It's over!

Dear Friends, Don't hate me, but am I the only one that is glad Christmas is behind us!! It is always such a beautiful time of the year, and yes, I know and I definitely celebrate the religious significance of it all, but oh my gosh am I glad it's over!! And we didn't even do or go anywhere, just the two of us trying to have a very stress free day. BUT -- there are the calls from home that always depress me when I'm not there, the call from my daughter who was on her way to the hospital with 8 year old Sam who fell on his new skates and broke his arm (5 hours in the emergency ward), the call from my other daughter who informed me that since I wasn't there, and now her sister wasn't there, she was having an awful Christmas (by the way, this is a 'girl' who is 41 years old, has six kids of her own -- and still needs her momma near by!!). The food, the sweets, the endless Christmas Carols that I think if I hear Rocking Around the Crhistmas Tree or whatever that silly song is, one more time I will throw up! And of course the messages on the raido and TV from the military men and women sending their wishes to their families and making me feel even more sad. I love those guys so much (and of course women!) my heart just breaks when I hear how selfless they are. So am I glad it's over for another year - oh yeah!! Am I the only one??? love donna

Hi my friend, I too am glad. I love to see it come, I enjoy it while it is here, but I can hardly wait until January 2nd. That way all this food and celebrating will be over. I can't believe your grandson (?) broke and arm, that is so sad. And by the way I am a whooping 43 and miss my mom when she isn't around. I call her sometimes on the ride home from work and talk about nothing for an hour. by next October, I will be itching for the holidays all over again. donna

Hi girlfriend, yeah, it was my little grandson who broke his arm. He had on a helmet but didn't put on the wrist guards I guess. Oh well, he has a nice long cast on now to show off at school. And I have to tell you, I am totally flattered that my daughters, 41 and 43 (hey, you could be my daughter!!!) still like to have me around. Now it is because they want to. That is a nice feeling. Happy New Year! love donna

Move over Donna, Im right here with ya!! I love the holidays, the anticipation and the family gatherings,,but I am so glad its over!! I too am sick of the Christmas music (here they start playing it the day after Thanksgiving on several radio stations), the ads in the mail, and the commercials for food and toys! Im so ready for january!! Ive got my work out videos ready and Im getting back on track after sneaking sweets here and there with no dumping, which was scary in itself! I didnt gain anything, but dont want to get back into bad habits. So, lets get this tinsel and stuff packed away, get out the exercise ball and mat, and start back on the normal everyday track. Whew!! What a season!

Hi Betsy, yeah, it's over for me. I did go to Target yesterday and just got caught up in the frenzy of buying Christmas paper -- but other than that, I don't want to see anything again till next year!! Well Happy New Year to you Betsy, and you're right, not good to push the sweets because if you're like me, there is no limit. I just have no control. If I did I guess I wouldn't have had to have the surgery, right!! love donna

I am so glad that I'm not the only one that feels that way! After everyone left my house on Christmas night I went in the livingroom (10:30 p.m.ish) and sat on the couch - my 22 yr old laid down and put her head in my lap - I asked her if she had a nice christmas and she said yes and that she didn't want it to end because that meant she had to leave me...(they left at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning) - she looked at her fiancee and told him that she wanted to stay with "my mommy" and didn't want to go home - then the 21 yr old said "hey I want to sit with mom too!" so I moved over and had one on each side...that's my favorite part of the holiday. I was a little sad to wake up and watch them pull out of the driveway yesterday morning but by 8:00 I was just fine! Erin was gone to work and I had the house all to myself (I was off yesterday) - it was quiet and stress free...I had no deadlines, nothing that HAD to be done, no cooking, no baking, no wrapping, no shopping and NO CHRISTMAS MUSIC! .. I did the laundry and went to the dentist - came home and napped on the couch for an hour ... As much as I absolutely love Christmas (and I am a serious christmas freak) I am thrilled that it's over - now to recover financially (I get carried away buying gifts) and get back on track with food...(January 2nd the house will be de-christmasfied) I had protein shakes yesterday and a piece of grilled chicken for dinner - I considered waiting til Jan 1 to start over but no way - I can't do it...I've worked way too hard and I refuse to destroy it - I want to lose another 20 lbs (my personal goal) and I'm off and running ... I will have bad things in my house until Jan 16 (Erin leaves for Ireland for 5 months) and then my house will be void of anything that isn't healthy .. I WILL get back to the gym January 2 at 4:15 p.m. (right after work) and I will not stop going to the gym!!!! love you! Linda

