Ahhh--Christmas Eve.
The crazy is over, now it's just time to wait...and do you know how long this day is going to be with a bouncing off the walls 7 year old? It doesn't matter, the joy and excitement in her eyes is worth every bit of "How much longer?, Is it time?, I don't want to go to bed, I CAN'T go to sleep" that will drive me to the edge of madness today.
I am meeting a friend for lunch--that will be a nice break and I don't have to look at my office until Monday--an even better break!
I wish all of you (my 3 readers--haha) a wonderful and blessed Christmas. I hope Santa is good to each and every one of you. Most important, may you receive the BEST gift of all--being surrounded by those you love!
LG
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Humbled........
So yesterday I awoke to the lovely deposit of 4 inches of snow in my area--and, of course, I had to make a trip to Cleveland for work. It never seems to fail that there is horrible winter weather for these trips this time of year.
Yesterday's trip was different though--our company was going to work in a soup kitchen in downtown Cleveland. We decided that in these hard times, a blow-out Christmas party at work wasn't necessary when there are so many others in need.
We all gathered at St. Herman's--it's a Greek Orthodox Monastery and Father Vladimir was right out of Greek Mythology himself--he kind of scared me actually--bearded, stern, you did what he said to do!
Despite a early morning water main break in Cleveland, We prepared a wonderful, hearty soup, salad, garlic bread and dessert for about 90 people. As we were preparing, Fr. V invited us to join the Monastery for "prayers". He kept saying "prayers"--so I figured it would be PRAYERS right? A few of my co-workers and I went into their chapel. I would guess about 20 other homeless had gathered--along with the monastery's newest members--8 puppies from the Dorothy the "house dog" and her mate. They were the cutest thing and added so much joy to the place with their playing and fighting with each other. I was amazed at the acceptance of pets at the shelter--Fr. V said that animals are all some of these men have left, so they are allowed to stay.
So--anyway, we go in for PRAYER. Prayers it was not my friends. It was an entire Greek Orthodox Mass--communion and all. This was fine of course--until Fr. V started passing out things to 3 of us. Guess who he decided was going to read scripture during the mass? Yes, you guessed it--ME and 2 of my co-workers.
People, I have to tell you, I feared for the life of everyone in that room when it came my turn to read the 3rd scripture (or whatever they call the reading before the gospel--Catholics only have 2 readings, so I was confused). I have no problem public speaking and having done my time in Catholic school for 12 years, I was comfortable--but I have not set foot in a church in so long, I was afraid God might smite me and in turn, kill all the innocents around me. All went well and no lighting bolts rained down--all were safe--whew!
The mass was over and we headed off to the kitchen to begin serving the meal. People were actually lined up around the building waiting for lunch to be ready. The people who walked through that door broke my heart. They are you and me--just one step in another direction. Some people you would have sworn would be working right along side you at your job. Others were lost souls--their eyes so sad and lacking hope.
What broke my heart was one little girl who came into the line with her mother. She was beautiful and had the face of an angel. Her mother had such a brave face, but the look of despair in her eyes made me realize that all mothers are the same. We only want the best for our children and we all hurt when we cannot provide everything we want for them. Why this little girl was not in school just about destroyed me. I would think she was about 9, but when you have no real home, how do you enroll for school and how do you explain to a 9 year old why she cannot go to school or why you don't have a permanent place to stay?
I talked with people in that room--some told me their stories, others just looked into their plates and would not meet my gaze. Job loss, family problems, death of a spouse or children, drugs, alcohol, mental illness--it all plays a part in the fabric of despair and homelessness. God bless the monks/Fathers at St. Herman's for taking in these people and trying to give them a better life.
The amazing thing about our guests was that THEY came up and asked God to bless US for serving them, providing them food and drink--they showed great appreciation for the meal, they wished US Merry Christmas. I was overcome. They have lost so much, yet blessed us with their love.
We went there to serve--both our fellow man and God yesterday, but I think we all walked away with a sense of how lucky we are and how grateful to God (or your preferred Deity) we should be for what we have. I don't think any of us realize how close we are to being in that soup line.
St Herman's of Alaska feeds men, women and children 3 times a day and houses men in shifts. They have 28 dorm beds that are always full. Monks live at and maintain the monastery and serve the homeless with everything they have. They always need help or donations to keep their programs running. They help with schooling and rehabilitation of those who want to get their lives back on track. This is a drug and alcohol free environment. IF you are in the area, you might consider helping those who are doing so much to serve others.
