tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post8936360069443551523..comments2023-10-30T04:40:49.109-05:00Comments on be yourself...everyone else is taken: I want to be...bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11094533582512917616noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-72417444509218553032009-12-16T08:58:26.184-06:002009-12-16T08:58:26.184-06:00I love these pictures. Very much. They are gorge...I love these pictures. Very much. They are gorgeous.<br />And yeah, I get it about Christmas. I want simplicity. I am so glad we have the grandkids this year, that will make it lovely for sure. But I am tired too, ya know.<br />xoxoMB Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06385431609144174297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-22514549672653431292009-12-12T11:42:46.046-06:002009-12-12T11:42:46.046-06:00But the most beautiful thing is, you can make it w...But the most beautiful thing is, you can make it whatever you wish it to be. And it sounds as though that is exactly what you are going to do!<br />(can I put a small spark of the excitement in me, inside of you? Just a little tiny spark? Just to get you through?) ~~*Jaimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04803308252202460126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-63830037402409578572009-12-10T10:24:00.320-06:002009-12-10T10:24:00.320-06:00It's funny as read your post with tears rollin...It's funny as read your post with tears rolling down my cheeks I have nothing to say about the things I'm going to do to replace "those feelings" or how I will try next year. You just said something in a kind way that I would say in a sarcastic harsh way with beautiful photos to help soften the feelings. I don't want to change my feelings toward the commercialism or any of the things I don't care for but I do want to change the way I speak about it.... Thanks.<br /><br />Merry Solsticesars!https://www.blogger.com/profile/18125202218478649496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-43829296195814094322009-12-10T09:04:05.525-06:002009-12-10T09:04:05.525-06:00Why not make it this year? It hasn't happened ...Why not make it this year? It hasn't happened yet!<br /><br />Living in Ghana as a Canadian means it just doesn't 'feel' like Christmas anyway.<br /><br />This year we're going down to the mini-sailing club and have a barbeque.<br /><br />No presents, no pressure. Maybe some great guitar numbers from my gifted 16 year old... and a dip in the ocean. :)The pale observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01597175124251218057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-20866851762173602032009-12-09T20:49:45.867-06:002009-12-09T20:49:45.867-06:00You know, I've started thinking of myself as a...You know, I've started thinking of myself as a Scrooge. I'm a bit of an anti-Christmas person myself. I love getting together with family, but I truly hate the stress of giving gifts. We've requested no gifts, but I know some of our family will still give us gifts. And I know I cannot find enough time to get gifts for others, which stresses me out and ends up making me feel miserable. <br /><br />We aren't traveling to be with family this Christmas. We are staying put in the city, having a small dinner with the few brothers that live here... I refuse to decorate for Christmas holiday... I don't usually admit it outright, but I feel like it is a waste of time and a way to spend more money... Plus, it means I have more junk I have to figure out what to do with when the holiday is over.Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09685619533761656533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-53436542521463309472009-12-09T06:33:19.485-06:002009-12-09T06:33:19.485-06:00I so understand what you said! I thought that I w...I so understand what you said! I thought that I was the only one who felt that way, but now know that I am not. I try to get into the spirit of Christmas, but the last few years I've just gone through the motions. I don't have answers for you except to just reflect on the greatest gift of all, Jesus!Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01390800085540275327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-29306162264723654012009-12-08T18:42:46.945-06:002009-12-08T18:42:46.945-06:00I am with you on a lot of it, Beth. With Mol gett...I am with you on a lot of it, Beth. With Mol getting so much older and not having little ones- I miss the Christmas excitement and I really don't quite know how to get it back. I do like the decorations but not all the obligatory preparations of everything else. SO much money and time spent and it's hard to justify on what. I don't know what's missing but something is... glad I am not alone in this~Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04993186190720192589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-47591020523481890122009-12-08T15:46:46.435-06:002009-12-08T15:46:46.435-06:00hi
.
another
reason
to
love
you
friend
....
your...hi<br />.<br />another <br />reason<br />to <br />love<br />you<br />friend<br />....<br />your<br />honesty<br />.<br /><br />elkELKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935251214683485912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-41402112706559056532009-12-08T15:05:00.394-06:002009-12-08T15:05:00.394-06:00you are most definitely not alone in this...i miss...you are most definitely not alone in this...i miss and long for those feelings i use to get. and im not talking when i was a kid...i used to be giddy with the idea of christmas about 6 years ago. i hate that my christmas has turned into a to do list. i hate that i go through the motions. i dont want to wait until next year but since i'm already feeling this strongly about it...I guess it will have to wait until then.Jakkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572178045596792275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-88847288173436005042009-12-08T06:58:46.909-06:002009-12-08T06:58:46.909-06:00Found your site today through Just ... a Moment.
