What's on your Mind Thread - 2023

[MoochNNoodles]

I feel like since I’ve become a mother the holidays are equal part wonderful and stressful. Like theres so much I love about doing everything for my kids. But it’s harder to enjoy than I expected. It seems to be that way for a lot of my friends so I don’t think its just me.

But when you add in grief; it hits different during the holidays. Be gentle with yourself. You’re in a demanding phase of life as it is. But it doesn’t last forever either.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

Oh; here’s whats coming:

My kids saved me some ice cream!!

The hole in the bottom of the container would incriminate my children even if DH wasn’t avoiding sweets.

 

[Lari]

J still has a fever, and a month later when I thought we were safe, I think M may have HFM now. I'm going to monitor over the next few hours.

I'm ready to just lay down and give up.

 

[artiemom]

J still has a fever, and a month later when I thought we were safe, I think M may have HFM now. I'm going to monitor over the next few hours.

I'm ready to just lay down and give up.

Try to get some rest. Can your hubby take a couple days off from work, to help you? This is a really stressful time of year; having sick kids does not help the situation. . You are are really good mom.. Never doubt that.

 

[vansX2]

I'm not much into the "Christmas Spirt" this year. With higher prices lurking, gloomy weather, and loss of a family car last month. There hasn't been much to be excited about. My DW put up a flashing Philippine Christmas ornament in our dining room Window. I've purchased a couple of gifts online, but haven't as yet Wrapped them. Haven't as yet put up the Christmas Tree . About the only two things I'm enjoying are the "Hallmark"Christmas Movies and good health.

 

[Lari]

Try to get some rest. Can your hubby take a couple days off from work, to help you? This is a really stressful time of year; having sick kids does not help the situation. . You are are really good mom.. Never doubt that.

He can't. Things with his work are a mess right now. He was even planning on putting in a few hours today. And he doesn't really want to be around sick kids because he's been fighting off this cough for a month and can't risk getting sick again when work is such a mess.

I'm just really having a hard time being positive at all right now. So much has gone wrong this year and I'm over everything.

 

[maggie101]

I forgot about this thread til now! Tues of this week I had my before psychological testing,MRI wed dec 13 to make sure where my seizures are before doing laser or implant. It will be a relief to not take 7 pills twice a day, my recheck with my doc is in January. Not sure if this will happen before or after

 

[Graceful-Lily]

I wonder why Felix is so obsessed with my partner. He clearly prefers him over me for some reason. Felix was always curious about him but very cautious. Until about 2 weeks after we moved in, he just decided he was obsessed with my partner. Started sleeping next to him, following him around, only coming out when he gets home, begging for pets, taking my spot on the couch, etc. There are many more photos like these of them together. At the very least, I'm not jealous and think it's so cute.

 

[Graceful-Lily]

I forgot about this thread til now! Tues of this week I had my before psychological testing,MRI wed dec 13 to make sure where my seizures are before doing laser or implant. It will be a relief to not take 7 pills twice a day, my recheck with my doc is in January. Not sure if this will happen before or after

Welcome back! I hope everything goes well. Will be thinking of you

 

[nurseangel]

I am really depressed. I am a Christmas Person. I don't know what is wrong this year. Someone hurt my feelings to the extent that I plan to skip a family get-together that was specifically moved for me so I wouldn't be as tired after work. I didn't ask them to; I wasn't even there when the decision was made.

 

[Kwik]

I am really depressed. I am a Christmas Person. I don't know what is wrong this year. Someone hurt my feelings to the extent that I plan to skip a family get-together that was specifically moved for me so I wouldn't be as tired after work. I didn't ask them to; I wasn't even there when the decision was made.

Whatever is wrong you can turn around -it's your choice.Im sorry your feelings were hurt but don't cut your nose to spite your face- just don't do it.I don't know you thst well but what I do know of you is you are a Joyful person,always giving us a chuckle with you're wonderful sense of humor- you can CHOOSE to remain the Happy 'Christmas person" you are OR to allow someone else to spoil your Joy(and they're probably unaware that's what's happening) let it go....

You're family obviously cares very much about you ,they want you to ENJOY your time with them and have put alot into arranging things to accomdate- becausd they love you

Be that Christmas Person - Joy to the World,PEACE,LOVE,JOY!

 

[furmonster mom]

Holiday depression is a real thing.
I used to be all in with Christmas, but over the last several years it’s felt more like a chore.

For myself, I can trace my Holiday depression to the years 2016-17. We lost my husband’s father Thanksgiving of ‘16, my Dad Jan of ‘17, and my husband’s mom March ‘17 (shortly after my dad’s funeral). That’s 3 deaths in 4 months. Then, we lost two pets in ‘17 as well.

And yes, it still hits me: sometimes completely randomly, out of the blue, like last night as we were on the way to a party... where I had to put it aside and be my “usual, happy, self”.

Forcing happiness over depression is not the answer, and it’s naive and dismissive to suggest it. It actually can do more harm in the long run, as it requires a person to struggle against themselves. For me, I have to acknowledge where the sadness is coming from, take a moment to feel the thing, and then, if necessary, set it aside temporarily, knowing that I’ll need to unpack it more later.