God Bless the people I met yesterday.........
Yesterday's trip was different though--our company was going to work in a soup kitchen in downtown Cleveland. We decided that in these hard times, a blow-out Christmas party at work wasn't necessary when there are so many others in need.
We all gathered at St. Herman's--it's a Greek Orthodox Monastery and Father Vladimir was right out of Greek Mythology himself--he kind of scared me actually--bearded, stern, you did what he said to do!
Despite a early morning water main break in Cleveland, We prepared a wonderful, hearty soup, salad, garlic bread and dessert for about 90 people. As we were preparing, Fr. V invited us to join the Monastery for "prayers". He kept saying "prayers"--so I figured it would be PRAYERS right? A few of my co-workers and I went into their chapel. I would guess about 20 other homeless had gathered--along with the monastery's newest members--8 puppies from the Dorothy the "house dog" and her mate. They were the cutest thing and added so much joy to the place with their playing and fighting with each other. I was amazed at the acceptance of pets at the shelter--Fr. V said that animals are all some of these men have left, so they are allowed to stay.
So--anyway, we go in for PRAYER. Prayers it was not my friends. It was an entire Greek Orthodox Mass--communion and all. This was fine of course--until Fr. V started passing out things to 3 of us. Guess who he decided was going to read scripture during the mass? Yes, you guessed it--ME and 2 of my co-workers.
People, I have to tell you, I feared for the life of everyone in that room when it came my turn to read the 3rd scripture (or whatever they call the reading before the gospel--Catholics only have 2 readings, so I was confused). I have no problem public speaking and having done my time in Catholic school for 12 years, I was comfortable--but I have not set foot in a church in so long, I was afraid God might smite me and in turn, kill all the innocents around me. All went well and no lighting bolts rained down--all were safe--whew!
The mass was over and we headed off to the kitchen to begin serving the meal. People were actually lined up around the building waiting for lunch to be ready. The people who walked through that door broke my heart. They are you and me--just one step in another direction. Some people you would have sworn would be working right along side you at your job. Others were lost souls--their eyes so sad and lacking hope.
What broke my heart was one little girl who came into the line with her mother. She was beautiful and had the face of an angel. Her mother had such a brave face, but the look of despair in her eyes made me realize that all mothers are the same. We only want the best for our children and we all hurt when we cannot provide everything we want for them. Why this little girl was not in school just about destroyed me. I would think she was about 9, but when you have no real home, how do you enroll for school and how do you explain to a 9 year old why she cannot go to school or why you don't have a permanent place to stay?
I talked with people in that room--some told me their stories, others just looked into their plates and would not meet my gaze. Job loss, family problems, death of a spouse or children, drugs, alcohol, mental illness--it all plays a part in the fabric of despair and homelessness. God bless the monks/Fathers at St. Herman's for taking in these people and trying to give them a better life.
The amazing thing about our guests was that THEY came up and asked God to bless US for serving them, providing them food and drink--they showed great appreciation for the meal, they wished US Merry Christmas. I was overcome. They have lost so much, yet blessed us with their love.
We went there to serve--both our fellow man and God yesterday, but I think we all walked away with a sense of how lucky we are and how grateful to God (or your preferred Deity) we should be for what we have. I don't think any of us realize how close we are to being in that soup line.
St Herman's of Alaska feeds men, women and children 3 times a day and houses men in shifts. They have 28 dorm beds that are always full. Monks live at and maintain the monastery and serve the homeless with everything they have. They always need help or donations to keep their programs running. They help with schooling and rehabilitation of those who want to get their lives back on track. This is a drug and alcohol free environment. IF you are in the area, you might consider helping those who are doing so much to serve others.
God Bless the people I met yesterday.........
Monday, December 15, 2008
Twilight
OK--I went and finally saw this yesterday. Is it wrong to be crushing on a boy that is a whole person old enought to vote younger than me?
Robert Pattinson is HAWT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moive was pretty good--stays true to the book for the most part. I do have to say that New Moon--the movie will be quite a bit less interesting without Edward in 90% of the show. HE has such a minor part in that book--up until the end anyway. Not sure I could get into a movie with just Bella and Jacob for the most part.
I asked for Breaking Dawn for Christmas, because I really couldn't think of much more I wanted--but I REALLY don't think I can wait to read it. I've read some spoilers and I really want to read the book.
