Hi, Bill!  Playing catch up as usual, but you know I never miss an update to your story!  This was a lovely Christmas, and, as always, I love the details in your story. It really helps me imagine it in my mind's eye. :) 

I was really hungry by the time I got done reading this, too - ha!  Michael's attitude continues to be one of an impetulant child; sometimes I think he's younger than his own daughter!  Sheesh.

As always, I'll be looking forward to your next part, and where you take this. Thanks for the update!  ~Kim

Author's Response:

Hi Kim, thanks for taking time to review.  Glad you enjoyed this chapter.  Mikey can always be counted on to do the wrong thing.  Bill

     Thanks for the chapter.

     Michael is in deep trouble.  I don’t think anything short of

therapy can help him.  Nice to see some good things about Claire. 

So she is beginning to take some responsibility for her actions. 

Then again what she did was terrible, not just a few minor

mistakes. 

    The family has surrounded John and Peter with love and

support that they needed.  I don’t know where Claire fits in.  Sady,

the story of Claire and her embroidery shows us that Joan not just

misguided, but a mean Joan S. O. B.  Basically, she is simply

unforgivable.  

    Christmas was great.  There was so many people who were

happy to be where they were, with people they truly liked.  That

came through to us readers.  It was one of those feel good

chapters, and I did feel good reading it.  So thanks!

    DavidR

 

Author's Response:

Hello my freind, hope you had nice holidays and best wishes for the new year!!  Happy to know that you enjoyed the latest chapter.  I think it would take really intense therapy to help Mikey see the world more realistically.  It appears Claire is starting to realize she has made some significant mistake in her life.  Joan is a nasty piece of work, some people should NOT become parents.  Thanks for all your support, I always look forward to your comments!!!!!!   Bill

Wonderful chapter, it was worth waiting for. Happy new year too.

Still not the end of "holiday happenings" ? Oops sorry * blushes * I thought new year new story with a new the banner (I made a few months ago). * giggles * don't hurry for me. Love this.

* hugs *

Author's Response:

Happy new year to you!!  I didn't think HH would last this lng and a have at least a couple more chapters to go.  After that there is a call for a quick story on the Disney Trip.  So it may be a while before I get to use your beautiful banner.  That story will start when the babies are ready to arrive.  A some loose ends to tie up before that.  Always nice to hear from you.  Thanks for reviewing!!!  Bill

So happy to see this new chapter! As always, I loved all the details you include. It was nice to see Nina and Viola's Christmas with Ted and Blake. Ted is such a good father--his realization that Nina was a little overwhelmed shows that. The contrast between Mark's family and the Kinney-Taylor household reminded me that happy homes don't always just happen. A lot of it has to do with attitude and commitment. Loved seeing one of my very favorite characters again--Kevin!--and Brian's tender moment with him. Gus was pretty adorable, too, what with his excitement and enthusiasm for the new train room. I'm sure everyone thought Michael looked pathetic trailing around after Brian. How does Ben stand it? Had to chuckle to hear that Jennifer is at the top of Joan's hate list. Interesting to hear, too, that Claire has a talent for embroidery. Of course, no surprise that her parents were so dismissive of that talent. I am looking forward to the next installment. Thanks for this one!

Author's Response:

Sorry to make you wait so long for this chapter.  Glad that you enjoyed it.  I thnk Ted, Blake, Nina & Viola make a nice little family group.  Teddy Man takes his job of looking after Nina VERY seriously.  There are lots of screwed up families out there, many of them thinking they are doing OK.  I think Mark's parents think their family is fine, at least there are no homosexuals.  We can always count on Mikey!!   I love Kevin also and am so pleased that so many readers enjoy Gus & Kevin interacting.  Jennifer worked pretty hard to get to the top of Joan's list and I believe she is proud to be there,  Thanks for taking time to review!!!!!!!  Bill

Great descriptions of the party and holiday.  I felt like I was there.  So, now you are going to write the Disney trip-  right?

