Reviews from

'Twas the Year Before Christmas

Merry Christmas FS Friends

44 total reviews 
Comment from nomi338
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Okay. I am now all caught up. What a nice way to tell the family's story for activities throughout the year. Beats long conversations via phone calls, or lengthy letters. (Stamps are becoming expensive). This is a wonderful idea, I would not be surprised if other FS writers picked up on it and used it themselves.

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 05-Dec-2022
    Thanks so much Nomi, for such a lovely review and your kind words for my Christmas Newsletter poem. I consider this year a very rewarding year. I will finally walk again, all of my family is healthy now and my lupus and kidney disease are doing ok. Plus I have the best bunch of online friends and second family here on FS and I am so blessed by having you in my life. God must really love me to bless me with you this year. You are so sweet and I appreciate your kindness more than you could possibly know, my dear friend and big brother. Thanks for the extra award of the six stars too. I sure do appreciate it.
reply by nomi338 on 05-Dec-2022
    It is actually a no brainer for a community of writers to communicate with family and friends via a newsletter.
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a grand job you did of introducing your family in this Christmas card letter! It's obvious, it's the grandchildren that make your world go round. I notice you include the good and the bad and get in all the "funny" that you can! I love how you easily slide in a "fishing" pun and you tattle about you husband's late Christmas shopping. I hope you do well in the contest and wish you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest New year with lots of love!

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 04-Dec-2022
    Verna, I absolutely love when I sneak little puns or jokes into a post, and then someone will come back and tell me that they caught them. It is one of my favorite things to hear from a reviewer. And of course it isn't just any reviewer, it is a dear friend. Thank you for that. That is like a dream to hear those words. And thank you for all of your other very kind words for my poem. Thank you again, my beautiful friend!!
Comment from LJbutterfly
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

OMG! OMG! Debi! This Christmas newsletter is phenomenal. I enjoyed every word of every line. You creatively told the story of all family members for a year, in rhyme. I truly admire your talent. Pow! This has to be a six. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 05-Dec-2022
    Thanks so much Lorraine. This has to be the sweetest review ever, and I appreciate your kind words for my Christmas Newsletter poem. You have not only made my day or week, but I'm sure the rest of my year. Actually, I consider this year a very rewarding year. I will finally walk again, all of my family is healthy now and my lupus and kidney disease are doing ok. Plus I have the best bunch of online friends and second family here on FS and I am so blessed by having you as a friend and almost feel like a sister.. You are so sweet and I appreciate your kindness more than you could possibly know, my dear friend.
Comment from Sally Law
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

My goodness, what a year you've had! Considering it all, I am amazed at your beautiful spirit, positivity, and dedication to writing. The hopeful message and reminder of Christ's birth, gives us hope in all our hardships and difficulties.

God has blessed us both with Him, loving family, and friends as dear as family on FanStory.

I am blessed to know you, Debi dear. Thank you for sharing this, and for the Bee-u-ti-full photo. My very best in the contest!
Love,
Sal XOs

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 05-Dec-2022

    Thanks so much for such a lovely review and your kind words for my Christmas Newsletter poem. Actually, I consider this year a very rewarding year. I will finally walk again, all of my family is healthy now and my lupus and kidney disease are doing ok. Plus I have the best bunch of online friends and second family here on FS and I am so blessed. You are so sweet and I appreciate your kindness more than you could possibly know, my dear & sweet friend. I finally have it where I it reads and sounds so much better.
Comment from Terry Broxson
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Debi, two sixes on the same day. Why not? I knew you would write a very creative poem for this contest, and you did not disappoint. I do love the reference, "drop them a line." Very well done. Terry.

