Cheerful, you need to relax. So many are in the same boat. My children are very selfish this year, they don't even want to stay home for Christmas. My 18 year old is going to spend Christmas in the Bahamas, my 19 year old will be at her boyfriend's house. DH and I are squabbling more than ever, my back account is way overdrawn, I have kidney dialysis three times a week and even on Christmas Eve, I too have been diagnosed with ostopenia (early osteoporosis), Wewlcome to the Pity Party!

I'm with you...just can't get into much this year, and have also gained a few pounds I lost earlier this fall.

I'm thinking what might help me, is to write a few cards I've been putting off, and to adopt some angels...something else I've put off.

I am thankful that I don't have a lot of the holiday 'stresses' so many folks find they have to deal with.

Hang tuff...things will get better. Soon the days will start getting longer, and that always boosts my spirit, looking forward to spring and all the things it brings.

Sue...off to do some belated fall housecleaning

Cheerful1,

You sound like me.

My Mother's Nursing Home had their Christmas Party yesterday. Everyone was dressed so Festive and there I was in a black pantsuit. Mainly because that is the only thing I can fit into.

I have gained 30 pounds since MAY! I'm refusing to buy "fat clothes". So, I have to go around with my zipper undone and a long shirt.

I'm terribly disappointed in myself for my lack of self disapline.

I ran into several people I haven't seen in years at the Christmas Party. I felt thin after seeing them. LOL!

Anyway I sympathize with you.

Lets go buy a new Christmas Sweater and Stretch Pants and paint our nails red. Then we can take a drive tonight and look at the Christmas Lights.

((())))

Gayle

Sue, how do you adopt an angel? Is it like a giving tree?

I'm right there with you. Our business is off 95% from last year. Our home is in foreclosure. I have no idea where we will get the money for a rental home. But...DH is feeling much better after having his procedure (3 stents).
Gayle I can't afford the sweater and pants but my toenails are painted red.
I'm looking forward to 2008.
Marion

Sue, how do you adopt an angel? Is it like a giving tree?

Yes. Different places of business have different ways of 'helping' children, teens, the elderly. I even noticed a 'help' tree at the local pet supply store...the humane society needing things, just as they need them year round.

A local supermarket has a tree, making a nice holiday dinner a possibility for some families who might otherwise not have one. All easy ways to give and help one get in the spirit of things.

Sue

Yes....2008 is gonna be a Awesome year!

Gayle

I feel your angst.

2007 has been horrible for me and my family -- I lost both of my dogs and my Father in a very short period of time, so the Holidays this year really feel like Hollowdays...

I'm so sorry you are feeling less than your best.
When finances are tight, it probably feels like you can't afford to help anyone else, but I have found that giving to someone who's worse off than you is normally the fastest and easiest way to end a pity-party. Also, it allows you to be a blessing to someone else. Remember: what goes around, comes around!

Also, for those of you going through menopause and on HRT, get out and get some fresh air. A brisk walk will do you lots of good!

I hope you're all feeling better soon.

Be blessed.

I haven't put up a tree either. I told DS I am not putting up a tree until I am sure he will be here for Christmas. I haven't sent any cards out either. My snowmen are the only decorations I have up. I took a big pay cut when I changed jobs and with money being so tight, I am really feeling down.

I haven't been into Christmas for years. I actually bought some inexpensive gifts for people this year, but I haven't even wrapped them, much less mailed them out. I need to do that, but every day off, I say to myself I'm going to, and I don't.

I'm not a christian, so that has a lot to do with it, but even so, I do gifts for my sons and mother. Without children in the house, it just doesn't seem like a holiday to me. Besides which, I have a new kitten who is very destructive, so if I put anything up, it will be down before I get home from work. LOL

I'm very slow to get in the mood this year, but I finally accepted a few years ago that I am always slow to come around at Christmas. After a dreadful migraine Friday (bad enough that I did an injection), I finally drug the tree out of the closet Saturday and put it up, which is probably why I had a bad rebound headache Saturday night and all day Sunday. *sigh* I should have just stayed in bed...but the tree looks nice - even if I shoved everything else back into the closet.

