Christmas dilemma sm
Posted By: Anonymous on 2007-11-13
In Reply to: Opinion - HELP! :) - Sunshine
As the guy's parents, I can tell you that we "settle" for Christmas Eve so the DIL's can enjoy their "real parents" and the kids their "real grandparents" and we have done this for years. We usually spend Christmas Day alone like two homeless people. But we do this for the sake of our DIL's and have never complained. Sorry, but my vote is to say, "Gee, Mom and Dad, since you can't come to my hubby's parents, I hope you enjoy the movie(s) I rented for you and there's some popcorn and whatever you want to drink to go with it. We are SO looking forward to tomorrow with you guys! Are you sure you won't join us this evening?? Then it's up to them -- jeepers, what are you supposed to do? Your husband has a right to honor his parent(s) as well. Been there, suffered through it, don't be in the middle of the holiday sandwich. Cut the holiday in neat sections, and enjoy yourselves. Some day they'll all be gone and you will only have memories. Don't rain on anyone's parade, just be fair. If it were not for your husband's parents, you would not have a husband! Perhaps your parents don't realize it, but they should bend a little to help you out and help your husband's parents enjoy what little time they have to preserve memories for their family members.Sorry, but this really gets to me, since I am the MIL and "bend" until it hurts. Think out of the box, please.
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I've been in this dilemma
once where I was already half way through something and then realized I needed something (an egg I think) and I couldnt bring myself to do it. So I went to the store.
I know of AT LEAST 4 people I know wouldnt think anything of it, and probably more than that, but I would never. I just cant.
Sorry to hear of your dilemma......
that's a rough one to deal with. Wish I could offer you advice but you are in a tight spot. Hope your son is able to have his graduation on his special night!!
I am having a similar dilemma
I just do not know what to do . . . I have two sons, 14 and 12. My 12-year-old has Asperger's syndrome. We have left them together a very few times during the day for short periods of time, but I have not been comfortable with this at all, and I feel that if we do it on a regular basis, something is going to happen. In the past, I always said that I did not feel that it was fair to my older son to have to be responsible for the younger one because of some of the behavior associated with his disability. He is very smart, and we had been getting his behavior under control until some issues with the school that are out of our control have caused some extreme behavior issues again. Not to mention that with my older son in his first year of high school, he has been getting into some things that I'd rather he didn't, which I discovered when I hacked his MySpace, and I feel that they need me here almost more than they would have at a younger age. I am feeling pressure from my husband, my mother (who does not live nearby), and our financial situation to get a job outside of the house, but I am so worried about what might happen I just do not know what to do. My husband also just started a business that he needs my help with on weekends, and for the first weekend he worked by himself (and realized he needed me there), the next weekend his mother kept the boys, and this past weekend they spend the night with a nearby family who cannot do that for us every weekend. His mother also is not willing to keep them every weekend, which really bothers me because my husband is her only son and she has always been the only one to keep our children for us, which I appreciate even though I have never asked her to and it has always been on her terms, not at our request so that we could go out or anything, but I feel like her schedule would permit her to help us for a short time and considering that it was always just her and my husband (his dad passed away when he was very young), I guess I just would have expected her to be willing to help in our current circumstances.
I just realized that I hijacked your post and am writing a novel. Please forgive me, I am just very stressed about this. As for your situation, I feel it is more of an individual child situation. As others have pointed out, you just can't trust anyone these days. We live in a nice area, but about a year ago a neighbor on another street of our subdivision put a flyer on all of our mailboxes informing us of a break in at his home at what he referred to as "high noon". He had gone to Home Depot, and when he returned home there were two men in his home, opening his gun case. I assume it was not loaded, but he stated that there was a struggle between him and them, while several other neighbors watched, and they finally took off. You just never know what is going to happen, and I don't know how I would handle a scary situation such as that myself, much less my children. Although I have seen a few cases on t.v. where very young children have kept their cool and remained level-headed in extreme situations and done what needed to be done. Sorry, I'm rambling again. Good luck with whatever you decide.
