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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 23 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
 Posted - December 19 2003 : 12:08:57 PM
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First let me wish all in Mohicanland a very Merry Christmas. On the evening of 25 Dec. 03, at approximately 1930 HRS. (LOCAL), while the rest of us are here, in "The World"; during the post-feast, bromo-seltzer & mint ginger ale portion of the evening, please think of the following poem and realize that it is why we enjoy such things...
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep
in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the
snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
and I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old
Perhaps a Marine Man, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
to the window that danced with a warm fire's light
then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night"
"Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always
remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her
smile
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red white and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home,
I can stand at my post through the rain and the
sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,
I can carry the weight of killing another
or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers
who stand at the front against any and all,
to insure for all time that this flag will not
fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're
gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
to know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.
Author Unknown
Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year to all,
I Remain,
Your Most Humble Servant,
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Serjeant-Major Duncan Munro
Capt. Thos. Graham's Coy.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foote
(The Black Sheep of the Black Watch)
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
-Or-
"Recruit locally, fight globally." |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 19 2003 : 3:14:38 PM
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| Beautifully written. I have a friend in the 82nd Airborne in Baghdad and this is his second Christmas in a row away from home. Thank you, Sgt. |
Theresa |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
November 27 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 20 2003 : 5:37:31 PM
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That is a nice one, Sarg. And Theresa, that must be really tough for your friend and his family.
I just received an email last night from a cousin of mine, who I had not heard from in a while. He is in the Army Reserves. He told me that he was deployed last March, but that he is in Washington D.C. at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. (He is a highly skilled surgical nurse/technician.)
He stated: "I sure agree that these soldiers deserve all the respect and thanks that we can give. I have seen, and continue to see, the great sacrifice and loss that many of them have made. It is amazing to see their spirit and resilience under difficult circumstances. It gives me pride to be able help in some way."
And I'm proud of you too, Don. It can't be easy at the age of nearly 57 to be away from your home and regular job. Thanks, again, to all those who support and take care of our soldiers.
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - December 21 2003 : 08:03:54 AM
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Christmas! Magical word ... a warm & wonderful time of the year!
Merry Christmas to All!
... And, to All a Good Night! |
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securemann
Deerslayer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 08 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 21 2003 : 11:04:04 AM
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| Merry Christmas to everyone and remember: "Jesus is the reason for the season." |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
November 27 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 22 2003 : 11:24:12 AM
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Indeed He is, Jim!
Does anyone have any unusual or interesting Christmas traditions they would like to share with us? Any special kinds of food that you serve? Any interesting things that your family does? Any funny stories to tell that involve Christmas celebrations?
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Lady Ann
Pioneer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 20 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 22 2003 : 3:19:24 PM
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Our family celebrates the Yule rather than Christmas. We have our family Gathering in the middle of the month, usually around the 15th of December. Years and years ago, when I was a little girl, the Gathering was just immediate family...then it began to grow. Everyone brings along guests, usually families less fortunate or going through difficult times , or someone they know would otherwise be alone for the holidays. Then the next year these guests would come again and bring guests of their own. Our family began to branch out and change...now in attendance each year, in addition to the guests everyone brings, are the former in-laws, the ex-husbands, ex-wives, half brothers and sisters, foster children, step children...and usually some complete strangers show up whom no one knows but are welcome anyway. We all bring food to share (usually the food has a theme...year before last all the food had to incorporate Jello as a main ingredient!) and the adults all provide gifts for the children coming to the Gathering (I noted with much happiness this year how enthusiastic the former children are about selecting gifts for the newest batch of children!). As the matriarch of the clan, I provide gifts for the adults, which they randomly select from a pile...they all get toys to play with...Slinkys, hula-hoops, sea-monkey sets and the like...and everyone plays with their stuff, adults and children alike...it is quite a sight! At the very end of the evening, before everyone leaves, we have one last tradition...I have no idea how it started, but we have been doing it since the early 80s at least, and maybe even longer...the annual Silly String fight. We all acquire cans and cans of the stuff during the year, and our Gathering ends with everyone, young and old, out in the backyard covering each other with yards of Silly String. I don't know why we do it and it certainly has no religious significance, but everyone looks forward to it...the kids especially...and it is a highlight of the evening. We may not see most of these folks for the remainder of the year, but we know we can count on them as "family" throughout the year...and they will be back for the next Yule Gathering, bringing new family members with them. Most importantly, it somehow cements relationships with kindness and good will. Largely as a result of this annual Gathering, I think, we have never had a divorce with animosity in our family or children that have had to worry about feuding parents. No elderly relative is lonely or without help when they need assistance. The children grow up knowing that sharing with others is not only important, it is fun! And at least once each year, the adults get to be kids again. As for our immediate family, there are only 5 of us left actually related by blood. But how many do we count as actual family members...I mean all year around, not just at Yule? At last count, close to 50, most related neither by blood nor marriage but "family" by choice...and that number, thankfully, is growing every year!
