Bah Hum Bug - The Holidays are Coming

[Daisy1234]

I am on the other end of the spectrum.  I never used to put up my Christmas decorations or get a tree or do much else to mark the occasion around the home.  Things have really changed for me in the past few years though.  I have had to stop working due to primary severe Sjs with loads of extraglandular complications.  Most days I barely can do anything now and spend most of my time shuffling between the hospital and the various specialists that are providing me with treatment.  I've had my share of close calls since getting really ill that has changed me in many ways.

I used to take the holidays for granted but I don't any longer.  Don't ever know if this will be my last one either, so 2 years ago I started putting out all of my Christmas decorations (with help of course) but I start at the end of November and by the week before Christmas all lights are on (hubby does all of the outdoor work but I get my say on how many lighted deer and things I want out) and my decorations are all in place.  I use online shopping to get my gifts and use gift bags to "wrap" them, which is another consession to my health but I treasure having another year to celebrate this special occasion now, much more than I ever used to before.  Mind you, it takes me a few months to get all of the decorations back into the boxes et al, but to me its worth it big time.

[Epson]

Bah Hum Bug, you can't mean that.  I'm so looking forward to Festivus, some of you may not be familiar with this holiday, so here are some highlights of Festivus.   

    * Drinking egg nog until you black out.
    * Eating your weight in sugar cookies.
    * Airing of grievances, having that same argument with your family that you've been having for the last 10 years.
    * Watching 24 hours of A Christmas Story.
    * Spending quality time with friends and loved ones.
    * Feats of strength and polishing the Festivus pole.

Christmas for you, Festivus for the rest of us.

[Pisces24]

Well be thankful for you all that have families!
All my family has passed away & I was an only child. The closest relation I have are 1st cousins who have their own families, grandkids, etc. etc. so I am the Odd One Out.

It is a bummer being by myself during Christmas but I manage ok. I have a ceramic tree I put up and I string the cards I get on the wall for decoration. I have kitties to I can't have a regular tree.  I always pick someone off the "wish tree" they have in Kmart or where-ever and buy something for someone I don't know too.

What I would really like for Christmas is (and the whole winter) is just a little snow. But forecasters says we will get a bunch here this yr in Iowa. Sigh. 

[Epson]

Pisces,

Be thankful you all have families, is that what I read?  You obviously haven't met my family, I'd rather have dinner with Charlie Manson's family.

[lynnmarie219]

Oh Epson!

Come on now.....it cant be that bad! 

[bloodless]

I'm glad I started this thread. I got some great ideas from some of you. And, yes, I'm known for my big feasts and fabulous pies. I think I wll do the pot luck thing this year. I do the gift bag thing too. I can't do the traditional wrapping. It hurts to much to wrap gifts. Maybe I'll supervise the decorating and have my grown children do the work. I'm very blessed with a huge family, but that is reason I have to think of the holidays in September. I have to start buying Christmas gifts like last month. Thank goodness for Amazon and Bucky's post about Amazon.

[Patze]

Epson, I didn't know that we were related!  Seems that we might be sharing one or two relatives!


Patze

[jordozmom]

Oh Bloodless, I am in total agreement with you!  I just dread the holidays!!  I used to love Christmas and now I just can't stand it.  I have a thirteen year old so I still have to do some stuff, but last year he went on and on about me putting a tree up and decorations so I made him help me put them up and then take them back down and put them away - he lost some of his enthusiasm when he realized it was actual WORK to do all of that!!! 

Part of what I don't like is that it throws my routine off.  The only reason I survive is because I count on routines to get through the day.  That's how I get what I need to do done, get time with my son, and still get rest so I can make it to work the next day.  The weekends are for laundry and groceries and rest and preparing for the following work week.  When there are holidays it throws the whole thing off.  It goes back to that spoon theory - regardless of the holidays I still only get so many spoons and if I use them for Christmas shopping, decorating, parties or endless family gatherings then that means something else is being neglected and it throws my routine off.

Maybe this year I'll ask Santa for more spoons!!!  LOL!!!

[bloodless]

Boy am I in agreement about the routines! My whole system screws up when my routine is messed with! Aches, pains, stomach issues and on and on....

[Epson]

My question would be, how did the department stores and toy companies take over Christmas, Jesus wasn't a shop keeper or store owner was he?

[Chickpea]

How is the Festivus pole doing, Epson?

I'm looking forward to the snow so that we can tell each other about the wild and wonderful snow creations in our neighbourhoods.  I still don't think anyone's improved on the (much) larger than life depiction of a part of the male anatomy that someone created on the lawn of my daughter's college in Cambridge last winter.  Epson - there's a challenge for you!

I love the holiday time.  We celebrate Chanukah at home, plus aspects of Christmas because it always looks such fun and I love twinkly lights, Christmas stockings, too much food.  In England all public celebrations are for Christmas rather than the general 'holiday time', so it's good to hear about the mixture of festivals celebrated in north America.

Love to all - Chickpea

[Epson]

Chickpea,

The pole is polished, but too early to put up, believe it or not I saw that snow sculpture on the internet, boy I have my work cut out to top that one.

[Patze]

Pictures Epson, we need pictures when the pole is completed now!


Patze

[Scottietottie]

You just want to see Epson pole dancing! 

[Patze]

But of coarse!



Patze