Can I borrow someones copy and "secret squirrel" read it???--then I can be happy--and still be excited about getting my own copy from Santa!!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Goodbye Starbucks--Heeelllllllloooooo Speedway???
OK--since I am of "the poor", Starbucks is just not in my budget--and forget McDonalds--their "McCafe" is sludge and just as expensive. But I have found a NEW love--and I am very surprised!
In a moment of complete exhaustion and desperation, I whipped into the Speedway on Conant to get some sort of morning sustenance. Did you know they have a full BUFFET of coffee and products????? They have a Double Mocha Capp. AND a SHOCKWAVE Mocha capp. ENERGY DRINK AS COFFEE--Praise be!!!!
I wasn't expecting much for .99--but to my complete surprise--it was GOOOOOOOOD. Add my Splenda and a International Delight French Vanilla creamer and sister is ready to roll!! There is a whole "condiment" station with every type of flavored creamer/sugar/substitute you can think of--HEAVEN!!!! No wonder Starbucks is in the toilet. Now, the snob in me still would still like to have a Biggby Mocha Mocha every once in a while--but this will do just nicely!!
So--in these hard economic times--I hope you give your wallet a break and try one.
In a moment of complete exhaustion and desperation, I whipped into the Speedway on Conant to get some sort of morning sustenance. Did you know they have a full BUFFET of coffee and products????? They have a Double Mocha Capp. AND a SHOCKWAVE Mocha capp. ENERGY DRINK AS COFFEE--Praise be!!!!
I wasn't expecting much for .99--but to my complete surprise--it was GOOOOOOOOD. Add my Splenda and a International Delight French Vanilla creamer and sister is ready to roll!! There is a whole "condiment" station with every type of flavored creamer/sugar/substitute you can think of--HEAVEN!!!! No wonder Starbucks is in the toilet. Now, the snob in me still would still like to have a Biggby Mocha Mocha every once in a while--but this will do just nicely!!
So--in these hard economic times--I hope you give your wallet a break and try one.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Turkey Day Karma and other musings
OK--so the heater is fixed--yeah! We had that going for us and we had a really nice weekend before the Thanksgiving crazy began--good quality family time--relaxing.
Then Karma decided to rear her ugly head and be a bitch.....I guess complaining about having to suffer thru cats and insanity came back to bite my ass in the way of a KIDNEY STONE PASSING. I spent Monday and Tuesday puking my guts out from pain. Wednesday, I dragged myself into work for a bit so I could still pimp out the holiday pay--then I returned to my bed. I didn't go to my in-laws (and hubby in his self centered little way was pissed). So I got out of one form of suffering, but having to suffer in another way. Whatever.
Saw my family for a little bit on Friday and then went back home to my bed--where I stayed until Sunday afternoon. I have to say, I am feeling a little bit better--the stone has moved out of the kidney area and more down into the groin. Is this an overshare?????????? anyhow--from what I remember of the other stone I passed--this puppy should be working it's way "out" sometime this week. In the meantime--I get to pee into a strainer to try and catch the little sucker so the Dr's can test it. YEEEEHAAA! It sucks getting old.
The upside to all of this is I didn't indulge in the usual food gorging of 2008--and with all the puking, I am down 10 lbs!!!!! Now, the trick is to keep it off!
Facebook.....whoever got me started on that should be shot--I'm addicted!!
Mork and Mindy Reruns ALL DAY on Friday--why in the hell did we think that show was so good back then???? I had a "Epic Hair Fail" moment when I saw Mindy with the one ponytail pulled over to one side of her head--OMG--so embarassed that I ever did that!!
Neighbors got a new puppy and I got to see it yesterday--so darn cute--such a face. He's a Westie--I'm in lurve with him!
I'm spent!
Then Karma decided to rear her ugly head and be a bitch.....I guess complaining about having to suffer thru cats and insanity came back to bite my ass in the way of a KIDNEY STONE PASSING. I spent Monday and Tuesday puking my guts out from pain. Wednesday, I dragged myself into work for a bit so I could still pimp out the holiday pay--then I returned to my bed. I didn't go to my in-laws (and hubby in his self centered little way was pissed). So I got out of one form of suffering, but having to suffer in another way. Whatever.
