Carol and Diana it must of been the day for it Thursday because I walked in the house and promptly burst into tears. Poor DH was beside himself as it is very rare I cry and I was sobbing.

I think it is the time of year and I think the first Christmas is major. It is the first without my nan and with all the division on that side of the family plus my own problems with my DM and one of my aunts all of a sudden joining in with the arguing it just got too much.

I felt so much better for it and my lovely friends as well as hubby rallied round to cheer me up.

Carol I am glad you are feeling better like you I do not like feeling like that, but its all part of the process.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

This is a tough time of year for emotions, especially where family awkwardness can leave us feeling raw. Glad you ladies have been able to work through it, as I am doing.

Going to mail the rest of the cards today. Some are arriving to us, and when DH has had a quick look at the ones that came while he was away, I will start to put them on the circular wicker framework that I hang on the wall for them at Christmas.

Baking is a priority, with company coming on Boxing Day, as well as our needs when DS and family are here. Only made two items so far.

Some presents wrapped, still some to buy.

Some decorating done, too early for fresh tree yet.

Went to mass and breakfast with two friends on Wednesday

Took a look at some beds while in larger town for optician.

Good to hear Carol. Definitely do what is comfortable for you.

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I decided with the weather being 20, I will only go to church, pick up dessert for tomorrow and come home. I can do the Christmas shopping next week. No sense in fighting crowds (something I HATE) and getting out of breath in the cold....
Still have time to wrap and send. Ordering the gifts was good and can send the other things for my aunt's birthdays. They aren't holiday related so that will put me ahead for next year!
So glad I decided that.

House is in good shape just ETEing and am ready for the holidays.
With DS2 helping getting the dishes out it made it easier to store near the dining room until Christmas and then can put them in the regular storage area after the holidays. Things are really going to be downsized this year for next. Still want to change out the themes of the trees, but don't need 3 threes, just two next year like this one. LOL

Bushlady mentioned 'Boxing Day' It's a statutory Holiday [Dec. 26th] in Britain & colonies when we traditionally hold 'open house' for friends and family visiting. In olden times the wealthy gave boxes with left-over food to those less fortunate the day after Christmas

Thanks for the explanation Cyd. I never knew what Boxing Day was. In my family, we actually were told that it was called that because it was the day after Christmas and everyone brought out their "boxing gloves" to get the good after Christmas deals. As an adult, I of course did not believe that story so it's good to now know the reason behind it.

Today, DD will be playing with one of her bands at the local shopping center to raise money to fund their music program. Last year they raised over $200 by just playing Christmas music out there on the sidewalk. (Maybe I should have her do it tomorrow too to raise money for us. )

At noon my DS is going with a realtor to look at a house to purchase. I cannot believe that my DS is not only old enough to buy a house, but also qualifies and has the money to buy a house. Of course, it is a very good time to be a buyer since the prices and interest rates are so low. The house that he is going to be looking at sold for $315,000. in 2005 and is now listed for only $120,000. Who knows, maybe it will be big enough that DD and I can rent a room or two from him.

I have a ton of things to do, but haven't decided where to start. I guess maybe breakfast would be a good place.

Carol, the 1st Christmas after my mother's death, I really didn't feel like decorating, either. But I felt that my DD (aged 13, then), deserved something a little festive to cheer her up. So, I hung up the snowman wreath that I had made at my mother's request, spread the red/white/green afghan I had crocheted that she loved, and put on the cushion covers she had sewn on the living room sofa cushions. That was all the decorating I did at first, and then, later, I think I put up the winter village. But there was no tree, no ornaments & decorations and displays, and it was OK.

Congratulations to your son! What a wonderful accomplishment!

(((HUGS))) to everyone who is feeling a little sad at this time of the year.

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My goal for today is to prepare for tomorrow's almsgiving! LOTS to do! But it will all get done, of course.

I just did something that was NOT on my list, but needed to be done, and I'm feeling a weight lifting off of me having done it. DD is gone right now doing her music thing so I have the house to myself. I cranked up the music, not Christmas music and nothing sad, just upbeat music that has absolutely no memories tied to it at all. And, I tackled the pile of R's things that has been stacked up along the wall in my bedroom. It has been staring at me for months every single time I walked past. I sorted through it all, threw some out, saved a few things and the rest is getting donated. I have 6 bags in my trunk ready to be dropped off at the church when I go pick DD in an hour. A few tears were shed (not nearly as many as I had imagined), but it's OK. I don't need his things to have the memories. It does not mean that I have forgotten him or that I'm trying to forget him. Just that I'm taking back my life a little bit at a time. I still have the clothes that I am making into quilts, but everything else that was his has been taken care of. And, it feels good.

fri i did all the shredding inc dumping the shredder

i also read the hite report and took myself out for a mcrib

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i have gotten sad every xmas, thanksgiving and easter since my grands died. i feel lonely w nowhere to go to visit out of town family.

mary

Carol
You did GREAT! My sons did their dad's closet and packed it up for a friend to take to a homeless men's shelter. I couldn't do it, and I didn't do his dresser for months.....so you are doing wonderfully.

Congrats to your son. Good for him. He had a great teacher, showing him how to manage his money. Look at you how you manange!

Mary:
Great going on the shredding. Mine has to wait. I asked on the JDI thread if you wished to do mine, but I would have to go thru it first! LOL

Today is a luncheon for my friend and my DILs and her DIL.
Just a nice quiet luncheon, just 5 of us.

Carol,

You did a wonderful thing to be able to deal with R's things. It must be so hard to do.
Mary, you must have some lovely memories of earlier years. Tough to face the changes as we lose loved ones.

I got the Christmas card arrangement set up with the ones we already have. The wall hanging that hung in that place is now sitting on top of some boxes in the basement. I always find it a chore to find places for the things that have to be moved in order to make room for Christmas decor - for example the items on the mantel.

I put the red bows on the fabric cat pillows that sit in the front windows, and a few inexpensive (cheap!) golden balls and a red bow on each of the tiny fir trees that I put either side of the front steps. (this sounds better than it is, they are not "Martha Stewart", being less than perfect, but it is cheerful).

Mailed the last of the Christmas cards. I have a notelet to mail in answer to a card we received, telling of the death of the sender's husband during the year. Another person who will be sad about Christmas.

Got caught up on several e-mails.