What usually helps me is to go out shopping. The rest of the year, I hate shopping, but something about being out amid the people usually gets me into the spirit - for a day or two, and then I don't want to shop any more!

DH seems very melancholy this year, too, probably because his back is very bad right now, and this cold, damp weather isn't helping. I think it's sometimes hard for those of us with kids/grandkids to get "jolly."

I don't have a tree up yet either. I don't think I'll even go to the trouble of putting it up. I have to drag it up from the basement, and bad knees balk at that. I've set out some other decorations though, and hung up the ones Kathleen sent me, and Patti's too. All my Christmas cards are displayed on the mantel.
I've been feeling achy and congested since Saturday. I did do the Vick's on the feet trick, last night. I think it did help some, because before, my cough was just a dry hacking cough.
With Christmas being at my DD's this year, it'll just be a good excuse not to drag all that stuff out.
Leslie

I feel your pain and you are not alone, as you can see by the replies. I too have gained weight, a lot, the last 2 years. It has been a tough few years with medical, family and house repair problems.

I have not been in the mood for the Christmas season for a long time. DS is grown up, and DH was never one to really care about decorating and all that. We just put up a 3ft. pre-decorated tree which we got last year when the house was torn up due to remodeling.

And we have no family close by so it is just the 3 of us. We can't even come up with one Christmas present we want, so looks like nothing under the tree. Which is ok because of finances. DH is worried about his job, he is the oldest one there and there are going to be cut backs. It adds to the stress so we have been upset more.

We give to others through all the local charity groups and I am glad I can help, but it really doesn't help with the mood. I just can't wait for the holiday season to be over.
Clare

I obviously meant: I think it's sometimes hard for those of us WITHOUT kids/grandkids to get "jolly."

I second that..I can't wait for it all to be over. I'm
just going through the motions. I just rather
pull the covers over my head and sleep the holidays away.

I obviously meant: I think it's sometimes hard for those of us WITHOUT kids/grandkids to get "jolly."

I kinda thought that was what you meant to say.

If my jeans weren't already so darn tight with the weight I've gained and the addition of wearing long johns under them, I'd be tempted to make my new comfort food, and pig out....home made yeast cinnamon rolls to warm the house and my spirit. I do know in the long run though that it would likely be a real 'downer' as my jeans got tighter.

BGF is coming for the eve and overnight visit Tues, so we will likely make them then (as we have the past 3 weeks) and I will send all but just a couple of rolls home with her.

Sue

Sorry everyone is feeling so down this Christmas. I think part of it is the gray skies, less sunlight. I feel pretty good, trying to ward off the gloominess. I was starting to feel lousy, quit exercising a month ago because of a respiratory virus that wouldn't go away...until now. Well, it's not completely gone but I'm feeling better so I went back to walking on the treadmill. It's amazing what a little exercise can do for your mood.

I've learned not to overdue it, to build up everything to just be let down when it's all over. It's gotten alot easier with just me and the kids. I'm also not buying tons of stuff for the kids. They sure don't need it and I'm trying to get rid of all my debt so I'm not adding to it for the holidays.

I'm in the hibernation mode. Aren't Bears lucky, they get to sleep all winter and they don't have to eat are buy Christmas Presents.

Gayle

I'm sorry to hear so many with financial worries.

I try to remember that our Christmas holiday won't be perfect, and cannot mirror the ones I view on tvland.

Keeping you all in my thoughts.

Take care,

Kioni.

After reading all of your posts, I have so many thoughts and don't know where to begin.

Today, I was in the Kitchen Forum and followed this thread "There's an old woman living in my house...." and ended up on this forum for some good laugh. Then, I found all of you and now, I have mixed emotions.

I grew up with a disability and need to use a power wheelchair for mobility most of the time. You probably are thinking: "poor thing". NO! Please don't! It's actually a blessing! Let me explain...