Hi Linda, well I am totally surprised that you are with me on this, Ms Christmas!! But a little goes a long way, right!! And how good of you to go to the dentist the day after Christmas. That is one thing I remember when I was working, I was always in the 'holiday' mode for a week or two after and just couldn't get into meetings, appointments, or any structure!! Linda, you'll lose the 20, I have all the confidence in the world in you!! You will do it!! love you girlfriend! donna

Hi Donna, Yes, I'm glad it's over, too. Just the two days of driving and partying is exhausting for us. We left at 11am on Christmas Eve and drove the 1 1/2 hrs to my sister's house. Drove the same home and didn't get here until 10pm. Waited for the kids to get into a deep sleep and then did "Santa" stuff...I couldn't wait cause I was SO tired. Kids woke us up right a 7am on the dot and we went down and opened presents. Got ready and were out the door again at 11am to drive another 1 1/2 hrs each way to Bob's brother's house. Then we went to my nephew's home for a bit and weren't home until 11pm Christmas Night. At 5am the day after, Bob's work called and I answered...I couldn't read the caller id (without glasses and was in a deep sleep and didn't know what I was doing!) and he got called in for OT. It was a boat load of easy money, so, he went willingly. The kids and I stayed in our PJ's ALL day long! They just played and played and played....It was foggy like pea soup and we didn't leave the house. We were ready for bed early, but I ended up staying up till after 10 to watch a movie I already saw..Oh, well. I got up at 8am this morning and I felt better. The kids got some cash, and it was burning a hole in their pockets, so I took them to the store to buy some video games and stuff. We just got back and I'm tired again! Bob's at work this evening, so it's gonna be an easy dinner and jammies on, again. Oh, btw...forgot to mention that champagne goes down really easy and makes me feel SO nice! I brought a magnum of it to my sister's house (bob's brother owns two huge liquor stores, so I didn't need to take any there!) and had been craving it...it was SO tasty. New Year's Eve will be Bob's and my 11th wedding anniversary. Seems more like 21!!! We're in the best place in our relationship right now than we've ever been. We are SO happy, I'm floating. And it's just a bliss feeling. Not anything either of us has done (except lose 220 lbs between us) and I think we're both feeling really good about that, etc. So, we'll be celebrating by having my MIL come down with Bob's sister and her three kids and go downtown for the first night activities. We usually have them sit the kids and we go out alone, but we don't feel like doing that this year. Just give me some more champagne for an anniversary and new year toast and I'll be all set!!! If I'm up at midnight! Sorry that your little guy broke his arm. Bummer, at least he'll have something to show next week at school! Love, Paula

whew!! Your schedule reminds me so much of my daughters'. Other than the traveling. Just busy busy busy. I don't know how you young mothers do it. But it sounds like you had a really really good Christmas Paula. And spending the day in PJs with it foggy outside sounds wonderful, just the sort of down time that you need. I am so happy for you and Bob. Losing weight can work miracles can't it. My husband has finally agreed to go get a physical, and although he isn't a candidate for wls, I am hoping that the doctor will somehow inspire him and he will lose some weight. I know he will feel better both emotionally and physically. It breaks my heart when he has to buy bigger pants. I know the feeling. Well congrats on the anniversary. Now you kids go out and have yourself a great family time. love donna

Hey Paula, wow some one else with a busy schedule. I haven't been around too much, but loved reading about you and Bob. My DH and I just celebrated our 21st and he is still the love of my life. I know so many people that are unhappily married or divorced that when I read about some one in bliss I just smile. So much I wish everyone could be at the same place. I envy the sitting around in the pj's I had planned to take the day after off but ended up with a situation at work that required my being in. I think that the day after Christmas to me is the best one. Usually you don't have to go any where and the kids are busy happily playing with one another. donna