If anyone has any thoughts on my situation, I'd love to hear those too (given that mine are a little older, but the special needs child . . . just wondering if anyone agrees with my husband and mom or with my feelings of nervousness). TIA!
I have a new dilemma and need advice - sm
It appears my DH is going to be laid off which obviously is a serious issue. We borrowed $40K from his 401K to pay off his cc and I have 3/5 of mine on hardship and caught the other two up. We will just not pay back the loan which we did decide when we took it IF he lost his job over the next 5 years and will pay the penalities (somehow). However if he does lose his job I will have to do bankruptcy, the one where it wipes most of it out as there is no way we can keep our home otherwise (Chapter 7). I am not on the house title so they cannot take the house. I can bring in about $1900 a month if I work really hard....make about $15-1700 now. Our bills come to about $3500, $900 of that is my cc payments though which even w/o we still won't have enough or won't once unemployment runs out which I have a feeling he'd only get 12 weeks worth, but he'd get about $380 a week which is great and at least would pay the mortgage. Obviously a better MT job would be in order and fantastic to have. I am good at what I do but don't make enough doing it. I may have to find an employee position as we will need health insurance too....I am IC now and he had the insurance. I will of course do some major economizing, cancel the newspaper subscription, the satellite radio, possibly the sateliite TV or at least downgrade it, cancel the 2 phone lines we have and just use my Tracfone or get a cheap cell plan. I am sure there is more I can do, just cannot think of them right now. Some things I just cannot cancel like our life insurance, kid's college plans (prepaid plans), but that would all be covered by the unemployment and by being a bit frugal I think I can get our $1600 a month in expenses (food, electric, TV, phone, etc.) down to $1200 if I really tried, but still short $2-400....once the unemployment would run out. I fear my DH will become severely depressed and not look for a job as well. He is in a kind of specialed field and only has a 2-year technical degree. He's worked for the same company for 29 years so his resume won't look that impressive though he is good at what he does. ----on the bankruptcy note, what happens? Do they come to your house and inspect your "belongings", most of the stuff in the house is his actually or were gifts from his parents to the both of us (all the bedroom furniture worth about $5K). Or do you just fill out forms and they take your word for it? Do they investiage you, etc? I have over $10K in jewelry but most of it were gifts and some of my moms and therefore sentimental and I don't want to have to "declare" and have sold off. I know you are allowed to keep wedding rings as long as they are worth less than $2000, which mine are worth about $2050 (retail) so I should be safe there. There are two things we have that they would consider assets which my name is on ---land (paid $22K, worth maybe $50K) and my car which is worth $10K....I saw something that said you can only keep your car if it is worth less than $2K. So if that is the case I would remove my name from the car and the land titles in order to avoid declaring them as we may need to sell them anyway to pay our house off which is my biggest concern, having a roof over our heads and not losing the house. The market is dead here to trying to sell would be difficult. We would make enough to pay off the house and my cc if we did it, and have 20-30% to put down on a new house but there is no way anyone would give us another mortgage if my DH is unemployed, granted we could rent but have 2 dogs, a cat, 2 rabbits and 2 hamsters so the pets make it difficult and there is no way I am giving them up (except for maybe the rabbits). ----If I could I say sell the house, get a trailer and put it on our property, however there are "rules" there and putting a trailer is not allowed, they even frown on modulars, which are a step up from the manufactured homes and single/double-wide homes, though that has been done (the modular that is). Kids would be in a different school district though and we would have to pay to keep them where they are as the schools where we would be stink. So any pointers on how/what to economize to cut costs? (and or increase income other than working 23/24 hours a day). I am open to any and all suggestions. However if you have nothing good or nice or constructive to say then don't say it, I really don't need any more negativity right now.
You started out with an ethical dilemma and
and a medical center. Will you be reporting your friend out of moral duty for sharing the fact that he was at a medical facility? I believe his privacy rights assure him that his business or appts at a medical facility are protected? Who are you kidding? I've volunteered for many years and there are parents like you in every bunch. The sad part, they always involve the kids and they are the ones who lose.