If I didn't have my disability which served as a challenge, I wouldn't have learned to cherish the things that I have such as being able to move, eat, drink, see, hear, etc.. Most of my life, I concentrated on things I can do rather on things I cannot do to the point that my disability is almost being ignored. I've learned to be organize and patience. Not because I have to be but because I couldn't get anywhere if I didn't learn these things. These are not easy habits to learn, are they?

Due to my disability, I appreciate the little things and had learned to be happy and content with what I have rather than what I do not.

On the other hand, my brother and sisters grew up normal, got spoiled from my mom and at ages of over 40s, still haven't learn to appreciate what they have. They're bitter all the time. Certainly, I could see that without my disability, I could have been as miserable as they are!

My young sister especially, even though, she's way ahead of me with looks & money, she has always been very jealous and competitive with me. I couldn't understand it at all until my 15-year-old niece explained it to me. She said that my sister was not jealous for my looks nor money but was jealous of my happiness. She explained that I'm happy even if I had a crappy job that pay minimum wage.

She's right, I guess I was. Imagine being disabled and was told that going to work would be impossible, that I'm a useless person for the rest of my life. Wouldn't being able to have any job makes you the happiest person?

Today, I have a life of independent. I drive, I have a job and a lovely home just like everyone else. I live alone but I rarely am lonely. I believe in God and I know he's always with me. (There are things that happened in my life that is hard to be ignorant of His existence.)

These are among many blessings I received in my past 47 yrs. I count my blessings rather than my disabilities and the quantity of the blessings have been overwhelmed.

I would like to encourage all of you to please do the same during your hard times. Please think of your blessings.

Please allow me to start... You're not alone as you'd think. You have God, that is why you believe in Xmas, isn't it. You have us, that's why you share your emotions here at this forum. You still have your computer and 10 working fingers for typing your posting, and eyes that enable to read the postings, right? Can you imagine being blind or not having any movements with your fingers? Ugly thoughts, aren't they?

Did I mentioned that you have eyes to help you see and read? Then, please go to the link below for some laughter. You need it =o)

Here is a link that might be useful: Laugh of the day...

I'm with everyone else this year. I can't wait till it's over. I have not put up a real tree, I have a few
feather trees around and wreaths on the door. It's just been a lousy year.

ntt_hou-You have a wonderful outlook on life! Every time I feel like complaining because my back or leg hurts or that I have to use a walker to get around,I think of my DGD.She will be 22 in January and is confined to a wheelchair.She was almost 2 months early and has quadriplegic CP.How can I complain when she has never walked a step in her life? She is a beautiful,smart young lady,way older than her years.She is writing a book and has been asked to speak to a college class about her handicap.She never complains about her handicap,but makes the best of what God has given her.
cheerful1-I heard someone say the other day that if we think negative thoughts all the time that it affects what we make of our lives.I have always believed that.I'm not putting up a tree or decorating for the holidays but it's only because I'm too lazy to mess with it.LOL Most of my kids will be around Christmas day and that is what is important,not the decorations or the gifts or the hullabaloo that goes along with the day.Up until the last couple of years I would work myself to death getting everything just right and by the time for Christmas dinner rolled around I was too exhausted to enjoy it! Then you have to take all that stuff down and put it away.LOL
If you are feeling down,do what someone else suggested,buy a gift for someone who isn't as fortunate as you may be.I guarantee it will lift your spirits! Doing something for someone else always makes me feel good.I hope your tomorrow is better.

