I'm glad that I am not alone in feeling bah humbug. It's kinda sad because I can remember my childhood and happy holidays and then when my kids were little, it was a magical time. We spend the day at my daughter's and I am so happy both kids live here, because with six pets, I'd never travel to see them.

When the kids got married it got crazy. We'd buy multiple gifts for each person. Then we pared it down to two gifts a piece, then one and finally NONE except for the kids and there are only two of them. One of them is married so she's part of the no gift crowd but she has two babies and that's the only gifts I'll buy. She even has a gift registry for them. Ye gads!!!

About ten years ago I was putting away the antique ornaments on my tree. Husband took the lights off and went to bed and I labored on this for hours and then made the decision never to have a tree again and we haven't. I have small trees I can put around but maybe not this year. I did buy fresh greens for the outside of the house...balsam wreaths and pine roping. It's a 180-year-old farmhouse which looks like a Currier &Ives painting so I need to do this but inside...who knows?

I dearly love Christmas and all the decorations, just everything about it. But this year my back has decided to give out and I just can't do it. It's depressing. bleh! However, I will live and have high hopes for all the decorating next year. I hope I don't regret not powering through.

I have no desire to drag out the tree and decorations this year. It will just me DH and I so probably won't even cook a special meal. As the years go by it's more about the spiritual side of Christmas for me.

I'm not a particularly festive person this year. I've cancelled our annual party with no compunction whatsoever.

But I am a fool for twinkling lights and we will put up our big outdoor tree and a tree on the screened porch within the next couple of weeks. I also deck the mantle with fresh greens, cones, and some lovely deer sculptures. And lights!

We are the honorary grandparents of the two precious sprites who live next door and it's a wonderful thing to create memories for them.

Their favorite thing "ever" (as they proclaim) last year was to sit in front of a crackling fire, the twinkling lights of the trees coming through the window. We popped "real popcorn" on the stove, had some music playing, while we worked on a puzzle.

Oh Rhizo, I was hoping you were going to mention the 'sprites'. I didn't know that you had them over last year!!! They're going to look forward to the fire, popcorn and puzzle again this year!

It's just the two of us, and I decorate a wee Norfolk Pine that I call "Rudy". We buy each other one gift. I have his......a large cast-iron Lodge skillet! LOL

Well my husband & I decided not to put up the tree this year. I did decorate the mantle & hung up the latch hook rug that I did back in high school-it is over 40 years old. I love listening to Christmas music. And there are some Christmas movies that I enjoy. I got Christmas cards to send out even tho I found that to be a chore last year. I find that the less I do the more I really enjoy Christmas. Christmas is also my husband's birthday so we celebrate that. Both girls live out of state & neither will be here. I do not shop for them, just send checks.

No Christmas spirit here either but I better get on the ball and find some.

My mom who has Alzheimers has been living with us for the past month but has finally moved into a memory care facility (Yaaahhh). While she was here she pretty much took everything I had so now I have to find me again before I find my Christmas spirit, Next week, I promise, Next week because I need it!

Cheryl, if you aren't in the Christmas spirit, just do what you feel like.

Mary, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Blue, I'm so sorry. That does make it hard.

Schoolhouse, I know the feeling. Your mom on the 6th, and mine on the 15th.

Moni, your DD shares my Dad's birthday! Another hard one to get through for me, as he will be gone 4 years come January.

Missy, I am sorry your back is giving you fits. Hope that it soon is much better. Back pain is no fun at all.

JoAnn, that card is perfect. It brought a smile to my face. So true!

I am a bit wishy washy so far this year. I want to put the tree up, but I don't. It will need to be taken down early this year if I put it up, due to some unusual circumstances this year. If it goes up, it will be soon, so I have time to enjoy it. I really find the lights on the tree to be calming. And DGD, who is 2 1/2, and had fun helping me decorate the tree last year. So much fun to see her help with it! I will need to move some furniture to put it up. And get DH or DS to bring it up. I can lay down in the box with plenty of room for a few of the grands, too, so that tells you it's a huge box! The tree is now 32 years old. We bought it right after Christmas the year our DD was born, and it has been a great tree. It is starting to slowly have pieces break off, but we are able to work around them and still have it look beautiful. I am afraid I will not be able to find another like it. It is so easy to put up.

