decorating for anything and XMAS is a no holds barred holiday and I tend to go overboard! Lol
I hope everyone has a Merry & Bright Day today especially you, TT!
Sounds so beautiful! I wish we could all see your trees! 2? How cool LaLaFly! Merry Christmas!
When I do have a tree, it is a Blue (blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue) Christmas tree. Charlie Brown tree, the one no one else wants.
Merry Christmas!
I’m gonna have to read through all your posts again tomorrow because to be frank, I’m lit as fuck right now.
So, as I think I’ve said before here, I’m an only child and single. Both parents still alive and still married to each other. We host Christmas Eve at their house. My folks are getting on in years, so a lot of it falls on me. I only live about 20 minutes away, but I try to come to their house on the 23rd to stay at least until the 26 or 27 (ok.. the latter half of that is so I don’t drink and drive to be honest)
My mom got to feeling bad (something she ate, was fine when guests came) so I was literally running from room to room to finish stuff. I should mention my mother and I WAAAAAAAY overplan shit and also plan for way too much food, so that adds to the chores.
So, as the evening was settling down… guests were full and happy and visiting, and I had the first load of dishes already loaded in the dishwasher withdout my mom even knowing.. I decided to make myself a cocktail. A Gold Rush. A delicious concoction of honey syrup, whiskey, and lemon juice. Hit the spot.
People started leaving, and the few lingerers and my folks were talking, I went to check the kitchen, cleaned up a few more things, and decided to make myself another Gold Rush.
Folks, I had forgotten that I had put my homemade lemonchello out in a mason jar (more is in the freezer as we speak). It had melted completely, and I stupidly thought it was my honey syrup. So I made a new cocktail of whiskey, limoncello, and lemon juice. Now you all know why I’m drunk and NOT finishing up my wrapping at close to 1 AM! I people left hours ago. I can’t bring myself to finish my last bows and ribbons.
But I”m finishing up my cocktails!!
Nostrovia! (Only whatever the Italian version of the bastardized Russian toast is.)
Who needs a bow when you have a cocktail? Hope you enjoyed your Christmas, it seemed like you did a lot. Everyone here does a lot for friends, families, strangers. I love you all !!
Merry Christmas TT! To you and Banjo! Enjoy the day, thank you for being you!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Season’s Greetings to everyone here including the lurkers! May you all have the holiday you hoped for, spending it however makes you happy and best wishes for the upcoming new year! Peace on Earth and all that Jazz! ?❤️
Merry Christmas everyone!
I’ve began my festivities making a cheesecake and listening to my favorite Christmas song.
EVERYONE, but ESPECIALLY Kipper, should hear it. And sing along with yourself or your family. It’s on YouTube
Robert Earle Keen’s “Merry Christmas From the Family.”
Hallelujah! Everybody say cheese,
Merry Christmas from the family, Felix Navidad!
I just listened, quite a few versions cleaning off the driveway and my little Santa’s sleigh! Love and respect you for so many reasons Nanette but your personal music recommendations? I think you should be TT’s official DJ! Merry Christmas sister! I look forward to another year knowing you are here, on our earth, sharing with us your story.
Please don’t ever stop the music recommendations! I’m the person that breaks into song when I hear a verbal exchange, I start singing the song I know that has the word or phrase just voiced. I usually start music from my cart about 8am otherwise, people have to listen to me sing, not so great, I may know the words…but…no one needs to hear me, when they can hear the original!
Thank you for the kind message. As for music … if ever you see that Robbie Fulks s playing near you … GO. He is a gifted songwriter and picker and singer. But it is THE STORIES that make the shows beyond great. I once changed the dates of the trip Mom and I took to NYC to coincide with a show there. His eyes got all googled when he saw me not in California. (Wehave family reunions at Robbie shows.)
LOL! I play this song every Christmas! It’s on all my playlists. My bff that died gave me the funniest gag Xmas gift one year with gift bags of tampax, Marlboro lights, bloody mary mix, cheese and everything else, along with the entire album. It was hysterical! ?God, I miss my BFF.
What a GREAT PRESENT. Sorry your genius BFF died, but what great memories you must have. We could do a group song and dance and have props like they do for Rocky Horror Picture Show. Did you know there is a book too? It came out a while after the song.
Merry Christmas everyone!
