Christmas plans?

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Merry Christmas to all that it applies to. What are your plans? Do you like the holidays or are they hard for you?

We had our big Christmas last weekend at Princess's house. Christmas will just be quiet with husband, Jumper, boyfriend and Sonic. We'll give out presents and eat and then Jumper is going to boyfriends side of the family.

I do not get as excited over the holidays as I once did. It's not that they are bad. They are fun. It's more that I realize they are just another day and a good excuse to get together with those we love. It WAS fun to watch grandbaby open her presents.They are not religious for us.

I like t he holidays. In our family, they are fun and chill at the same time. No drama.

You?
 

New Leaf

Well-Known Member
Hi Serenity, and all, Mele Kalikimaka

I am having a K.I.S.S. Holiday (Keep It Simple Sweetie).

Not too much on the shopping mania, more emphasis on getting together.

Last night, we had our great cookie making, pizza for dinner, and rolled sugar cookies with lots of decorations. We watched ELF, cute, funny movie.

I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, one year, and kids have mandated it to be a yearly tradition. They are just a regular light yeast roll recipe, double rising. The icing is the kicker, cream cheese, butter, vanilla and confectioners sugar...this is why I only make them once a year. Too dangerous!

Hubs works Christmas Day, so we will have a nice meal when he comes home, late afternoon. The kids and gks are coming, I splurged on a ribeye roast, never cooked one before, searching for recipes. LOL.

Will light a candle in the window, say a prayer for my two and grands who are MIA.
SIGH.

Happy, restful, joyous holidays to all.

leafy
 

witzend

Well-Known Member
Get together this evening at a friend's house - it is his birthday. I think there's dinner, but not sure. There will be food, for sure. I'm baking bread.

Tomorrow we open our presents to each other, and then dinner tomorrow at a newer friend's house. I'm baking bread.

Saturday? I don't know - maybe we'll go see Star Wars before someone ruins it for us.

Sunday is Festivus for the Rest of Us dinner for 8 at our house, I'm dry aging the Prime Rib as we speak. We'll probably play Apples to Apples after we eat, and maybe sing a bit. There are musicians coming.
 

New Leaf

Well-Known Member
Serenity, I wanted to add, before I go about my busy day, how very grateful I am for you being here, even though things are better for you and yours, you are here comforting others.

It is a true and kind gift, the words you share, and the hope you give to others.
:christmasgift:


Thank you dear warrior sister, for sharing your light and joy.

:hugs:

leafy
 

Nomad

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I'm struggling a little. Not too bad. We are visiting with our easy child child and their family. Lovely. Our Difficult Child daughter has joined us. She has a good heart, but many many peculiar behaviors. Went to a lovely holiday show and everyone was commenting how beautiful it was and she mentioned several flaws she saw. She overeats severely and then complains about her weight. Complains in general and is often moody. She is actually doing better than in times past. Yikes! But, my mind wanders and I think to myself how the hexx can this be? All the effort that was put into her care? All the years I wasted. She doesn't work and all the continued time and effort...blah blah blah. It takes huge effort on my part to stop those thoughts, but I must and I'm doing fairly well.
 

pasajes4

Well-Known Member
I will leave in the morning to begin my trek to Big Bend National Park. The weather is supposed to be bad starting sometime Saturday. I might wind up in Alpine and spend some time with people from my college days. I am looking forward to peace and quiet. I assume my Difficult Child is still somewhere in the Dallas area. My other two will be occupied with their children. I will see them tonight for gift exchange and nibbles.
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Serenity, I wanted to add, before I go about my busy day, how very grateful I am for you being here, even though things are better for you and yours, you are here comforting others.
Leafie, this is so kind I have tears in my eyes. I do try and am going to classes to become a peer specialist for the mentally ill. So many people helped me along my life's path. I had no family support so the angels who helped me when I was so young started out as strangers. I feel a strong desire to help back...kind of payment for all those kind folks who held my hand when I needed it.

Leafie, you are a great comfort to everyone here. I'm glad I "know" you ;) I wish you all the best this holiday season. You are strong, smart and good. A great combination!
 

Wiped Out

Well-Known Member
Staff member
It's been a long very stressful week and I am looking forward to a quiet day tomorrow (at least as quiet as it can be with difficult child) with my small family. I'm planning on watching Christmas movies and napping along with making a ham. Tomorrow night we will go over to my nieces to play games.
 

New Leaf

Well-Known Member
Leafie, this is so kind I have tears in my eyes. I do try and am going to classes to become a peer specialist for the mentally ill. So many people helped me along my life's path. I had no family support so the angels who helped me when I was so young started out as strangers. I feel a strong desire to help back...kind of payment for all those kind folks who held my hand when I needed it.
Aww SWOT, this is a marvelous thing you are doing. Now you are making me tear up. It is so wonderful to know there are folks like you who work to "pay it forward" and help others. That is the best Christmas present.

Leafie, you are a great comfort to everyone here. I'm glad I "know" you ;) I wish you all the best this holiday season. You are strong, smart and good. A great combination!
Shucks Serenity, coming from you, that is an awesome compliment. :cry:
I feel the same, for sure. I am very blessed to "know" you ;). When I read your posts, it makes me feel so much better.
CD has been such a lifeline of support.
You are unbelievably strong, smart and an angel yourself.
Thank you so much Serenity.

(((HUGS)))
leafy
 

Copabanana

Well-Known Member
Christmas will just be quiet with husband, Jumper, boyfriend and Sonic.
I am with you guys. Simple.