I don't think I will put the village up this year, and don't always, so that's ok.

I think most of it for me this year, is knowing both parents are now gone.

Regardless of whether or not you are in the spirit for Christmas, I wish you all all the blessings of the season.

My son (19) remarked last week that this is the first year in a long time we have both been ready for Christmas at the same time. It is a difficult time of year - we lost my mom in Dec. 2011 and my dad just this last April. I am still adjusting to being an "adult orphan" but at 52 I am trying to focus on the positive things and carve out a meaningful second stage of life. Part of the way I am doing that is to give myself permission to do as much or as little as I want every day. I spent Thanksgiving by myself this year and loved every minute of it. I cried a little, worked a little, and generally enjoyed having a peaceful day.

Hubby has already been in the attic bringing down the decorations. He set up the villages because I apparently don't understand scale :-) The tree is in the living room, we will probably get it up today and at least get the lights on. I really wish we would just not decorate, but found that in the years that we didn't we really missed the lights and favorite ornaments.

I used to love, love, love Christmas when my kids were smaller. Now I hate, hate, hate it. I don't know why but this holiday seems to magnify everything that is not right in your life. I have continued to put up a tree but some years the only ones who see it are me and my son. My elderly mother gets so cranky because the nieces want to visit and she stresses out. She just likes to keep her routine and not have any upset. I get caught in the middle of it all. She won't tell them not to come and if I tell them, then I am the bad guy.

I like putting up outside lights because my neighbor hood looks cheerful and I want to participate.

I am getting new windows installed right around Christmas and I am actually happy to have something to look forward to. Ha! Unfortunately my furnace seems to be dying, so I may be spending a huge amount of money this month.

I can't wait for January and the weight loss commercials.

Cheryl, you are not alone. The whole job falls on me from start to finish and I just don't want another thing to "do".

I've been up & down the Christmas roller coaster (but I'll spare you the ecstatic moments of Christmases before I became something that passes for an adult. You're welcome.)

When I was first married, I did the whole big deal & enjoyed it; tree, outdoor lights, both families to dinner, presents opened at "our house" rather than at our mothers' houses.

Then we moved too far away to host, & we split the duties; his mother's house, then my mother's, &, later, my great-aunt's, & still later, my mother's again.

It was all good until the very last 2 Christmases, by which time people had gone nuts & I quit.

Then I decided to embrace rather than resent the fact that my birthday was so close to Christmas; I wore tinsel in my hair & snowmen in my earrings & had a whole bunch of glittery sequined sweaters, & I decorated a big tree in purple & gold.

I went to church dinners near Christmas & went to candlelight services... & read a book & watched movies on Christmas Day.

When my brother's children were little, I bought presents for them, but they lived far away & their mother's family had absorbed my brother (like the Borg), so we didn't see them, we just sent the presents.

Then I got sick & didn't celebrate anything for a number of years-no money, no energy or strength, & I couldn't bear the thought of facing people & having them wonder what was wrong with me.

Then I took care of my old friend in her final illness; she was a Christmas freak, had several small trees, including ceramic ones, & musical wreaths & animated villages & plush Garfield cats wearing Santa hats. We set up everything Christmasy & lit all the lights, & she really loved it.

Since then, I haven't done a thing.

This year, I'm putting a small tree on the porch & maybe a ceramic one in the sewing room (put 'em anywhere else & the dog ploughs through them).

I think a lot of the "Christmas Spirit" is hype;

if you don't have it, there's something wrong with you. like not having a date to the prom.

Reflecting back on my Christmas experiences, I think it's all about the circle of life.

When we're little, we gobble it all up.

When we establish our own homes, we put the seal of adulthood on ourselves by hosting.

When we have little ones in the family, we lavish them with lights & music & presents & food. (nowadays, too much of each!)

When we're sick, we don't do anything, & our families are so busy with their own stuff that they don't notice we aren't at the table.

When a loved one is ill, we do whatever we have to do & whatever we're able to do for that person.

When we become the "older generation", we have some melancholy, some losses, & some exhaustion.

It's time for younger ones to do the heavy lifting, the tree/dinner/lights/music/etc, & for us to relax & enjoy, in whatever way we want.

We can go stag to the prom, we can get pizza with friends, we can go to the movies.

