Now on to baking the cookies!

Even Puss is admiring your effort or else deciding which ornament to pull off first!!

You are looking festive and cheerful. I need to get around and decorate. I have been sounding like an Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh) this year. Pam

Hoping Christmas will just pass me by this year. I have no desire to decorate, put up my little tree, or hang a wreath on my door. For me, it will be just another day of loneliness and endless tears. No family, "friends" don't seem to remember that i have no one.

MK, I understand where you are coming from. I have a really a hard time around the holidays. I haven't figured it out yet but you know you can be lonely even if you are around friends or family. Maybe your family or friends don't know you are going to be alone. Are you very good at dropping "hints" like "It will be just me and my kitty alone this Christmas like at Thanksgiving." Do they live around you? I can't imagine me turning down any friend or one of my family that would say that to me. I am listening to Christmas music, Christmas shows on Lifetime and WE, and am putting out a few Christmas decorations. I am in the "fake it til you make it" mode. I am also cross stitching a Santa to frame and hang. Take care. I am sending good thoughts your way. Pam

Pamela - My parents are both deceased, and my brother (because of his wife) and I haven't spoken in 14 years. Other than a few cousins, whom I've lost track of, I have no other family. It's just eas her to stay away from the malls, and I had to drop my cable because of the cost every month. I lost my job in February, and haven't been able to find even a part time job. And my Social Security only goes so far. So, it's just easier to not even think about Christmas.

MK, I am so sorry for your troubles. Yes, it is hard living on a fixed income. Maybe you could buy a box of inexpensive cards. Life is so short. I would send my brother and his wife a Christmas card. It might break the ice. Meanwhile, you are in my prayers and thoughts. Pam

Pam - I've tried in the past sending my brother and his wife Christmas and birthday cards. They just go unacknowledged. Apparently, I'm not even worth the price of a postage stamp to him. And they were specific cards to "Brother and his wife" that I bought, not just out of a box.

MK, my brother and I were estranged for several years. I kept on sending birthday cards and Christmas cards and even very nice Christmas gifts. When he found out what he was angry about was wrong, and he sent me a card and we picked up right where we were-a loving brother and a loving sister. Life is short and all we can do is love everyone we can. Love is everything in this world. If you keep sending cards, you are trying to break the ice and you can look back at your actions, you can say in all truthfulness "I did the best I could." I would send a separate card to your brother and a separate card to your SIL. I am not trying psychobabble on you. I have dealt with depression for a very long time and I probably will have it forever and we live on a fixed income as so many do. There, I have aired dirty laundry for everyone on this site to see, but you need to know you are not alone! God be with you, MK. Pam

MK even down here you will be in DH's and my thoughts this festive season. Keep your head up and send a card out to them. At least you have tried and you can't ask for anything more than that. If you can, buy something you would like, wrap it up and give it to yourself on the day. At least it will be something you would like and make your day special for you. Do you have any neighbours you could have drinks and nibbles with? Be brave my friend and blessings and best wishes to you from down here.