My son suffers from bi-polar depression. His meds are finally working and we’re finally getting a break from this roller coaster. He’s starting to look forward to the future and wanted to decorate the house for Christmas. I was so excited that I gave him the option – decorate or take a trip. We love adventure So we’re traveling to DC today to hang out, get lost in the Smithsonian museums and enjoy each other for a few days. My ex husband is with us too, lol. I’m thankful that we can remain a family.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day doing the things they love to do. I enjoy each of your comments and TT’s no nonsense way of running her site. Luv you guys!!!
What a relief it must be for all of you that your son’s meds are working. Constant ups and downs is exhausting. I hope this is a whole new wonderful world for your son. And you and his dad. Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas
I have not seen the comments yet but want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
We will see out daughter probably cause there is cash here, lol from Santa.
Sons heading back from another all nighter with his friend that came from Ohio. Aside from daughter, shopping is done as wanted, so it’s all about the ham today, lol. And the pumpkin pie I just had for breakfast with my can of whipped cream!
We do things different, and our weird way, but it works for us.
AGAIN MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! ???✨❄⛄? (hugs to Banjo)
It’s a bit early, but I’m sipping on a Spanish rosé from a cheap wine glass I got from a winery tour. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Thanks MsCarlyTx for the review of the Countess. I enjoyed the bit about her being in shape and even her arms aren’t jiggly. She is so beautiful.
Merry Christmas everyone!
I have a fancy tree. I’m not married and don’t have kids, so I don’t have family ornaments or anything like that. My tree has all white lights and a garland of red poinsettia wrapped around and around. The poinsettia are each about 6-8” across. Then I have all clear, glass balls scattered around and a gold filigree star on top.
Merry Christmas TT!! Thank you for keeping me entertained and being my happy place, this year and every year since I’ve found your site. We didn’t get a tree this year but, we’re making a ham and homemade potatoes au gratin later. I hope you have a great day. Much love to you and all your fabulous readers/contributors. Xx
Cheers to TT on an amazing year . To TT and the TT family Happy Holidays and I wish you all a Happy Healthy New Year!
I will cheer with you my friend. Hope you had an great Holiday and a Happy Healthy New Year, lets’s throw a little Comfort and Peace in there as well. xoxo
Merry Christmas!!! Ham… yum! Always a welcome gift at Christmas.
It was 38 degrees (100 F) where I live in Australia for Christmas Day. We had breakfast outside and dinner inside in the air conditioning. Kids under the sprinkler, lots to eat and an afternoon nap. Perfect.
Side note. I was flipping through channels and landed on The Ellen Show. WTF has happened to Renee Zellweger? She’s lost a ton of weight, had some facial work and is….. um….kind of batshit crazy.
Also! STOP WITH THE L Word! (In this case Lentil) I was gung ho to start early and then I got like five hundred chocolate bars and a huge box full of homemade chocolate treats and more. I will barely be able to waddle if I eat all of this.
I fit in my dress so I’m happy to put off responsible food and beverages for a few weeks…
Only have to function once today after all! We’re all stuffed and daughter’s bf if going to his Grandmother’s for supper. I’m already back in my reindeer jammies.
I only drank one mimosa and one shot of acvavit, able to drive my little red sleigh, with my husband and daughter crammed in it complaining both ways..lol, I told them when I bought it it was FOR ME! They’ll eventually understand, lol.
Prosecco, TT and dvr here I come, I may just look for The Green Book, wanted to see in when it was in the theatres.
Merry Xmas ya’ll!
Mahershala Ali may be the best actor on earth. It’s a must see movie. I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was..
It was GOOD! I just finished watching, great recommendation, thank you.
I love him. He starred in the series The 4400, it’s on Netflix now. That is when I first noticed him and thought he was a great actor, very nice looking too.
His hands? So beautiful! Not kidding, he’s a fricking gorgeous man. The cars? Oh man remember the rear wheel drive cars in deep snow?
There is so much to this movie, the acting was truly amazing but the storyline is like daggers, then more daggers. It is refreshing to know there are really strong protective people on this crazy earth. Hard to see such hard truths. I love this movie.
TT, Well if Renee Zellweger is batshit crazy, tell her to join us. We can be, umm a little crazy here too.
Kipper, so glad that dress fit. I was getting worried b’c you seemed so worried about it. There is nothing worse (well there is, I’m just saying) that not being able to fit in your dress.
Oh and TT, I started Lentil in September this year. I’m skinny and cranky. I haven’t eaten a carb or sugar since I started. Eat the damn chocolate, all of it. It’s delicious. Then when you do lentil, start with your vanilla protein shakes in your coffee… and eat 95% cocao dark chocolate. I eat it while on this diet and I keep telling myself this dark, bitter chocolate is delicious. Ha!!
I forgot what bread and pasta taste like. It’s been so long.