I'm sorry to say that at least 20 times a day, I wish it was at least January 2. 2017. I have no enthusiasm whatsoever for the whole celebration whether it be the religious or commercial side of it. I just wish it would all go away, I don't want bothered with it, and I don't want anyone to try to force it onto me.

That's the circle of life. As a child, I adored it as most kids do. When as a young adult with little kids, I enjoyed it all over again. Now that my grandkids are young adults, it gets less and less important to me every year. I knew I was a curmudgeon but glad I have company here...lol

Not only do we need a "like" button which we have, but we also need a "LOL" (or is it now hahaha) button.

lily - lol

I enjoy a Christmas tree with lights, too. Makes the room so warm and inviting. Well, you guys might just make me drag the tree out of the closet next week! And I may even put on the ornaments, something I didn't do last year, just turned on the lights in the evening.

Because our small family didn't do a gift exchange this year, the old maid aunt - me - won't even get one present under the tree. waaaa. I may just indulge and go on a shopping spree. It is better to give than receive, but what do you do when they don't want to receive anymore? Find someone else to do for, right?

Oh and I also like Christmas music. I try to attend at least one concert and always go to church on Christmas Eve.

I've read the posts since I last posted. Many thoughts, and sending hugs where needed. Blfenenton, we just finished the Alzheimer's journey with my mom. You have done what you are able, so don't beat yourself up over it. Relax and know that your mom is in good hands and take care of YOU. Now you you can just enjoy visits knowing you do t have to take care of her. I always felt guilty because I was always doing something while I was "visiting", and bit really visiting.

I have moved the sofa, and run the vacuum. DH came home from work and said "getting ready to put the tree up, huh?" Still more furniture to move but I am done for the day.

I really don't like how Christmas keeps creeping earlier and earlier into the year. As a kid, Christmas didn't start until the end of the Thanksgiving Day parade in Philly. Santa arrive on back of firetruck, ladder went up to a window in Gimbel's department store, Santa CLIMBED up that ladder and into the store. Before that climb there were NO Santas in any other store.

Haven't done a tree since becoming a "cat person" a few years ago. Kitten would have been flying up a tree, real or artificial. EVEn though no longer a kitten, think she's be even more dangerous now... hasn't slowed down at all.

Sister and I went "scrooge" several years ago... told people NO need for presents. Nothing any of us need/want that one of us winning the lottery wouldn't cure!

WOn't be doing anything on Christmas Day but that's FINE! Will have been with family and friends on several occasions before then and that's all that matters anyway.

There are a few Christmas shows that I'd be upset if I didn't see. White Christmas, A Christmas, Story, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch (old Boris Karloff version only). I really don't get the Christmas connection of The Sound of Music??

I wish they would air The Nutcracker with Mikail Barishnikov (I tried spelling his name without looking it up). To me, that is the best production. It used to be on PBS every Christmas Eve. Oh and the one where all the little children come out from hiding under a very large lady's skirt.

"find someone else to do for?"
exactly.

& there's no shortage of people who need someone to "do for" them.

I too hearken back to my childhood when the town's Christmas lights were not lit until Thanksgiving night, and we weren't saturated with music and "holiday" programs until closer to the day. I miss that. The prolonged season has made it less special IMO.

I will put up a tree (a live one) around Dec. 17, because I love the beauty and I have ornaments that remind me of happier times. I will also light/decorate the front porch because it is cheerful for me when I arrive home from work in the dark, and adds to the neighborhood also. I will listen to my Christmas albums starting in mid-December.

but, beyond that, I don't seem to have the "Christmas Spirit" that I once did, or that others do. I am emotionally and physically exhausted from work and family issues and just can't seem to recharge fully.

To me Christmas was mainly about family and church; I don't belong to a congregation now, although (if I were not going to be working) I would find a service to attend -- not quite the same though. My family ties have mostly all fallen apart (lost my parents to dementia years before they actually passed away and my siblings and I, a "blended" family that didn't, never had tight bonds) except for my adult daughter -- and she will spend most of the day playing video games, I am sure. Our tradition of going to see the Nutcracker and the lights at the zoo has withered as she entered her 30's and usually "doesn't feel well" with a headache or some other ailment. And, for 18 years being so busy as a single parent, with a job that kept me on call 24/7, I never really replaced the friendships that I left when I moved here. Acquaintances, yes, many, but not real friendships (The problem with being an deep Introvert.)

