Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

It seems as time goes on I see less and less of my kids on the holidays. Their spouses seem to have the biggest say in things. We are supposed to switch off years with their in laws but it never works that way because of DH's work schedule and theirs. I get kind of upset at times but then I tell myself it's not worth getting upset about.
My siblings and I haven't spent a Christmas together in probably 35 years with my Mom and Dad. So this is going to be special, even though none of us will have our kids with us. I am taking my parents to church, then we are going to all get together afterwards for our little dinner. I have to make a couple deserts tomorrow. I sure hope tomorrow goes smoother than the last several days or I'll never get them done. I also have to wrap the gifts that go in there.
Got the birds fed and it was a rush job. I'll need to go water again later. I was hoping it would warm up some more first. The white hen
had already managed to get her apron off. I guess she is just going to have to deal with the boys on her own.

 

[chicken danz]

I spent my afternoon in town and just got home. But I guess it was worth it. I got the tree up for Mom and Dad, and got lights and decorations on it. Then I put some cluster lights around their big window which really set it off. My Dad said it was the prettiest tree they had ever had. I am sure he was just being gracious but my Mom repeated what he said. And she said if it weren't for me they wouldn't have a tree this year.
So I guess it was worth while to get further behind at home. Of course putting up their tree made me want one of my own. Just no time to do it. Maybe next year. I am beat tonight.

 

[Trish44]

Danz, Bless your heart that was nice of you to go put up their tree, I'm sure they appreciate it. Don't feel bad, I still don't have one up & I'm not sure I will this year, I just don't feel up to it. Nobody is going to see it anyway. This day has been a real downer for me & I hope tomorrow is better.

 

[chicken danz]

Trish I'm sorry you are down. Holidays can be so depressing especially if you can't have family with you.
When I was a police officer there were more suicides between Thanksgiving and Christmas than any other time of year. I am sure it was because it made people feel very alone.
I know what you mean about putting up a tree. I can't have Christmas here with my kids and it just doesn't seem like Christmas. My two daughters live about 12 hours away from me in different directions so I won't get to see them and three of my granddaughters at all. We are going to visit 2 of my sons in January and have a get together with the other one the 30th. He and the other boys had a tiff a couple years ago and won't be in the same house.
My DH is working Christmas Day so, what's the point?
Your DIL or x-DIL whichever is the case is, is inconsiderate and cruel. She doesn't realize how much she is hurting her own child by not making arrangements for you to spend time with her. I know it has to be hard when your son is away and can't come as well. I always try to think I am with my family regardless. We are always under the same sun and the same moon and we are bound to each other with love.
I remember Christmas before last I was snowed in and couldn't get out for Christmas and no one could come here. I spent the day teary eyed and feeling lonely. But at some point I looked out at the huge drifts and the glistening snow and realized that it was a very beautiful day and I was surrounded by total peace. You just have to find the positive in every situation.
You can be assured that even though you can't be with your family that they are missing you as much as you miss them.
Maybe putting up just a small tree or some decorations would help cheer you. I felt so much better after decorating my parent's tree. I have a little 2 foot fiber optic tree I think I'll set on a table and call it good for now.

 

[Ivywoods]

Trish and Danz-That's kind of what I did. I used to have a little ceramic tree my former MIL made and gave to me. She's a dear lady. Anyway, it got broken in a move, and my sister remembered it and had one that my mom had made. My sis brought it to me and gave it to me a number of years ago, but I forgot I had it as it was stored away. Since we had rearranged the furniture I didn't really have a place for a big tree. Just happened to remember the little ceramic tree. It's only about 2 feet high with little lights that shine from it. I put it up as a table top tree, and I feel so much better having it up. I think I would feel really bad if I didn't have a Christmas tree at all.

I guess it doesn't matter to me what kind of tree. It's Christmas.

 

[chicken danz]

I woke up at 5:00 am this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. I hate it when I do that. Maybe I'll manage to get some things done today. I have some people coming later for a few Seramas. Sure hope they make it quick. Normally I love showing people around but today there isn't any time.
So what are all of your family traditions? Do you open presents on Christmas Day or Christmas eve? Do you hang stockings? What time of day do you usually eat your Christmas dinner? Do you have ham, turkey, or something else. What special thing do you make for a holiday meal (if you cook).
Anyone having chicken?

 

[Hawkeye95]

Good morning all! Christmas Eve! The kids are really excited today. When I was growing up, our tradition was to go to the evening service and then come back home and open gifts. Christmas day was a lay-around day and we usually went out to see a movie. Anyway, this year we are going to be spending it with my family today and my brother is coming into town. We'll go have lunch and then the evening service (my oldest son is singing in it) and then let the kids open some gifts. Then Sunday (on christmas) we'll spend that day with my DH's parents and do some more gifts. So it'll all work out. The parents like this arrangement.

I have one of those ceramic trees, too! I love them! I have a big green one with the little plastic lights that you fit into the holes to make it "light up". It has 3 pieces to it-- mine is a pretty big tree. I'm guessing it's close to 2 feet tall. I don't have it put up this year, but I was really in a funk this year with the whole job/move-possibility. Kind of deflated my spirit. But I'm better now. I just keep thinking that if we have to move, maybe our next place will be even better, and I'll love it more.
Danz, I think you should set your little tree up and you'll feel better. Sounds like you will be seeing some of your kids, which will be nice! Your girls sure did move quite a ways off! I'm sure they miss you too, I know I would! I'm not a fan of snow, but I sure do like to see it on xmas. Then it can go away.

