Random DIY mixing and More

[*RJ*]

I like getting to spend time with the kids over the holidays but Xmas has lost it's sparkle for me this year. It really has just turned into an obligation to buy gifts for the outlaws for me. There's nothing I really need or want for Xmas so the gifts don't really mean much. My one brother in law is the worst. We hardly see him all year despite him living about 20 minutes away then at Xmas he's asking for gift ideas because he knows nothing about us or our lives. Then we are obligated to shop for him for a gift that means nothing. Sorry for the negativity.

I'm a retired "Santa" after this year. I told Mom last night I'm done. I refuse to buy gifts for people who don't follow the rules. I've bought 69 total gifts for me and Mom and only received half of them so far. I don't know what to buy for these people that need nothing. Mom can't do it. I'm done. Amazon has been so wonderful! They are fast and easy and everything is on schedule. FEDEX is the WORST! If you ever have anything stuck in the black hole of Ellenwood GA I wish you well. Three packages are stuck there and the reviews are horrendous. I'm finished with my son and I don't deserve this added stress because my family can't get their act together. They are supposed to bring my Mom three or four things and she will pay for it and wrap it and give it to them at Christmas. Nope...nothing. I snapped last night. I'm so done. But they will NOT ruin my Christmas. I'm finished with my son and that's the only thing that matters to me. I'm all decorated out and have been since November 5th. I still love Christmas...I just don't love my family putting a burden on me and my Mom.

 

[FranC]

I'm a retired "Santa" after this year. I told Mom last night I'm done. I refuse to buy gifts for people who don't follow the rules. I've bought 69 total gifts for me and Mom and only received half of them so far. I don't know what to buy for these people that need nothing. Mom can't do it. I'm done. Amazon has been so wonderful! They are fast and easy and everything is on schedule. FEDEX is the WORST! If you ever have anything stuck in the black hole of Ellenwood GA I wish you well. Three packages are stuck there and the reviews are horrendous. I'm finished with my son and I don't deserve this added stress because my family can't get their act together. They are supposed to bring my Mom three or four things and she will pay for it and wrap it and give it to them at Christmas. Nope...nothing. I snapped last night. I'm so done. But they will NOT ruin my Christmas. I'm finished with my son and that's the only thing that matters to me. I'm all decorated out and have been since November 5th. I still love Christmas...I just don't love my family putting a burden on me and my Mom.

You put up with too much. I wouldn’t do what you do and I don’t blame you for being done.

 

[FranC]

Older son and wife get the same thing every year, an Amazon gift card. I haven’t exchanged gifts with my youngest son in years. Let the family have it’s problems, I’m not getting into it. I exchange gifts with oldest daughter and family but my main Christmas is right here where I live.

 

[hittman]

I'm a retired "Santa" after this year. I told Mom last night I'm done. I refuse to buy gifts for people who don't follow the rules. I've bought 69 total gifts for me and Mom and only received half of them so far. I don't know what to buy for these people that need nothing. Mom can't do it. I'm done. Amazon has been so wonderful! They are fast and easy and everything is on schedule. FEDEX is the WORST! If you ever have anything stuck in the black hole of Ellenwood GA I wish you well. Three packages are stuck there and the reviews are horrendous. I'm finished with my son and I don't deserve this added stress because my family can't get their act together. They are supposed to bring my Mom three or four things and she will pay for it and wrap it and give it to them at Christmas. Nope...nothing. I snapped last night. I'm so done. But they will NOT ruin my Christmas. I'm finished with my son and that's the only thing that matters to me. I'm all decorated out and have been since November 5th. I still love Christmas...I just don't love my family putting a burden on me and my Mom.

I'm glad you're standing your ground and will no longer be the mystery shopper for your entire family. This is the first year that my mother in law gave my wife money to buy gifts for our family. It was a small amount and I could really care less if she gave us anything. I appreciate the thought from her but really need nothing. I'm assuming she is still shopping for my wife's two brothers. I'm not sure. FedEx isn't great here either. I've had multiple packages lost by them. Amazon on the other hand has been flawless. We have gotten several shipments from them and all have been either on time or early. We got the last two packages we ordered yesterday. I'm not sure if we're close to being done or not. My wife is doing most of the shopping. I asked her the other day how she was doing on the Xmas money I gave her for shopping and she still had some left so we probably aren't done. Also, the last couple years we have given our daughters cash as well as gifts.

 

[FranC]

I’m still liking this Lulo ice cream.

 

[*RJ*]

You put up with too much. I wouldn’t do what you do and I don’t blame you for being done.