Saw my family for a little bit on Friday and then went back home to my bed--where I stayed until Sunday afternoon. I have to say, I am feeling a little bit better--the stone has moved out of the kidney area and more down into the groin. Is this an overshare?????????? anyhow--from what I remember of the other stone I passed--this puppy should be working it's way "out" sometime this week. In the meantime--I get to pee into a strainer to try and catch the little sucker so the Dr's can test it. YEEEEHAAA! It sucks getting old.
The upside to all of this is I didn't indulge in the usual food gorging of 2008--and with all the puking, I am down 10 lbs!!!!! Now, the trick is to keep it off!
Facebook.....whoever got me started on that should be shot--I'm addicted!!
Mork and Mindy Reruns ALL DAY on Friday--why in the hell did we think that show was so good back then???? I had a "Epic Hair Fail" moment when I saw Mindy with the one ponytail pulled over to one side of her head--OMG--so embarassed that I ever did that!!
Neighbors got a new puppy and I got to see it yesterday--so darn cute--such a face. He's a Westie--I'm in lurve with him!
I'm spent!
Friday, November 21, 2008
THANK YOU Mr. Bush
Well, at least in my house, today you did a great thing! Thank you for extending the extension on the Unemployment payments. We will have a way to eat AND to have a warm house for the next 13 weeks.
Furnace totally went out on Tuesday--so we have had nights in the upper teens here in NW Ohio--and it's been damn cold in the house. Furnace motor is supposed to be installed this afternoon (keep your fingers crossed)--so maybe we will have heat throughout the whole house instead of just one room at a time. (I felt so "little house on the praire")
We were really struggling with how we were going to have the $$ to make all the bills and the furnace motor--but with a little robbing of Peter to pay Paul, we should be ok until the Unemployment kicks back in.
It would better if they would pay retroactively so we could get caught back up--but beggers cannot be choosers--we'll gladly take the government hand out at this point.
It bothers DH to have to take what he is considering "welfare" from Uncle Sam--but I told him, you have paid DEARLY in taxes for many a year (over 2 decades)--we don't live beyond our means and we are not having 20 kids and making welfare our way of life. Times are hard--but this too shall pass. Job hunting sucks and it's been over a year--depression sets in--but this too shall pass.
I hope Mr. Obama had a magic wand to fix the economy (I doubt it), or else many other people are going to be in my shoes in the coming months. He preached a platform of change--but I have seen nothing but the "Clinton Years" rear their ugly head so far. I wouldn't want to be in Obama's shoes...
Posting has been far and few between--so I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving-blessings to you and your families--just in case I don't post before then.
Peace
Furnace totally went out on Tuesday--so we have had nights in the upper teens here in NW Ohio--and it's been damn cold in the house. Furnace motor is supposed to be installed this afternoon (keep your fingers crossed)--so maybe we will have heat throughout the whole house instead of just one room at a time. (I felt so "little house on the praire")
We were really struggling with how we were going to have the $$ to make all the bills and the furnace motor--but with a little robbing of Peter to pay Paul, we should be ok until the Unemployment kicks back in.
It would better if they would pay retroactively so we could get caught back up--but beggers cannot be choosers--we'll gladly take the government hand out at this point.
It bothers DH to have to take what he is considering "welfare" from Uncle Sam--but I told him, you have paid DEARLY in taxes for many a year (over 2 decades)--we don't live beyond our means and we are not having 20 kids and making welfare our way of life. Times are hard--but this too shall pass. Job hunting sucks and it's been over a year--depression sets in--but this too shall pass.
I hope Mr. Obama had a magic wand to fix the economy (I doubt it), or else many other people are going to be in my shoes in the coming months. He preached a platform of change--but I have seen nothing but the "Clinton Years" rear their ugly head so far. I wouldn't want to be in Obama's shoes...
Posting has been far and few between--so I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving-blessings to you and your families--just in case I don't post before then.
Peace
Friday, November 14, 2008
God seems to enjoy testing me.......
Ok God, I get it.....enough already ok?
1) Hubby still has no job--trying to make his own business work
2) Holidays are coming--I hate them
3) Bills are piling in with no money to pay them
4) Furnace guy informs us last night that the furnace motor is going--1 bearing is bad--the other is hanging on by a thread. Cost to fix? 100.00 just to give me the bad news.....$700 to replace the motor.
FUCK ME!
1) Hubby still has no job--trying to make his own business work
2) Holidays are coming--I hate them
3) Bills are piling in with no money to pay them
4) Furnace guy informs us last night that the furnace motor is going--1 bearing is bad--the other is hanging on by a thread. Cost to fix? 100.00 just to give me the bad news.....$700 to replace the motor.
