OT Holidays | Arthritis Information

 

Since RA, holidays are just too much pressure for me.  I don't like to make plans not knowing how I will feel from day to day.  My birthday was a couple days ago and I told no one.  If someone sends me a card or acknowledges my B-Day, I feel bad if I forget theirs (which I probably will)  Any suggestions how to avoid the holiday pressures - I really do not miss them.  The comercialism and pressure they put on people - I want to join a religion that does not acknowledge holidays at all (not really - I like to see the people who DO have so much fun at the holidays

Birthdays are also special, its everyones own special day and it can be tiring and hard work but i'd never give them up. I delegate things to members of the family so we all pull together .

Hey Roxy--
I'm sorry to hear about your recent troubles.  I hope that you are having a comfortable day.  What I try to do is just focus on what I can do, and let my family and friends support me.  Once you get past the guilt of "I may not be able to give anything back" you just might realize that they don't care if you can give back or not.  Family and friends just want to be with you, they don't care if you made the perfect meal or spent all night decorating your tree.  I don't know you well enough to know if your family/friends know the full extent of your illness or not, but mine does and they are wonderful about making me feel included without expecting anything from me that I can't do.  I hope you have a very happy and stress free holiday season.

Amber
Good for you Pin.  Brett was a real scrooge about holidays (always missed my BDAY and anniversaries) but then I found I quit missing them.  He no longer lives with us but I just cannot get into holidays.  I love seeing people like you enjoy them.  My family comes down and drives me and my daughter to their house for family gathering.  I do enjoy that and I don't have to do much work.  I buy a couple of those salad packages and WA LA.  Is that how you spell that ?  LOL

Ive been trying for  all day to just get the decorations for the porch out ONTO the porch... I'm tired and cranky and hate both kids today.. Ally has been nagging to get the stuff up, but also fighting with jake constantly so I cant just go outside and put up the ribbons and start the lights..

 

I do hardly any decorating to begin with and Im so tired already I just cant imagine what this holiday season will be like

 

 

That's exactly why this Christmas is going to be my last one doing a tree, etc.  Garage sale. 

At least you guys can FIND your Christmas decorations. I've looked
everywhere. Last Christmas I went on a trip so I didn't decorate, and I'm
afraid they were lost in the stprage room fire of 2006.looks like new decorations for you gimpy or none at all

"Fast" has worked the best for me since my daughter got sick, especially since what goes up has to come down.  Last year, I thought about doing more, but was glad when I didn't because she went through a really bad time.

Plus, think about the Christmas cards that come in, the things kids make at school, stuff people give you over the holidays - all that new stuff coming in decorates the house on its own.   

Gimpy - I will give you mine :)

My Pet Peeve - Christmas cards.  They make me feel so guilty not to send them back but it has been years and years since I sent them.  I told all my family and friends I just did not believe in the obligatory card and it is impersonal when you had to send so many.

I am hoping I can find this little tree I had with lights on it for my daughter.  We have a beautiful house for decorating.  We have a fir tree out front that looks like a huge Christmas tree, a waterfall that already has lights around it but I was going to put lights up in the bushes, and a deck that hangs out over the front of the house that would be fun to put some kind of Christmas theme.  Who knows, may be if I ever feel better, I will decorate.  That is the ONE thing I like about Christmas.  Decorating.  We always do the tour of the town looking at others decorations.  I am hoping I can get someone to take us this year.  So for those of you that put out decorations, remember people like me, REALLY appreciate them.  My family does secret Santa but we have Colton and Kelsey.  Even though Colton's father and I are split, he is still coming to spend some time on his Xmas break.  Anyway, last year, my family bought presents for the "kids".  Kelsey is 25 but is still a kid because of her mental challenges and Colton is 17.  I wish I were well enough to go to Salvation Army and help out.  I have done that in the past and it has been the most rewarding.  We do have a church gathering we can go to.  We will see.  Just please don't give me a present !!!!!!  I really would rather just share friendship and love.

Kathy - I totally relate to your day.  I know what it is like to try so hard for the kids and they have no idea how much work it is AND their lack of appreciation shows it.  I hope you had a relaxing evening and put the kids to bed !!!!!!!!

Amber - Please do not feel bad for me.  I do not miss the holidays I just don't like the pressure of the holidays.  The fact that my family drives two hours each way when I would rather stay home.  The commercials inundating me when I watch too much tv and the expectations that I SHOULD  be excited.  I really would rather to just ignore them except for my daughter and Colton.  That pressures me the most as I do not have the money to Christmas shop or transportation
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