Hello Stamplings!
I miss you! I'm popping in from my Bloggie Break to wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year! Thank you all for coming to visit me last year and for leaving your loving comments, even at times when I've been very lax about returning the flavor! Mwah!
Here we all are, bringing you a smile.
Back: Dan, Rachel. Front: Adam, Kevin, Darnell w/Nellie, Henry. Duke, Jack
Well, you can't see our smiles, but we hope it brings you a smile, nevertheless. We will never forget Covid Christmas 2020 that's for sure! I can imagine the great-great-grandchildren looking through the dusty box of photos decades from now and asking, "Dad, is this the bank robbing branch of the family?" Hey, we have to chuckle to keep from crying!
For those of you who are new friends, the dogs on the right are our granddogs who didn't come for a backyard visit when the photo on the left was taken. Where's Hammy? He's in The Mister's left shirt pocket. We only took two photos because the kids were in a hurry that day and no one noticed that Hammy had chosen that moment to dive down for a raisin!
How About A Game?!
I thought a fun thing for us all to do when we're sitting around is come up with 2,021 reasons why we are welcoming the New Year of 2021. I'll start ...
- Vaccinations.
- Hugs.
- Family get-togethers.
- Friend get-togethers.
- Crafty get-togethers.
- Visiting elderly friends.
- Indoor church.
- Hugs.
- Eating out.
- Uplifted spirits.
- Continuing to Zoom.
- Going to the gym.
- On-time mail delivery.
- Vacations.
- Dieting.
- Sobering up.
- Hair salons.
- Mani Pedis.
- Hugs.
- Cleaning lady.
- Cruises.
- Movies.
- Sporting events.
- Concerts.
- ...
Things we won't welcome (and I prolly won't bother with):
- Wearing shoes.
- Wearing zippered trousers.
- Wearing makeup.
- Dieting.
- Sobering up.
- ...
~~~
I know for many of you the isolation and loneliness, especially during the holidays, is soul-crushing. Know that I care and I am sending you much love and virtual hugs.
I look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
*Life is too short!
To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)
Lovely that you've come out from your break to cheer us with one of your always amusing posts. Surely 2021 has to see a turn around for everyone - lots of virtual hugs.
ReplyDeleteA merry Christmas to you all Darnell, even if I couldn't see them for some reason. It may not be snowing here but the ground is frozen and the grass painted with frost so the countryside looks glistening. :)
ReplyDeleteA fab post Darnell, happy Christmas! What we will all need is another furloughed six months so that we can visit and catch up with everybody!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, and thanks for your ‘keep going’ blog. Xxx
Wishing you and your family all the best !!!!
ReplyDeleteStay safe !
XX Ineke
Wishing you, your family, your furry family and all your followers/readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy (and HEALTHY) 2021 - great pix - TFS Darnell, as always, it's a pleasure to stop by
ReplyDeleteKathyk
Merry Christmas to and yours Darnell! Cold here today (50F) so the Girls and I will be snuggling and watching painting videos. Have a wonderful day. Here’s to things improving in 2021! Long distance warm hugs. Nan and the Girls
ReplyDeleteHappy and healthy Christmas and the blessings of baby Jesus in New 2021.
ReplyDeleteWhat cute Santa's elves! A great family souvenir photo will be shrouded in mystery for posterity -)
Thank you for your wonderful blog and sharing your awesome cards and offbeat thoughts with us. It's good to have you, Darnell
hugs,
BożenA
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Marilyn💖
Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family! Will be pretty quiet day here. My son and fiancee are to stop by. Crock pot dinner today now if I just had a big box of dies and stamps to open...hah..Merry Merry
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you and your family Darnell, hope you’re having a wonderful day, love from Gay 🎄🎅🏼🤗🎉💕
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your sense of humor, especially during these trying times. Thanks for sharing your family photo - it's definitely one for the ancestry album! thanks for a year of blogging friendship and fun, and for all the compassion you have for others. Your kindness is what Christmas is all about. Wishing you and yours the best possible Christmas and hopefully a better year ahead. Hugz
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteA very Merry Christmas to you and your family Darnell! Thank you for all the love and joy you bring to others. You are a light in the world. 2,021+ blessings to you and yours in the coming year. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, D!!! Thanks for all the joy, and smiles you bring across the miles!! xoxo
ReplyDelete=] M
Waiting for my turkey to cook, I have a few spare minutes to say hello. What a wonderful idea to have you all grouped wearing masks, Love the photo and not recognising the sadness behind the reason for the masks. Have a Wonderful Christmas and enjoy whatever you do.