From our Family to yours, the very best of the Season! |
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Highlander
Colonial Militia
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
February 04 2003
Status: offline
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
November 27 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 22 2003 : 8:07:43 PM
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Oh Wow! Lady Ann, may I come to your house next year for your Yule Gathering?  That just sounds like great fun, from the Jello food, to the adults' toys, to the Silly String Wars! What a riot! Thanks so much for sharing your traditions.
I actually have a couple of cute little stories to tell. The first one involves my daughter, Jocelyn.
When she was 6 years old, the growing excitement of approaching Christmas was not at all dimmed by the fact that she had an upper front tooth that was growing looser by the minute. She absolutely refused to allow me to pull it out for her, so it stayed there... getting looser... and looser.
On Christmas morning, the kids got up fairly early and we proceeded with our usual ritual of ripping and flinging wrapping paper, accompanied by squeals of excitement. Quite some time had gone by when I looked at her wide-open smile, and it dawned on me that her tooth was gone! I said, "Jocelyn! Where is your tooth?" She stopped in her tracks and felt her gaping smile with her tongue. The look on her face turned to one of shock as she realized that her tooth was gone... and she had not even noticed! The missing tooth was found later in her bed, where it had fallen during the night.
Story number 2 involves our cat, Amigo.
We had always had a real tree each Christmas, until I decided that they were just too expensive and made too much of a mess. So I purchased an artificial tree. One night, my DH and I had settled down for a long winter's nap... when from the living room there arose such a clatter, we sprang from our bed to see what was the matter.
There lay the new, nicely decorated, artificial tree... on its side, sprawled across the living room floor. Ornaments were everywhere, but on the tree. We couldn't figure out what could have happened, so we simply set the tree back upright and went back to bed. I would tackle fixing the decorations in the morning.
The next day, I happened to observe Amigo as he walked through the living room. He skirted way around the tree and gave it furtive glances as he slinked past it, obviously certain that it was going to pick up its skirt and begin chasing him through the house at any moment.
Then it dawned on me. Amigo had never once bothered our real trees, but he must have become curious about this new-fangled tree that looked like a tree, but didn't smell like a tree. Somehow he had pulled it over.
Well, my DH just couldn't leave that one alone. (He can be really ornery sometimes!) He took great delight in standing near the tree and when poor Amigo walked past the tree, he would take hold of it and give the tree a shake, and poor Amigo would be gone... and under the bed. This went on for years! For the rest of his life, that cat never forgot about the year the Christmas tree attacked him. |
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Karen W
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
June 04 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 23 2003 : 7:36:17 PM
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Happy holidays to all in Mohicanland!
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Dillon1836
Deerslayer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2003
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2003 : 4:35:28 PM
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I'd like to thank everyone especially Rich,Wilderness Woman,Carter,and Two kettle for the warm welcomes in my Alamo interest.Everyone here have great hearts and put into good thought of your post and love reading and sharing my opinions.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Joyous new year! |
www.alamosentry.com
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2003 : 6:45:39 PM
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A very Happy Holidays and a Joyous, Healthy and Prosperous 2004 to all of the denizens and citizens, scalawags and characters of Mohicanland from the wild frontiers of Pennsylvania!!
(loudly from aside) "Hear, hear, Seamus!! Pass the mysterious Amber Liquid, Lad!!" (from Uncle Quasi, Nancy, the dark-haired lass, Lt. Col. John Armstrong, and all the MacWilliam Clan)
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Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2003 : 8:11:47 PM
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Wishing all of our Mohicanland friends a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Peace on Earth, good will toward men.
