In General - What have I gotten myself into?

Have you ever tried meditation? It's free, and relatively easy once you get the hang of it. Just taking the time out to focus on something other than what is going on in your life definitely helps make the situation seem a lot better. And you will feel better after you meditate. As for Christmas, maybe after the holiday is over, you can buy a cheap, fake tree to have on hand every year so you can have a tree. If you don't want to buy a huge tree, buy one of the little two or three foot trees that have small ornaments that come with them. The tree may not be big, it may not be real, but it is a tree and even something so small will help you feel like Christmas is there. In the mean time, why not print a tree coloring page from the net, color it and use that as your tree? Or, why not find a huge houseplant (if you have one handy) and decorate that? And, just know that things will get better. And that you don't have to buy gifts for Christmas, Christmas isn't about gifts, it's about families, relationships, and those you love.

I have a friend who is bi-polar so I know what you are going through, most people will nt understand. All you can do is the best you can, also did you that high intakes of magnesium 3000mg daily (chelated) can really help with depression a lot. Do not worry it will not harm you only help. Take care.

one way of releiving stress is similar to what you are doing right now ...writing. I have found that keeping a journal .. really helpes. I start my journal dear Jesus and I tell everything I am feeling ..everything about my day etc. You can write dear..whatever you want. Another thing that helps relieves stress is doing something..washing dishes, cleaning, sweeping etc. I have found when I get thoughts that arent the best; keeping busy really helps me out. Melatonin. is a non=prescription ..it really helps mellow you out.. milk when warmed also gives off melatonin. You can get melatonin at you local family dollar or dollar general for about 1 or 2 dollars for a 30 day supply.

Oh dear you do have a lot on your plate to deal with. I'm afraid I've known a few people who have bi-polar but I honestly don't know anything about how they deal with it. Christmas and 'no money' I am however very familure with and it's amazing how creative a person can get when pushed. First off - the tree, why not swipe a branch off a tree or the ground and give it new life, stick it in a plant pot of dirt or fill a bucket with rocks then decorate to your heart's content. You may be surprised how attractive it really is once you cover it with what ever decorations you have on hand. Next - gifts. I make a lot of my gifts but handmade gift certificates are a favorite of mine, laundry for my parents and 22 year old daughter, typing term papers, cleaning house, baby sitting. LOL one year I received one from a brother for a free oil change which I needed desperately. I'm giving my daughter and her fiance laundry duty for Christmas. I gave her the same for her birthday and they both took advantage of it so figure I'll do it again for say 3 months or something (they have to bring it to the house and pick it up but I'll wash and dry). If you think a little there is most always something you can do that someone else can't, doesn't like to, or just plain would appreciate not having to do.

Dear Tessalive, I am sorry to hear about the things happened in your life. I also got great respect for you for a woman raising to the occasion. God is great. He will help you all the way. In order to get out depression what I am going to suggest you may look strange to you but in India we follow method to get rid of depression. Even in my case I had to undergo lot of pressure. I even never want to go to office and anywhereelse. I used to sit in one place for a long time looking at the vacumm. One day my relative came and suggest me to do "PRANAYAM". That is inhaling the breathing through right side nose and holding the the breath for 10 seconds and leave the breath through one nose. Like this if you do for 15 to 20 days you will start regaining your mental power. Basically when the air get into lungs and unable to get released immediately, it starts activate the brain cells. Slowly all the depressed cells will be come active in due course. YOu may try this to get rid off your depression and others. It will also cure all body problems. This method is field tested and being adopted in India thousands of years. It will not do any harm to the body instead it will help to improve your mental strength and get rid off other diseases of body.

Well for depression, medicines are not solution. Do Meditation, try breathing exercise, it will help you balance and handle depression.

Truly, you are under stress and with plenty of cause, but your situation is not unmanageable, after all you are managing magnificently by the sound of it. You need to focus on the things you can do something about, and saving money must be your priority when funds are low. Taking control is going to be the best way of going forward - I am the only breadwinner in our house, and since my other half gave up work we are actually surprisingly better off since we are so careful about what we spend. My priority has been to pay of credit card debts, and am happy to report that I have paid two-thirds off within about 18 months, when I have paid that off, we are going to be so much better off... I have done a strict budget and our spending is now really well-controlled. I did a 'squidoo lens' article about it here: http://www.squidoo.com/makingmoneyquickly You can try to relieve stress in all sorts of ways, but getting to grips with the root of my financial problems was a great stress-reliever for the long-term....

hi tessalive.its really sad to hear about your family's sufferings.well my honest suggestion to yuo is you should do yoga,since it helps in medidation.it will help you to control your emotions and will ease you as well.also i will suggest you get an artificial tree so that you can celebrate it.i really dont how you all cellebrate christmas since i am not a christian but i guess it might be a festival which anyone whether rich or poor would be celebrating in whatever best way they can.so you can prepare something special for your family and i am sure they all are proud of you and will be happy for this wonderful gift.you are doing a great job.just remmember one thing that there are many unfortunate people in this world who are livng a worse life than you.but the best part is that your whole family is together.so be happy about what you have.