...Found your site today through Just ... a Moment. <br />Beautiful pictures and words!<br /><br />You are not alone! And I'm happy to 'meet' someone that expresses what I feel so well. I like the true meaning of Christmas, but I don't like carols. Maybe if I only heard them once or twice through out the season, I'd like them better, but they are everywhere! My 3 boys are now 21, 19, 16 and they don't miss the decorations, so I only do a little. <br /><br />I spoke to our friends and family and we aren't exchanging gifts, we're doing things for others. With friends, we are cooking and serving for 100 people on the 28th at a homeless shelter. <br />With other friends, we are delivering gifts to children who have a parent in prison - through a group called Angel Tree. <br /><br />Peace and joy to you as you look to change the way you celebrate this season.Janet Oberholtzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10172668433266809905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-14775397093903629802009-12-08T05:37:02.320-06:002009-12-08T05:37:02.320-06:00Beth, you are not alone. Lots of older people act...Beth, you are not alone. Lots of older people actually die during the holiday season because they are not filled with the spirit.<br /><br />It's no secret...all that rushing and commerical stuff will suck the life out of the brightest soul.<br /><br />Christmas is about the birth of Christ and doing exactly what you wrote you would do NEXT year. It's not too late to do it this year and transform yourself.People Who Know Me Would Say:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04621641188403948733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-32541656736499127192009-12-08T04:29:36.317-06:002009-12-08T04:29:36.317-06:00I think Christmas has become very commercial. I ha...I think Christmas has become very commercial. I hate going to the shops even to do the weekly grocery shop at this time of year. It's busy people are angry and steel others parking spots when they were clearly waiting first, the pushing and shoving and rudeness of some. This is suppose to be a time of giving and the time of year to be nice to others yet it is every man for himself at the shopping mall.<br /><br />My kids are still very young so the lights and the tree and the bucket of water and carrot are still left out for the reindeer. I really like your idea of helping others less fortunate on Christmas day. Yes next year is your year!!Memories Of Minehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13372908229050942550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-64322596966181655062009-12-08T03:43:26.274-06:002009-12-08T03:43:26.274-06:00nope, you're not alone. i totally dislike the ...nope, you're not alone. i totally dislike the pressure of having to buy presents. i've reduced it to only presents for those i spent christmas with, but then there's always the odd person who comes to you and says they've 'found the perfect present for you for christmas' and then i want to strangle them, cause now obligation kicks in. then the constant parties, and the expectation to be having fun, and christmas is not party time for me. it's family time. it's about togetherness. and sharing because you want to... oh woe, look at these complaints, i'm gonna shut up now and brood in silence heee heee heeeeeShadowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05999801833389058410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-44111228852539142812009-12-07T22:57:53.943-06:002009-12-07T22:57:53.943-06:00I couldn't wait to read the comments on this p...I couldn't wait to read the comments on this post...one I have wanted to do for a while. I am right there with you all the way. The kids are grown and the "magic" isn't there like it used to be. It has become so commercial that the true spirit and meaning of Christmas have all gone away with the rush to buy this or that. All in the guise of giving when the true giving comes from the heart. I'm looking for the spirit too...Alicia @ boylerpfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11494653464202092752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-35648968869582242092009-12-07T21:54:32.868-06:002009-12-07T21:54:32.868-06:00You put it so well and so beautifully. And your c...You put it so well and so beautifully. And your commenters did too. <br /><br />I have not been into the Christmas craziness for several years now. This year I am not buying one present .... Except I did participate in a doggy gift exchange with some other bloggers with dogs and that was super fun. I am just going to enjoy each day and be thankful for my many blessings.Ina in Alaskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07163454431322742148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-85707697162798194602009-12-07T19:48:02.079-06:002009-12-07T19:48:02.079-06:00why wait til "next year"? how about now...why wait til "next year"? how about now..........erin's art and gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17808723849785207747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-52210506416847483582009-12-07T19:43:57.170-06:002009-12-07T19:43:57.170-06:00You are not alone. And judging from the comments I...You are not alone. And judging from the comments I got on the very same subject, there are many of us out there.<br />It was wonderful when the children were young. Wonderful and not so wonderful at the same time. One year in particular, we were so poor and the presents were almost nonexistent. I didn't take the children to my sister-in-laws house that year because I was afraid they'd wonder why their cousin had so many gifts and they didn't.