ReplyDeleteFaith x
Thank God I never found one of these pics whilst doing my research - the seafarer who murdered someone was a big enough skeleton in MY cupboard thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteSo it appears that I lied all those years ago when I was asked on the application form 'Have any of your family ever been convicted of an offence?' ...................
Happy Christmas to you and yours Dolly Daydreams! xxx
HAMMY - get your head out of that cocktail....!
Holiday blessings to you and yours, Darnell! Thank goodness for online friends and an optimistic nature for getting through this year. I’m grateful for your friendship and for the fact that most of us have managed to stay safe and healthy this year. The first 9,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are due to arrive here in Greece tomorrow, and vaccination of the elderly should start in February.
ReplyDeleteHugs, hugs and more hugs!
Marianne x
Have a very merry Christmas with your family. Looking forward to 2021 and hopefully to get involved in challenges again! 😀
ReplyDeleteEating out tops my list for 2021. I'm so tired of fixing food I could scream plus I miss seeing my friends and family. Love the Christmas card and those dogs. Poor Hammy, he really missed out being in the archives. Merry Christmas to you and your family, love you and miss you.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family. At least you are together. We chose to just do a Zoom session. It is so strange for me that all my doctors and nurses wore masks so I doubt I would recognize them without them on. I’ve never seen their faces.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making us smile Darnell, as you have this year as in every other year that I have known you, though this year you, and indeed all of us, have had far less to smile about. A lovely photo of you all, and I would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and hope that 2021 will prove to be a better one for all of us. x
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you my friend. Here's hoping your holidays will be cozy, safe and joyful. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Darnell and your family! From Death Valley. We are always quarantined. Hopefully, your New Year is filled with many creative ideas.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and healthy
Mischelle
Merry Christmas to you and family!!
ReplyDeleteHi Darnell, I did smile at the Bank Robbing part of the family.
ReplyDeleteHope you continue to enjoy the festive period. Sue
Merry Christmas Darnell!!! Thank you for popping in really quick. I can tell you one thing about 2021 - good riddance 2020! I am so HOPING 2021 is not worse than 2020 has been.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Dolly! So great to see the photos ... those dogs are hilarious!
ReplyDeleteHope your day is wonderful. Love you, Lolly
Awesome photos, Darnell! The masks are very appropriate for the time; the dogs are adorable! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Darnell. And Here's to a healthy and happy New Year. I love your 2 lists.
ReplyDeleteOne thing on my "I'm thankful for 2020" list, is a our first brand new Grandson! He may be future known as a Coronaial -- hmmm.
Have a great one, whatever it may be.
Hugs.
Looks like you are having a great day, hope it continues throughout 2021. Thanks for your friendship.
ReplyDeleteKath x
Merry Merry Friend!! My list looks the same, with eating out at the top, I too am getting tired of my cooking...the same thing on repeat!! ha ha. I can hardly wait for HUGS, getting and giving!! Miss you and hope we can meet up soon! We should plan something really BIG, go all out...when the time is safe to do so of course!! Heart Hugs and love, Col
ReplyDeleteThis picture always makes me smile! I hope you had a good visit with your family yesterday and you and Kevin are having a good day. A very merry Christmas to all of you! Mwah!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the smiles today Darnell beautiful family photo's, it's been a quiet Christmas in our house but I still managed to get a Christmas feast to my family by cooking and delivering to everyone's door. Feel a rest coming on tomorrow. Love the idea of the lists i'm sure we could come up with many more that the requested.. If I was not committed to my care duties i'd have thrown my shoes in the trash can months ago hee hee..