I loved her in Judy. She was scrawny but I thought it was for the role. She’s almost as unrecognizable as Jennifer Grey was. Or Jessica Simpson’s lil sis after.
I just ran a very quick errand basically to the corner store. When I am in my car I usually listen to conservative talk radio. I always want to listen to both sides of politics. Plus I am rarely in my car.
Well, the oddest show was playing. It was some sort of play on It’s A Wonderful Life. Except the ghosts were visiting Donald Trump. It was very derogatory toward Trump. Kind of like an SNL skit on the radio. For those three minutes or so I was in the car, it was like THE TWILIGHT ZONE. I could not believe they were playing that on the conservative talk radio station.
I feel very confused.
Lol, I have no explanation! Ghost of fiction future, present or past? No clue, weird indeed! I listen to fox too at times, NPR is my favorite station but it doesn’t always come in here in the WWWEST. And I do listen to every side, even if I yell out loud with rebuttals.
How’s it going over there Tamara? We’re getting more snow, not heavy but seems to be trying to blanket us. I wish I’d have taken a picture at my parent’s house today…they have a wall of windows on the backside of their home that looks out to Ponderosa pines, the snow is wet so it sticks to everything creating a winter wonderland, saw a red headed woodpecker just feet away separated by glass and a fluffy grey squirrel. Of course brunch was elderly folks, Barbara sat next to me and asked me at least five times where I live, we live very close to each other and she seemed to remember that every time I told her where I live. Awww!
I also sat next to Dad, always do. I never knew that was “a thing” with my sister until a few years ago. (She wasn’t here this year, in Florida with her girls, skyped a bit earlier today with them) any whoo… my youngest was on Dad’s other side…we get into trouble together and were outed by my husband sitting way down at the other end of the table to Mom’s right because we were laughing and teasing each other in our own little world of bliss!
I love listening to local conservative talk radio. It is fascinating. It is crazy to hear what is being broadcasted on AM stations.
All I got is Bob Rivers’ Christmas album featuring “Chipmunks roasting on an open fire” and assorted ilk. Whomever he got to sing on these are absolutely spot on. The Dean Martin and Nat King Cole impersonators are phenomenal.
There’s Something Stuck Up in the Chimney ? is a Bob Rivers Christmas song, and it’s a favorite of mine. I hope you enjoy it❣It must be on that album…?
Fly Boy has dived the waters of the world, including the Arctic & Antarctic, teaching thousands of others along the way, discovered unknown treasure ship & Japanese subs & skippered ships large & small. We initially bonded over our love of diving, deepwater cruising & shipwrecks, so when we spent our first holidays together it was natural for us to end up with a huge ornament tree filled with nautical themed baubles. As I’ve noted previously, Fly Boy’s military code name was Dragon, thus each of us, unknown to the other, ordered some dragon ornaments to add to the tree. This year for his birthday I gave him a smaller ornament tree for his man cave, a separate building, “Dragon’s Lair,” a smaller ornament tree, to which we’ve both contributed a similar collection of ornaments.
In my past life with my late husband, Rocket Man, in which we raised children, we had a traditional tree filled with lots of child-made ornaments. We celebrated on Christmas Eve, beginning with a dinner from a from a different country every year, planned with great fanfair to add to the anticipation & celebration. We ate sitting on the floor in the living room as a nod to my parents first Christmas together in 1940 when they did the same because they had no furniture. It was a reminder not to forget that times had not always been so good. We stopped that tradition after the kids stopped coming to our house for Christmas Eve. There really wasn’t any point anymore & besides it was too hard for us to get up & down from the floor anymore. Besides, we’d moved onto our sailboat by then & gone off into the sunset, figuratively & literally. I only did Christmas dinner the first couple of years, then figured out everyone really only wanted leftovers, so then switched to making just leftovers so we could just snack all day & I didn’t have to bother cooking on Christmas Day. Now Fly Boy & I usually go to my grandson-in-law’s house for dinner on Christmas Eve, then wake up early Christmas morning & canoodle a bit before exchanging gifts, then go to granddaughter’s house for Christmas lunch, then home to celebrate with chicken breast & toys & treats for the 4 dogs & bald cat. Nothing fancy, but it suits us. This year Fly Boy ordered stockings for each of the animals, but UPS lost them.
You live a life filled with magic and wonder. I have a feeling that is because YOU are full of magic bd wonder. I hope you and FlyBoy have a very happy 2020. And many more.
