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Welcome to the Secret Sister Clubhouse! We are a group of SCS members who have been swapping together for several years. After 18 rounds of secret (and sometimes not-so-secret) fun, we�ve decided we need a break from swapping, but don�t want to let go of the friendship, chit chat and place to check in on each other. We�ve grown together, laughed together, mourned together. Celebrated kids, birthdays and special occasions. Lightened each others� burdens and supported one another through tough times. May our friendship continue. Clubhouse Rules:
1. There are no rules.
2. Feel free to send cards. Happy mail from friends is always refreshing.
3. If you can�t, don�t or won�t send a card, that�s cool too. We know you�re thinking of us because we�re thinking of you too.
4. We share our burdens...did you spend �way too much� on that millionth stamp set you didn�t need because the sale price was �way too good�? We�re there for you! Just hand over that coupon code/sale so we can all feel the guilt of overspending (safety in numbers) ;)
5. No shirt, no shoes, no sisters! Wait, this is an online clubhouse�go naked if the mood strikes (just no pictures, please).
6. If the last four rules are too much for you, then please reread Rule 1.
Since this is the blogging forum, I feel some responsibility to try to incorporate the word �blog� into this group somewhere. So, below is a list of everyone�s blogs:
Wow, I just love reading whatever it is Heather writes. I know I've told you this before, but you truly have a talent with words. The rules are AWESOME! and made me grin (actually, laughed out loud!) This will be a great place to hang and chat!
Ooops, no blog for me. But since there are no rules, there's no need to start one. But I do love to visit all of yours.
Guess we are gonna have to start decorating our new clubhouse
Rarely there are photos of me and I thought for our new clubhouse it is a good opportunity to show one. Yesterday I was on a Christmas market in the closest major city. Hanover. There was hot cacoa with Baileys - delicious!
Oh Heather .... you silly girl. Loved the rules (especially the one about naked pictures!). We just got back from Thanksgiving with the in-laws. I LOVE my SIL so it was such a treat to spend time with her and do silly things. But I'm not going to lie, that 9 hour drive is a killer.
What a great picture. I even made myself a hot chocolate with Bailey's in your honor. But I think I put too much Bailey's in the drink. Is that possible!!!!
Oh my goodness! Heather, as I read the first paragraph of the first post tears welled up in my eyes; you girls are an important part of my life! I truly love our friendship.
Thanks Vickie. No, it�s outside. The Christmas markets are always outside. Certainly, there are also those who are organized by clubs or other institutions, but the urban ones are always out in the middle of the city.
On Monday I meet my friends to check out a new restaurant in town. I try to take pictures of our Christmas market. It's close by.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vickie Y
Imke, the picture looks like so much fun! Is that an indoor market or are you outdoors? Love the pavement you are standing on.
This is difficult to say. I would say normally during the day between 33� and 44� and at night, there may be frost.
A week ago, for example, it was very cold. 24� during the day. We also had one day snow. Brrrr....but this morning at 7am for example it was already 44� and that is very warm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JadeOnline
What's the typical temperature this time of year, Imke?
Woke up to a heavy frost here today. I hope to work on a few cards today but have errands I need to do. My boss woke me up this morning me asking where we keep the coffee. Ugh! Doesn't pay to have a day off.
We had heavy frost too. I had trouble getting it off the car windows. The kids woke up well this morning (sometimes they're a tad grouch). Nathan wanted to make coffee for daddy, so we worked on that and then he wanted to jam his own toast. My boy is an independent one!!
Tonight is my work Christmas party. The kids are going to my parents house for the night....let's see, sleep?? or craft until late??? Likely, craft!!! ;)
Tonight is my work Christmas party. The kids are going to my parents house for the night....let's see, sleep?? or craft until late??? Likely, craft!!! ;)
Ken's company party is tomorrow. It's a super dressy affair (high heels, fancy dresses ... the whole nine yards) I always dread it; I don't know why.
Heather /Jo - How was the Christmas party? Did you have fun ?
Joanna- I'm glad we both do not have jobs in which we have to work in suit, skirt, high heels, etc. This is not my/our clothing style. Casual in jeans, shirts, boots - that�s more our taste.
Sorry I haven't been around for a few days (so unlike me!). It's a busy time at work, again, and I've been "focused". We have a review of our benefit plan and premiums in November and did employee presentations this week. We have some rather large increases in some areas and some people are cranky about it. It equates to $1200 per year if you hold our "enhanced" coverage in both medical and dental. I get that it's money out of their pocket, but so worth it to have the care! Anyway, the presentations have been interesting.
Last weekend was busy. The Christmas party was good. It was nice to spend some time with my co-workers and the kids stayed the night at my parents house. I had a nice, relaxing sleep. Saturday we had a GREAT dinner with friends (a surprise birthday party) who we haven't seen in awhile. Great conversation and it was nice to come home to the kids asleep. I think we have found a good babysitter!! Sunday we had the kids christmas party at my work. I took the kids and they had a great time. We THRILLED to see Santa. We left early only because they wanted to get home and play with their new treasures (play doh for Nathan and shopkins lego for Claire).
Then.....this week....Claire got sick Monday night. "I didn't know people could do this!!" she yells as she loses her dinner. Yuck. Then last night, 11:30 and I hear crying upstairs. Wander up to see what's up and it's Nathan's turn. I slept with him last night and all I could think was "don't puke on me, don't puke on me". Poor little guy. We thought Claire was better and headed back to school today and then she had an incident from the other end of her body...so, both kids were home again today. Add that with -22F with windchill temperatures and they've been VERY cooped up this week.