I do it for my Mother only so she won't be stressed trying to figure all this out. She doesn't online shop and she can barely walk so no walking stores for her. It evolved into me doing everything over the years. This is my last year. She is steeped in tradition and this is how we've always done it. We all converge at her house and everybody gets multiple gifts and the wrapping paper starts flying. I told her we need to draw names or no gifts or something different. It's hard for her.

 

[*RJ*]

I'm glad you're standing your ground and will no longer be the mystery shopper for your entire family. This is the first year that my mother in law gave my wife money to buy gifts for our family. It was a small amount and I could really care less if she gave us anything. I appreciate the thought from her but really need nothing. I'm assuming she is still shopping for my wife's two brothers. I'm not sure. FedEx isn't great here either. I've had multiple packages lost by them. Amazon on the other hand has been flawless. We have gotten several shipments from them and all have been either on time or early. We got the last two packages we ordered yesterday. I'm not sure if we're close to being done or not. My wife is doing most of the shopping. I asked her the other day how she was doing on the Xmas money I gave her for shopping and she still had some left so we probably aren't done. Also, the last couple years we have given our daughters cash as well as gifts.

I am under budget and it's staying that way. And I even bought my coworkers a little something this year. I love Amazon!...just wonderful. Tracking is great, speedy deliveries.

 

[FranC]

I am under budget and it's staying that way. And I even bought my coworkers a little something this year. I love Amazon!...just wonderful. Tracking is great, speedy deliveries.

We can agree on Amazon. Just love Amazon.

 

[rosesense]

I do it for my Mother only so she won't be stressed trying to figure all this out. She doesn't online shop and she can barely walk so no walking stores for her. It evolved into me doing everything over the years. This is my last year. She is steeped in tradition and this is how we've always done it. We all converge at her house and everybody gets multiple gifts and the wrapping paper starts flying. I told her we need to draw names or no gifts or something different. It's hard for her.

Just a thought but what some of my friends have done is to buy something for a family in need in lieu of gifts for each other. One year they got a wood burning stove for a rural family with no heat.

 

[NolaMel]

I’m still liking this Lulo ice cream.

What was the lulo %? I’m still trying to get to mixing today. So far, my morning has been eaten up talking to FEMA and SBA about a fraudulent disaster application that was made in our name.

 

[*RJ*]

Just a thought but what some of my friends have done is to buy something for a family in need in lieu of gifts for each other. One year they got a wood burning stove for a rural family with no heat.

My brother and SIL do that, but they won't help their own Mother. I would give to that cause, but I'm not spearheading it and neither are my parents as they are old and would have no idea how to even do it. I've done enough over the years. It's up to my Mother to end this madness. I think she realizes that when this stops...she's officially old. I really do. It's hard for her. My parents always say their kids have never asked for anything and we are all three successful and this is their way of giving us something from them. But it never works out that way and RJ does all the shopping. I'm done.

 

[FranC]

What was the lulo %? I’m still trying to get to mixing today. So far, my morning has been eaten up talking to FEMA and SBA about a fraudulent disaster application that was made in our name.

3%

 

[FranC]

52 here today. Our 5 inches of snow for Weds. is now down to 1 inch.

 

[hittman]

I'm having a really hard time staying motivated here at work today. You can probably tell from how much I've posted today. Work has just been so upside down compared to normal that it's got me in a funky mood. I'm getting just enough in to stay busy but no real rush on getting repairs done.

I'm going to have to mix some more of the Lulo and ice cream base. I've gotten pretty bored with my current rotation. It might be a good time to retire some of my set ups and thin down the heard. It's gotten quite out of hand with all the review samples lately.

 

[FranC]

I still have my list of never tried or little tried flavors. I’ve mixed with only three so far.

I want to put WF Soursop and WF Kumquat in mixes. Need ideas.

 

[NolaMel]

3%

Ty

 

[FranC]

Ty

Any ideas for WF Buttermilk?

 

[WhiteHighlights]

My MIL used to send out a check in early November with instructions to buy something, wrap it up, and bring it along Christmas morning to open so she could be surprised and happy that she got us just what we wanted! That actually worked out rather well, especially when we included a gag gift or two in our mix to make her laugh.

 

[hittman]

I still have my list of never tried or little tried flavors. I’ve mixed with only three so far.

I want to put WF Soursop and WF Kumquat in mixes. Need ideas.

The kumquat was pretty decent or so I thought anyway. I think you might like it.

 

[FranC]

The kumquat was pretty decent or so I thought anyway. I think you might like it.

What does it taste like and what %.