I can still appreciate the holiday spirit without necessarily getting manic about it. I appreciate the social time with friends, but I admit that decorating and shopping feel like chores to me.

 

[artiemom]

Honestly, I think the older you get, the harder it is to keep the Christmas "Spirit'. I find that happening to myself. This year, I am just not into it. Last night, I tried to just tie some ribbon around some very pretty gift boxes. Not able to do what I had foreseen. It was frustrating. I am not even into wrapping the few gifts I wrap.. The others go in bags, or gift card holders.
I am pushing myself.. but.... sigh..

 

[Kwik]

Holiday depression is a real thing.
I used to be all in with Christmas, but over the last several years it’s felt more like a chore.

For myself, I can trace my Holiday depression to the years 2016-17. We lost my husband’s father Thanksgiving of ‘16, my Dad Jan of ‘17, and my husband’s mom March ‘17 (shortly after my dad’s funeral). That’s 3 deaths in 4 months. Then, we lost two pets in ‘17 as well.

And yes, it still hits me: sometimes completely randomly, out of the blue, like last night as we were on the way to a party... where I had to put it aside and be my “usual, happy, self”.

Forcing happiness over depression is not the answer, and it’s naive and dismissive to suggest it. It actually can do more harm in the long run, as it requires a person to struggle against themselves. For me, I have to acknowledge where the sadness is coming from, take a moment to feel the thing, and then, if necessary, set it aside temporarily, knowing that I’ll need to unpack it more later.

I can still appreciate the holiday spirit without necessarily getting manic about it. I appreciate the social time with friends, but I admit that decorating and shopping feel like chores to me.

It's a real thing alright- suicide rates increase,hospital admissions etc..... statistics show it is very real

Everytime Christmas rolls around I can't help but think:" What cancer will pop up this year:?" Every cancer diagnosis I've had put me in the hospital for Christmas TreatMENTS ....At least I got to spread JOY around the cancer ward and Hopefully I could continue as long as I'm above the ground

It's a very difficult time for many people plus it's a difficult time period-I feel very very bad for people who are alone,I wish I could invite them all over to my house

 

[Lari]

M doesn't seem to be looking any worse over 24 hours later. So hopefully it's not actually HFM. She does appear to have gotten about three new teeth lately, so maybe the rash has been from drool and the one spot on her hand and ankle are just me looking too hard into things.

J's still sick, though. Her fever had broken last night but was back this morning. I took her to the pediatrician and it's nothing that requires antibiotics. She also got the covid/rsv/flu swab and I waa told if they didn't call by the end of the day they were all negative. It's been about three hours since she was tested and nothing so far, so I'm crossing my fingers it's negative and she's over this fever by tomorrow. I'm not up to doing a covid quarantine after our HFM quarantine last month. But who knows with my luck this year.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

I am having to sit next to my son in order for him to do any schoolwork today. Christmas break is supposed to start Friday but even last week he procrastinated more than he worked. I planned a light week and both kids can work ahead some to be done before Friday; but gosh its not helping with him. DH had a light day and said he would play Mario with him tonight. He is now home and DS is still not working.

Meanwhile DD is baking cookies and they smell amazing. At least DH gets to see what I’m talking about with school struggles. Hoping to read from a book I found on historical research about Christmas soon. More merry less… this… please.

Also… mmmmm….

 

[artiemom]

That cookie looks amazing!! What kind?? DD is a great baker!

 

[maggie101]

Honestly, I think the older you get, the harder it is to keep the Christmas "Spirit'. I find that happening to myself. This year, I am just not into it. Last night, I tried to just tie some ribbon around some very pretty gift boxes. Not able to do what I had foreseen. It was frustrating. I am not even into wrapping the few gifts I wrap.. The others go in bags, or gift card holders.
I am pushing myself.. but.... sigh..

Since my dad,83, had a stroke,diabetic, and level 3 kidney disease his eating is very limited. My mom has high blood pressure and ibs. They have no plans to do anything except presents for family.

 

[Lari]

I am having to sit next to my son in order for him to do any schoolwork today. Christmas break is supposed to start Friday but even last week he procrastinated more than he worked. I planned a light week and both kids can work ahead some to be done before Friday; but gosh its not helping with him. DH had a light day and said he would play Mario with him tonight. He is now home and DS is still not working.

Meanwhile DD is baking cookies and they smell amazing. At least DH gets to see what I’m talking about with school struggles. Hoping to read from a book I found on historical research about Christmas soon. More merry less… this… please.

Also… mmmmm….
View attachment 465475

Omg that cookie.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

That cookie looks amazing!! What kind?? DD is a great baker!

I call them Grandma B’s Sugar Cookies. My aunt made me a handwritten cookbook of sweets when I got married. The recipe was her late-husband’s mother’s. I believe I met her I was a younger teen. DD made these for a youth group bakeoff last year and won. (There was low participation; but still! )

They are in no way healthy; made with melted crisco and molasses and spices. But they are a wonderful combination of soft with a little crisp exterior from being rolled in colored sugar sprinkles. We only make them at Christmas but the kids look forward to them every year.

And DS did get his act together and finished his work. If only it didn’t have to be a struggle!