What are people supposed to call Christmas Eve and Christmas Day now?? (nm)
x
Home Alone 1, A Christmas Story, Home for the Holidays, Chevy Chase's Christmas, sm
There "The Gift of the Magi," He sells his gold watch to buy her a comb for her hair and she sells her beautiful long hair to buy him a chain for his gold watch. It used to be on "Short Stories by O'Henry" but that's long gone, long ago. Good moral to the story. I can't stand "It's a Wonderful Life" -- too depressing, especially with banks closing, too intimidating right now!!!
Christmas
 We are doing Chistmas a little different this year and I don't know if I like it. We are each taking $300 and buying stuff for ourselves and boxing it up. No one knows what the others bought themselves. Then the rest of us will all pitch in $50 and buy a gift to the others. Kinda confusing if you ask me! But it will be fun! Think it might be even less expensive than usual. Happy weekend~!
christmas
I like to start the first time it turns nice and cold - which in Texas is not usually too early! But my lists are always made and ready to go!
Christmas
I agree it is dumb not to let the employs say merry Christmas or any other greeting they choose. just my two cents.
Christmas
MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!!!!
Christmas
I did mean to capitalize Christmas! Again, Merry, Merry Christmas to everyone!
Christmas
I truly want to wish every single poster a Merry Christmas.
My want list for Christmas:
I want to recognize the Christ in Christmas as well as the fun of holiday celebration and cheer through many venues.
I want to be mindful of every human being that has less than I do, for there are many. I am the most blessed person I know:
I want to be thankful that my family is all with me, intact, in communication (hahaha), not estranged, and loving/enjoying being together.
I want to be grateful that I am gainfully employed and have other options if I so choose.
I want to celebrate that I have my health intact.
I want to live respectfully toward others because I live in a country that provides protection and security for me and others, God bless and save them, are willing to make the sacrifice to provide it for me.
Most of all, I want every person who feels lost, isolated, alone, left out that you are not alone. Just know that He is mindful of you. I know - not believe, but know - that God knows exactly who I am and where I am going and He will take care of me. I want you to know that, too.
Merry Christmas to each one of you and yours ...
Busy MT'ing
This is one sad Christmas.
One relative dying, another quite ill, but hanging in there, and now we have run very low on less scary diagnoses for my dog, and we suspect she has a brain tumor. Vet school is working her up, which I appreciate, and thank goodness I have another dog so the house isn't too quiet. But this rainy weather should quit so I could at least walk my healthy dog and feel a little better, not to mention what it's doing to anybody who needs to make Christmas travel plans, or in our case, probable funeral travel plans.
Sigh.
Sad Christmas
I'm sorry you are feeling sad, I can sympathize. This is the first year in a LONG time I will be alone on Christmas morning, between having my own children with me and then my grandchildren - oops, just got reminded I won't be totally alone - I have a little kitten, and she just jumped on my back! I'm sorry your pet is ill, they can certainly be a great comfort to us - I've only had this kitten two weeks, but already very attached to her. Also, I realize none of us who are believers are ever really alone.
All I want for Christmas is
Some good dictators this morning. Gosh, told them I would give a few hours this morning but why 1 bad dictator after another? Please, just this wish??? Don’t really want that much.
all I want for Christmas is to have the day off--sm
I did not *volunteer* to work, nor was I asked to work. I was just *given* work and *expected* that it would be done. I had to rearrange my whole planned holiday events schedule to get this done. I am REALLY upset. Thanks for letting me vent. oh, I am IC, not employee.