Merry Christmas TT and everyone! No tree for me this year, but last night I went with my Mom to Olive Garden..it’s what we do every Christmas Eve. It started as the only place open and has now become a tradition.
Today I made some food. I made some vegan Ruben balls that were SO GOOD! Now I’m just drinking some wine and watching Property Brothers lol.
Sending lots of love to you all.
I am suddenly feeling better. I was SPOILED ROTTEN this Christmas. I got a care box made by one of my nieces! It had homemade fudge and cookies and nuts and licorice and some sort of bark stuff that was to die for! A Twitter friend sent me like a dozen chocolate bars. I am going to be fat as a pig!
I also got this AMAZING purple tumbler WITH THE TAMARATATTLES LOGO ON IT! It’s purple and sparkly and I LOVE it. Such a thoughtful thing I never knew I wanted.
And I got something in an orange box. LIKE THE ORANGE BOX! I am in hog heaven over here.
I am preparing to make a veal chop with quartered artichoke hearts and sort of a Francese sauce. I do not really have all the stuff for veal Francese. I have never made veal Francese but it is one of my favorite things to get at an Italian restaurant. It’s not really possible to make without white wine, which I do not have. But I shall make some facsimile there of. Hopefully. The chop is really thick so it’s going to be hard to get it cooked through.
Also, I wanted to thank everyone who sent food for Lawn Kid. Since a lot of it came from Amazon I wasn’t sure who sent things. I am only now figuring out what those little receipt like things in the box are. Then I have to wonder whose real name goes with their screen names. I only know y’all by your user names here.
Know that it was all much appreciated by Lawn Kid. I still have a few things I want to give to a family down the street. Thanks so much!
Merry Christmas everyone, Merry Christmas Tamara! Glad you love your gifts!
I have had a crazy few days. My cat died the other day (one of 5) and yesterday my husband went to the shelter and brought home a 7 week old kitten. This is how we deal with grief, we get another pet. He is so damn cute, and has already napped on me twice. One cat is fine with him, two are indifferent and the youngest one’s nose is out of joint. It will be fine.
We drove 4 hours each way to my mother in laws last night, a stupid tradition but she and her sister are very old and may die soon and we will feel too guilty if we dont do it. Our son stayed home with kitten.
I decorated 3 trees, one is a beach tree, one is made of White House ornaments, and the other is about 7 feet tall, and literally covered in ornaments, not one of them a plain ball. Each one of them is important to me in some way, and the cats do not bother the tree.
My son and I had a bonding moment and made cinnamon buns. The butter dripped on the bottom of the oven and caught on fire! We had to use the fire extinguisher and that ruined the cinnamon rolls then I had to clean out the oven before we put any more food in.
Had family over, and one really good friend. We had a great time, and I am wiped out.
BTW Ingrid,if you see us mocking “cat ladies ” here we are not mocking people with cats. It was just a whole thing and someone had a cat avatar and the name sort of stuck. No offense to cat owners at all. It really wasn’t even ABOUT Cats. lol.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I think my BROTHER is becoming a cat lady and I tease him mercilessly about it. He continues to send photos of his new cat. I keep chiding him about all the cat photos. ( I get it your cat is cute) and keep asking if he is “transitioning” into a cat lady. WE ARE DOG FAMILY!.
But it’s a really cool cat that adopted him.
lol, i never take offense. I am not a cat lady though, I am a MY cat lady. and my husband is really the one who needs help. He keeps adding to the menagerie. I love dogs, too! It’s just a dog in this house would be insane. i have a dog niece and we are very close.
Good for your brother, He can be his own best cat-loving self. And he doesnt have to walk the cat on a cold rainy night.
Merry Christmas TT!!
Tamara your blogs have gotten me through very hard times this season. God bless reality TV. Most important blessings to you and everyone on this site. Xo nancy
Merry Christmas everyone! I am late to the party, but wanted to say it anyhoo…! Thanks, TT, for another years’ worth of entertainmentblogtherapy (enterogapy?). We need a good name for it. Our tree is a hodge-podge of ornaments that were handed down from my mom and grandma, those I bought when my husband and I were just together, and then those made by the kids over the years. I also buy an ornament for each kid each year that represents something important to them that year. When they get their own trees, I’ll box those up for them, to start their collection. We have had a nice holiday with just my husband and all the kids at home. Soon they will be off with their own families, so we are soaking this up while they are in college and we can. : ) We are also being visited frequently by the spirit of my mother in law (at least we think that is who it is). I have battery operated lights on three different sets of poinsettias in the house. They are not on a timer or anything. All of them died after about the first 36 hours. They got very dim and then just stopped lighting. But, now, they all three randomly light up very brightly at various times, and then go dark all together at various times, also. Definitely some sort of ghost. My mother in law loved the holidays and poinsettias in particular, so we think it is her. God bless to everyone, and best wishes for a wonderful 2020!
