Plans for the Holidays?

[beautifuldisaster486]

Just wondering if anyone out there has "new" plans this year....maybe a new marriage starting new traditions, new baby, ect ect, just anyone out there doing something different this year?

I plan to go home this year...it will be the first Christmas I have gone back since I left in May 2005. I have taken 5 days off of work, basically the days that I have out of school, I took off from work and plan to head home. I am hoping that I get to spend time with my mom, 2 brothers and one of my aunts, and of course all of my neices and nephews. If I get to acheive all of that, that will be the best Christmas present ever. So right now, I am just praying that I can tie the ends together here so I can afford to go home...

[mommy52]

I know you had a wonderful trip.visit and many memories were made that can be forever cherished.   Madlyn

[beautifuldisaster486]

I made it back home, but I wish I could go back already :( but I have school tomorrow :(

[TrudieC]

I went down this last week to visit my Dad and brothers and sisters and ended up staying longer to attend my uncle's funeral.  So I got home late yesterday afternoon just in time to prepare for Christmas Eve with my husband and son and we had such a wonderful time together.  Today I am cooking so I can take it with me this afternoon for another long drive for my first Christmas with my husband's family.  They used to live way up north and moved down south in the last 2 years so am quite looking forward to that.  Merry Christmas everyone!

[MJIthewriter]

I'm sorry to hear the weather is wrecking your Christmas plans as well. I'll see if I can send you a hug, some hot chocolate, and some fresh cookies.

[Tuckamore]

We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. As a day shift nurse I had to work every other Christmas Day. So when my children were young it was easier to celebrate X-mas Eve than to change every year to Christmas Day.  So tomorrow night is our Christmas. My daughter (granddaughter actually but I raised her) is living and going to college in Chgo. She is a 4.0 senior at Loloya. You can't tell I'm proud. She just called me as she was to be home tonight. Everything is grounded between here (4 hours to home in WI) and there. As the storm leaves Chgo it will spread over WI, where she is trying to go. This is our 4th storm in 7days. It is doubtful she will make it home for Christmas. My heart is broken. I have not had a Christmas without her since she was born when I was 32. She has been so much a part of my Christmas. I will miss her so very, very much
Tuck

[MJIthewriter]

You're welcome. I'm glad to hear that worked out. I can imagine you two running and giving a big hug!  No bells or bows either.

[alienshadow]

Okay beautiful made it in safe and sound ! We are glad she could make it home for Christmas this yr. It is the first time in a long time. Thanks for all the well wishes !!

[MJIthewriter]

As soon as you can please let us know that your trip made it well.

[beautifuldisaster486]

no, my flight leaves @ 3:30 and I will arrive to my final destination @ 7:19...I am leaving school early so I can finish packing last minute things

[mommy52]

As usual, my memory has failed. If you haven't already left to pick up sister at aairport, maybe you could wear a red bowtie? LOL (whatever that means, I think it means lots of love/laughs?) Hers to making many happy memories to your family and to everyone this season.   Madlyn

[Lonelymom]

I don't have to go to my husband's family Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!   That makes the best present ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's my new plans for christmas. Oh yeah he is going to go, I am not.

[MJIthewriter]

That's a bummer about the snow.  Hopefully everyone will arrive safely. It seems the snow hit pretty hard all over the country.

I'm thinking it would be nice if grandma and I can bake some cookies, but that means having to go shopping to get the ingredients and the stuff I want to use to decorate.  But it may be worth it. I'd like to make more cookies like the ones I uploaded in my photo.  The cookies in my photo were from a cooking activity done with people with varying disAbilities. We worked together to add an egg, butter, stir the mix, cut the cookies and then bake and decorate.

[swampcritter]

Swampy hopes to see his mom for Chirstmas, and his new niece. But given the weather forecast, he will probably spend Christmas in some airport watching CNN while the winter storm clears.

Oh well, Swampy would far rather that airlines fly safe than that they fly on time.

[PlateletGal]

Perhaps you could do something this Christmas to honor your friend ? You could light a candle and/or make a Christmas ornament (or purchase one).