So Sad this Christmas
Oh please, don't anyone flame me. I honestly can't take it right now. I am so depressed, I can't believe I'm depressed enough to write here. I am not a depressed person - ever. I don't know if its my age (50) or something else. My job? I don't know, but this Christmas just did me in........Every year I do the same thing - I really like giving things and am just boringly nice - a good old egg type. Laid back. Usually give stuff anonymously, so nobody knows. But at Christmas, I like to give little things. For instance, I will go up and down my street and put cards in mailboxes, signed your neighbor. I know some animal rescuers in my area, and will leave them a card, thanking them for their work, and stick little cat toys on it, if they are cat rescuers, or dog toys if dog rescuers - I just take a simple card and put cute stuff on it. No big deal, really, but something to try and be nice. I have a few elderly shut-in neighbors. I give them cards with little boxed cakes or stuff, potpourri - little things. I send cards to all my church members, my coworkers and yet....not a mention of it from anyone. I also will stick a card unsigned in a house who has really cute Christmas lights up or something, just saying how great their house looked this year, or whatever. My kids and I like picking a different house each year and doing that. But the bummer thing is - nobody cares. Nobody even smiles at me, nobody even acknowledges anything. I don't expect huge praises or calls or people stopping by, or announcements in the local paper, but a smile? I have passed some of these people on the street and they just grunt at me. They USED to be friendly, but now the attitude is just no big deal. I'm not even worthy of a small smile. My husband thinks that these people just take me for granted by now - that they just are not really nice enough to smile back. Or that I make them feel bad by being nice. I really used to enjoy doing this, but now am just so despondent about it. I have decided next year, no cards, no nothing, no reaching out to neighbors - just let them all alone. Is it me? Am I a jerk for giving out little cards and stuff? I am not bothersome. I'm really shy actually, and never impose, other than these Christmas cards, or if I know its their birthday or something. In this day and age, am I just a pain? The rest of the year, again, I give things anonymously, or practical things like dog food donations, etc. I won't stop that, but I just have given up on trying to be personable at Christmas. But I don't understand what I have done wrong... If I were a nosey neighbor type, always intruding or asking for something, I would understand. But I'm the exact opposite - never ask for anything from anyone. Is it just our times? Should I just go stick my head in a hole? 
sad Christmas
I wouldn't be surprised if you touch someone in a special way or bring a smile to someone's face out of all those people you give things to, even if you don't see that person (or animal ina shelter). When we do something kind like that, you never know how you may have affected a lonely person or needy animal and made their day a little brighter. Please don't stop being a "giver"! :)
Christmas? What's that?
Sad to say, about the only thing we really do for Christmas is I actually cook a traditional Christmas dinner. We haven't decorated the house or given gifts for years. Our son (now 20 years old) prefers money so he can buy what he wants, and my husband and I set an amount based on what our budget can handle and we each buy what we want.
Pathetic, huh?
Christmas is for everybody
Sorry I think that Christmas is for everyone. Yes the kids love it but sometimes the kids get sooooooooooooooo much that the adults are forgotten. When you give with resentment it is better not to give. I love shopping for everyone and put a lot of thought and time into it but not much money. I have two nephews and a niece that are grown and married who have children of their own that I am very close to. I buy for them because their kids get so much from Santa, grandparents, parents, etc. and I think of them as "my kids" and so I buy for them and not the little ones. I spend time with the younger ones (great nephews and nieces) doing Christmas decorations/cookies etc. And some of them are now 19 to 20 and they still remember those "special times." As for my stepdaughters, even though their Dad and I are divorced, I still remember them with something that I know that they like, special perfume, lotion, little things that they don't buy for themselves. They are now 27 and 25 and I still send them things which is more than their Dad does. Anyway, I admit it, I love to get things at Christmas if it is given with love and if someone can't buy me something, again spending time with me is nice and also appreciated. I just get tired of hearing "Christmas is for kids" as I think Christmas is for all -- and to all a good night. But I did hear some resentment in your note which is too bad.
Ahh.... since this will be my 2nd Christmas
I miss her telling me what, when, how, and why and my husband does, and so do my kids. Believe me, try to make it work - the real dilemma is once your mother is gone, you can do whatever you want! I'm not saying this to be brash, but really, I only wish one more time, I'd get that phone call saying what was going down, when, how, and what I was cooking all pretty much directed by my mother. Now, all I have is memories, and to stare a picture and wonder.................
Regarding Christmas
A letter from God to His children ...
