Trying not to feel like a Scrooge

[AwakeAtLast]

I'm having a hard time trying not to say "Bah! Humbug!"

I just do not have much Holiday Spirit in me. My estranged husband has decided he wants us to spend Christmas together as a family. My parents are being supportive and offered to come up to be with us. That may change because my Dad is having a heart catheterization done tomorrow. Depending on the outcome they may not make it up at all, and of course I'm worried about my Dad.

My daughter has been sick, including a trip to the ER. She had a nasty virus that caused her to dehydrate really fast. She's much better now. I got the same thing this week. Once I recovered I got bronchitis/pneumonia. I have no voice right now and I'm coughing a lot.

I say to myself every Christmas that the next one will be better, things will get better. I am afraid to admit it, but it seems every year gets worse.

I've got a seven y/o who is so excited and I can't really feel much.

Anyone else got an inner Scrooge trying to get out? What helps you?

[LeftyFingerPop]

1. I think that there are a lot of us who feel like this...

This is a stressful and emotional time of year.

I just count the days until January 2nd lol.

Hang in there. :hug:

[AwakeAtLast]

2. Thanks

I usually like this time of year, so I think feeling this way has made it worse.

:hug:

[AwakeAtLast]

3. Dupe

Don't know how. :shrug:

[marzipanni]

4. You must be tired having had that virus and not being fully recovered yet.

:hug: be sure to get enough rest!
If there's a local fun winter or Christmas thing to do with kids, your seven-year-old would probably love that, and all the excitement wouldn't be focused on, "what am I getting from Santa?" I still remember when I was seven, 52 years ago :-o, singing Christmas carols with a bunch of people from our area who got together on a dead end street one evening and kept warm with a bonfire while the adults drank mulled wine and the kids drank mulled cider and played in the snow.
When I was a little older I remember going to the Unitarian Church at night, with my friend and her visiting grandma, where everyone sang Christmas songs.
I loved going skating and sledding/"flying saucering" on winter vacation.
I remember all those things, but the only present I remember well was a little white Steiff teddy bear I found in my Christmas stocking. I still have him.

I'm glad the years of getting together for a big gift exchange with my husband's family are over. We always struggled to come up with things people would like and we are the least well-off of the bunch, so it seemed stupid to give people things they might not like, bought with money we had to scrape together. I always tried to talk them into exchanging names for one gift, and all of us giving some money for the homeless, or toys for children who wouldn't get anything otherwise.
Maybe you could help your child pick out a toy to donate to the firemen or Salvation Army toy drive (if there are any that are still collecting) to share the spirit of Christmas.

[AwakeAtLast]

6. Thank you

Just found out that Dad's heart cath was CLEAR! :bounce: They will be here Wed. or Thurs.

I'm feeling some relief just from that news.

My daughter and I spent some time today putting some of her "old" toys in a bag to take to a shelter. She really gets into that.

Have a Merry Christmas! :hug:

[kimi]

5. Oh, yeah, I know that feeling well

In past years it's been excruciating, cause I'd have the whole extended family here, all the work that entails, plus the gift thing - for 5 kids, it adds up - trying to be physically well, trying to make the Norman Rockwell Christmas every stinkin year . . . I sympathize with you, cause it's hard and you feel guilty and responsible for all of it. Now my husband's deployed, I have one kid at home, and we'll skip the Christmas Day thing in favor of driving to see the extended family a few days later. All I can say is, grit your teeth and try to get through it as best you can. Your kids will be grateful and you'll have that sense of accomplishment. Things look bad but the day will end and all the pressure will melt away. That's how I do it, and I hope your time gets easier and that you can enjoy it as best you can. Take care.

[AwakeAtLast]

7. I spent a Christmas with my husband in Iraq

I know so well what that feels like - here's a hug for you! :hug:

I just found out Dad's results are good! No blockage of any kind!

Thanks for you kind words - it does help a lot!

[kimi]

8. Ah, I'm happy about your dad

Health and family issues can affect the holiday spirit so much. Glad to hear about your dad, and thanks for your hug. One back atcha - :hug:

[Moochy]

9. Zen Santa

I wish this image helped me with my inner scrooge, but alas it does not.

Ho Ho Ho Oooooohm!

[AwakeAtLast]

10. Oooh! That's great!

I will keep that image in my mind - thanks!

:hi:

[hunter]

11. Me too, with the flu, "Bah! Humbug!"

I've never liked Christmas much, and this year I got knocked on my butt by some virus too. I got my flu shots, but not the novel H1N1, so it could be that.

I've had it with pretending it's a Merry Christmas. I want to be sitting on a warm beach somewhere they've never heard of Santa Claus, a place where they might mistake his reindeer for goats. My Christmas Feast would be whole grilled mackerel and pineapple. My Christmas tree would be a cargo net draped on the wall decorated with pretty things found on the beach and twinkly lights. Gifts would be given, not "exchanged," no more and no less than any other day of the year.

[AwakeAtLast]

14. Yesss!!! Beach!

Sounds wonderful! <closing eyes imagining I'm on the beach> :hippie:

[MissMillie]

12. Try to forget it's the holiday... and be happy about something else

Anything else.

Be happy that you can put a smile on your 7 y/o's face.

Be happy that the days are once again getting longer.

Be happy that you have people in your life who care about you.

Be happy that Eggnog is on the shelves at a store near you.


:hug:

[hippywife]

13. Very sound advice, Millie.

Whatever is wrong with the world, will be wrong with it. Letting the holidays put more pressure on it is totally not worth it.

:hi:

Hugs to you, AAL. Just let it all slide by, sweetie. :hug:

[AwakeAtLast]

16. I'm usually able to

I just think it all caught up with me at once this year.

Thanks! :hug:

[AwakeAtLast]

15. Except for the eggnog part, thanks!

:hug:


Sorry, can't stomach the nog. Especially after that awful virus :puke:

I did eat three meals today - I didn't get queasy at all!

[rurallib]

17. Saw my SIL yesterday. See her @ once a year and the first thing

out of her mouth "i don't think we should give all these lazy people who don't want to work health care."
good lord!
So on our way back Mrs. Lib and I discussed some of the very good things we do and how many lives we have touched. We have never really taken an inventory like this and we really do make a difference. Maybe that would help - count your friends, count the good things you did this year.
I am sure you are one important person!

hang in there - it will get better :hug: :hug:

And just because you need a little cheering, I will give you a pull at our Santa bag!
Dig deep!
looks like a fun present - what did you get? A Slinky? an etch-a-sketch? What, what what???