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Messages - Amara

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1
Life in General / Re: Don't complain--I'm bringing you a 'gift'
« on: January 20, 2022, 10:55:36 pm »
He isn't trying to say he can buy off the neighbors complaints with chocolate. He's just aware of how much he is going to disturb his new neighbors and would like to apologize in advance. It seems he has good intentions; assuming the worst about him doesn't sound make the one of you who assumes he's a jerk sound like a nice person.

2
Holidays / Re: Christmas Gifting Issues
« on: December 10, 2021, 10:52:43 am »
My late parents told us that they and their siblings had, when the first child of my generation was born, gotten together and decided that. regardless o f how many to come, there would be no gifts between aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews or among cousins. So whether it was Christmas or birthdays or graduations or any other gift-giving occasions. we. "children" never had that experience.. We exchanged gifts among ourselves on Christmas morning and would later go to Grandma's house for a lovely meal, to see our aunts/uncles/cousins and more gifts but only from Grandma. So I have never quite understood the questions that arise every year about gifts for extended families or why it's hard to stop doing it (or this particular awful situation).

3
Holidays / Re: Christmas Gifting Issues
« on: December 06, 2021, 10:59:23 am »
It's a common saying that Christmas is for children but I have always disagreed with it. I think the entirety of it is really savored by adults. Kids tend to focus on the presents only. That said, I probably would have been so astounded too that I couldn't think of a response, let alone a polite one. But after I got over my seething I would send a very polite and firm email: "I'm sorry I wasn't able to let you know earlier--and I take full responsibility for waiting too long--that I have decided that gifts are no longer part of my holidays. I don't want any and I am not giving any, not just this year but going forward. I am very excited for the opportunity to spend time together though!" And that would be that. No more discussion.

4
Entertaining and Hospitality / Re: What the heck is wrong with people?
« on: November 29, 2021, 01:24:38 pm »
Miss Manners is wrong about what to do for Christmas. What the letter writer should do is let her husband either know they'd be happy to accept a Christmas dinner invitation and the daughter can do all the cooking or he can do all the shopping, preparation and cooking at their home and invite. her daughter again.

Of course it's rude. I am not confrontational but I'd have no problem stopping her immediately and telling her we are keeping ALL the. leftovers.  No sense rewarding rudeness even with a small to-go plate. And if her partner objects to her spine maybe she needs to evaluate her own relationship.

I don't care if doggy bags are acceptable as restaurants. They should be. You paid for the food and the experience; you are not an invited guest. When you are an invited guest, you act with impeccable courtesy and no assumptions about leftovers.

5
Entertaining and Hospitality / Re: When Someone Requests that You Compromise Your Recipe
« on: November 25, 2021, 04:28:51 pm »
I wouldn't compromise the recipe because as you said it affects the results. But is it possible for you to split your sprouts. Make your original recipe but make it a little smaller, and then use the balance of the sprouts to make a vegan or vegetarian dish of them. I googled "vegan brussel sprouts" and came up with some interesting recipes, some of which probably don't have onions either: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22vegan+brussel+sprouts%22&oq=%22vegan+brussel+sprouts%22&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512l9.266j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

6
Holidays / Re: ALUMINUM TREE
« on: October 25, 2021, 12:29:30 pm »
Even during their most popular time, my parents eschewed those aluminum trees for real ones each year. I guess they wanted us, their children, to see and smell the real thing.

But if I was into MCM decor,  I'd definitely buy one now. Since I'm not, I stick with faux ones. I gave it to my favorite thrift store for their annual Holiday Boutique coming up in November but for the last three or four years I had a lipstick red one about six feet tall with red lights. It was gorgeous, but having moved into my new, first home (and gotten older) I wanted to go less flashy. My new home is white and green so I am eyeing a white (not flocked) tree. But I now also have three very rambunctious cats, two of whom I suspect would instantly try to climb it. Money is tight anyway because of the purchase so I may just hold off on the six-foot white tree for another year. i can get a couple of white tabletop trees--not that they'll ignore those but at least I can move them into the guest bathroom when I am going out or for the night. Thinking of what they'd do to an expensive aluminum tree gives me the willies.

7
Hobbies / Re: Getting ready for Christmas 2021
« on: October 10, 2021, 10:08:26 pm »
I thought now would be a good time to haul this old thread out again. I am curious about what gmatoy, STiG and peony have done. Are you pretty well along with your individual projects? And, oogyda, how did that tablecloth-as-skirt work out for you?

I put up all my autumn decorations on September 22, the first day of fall. We were extremely fortunate, in southern California this year, to have relatively cool weather so I had great fun with the dozen or so pumpkins, autumn leaf garlands and a few other items plus three mini white pumpkins from TJ's. I do have a wreath but haven't gotten it up yet. Since I leave my autumn decorations up until Friday afternoon of Thanksgiving weekend, I feel I still have time; just need to buy a pretty seasonally-colored ribbon to hang it.