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now having said that, let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish; I actually spoke of that one in a teaching that explains who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you have forgotten that one, look at John 15:1-8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army, or some other charity that believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of Mine.
P.S. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love and remember I LOVE YOU.
~ God |
|
Christmas
"We plunged into the cornucopia, quivering with delight and the ecstasy of unbridled avarice."
My best one was the Christmas I
After everything was open and my brothers and I were so excited to be playing, my Mom asked me to get something from the kitchen. Of course it was dark because we'd get up so early. There it was my Barbie Dreamhouse in the kitchen! I loved that Christmas and it got lots of play...
 Fav foods are cookies, cookies, and more cookies that my sister-in-law makes. I have an aunt that makes Walnut cookies to die for! Every year she'd bring a tin, but we don't see her much at Christmas now that my parents are gone.
On a lighter note, I love seeing our kids opening their stuff! It brings back great memories!
christmas
I like the idea of celebrating the birth of a new family when a child is born.
Christmas
I celebrate Christmas because to recognize the birth of Jesus...and I love decorating. I love to give presents, but do not really care if I receive any. Too many people have forgotten what this holiday is all about. I do not say Happy Holidays to people...I say Merry Christmas. If they don't like it, I don't really care. I'm tired of the liberals trying to take God out of everything. That's one of the reasons this country has gone to Hell and will continue to do so. This country was founded on Christian values, but most have forgotten that. A friend of mine is Jewish, so I do say Happy Channukah to her, but that's the only exception.
So, Merry Christmas everybody!
christmas
Put on some Christmas music, dance around and decorate your tree. You are not late! Make some sugar cookies, they are cheap. Donate a can of food, that is enough. Stick a bow on your head and you have got the boyfriend covered...
Merry Christmas!
It's Christmas eve....
What are you doing today to get ready for "the big day" tomorrow?
Any special activities or traditions you and yours engage in on Christmas eve?
Anyone have lots of cooking/baking in front of them today and tonight in preparation for tomorrow?
Any last minute shoppers or some with just a last-minute gift to pick up?
I'm curious...What's everyone doing today and tonight?
***MERRY CHRISTMAS, FELLOW MTs***
My Christmas........ sm
Tonight, we will have our annual Christmas tree with my mom and brother, who is still unmarried at the ripe old age of 45. I made a cheese log,2 dips, a jalapeno tuna tray thing, chocolate covered pretzels, and sugar plums for that. We stuff ourselves silly and exchange gifts.
On Christmas day, we have our Christmas dinner. This year it is ham and I am making "pink stuff" and green bean bundles to go with it and will do most of that tonight. Again, we will stuff ourselves beyond the bounds of human decency.
I'm done with my shopping, thank goodness. I went last night to finish up and the stores were absolute chaos!
Merry Christmas to all!!
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
We actually celebrated Christmas with my husband's side of the family last Saturday. This is the first year that almost everyone is going to be away (new baby coming, working, visiting out of town family). Tonight we're spending the evening with my best friends and their kids who happen to be my kids' best friends. They're like our family. Lots of food and opening some presents. Tomorrow morning the kids will open up their presents from "Santa" and then in the afternoon our friends are coming over to our house for Christmas dinner with lasagna and lots of other food and drink.
Walmart/Christmas
Okay, so Walmart has brought Christmas back. That will make some customers happy, but on another note, they've ticked a lot of customers off by doing away with layaway.
walmart/christmas
I don't think I've ever used it. I'm with you, I don't like standing in line! lol Anyway, I don't remember why they are closing it. It was in the paper here a while back. I just feel bad for those that rely on it for Christmas. One thing I thought was cool, from a friend, every time she goes to Walmart she puts $5-$20 on a gift card (same card every time)and uses that at Christmas. Unfortunately, I think I would use it up and not save it for Christmas! lol
Will work on Christmas.....
