Now That Christmas Is Over......

As MSV1313 has said, welcome to mylot and yes, this is a good place to vent about many things here. Christmas isn't really the same for me anymore either as my mother passed away in 2006...this was actually the second year without her and she really was the only family I had. Yes I get a bit jealous of "family" get togethers at holidays to. There was never much of a family to begin with, with me Well now that it's over you can move on, right?

Thank you for the support. It's good to know that others understand where I'm coming from. :) I suppose this time of year isn't all that bad because everyone seems to be so caring and understanding...if only it were like that all the time. Thank you both.

Also, pyewacket, I'm sorry to hear about your mother, I can't imagine what that would be like and I dread the day that I have to deal with it. I really hope that you have at least come to a sense of peace with it. I wish you the best!

yeh Christmas can bring how alone you are right home to you, its just me and my kitty as well, I had offers from friends but it is not the same.

Aw--you don't have any family either? Our family was small to begin with. My parents got divorced when I was only one and a half so I grew up with my grandmother and mother. My grandmother passed away in 1986 and my mother just last year. My mother had no siblings, and neither do I. My father's family is out in CA and sort of in their own world...so the only "family" I have now are my two kitties

Kind of disappointed with my two spoiled brat kitties. They are now so used to ONLY eating Fancy Feast that they no longer eat "people" food, so when I gave them some of my roast beef they just looked at it, although Kissy was licking some of the homemade potatoes au gratin..LOL Going to be changing my Merry Christmas puppy avatar soon to a New Year one, complete with hat, balloon, and a bottle of champagne...Heheeee

I have some cauliflower on hand, what was in this special dish?

Well, you put the cauliflower in an oven safe dish, pore some heavy cream in it, shred some montery jack cheese, sprinkle some parisan cheese and then dab on some goat cheese. YUM! Like I said, Pye, I get sick from the live trees so I'm not fond of them. And so trees aren't high on my needs list. Since I'd be the one decorating it why should I do it? I probably mostly used the cats as an excuse. The former roomie wanted a tree badly, but ONLY a real tree. I didn't want a real tree in the house, for obvious reasons - so no tree at all.

I couldn't imagine a Christmas without a real tree..I've had one every year since I can remember, even when I had a lot of kitties. The trees don't seem to bother them and they never bothered with the tree..just kind of viewed it as a bit of a forest that comes in once a year. Think they enjoy it, as my two cats now love to sleep under it...LOL--think they actually get sad when it comes down

Me too...like Thanksgiving also, New Years, Easter..and on and on..LOL

It saddens me that you feel this way. I've seen 'more generosity' this year than ever, and I usually see a lot of it (generosity) anyway. I've seen people that have 'never even met' reach out to one another.;) I don't make an idol of my tree, nor do others that I know, and the spirit of giving that I see in them, has everything to do with the celebration of Christ's birth. I pray for peace and happiness for you, in the New Year. Sorry about this pyewacket, but I just felt I had to express my sentiments here.

Well said, pyewacket. Thanks for the insight (for me) into your background. I'm well aware too, of the over commercialism of Christmas, and 'I certainly can't afford to keep up with the Joneses.' However, I did enjoy my trip to the mall this year, despite the fact that my daughter in law was pushing me around in a wheelchair part of the time. It always gives me a warm feeling to see the various groups out, singing carols, and the Salvation Army band. The gifts I purchased this year, were from my heart, as I always do the best I can for my daughter (and others). I buy her practical things for under the tree, and for her stocking, that many parents get for their kids all year long, and take for granted (that they're able to do so). She does have 'some of the toys' that many kids her age (16) have, but I haven't been able to provide them. They're mostly from my sister, who I appreciate very much, for doing this, and other reasons of course. I would like her to have a cell phone (soon) as it's a safety factor (for me), as I worry about her running all over the city to work etc., on the bus. They've taken out many of the pay phones. She's worked hard, and gotten some of her own things. Sorry, pyewacket, I've gone off on a bit of a tangent here. I am aware of the origins of the Christmas tree, and that there are some things that have been adapted from Paganism, and embraced by Christians. This doesn't bother me, as whatever our faith may be (or not be), the beautiful trees, decorations, etc., are a part of the celebration. My faith teaches that the gifts we share with others, are in remembrance of 'the first Christmas gifts,' that were presented by the Magi, to the Christ child. If Christmas is 'the one time' each year when mankind puts aside some of their selfishness, and 'even' narrow mindedness, than I'm all for it.

