How are the holidays affecting you?

I have learned to go on with my life, have found new friends to keep me busy so I don't dwell on the past. My mom died in 2006 and my dad in 1972 everyone older than me is gone. It's scary.

But my friends and children need me so we will get though it fine.

This year is much better than recent years. It is the second Christmas in our new home. Last year, I thought a lot about not being in our old home, but this year I have no regrets about leaving the past behind. The absence of departed family members is not so difficult to face in a new place. Having moved to a nice community in Northwest Arkansas, I feel at home now and I am surrounded by new friends and some of my family who are down here. Also, for the first time in many years, we have a child among us. He brings light and laughter into our lives.

I hope everyone here at Y/A has a happy Christmas. I don't know you all very well, but I enjoy exchanging thoughts with you and often think of you and keep you in my prayers. It is strange how words on a computer screen can bring people together. Bless you all.

I am feeling down this year. All of the elders passed and the last one was a surprise two years ago.

I had one relative at that point, I looked forward to making her Christmas a little brighter. She was

sad every Christmas, due to four sisters, a son and husband gone. I didn't want her to be sad, and I did make her smile and feel cheerful for awhile. Now I too am feeling blue. But I think it's mainly that

money is just not there to buy gifts this year. And so it will be up to my other half to make soaps,

and sweets to give our child and family who live here in town. They appreciate the hand made gifts

instead of store bought. Hating commercialism to the extreme. So there won't be any shopping and

worries about exchanges where they are concerned. And I know that they will be glad of that also.

Only one brother left, of the family I grew up in. He has his kids, grandkids. I have mine.

I have the gifts all bought, a few of them wrapped. Getting held up a bit this year on the baking and wrapping, as Hubby is using the kitchen to bake rolls for 300, helping a lady who's kid is getting married this weekend.

However, it's all planned out. After Friday, my house is my own. Will finish baking and do the wrapping starting this weekend. Will all be done in plenty of time for Christmas. I don't yet have much in the way of holiday spirit. But, most years I don't get that till just a few days before. Once the work is all done, the joy can begin.

I've lost 2 loved ones who died on 12/26 and I've lost a lot of loved ones in the last 3 years. On the other hand I have been blessed with 6 beautiful grandchildren in the last 3 1/2 years. Life is such a balance and we have to remember that it is short. Next year anyone of us could be missing at the Christmas dinner table so even with the stresses and dramas going on I appreciate every Christmas as if it's my last.

Every year, it's the same old crap. Our two daughters (43 and 40) end up fighting about some petty bullshit. It's pretty disgusting, and I'm ready to say; "BAH-HUMBUG ! you brats can have each other, I'm outa here", then split and head south to Florida, to see if the fish are biting.

I might just do that after Christmas anyway, what the hell do I have to lose ?

Other than those up-beat words, I love to see the fun and joy on the g-kids faces when they open my gifts to them. That's almost worth hanging around for.

I live alone and I'm unemployed at the age of 57 so I should feel sad.Yes some family members are deceased.Thank God both my parents are still alive as are my sisters.

I'm very happy as God has given me the health to care for my six cats and the pets at our rescue center.And for the intelligence to maintain my health without medications and doctors.

This is a time to give thanks for the blessings in our lives.Put on some Christmas music and relax.

Too much to do and too little time. My family wants tons of cookies to give away, shopping to do and a big house to clean. Playing on here awhile at night is a relaxation. I love the holidays.

Well, this year we are having our very own version of " Christmas Vacation" with our version of Cousin Eddy and family visiting us. Of course someone else paid their train fare, we are paying for the motel and meals and Christmas gifts. Before they get here, I will have to childproof the house and lock up anything "interesting".

They don't even own a worm farm.

Possibly in another venue I will cover this more completely.

I still have friends and family around, but the neighbors are on my case to get a tree up in the front window and lights on the house. My house is one of two in the neighborhood that doesn't have lights or a tree up for all to see. I might put up my wreath on the door tomorrow and a few lights in the front window, but I will not fold due to peer pressure! :)