Monday is my regular day to work so I will. My regular days off just happen to be at the end of the week so no Thanksgiving work for me. IMHO you should work in another field if you expect to be a insistent about when you will or will not work. Hospitals are open 24/7, do you think docs and nurses like being away from their families on those days? When I worked in-house we rotated holidays, usually only had 1 person working on the holiday to cover STATs, etc. Woked out great. BTW, why do you say we "deserve" those days off? You sound a bit bitter, did you have a bad experience?
work on Christmas
I agree. When I worked in house, we did get holidays off but at home we do not. Honestly, I don't mind to work it, but as I posted I'm on 3rd shift.
I get bluesy mostly AFTER Christmas, cuz it's all over.
/
Christmas questions
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? - Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Mom wraps, Santa stuffs stockings.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored inside, white outside
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put your decorations up? When I have time. Usually get the tree the first weekend in December.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Spending Christmas with my mom's parents who lived 2 hours away and then coming home and seeing my dad's parents who lived right down the street.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My cousin informed me in elementary school and took great pleasure in crushing me. 
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I always wanted to, but wasn't allowed, so now my kids each get to open one on Christmas Eve, and my oldest is in college and still likes to do this.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? colored lights, all the oraments I have gotten my kids over the years plus the ones they have made in school since they were little, star on the top. Probably nothing Martha Stewart would approve of - LOL.
11. Snow: Love it or Dread it? Used to love it, now dread it, but don't know why exactly.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Bionic Woman doll
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my family and Christmas Even services at church and singing all those great hymns.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? pumpkin pie
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas eve candlelight service
17. What tops your tree? star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Love to give and see the look on my kids' faces when they open their gifts.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum
Christmas questions sm
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog (loaded).
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap them all.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Weekend after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Baked ham.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going sledding in Garmisch, Germany. The adults went skiing. Lived in Germany 10 years as a kid, and every Christmas was great there. Very festive place during the holiday season.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 9 years old, my younger brother found all the gifts in the closet - I was devastated.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Leave that to my daughter and grandson.
11. Snow: Love it or Dread it? I like to look at it, but dread driving in it. We have enough here in Colorado to share with everybody.
12. Can you ice skate? I would be afraid to try it now.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? My first Shaded Silver Chinchilla persian kitten. He lived to be 20 and I am now on my second one.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Giving.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Irish Christmas pudding with hot Bird's custard.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Baking Christmas goodies, watching Home Alone, and homemade Eggnog.
17. What tops your tree? Star.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle Bell Rock
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum.
christmas song
Happy Christmas by John Lennon
How much is your Christmas budget? sm
Our family budget is $1000 and that covers gifts for 19 people, including "Santa" for the 2 kids. What about your house?
Christmas Budget
We usually spend about $300 on each chlid (2) and we don't have too many more people to buy for so it's hard to estimate how much more we spend on the others. Of course having a 12 year old that wants all the big ticket items this year, it gets kind of tricky.
A Christmas Story
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christmas stress . . .
Due to the high stress nature of my husband's and my parents, we no longer tell them about the children's school events ( I know, sounds horrible, doesn't it?). My husband's father, whom we see three times a year, and has absolutely NO relationship with our children, called the school and found out when their concert was. He and his wife showed up last night, sat in front of us, he said two words to my husband (his son) all night long. When we got home last night and wanted to decorate the tree, my husband blew a gasket. He cannot handle it. It bothered him SO much that his dad showed up that he screamed and yelled at us until my daughter and I were in tears and my sons wanted him to leave. My daughter, lying in bed crying while I tucked her in said "we do this every year, mom". In order to get a grip on the kind of relationship my husband and his father have I would have to go on and on. basically, he adopted my husband when he married my husband's mother years ago. They split up the year we got married. My husband tried very, very unsuccessfully to maintain a relationship with him over the years and finally came to a point where he gave up. We have awkward moments and conversation when we are together. We have nothing in common, they don't really care about the kids, because they are not there to actually spend time with them and get to know them. We prayed for my husband last night, and my daughter asked me if something happened in his childhood. How do I get my husband to deal with this so we don't have to go through this every year?????
There WAS an emergency for me one Christmas Day..
