tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post3037315524908724520..comments2024-03-15T13:33:48.878-04:00Comments on The Shellshank Redemption . . . : Motivational MondayMadeline Mora-Summontehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-46493062808445050852014-12-03T15:37:41.577-05:002014-12-03T15:37:41.577-05:00I agree with you 100%,,Madeline. I love my family ...I agree with you 100%,,Madeline. I love my family to pieces, but I'd much rather see them at random times during the year and skip the holiday gatherings, especially the ones that require travel. I love the idea of holidays at home with my husband and Katie Cat, plenty of time to watch football, movies, or read, and no big dinners to cook (and clean up after). We just do our own thing!Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-41209057559747862042014-12-02T14:04:48.606-05:002014-12-02T14:04:48.606-05:00Although the tortoises didn't walk on the beac...Although the tortoises didn't walk on the beach with us, they did enjoy a rather Thanksgiving-like vegetable - squash! :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-58509573020990658142014-12-02T13:51:38.238-05:002014-12-02T13:51:38.238-05:00It's hard to imagine a better way to spend Tha...It's hard to imagine a better way to spend Thanksgiving than walking on the beach. I'm jealous! :D<br />I hope you and your husband (and Larry & Mrs. Larry~) have a wonderful holiday season. Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-4530144298197133552014-12-02T09:54:13.802-05:002014-12-02T09:54:13.802-05:00I think it's important to recognize that you&#...I think it's important to recognize that you'll miss the way it used to be, and that's totally okay! The trick is to not let that sadness or nostalgia, etc take away from whatever the present joy is/will be. <br /><br />This is an opportunity for you to maybe cut back on doing some of those holiday things you didn't really enjoy, that you tended to do more for other people. A lot of it is about perspective and positive thinking. :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-4191996963921025702014-12-02T08:39:36.554-05:002014-12-02T08:39:36.554-05:00Madeline, your words came at a good time. This is ...Madeline, your words came at a good time. This is the first Christmas we will be spending without our children and assorted other guests. I was not looking forward to it, since we've always had a full house, but now I'm thinking I will look forward to it as a new and different experience we can make of what we will!noelle44https://www.blogger.com/profile/00333648063604618407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-60284351549957968532014-12-02T08:30:25.216-05:002014-12-02T08:30:25.216-05:00I totally agree! When did the holidays become so s...I totally agree! When did the holidays become so stressful - financially, emotionally, generally - for so many of us? Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-44674235657730157152014-12-02T08:24:05.889-05:002014-12-02T08:24:05.889-05:00The holidays should be joyful and stress-free, so ...The holidays should be joyful and stress-free, so I say you should enjoy them exactly the way you and your hubby want :)Optimistic Existentialisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11507986337866049924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-71179792535885317342014-12-02T08:17:04.668-05:002014-12-02T08:17:04.668-05:00It sounds like you've found something that wor...It sounds like you've found something that works for your family - excellent!Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-30519062828955502362014-12-02T08:16:27.478-05:002014-12-02T08:16:27.478-05:00Thank you! And I hope you enjoy your next Thanksgi...Thank you! And I hope you enjoy your next Thanksgiving - however you celebrate it. :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-3069828066721449202014-12-02T08:15:37.319-05:002014-12-02T08:15:37.319-05:00Thank you, Liza. I'm trying to practice that. ...Thank you, Liza. I'm trying to practice that. :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-67994162207598586812014-12-02T03:37:52.781-05:002014-12-02T03:37:52.781-05:00I must say, that sounds delightful. I host Christm...I must say, that sounds delightful. I host Christmas Eve each year for our family, and it becomes harder to accommodate everyone as they get older and have their own families. I do enjoy the togetherness, though, and these two holidays are the only time we're all in the same room, really. We do Christmas Eve so we can each do what we want on Christmas, which I like, and was something I pushed for.Shannon Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934641808195675935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-88498250269169738412014-12-01T21:58:35.980-05:002014-12-01T21:58:35.980-05:00Beautiful post - I think that's the way we all...Beautiful post - I think that's the way we all should do it. We just decided we're doing Thanksgiving different next year. ;)Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17323788304469008867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-71911150063423170592014-12-01T20:44:31.653-05:002014-12-01T20:44:31.653-05:00Your last sentence says it all.Your last sentence says it all.