No problem someonesmom as I feel the same way here. Actually I wasn't going to respond much to this..but...just have to get it out. And I hope you don't mind my expressing my views here. First, Celanith, there are a FEW things that I can agree about with you here. I actually do find it rather comical and insane at the same time over the "shopping frenzy" people do once the Christmas season starts...and I was listening with amusement about how on Black Friday, that is the day after Thanksgiving, people would actually be at stores at 3 or 4 in the morning to get the "bargains" I remember growing up, that Christmas gifts were little sentimental tokens of love that were given, nothing expensive, nothing elaborate, but something from the heart. Now it is a commercialized business, and people go nuts trying to get the latest "gadget" usually electronics, and very expensive--kids no longer are content with simple dolls or bikes, but want iPhones, computers, xboxes, in other words things well over several hundred dollars each--I can't help think it makes today's kids (and adults too in many cases) spoiled brats. I was even listening to a commercial about a woman who is in her newly acquired Cadillac car as that was the gift her husband allowed her to pick for herself...uh..duh?? Of course many times it's a case of wanting to keep up with the Joneses--if one of our friends or acquaintances has something of expensive value, then we've been brainwashed to want it to. As for me, I don't buy gifts per se..if I do, I get some little silly but inexpensive thing to give that I bought in the dollar store, or since I am skilled in crafts, I make something for my friends as it comes from the heart as I'm making it. As someonesmom points out, I too, have seen more generosity this year and the feeling of good cheer and well being to people than any other year. There is something magical about this time of year more than any other that can bring out the best in us. I heard of one person here who cooked up extra food, and went in her neighborhood freely giving food out to the homeless in her area. I heard a story on the news of a person, who went out in the streets giving away money to the homeless, and on and on--such acts like these are unselfish acts of love and generosity with no though of return or that gimme attitude. Yes, I can see your point that maybe the frenzy that is now known as "Christmas" has lost it's original meaning...a celebration of the birth of Christ...and you're right on that score. I do kind of have to admit that your wording and labeling it as "paganism" is a bit extreme however. Now just hear me out, okay...I grew up in a Christian environment and upbringing. My father was Methodist, my mother Catholic...I was baptized Catholic, confirmed Protestant....I also grew up on the principles of Unity and Science of Mind...since I love to study and learn, I read up on Buddhism, Hinduism and Sufism--Now I've never given up my Christian beliefs...but have added touches of this and that to mine as an extension of my beliefs,...then of my own free choosing, some years ago, I admit that I decided as a further extension of my beliefs I did choose the pagan/wiccan path. Yes, there ARE a lot of elements of the pagan belief in Christianity believe it or not. The whole idea, for instance of the Christmas tree for instance, reflects back to the pagan celebration of Yule on the Winter Solstice, and it was tradition of the pagan Druids to "bring in the evergreen"--thus transformed in Christianity as the Christmas tree--as were many pagan concepts transformed into Christianity. And like someonesmom it really saddens me too, that you have such a negative attitude toward Christmas...one DOES have to go beyond the commercialized "business" of Christmas and put it out of ones mind to truly enjoy Christmas...I know I do--and my Christmas was a really peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable one--even though a bit sad as this was the second Christmas without my mother as she passed away last year.

oh she is a big ham when camera is on her lol . But she enjoys it . and yes am doing a count down of when they wil land now is 23 hours and 40 min to go. We will have a blast while they are here we always do hugs and blessings

Hehe..sounds like your grand daughter was a bit of a ham of posing for the camera as she opened her presents. I bet even if it were 20 below zero she still would wanted to ride her bicycle right? Bet you're looking forward to seeing your son this coming weekend and can celebrate the New Year with him

We didn't put many decorations up - and no tree at all. We don't do any Christmas celebrations here so it's not that big a deal. And the kids are grown so it's not like we need it for them either. This is our 2nd year without decorating, so I don't know what we'll do next year.

I really don't consider Christmas really over myself until I take all the decorations down and the tree....and that won't be for awhile. Going to hold out as long as possible

Well even though I live alone now, save for my two furbabies, I still like to decorate...it just cheers things up for me..and gives the place a change from the every day

You're lucky you have your daughter though. The only family I have now are my two kitties, as my mother passed away just last year. This is actually the second Christmas without her around, and I didn't seem to miss her as much last year as I did this...she was a real royal pain in the a$$ to be honest and I had a LOT of problems with her...still Oh, no I'm not THAT glad Christmas is over to take the tree down..I'm so happy with it as it was a"love" gift to me...plan to keep it as long as it holds out, and it's still very fresh...hasn't "fossilized" yet..LOL

you know what,when u face the world alone,reach into your soul and sorrow that u know will melt away,there will be tomorrow,embrace your new life.God bless.

I somehow think all the frenzy that goes on with the Christmas season is actually part of the fun of it all....imagine how dull the month of December would be if there were no Christmas to celebrate? It certainly does break up the mundane daily life :)

It'd be nice if the Christmas spirit could last longer period, right? I don't mean the shopping craze, just that nice warm feeling of Christmas time

Oh, I so sorry to hear your Christmas was so sad. If it's any consolation to you, I celebrated my Christmas alone too, as this was the second Christmas without my mother as she passed away last year in the summer of 2006.

Yes, I can sense the anticipation you have for planning to be with family next Christmas...so all year long you have something to look forward to, right? :)

Yes, you could say that. I am also hoping for a good year.

I'm so glad you were able to be with family members that you don't get to see normally like your brother and his family.Sounds like you had a great Christmas

Yes with Christmas over there aren't any real major holidays until Easter when you think of it

I was in a weird mood I guess too on Christmas, not exactly ba-hum bug though. This was the second Christmas without my mom...she passed away in the summer of 2006...I didn't notice it so much last year as I was still frantic with taking care of her so-called "estate" Sounded wonderful that you were able to get together with all the family members especially ones you hadn't seen in ages.

It is a shame that the nice warm Christmas spirit doesn't last all year long, right? Christmas doesn't really end for me until I take all the decorations and tree down, and that won't be for awhile yet...

Yes, now it seems we're all gearing up for the next rounds of festivities...a new year! :)

That's kind of a shame that your country doesn't have the custom of Christmas