<br />Christmas is hard for so many people. You are so not alone.Country Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14432335393660130255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-64155468117053061332009-12-07T19:37:31.798-06:002009-12-07T19:37:31.798-06:00While I am CRAZY for all things Christmas, I compl...While I am CRAZY for all things Christmas, I completely hear where you are coming from. I hope that this is your year, as you put it, but if not, it's okay. Be where you are. Breathe it in. And start 2010 fresh.<br />:-)Tracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14266639444882900212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-40391115887109867922009-12-07T19:26:46.146-06:002009-12-07T19:26:46.146-06:00I am right there with you. I don't have any f...I am right there with you. I don't have any family or anyone to buy for, but the holiday still wears me thin. Here's to a sparkly new year!!!Grey Street Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162464964427262208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-74678997126504284362009-12-07T18:42:14.323-06:002009-12-07T18:42:14.323-06:00I don't love the shopping, and all that goes w...I don't love the shopping, and all that goes with it. I refuse to do the stores after a certain date, which is just about upon us. I don't like making the cookies either but I do like giving them so there's the rub. I do my best to take a couple of hours on Christmas day to be alone for quiet time and meditation and that brings the spirit in. My main gripe is the winter weather. I love the seasons changing, but the length and severity of our winters are getting to be more than I want to handle. If you seek, you will find. Keep seeking.The Bodhi Chicklethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16516287894431519640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-18599528635817111132009-12-07T15:30:07.513-06:002009-12-07T15:30:07.513-06:00Hang in there Beth. My holiday "spirit"...Hang in there Beth. My holiday "spirit" comes and goes from one year to the next. When I do find it, it's grand. When I don't I sort of grin and bear it.<br />Thanks for being honest.<br />xoJoanna Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10836376588710862173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-82701589380391054752009-12-07T15:08:03.795-06:002009-12-07T15:08:03.795-06:00i hear ya. i am not feeling it this year. so many...i hear ya. i am not feeling it this year. so many budget/economic woes make the whole shopping thing seem ridiculous. plus i will be alone at christmas since the bf and i broke up. it is depressing. but things will be ok. i am trying not to let it get the best of me. giving is still fun and all and i will spend time with some family, but i will be rather relieved when december and STUPID NEW YEAR'S are over!!!drollgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17098844996589898590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-49628064833358362592009-12-07T14:01:33.180-06:002009-12-07T14:01:33.180-06:00you said it Sister...you are our voice! and anothe...you said it Sister...you are our voice! and another reason I choose to remain silent during December Views!deb did ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11540239617159548759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-38586981498124635462009-12-07T13:59:41.548-06:002009-12-07T13:59:41.548-06:00Beth, I noticed this about myself a few years ago ...Beth, I noticed this about myself a few years ago when I got sick, I had no energy and life was going on around me at a fast pace. It took all I had just to hang on. The commercialism of Christmas is crazy, I stay out of the stores, make a few things and I don't keep myself busy, busy, busy. I did not feel llike putting up a tree this year with my Dad passing away, but I knew I had to so I don't cry my ass off that day. I don't like Valentines or Christmas when people think they have to do things! I like to do them when I want to. It is definately okay to feel the way you do! You have Christmas in your heart, it shows in all the things you do. You know the real meaning of Christmas and when your husband runs into your arms theres a light bigger than any Christmas tree we have ever seen. Sorry I could have written a post. My husband and I write each other a poem every year and lttle stocking stuffers. Thats it. Because my husband is such a sport fan I am usually compared to a special hockey player or such, but it does not matter, it is what works for us. Big hugs my friend. I love your idea for next year, but I want to do it at other times of the year as at Christmas they usually have lots of volunteers....<br />I always like New Years, new beginnings and new chances again. note to self....stop rambling. Hugs.Cindy https://www.blogger.com/profile/03552572705763406197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-625563277617720888.post-43266105298776144112009-12-07T13:59:04.977-06:002009-12-07T13:59:04.977-06:00Lots of comments here, so you see you are not alon...Lots of comments here, so you see you are not alone... For years I disliked the consumerism basis of the holidays, the expectations creating stress & that my family celebrated. Then about 15 years ago or so I decided my husband & I would start our own traditions... no tree, no fuss, no air travel, instead we go to the beach for a few days & relish the peace and quiet and renewal with sea and fresh air...HeartFirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05065965886951764136noreply@blogger.com