FUCK ME!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Can't get a break....
THE LIST--the g-damn LIST!
They have already started calling for THE LIST. I figured I would have at least 3 more weeks of peace and quite. It's like everyone is trying to gang up on me at once!
MOTHER is still not speaking to me--but leaves a message on the machine for Baby Lurker--talking only to her and asking if she would like to go see a production of Peter Pan. Ending it with "Ask your parents if you can go and call Grandma back and let her know" Passive Agressive much woman? God help me.
Then the calls start coming in from THE SIL about what Baby Lurker wants for Christmas--then from the MIL, and she says to get the other SIL a LIST too. Christ on the Cross--if I survive until Thanksgiving it will be a miracle.
SPent 6 hours in a dark room last night trying to get rid of a migrane--so much fun. I think I am under way too much stress.
They have already started calling for THE LIST. I figured I would have at least 3 more weeks of peace and quite. It's like everyone is trying to gang up on me at once!
MOTHER is still not speaking to me--but leaves a message on the machine for Baby Lurker--talking only to her and asking if she would like to go see a production of Peter Pan. Ending it with "Ask your parents if you can go and call Grandma back and let her know" Passive Agressive much woman? God help me.
Then the calls start coming in from THE SIL about what Baby Lurker wants for Christmas--then from the MIL, and she says to get the other SIL a LIST too. Christ on the Cross--if I survive until Thanksgiving it will be a miracle.
SPent 6 hours in a dark room last night trying to get rid of a migrane--so much fun. I think I am under way too much stress.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thanksgiving Part 2--Mothers and other frustrations
OK--so now that I have cracked on the out-laws (Cracked on? Christ--did I just time travel back to the late 80's or what?)
Anyheeew. MY FAMILY--not quite as full on crazy as the out-laws, but mildly insane just the same. My 2 brothers and sister all live far away from our birth place and our Mother (lucky bastards).
Now when we get together it's a pretty simple, modest affair. Mother hounds us endlessly beginning about August for the EXACT date/time/second that we would be available to do Thanksgiving at her house.
Side Bar: Dear Brother #1 lives in the Columbus area and Dear Sister has hauled her ass to the Indianapolis area--away from all family on both sides (how they got that sweet deal, I'll never know). Dear Baby Brother lives near his Out-laws in the Cleveland area. His MIL is a nurse and works odd holidays, so sometimes we take in his wife's family (a sister, a brother and the odd current date of the moment) as refugees for the holidays that the Mama has to work. They are a nice family and it all works out just fine.
But back to my MOTHER (say it with teenage angst--I still have issues). She is relentless in her need to control what cannot be controlled--especially in all areas that concern her grown adult children. We all have families of our own--and dammnit, would it kill her to let us have a holiday moment to ourselves? Yes, actually, I think it would.
Each one of us is seperately hounded so that she can make HER plans for the holidays. RUE THE DAY that one part of the puzzle doesn't comply with her wishes--and since I am the person who lives closest to her, I am the one who suffers the most. (Yes DB#1, I know you had to basically put out fire that would have burnt down the surrounding neighbors homes last month---but it doesn't make up for the daily crazy I put up with for her).
I get an update almost daily about who is going where, and doing what and why so and so cannot make it or why so and so SHOULD make it, but doesn't want to blah blah blah.
I have said that she should just pick a day, tell eveyone what day, and those who RSVP will be coming, those who don't won't be coming and to LET IT REST!! We all live in different places, we all have different lives--LET IT BE WOMAN.
This year, the stars have all aligned and EVERYONE is coming on Friday. We have been given our part of the food to bring--all is right in the world correct???
NO
I get a call the other night...from the MOTHER...asking me about the plans for Christmas. I tell her that the plans are the same freaking plans we have had for the last 20 years. She's all --oh, I though they might have changed things? I say "Why in the hell would they have changed things?--and why in the hell are you now badgering me about Chistmas--can't we just get thru Thanksgiving first????"
Some how I am now a bitch and she's not talking to me. So, if anyone has room at their house on Thanksgiving, I will be making Whipped Chive potatos, Dinner rolls and Cranberry/Orange salad and would be happy to bring them to YOUR house.....
Anyheeew. MY FAMILY--not quite as full on crazy as the out-laws, but mildly insane just the same. My 2 brothers and sister all live far away from our birth place and our Mother (lucky bastards).
