PRESENTS

shadyandme · Senior Member

PRESENTS

Allara · Senior Member

One of my scouts, who is now a Rover called in for the day and had lunch and dinner with me, such a nice surprise, there are some lovely young people around.

jimricho · Guru

shadyandme wrote:

Ijust recieved my first christmas present I AM SO HAPPY it was THE GREY NOMADS GUIDEBOOK recieved from a neighbor who has had to put up with me going on about motorhomes and this site i think she is hoping it will keep me quiet for a while (and it will).Hope everyone is as lucky as me Have a great christmas everyone

Welcome to the forum and Season's Greetings....

You're probably aware of this but in case you're not.... The authors of the "Grey Nomads Guidebook" are the convenors of this forum and The grey Nomads website.

It's an excellent reference book and covers a wealth of information.

(where's my commision Cindy? wink

)

brickies · Guru

Jim often I am amazed at how many forum members just know about this forum and don't know about the grey nomads web site which is a wealth of information for someone just starting out

Happywanderer · The Master

I don't know how they would have found the forum without going through the website first.
I found the website, read all the interesting bits and still do, then went on to the forum and still go through to it the same way.

goinsoon · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:

I don't know how they would have found the forum without going through the website first.
I found the website, read all the interesting bits and still do, then went on to the forum and still go through to it the same way.

Same here

ChiChi1 · Guru

me too

Sheba · Guru

I found the Website, then saved the Forum address to Favourites, and get on from there all the time now.
Occasionally go back to check Front Page.

Cheers,
sheba.

Beth54 · Guru

My kids had asked me for a wish list. I don't particularly like doing this, it just doesn't seem right to me.

Anyway, one of the things I put on there was a UHF...which is what they gave me!

I haven't 'played' with it yet, but I'm very excited about having one at last!

capt cream bun · Senior Member

On the 24th the owner of the business where i work came to me and said "we took $30.000 yesterday, and today we are having a similar day" . I stormed out of work that evening, Christmas eve, thinking what a pathetic place to work. Not so much as a hand shake or a Merry Christmas greeting given by him to his senior staff. Exactly the same last year also.

As a solo i spend a lot of time alone but Christmas brings my family together, nothing makes me happier than seeing all my kids spending the day together. Seeing them all huddled in a group, heads down in chat and laughter. Seeing smiles and care all round.

Happywanderer · The Master

Didn't the boss give his staff anything for Xmas, a bonus, a hamper, a meal out, something???
That is mean, most employers do something for the staff at Xmas. Even if only a hamper. A ham and a bottle of wine. Miserable b.....d
If it was so easy I would say go find yourself a better job.

madiesmum · Newbie

my boss gave everyone a lovely personalised gift, she knows how much i love to travel and so gave a road atlas, soo thoughtful.

Beth54 · Guru

madiesmum wrote:

my boss gave everyone a lovely personalised gift, she knows how much i love to travel and so gave a road atlas, soo thoughtful.

I've heard that it's a very good learning experience for children to travel Australia.

jimricho · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
I've heard that it's a very good learning experience for children to travel Australia.

A good learning experience for us older kids too....Overseas travel is also a very good learning experience.

Beth54 · Guru

Yep, for sure Jim. I loved NZ too, but that's all the OS I've done. Alas, it's just not in the budget anymore.

Allara · Senior Member

Love NZ, stay in the youth hostels with the other backpackers, had a great time.

Beth54 · Guru

We stayed in what I called 'dog boxes'. So called because they were so tiny. A weeny little cabin just big enough for 2 single beds or a double, and maybe a little bench. I haven't seen anything so small in our Caravan Parks. They were very cheap. biggrin

We'd bought an old Escort panelvan for $500 in Auckland, and went all over both islands before it died in Dunedin on our last stretch. Then a guy 'swapped' cars with us as his sister wanted a van for her dogs. How weird is that?! disbelief So we got back to Christchurch okay, and left it with my ex's nephew to sell, and flew home!

This was in '94 I think, and my ex never followed rules, so it was probably highly illegal.

didiaust · Veteran Member

One son (23) gives us one BIG present each year
It covers Mothers & Fathers Day - our Birthdays and Xmas

He hates shopping so we have done well

Solar pannels
Large 12V Fridge /freezer
Computer
Electric Motor

Much better than the sets of knives and bath salts

Beth54 · Guru

Wow! What a great idea! Well scored!

