Anyone else just feel miserable?

[ozarkmom]

Who else can't get in the Christmas mood? I haven't bought a thing. Because of work and money it will probably the week end before Christmas before I can shop. I hate really hate the crowds then. I have my tree up but that's my dd's doing. I feel miserable, I'm worried about the economy and how our small business will hold up. I'm worried about my day job and if the company I work for will be okay. I'm worried about my mom. It's been two years since my dad died and she still is in limbo. I'm worried about my kids my daughter is in and out of a horrible relationship and about to start school in January. I want her to have her head on straight so she will do well. My youngest is in some trouble we don't know how bad yet and I made the mistake of calling my oldest (the really responsible tries to do the right thing kid) at college and told him what was going on with his brother and I really shouldn't have. It could have waited til he came home for Christmas. Now I've upset him and all around it seems everything is just a big mess. Soooo how's everyone else doing?

 

[kirbsam]

i am doing great. loving the season, the festiveness, the hustle and bustle. love the fact that more people in the neighborhood put up lights this year. we got a beautiful tree. the ornaments and lights look great. got the kids some excellent gifts. feels like it is going to be one of the best christmas' ever.

 

[John Smith1]

OP...

Christmas can be the saddest time of the year. It brings back memories of better days and we're under the impression that we HAVE to be joyful and happy, when it's not necessarily so.

Not fretting is a choice. It's not an easy one but it is a choice. We cannot concentrate on our circumstances and count what's wrong, but consider what is right.

I know it's not easy, heck, if life was always good we'd have nothing to be thankful for when we DO get out of it.

And we always do, don't we?

Hang in there.

 

[Saphire]

I feel miserable

Hey, ozarkmom, here is a hug for you.. I can hear the worry and concern in your 'voice'. I know I have had my share of not so great Christmases. There was actually some relief when it was over. Once Christmas has past, the expectations you may have carried will ge gone, and you can gather your strength and determination to move forward. Yes, hang in there!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Don't feel miserable but I have not shopped either. We are going to have a lean Christmas this year.
We are still recovering from moving.

 

[tasha99]

Christmas can be so hard; my daughter is often really down this time of year. We're in a similar boat financially--I am so short of cash that I had to take a draw at work so I wouldn't bounce my cell phone payment today.* Oh well. School is out for me, so I can get in a real work week instead of trying to fit in hours around class next week. I'll need to because even with mostly homemade and under $10 gifts, it's going to add up. I too hate crowds, but I think I might be able to avoid them by shopping in the early morning (5 am or so) at Walmart.

*Since this is the dis, I'm sure someone will tell me shortly that a cell phone is not a necessity. That's sadder than any temporary Christmas time poverty could ever be.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am so sorry this is a hard one for you. It hasn't been that long since you lost your father and between that and the economy, its tough to feel joy and excitement. It sounds like you are just getting it from all ends. That is so tough.

My sister is also extremely worried about her finances, I feel so bad for her and am trying to help as much as I can. I told her recently, that it will probably be easier once the holidays are over, it just makes you feel more miserable when you are in the midst of seeing so much happiness you can't get in on.

Please just know that all things do get better, I hope your luck changes very soon.

Merry Christmas and God Bless you!

 

[chager]

I understand. My DS has been sick since Sept. and I got sick in Nov. SO our finances are none existent. We will not have any money left for Christmas. The only thing we are looking forward to is in Feb. we have an already paid for trip to WDW. (Planned out way before anyone got sick. Just praying we get to go since we only had to pay for food and airfare!) We are supposed to have friends over tomorrow night and usually we are totally decorated but I just can't get in the spirit to do it. I just do not feel well. I have tried for DS to get in the mood even he isn't though. DH is trying to help out by showing Christmas shows since he is not a decorator.

 

[jsmith]

i can soo relate-my job is solid and DH is in the military so the economy is not a worry for us-but it is for both my sons who are on thier own. My dad passed on Jan 7 so this is our first year with out him, DH and i are living apart because of his active duty and just today found out he needs an stress test for a possible blocked artery-my mom-who is a breast cancer survivor was refered for a PET scan after her routine check up-and DH is supposed to go to iraq in april-so im really not into it either

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

Who else can't get in the Christmas mood? I haven't bought a thing. Because of work and money it will probably the week end before Christmas before I can shop. I hate really hate the crowds then. I have my tree up but that's my dd's doing. I feel miserable, I'm worried about the economy and how our small business will hold up. I'm worried about my day job and if the company I work for will be okay. I'm worried about my mom. It's been two years since my dad died and she still is in limbo. I'm worried about my kids my daughter is in and out of a horrible relationship and about to start school in January. I want her to have her head on straight so she will do well. My youngest is in some trouble we don't know how bad yet and I made the mistake of calling my oldest (the really responsible tries to do the right thing kid) at college and told him what was going on with his brother and I really shouldn't have. It could have waited til he came home for Christmas. Now I've upset him and all around it seems everything is just a big mess. Soooo how's everyone else doing?

right there with ya. I have 0 shopping spirit. I really believe Christmas is about Christ. But I know that the kids need presents. Thank goodness for DH.