Golly, I sound depressed. Or depressing. But I really do like Christmas!

I love Christmas...the true meaning of peace and giving...but not so much the commercial holiday it has become...and the rudeness that Black Friday seems to bring out in people. I am windowed and very limited on what I am physically able to do...so it has been a "tradition" that my kids/grandkids put up my tree and my outdoor decorations on Thanksgiving afternoon and my son will come take them down after Christmas. I appreciate their help so much.

I used to decorate every room in the house...but this year, I am only doing the public areas...so won't do my bedroom or my bathroom. Yesterday I kept telling myself..."remember, what you bring out, you have to put away"...but so many things have a sentiment connected to them.

I have given up Christmas cards, but start about the second week of December and call everyone...they all have told me that was the best thing they have had done....we get to visit and catch up and find it to be so enjoyable.

I try to adopt 2 or 3 families of the less fortunate and my children get cash and try to do some Pinterest idea of giving money to the grands. This year, I plan to get some pizza boxes and lay bills out in a circle and put coins on to look like pepperoni. They love seeing what ideas old grandma comes up with. For some kind of an "exchange", I go to the Dollar General and get some $5 items and we do a Chinese gift exchange....which is always good for laughs.

If weather permits, I will go to Christmas Eve church service and the musicals. I enjoy listening to familiar Christmas music tapes and watching the Hallmark movies...all tear-jerkers, but happy endings. There are always times when I shed some tears remembering my deceased husbands, but time marches on so try to enjoy the time on earth before I join them.

I do hope each of you can find some happiness in the season for which it is named....our Christ the Lord!

Ever since the Norfolk pine got big and unwieldy and was put outside, for the past several years I have an LED cherry tree and I put decorations on it. It will be my grand baby's second Christmas so she will be able to open presents. I'm looking forward to that.

I'm like everyone else, I've had setbacks and losses.

But I try to focus on my blessings - I have food, a roof over my head, and a beautiful grand baby. I try to keep my focus on the good things in life. I don't like the commercialism at Christmas time, but I LOVE Christmas cookies. There's always those happy thoughts, even if sometimes you have to go looking for them.

schoolhouse_gw - is this the production you are referring to? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qScYCR5y5k 

I have a lot in common with sylviatexas, I think. Christmas is my least favorite holiday. The real meaning is lost in the BUY BUY BUY frenzy.

I do not have pleasant childhood memories of Christmas as my family was dirt poor. After DH and I had children, I did all the obligatory gifting and decorating, but only because I had to (DH left it all to me to take care of). Now that we have grandchildren, I am doing all that again. Because it's expected.

No, I don't watch any of the smarmy movies (no offense to those who like them). And I can take one day of Christmas music on the radio, then I'm done. I have one decoration outside - a very plain nativity scene, spotlighted, and a nice Willow Tree nativity inside. DS and his girlfriend put up and decorated my tree for me.

The only time I feel any Christmas spirit is at our Christmas Eve evening church service, walking outside afterward into the crisp cold air (especially if it's snowing) and thinking about the true meaning for the season. I am very glad when it's all over and we can begin the countdown to spring.

We celebrate advent, and put the Christmas tree up on the Eve, keeping it up for the 13 days.

My spirit is alive and well, but still packed away. There are just two of us, and DH doesn't care if we decorate. I'll pull out a few things, the wreaths for the door and the fireplace. The twinkly lights over the big front window. The stockings my sister cross stitched for us several years ago. I'll put it all out around the middle of December, and put it away before New Years. It drives me crazy to have stuff out for long.

I love the music, as long as it isn't 24/7 for a month. We'll go to church on Christmas Eve with our dear friends. We've done it since before their oldest child was born, and I think he's 26! We've only missed one year in all that time.

My family will all be out of state, so it will be a nice day with the in-laws. Loud and rowdy, with probably 15 or more for dinner. Mostly just gifts for the kids under 16, although one niece wants to do a white elephant exchange for the adults.

Wow, that all sounds nice! :)

Very well said, Sylvia. I "did" for so many people for so many years. Took care of my mother from 1968 to 1997. My daughter from 1980 to 1999. Ken from 2002 to 2010. Jody from 1966 and still. I am just tired. I have gotten to the point that I don't want to do anything I don't have to do. I have become a curmudgeon too. I like it!