Earlier in the year I had thought about buying a six-foot white tree. I'd still love it but am holding off because money is tight. (Ah, new owner's costs.) I still may do it  but one thing I am concerned about is something that hadn't yet happened when originally posted. I have cats again. I had three for a long time; one died about four years ago at age 15. One died over at age 18+ over last Thanksgiving weekend, and the last one, nineteen years of age, passed about the beginning of March 21. I waited until I was settled into the house before I went out to a shelter and got three of them. Alas, younger (aged 2 years, 1 year, and 4 months) cats are destructive in their determination to have fun! I have two lamps to repair and decorations hurled to the floor and chewed on. It is making me crazy. It has gotten slightly--I mean really slightly--better but some things are just going to wait. So perhaps not having a six-foot tree is best. I can see at least one of them, more likely two, going for it.

And I haven't started any food gifts yet. Butter is quick and always appreciated; I can do it ahead of time and freeze it. And it doesn't require any packaging other than plastic wrap so, yes, that's a strong possibility.

How is everyone else doing?

8
Holidays / Re: Halloween/Samhain Just Around the Corner
« on: October 03, 2021, 07:54:00 pm »
It won't be anywhere near the same but have you thought about hosting a virtual party?

9
Life in General / Re: The right lane
« on: September 21, 2021, 01:22:03 pm »
This is one of those daily things that i have never given a moment's thought to. And never would.

10
Weddings / Re: Post Elopement Wedding in the Age of (post) Covid!
« on: July 11, 2021, 11:25:31 pm »
I like.

11
Weddings / Re: How Would You Have Handled This
« on: July 02, 2021, 11:38:24 am »
The guest was rude but the bride's mother was ruder. If the mother wanted the relative to have the steak dinner, she should have handed over the money to the waiter right there and not said a word to anyone else.

12
Life in General / Re: Dealing with a flake
« on: June 24, 2021, 11:13:35 am »
Quote from: Xainte on June 24, 2021, 09:56:52 am
Flakiness really churns my butter. 

Last time I took a whole Saturday out of my weekend for our planned hike.  I rearranged other things around it.  Cancelling like that for no good reason was such a lack of respect for me and this isn't the first time.

So I have to have this conversation with her next time a favour is asked because while I'm happy to help it's disruptive if she can't make up her mind.

I'm trying to think of a good way to word it so I will be following this with interest.

I really think you have the perfect way to say it already.

13
The Work Day / Re: Rides, Recording and Rights updated5/25/2021
« on: May 30, 2021, 07:58:23 pm »
I disagree, Hmmm. Remember, she is only 19 years of age, very young and likely very new to the workplace. She probably has no experience with toxic colleagues and bosses and may have felt backed into a corner so tight she couldn't think straight.

14
Hobbies / Re: Getting ready for Christmas 2021
« on: April 19, 2021, 12:17:20 pm »
I find my thoughts drifting to the holidays on occasion as they tend to do starting around this time. Right now I am debating trees. For the past three or four years I have had a lipstick red six-foot tree plus two tabletop trees (12 inches and 18 inches) in flocked green and one small (approximately 8-inch) gold tree. However, having moving into my own home which I have decorated in white and greens I am inclined toward more natural decorations. I gave away the red tree and its decorations to my favorite high-end thrift store.

And while I am looking at white, flocked and even a champagne-colored tree I am also thinking of not getting a floor one at all. Not because I don't love them but because I am not giving gifts any more. No one I know needs or really wants anything. (At most I might make some flavored oils, butters, vinegars and salts but we'll see how that goes as the holiday season gets closer.) So without gifts the large tree seems . . . unnecessary.

Still, there's the pretty lights and all that, which I love, but I am weighing that against storing it for ten months of the year, then setting it up. (And the concern that if I get a white tree it might turn yellowish-brownish, which is, apparently, a thing with white trees.) So I will be spending time over the next few months thinking seriously about whether a tree will be central to my decorating or shall I let that go.

15
Life in General / Re: Yeah, don't do that!
« on: April 13, 2021, 12:08:38 pm »
Quote from: LadyJaneinMD on April 12, 2021, 05:35:10 am
Quote from: pierrotlunaire0 on April 10, 2021, 01:43:31 pm
When you cut open a hot pepper and go to remove the seeds and ribs (the hottest part), do NOT scrape them out with your thumbnail. I felt as if I had a lit match under there. (On the other hand, a grapefruit spoon is perfect for this).

And for the love of all that's holy, don't rub your eye with that finger!!

Yeah, been there done that WHILE I WAS DRIVING.   It was really really bad.

I know there's a logical answer like I cut the peppers for my dish then afterward drove to the party, but I have to ask anyway: You didn't cut peppers while you were driving, did you?

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