 

[mfd25wife]

Who else can't get in the Christmas mood? I haven't bought a thing. Because of work and money it will probably the week end before Christmas before I can shop. I hate really hate the crowds then. I have my tree up but that's my dd's doing. I feel miserable, I'm worried about the economy and how our small business will hold up. I'm worried about my day job and if the company I work for will be okay. I'm worried about my mom. It's been two years since my dad died and she still is in limbo. I'm worried about my kids my daughter is in and out of a horrible relationship and about to start school in January. I want her to have her head on straight so she will do well. My youngest is in some trouble we don't know how bad yet and I made the mistake of calling my oldest (the really responsible tries to do the right thing kid) at college and told him what was going on with his brother and I really shouldn't have. It could have waited til he came home for Christmas. Now I've upset him and all around it seems everything is just a big mess. Soooo how's everyone else doing?

I'm back and forth. I love Christmas, but I've been stuggling with fibro and the migraines a lot lately. I don't have the worries you do, though. I am so sorry you ahve so much going on.

 

[NEM]

I am right there with you....I am in major fights with my father and brother and my mother is working her way into it. I am also worried about my business. Our income is already so much lower. I am really having a hard time "getting into it" and it is so sad as it is my absolute favorite time of the year...but this year...I am looking forward to it being over. I hope things get better for you and that we all can look hard and find some small joy of the season. I guess I am learning that not every Christmas can be "the best"

Big hugs to you!

 

[historyhead]

Ozarkmom, I feel your pain. Its always the same with mothers, the worry never stops. There is always something going down and trouble never ceases. My kids are going through a rough patch too - teens is a ROUGH time. Very rocky. They are so mean to each other as well!! I am trying to let go a bit & try to relax and try to think positively, deal with one step at a time. I try to exercise a little if its tough going- working up a sweat lifts my mood. Anyway, youre not alone.....stressed mothers of the world unite!

 

[Gagirl69]

Everyone is battling something...Hugs to all

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

Everyone is battling something...Hugs to all

This is always going to be the case. I felt your pain whenever reading your post OP and all I can say is try and not worry about the future, what happens, happens and you will be able to take care of it as it comes no matter what it is.

We also have had the worse financial year that we have ever seen, and I could really stress if I allowed myself too, the only thing that saved my Christmas was I started buying one gift a week back in the summer, by October my Christmas was done, I have never done something like that before but I thank God I did because it saved our Christmas.

 

[Mom2Satan&Daisy]

I can relate...my kids aren't getting 1/3 of what they usually get.

I've been trying to do other 'special' things though.

But it's really hard to get into the season.

 

[Handbag Lady]

We are trying. Husband and I shopped together last weekend and knocked out all but two gifts for everyone. We had such a good time, it made up for the lack of money we spent on everyone.

Our tree is up (apartment living with hard wood floors=fake tree for years) and we're just about to put the storage boxes back so we'll have a clean and pretty space.

All that's left to do is the annual fight over where to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and then New Year's!

We raised almost $1000 for our family we "adopted" at work, so that's a whole lot of cheer to spread around.

 

[Cee]

I picked nice photographs of family members, bought nice frames(good discounted frames at Kohl's ) and that's what they're getting this
year. Sentiment. Love. It's what it's all about anyway, right?

 

[Horseshoes]

I havent shopped yet either, if it werent for the kids, I wouldnt even bother putting up a tree. Gonna pull out the fake tree, becuase we cant afford to buy a real one this year.

DH is self employed and has been SLOW for months, if he works 1-2 days a week we are lucky. I told my kids I would spend $200 each on gifts for them (they are teens so that goes quickly) but they understand. In-laws I will probably only spend $25 on each.

Luckily thats all who we exchange gifts with.

So I should be able to budget this OK.

Lots of life stresses lately makes it hard to get into the mood.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

to you. I am sorry you are going though this.

Unfortunately this holiday I am miserable too. I was just diagnosed with cancer and will be facing 8 hours of major surgery on Jan. 7th., but I am determined to have a good christmas for my 3 ds sake.

Right now 2 of them have finals, so I am trying not to cry alot in front of them and have some kind of normalcy around here. I want to hear my kids read the christmas story from the bible on christmas day, I want to watch the disney christmas parade with them. etc.

I am trying to focus on the more positive things. Some things are simply out of our hands and control. My faith brings me great comfort and I wish you blessings during this holiday season and for all the other posters who are seeing the cup half empty too. There is hope.