I could have written a lot of these posts...what am I doing constructive...nothing, reading QB. I made a list on Sunday night for what I hoped to accomplish each day this week.....I'm really doing rather good, but then again the list wasn't filled with what I SHOULD be doing ! Haven't heard from oldest daughter who lives out of state with her family.....which is really ok, too much water under that bridge to worry about it now. Local daughter called me yesterday with an off handed invitation to go to her inlaw's house on Saturday night....I've only been living near this daughter since February and just before each holiday I would call and ask what their plans were for the holiday and would get a vague answer....only later to find out they had a cook out; went to the water park; went to a local arts and crafts fair......and I was not invited......so I decided not to ask anymore and certainly not try to get an invitation to somewhere I wasn't wanted !
Youngest girl lives 50 miles away and I'm going to her house on Christmas Eve, her church, then we'll have dinner that I'm taking (shrimp/crab meat gumbo); we will go to church on Christmas Day and have planned a ham dinner with all the trimmings.....she is so excited that I'm coming...you know that makes difference in your heart.

Told a friend of mine last night that I wish I could just find a rabbit hole, jump down it and stay until after the holidays.....at my age, almost 65, I'm sort of tired of the whole thing. I do focus on the Reason for the Season, and am attending an Advent Bible Study at my church........so, yes I'm whining and doing a very good job.

What bothers me the most is that I see so many posts where folks have lost their moms and really miss them especially at holiday time....wonder if two of my three girls will ever feel that way ? Two of the three have lives that re so busy doing "stuff", buying, running here and there, partying, etc......I was raised by a foster mom and there isn't a day that goes by I don't think about her and for a very long time would think of something I wanted to talk with her about........

Getting up now, going to start making a batch of Divinity, finish a denim quilt and might even wrap a few gifts ! Hope each of you and your families have a safe, joyous and blessed holiday season !

Have some chocolate... or some coffee... or some of BOTH, make a list of small steps, and tackle them one at a time. It gives you a little rewarding sense of accomplishment along the way.

I think come the first of the year we will all start to feel more inspired.

"This too shall pass" Otis.

I finished up both of my little quilts in the past couple of days and removed all the basting pins from another one that I messed up trying to quilt. I will bind it and throw it on a bed and be glad it's out of the sewing room where it's been sitting and taunting me for weeks now. I made a little flannel blanket for my GGS and so most of the UFO's are done now. The slump will hit me after it's all over and may last for days but I just don't care. I will ride the wave and when it's over I will find some other things to do. May dig out the knitting.

I remember the days when I use to do all kinds of crafts for all my family members on both sides and I would get "oh thats nice". Gifts were stain glass, covered photo albums in the 80's, tole painting, and the last big craft was a heritage scrapbook for each of my siblings and parents. It took me 3 years to do all the research and make these 80 page books for each of them (6 books total). Nothing was even said about them from my siblings. I would get so excited about giving these gifts and then get so low when my expectation of how they react were not met. I use to decorate to the hilt and as of today I still don't have the tree up. Dh not feeling good and we are just having our daughter and granddaughter (both going to school and broke). She said she doesn't like holiday anymore because of the stess of gift giving and commercialism. We have made some new traditions this last few years with doing fondue and this year having crab, salad and french bread for dinner. Going bowling on Saturday and movies on Sunday. No stress here anymore! No more expectations for me or for anyone else and I don't get so down after Christmas.

The holidays are taxing PERIOD!! I dread them as well so much to do and so many expectations from others. Add family to the mix and it can become so over whelming.

I am working on the last 2 rag quilts for hubby's Grand kids (4) and just wanted to put them away, I have work stuff to do for the business for year end, dinner to plan for Christmas and after shopping for and wrapping gifts for 5 grand kids, hubby, daughter, step son and step daughter all I want to do veg........I don't want to finish the quilts but I forced myself to get them out. Tomorrow I WILL GET THEM DONE!!

I just told myself -Get them out, finish them, Sunday it will all be over and I can spend the next week working on work stuff and then I can play in the new year. If you are a giver the holidays are extra stressful, ask for help!!!

Do something special for yourself-There is no person in the world who can take better care of you than you.

I was feeling the same last week but all the words of encouragement from the QB and many laughs too, got me going and the sewing done. Walk away for a short time, gather up your patience and creativity and get back to it. You will be glad you did. As the QB reminded me, time to pull out the wine and chocolate. Happy holidays.

My oldest sister passed away in October, totally unexpected. She was my best friend, and it has left a hole that is so hard to fill. Actually I don't expect it to fill, it will just get smaller and smaller, but my life as I knew it will never be the same. There's no use to scurry around trying to stay busy and forget it. I have spent time grieving and life goes on. I have plenty in my life to be thankful for. But to many of us who have lost loved ones, Christmas is not just all merry and bright. We must all figure out how to have a happy holiday season while looking at an empty chair.

Honeynga, I know how you are feeling. I have two daughters within a mile of me and I feel like they don't even know I live in the same town. I might as well live in Florida as much as I see them, they would probably come visit more if I did live in Florida.

I am with all of you in your thoughts and feelings. Christmas traditions have changed dramatically in my world. But that is life. We also lost our son to cancer last year and it has left a huge hole in my heart. So I try to muddle thru the holidays and put on a good front for the rest of our children. I no longer decorate as much as I used to. BUt there are many families who have so much less than we do so I try and be Thankful for all that I do have.