I made a Bundt cake to bring to M's sister. We had Pozole which is pork stew with hominy. And tacos and tamales, which are traditional for Christmas Eve. We only stayed maybe an hour. We left early. I think M would have liked to stay longer but I had a lot of pain in my hip. I did not want to drink much, either. We came home. I felt sad to disappoint his sister. I am so glad we are home. I am going to read the rest of my mystery.

M is watching a movie about Jesus and doing facebook. I was trying on earrings to model for him.

He has such style sense it is incredible.

My son called. He sounded happy and stable for now. I am grateful. Merry Christmas everybody. I miss you Serenity. Thank you for the thread. How are you feeling?

COPA
 

Scent of Cedar *

Well-Known Member
We made The Feast of the Seven Fishes. This year, our guests actually arrived, so we did not have to go roaring off to the Chinese buffet at the last minute like we did, last year. After we'd all eaten, D H and I took a walk to see the full Christmas Eve moon. It was so pretty, with lots of clouds and even, some stars.

Merry Christmas, Everybody.

:O)

Cedar
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
You are unbelievably strong, smart and an angel yourself.
Leafie, whether or not this is true (my family of origin thinks I'm evil), it is so nice to hear this. I still have a slight voice in my head from long ago and from people, even in my own family, who don't really know me and think I am baaaaaaaaaaad so I have that in the back of my mind sometimes still.
Mental illness of any kind is so misunderstood. Doesn't matter if it's depression, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, or other forms...people with no clue, often who have issues of their own, tend to think it is willful behavior as in:

"Get out of bed and stop feeling sorry for yourself!" (depression)

They don't understand that these are physical disorders of the brain that can be treated successfully, but not quickly and not by belittling the symptoms of it. Not by calling somebody a bad person for getting manic or depressed or not eating because they are too sick to eat or not leaving the house because they are terrified to do so.

The young mentally ill do need older mentors who made it. I cherished the support I received in the hospital, in self help groups and in daily life. Why should I not give back? Nothing helps...nobody helps...as much as somebody who understands first hand, much as drug addicts respond the most to those w ho have been there and come out the other side. I know how depression feels. It is hard to explain to other people. It is a disease of screwed up body rhythms...you can't sleep normally or eat normally. You can't believe anything will ever get better (risk of suicide). You can't be happy, even when doing things you once loved. It is not possible until you are treated and better. Who else would get t hat other than people who experienced it? I'm certain some people who are reading this, don't believe it even though I've been there and posted it. It is also very hard to concentrate, even to read a book, if you have clinical depression or forms of bipolar. Your mind is not sharp.

Leafie, I feel for your girls and for every adult and young child here. That doesn't mean they are not responsible for getting better. They did not choose to be ill, but they do get to choose to receive help as I did and my goal is to gently lead a few people who suffer to the right help. We can't force it. But we can suggest. And we can listen and empathize. And not say, "Get off your ***** and you'll feel better." It doesn't work that way.

Our group is thinking of starting a "warm line" for nights and weekends and holidays, with other people who have been there manning a sort of "non-professional crisis line." Our crisis line in our town is useless. They don't know what to say. So me and one of t he other people I know are trying to get a list of people who will talk and give comfort to those during "off" times.

Leafie, this is not because I'm this great person. This is because I know there is a need and I remember all the strangers who helped me when my family did not and could not understand, even though every one of them also had issues, but they were in denial. I think the more we help others, the better WE heal and feel.

You have a great Christmas. Since we had Christmas last weekend in Chicago, today we are just having the Wisconsin part of t he family come over to exchange gifts and have breakfast. Since they already know who Santa is (lol) they are not coming over until 10:30 so hubby can sleep in.

Leafy, cherish today with your children who can appreciate what an amazing mother they have. Your other children are sick. I'm sure that they know this about you, behind the illness.

Blessings to all, in whatever way all of you celebrate. It is a magical day even for those who are not Christians. Enjoy the festive feeling of the day!!!!

Hugs to everyone.
 

cubsgirl

Well-Known Member
We did Christmas Eve at my in-laws yesterday. Each person drew one name at Thanksgiving to buy for so we don't have to spend a lot of money. Christmas Day is quiet (which we LOVE). Our gifts are open and we are all hanging out, watching Netflix, and will maybe play some games later. I'm enjoying time off of work (I have a new job - which I love - but it can be stressful).
 

pasajes4

Well-Known Member
My plans fell through and that's o.k. At midnight I was startled by a loud knock on the door. I immediately panicked, loud knock + midnight= police, but it was a wonderful surprise visit from a dear friend who had moved a few years back. She is that friend that you can count on to make the ordinary extraordinary and a trip to the grocery store into a grand adventure. We are headed out to the hill country to her families ranch for a true Texas Christmas with the possibility of snow on Sunday. Feliz Navidad y'all.
 

KTMom91

Well-Known Member
Christmas Eve morning, my mother and I attempted to make a very rich, decadent dessert with layers of whipped cream and chocolate ganache for this evening's dinner. After that, Hubby and I went to his sister's and spent a wonderful evening eating, talking, playing games, and watching the grands open their presents.

This morning we went to my mom's, had breakfast, opened presents, talked, napped, had a late lunch followed by that marvelous dessert that was easily enough for twenty people (and there were only three of us), then cleaned up and went home to read (me) and watch TV (Hubby).

Miss KT did not come home this year, but we talked and texted several times. It's been a really nice couple of days.
 

PatriotsGirl

Well-Known Member
We had a very simple holiday, too. Got woken up early in the morning by a little man banging on the door calling for Nana and Papa so he could open presents. I did not go crazy this year because honestly I buy stuff all year long so by the time Christmas comes, no one really needs anything. Hubby and I did get each other kayaks this year, though - we had been wanting them forever and grabbed them on black friday. But really, we just enjoyed being together this year. :)
 
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