Now when we get together it's a pretty simple, modest affair. Mother hounds us endlessly beginning about August for the EXACT date/time/second that we would be available to do Thanksgiving at her house.
Side Bar: Dear Brother #1 lives in the Columbus area and Dear Sister has hauled her ass to the Indianapolis area--away from all family on both sides (how they got that sweet deal, I'll never know). Dear Baby Brother lives near his Out-laws in the Cleveland area. His MIL is a nurse and works odd holidays, so sometimes we take in his wife's family (a sister, a brother and the odd current date of the moment) as refugees for the holidays that the Mama has to work. They are a nice family and it all works out just fine.
But back to my MOTHER (say it with teenage angst--I still have issues). She is relentless in her need to control what cannot be controlled--especially in all areas that concern her grown adult children. We all have families of our own--and dammnit, would it kill her to let us have a holiday moment to ourselves? Yes, actually, I think it would.
Each one of us is seperately hounded so that she can make HER plans for the holidays. RUE THE DAY that one part of the puzzle doesn't comply with her wishes--and since I am the person who lives closest to her, I am the one who suffers the most. (Yes DB#1, I know you had to basically put out fire that would have burnt down the surrounding neighbors homes last month---but it doesn't make up for the daily crazy I put up with for her).
I get an update almost daily about who is going where, and doing what and why so and so cannot make it or why so and so SHOULD make it, but doesn't want to blah blah blah.
I have said that she should just pick a day, tell eveyone what day, and those who RSVP will be coming, those who don't won't be coming and to LET IT REST!! We all live in different places, we all have different lives--LET IT BE WOMAN.
This year, the stars have all aligned and EVERYONE is coming on Friday. We have been given our part of the food to bring--all is right in the world correct???
NO
I get a call the other night...from the MOTHER...asking me about the plans for Christmas. I tell her that the plans are the same freaking plans we have had for the last 20 years. She's all --oh, I though they might have changed things? I say "Why in the hell would they have changed things?--and why in the hell are you now badgering me about Chistmas--can't we just get thru Thanksgiving first????"
Some how I am now a bitch and she's not talking to me. So, if anyone has room at their house on Thanksgiving, I will be making Whipped Chive potatos, Dinner rolls and Cranberry/Orange salad and would be happy to bring them to YOUR house.....
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Holidays and other frustrations
Kelley at Kelly's Case de Chaos got me thinking about the up coming holidays and to be honest I DREAD this time of year.
Nothing about the holidays makes me really happy. My only joy is seeing my daughter's anticipation of the season and her waking up on Christmas morning filled with excitement and joy.
The rest of the time can just suck it!
Since these will be long drawn out sob stories, I'll do them little by little--We begin with Thanksgiving at the Out-laws:
For the last 20 years (20 years--holy shit) we have spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws. This means too much food and me sitting in a corner high on the annual overdose of allergiy meds just so I can function (barely) in a house filled with 4 cats. (I am horribly allergic to cats--when the first cat they had died, I felt nothing but relief--but then MIL brought home 2 cats from the farm in Indy and then took in 2 more cats when Grandma passed away. I secretly think she took great joy in adding to my misery).
I do not enjoy Thanksgiving one bit because I still end up miserable--and spend the next week recovering from it--people who don't have severe allergies just don't get how much it affects people who do. It's horrible--even high on meds, my chest tightens up, I lose my voice, I sneeze, the eyes water, the nose runs--IT SUCKS. I made it thru ok when there was just one cat--but 4 is too much for me to handle. I cannot even ask her to put the cats in a back bedroom--because according to her--that is CRUEL. But fuck what it does to me right?
Then after dinner we are forced to provide THE LIST. THE LIST my friends is a LIST of things we all want for Christmas--stuff we do not need, nor really want, but a LIST MUST BE PROVIDED. Last year, hubby had just lost his job--so we said we would NOT be providing a list, nor would we be purchasing for the adults. The niece and nephew would recieve a gift--but not the GROWN ADULTS WHO CAN BUY THEIR OWN SHIT--ahem.
We asked that we not be given anything as we were all set. They could buy something for DD if they wanted too--but nothing CRAZY. OH MY SHIT--they lost their minds. Not a one of them could understand WHY we had to cut back--jeezsus chrimeny people--your brother HAS NO JOB! We need a roof over our heads and food on the table--I don't need another crappy sweater that I hate and is not my taste.