Marilyn_c you took care of more than one at the same time. Were these all relatives? I have never known anyone who Had your situation. You had not a minute for yourself. You should be honored on the Ellen Degenerous show.

crazybrunette64 - YES! Thank you! I bookmarked it. I wonder if it's available on DVD? I'm sure it is, I will Google.

I agree with socks, so I've turned over the decorating to the kids. Since my husband, who loved Christmas, died six years ago, I've lost my enthusiasm for all the trappings. After I finished the guest room a couple of years ago, I put up a small tree in that room and decorated it with all my antique ornaments (waving to lily), which I hadn't put out since the first grandchild started exploring the house. I took pics, and when I miss seeing the ornaments I look at them--one of the pics is my GW avatar. My DD and her husband now sleep in the guest room, and there is a baby crib near where the tree stood. :)

The family tree has many of the ornaments we used when the kids were small, with some added for the grandchildren. The stash keeps growing--it now takes up a closet upstairs, which is easy for the kids to access, and my smaller collection is kept on the top shelf of a closet in my bedroom. I keep hoping that my two kids who no longer live here will take some of the family ornaments home with them, but just a few have been claimed. I shouldn't be complaining--I found a collection of nice figural ornaments on eBay a few months ago, and each ornament seemed to be perfect for one of my children or grandchildren, including a vintage fish for my collection. If the kids ever move out, maybe I will decorate a tree just for me.

I still do a lot of holiday baking, although my DD and SIL who live with me, have taken over a lot of it, especially the gifts for relatives. I baked six pies and a loaf of pumpkin bread the day before Thanksgiving, then we had family gatherings on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and I cooked and/or baked something for each of those gatherings. Only two of the gatherings were at my house, but we had family visiting from New Hampshire, and Sunday was a party for my father's 80th birthday. So maybe being tired from all the extra activity is why I am having trouble finding much holiday spirit today. On the bright side--I had leftover cherry pie for breakfast. ;)

I'm so sorry for those who have lost loved ones. Hugs, schoolhouse--it doesn't make it easier, even though we expect to lose our parents eventually, and we know there's a 50/50 chance that each of us will lose our spouse before we leave this life. Losing a child is so sad, every day, but especially this time of year, because Christmas is for the kids. Mary, extra big hugs for you.

Maggie2000, it wasn't anything heroic, but just time consuming. My father passed in 1968 and my mother had never written a check or paid a bill and couldn't drive. Furthermore, she never cooked another meal after he died. She lived about the equivalent of 3 blocks from me, so I took over cooking for her (had supper at her house every night), chauffeuring her and her friends, paid her bills, etc. I was the youngest in the family and by the time she was a widow, I was newly married by a couple of years and other sibs were raising their families. When she got old and infirm, they were also old....so her care always did fall on me. As for my daughter, it was just the typical raising a child, but required me being on top of the situation all the time. She went away to college in '99 and after college continued to live in Houston. She didn't require around the clock care. ;)

Ken was a former neighbor and good friend. I moved away and still kept in touch. Called him one day and his phone had been cut off. I thought he had died and no one had told me. Went to see him and he was a mess. He had no food in the house....(alcoholic) and had wine bottles stacked everywhere. Hadn't shaved or had a haircut in months. I had promised him years before that, that if he needed me, I would be there for him. He was 9 years older than me. Had emphysema, constant smoker, wouldn't see a doctor because he didn't want to be shamed about his smoking and drinking. So I started taking care of him....thinking he only had a few days or weeks to live. He looked like death warmed over. As it was, he lived 8 years. I went to see about him every day, sometimes as often as 4 times a day, and spent the night sleeping on his floor a few times. I was with him when he died. It was a 40 mile round trip to go see him. People who know me, know this story all too well....so I hesitate to write about it more. Just that he never left his house the last four years of his life. He was very intelligent and had been a good friend to me. But he was hard to get along with for most people and no one came to see him in all that time, even tho he had relatives who lived all around. They knew I was taking care of him and I guess they were afraid if they came around, I'd ask them to help....which I wouldn't have done.

