Feeling like a vampire at a garic festival

[ex-shep]

A window dresser at department store felt of this time of year, "Saying you do not like the holidays is like being a vampire at a garlic festival'.

For some reason, I am feeling like a caged rat. The holiday locally feels as about as welcome as a visit from a door knocking group.

We were caught up in the holiday nuttiness at work. Thankfully I have not had to endure mandatory overtime on the phones working in a support division. I tried to escape from the holiday milieu. No such luck. I decided to go to the library. There was a chorus doing seasonal numbers out of key. So much for peace and quiet. I went to my Thursday night AA meeting. Two guys wearing seasonal garb burst into the meeting and took over the meeting. Needless to say, I did not feel safe. I was treasurer that night, "Take over, Nick, I am outta here". Today all the employees kids are going to be in building having lunch with Santa.

I know the dangers of resentment, but I am feeling pressured to celebrate when my heart is simply not in it.

[Spiny Norman]

Every year, for the past 18 years, I've been expected to participate in the in-law's regular Christmas rituals ... this involves everyone (!) having Christmas lunch together, obligatory approving comments over the flavour of the Christmas pudding (some special recipe handed down from generation to generation), etc etc.

This year I decided no more. It was supposed to be at our house what's more. Our turn! Nope, sorry, not playing that game any more. This has caused a bit of an upset and some of the relatives are a bit cross, but bad luck, I've decided the rest of my life is too short to play other people's games at my expense.

So we're going to visit with them for a couple of hours in the afternoon, and we'll do out own immediate family thing here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I feel a lot better now that I've made the decision to do that.

[ex-shep]

Every year, for the past 18 years, I've been expected to participate in the in-law's regular Christmas rituals ... this involves everyone (!) having Christmas lunch together, obligatory approving comments over the flavour of the Christmas pudding (some special recipe handed down from generation to generation), etc etc.

This year I decided no more. It was supposed to be at our house what's more. Our turn! Nope, sorry, not playing that game any more. This has caused a bit of an upset and some of the relatives are a bit cross, but bad luck, I've decided the rest of my life is too short to play other people's games at my expense.

So we're going to visit with them for a couple of hours in the afternoon, and we'll do out own immediate family thing here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I feel a lot better now that I've made the decision to do that.

Good for you. My mother in law was warned to tone it down on the holiday cheer. Tammy's church will balance things out. Might bring Rigoletto with us.

[tetralih]

Ever read "Skipping Christmas"? It shows that you can't get away for it. The crazy nutters always make you like it. They force it. (please read the snarky humor in that)

I know how you feel. I am not a holiday person either. Too much santa vomit. I just really like decorating packages.

[ex-shep]

The one thing I hate is the blacklisting of anyone who prefers not to observe as a grinch or a scrooge. Generally acceptance is the key. I stopped in to help a Newcomers AA Meeting. Thankfully the topic was acceptance and the holidays.

If I let my disdain for the holidays escalate to resentment, I am in trouble. Serenity Prayer is most helpful in such emergencies.

[nolongerchristian]

Ever read "Skipping Christmas"? It shows that you can't get away for it. The crazy nutters always make you like it. They force it. (please read the snarky humor in that)

I know how you feel. I am not a holiday person either. Too much santa vomit. I just really like decorating packages.



Anyone ever seen "Christmas With The Kranks" with Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dan Akroyd?

Great fun!

[tetralih]

Anyone ever seen "Christmas With The Kranks" with Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dan Akroyd?

Great fun!

Yep, Movie version of "skipping christmas" I agree Great fun

[ex-shep]

Yep, Movie version of "skipping christmas" I agree Great fun


sounds like I will need to stop at a video store.

[Anna Marta]

I shall be indulging in our rendition of National Lampoons Family Christmas.

And no I will not be the dead grandmother in the back seat.... that was Lampoon's summer vacation

[ex-shep]

I shall be indulging in our rendition of National Lampoons Family Christmas.

And no I will not be the dead grandmother in the back seat.... that was Lampoon's summer vacation


I have to laugh. The decorating party at the church in Texas was a perennial gripe session. It was a healthy vent for all us. The senior pastor had laugh at it. He was recovery minded so he got out of the way, lest he get stuck on a ladder doing himself.

We did have to test one bough at the main entrance of the sanctuary. The pastor would sprint back to greet at the end of the service. So the bough had to be subjected to Pastor "Fred" test. :p