You have to understand that these people do not really see or talk to each other thru out the year--the only time they "show love" is thru the purchase of THINGS. I swear to you--if I'm lying, I'm dying--it has NEVER taken less than 4 hours to open Christmas gifts at the outlaws. And this was before there were small children.
Spending $200 PER PERSON was not unheard of--and it was EXPECTED. DH has his parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters and all of their spouses--and it was expected that all people would receive a multitude of gifts from every person. This foolishness happened the weekend before Christmas because the parents went to Indy to celebrate with J's family. They could not even be around the family for the actual holiday--but we have to spend over $1000 on people just to "show how much" they mean to us.
It was fun at first--I never lived in a family who did that kind of thing--my parents said "The baby Jesus only got 3 presents--why do you think you deserve anything more than that?" So 3 presents it was--plus what ever we got from Grandparents and Uncles.
I had never seen so many gifts in one place. But--like everything in excess, the novelty wore off and I began to dread it. The hunting for gifts, the wasted money the foolishness and greed. One Thanksgiving, I tried to say--hey, lets draw names amonst the adult children and keep this under control--I was called everything but a human by a sister-in-law.
I was told by her to shut up and deal with it.
And the holiday was ruined for me after that.
To Be Continued..........
Nothing about the holidays makes me really happy. My only joy is seeing my daughter's anticipation of the season and her waking up on Christmas morning filled with excitement and joy.
The rest of the time can just suck it!
Since these will be long drawn out sob stories, I'll do them little by little--We begin with Thanksgiving at the Out-laws:
For the last 20 years (20 years--holy shit) we have spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws. This means too much food and me sitting in a corner high on the annual overdose of allergiy meds just so I can function (barely) in a house filled with 4 cats. (I am horribly allergic to cats--when the first cat they had died, I felt nothing but relief--but then MIL brought home 2 cats from the farm in Indy and then took in 2 more cats when Grandma passed away. I secretly think she took great joy in adding to my misery).
I do not enjoy Thanksgiving one bit because I still end up miserable--and spend the next week recovering from it--people who don't have severe allergies just don't get how much it affects people who do. It's horrible--even high on meds, my chest tightens up, I lose my voice, I sneeze, the eyes water, the nose runs--IT SUCKS. I made it thru ok when there was just one cat--but 4 is too much for me to handle. I cannot even ask her to put the cats in a back bedroom--because according to her--that is CRUEL. But fuck what it does to me right?
Then after dinner we are forced to provide THE LIST. THE LIST my friends is a LIST of things we all want for Christmas--stuff we do not need, nor really want, but a LIST MUST BE PROVIDED. Last year, hubby had just lost his job--so we said we would NOT be providing a list, nor would we be purchasing for the adults. The niece and nephew would recieve a gift--but not the GROWN ADULTS WHO CAN BUY THEIR OWN SHIT--ahem.
We asked that we not be given anything as we were all set. They could buy something for DD if they wanted too--but nothing CRAZY. OH MY SHIT--they lost their minds. Not a one of them could understand WHY we had to cut back--jeezsus chrimeny people--your brother HAS NO JOB! We need a roof over our heads and food on the table--I don't need another crappy sweater that I hate and is not my taste.
You have to understand that these people do not really see or talk to each other thru out the year--the only time they "show love" is thru the purchase of THINGS. I swear to you--if I'm lying, I'm dying--it has NEVER taken less than 4 hours to open Christmas gifts at the outlaws. And this was before there were small children.
Spending $200 PER PERSON was not unheard of--and it was EXPECTED. DH has his parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters and all of their spouses--and it was expected that all people would receive a multitude of gifts from every person. This foolishness happened the weekend before Christmas because the parents went to Indy to celebrate with J's family. They could not even be around the family for the actual holiday--but we have to spend over $1000 on people just to "show how much" they mean to us.
It was fun at first--I never lived in a family who did that kind of thing--my parents said "The baby Jesus only got 3 presents--why do you think you deserve anything more than that?" So 3 presents it was--plus what ever we got from Grandparents and Uncles.
I had never seen so many gifts in one place. But--like everything in excess, the novelty wore off and I began to dread it. The hunting for gifts, the wasted money the foolishness and greed. One Thanksgiving, I tried to say--hey, lets draw names amonst the adult children and keep this under control--I was called everything but a human by a sister-in-law.
I was told by her to shut up and deal with it.
And the holiday was ruined for me after that.
To Be Continued..........
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