Holidays :sad:

Anyone else out there dread the holidays?

I know they are to be a happy time, but the hectic schedule, the extras to do, the travelling (stiffness and pain), the extra talking, the extra paying attention, the uncomfortable beds, the junk food and sweets, the extra clean up, no fun, if not agony, in my opinion. The only thing I like is the time off from work. And yes, I do love my family and want to see them!

I can't tell you how many holiday events I've cancelled out on, year after year.

I'm supposed to travel today--ahead of schedule due to this impending storm. I 'm not ready. The day of rest I had planned before the travel day (which is a killer) is gone. I'm in bed burning up.

I know I am supposed to say, Happy Thanksgiving. I say, Happy sleep Thanksgiving away.

I love the holidays, though this year things are tight financially. I am cutting down on some of the gifts. My hubby and I spend Thanks Giving at home. We have been anyway. I am cooking a lot of the stuff tomorrow too, so I can relax more on the big day... We enjoy cooking together and we don't have to brave the weather and risk our lives traveling. I don't know what the weather is going to be for Thursday, but most of the so called fall has been very wintery... Beautiful to look at though I must say...

I often do shopping early and gift wrapping so I don't have the stress. This year has slipped by me so I have yet to shop. Plan on maybe doing that on "Black Friday"... If I can get myself to. I have a doctor appointment that day so I do have to go out... Not thrilled about it though...

There are many things we can do to keep the stress down actually. It shouldn't be a dreaded season though I know what you mean. There is a lot to do, planning, listing, shopping preparing, cooking. It can be fun though.

I hope you get through it. Take it one day at a time. That always helps.

Hugs, Karen...

Yes, it is hard. No two ways.

Sometimes things have to change. Think about it. We all make trades of less-important things for more.

I always cook, because that is important to me. I shop as much as I can ahead of time. Anything made ahead is done ahead. I mention this because it is my trade-off. No travel for me. People come to me. If they want dinner, that is....

Sweetie, out of bed. It really isn't going to help much. One thing at a time, rest, then another thing.

There are still good things in your world to be thankful for. One thing to remember-you are newly diagnosed. I am over a decade after diagnosis. Once you manage to make your peace with the condition and learn to manage life with it, life will be sweeter and you will find thanks. This takes time. Look at your first holiday as a test, a learning experience. And remember-this will go on for a long time.

I hope it goes smoothly for you. One step at a time.

On the downside, I had to take a long drive after work to pick up my turkey from the farm. I was fighting a migraine with wavy lines and light sensitivity. I almost decided to try to brave it tomorrow, but am glad I didn't. I joined the cooks in a long line, and it took an hour to get to the front and pick up my bird, then another forty minutes home.

I am incredibly thankful for the man who helped every little old lady to her car with her ginormous bird. I was thinking about jumping in, but he then sprung into action. Luckily, I had no need of his help, but am so glad he cheerfully lent his help.

We are eating out on Thanksgiving this year. So no dishes or clean up for this girl.
The family did get together this past Sunday and ate. We took three days to cook and clean for it.

I enjoy the holidays, but we keep things very simple.  Like others, I try to do things ahead of time as much as possible. 

 Tomorrow I'm baking the turkey and dressing, making the Jell-o salad, and baking pies.  Today I washed up the "good" dishes, bowls, etc.. and made a stack in the kitchen of everything from the cookbooks I'll need, to jars of gravy, to spices I'll use for the pies.  Today I cut up the celery and onion for the dressing and also cut up veggies for the relish tray.  So, some of the work is done, which feels great!

For Christmas, we buy small gifts and one or two family gifts--usually things like movies or oldie TV shows on DVD (pssst...I bought Season 8 of "The Andy Griffith Show," which we all like).

Christmas Eve, we usually go to an early evening Mass, which is extra-special and beautiful.  Last year when it was over, we came outside and the snow was falling and it looked like a snow globe--reminded me of the scene in "It's A Wonderful Life."  I'm no 'fan' of cold and snow, but this was like big soft feathers from Heaven.

Christmas Day we generally visit relatives or stay home.  I may invite relatives this year--not thinking that far ahead yet, but I'd better begin to, soon!

It really helps to keep things as simple as possible: Don't be afraid to say 'no' to things, don't make too many "goodies" to eat unless you have lots of relatives to eat them, get as much rest as you can, and take time to enjoy the spirit of the day(s).

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Lot's of good tips and great days. Thanks. Planning and pacing do seem the key.

And that's what I was doing, weather barged in and tried to change that. Guess what? I feel marvelous this morning. The planning I had originally made to "pace" was what I needed. I did what I knew I would need after an intense Monday. Rest, yup, bed rest, no matter how pathetic it sounded. I slept hours and hours. I laid in bed, getting up only for the basics. Didn't push. This morning, after another long sleep (yay, I was able to), I can tell I am up for more. I'm still going to wait and travel tomorrow, just to avoid any storm issues, but I will get to the family's in time.

We gotta do what we gotta do, especially after you know yourself. For me, it is better if I don't push, but when I do, a day (at least 1) to crash afterwards is my only way to rejuvenate, no ifs, ands or buts (maybe an emergency and 'ats it).

Enjoy the snow if you are getting some.
Jen

Sorry to hear vestabula,
Better safe than sorry. Raleigh would be awesome, and family. This storm was a dirty, little sneak, that's for sure.

Be well. *Hugs*
Jen

Donna, I'm so sorry! But you made the right decision. Who knows? Maybe the weather will be better in a week or so and you can go down then...maybe even at Christmas.

Tango. I'm glad you are feeling better today. We do have to listen to our bodies and pace ourselves. I'm glad to see so many members are doing this. It makes life easier with fibro.

Sherrine

Happy thanksgiving all,

Our kids are coming so i am very excited.. One daughter lives three and a half hours now, so i am missing her for sure.

I worked so hard this week but i m so thankful to be passed the low d thing and even be able to push.

The storm system was really slowing me down today, just achy from it.

I am thankful for this forum