Jody is my husband, and we have been married almost 51 years....so that is the usual things but also being available to run his errands. He is a commercial fisherman and I often have to go to Houston to pick up a part for something or to the net shop, etc., etc. The usual.

Actually, I did have little time for myself. I guess that is why I am tired. Sorry this is so long and to the people who have heard about this a dozen times.

As and older adult with grown children I have finally told people that I have no Christmas spirit and it was a relief not to have to pretend anymore. I have gotten the occasional Grinch remark which I chuckle over. Surprisingly, many older people have told me that they feel the same way but " just go though the motions". They are exhausted. I am at a time where I feel Christmas is for children and I do enjoy seeing their happiness.

"I don't even want a tree or decorations...no kids coming home, just DH and me and he is pitching a fit about a tree. I have to put it up, find room for it, take it down and for him and me to see. Call me the Scrooge this year!"

Apparently there are services one can hire to put up one's tree. My suggestion is that you ask DH to pony up $ for the service as a Christmas gift to you. My thoughts are that he will himself suggest that there be no tree this Christmas and that the funds be spent on a holiday something- perhaps a meal.

Doing that will prevent the tree from becoming an item of contention, and almost guarantees a generous suggestion from DH allowing him to bask in the limelight as the creator of a solution all can enjoy.

Marilyn_c thank you for note. I have never had to take care of alcoholic or an addict. I hope that duty never comes my way. There is always one child that becomes the caregiver and as long as you're able to do it yourself, you won't get much help. I believe you found the energy to push through difficult times and hard days became the norm. I wish you more time for yourself and maybe a hobby or two then lunch with friends every week. Or anything else you want. How about a message?

Turned out to be an interesting post! I have decided to decorate lightly, just enought to bring some joy for us both. I'm not doing the huge tree thing, I have a tall decorative tree I use year round and I will put some sparkle to that. Set out a few pretties and make soy candles that smell like Christmas.

I will as usual do the entire Christmas tradition meal for us.

I have tons of hobbies. They kept me busy and sane during some rough times in my life. I raised waterlilies....had one of the largest private collections in the USA. Two hundred varieties. One hundred fifty varieties of Louisiana irises and almost that many daylilies. I raised antique roses from cuttings...had 75 varieties of those. I raised Japanese koi and fancy goldfish. Entered the goldfish in shows as far away as Akron, Ohio. Raised horses....still have 4 horses, a mule and three donkeys. I am active in a rescue for horses in kill pens. I donate a certain amount every month and more when I have a little extra money and I participate in their weekly auctions, by donating things that are auctioned off to raise money to buy kill pen horses. One of my horses is a kill pen rescue and I have plans to get another one soon. I rehab wildlife...mainly possums. I raise from 50 to 100 orphans a year. I used to get all the trapped possums from the Houston pound....before the Wildlife Center opened in Houston, but now the injured ones go there and, fortunately, they have been able to convince most people to release the possums that they trap. (They were trying to catch feral cats in Memorial Park, which is a big, wooded park in Houston. The possums weren't hurting anything there.) I don't do any of it on a grand scale any more but I still have waterlilies, koi, goldfish, antique roses, etc. All of my hobbies require a lot of work, but I heard this guy on the radio say that everyone should have something to do, to make them get out of bed, whether they want to or not. So, I definitely have to get out of bed! :)

You forgot to mention house rehab, Marilyn. I used to follow the web site that you had with your progress reports...but I lost it in transit somewhere along the line. :-( Do you still have the site? I'd love to see how the project turned out. It's the kind of project I'd love...or would have loved.

Marilyn you are a high achiever and I think you run on double D batteries. Stay well.

I don't decorate inside, but do outside my little apt. But not this year, just not in the spirit at all.

Thank you, Mama goose.

Hey, I found the DVD of The Nutcracker with Mikail B. on Amazon and ordered it. Originally $29.99 on sale for $16.99 plus S/H. It should be here Dec. 6th.

Picasa was where I had the pictures and I understand they moved them to somewhere on google, I think. I had it book marked on my old computer. I will have to search for it and see if I can find it. We've done a lot of work, but still have a ways to go. My husband was in the hospital 3 times in a very short period. The last time for 3 weeks....had that flesh eating bacteria....Vibriosis. He couldn't work for about 7 months, so everything just ground to a halt.