Unfortunately, there won't be any this year. Maybe you can talk these people into more chicks than they planned on? hehee!

Ivy, I bet we have the same tree! Mine is a really old one that my MIL gave me.

Trish, I sure hope you are feeling better. I'm really sorry your son and granddaughter won't be coming. Not nice that your DIL wont text you back, that is rude. The least she could do is let you know she is getting them and that she has other plans. School is out for 15 days... there are a lot of days in there that something could be arranged. What a mess.

I'm very sorry about that. I agree with Danz, there must be something every day to be thankful for and find your peace... When I was a kid, the spirit of xmas was really with me and I had believed all the stories of the animals being able to talk on the eve of the birth, and for several years, I would run out to the barn before midnight and spend a couple of hours waiting for my horses to talk to me! ha! I was disappointed each year, but still, even though nothing happened, I still have great memories of me petting, grooming and talking to them. Their warm breath in the frozen air and their happiness at getting a treat while I was out there, and them nudging me with their noses to let me know they were glad to see me too. Sometimes, it's the little things.

I hope everyone enjoys the sunny day we have today (finally!!!) and takes joy in the little things.

I'm going to mentally prepare myself to stay calm when one of my kids falls into a mud puddle right when we're getting ready to leave for church...

 

[Ivywoods]

Happy Christmas eve everyone!

Yes, the sunshine is beautiful today.

We always had dinner Christmas eve with my mom's parents. My dad was an orphan, so these were the only grandparents I had, and I've always felt I had the ideal American grandparents. Homemade bread and apple pie.

We would open presents with Grandma and Grandpa and any of our aunts and uncles that happened to be there that night. Then we would go home and TRY to get to sleep while watching the sky to see if we could see a reindeer powered sleigh.

Dad would wake us up early Christmas morning and we would go to church. It was always just dad and us kids that went to church. Mom never went. When we got home mom would have a big breakfast ready and we would all quickly eat in anticipation of opening presents. While we were chomping at the bit,

mom and dad would be dragging their feet, savoring the excitement. Then we would open the presents and later have our Christmas dinner. We usually had turkey and ham.

Since my kids are grown now our Christmas traditions kind of sway with the boy's schedules. What I have for dinner depends on what everyone wants. Last year I made a prime rib roast, and it was delicious.

I've done turkey and ham quite often, or sometimes other things. This year it will be ham with brown sugar and pecans, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes (I'd rather have scalloped potatoes, but I'll go with the requests!), green bean casserole, homemade rolls and I'm not sure what else. We won't be having dinner until Monday afternoon due to everyones schedules.

Over the years I have given each of the kids a figure from the Fontanini nativity collection. They each now have a nice nativity set. I stopped doing that a few years ago because they really had enough. I also give them a Christmas ornament each year. I try to make it personal to what is going on in their lives at the time. This year two of the boys will be getting KSU ornaments. Of course then there are other gifts, depending on what they want or need.

Wishing everyone the Merriest Christmas ever!

 

[tntblake]

Quote:
I have my kids open one present on Christmas eve when we get home from mass. The present is always a pair of pj's so they will want to wear them and look good for pictures on Christmas morning. My boy is 8 and still hasn't caught on that all he ever opens on Christmas eve is pj's! We usually do one big gift from Santa and the rest are from us. We don't do stockings at all. We have pizza for dinner every Christmas eve. The kids enjoy laying out a piece of pizza and a Dr. Pepper for Santa (He gets tired of cookies) and a few carrots for the reindeer. We open the rest of the presents Christmas morning. We usually eat our big meal at lunch on Christmas but this year we are doing dinner because we are having some relatives come in to town in the afternoon. We are having Ham, dressing, scalloped potatoes, veggies, baked mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pies and cakes for dessert. My mac and cheese is the special thing I always make. I use a special recipe that I only make on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a HUGE hit with the whole extended family. After tomorrow, we won't have it again for another year. I love Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year.

 

[chicken danz]

As a child we always opened our presents on Christmas day. We could look in our stockings as soon as we got up but had to wait until after dinner and the dishes were washed to open the presents. We never had much, so I guess waiting made the day more special.
When we've been able to have Christmas on Christmas day we opened presents then.
I kind of followed my Parents traditions.
However as my kids got older and had to travel I started having Christmas dinner at about 3:00PM. It worked perfectly and gave them a chance to get there without getting up really early. We would always have lots of goodies around to snack on, cheese, dips, crackers, veggies, and of course Christmas candy before hand. Everyone would eat and be way too full for dessert. Then come early evening everyone would be ready for their pie. That way I only had to fix one big meal.
We open presents either before or after dinner. I like doing it before cause everyone wants to nap after they eat. We almost always have turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed taters, sweet potatoes, home made rolls, and I have my special salads that I make nearly every year. And my special pie is pecan pie. They all love it. I usually make a couple extra for the kids to take home. There's been a couple of years we had ham and turkey. That was heavenly.
On Christmas eve I usually make chili. I have no idea why. It is just the thing I have always done.
I have a guy showing up at any minute for Seramas. I hope he doesn't take long. I just discovered I was nearly out of cocoa and need a cup full for a recipe I plan to make.