I Dread Christmas, 2012

and hugs Nanadog. So many bad things happen at this time of year and all the enforced jollity only makes it worse.

Have a lovely time dorsetpennt, it's lovely when they all come together. Happened for us last year for the first time since the last blue moon and it was wonderful. This year it's just DH, my mother and me, with mum fretting all the time about getting home before dark (but insisting that she comes to us). Deep joy!

I'm looking forward to Xmas Day this year. My daughter wasn't with us for two years in a row but is this year. We also have two dear little girls [aged three and half and one] my GDs as well, the older one will be very aware of all the goodies Xmas has to offer. So it's my son, DIL, daughter and grandchildren on Xmas Day. And the in-laws on Boxing Day, which is also a lot of fun.
As a young child we lived in Canada and Hong Kong so didn't have big family Xmases. So it was wonderful when we came back to the UK and had grandparents and uncle as well. Although I do remember my parents having rows with my g/parents on Boxing Day and people slamming off into the night vowing 'never to speak to uou again'. It all added to the fun.
This doesn't happen now thank goodness.
I am sorry that for some people it is a time of sadness and grief and send my best wishes to them.

Thinking of you

Nanadog I shall look forward to your return.

Roll on 1st Jan 2013 and good riddance to 2012! After a roller coaster of a year emotionally, Christmas is the last thing I am looking forward to, and that's a first for me. I have been offered a job 500 miles away and am starting 2nd Jan, so hopefully I should be packed and away before Christmas, just can't face it.

Nanadog take care, thinking of you.

Nanadog Thinking of you ((Hugs))

Take care Nanad. You will be in my thoughts.

Nanadog will be thinking about you. Please look after yourself x

Oh, Nanad, my thoughts will be with you. You will be missed.

Nanadog; take care....

After today I won't be posting for a couple of weeks. I'm coming up to the fourth anniversary if my little grandson's 'Angel Day' and just need to crawl away to a dark place and grieve.

JessM quite sweet that she actually does that at, what I presume, to be an advanced age. And I do like the positive spin there on the economy

No problem janey we do pre xmas traumas on this thread. Pre-xmas gloom and trauma are us. We are the GURUS!
Glad you are feeling a bit more positive now.
Shall i entertain you. My dear MIL - housebound and fragile but stubborn - has now got a xmas list drawn up of all the presents she is going to give. After adjustment for deaths there are 56 of them! You understand that she has 3 willing daughters who actually do all the shopping for her. And put them on a spreadsheet!!! (Eternal thanks for their existence, the SILs)
56
Singlehandedly shoring up the economy?

Alie that was perfect, I'd never heard it before. So apt. Thank you

absent I thinnk it was a coincidence - but just in case I have given the hat away!

AlieOxon, thanks for the Tom Lehrer. I'd forgotten that one!

AlieOxon Was the broken wrist connected to the BAH HUMBUG hat or simply coincidental?

Have just read Alieoxon and laughed out loud. Let me tell you thats good for me!! Thankyou Alieoxon. VERY MUCH

Well JessM and Crimson, if you were hear I would hug you both!!!!!
I actually felt yesterday like my world was unravelling at the edges. Did have a brief call with a friend who knows My past and (oh far too much to tell here)
it helps to have people around who REALLY know what you mean. Like you crimson why use few words when many will do better! Sadly if there is "family" or "relationship" issues good old xmas stirs it all up a treat. Cannot thank you all enough for the kind and even minded advice and understanding. A few big decisions I think next year on the horizon. Thats terrifying as like you crimson I get on with my sister in law very well and then theres the GC aswel. Oh
F.....g hell. Thats all I have to say about that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! X to all.

thank you nanadog and vampire queen those comments lifted my spirits, perhaps she really does not deserve loving parents like us!!

4 GC between 5 and 10, well past the 'cute' stage! All capable of coming to blows. No doubt the kid from next door will be round too. Do I predict a riot? Dads will be in the kitchen. Grans and mums will be seeking refuge in the bubbly. Best way is oblivion. cheers, everyone!

Teenagers/young adults and xmas. huh. Memememememe me - I want to do the roast potatoes, stand aside mother.
Then they disappear off to the pub half way through and come back drunk and raucous. Such joy. Unless they are totally hung over after xmas eve. In which case bears with sore heads. Even more joy.

This is such a sad thread to read. My heart is sore. Good wishes to everyone for this time. I guess we will all survive it.........

Very mixed feelings about Xmas this year. At least we won't be doing the big feast at my daughter's which didn't work at all last year, one of her sons was asleep and two didn't turn up. Four of us did our best.
I haven't heard from my older daughter in several years.

The year before, I wore a BAH HUMBUG hat and broke my wrist.

I have been known - after my partner died - to go and help at the MIND dinner in Oxford instead of joining the others. Only that year.
Another time I had had enough by Boxing Day, and spent the whole day in my room mending an electric piano.

This time my sister is taking us to the Mitre in Oxford, where I have never been.
Sounds like a big improvement.

Any one remember this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffO8nZThwmM
..............Not really light relief! Too much truth in it.

Oh jacey, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling low. As many have implied, there is no 'ideal' Christmas, and lots of us on here have found a way of making the best of it, in our own ways. I really hope you do, too.

Jess and grace - wise words.

Oh hun I'm so sorry. Now I understand completely. Your OH sounds just like my ex husband. The thought of spending Christmas alone with him would have sent me into despair.