OMG, Marilyn. That's terrible! I'm so sorry to read about this. I have a neighbor who contracted that nasty bug. The doctors had to remove half of the skin on her stomach to get rid of it. Actually...from all I've read about it...she was lucky to only lose her skin. I hope your husband fared better than she did...and that all's well now.

I just loved your old house...the story of how you acquired it and all the effort that went into it. It was wonderful to follow the progress. I thought I had the site backed up but haven't been able to find it. I transferred a whole pile of disks to thumb drives a while back. I should go through the lot to see if it was among some of those sites. If I find it...I'll let you know.

Marilyn, you should still be able to access the photos that were on Picasa. They should still be there, just probably in Google Photos, instead. I am still learning it. I never did use Picasa, but am trying to learn Google Photos, and at the moment, I am trying to figure out how to back up the photos on my computer to GP.

I will be in the spirit next month, I think. We are really busy with so many other things right now but once the little tree is up in the front yard and the giant dog wreath over our garage it will feel more like Xmas.

I'm stressed out with all the clutter and stuff and not being able to find things but happy we are accomplishing quite a bit. DH had toenail surgery on both feet the other day and took the day off. Right after the surgery he went to work on staining the new dresser bed I bought for the spare bedroom. We may actually have it put together and out of the way soon. Love the new kitchen cabinets that arrived a few weeks ago. Lot's of work ahead and it will go slow but we'll get it done.

My grand kids will also put me in the mood. I have bought tickets for DD and the 4 year old DGD to go see GD's first live play. We're going to see Santa and the Elves. I'm also planning to take the dog to some Santa Paws events. She was in heat last year so we missed them. We have a lot of local and nearby activities for children. I will probably join the grands for some of that. We always do at least one thing like a train of lights or going to the lights at the zoo etc. I have a cookie exchange coming up early next month. That's always fun.

I'm sorry for the losses of loved ones near the holidays. My own mother passed away on Dec. 13 back in '91.

Marylin, do you know Guy and Marla Jones--animal lovers in Houston, friends of my bro.? I know it's a long shot but you sound a lot like Marla, another animal rescue queen. I'm kind of new here, have been posting on garden web for years, widowed in 2014, lost mother in 2013, spent years taking care of both, not to mention doggie who died also 2013. I have no children of my own and can't deal with the step kids, who have their own moms. I have a new dog now and am grateful; I have tons of decorations but can't imagine decorating for myself. I must bake cookies, wrap them with other gifts, send out about 7 packages. Have been crocheting gifts all year, and just ordered stuff from Amazon. Of course by the time I add my stuff the shipping will cost a fortune, but so it goes. It's all about long distance friends and bro and maybe cards. I won't decorate at all unless I have my neighbor over for tea, but am practicing playing holiday piano for over the phone for my friends. So I guess I have some spirit because I am grateful for what I have left and want to give what I can, But on the day, I guess I will be watching TV, playing piano, eating junk food, and hopefully talking to someone on the phone. Just so you don't think I came here to complain, let me show you why I have a grateful attitude. And so to bed.

I love the Christmas season and all the decorations. Last year I made a big deal about Christmas because my sister had just been diagnosed with lung cancer and wanted to make it special for her so I went all out to make it extra special. We talked that day and she was going to call for a ride then she ended not showing up. I was a little upset to say the least and disappointed. She was not feeling ill at this time, she just decided she was going to stay home and not tell me or answer her phone. I had guests over and held off dinner for as long as I could until another family member contacted her and she said she was just going to stay home without letting me know. So this year, my sister is at my house, missed everything last year and this year now that she is here I can't do anything. No room to do any decorating so I can't make it special for her this year. I am so busy with her and her needs I won't have time to cook a special meal nor do I want to because I am just so exhausted haha and I certainly don't want to do a sink full of dishes and pots and pans from making a turkey dinner. She doesn't have the appetite anyway. And I am still a little peeved about last year. This may be her last Christmas, hopefully not but I just can't be bothered what with all that is going on right now. Here is a picture of how my living room is usually decorated and now which is full to the brim with hospital bed, oxygen tanks and all her medical equipment.

Very pretty!

You are doing far more good for your sister than decorating for Christmas.

She probably appreciates it far more than you'll ever know. BTW-I love your 34th Street picture.