[MJIthewriter]

I tried to send you a note so I leave you with some fresh cookies but my note didn't go through.

[HelpinUtah]

Alienshadow:

I can understand the guilt, but you're right there was nothing you could have done.  I'm glad you are able to feel him!  I believe like you in the after life and believe our loved ones are there waiting for us!  :)

Now, good luck getting the spaceship out from under all that snow!  LMAO!!!!!

[MJIthewriter]

Can I send you a christmas note? Some hot chocolate and some warm cookies, until you can get your spaceship working?

[alienshadow]

Thanks it took many yrs for me to get over what had happened and to witness it. I still have flashbacks but I cope pretty good now. Let me tell you something I dont care what anyone says if you find yourself in a situation like that remember if all goes wrong it was not your fault it took many yrs for me to realize that I blamed myself for so long and I kept it in. I never found happiness until I went to his grave site and just sat there and talked it felt like he was right there with me. I really believe in the after life and there presence. I still feel guilty at times but I know it wasnt my fault some people cant cope with this life and I have excepted he was just one of those guys.

P.S. The spaceship got lost in the blizzard I am trying to track its GPS system to get its location right now its under 20 ft of snow LMAO

[HelpinUtah]

Alienshadow:

I'm so sorry about your best friend.  You are right, there's nothing you could have done.  When people make that choice to end their life - I believe God loves them and welcomes his children home with open arms.  He is a loving, kind God and we just don't know how badly some people hurt inside.  I'll bet he is around you all the time and loves you very much!  I hope and pray that you find comfort in knowing that and knowing that he is with you especially when you take those private moments to remember him!

With love,
Janet

P.S.  By the way, the spaceship never showed up on Friday!  ;)

[alienshadow]

Merry Christmas to you also this time of yr brings back memories of my best friend I wish he was still here he took his life way to young. If I could go back to that night maybe things would be different but it happened so fast there was nothing I could do even if I could go back. So for a few moments this yr as always I will go to a room by myself and think of him and the good ol days He will always be missed

[MJIthewriter]

I said before in pm (when I was able to pm you,) I think we can be friends if we can both just let go of the past, drop it and forgive each other. We're never going to agree 100% of the time, but that doesn't mean we can't still get along some of the time.

That said, a double negative cancels out (both in math and in english) so that means you're either wearing bells on your shoes or we can make you. :P You're out numbered. Two to one.

[HelpinUtah]

I've been reading everyone's plans for Christmas!  I wish you all the best and lots of warmth and love!  

My brother-in-law passed away on March 6th this year and it will be my sister-in-law's first Christmas without him. She has immersed herself in making sure her mother gets that traditional German Christmas and I think it's helping her deal with her loss.  We will miss Allen, but we know he'll be with us in Spirit.

I know many people here have lost loved ones this year and are not sure if they will be with family.  Please know that you are loved and you will be in my prayers!  This is a time to really come together as a people and give of ourselves to everyone!  Try to make someone else have a great Christmas.  Even if you don't have a lot to give - maybe buy a gift from an Angel tree at Walmart or any place that has one!  I know it always brings joy to my heart to know that I can be an instrument in helping someone else have a wonderful holiday!  

I love this time of year and the love people show each other.  I know ugliness comes out when people are shopping but underneath it all I think people are generally good and want to do the right thing.  Just be kind to everyone in your path this year and watch the kindness grow throughout the world!  It only takes one person to bring peace and love to someone and they give it back to others.  Keep the kindness rolling!!!

Anyway, I know I'm rambling, but I feel so strongly that loving each other and being kind really makes a huge difference!

Lots of love to all my friends and to those who I have not met yet - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanakah, and Happy New Year!

Love,
Janet

[alienshadow]

MJ I am the nicest guy you could ever meet. I just dont let people run over me. That means in person or if I am on the net.That being said

I am not wearing no bells on my toes and I am not putting a bow on top of my head LOL

[MJIthewriter]

I hope that this can be your mother-in-law's best Christmas.