I was cooking Christmas dinner for our family and my kitchen sink got completely clogged up. Apparently, garbage disposals can only handle so many peeled potato skins, which I did not know then. Husband tried plunging, son tried plunging. The only thing left to try was DrainO, which I did not have. Had my daughter go see if the grocery store was open (hoping, hoping, hoping that it was) and see if they had DrainO or similar brand, and to make sure it was safe for kitchens and garbage disposals.
As she left for the grocery, I was plotting Plan B - which would have been to finish making a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings by using a bathtub or the laundry tub. Of course, I could not put any garbage down those tubs.
The grocery WAS open. The Liquid Plumber DID work. My family and I did NOT have to eat a turkey that was washed and cleaned in a bathtub!
So, for me....Thank God for the grocery who is open on Christmas!!!
i have to work on christmas too...MQ
first time ever....
Have any of you had these experiences around Christmas?
I'm not kidding as I tell you all about these happenings.
My husband's mother died Christmas Eve in 1980. 14 years ago we moved into our "new" house and the scent of patcholli permated the house for weeks (his mother's favorite scent). Four years ago, we were having a family shindig in our garage and talking about his mother when the lights went out. Nobody was near the light switch and when I went over, the switch was in the off position.
In 2000, my mother died (how I miss her), but in January. Anyway, all day, the bell she used to ring for me to come help her rang off and on for hours. I kept running out to the living room to see if it was on TV. It wasn't.
My plastic jug of Tide also fell off the shelf iin the laundry room about 2 hours after this. There was no one around but me when this happened and I was busy working. (My laundry room is right outside my computer room).
Tonight, my husband went to take his meds as we were sitting at the kitchen table after eating. His one medicine disappeared. We searched high and low for it around the table and where he keeps his meds to no avail. So I told him to take his other meds and sooner or later his Toprol would show up. If not, we would get another Rx tomorrow. Well, when he went to the sink for his water, there on the counter was his Toprol. I'm talking 15 feet away from the table we were sitting at. Neither of us got up from the table.
Do you think our mothers are back for Christmas again? I would love to have them around for Christmas. I'm not afraid if it is them, and I'm still not afraid if it is not them and I would love to acknowledge that I know it's them, but how would I do that? (Am I strange?).
I just had to share these strange events with everyone. Please don't flame me if you don't believe, but I do. Thank you for listening.
Did everyone like their Christmas gifts or are there any you don't like? sm
I like all of mine except for the one my stepdaughter insisted that she get for me. It's an Italian charm bracelet and while it has a bunch of cute charms on it, it's not really my style of thing to wear. She ended up spending almost $4 00 on this thing because a lot of the charms were custom made or special order items, all bought on eBay, so I'm stuck with this piece of jewelry. My husband tried telling her that I wouldn't care for this type of thing but she thought I'd really like it and talked him into not receiving a gift from her so she could get this for me. Maybe it'll grow on me over time.
The other gifts, including those of jewelry from my husband, are things I like and will enjoy using around the house or having.
What I did - Christmas gifts
The year after I got a vacuum cleaner for Christmas -- I picked up several things that I wanted -- clothes, jewelry, perfume and wrapped them and put them to him and when he unwrapped them I told him his present was to see me in these things, or smell the perfume, etc. I also got him a few things for the house, ie. towels and low and behold that was the last time that I did not receive something personal for Christmas. They really do not understand and unless we communicate to them and accept the treatment it will continue.
Christmas Lights
Did you know that Orthodox Christians around the world do not celebrate Christmas until January 7th? (We call it Nativity). We then keep our decorations up until Theophany, which is the baptism of Christ, which happens to be today. Just thought you might appreciate a view from a different angle.
I make these every Christmas
They are big and soft. There is no sour cream, but the butter really makes these tasty.
1/2 C butter
1 C sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 C flour
6 tsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Cream butter and sugar - add eg and dry ingredients. Add milk and vanilla. (You might need a little more milk in order to be able to roll out the dough). Chill several hours or overnight. Roll out and cut with cookie cutters. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Decorate as desired.
Yummy!
And why was it appropriate for a Christmas gift? lol
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