In case you want more validation, on more than one of the ghost hunter shows, they’ve said spirits trying to come through draw energy from electricity (and batteries). It seems to always be temporary, not destructive.
Late Merry Christmas to all my favorite internet blog peoples. And especially TT.
I have cats, I love cats, cats love me, cats understand me, I understand cats. I have a Himalayan kitty that I am certain was intended to be a breeding cat. She did a self rescue by pulling a runner while pregnant with pure bred Himalayan kittens. She was found outdoors with her 4 wild born kittens in the snow and trapped by a rescue organization. She was less than a year old with no chip but completely tame so she was not feral. Her Himalayan kittens were quickly adopted and she lives a life of complete luxury at my home with my other (rescue) Siamese kitty.
I have more cat condos than I care to admit, mountains of cat toys, organic cat nip, expensive cat foods and the cats run the house. Were it not for the Vet bills, grooming bills, cat food and litter expenses I would probably have 5 or 6 more cats. I volunteered at cat rescue organizations for years but I just send them donations now. I want every Siamese cat or kitten that comes into the rescue organization. I want to save all the homeless cats to tell you the truth no matter the color or breed.
Love your Himalayan kitty story! I’ve rescued bald kitties from all over the country using my frequent flyer miles. Once flew from NC to So. California, & from there a friend drove me north 4 hours to rescue another Devon Rex I named Katie after a woman who’d fostered my previous rescue. Katie was bald as a billiard ball, no whiskers & had been delicately nursed from near death. Her foster moms had called her Possum because she was so nakie. One morning a couple of months later I looked at her & noticed she had whiskers & some hair, which she wasn’t supposed to have. Got out a cat book & tried to figure out what she was becoming. The only thing I could figure was a tabby cat. Took her back to the vet, who could not believe the transformation. Her conclusion was that she had been in such a bad state when rescued that she’d lost or never developed her hair & whiskers, but that when she was finally in a good home with love & good food she finally developed into her genetic potential. Katie was the cat my late Rocket Man insisted loved to watch TV, so he had me leave it on in the bedroom for her all day. You never forget good people & good cats; they always make you smile, even when they are gone.
It is amazing how many purebred cats wind up homeless. How does someone have a $1500 cat and lose it or not want the cat anymore? The other thing that makes me madder than anything is declawed cats that wind up homeless or are owner surrender. I can’t even, I just can’t even, all my cats are fully loaded.
Another great recap! Luv you MizGrandma so much, happy holidays to you and yours!
I am very late to comment on this thread, but so glad I was finally able to read all the comments. I have been Internet free for the past few days because I have small kids but man, I feel so good to get them to bed early so I can drink wine and enjoy it. This site is my place to go to escape to read about trashy TV, and read intelligent comments about trashy TV. It is my secret place.
I’m happy to be here with y’all! Cheers!
Happy Holidays to all! I am with my kitty this Christmas due to $ and living in a new area Chandler AZ so I decided to volunteer at the local food pantry. It’s helped with loneliness but I am excited for 2020 to wipe the slate clean and start all over again!
Happy Christmas.
I know this is how you make your living , but this site is so lousy with ads I can’t even read down the page without constant freezing and warnings pupping up about malware. It took forever to type this comment. I miss it and sorry for the bitching.
Hey everyone!
Before anyone starts worrying and posting about TT’s absence, I just wanted to tell you that she is fine and she asked me to relay the fact that she is fine and enjoying a staycation with Banjo. I don’t know for how long but she will be posting when it is on her time frame. All is good! ?
I thought I was in good shape with money for Christmas. Then, the $284 vet bill. We had enough money for gas and the $6 bridge fare, so we could get to the Bay Area. No food. Animal food running low … Then we got TWO $50 gift cards for Trader Joe’s. (The cashiers think it is so funny that people know us so well, we go there almost every day. Free coffee.) And a giftcard for PetCo for the animals. We got food for the dogs and guinea pigs and birds and we didn’t have enough cash to pay for the amount over the gift card. Before we could take anything off, the gentleman behind us gave us a coupon for the dog food and a lady behind us gave us the $2 for the rest. Then we got new “sensible, dog-walking” shoes with the other gift card. They were only $19.99. I love ROSS! THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT is all around us. People can be so wonderful! The kindness of strangers is magical.