Christmas (remember when?)

[Generals64]

Don't mean to be there only one posting but my feeble old mine brings up so many mistakes....Why did we string popcorn for the tree?....Andwhy were my grandparents so dumb as to have real candles on thiers? Can anyone answer that one?

[angel27]

This Christmas is a different one than I've had in a very long time. After 22 years of social service work, my boss walked in and asked for my resignation. Its a non-profit, so there is no unemployment available. I never had retirement. Was asking for those things but such requests seemingly have landed me with this particular Christmas at this particular point in my life. I still help the girls when they need.

So what do you do with Christmas coming and no money - have to hold on to every penny. Others must also know this situation this year. Having had a month or so to settle into this, I'm beginning to really enjoy this Christmas.

I don't buy what I don't need. I try not to be wasteful. I make use of what I have, and I find this very satisfying. I have allowed myself to purchase some nice wool yarn, and find that the knitting of a scarf or beanie is therapuetic to me. I have found long held supplies of tapestried fabrics and the makings of quilts, and my hands now move the material satisfyingly over my sewing machine and through my needle and hands. My heart is healing in the process. My grandbaby has a dolly with no clothes, and I have tons of material with which I can outfit her and a dolly blanket I can make her. My son has had to forego his Christmas bonus, and has since turned down his heat, so he will appreciate a quilted throw for Christmas I hope. How appropo, no money and this newfound time.

I'm really appreciating the quiet time I have to reflect and in peicing together these gifts I also take the fabric of my life to now and peice it together in new ways. Reflecting back on Christmases, often it was some of the most meager that were some of the most precious. One year I didn't have money for a tree, so I decorated a bare branch with clear bulbs and lights and glass icicles, and stuck it in a bucket with plaster of paris. My boys were young, and they informed me they didn't want their gifts under that tree; didn't want their pictures by that tree.. but it was one of the more memorable and looked back on warmly in our exchanges.

This one is working out to becoming memorable as well.

[Generals64]

Christmas what a time of the year. I remember my oldest son (only son at that time) wanted a set of drums....He told Santa he wanted the real ones and if Santa couldn't afford them it was O.K......I went throughout central Texas trying to find a set of drums we could afford.....Nothing..... Panic in my heart not because of a Christmas gift but, my only child had one simple request....I told a close buddy the dilema and he said how about these??? and there in his closet stored away through time sat a set of Real drums and Cymbals (what was I thinking...Cymbals)...I gulped and said How Much?...Get them out of this house and a cup of Coffee....God works in mysterious ways.....My son loved the drums and cymbals and never noticed they were used.....The gift lasted about 30 days until he could ride his horse again without it being too cold outside.....The drums, they found a place (along with the cymbals) in another little boys life....How much did we charge??? another cup of Coffee.....
Let's try and remember what Christmas really stands for......Not presents and panics as well as over run credit cards but a time of believing in the birth of Jesus Christ. If this offends anyone I don't mean to... I have enjoyed OKCTALK more than anyone can imagine....True Blue Workaholoic but once I read through OKCTALK. I begin to settle down and my days become calm...Thank all of you guys.

[Generals64]

Merry Christmas...I guess it's time to let everyone get after the Holidays with full force and I hope everyone enjoys Christmas day....

[jane10357]

This is my first post!

I had my picture made with Santa in 1960 at Sears on 23rd & Penn (remember how that store smelled like roasted nuts?). About 25 years later I was going through my husband's family photos and saw his photo with the very same Santa that very same year! This Santa had ugly glasses with a yellow tint so there's no mistaking it was the same guy. Anyway, I have now framed our Santa photos together even though we didn't meet each other for another 10 years or so.

[jane10357]

Regarding AMC: I always felt like I needed a bath when I left that store, but it was irresistable because they were so cheap and usually still had the "it" toys when TG&Y was sold out.

I also remember my father taking all of us every year to the Mayor's Christmas Party at the Civic Center where they would give us fruit, ribbon candy & peanuts in a bag. Years later I found out it was for underprivileged children and was shocked! Was I underprivileged??? (Actually, I think my dad was just cheap and it was free.)

[Generals64]

I had forgotten all about that Christmas Party.....My gosh, it wasn't just for the underprivledge....hooray for your dad.....this was a time that all children were equal...whether or not that had plenty or none at all. I can't remember who the mayor when the party was in it's hey day..

[Prunepicker]

Christmas of '58 was a white Christmas. It was our first Christmas in Oklahoma.
I didn't get my Lionel train Believe me. I've told Santa about it every year since.

[dances with cameras]

Speaking of Christmas past--

Remember those cool old aluminum Christmas trees?

[Generals64]

Oh my gosh, I forgot to get the wife her annual Christmas perfume.....Anyone know where to find eternity for women? I have always gone to Dillards at Crossroads....guess what........they don't have it....Norman is out....Help...Boy, I remember those guys who simply forgot what they were supposed to do until the last minute...When I was in retail, we used to laugh at them and make jokes of it....not this time........Merry Christmas....