Author's Response:

We have to get through new years, Joe's story and someone new suddely appearing but Disney trip is coming for sure!!!!  Thanks for the review.  Bill

This is the perfect end of the holiday season...an update to Holiday Happenings.  I hope the season brought you much joy and love. I also hope that the coming year does the same. All the best to you in 2017!! 

The party kind of reminded me of those that I grew up with. Sounds a bit ponpous I know, but between my parents and my Godmother, (we alternated every year) it was all pretty similar, except without the driver service. Now that would've been a brilliant idea back then. :)

Showing the true Christmas spirit here with the idea for Claire to embroider and make some $$. Would be nice if this is the initial olive branch and that in time, some of the major woulds could begin to heal. Not sure they ever will completely, but even a bit would be nice. I hope she's sincere in her motives and understands the need for time. That was a really touching part. Even Brian was slightly open.

Despite the incredible generosity of everyone and the abundant haul everyone brought in, it's obvious that none of the kids come across as spoiled. They are all incredibly grateful and appreciative. While they were thrilled with all their gifts, it seemed they were just as thrilled, if not more so by the sense of family and togetherness that was abundant throughout.

Lovely catch up with Ted, Blake et al. Nina's reaction to Christmas was so sweet and genuine. I could imagine that it would be quite overwhelming. So happy that she and viola have this opportunity now.

Michael is still an ass. I mean really...suck it up buttercup. Glad nobody succumbed to his little tantrums. And why wouldn't he take the available transit? Was he hoping for an overnight invite or something? Just silly. He's just a petulant little boy really. shame that he seems to feel there's a need to compete for JR's or even Brian's affections. Following him around like a little puppy. Like I said, he's just a silly boy.

What a wonderful chapter and so well worth the wait!! I felt heart warmed and smiled reading it all.

thank you for this! I have to admit, I've been waiting for the notice I received of the update, but I figured that it would be after the holidays. It's a lovely gift from you to all of us. A thrill to receive.

Cheers and once again, all the best to you in the New Year. I hope 2017 brings you all that you hope for.

Elaine

 

Author's Response:

I had to double check with my new Echo to make sure of the day of the week.  It really is Wednesday!  Hope you had a wonderful 2017!!  My parents also had some large parties over the years but none invovled caterers.  My mother and her sisters usually made the food.  Hopefully Claire will take Jennifer's offer to help her make some money and do something worthwhile.  Claire finally seems to be taking some responsibility for her actions which is more than we can say for good old Joanie.  I envision John & Peter occasionally pinching themselves to be sure their aren't dreaming.  They have had huge positive changes in their life.

I love Ted & Blake and their delight with Nina.  Viola knew what she was doing to pick them to take care of her granddaughter.  They take care of her as well.  Mikey is very dependable, he is always an idiot.  I'm sure he can't understand why JR and Brian love Justin.  All Mikey sees is a twink who took his best friend and is trying to steal his daughter's affection.

I apologize for the long wait and am thrilled you think it was worth the wait.  I hope we all have a great year, it will be an interesting one with some of the changes in the USA.  Thanks, as always, for your support.  You know I love to read reviews!!!!!!!  Bill

My dog Miki follows me around the way Michael followed Brian but he is a dog. Wow Claire has a skill I never would have guessed. The fact her mother discouraged it not surprised at all. Sounds like everyone made out well for Xmas. Why does JR's love for Justin amuse me and oh boy will she be jealous of those babies, I don't see Gus having an issue he knows he is loved. Molly's boyfriends family is weird and why do I have this odd concern niggling me about the boyfriends brother. I missed this enough I reread the first part. I can't wait for the next part with the babies. I also hope we don't have to wait a month for another chapter. I can't wait for the Disney trip.

Author's Response:

Must have something to do with the name.  Claire has made a bunch of bad decisions in life but her parents set her up for failure.  Sadly she never overcame her grim start in life.  Was a good Chrstmas for lots of folks.  I think you may be correct about JR and the new babies, she s unhappy enough competeing with Gus for Brian & Justin's attention.  Molly boyfrend's family is very wierd.  I have more concerns about Mark than his brother.  I plan on more regular updates, a New Year's resolution.  Thanks for your support and best wishes for 2017!!  Bill