Spinning...

[jk703]

So, I'm spiraling a bit. Sounds as if many others are too! So much happening, so much going on, holidays, sickness, and stress... we are all being pulled in every direction.

Shayne has a sprained wrist, which means doctor appointments, braces, leaving work early, possible physical therapy and complaints about curbed video games. Next, we found out Benson has Heart Worms. I don't know how that occurred - with all the doctors and tests we had done earlier in the year, all his meds, I'm perplexed. I just don't know where those meds fell through the cracks. It's my fault, and I feel guilty. We have just started treatment, medications, and keeping him calm for the next numerous months. Christmas is coming. That means I'm on appetizer duty, card mailings, wrapping gifts, and trying to squeeze people in!

So... I'm trying to be positive, thankful, and joyful! I want to wish you all the best, hope for speedy recoveries, sending you happiness, and provide you all some support.

What has you in a tizzy lately? What has made you smile? A video? A Gif? A funny joke?

You've heard my tizzy... so here's a joke.

 

[LeeAndra]

I haven't felt this Grinchy about Christmas in a long while. I just want to get it over with!

My kids & I both getting sick this week was not helpful. Of course, my daughter bounces back in 24 hours like she always does and then gives it to her little brother who is a whiny hot exhausting mess when he is sick & then he gives it to me because he has to lie on top of me and wake me up all night long when he's sick.

I have next week off work which means needing to get 2 weeks' worth of work done in 4 days... and that's hard to do when you're stuck at home with a sick kiddo.

My grandmother was admitted to the hospital yesterday which meant scrambling to find someone to pick up my daughter from school while her brother & I were at home sick since my parents were on pick-up duty but needed to be with my grandmother.

Not to mention that I haven't even started my Countdown to Christmas album which is my favorite project of the whole year.

Staff party tonight (that I needed to make a side dish for), my mom's birthday party Saturday, caroling Sunday, & then Christmas Eve prep + services and Christmas Day. I need to grocery shop one more time before Christmas + finish buying & wrapping gifts + try to get everyone well again.

So. over. it.

 

[jk703]

I haven't felt this Grinchy about Christmas in a long while. I just want to get it over with!

My kids & I both getting sick this week was not helpful. Of course, my daughter bounces back in 24 hours like she always does and then gives it to her little brother who is a whiny hot exhausting mess when he is sick & then he gives it to me because he has to lie on top of me and wake me up all night long when he's sick.

I have next week off work which means needing to get 2 weeks' worth of work done in 4 days... and that's hard to do when you're stuck at home with a sick kiddo.

My grandmother was admitted to the hospital yesterday which meant scrambling to find someone to pick up my daughter from school while her brother & I were at home sick since my parents were on pick-up duty but needed to be with my grandmother.

Not to mention that I haven't even started my Countdown to Christmas album which is my favorite project of the whole year.

Staff party tonight (that I needed to make a side dish for), my mom's birthday party Saturday, caroling Sunday, & then Christmas Eve prep + services and Christmas Day. I need to grocery shop one more time before Christmas + finish buying & wrapping gifts + try to get everyone well again.

So. over. it.

We are all spiraling! I hope your grandmother gets better! They hold special places in my heart! Everyone gets a speedy recovery ticket too! Take a breather at the party, and pick up something so that you don't have to cook!

 

[Cherylndesigns]

I'm sorry to hear this, Jenn. When it rains it pours. @LeeAndra - I have officially cancelled Christmas this year. J/K but that's what I'm telling everybody.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother.

 

[Tree City]

This "glutton unicorn" cake cracked me up.

I think I want DH to make this as a Christmas cake...you know, a white/red/green cake with gold accents, and with Santa in place of the unicorn. But right now he's busy rolling out dough for Linzer s'mores cookies so I'll just keep that thought to myself.

 

[Tree City]

As for spiraling ... can we skip the rest of 2018 and just moved on to 2019?