I hope it is behind us and we can enjoy the weekend. On the positive side, my husband has been a laundry magic maker this week! So nice to not have to deal with that ALL weekend.
Heather - I hope the next week will be better. Why does Christmas always have to be so stressful ? At work, in the family and and and.... but it will soon be over again .....
Is anyone joining the Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop" ? I've seen Vickie somebody else ?
Oh my, Heather! Hope the little ones are doing better and that they don't pass it on the mom and dad!
I'm participating in the 2016 Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop. I think the only one I've missed participating in was the very first one. Since then I've entered in all the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer hops!
Ladies,
What an awesome idea, especially for those who don't facebook. I have really missed everyone, hope it's ok to jump on here, it's been awhile. It's hard to believe the Secret Sister Swap has been going for so many years, Mom an I loved doing it together. I sure miss her so very much.I loved reading.an catching up on everyone's lives,. Picture with all but the 2 oldest granddaughters Lexi and Annabelle, I'm sure some of you remember them.
Denise
Denise !!! It�s so nice that you are checking in and with such a nice picture of your family. I immediately thought where are Lexi and Annabelle **lol** and my favorite of your grandsons- the left cute little boy in the front row. I don�t remember his name right now.....he�s the cutest.....
I hope you had a good time in the meantime ? We often think of Linda - she is simply missing, because she was there from the beginning.
Yep, it's Jasper! The kids are all growing up fast. Its hard to believe that Jasper, Annamarie an Atticus will be 5 years old in 2017, Girls both had to work an I had rescheduled 3 times. Here is the whole group again minus Lexie an Annabelle
Denise - Thanks for posting pictures. I see some on facebook and I am amazed at how the kids are growing up so fast. My heart goes out to you also because I know your mom would be so proud of your family. Thanks for stopping in.
Hi Denise! What a beautiful family. We all miss your mom, a lot. Sending cyber hugs your way! I do see some of your facebook posts; hope you are doing well.
JCI to ask how everyone here is doing? It is cold here in my neck of the woods along with a couple inches of snow, crunchy snow! I think the wind and moisture in the air made it hard and crunchy!
I have to confess, I have not started on Christmas for my grandkids yet! I usually give them cash and a little something from Santa to unwrap on Christmas Day. *sigh* NOthing like the last minute!
I'm pretty much the same. I think the kids stuff is done. That's all that's important, right? I'm not sure I'm going to bother with Christmas cards this year and I do have a few other gifts to wrap up. Maybe this weekend.
This week I have to work a casino for the preschool. Do you guys have those in your area? Basically, the non-profit gets a certain share of gaming revenues for sending volunteers to help out at the casinos. What they do? I have no idea. This is my first one. I'm the "banker", which I think means I have to bring my math skills. We'll see. Anyway, the shift is this Wednesday from 6:15pm to 3:45am. I've taken Thursday off work to sleep in (and by gosh, if those kids wake me at 6am there's going to be a whole new meaning to mama bear!!!)
I swayed between Atticus and Jasper I did not know for sure. YES, Jasper ! Thanks.
Vickie - My nephews get german books and cash from us. I sent the package today 2 weeks ago and it has not yet arrived in TX. My parents have already sent 3(!) packages. Two with Christmas treats, one with presents. They are all in the US, but only where ? At least not with my brother. Man, it takes forever !
I hope that it arrive soon, otherwise they have to eat in January all the gingerbread, marzipan potatoes and....and.....and....**lol**.
My godchild gets money and so i�m done with presents. We adults do not give us anything so it�s relaxed and stress-free for us.
Heather- Under this "Casino Thing" I can not imagine anything but the worktime would disturb me **lol** !!! Is this for a good cause ?
My shopping is done, I start pretty early with so many grandkids, I buy my kids gifts together with their spouses, I bought Chris an Haillie a costco membership as they always go with us to use ours. I'm just glad to be done!!! Jasper can't wait, he is so excited.
I'm glad to hear everyone is doing ok, Angela I'm sorry to hear about your health issues an of course your divorce, sending you hugs an prayers!
Wow, I'm pooped. I'm trying to wrap presents and possibly deal with Christmas cards (geez, making them is only half the battle, isn't it?!!) and all I'm doing is scrolling through Splitcoast! Totally useless. :-)
We don't have casinos locally. They are only allowed on Indian Reservations in Colorado. The closest town with casinos is an hour and a half away. Sounds interesting doing it for preschool! When I was in that role, we had book fairs or sometimes worked McDonald's to raise the money. The one and only time I worked McD's was to run a cashier -- I really wanted to do the fry machine!
Here, casinos are regulated by the Provincial Government. They have some sort of process for distributing revenues to non-profits. I think non-profits can apply for a casino once every two years and it can raise $75,000 for two days of work. I know our community association has them, plus the preschool but also sport teams, etc.
I have just redeemed my voucher from Taylored Expressions. 2 Embossing Folders, 1 frame die and 1 stamp set. All together exactly $ 50. And the postage to my brother to TX costs only $ 4.95. That is cheap, isn�t it ?
To the other winners: Have you already chosen something or redeemed your voucher ?
Imke - Good for you. Sounds like you got some good things. I am trying to decide what to get from Stamp n storage. I do not have alot of room to buy big items so may be the die organization part.
Going to get cold here. I need to get out and get groceries today because weather might get nasty on Saturday.
Tracie - I also have little space and would also opt for the Waver Die or Emboss Storage. Although I also have the IKEA shelves, but there is something else in it - so no free space.
Secret Sister Clubhouse - CLOSED
