muttmeister
Well-Known Member
This is just a whine so if you're not in the mood don't read any further.
Yesterday we had our Christmas. Christmas has always been a big deal here. The kids always get a couple of big presents and lots of small, inexpensive ones so they have lots to unwrap. The grown ups have always followed suit. I love the holiday; the preparations, the giving, the food, the family traditions.
Yesterday, younger difficult child was here with his family, his brother in law, and my 96 year old mother. I made a turkey dinner, etc. Older son was with his family a couple of hours away. He had to work last night and I had just seen them so that was OK. I took a car load of presents to them and I suppose they unwrapped them yesterday.
When we did the presents here I really did enjoy watching everybody unwrap their gifts and I think they were pleased with most of what they got - even the little funny things. I got a Kindle and a 365 day dog calendar from my mother - she is too old to shop so she told me to order what I wanted and charge it to her credit card. So it was what I wanted but not exactly a nice surprise. From my cousin I got a metal sculpture that is supposed to be a jewelry organizer. She knows I have a big jewelry chest so I don't suppose she thought I'd use it but it is kinda cute. I got a $20 check from my 94 year old aunt which I used to pay one of younger difficult child's bills. I also got a really ugly painting of a pair of shoes. I suppose I'll have to hang it someplace. THat's it. Now, I really don't need anything and my younger difficult child is unemployed and older difficult child is having trouble making ends meet. I suppose it is partly my fault that they didn't get me ANYTHING because I told them it was OK. But I would have liked to have SOMETHING. I don't expect them to buy me a WII or a new Corvette but I'd love a pair of fuzzy bed socks, or a pretty colored pair of gloves from Dollar Store or some flavored coffee they picked up with their food stamps. Older difficult child works at a liquor store; if he really wanted to splurge I'd love a bottle of Asti. A pair of earrings from Claire's would be nice or some cheap perfume they got on sale. But there was nothing.
I don't mean to complain. I know how lucky I am. My mother is still alive and with-it enough to enjoy Christmas with us. THe 3 grandkids and 2 step grandkids are healthy and happy. Neither difficult child was in jail (that hasn't always been the case at Christmas at our house). My house iand car are paid for, my pension is solid, my utilities are paid, I am healthy, my car runs, I have food to eat and people who care about me. Even my dogs seem healthy.
I go to church and try to remember that the season is about God's gift to us; not about our gifts to each other. But I still am in a funk. I'd like to tell them how I feel but I can't even think of how to bring up the subject without sounding like a whiney (insert the name of a female dog). Should I bring up the subject with them or just keep my stupid mouth shut?
Yesterday we had our Christmas. Christmas has always been a big deal here. The kids always get a couple of big presents and lots of small, inexpensive ones so they have lots to unwrap. The grown ups have always followed suit. I love the holiday; the preparations, the giving, the food, the family traditions.
Yesterday, younger difficult child was here with his family, his brother in law, and my 96 year old mother. I made a turkey dinner, etc. Older son was with his family a couple of hours away. He had to work last night and I had just seen them so that was OK. I took a car load of presents to them and I suppose they unwrapped them yesterday.
When we did the presents here I really did enjoy watching everybody unwrap their gifts and I think they were pleased with most of what they got - even the little funny things. I got a Kindle and a 365 day dog calendar from my mother - she is too old to shop so she told me to order what I wanted and charge it to her credit card. So it was what I wanted but not exactly a nice surprise. From my cousin I got a metal sculpture that is supposed to be a jewelry organizer. She knows I have a big jewelry chest so I don't suppose she thought I'd use it but it is kinda cute. I got a $20 check from my 94 year old aunt which I used to pay one of younger difficult child's bills. I also got a really ugly painting of a pair of shoes. I suppose I'll have to hang it someplace. THat's it. Now, I really don't need anything and my younger difficult child is unemployed and older difficult child is having trouble making ends meet. I suppose it is partly my fault that they didn't get me ANYTHING because I told them it was OK. But I would have liked to have SOMETHING. I don't expect them to buy me a WII or a new Corvette but I'd love a pair of fuzzy bed socks, or a pretty colored pair of gloves from Dollar Store or some flavored coffee they picked up with their food stamps. Older difficult child works at a liquor store; if he really wanted to splurge I'd love a bottle of Asti. A pair of earrings from Claire's would be nice or some cheap perfume they got on sale. But there was nothing.
I don't mean to complain. I know how lucky I am. My mother is still alive and with-it enough to enjoy Christmas with us. THe 3 grandkids and 2 step grandkids are healthy and happy. Neither difficult child was in jail (that hasn't always been the case at Christmas at our house). My house iand car are paid for, my pension is solid, my utilities are paid, I am healthy, my car runs, I have food to eat and people who care about me. Even my dogs seem healthy.
I go to church and try to remember that the season is about God's gift to us; not about our gifts to each other. But I still am in a funk. I'd like to tell them how I feel but I can't even think of how to bring up the subject without sounding like a whiney (insert the name of a female dog). Should I bring up the subject with them or just keep my stupid mouth shut?