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 04-Dec-2022
    Thanks so much Terry. I was so busy getting these ready that I haven't had a chance to read yours and I am so excited. I think I finally have all my meter problems fixed. It seems I always do my best editing after I post. Maybe if you look at it again, it will be worth the six you mentioned. Lol.
    I do appreciate your kind comments my dear friend.
reply by Terry Broxson on 04-Dec-2022
    LOL, You two sixes today, I am pretty sure that is the legal limit from me. Terry.
reply by the author on 04-Dec-2022
    I feel really stupid because I don't expect more. But I don't want you to think I am ungrateful for not thanking you properly. But you gave me a 5 on this one.
reply by Terry Broxson on 04-Dec-2022
    Call?em as you see?em, Terry
Comment from John Ciarmello
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I loved this poem about your grandchildren and grandma Debi and her soulful involvement with her family and friends around holidays and such. So great to read something like this around the Holidays. I loved it! Best, JohnC

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 05-Dec-2022
    Thanks so much John, for such a thoughtful review and your kind words for my Christmas Newsletter poem. I consider this year a very rewarding year. I will finally walk again, all of my family is healthy now and my lupus and kidney disease are doing ok. Plus I have the best bunch of online friends and second family here on FS and I am so blessed. You are so sweet and I appreciate your kindness more than you could possibly know, my dear friend.
reply by John Ciarmello on 05-Dec-2022
    Happy Holidays!
Comment from Heather Knight
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello, I loved reading this and learning a bit more about you. But there's something I don't get: Grandma Debbie isn't you, is it? It's maybe your mum... You look super-young and cute to be a grandma, plus some of your kids are very young.
I don't care about the rhyme and meter basically because I know nothing about it. Regarding your lines, they are all easy to read.
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful poem.

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 05-Dec-2022
    Oh Heather, you are so very sweet! And yes those are my grandkids and my kids are all grown up. And the picture that I have up there is 4 years old. I try to never use any pictures older than 5 years old because that would be like I'm ashamed of who I am. I appreciate your kind words for my poem and me. I guess I never think of age as anything more than how we feel about our life and those who we are closest to.. To me those are truly important! I think you are so lovely my friend and thank you again for the biggest smile you gave me!
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I see YOU in these children's faces:-)

I like the way you mixed the original poem with your personal story: "The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow . . ."

A nice summary of your year and the accomplishments of your grandchildren, of whom I know you are very proud.

I would only suggest that you enlarge the font on the months, as they tend to blend in with the lines of your poem. Maybe bold print? Something to make them stand out from the text a little more.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and continued success with your "training", as we have a job to do together in a year or so!

xxoo
Pam

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 05-Dec-2022
    Thanks Pam! I read this when you first wrote it, but after posting three in 2 days, I ended up with so many to thank, but I purposely read them right away because then if there's feedback, I take care of that right away. Which I did. I had done it when I first posted, but because I joined a contest that is mostly stories, the format was all wrong and I ended up losing it all and had to start over. So thank you for a reminder I almost forgot to change it again. Also thanks for your sweet words for it my friend. This year has been more blessings than hardships and I am so thankful. After all I found you! : )
    Thanks again for the loveliest review ever!
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Interesting creative. That's a busy group you have to follow. Are your reports from them or do you gather your facts when they come to visit on holiday and such. You feeling ok? ;-0

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 08-Dec-2022
    Oh thank you Tom! Actually we are in touch everyday. Both my girls live within 15 miles of us and my son lives next door. So we are a pretty close family. This contest sure got everyone in the holiday spirit and excited to see the results tomorrow when voting is over. I am doing better every week and am now walking with two canes now. It is slow and still painful, but I have
    baby legs, so I can't wait till I can walk alone. I appreciate you asking, my very dear friend!
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Debi, what a wonderful Christmas card newsletter and in poetic form. You have certainly had an eventful year you and your family with all its ups downs. A wonderful entry for the contest which I thoroughly enjoyed. A hug, Ulla xx

 Comment Written 04-Dec-2022


reply by the author on 05-Dec-2022
    Thanks so much Ulla, for such a lovely review and your kind words for my Christmas Newsletter poem. Actually, I consider this year a very rewarding year. I will finally walk again, all of my family is healthy now and my lupus and kidney disease are doing ok. Plus I have the best bunch of online friends and second family here on FS and I am so blessed. You are so sweet and I appreciate your kindness more than you could possibly know, my dear friend.