Cruising Granny · Guru

You are all very lucky.
Due to a fall out with my eldest daughter just before Christmas I had the time by myself, and there were no presents here.
I did give my children and grandchildren presents.
I think I'm the most dysfunctional of my very dysfunctional family, according to my daughter, anyway.
I did my best with what I had, and they'll never understand.
At what stage in our lives do we lose our brain, our heads, our commonsense and all that experience we've experienced through life?
I think it must have been somewhere between my car and the front door after towing from Cairns to SA.

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm sorry to hear that CG, thats sad to hear after such a long trek back to SA.

I echo your statement exactly.
I did the best with what I had, but they will never understand.
They just do not understand and mum always takes the blame.

I spent the day alone until the evening anyway when I went to my daughters after they got back from the in laws. Its a lonely day sitting watching TV by yourself and wondering What the hell!!!

didiaust · Veteran Member

How can any kids with IQ's above 70 leave their parent alone especially at Christmas.

I would have taken you to the inlaws too- isn't that what its all about - being family together. Are there any charity lunches wher you live - we have on a few occasions helped out with the homeless lunches( as a family). I would do that next year if you are left alone again and make their present an big donation to the organisation that arranges the lunch.

Di

shadyandme · Senior Member

I also know how you feel. Maybe next year we can all meet up and have christmas together.

Happywanderer · The Master

I actually help with a community lunch fortnightly , another lady and I, we did a Xmas one the Sunday before Xmas day for 22 people.
Not something I care to do on Xmas day.

One year I was taken along to the inlaws but that seems to be forgotten.
I called into the father in laws shop to say hello the other day and was told all about the family get together on New years Eve, how it was lovely having all the family together. While I sat home watching TV and went to bed early.

I have 2 sons also who don't live near me. I got a txt from one. The other I rang for a chat.

gillyb · Senior Member

Happy Wanderer, Cruising Granny and Shadyandme next year you must all come and spend christmas with me no one should be alone christmas day!!

lilly31 · Guru

yes us mum seem to be forgotton on specials days thought it was just my family but it seem to be the norm from what i am reading here ..... maybe we all be on road one christmas day same place same time and we have a wonderful chrissy day togethers ..cheers ...i spend chrissy day with my 80 year old dad it was wonderfull day ... but my kids i didnt see on that day ....

Beth54 · Guru

I'm amazed there are so many ungrateful and insensitive children out there. It's so sad.

I feel very fortunate. My large family have Xmas Day all together every second year. The other year everyone goes wherever they please. We also do Secret Santa, so everyone gets at least one pressy. We love it.

This year there were 24 of us, including my ex, his partner and her Mum, and my daughters mother-in-law. Plus 6 granchildren, 5 of whom are under 4 years old.

If there is anyone we know at a loose end, or alone for Xmas, we invite them too.

Some of my off years haven't been great...when my kids are not about and I've had no partner...but someone has always invited me to their Xmas festivities.

I know it's really hot having a Qld Xmas, but any of you are very welcome here any time. And there's a pool right outside my door!!

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I spent about 10 Christmases on my own. Fortunately I had a job where I worked on Christmas Day, I was caring for old people, but it was saddening to realise most of them would not be seeing a single soul for the rest of the day.

Theres a lot of it about!! And its the advertising hype that makes us all feel so bad. furious

Its a big mistake to accept an invitation to somebody elses family gathering, as you feel an awful outsider. cry

But a gathering of other singles has great potential... smile

Cruising Granny · Guru

gillyb wrote:
Happy Wanderer, Cruising Granny and Shadyandme next year you must all come and spend christmas with me no one should be alone christmas day!!

Sometimes it's the preferred option.
Don't feel too bad for me. I used to go to their places every second Christmas when I lived in Broome, and on the alternate years I hosted orphans' Christmas at the house I used to care-take while their owners were visiting family OS>
Maybe I'm too close and their fantasy image of me has been shattered. I think I've failed the family test.
I do feel for anyone spending special occasions on their own, especially when it's the result of a fall-out with the kids.
I'm glad I don't depend on them for support in times of sickness or hard times, and I never will.
Their world is all about them.

Happywanderer · The Master

You can bet your bottom dollar next Xmas will be a big family affair. My daughter's first baby is due August. Wondering if suddenly I will be included in all the activities that up till now I have been excluded from.
Will be interesting.