Dear Cheerful: Sorry you are sad! - better to be sad than mad! ? I don't know....
But gee whiz..... your name is "CHEERFUL 1" perhaps you'll feel better now that you have talked it out and got some
"Sad Input" and also some "Cheerful Input" and so " encouraging input!!!"
and what about that WONDERFUL INPUT>>.
from
NNT....... after all.....
cheerup...... things could be worse...
Cheerup ...... Cheerful......
and do what nnt says....
Read about that sill old woman...
and
Most importantly...
Remember God Loves You .... and you need to Love Yourself
and be kind to yourself...give yourself a break...
allow yourself to be human...
Christmas is about FAMILY>>> and if you are all alone...
you are still YOU !!!!
tell you what...
when you LOOK AROUND>>>>
you will be GLAD to be YOU instead of someone else!
Go ahead...
MAKE THAT " GRATITUDE LIST !!!!"
Hang in there !!!!
Look on the BRIGHT SIDE !!!!
Bake A Birthday Cake for Jesus... it's HIS BIRTH we are celebrating !!!! have a Merry Little Christmas ~~~~
Have that Birthday Party !!!!
Do Yourself a Favor Look in the mirror and Say ~~~~
>>>>>>> Hey I AM SPECIAL ~~~ God made me and There is only ONE ME>>> and I am becoming the BEST ME THERE IS !!!!
God Bless You Cheerful 1 and God Bless Each of You that reads this post...
Do what you KNOW IS "RIGHT" Cheerup ~~~ Be Happy !!!
Count Your Blessings name them one by one
and
you'll be feeling better before you know it.... !!!!!
God Bless!
M E R R Y + C H R I S T MAS !!!
susiesunshine

Wow! I'm amazed at all the responses.

Thanks to all for giving me perspective. On the good side, my husband and I both work, and our house is paid for. We have some rocky patches to get over, but I know we can do it. Christmas just seems to aggravate things. We had Christmas Eve at our house for the past 16 years. Last year took a lot out of us on many levels, so I'm grateful for the break this year.

Lilliepad - I used to be extremely positive. I have to work on getting back to being that way.

Christmastime is tough for watching my diet, but I have to do it. I started Boniva for the osteoporosis.

Ntt and Lilliepad thanks for putting life in perspective. I too have fought depression a lot of the time in life but am successfully fighting the demons.

My house is far from being in perfect order and I have a lot to do to get ready for Christmas, but even though our family is going through problems, I will make the best of it. A friend who was dying once told me "Life is worth living, as long as you do something nice for someone else each day". I have adopted her philosophy and now cherish each day to it's fullest.

Winter is not my favourite season by a long shot. I hate the dull gloomy days and already miss being out in my garden. Winter is still 10 days away but we seemed to have gone from Summer to Winter and missed Fall. I have a lot of Winter projects lined up which hopefully will keep me occupied. I too have gained far too much weight, my body is achy, my asthma is tiring me out. It is time to take the control of my life back and do something about my health. I'm not waiting till New Years to start the diet and exercise program. I am doing it now, so hopefully I can enjoy Winter too.

Wishing all of you who are feeling sad this time of year, happiness in your lives. Hugs to all those with financial worries, but remember you aren't alone there. There are millions of people far worse off in third world countries.

I'm sorry that so many of us are having hard times.

Sue, thanks for explaining adopting an angel. Our church has a similar program. The Wal-marts around here used to do this, but nothing this year. Perhaps they are worried about the problems with toy recalls.

Ntt and Lilliepad, thanks for providing some perspective. Sometimes when I'm in a lot of pain, I want to feel sorry for myself, but then I recall how my sister so bravely fought ALS and managed to find joy and purpose every day.

Let me know how the Boniva goes, Cheerful. I'm getting it too.

lily316: I took my first Boniva on December 1. The only thing that happened was that I got the runs during the day. My stomach bothers me a little bit, but nothing major. As long as you don't lie down right after taking the Boniva, you can go about your business.

I definitely understand and share your feelings! Christmas time is often a hard time for lots of people, for many different reasons. My financial situation has really put a damper on the holiday spirit. I'm doing everything in my power to focus on what this season is really all about and be thankful for what I do have. It's just a very sad time for many people and I do understand!!!

Everything worked out better than expected, though I am glad it's all over.

I think not having to play hostess went a long way in keeping the stress level low.

I was surprisingly disciplined and lost the 5 pounds I gained over the summer, but gained 1 back in the past week (considering I went to 4 holiday dinners, that's not bad).

Will try to make the New Year one of positiveness.