How I survive the holidays with MS

[HVAC]

1. I do not have great expectations. Whatever happens happens. I am realistic.
2. I ask for help. From family, friends, etc.
3. I break things down. I do not try to do too much in a day.
4. Depression is a big problem for me so I reach out to others. I call or visit. I go out to lunch with friends.
5. I stay on schedule for eating, sleep, rest, and medication.
6. I let go of control. I am a worrier and that is control. I give up the control I give up the worry.
7. I live in the moment. It is hard for me to be overwhelmed with the moment.

I was telling this friend of mine who wants to say no to most social engagements at this time of year and charity work the beauty of having MS is I get to pick what I really want to do. Sometimes I have to cancel and that is okay my friends understand. I do not cancel all the time only when I am sick, but I do not feel guilty.

Another observation. I take Grady to train at the Mall everyday. Xmas shoppers for the most part are not happy. They look sad or angry or in a hurry.

I learned to make gifts mostly animal ornaments as a child. I made everyone's pet and every animal I could think of over many decades. My brother pulled out my mother's tree decorations (he owns her house) and told me it was full of all the ornaments. I was not sad or angry or in a hurry making those gifts.

Today I will make my hand made Xmas card. And work on overdo paintings.

Alex

[jensequitur]

You know, I've been doing so well that sometimes I think maybe I'll do more stuff this holiday - then I wonder why!  I think I will cook some goodies for the neighbors, though.

[jensequitur]

I love my crazy dog, but he wouldn't do well in the bed.  (Waterbed) I have no doubt he would try to stand up in it, then get worried and start tearing at the covers.

[HVAC]

Today my friend is taking to the Art museum to see a Rembrandt exhibit. May inspire my paintings. Then I see my best friend's baby and hold her. No one in my family has babies nor have many of my close friends so I am very excited.

Woke up to Polly in the bed. My husband put her in the bed when I left. She takes dead center of the bed, snores, and is a bed wetter on occasion. I love that goofy dog! My own Charlie Brown Dog.

Alex

[meg321]

Its a bit amusing listening to all the ways everyone does Christmas...I just plan don't feel good and I haven't done too much, shopped a little for the grand kids but that's it.  We don't usually have a tree but for some reason i am missing it this year.  

I never go shopping except for the internet.  We are not close to a large town so I would have to drive and I don't...I am not sure how long I would last at the malls now.  I used to love shopping but not the way I have to do it now.

I will be glad when all of this is over..bah humbug!!

hugs, meg

[HVAC]

He bought a box of mixed cards. We laughed because we got them home and some of them were so off message of who we are we had to laugh.

Then we had the yearly discussion of whether to include the Xmas letter which was very edited to his family. Again we do not hint at MS it is taboo. I talk about Grady and Polly as MS mobility dogs.

Oh well today it is all over I send the presents and the holiday madness is over for me.

Grady and I are going to buy a tree and decorate it. Life is good.

Alex

I will send my friends my card and letter.

[Lulu54]

Sorry to hear the moment escaped you, Alex.  Maybe it is time for hubby to do the cards - at least once - to see what really goes into the design and production of these treasures.

hope the migraine slips away,
Lulu

[Dagun]

Alex we cannot expect to be in perfect control all the time, because we are no machines. So just relax and get rid of this bloody migraine as fast as you can :). Then you will just keep on going as usually, and finish the cards as you would like to.

My best,
Dagun

[HVAC]

OKAY I broke all my rules today and got frustrated and got a migraine. I was working on the cards and my husband decided he did not like my idea and wanted something far more complicated. I decided to take a cool picture I had taken at the winter solstice sunset a few years back and simply run it as post cards on the printer. I do not know how to do photoshop. he wants another cute pet with Santa hat which I have done by hand in the past with several steps to make four for post cards. We went back and forth and I got upset and tired and used up my energy for the day. Oh and the bloody migraine.

Alex

[Sumanadevii]

I went to my beautiful DIL's asking each take a holiday for me.  They did!  So, they plan and prepare the meals, decorate and clean up the mess..lol

I invite friends to bake my sons favorites giving them half the haul for helping.  I begin in November and will end this week.

Shopping is done via internet.  Friends help me wrap packages...and trust I am fussy with how they are done.  I always want flair...lol

So, I LOVE the holidays!  I think not just MSers but any that raised families should pass the buck and enjoy the day.

Oh and I buy Italian cookies online.  They take too much time and effort but my sons are spoiled...So that also gives me a break.

Sumana

[Dagun]

Alex I admire how you look at live- live with MS. You are great at just keeping calm and making the best out of everything. And you make HAND made cards, that is just great.

I've learned trough the years, to not be as stressed out as my mother always was before Christmas. I think that took all the enjoy out of it, now I just do the most important things, and just take things out of my to-do list when I see I do not have time/energy for it. Because I am going to enjoy Christmas, it don't have to be perfect, as long as I have time with family and friends, then I´m good. And don't forget candlelight and christmaslights :) they are nessesery.

My best to you always,
Dagun