P.S. Seamus, you have a way of bringing us right into your home. Thanks.  |
Theresa |
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2003 : 10:02:37 PM
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You are quite welcome, Theresa, my dear! It's kinda drafty over there by the window and it's chilly out tonight. Here--take this chair right next to the fire and warm your bones! Nancy! Get Theresa a tankard of that hot buttered rum.......and bring her a piece of the fruitcake Magdalena brought. Anyone else want anything while I'm up? What's that, GG? Duncan, hand me that plate of mince meat tarts for GG. Thanks! Grab another ale for yourself, Lad.......
Are you all ready to hear the Christmas story and sing some carols? Hand me my Bible, WW....thanks! Now, let me get my glasses on...there. Ok, let's see....here it is....Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-20.......
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
Now, Flags, dear cousin, will you please lead us in singing "Stille Nacht"?
Pax aye, my friends!!
Seamus |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
November 27 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 24 2003 : 10:32:46 PM
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...sigh...
Ahhhh... that was lovely, Seamus! Thank you! I do love to hear that story read aloud on Christmas Eve. And what better way to hear it than to be warm and snug in a cabin, near a crackling fire, with friends gathered 'round. Might I have some more of that delicious buttered rum please, Mistress Nancy? Thank you kindly.
Merry Christmas to all,
from the "Wilderness" of the Colony of New York!
Oh... and Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus!
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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 23 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 24 2003 : 11:09:13 PM
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Hello and a Very Merry Christmans to all. I am right in the middle of a double shift here at the P.D., and am able to spend a few minutes to wish everyone here in Mohicanland a peaceful and safe Christmas Eve & Day. God knows I'll being doing my part to insure that, for at least the next nine hours or so. Take care, and God Bless all of you.
P.S. Seamus, could ye spare a wee bit of the amber liquid for your cold Cousin Duncan, when I am off of "guard duty" at about 0800 tomorrow?
Your Most Humble Servant,
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Serjeant-Major Duncan Munro
Capt. Thos. Graham's Coy.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foote
(The Black Sheep of the Black Watch)
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
-Or-
"Recruit locally, fight globally." |
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 24 2003 : 11:16:46 PM
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Aye, Lad, it'll be awaitin' for ye at The Painted Rat Cellar.
Glad you're out there watchin' over things! Be safe! |
Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 25 2003 : 09:58:28 AM
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| Well, Seamus, you just made my Christmas. Thank you for the warmth of your hearth, the hot buttered rum, and your wonderful company. I hardly want to leave but family awaits. Merry Christmas! |
Theresa |
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - December 25 2003 : 11:11:34 AM
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| Pax Aye, Seamus! And all the rest of ya, too! |
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Kaylynn44
Mohicanite
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 13 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 25 2003 : 5:02:37 PM
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Merry Christmas everybody and thank you for the wonderful poem and heartwarming stories!!!
Love,
Kay |
~ An Infinite Zephyr~
Some things never end
As long as goodness exists
Winds shall always soothe
www.cloudsbooks.com
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Gadget Girl
Gatherer of Gathering Gadgets
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 17 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 29 2003 : 6:58:17 PM
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Note to self....NEVER, EVER miss checking emails and Mohican Board on Christmas Eve!!!! A little late here, Seamus...but my-y-y-y you do know how to warm a heart! Speaking of WARM...I do believe some of that amber liquid would wash these tarts down JU-U-U-U-U-U-ST FINE!
Everyone please accept my most heart felt wishes for all Mohicanlanders to have a healthy and joyous Holiday Season, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Better late than never! (I was home for Christmas and out of Cyber-touch!)
GG  |
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susquesus
Mad Hermit of the North Woods
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 03 2003
Status: offline
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Posted - December 30 2003 : 12:25:52 AM
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| Happy Holidays all! I'm 95% moved into my new place. It's kind of nice to be living alone for the first time. I moved out of my parents house a month after my 18th birthday and for the last 8 years had roomies galore. Good, bad and ugly. I even had one that looked a bit like a young Eli Wallach. At any rate, I hope y'all have a great holiday season and that you're all able to spend time with those you love. Or- "If you're not with the one you love, love the one you're with." |
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Dances with Beagles
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
Donating Member |
Posted - December 30 2003 : 4:58:11 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by susquesus
Happy Holidays all! I'm 95% moved into my new place. It's kind of nice to be living alone for the first time.
Congratulations on your new place! What a great way to start the New Year, with a new "home"! (of course, no more splitting the bills with the roommies, or no more worrying if they'll pay their share!)
Oh, there's no place like HOME for the holidays!
Happy New Year 2004!
(ohmigod....was 1984 really 20 years ago....? ) |
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