 

[jk703]

lol @ that unicorn, Sara! @Tree City

I totally think we should skip the rest of 2018. I'm ready for a new clean slate for 2019. I wish I could erase a few things that might linger into 2019 though!

 

[kimingvtx]

I just logged on, saw Cheryl's update and said YAY. We've had the stomach bug, my dh had a heart cath with a stent placed, my friend who I had plans with tomorrow is sick. So I really just said to myself...it's ok, MOC is soon!

 

[BevG]

Well we had our snow 2 weeks ago, so we are onto winter rain and 50's. Doesn't feel like Christmas outside - even the grass is nice and green. We almost lost the pup-dog yesterday (or at least that is what the vet prepared us for). I thought I was taking in a sick dog with a cold or something - nope - her lungs were full of fluid and she has heart disease. She improved on the meds and she came back home yesterday - but my emotions are done.

On the plus side, we met with my future daughter-in-love and her family to discuss wedding plans last night. Other than the very long guest list and so far no place that will hold them all, things are looking good. I just want to take a nap today, but I am sure there is something I should be doing instead...

 

[bcgal00]

Life has been full of stress and drama this year (our granddaughter's traumatic brain injury and all the medical issues), not to mention time consuming with all the traveling, and will be ongoing for months/years to come. So, our goal for the holiday season has been to make it as uncomplicated as possible, as stress-free as we can make it...only a few gifts for us and the immediate family, no parties, no activities....it sounds grim but is actually what we needed. We've been watching more TV shows, I've been reading more, and jogging/walking Taz to clear my head and get some exercise.

I don't know how much different 2019 will be for us but I'm ready to say goodbye to 2018, that's for sure. I am looking forward to brighter day ahead hopefully.

On the happier side, our family rallies together and helps each other through difficult times and we've each helped and leaned on each other which has been such a blessing. My little Labradoodle keeps us all laughing. Here he is with his Xmas hat. Another fun happy thing is my daughter and I are going on a day trip a few days after Xmas (weather permitting) to go eagle watching up near Whistler, BC. Looking forward to the adventure, if nothing else, we'll see some areas we haven't seen before and will get some fresh air and exercise. Here's Taz. How can you not smile when you look at him...right?

 

[amien1]

I feel ya for sure! Last night while the hubby was watching a hockey game- he said he heard a "POP" and then our tv went black. This morning I talked to a service person who said it sounds like the main motherboard which is between $300-500 to fix. We had a 3 year warranty & you guessed it- our tv is 4 years old. SMH!! At this point, we might as well get a new one which is an extra $1000 I wasn't planning on spending right now. THEN this morning, my 1 month old printer started acting up. While printing some tags & food labels for our Christmas at my mom's this weekend, it would turn off while printing. Once I turned it back on, it said the ink (that CAME WITH THE PRINTER!) was not recognized. Took out & put back ink and then it was fine- until it did it again the next time I printed! After an hour with a service rep who had such a hard accent I could NOT understand her- she is sending me free ink to see if that fixes it (although I am 99.9% sure the ink is NOT the issue!) And lastly- we are headed to my mom's (about 6 hour drive) tomorrow & have a million things to do today- none of which include sitting on hold with service people! UGH! I want a do-over for today!

Coincidentally- my mom had these sent to me for Christmas- and they arrived RIGHT after I got off the phone with crazy printer lady- They made me smile at the perfect time!

 

[jenn mccabe]

OMG this thread is making me so sad for my Pad family! Big hugs to you all. I hope life settles and calms ... and you all can find a touch of peace these next two crazy weeks.

Things have just been super busy for me - nothing crazy or spiraling thank goodness and knock on wood. My sad news is that my Marine told me yesterday he was coming home for the holidays and I was so excited. But tonight it's looking like that is not going to happen after all. I'm a little bummed. My husband got to see him Sat- Tuesday before he traveled to his next location but my job prevented me from being able to go. So I was really looking forward to it. The bright side is - he's past the training parts where they take the phones away for months (or weeks). So I can finally be in somewhat regular communication with him again via mobile phone! That's been so comforting.