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-35390664178886428662014-12-01T13:25:13.354-05:002014-12-01T13:25:13.354-05:00Thanks so much! I appreciate that. Thanks so much! I appreciate that. Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-49426675949041635762014-12-01T13:20:38.594-05:002014-12-01T13:20:38.594-05:00It's not how you "show" your spirit,...It's not how you "show" your spirit, it's how you live and share it. It seems you've found the way that works for you. I'd say you have the true holiday spirit.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-74665450990459485872014-12-01T13:10:37.214-05:002014-12-01T13:10:37.214-05:00I remember those days - the flying, the driving, t...I remember those days - the flying, the driving, the crowds, the expense, etc. Not to mention the cold. Brrrrr!Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-74504896137809445482014-12-01T13:07:25.883-05:002014-12-01T13:07:25.883-05:00I totally understand. I always have to go to at le...I totally understand. I always have to go to at least three different places for every holiday, so it can get exhausting. It would be nice just to stay at home for once. Sarah Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481750127533816819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-33338813591176268092014-12-01T10:39:12.340-05:002014-12-01T10:39:12.340-05:00I'm sorry to hear you were sad, Hart. The holi...I'm sorry to hear you were sad, Hart. The holidays are often sad and stressful for so many people, for so many reasons. Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-84203742163299930382014-12-01T10:20:12.545-05:002014-12-01T10:20:12.545-05:00My husband and I were from different places so we ...My husband and I were from different places so we had some trouble until we decided to stay home. Hubby always griped about being 'away'. Now though, we are on the other side of the country. I don't miss Christmas as much because our family always had people 'with the other side of the family' at Christmas, but I really miss them at Thanksgiving. My family was the only one missing this year--my mom hosted 25. And it made me sad.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-47739110947157718812014-12-01T09:28:14.921-05:002014-12-01T09:28:14.921-05:00I think every person and every family has to find ...I think every person and every family has to find what works for them - maybe that's more the traditional route, maybe it's something totally different, maybe it's shaking things up from time to time. We visit my extend family, and have them visit here, when there's not as much hoopla and expense and crowds, etc. Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-54616454051465227992014-12-01T08:59:31.385-05:002014-12-01T08:59:31.385-05:00One year on Christmas Eve, when my husband had to ...One year on Christmas Eve, when my husband had to work so we were not at my parent's house (the usual Christmas tradition), we had take out Chinese after he got home. And one year me and the kids went to a movie on Christmas Eve, again cause my husband was working. It was kind of fun to do something different, although I'm glad that most years that holiday is spent with our extended family.Suzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502606950280751205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-89368374581961928862014-12-01T08:30:29.371-05:002014-12-01T08:30:29.371-05:00Growing up, I never heard of anyone doing anything...Growing up, I never heard of anyone doing anything like that, or going to the movies on the holidays, etc. There are so many amazing ways to live our lives!Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-85947494366019126092014-12-01T08:29:02.057-05:002014-12-01T08:29:02.057-05:00Appreciate the understanding, Alex. Glad to hear w...Appreciate the understanding, Alex. Glad to hear we're not alone. :)Madeline Mora-Summontehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05529397293165046430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-28946039761623685832014-12-01T08:27:23.464-05:002014-12-01T08:27:23.464-05:00I have friends who go on a week long vacation ever...I have friends who go on a week long vacation every year during Thanksgiving because it's near their anniversary and they had days off work. They've made their own tradition.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1640755272364792151.post-85574636655637014192014-12-01T08:21:53.036-05:002014-12-01T08:21:53.036-05:00I certainly understand. I enjoyed spending Thanksg...I certainly understand. I enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with my family, but I'll enjoy Christmas with just my wife just as much.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com