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas & happy & healthy blessing for 2021 Stay safe Tracey xx
Merry back to you. I had to laugh when I saw that Kevin has shorts on.Christmas Eve here was 3 degrees with 30-40 mph winds. But today was mid 20s, so no worries. Wishing the very best in 2021. Thank you for your friendship, your cards and all the times you lifted my spirits.It better be one damn fine new year. Stay safe and well, my friend.
ReplyDeleteSending Iowa hugs your way!
Merry Christmas, Darnell and wishes for a blessed Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Darnell, what a great family COVID friendly photo :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your wonderfully funny blog musings throughout the year.
Hugs Christine
We all love your blog posts Darnell, you really bring a smile and chuckle to us with Hammie and DH and your fabulous cards and challenge to inspire us.... thank you thank you thank you and ENJOY your family and a break over the Festive Season... my very best wishes and looking forward to some fun and creativity in 2021, hugs Robyn
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Darnell!! Hope your day was oh-so-nice. I love your lists. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo and post. I only hope the generations to come will learn from our mistakes and not have to suffer through another pandemic. I'm so looking forward to getting the vaccine and letting go of my concern for keeping myself and others safe from the virus. Happy holiday hugs to you. Thank you for your kind online friendship and crafty kinship. Stay healthy and happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smiles Darnell, wishing you and your family a much better new year xxx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you managed to have a visit from the family at Christmas! I managed to see two of my sons, one dropping off presents on Christmas Eve on his way to his girlfriend’s as they have firmed a support bubble so can still visit, and the youngest on Christmas Day when we were allowed to have visitors. Now we’re back in lockdown 😥Goodness knows when I’ll be able to see third son and grandsons again!
ReplyDeleteKeep safe xx
Lovely family photo Dee! Happy Christmas to you and all your family, here's to a great New Year too ;) hugs Vee xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like Christmas was wonderful, despite 2020, and my sentiments too - that 2021 is much more friendly and kind to all of us. Best wishes as we look forward to a new start!
ReplyDeleteBTW -- totally relate to your list, and totally agree with what we'll "not do"
What a fab photo! Love and best wishes to you and yours for a very happy and healthy New Year xx
ReplyDeleteHi Darnell - bet you're gonna spend all the bank robbery cash on crafting goodies!!! Am I right??? Love the pic. Love to you and your's, Jo x
ReplyDeleteThe twins are growing up so fast. Good tidings and a happy healthy new year to you all. Hugs Mrs A.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! and happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the bank robbing branch of the family! And the dogs of course. I hope you had a fab Christmas and I am so glad you are taking care and staying safe my friend! Hugs xxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great blog break & accomplishing what you wanted to do! I have yet to start putting things back in order how I want after hubby helped me move some pieces of furniture. Oh well--nothing unusual! You did indeed make me laugh--never thought of robbers wearing masks! But, you'll understand, the granddog picture completely made my day! Oh too cute! Stay safe & strong--better days are coming!
ReplyDeleteHoping you had a Wonderful Christmas - that is what you so deserve.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Neet xx
Hello my dear Darnell: First of all, I love the pictures of your family and adorable pets, and I also love the list of wishes for 2021 my friend, and, if I may, I would add to that GOING BACK TO SWIMMING and working our at the YMCA, it's been so long since I've seen my swimming buddies, I miss them so much.
ReplyDeleteI pray that all our wishes for 2021 come true, that our Country will heal and recover in EVERY WAY POSSIBLE, we just have to behave responsibly and listen to SCIENCE before we listen to anyone else!!!!!