 

[IntenseMagic]

I'm so sorry for all the things that everyone is dealing with. I count my blessings that this year is so much better than last. I'm actually feeling better and have the new little one to love and spoil. The last few years have been so crazy up and down, and this one just feels calm for a change. Last year, my husband was out of work and things were so strained and iffy. This Christmas has a much more peaceful feel to it and reminds me that things can get better. I'm sending out love, hugs, and prayers for everyone here. I hope that 2019 brings peace and joy to you all.

And...

 

[djp332]

Hang in there, Jenn. I have a hard time with holidays, too. Most of you know the problems we've had with my oldest daughter. While we're mad and angry about what she's done, we still miss her terribly. We haven't seen her in almost 1 1/2 years. My heart aches. I'd love to have my family back together.

We'll go to my youngest daughter's home for Christmas Eve and then to church. We're on our own on Christmas Day. We started a new tradition last year - we go hiking and then find a Chinese restaurant for dinner. It was great and we met a lot of other people hiking on Christmas, too.

We're also taking a few days next weekend to make another trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. We're trying to do things that will make us happy, and we love visiting botanical gardens.

Also trying to not think about all the money we've lost in the last couple of week because of the Tariff Man's policies. $20,000 and counting lost which means our move to Florida may be delayed even longer.

 

[bellbird]

i'm another one of those spiralling - i just quarantined another fish and we've had 2 die from the same tank this week (all different species) as well as 1 from the pond outside on top of other stuff that i won't get into - i know it's not the same as a dog but they still have personalities and were all unique (well the inside ones, i can't tell most of the outside ones apart) & i've googled so much about aquariums and fish lately, it's making my head spin - they are not the easy pet everyone thinks they are

anyway, i'm always up for a funny gif (that Groot one Jenn was great and i loved Sara's unicorn cake) - this is what DD would have got and looked like a few years back if DH did the xmas shopping

and here's a bonus one because i fell done a rabbit hole again

 

[bestcee]

I'm so sorry guys! I hate to know that you are struggling. I was there last year.
This year, I've been going out with a single mom to help her get ready for Christmas. Not only has that put me in the Christmas mood, it's made me very grateful for what I have this year and reminded me of years when Christmas was spelled S-U-C-K-Y!

Here's something that I hope will make you smile, if you haven't seen it already. And just think, at least you don't have glitter everywhere!

 

[jk703]

I'm so sorry guys! I hate to know that you are struggling. I was there last year.
This year, I've been going out with a single mom to help her get ready for Christmas. Not only has that put me in the Christmas mood, it's made me very grateful for what I have this year and reminded me of years when Christmas was spelled S-U-C-K-Y!

Here's something that I hope will make you smile, if you haven't seen it already. And just think, at least you don't have glitter everywhere!

That is the best, right!? I cracked up, and laughed!

I'm starting a turn around thread...

 

[carrie1977]

As you can tell from my siggy, I'm still hanging out in October.

 

[jk703]

As you can tell from my siggy, I'm still hanging out in October.

Me too!

 

[QuiltyMom]

@jk703 - get your appetizers from Trader Joe's, or the like. That's what I'm going to do.

This Christmas is going to be a difficult one for us, for reasons that I can't mention. But I'm trying my best to throw back my shoulders and smile and remember the Reason for the Season. I'm trying my best not to let a bad situation ruin Christmas.

Therefore, I've also been watching TONS of Christmas movies. Tons. I even watched Love Actually, and other than the Colin Firth storyline, I don't particularly care for that movie! I'm currently watching The Holiday, then it'll be back to White Christmas, which I watch between movies. LOVE that movie!

As for spiraling ... can we skip the rest of 2018 and just moved on to 2019?

Yes. Please. Except for New Years Eve. My friends throw a fun party and I want to go to it!