[Generals64]

Oh my gosh, I forgot to get the wife her annual Christmas perfume.....Anyone know where to find eternity for women? I have always gone to Dillards at Crossroads....guess what........they don't have it....Norman is out....Help...Boy, I remember those guys who simply forgot what they were supposed to do until the last minute...When I was in retail, we used to laugh at them and make jokes of it....not this time........Merry Christmas....

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If anyone was thinking about the perfume for me....THANKS.....HOWEVER, i FINALLY FOUND IT IN DALLAS.. Whew saved by Texas....

[danielf1935]

Thanks for the memories. My mom passed away this past May, as we were clearing out her house, we found our old silver tree and colored wheel, they were sealed in boxes and as good as new. In her honor, we put the tree up in our den and it was enjoyed by everyone.

[danielf1935]

As a child, I remember going downtown, getting a cup of hot choclate from one of the drug stores and setting on the curb, watching the Christmas Parade. Also, after Christmas, everyone took their trees to an area along the Canadian (Now Oklahoma) River and they would have a huge bonfire, 100's if not 1000's of people would show up to watch the fire. (If I remember right, it was near Wheeler Park)

[USG '60]

Thanks for the memories. My mom passed away this past May, as we were clearing out her house, we found our old silver tree and colored wheel, they were sealed in boxes and as good as new. In her honor, we put the tree up in our den and it was enjoyed by everyone.

Darn, I wish I could have stuck my head in the door just to look at it a second. That would have been a real rush. Holler at me next year, eh.

[Generals64]

Darn, I wish I could have stuck my head in the door just to look at it a second. That would have been a real rush. Holler at me next year, eh.

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Somewhere in the darkest parts of my attic, I have a silver tree....I'll try to find it and bring it to the next Southside Threaders meeting....

[redcup]

Craziest thing I miss....
My parents had an aluminum tree with the color wheel that went around.
Later we had the tree purchased at Coits and we would hang the icicles on it with those giant light bulbs. you would walk near the tree and the icicles would reach out from the static. Best present was the Johnny eagle gun and new suede cowboy boots. Warm cashews at Sears and always always always putting money in the bell ringers pot.

Gosh, I had forgotten about the warm cashews. They were great. I really miss the Sears on 23/Penn.

[redcup]

I am an only child and so was a bit spoiled at Christmas. My mother made a big deal out of it for me and family. I remember one year, I was probably 6 or so. I decided to look for my presents. I found a wonderful doll high chair and doll hidden in her closet. At first I was excited and then realized what I had done. I had ruined my Christmas morning. To this day, I will not even pick up a present to shake it and guess what is in it. My kids laugh at me. But, I will NEVER be not surprised again on Christmas morning!

[Generals64]

I am an only child and so was a bit spoiled at Christmas. My mother made a big deal out of it for me and family. I remember one year, I was probably 6 or so. I decided to look for my presents. I found a wonderful doll high chair and doll hidden in her closet. At first I was excited and then realized what I had done. I had ruined my Christmas morning. To this day, I will not even pick up a present to shake it and guess what is in it. My kids laugh at me. But, I will NEVER be not surprised again on Christmas morning!

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Same Scenario. Found my beloved Kodak Camera.....Seventh Grade...Bummer for Christmas...Won't even pick a Christmas Present up until time to open them.....

[Generals64]

Well, it's been a great Christmas for 2008...Must send Santa home now as he and Mrs. Claus need to go to the Bahamas for a break.....Thanks, Merry Christmas until next year....P.S. found the Silver tree.....

[Prunepicker]

Speaking of Christmas past--

Remember those cool old aluminum Christmas trees?

That's a memory! We had an aunt and uncle who had one. Kids thought it was
so cool.

[Generals64]

Today would be the day for the burning of the trees......Gosh, that was fun...there's no telling how many hundreds of Christmas trees would be burned...OKC peopel all had a good time...Cost????? FREE......(new word for the OKC dictionary.

[Prunepicker]

Today would be the day for the burning of the trees... Gosh, that was fun...
there's no telling how many hundreds of Christmas trees would be burned... OKC
peopel all had a good time... Cost? FREE... (new word for the OKC dictionary.

That's an oldie!

I remember the days when we'd be in the backyard burning our trash in a 50
gallon oil drum. That was fun. The old guys, who were probably younger than we
are now, would gather around and talk.

[Generals64]

That's an oldie!

I remember the days when we'd be in the backyard burning our trash in a 50
gallon oil drum. That was fun. The old guys, who were probably younger than we
are now, would gather around and talk.

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Same thing on my side of the Southside. There used to be and independent trash man (Mr. Nixon) who would come by and pick up your trash and if you couldn't afford to pay him that day he wait and come back two days later. The men of the block (most were WWII veterans) were just trying to make ends meet and sometimes they burned the trash and other incendiary objects....Have you ever seen a Just Wonderful hair sprray can explode? Thought they were back in Europe fighting the Germans....We still had a great time.....What happened????

[Generals64]

Hey:...found this silly thread on the back page.....Have you guys started buying presents for Christmas yet...Just think you could be done by June. Do you remember the Christmas Clubs the bank use to have. The convinced everyone to put their money in the bank for Christmas...No intersest of course...just a courtesy for their customers....I have a refillable card from Wal-Mart and add some every week...Not much but it comes in handy at Christmas.....