Thank you for a year of fun with your blog post and the awesome Twofer Challenge, which is the number one favorite for me, I'm looking forward to January 10th. to see what you gals come up with for the first challenge of the year.
From my family to yours, health, peace and love, my dear.
Stay healthy and safe.
Hugs.
Maria Rodriguez.
Merry Christmas back to you!! I LOVE your photos of the family all masked up like that!! We only did the three of us this Christmas and it was depressing but we made the most of it with staying in our Pj's and eating lots of JUNK!!! I hope that all your wishes come true in 2021.
ReplyDeleteI will add to 2021 list-hiking and wine tasting with friends, as well as a NEW CRAFT ROOM that my husband is painting while I write this!!! Yes, you can add that to get togethers but I thought I would be specific!!
Happy New Year my friend!! Thank you for the lovely card you sent and for all your crafty inspiration AND your ability to make me LAUGH OUT LOUD when I read your blog. You are AMAZING!!! Big hugs!
A lovely post Darnell, I found it very uplifting, you always know when we all need a little boost! The family photo is lovely and the dogs look hilarious in their costumes.
ReplyDeleteWe had a very quiet Christmas, just the two of us but WhatsApp calls to the family were a lovely part of the day. I am wishing you 2,021 good wishes for the new year my friend. Love and best wishes, Annie xxx
Your blog posts always bring a smile to my face..but I see no smiles on Duke and Jack as they put up with humans dressing them in silly costumes, haha!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, and wishes for a much better year in 2021. What am I most looking forward to? How about not having to give reasons to skip Zoom meetings for one. I am seriously Zoom impaired and it's a complete embarrassment. A big change I'm hoping for is going out to restaurants. I'm seriously tired of my own cooking (but not tired enough of it to diet). Happy New Year to you all, and big virtual hugs as well!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year xoxo
ReplyDeleteMost thankful of in 2020...Internet, Phone and card making to keep in touch with family and friends!!!! Also an amazing Veggie garden and flower gardens..so much extra time and we do love gardening..especially the results:-) Staying healthy was a Big Plus too...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to 2021 and positive changes...at least now there is hope with the vaccines and a change in politics. In the meantime...we still have to be safe and not let our guard down.
We sure enjoyed your photo card and thanks for sharing the goofy photo of your grand-dogs...Take care and Happy Healthy New Year, dear, sweet, creative girlfriend:-) Love and Hugs...Nancy
Indoor church, YESSSS! Can't wait to attend again, and not worry about getting sick from Covid-19! Love your family photo, Darnell, and how CUTE that Hammy was in the pic too, just not visible.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!!
Belated Merry Christmas, Darnell - looks like you had a lovely family visit!! You've got a great list going for things to look forward to - I'm hoping for in-person chorus rehearsals to return!! And shows, conventions, contests - the list goes on!!
ReplyDeleteHello, Darnell! I've been having a blog break, too, and enjoying it. You all look perfectly lovely in your COVID fashion. Our 2020 Shutterfly photo book includes pictures of us in our masks with brief journaling throughout the year's pages to explain the situation. Weird times. I'm looking forward to a return to normalcy, but I'm sure it's still a few months away. Happy new year! Hugs 'n stuff.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and
Happy New Year! 🥳
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2021 Darnell. Love the photos..... you can see all the smiles in your eyes! xx
ReplyDeleteI hope you and family had a wonderful Christmas! Wishing for you and your family a happy healthy new year! Awesome family photo and sweet dog photo, too! Looking forward to normal times! But, in the meantime, I am so thankful for all my blessings especially, family and friends! Take care, hugs!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your masked group intact although Hammy is missed. Praying for endurance, patience, vaccines to be administered, and continued safety for my family and friends. Happy 2021, Darnell!
ReplyDeleteHi Lovely lady... I so enjoyed seeing those photos, I'm loving your hair!! We're locked down again until at least mid February so time for me to heal before the exercise begins again... I'll roll out in 2021! Be safe and well Hugs
ReplyDelete