With the holidays fast approaching I thought I would start a topic on holiday preparation. I think it is best if we PACE ourselves so that we actually get the pleasures from such a beautiful season. I went shopping today and it felt so good. I was under no pressure just on top of the world. IF I saw a gift for someone fine and if I still have things on the list for another trip that was fine too. I think eliminating the pressures helps tremendously.



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~Luv, Scoobs~

Happy Holidays to you all!, If I don't get things all done, oh, well. I know We did what we could. I won't have a tree this year, It's too hard to chase a just turned two yr. old. away from danger. But, we are made a colage. We have things that won't hurt him and he is the main director of this. We are a mixed religious family so we celebrate many different days. I have lefy up some things all year long. Twinkle lights look good all year. Got the idea from a neighbor. Our neighborhood even has less crime w/this all night lite around the posts, and things. I do one area that I know will get done and if i have more time, Ha, energy, then more. Peace and Love be with you all, Kim and Gary

Holidays are really tough on lots of people and for lots of different reasons. I used to LOVE holidays! But because of several reasons, some of them are hard to get through. Add the depression and pain of FM to those other things and it really gets tough. A couple of years ago I would go all out to decorate for Halloween and Christmas. Then there was some sad events to get through and Christmas just wasn't so much fun. Then, I got back in the spirit of things for my daughter. Last year I wasn't able to do as much as I had been doing. This year it's even less. I am trying to do most of my shopping via the great WWW because I can't get out and walk around stores. Anyway, somehow I'll get through it and hope to be able to keep doing it until my last little chick flys the nest! Boy! Sometimes it's sooo hard! I hope I'm the only one who feels this way. Linda D

Linda it is so true. The only thing that has kept me going the past few months are my children (ages 5 and 7). They are my only motivation. I spent part of the day putting up lights (much less than last year) and boy am I paying for it. However, my children were happy and I try to take some pleasure from that. Otherwise, I would just pull the blanket over my head!!! I am hoping to evolve into a more mature and positive attitude as I see in others on this board. Perhaps that will be my New Year's resolution.

I suppose everyone does things in their own way...I always seem to try and put a postitive spin on things...When my Mom passed away in September 1991 I was only 25yrs old and Knowing her birthday was Dec 8 I wondered how I could ever get through it. So I created this tradition to always decorate and light our tree on her birthday. She always loved Christmas and it is my way of remembering her without the doom and gloom. When I light that tree it is such a joyous feeling almost like she sees it shining.

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~Luv, Scoobs~