How's this for Christmas Spirit? My ex came over 2 weeks ago and collected the majority of the Christmas decorations. She felt that since she paid for most of them, she was entitled to most of them. I didn't argue. I just held back a few of the ornaments that had been given to me over the years and let the rest go.<P>Last night I realized how empty and quiet my house seemed, especially now that the holidays are upon us. So during my lunch break today, I went out and purchased some of my own decorations, garland, lights, ornaments and even a tiny little tree for the end table. <P>Now I just need to put everything together in an attempt to make my home a little more cheerful for the holidays.<P>Not too bad for a single Jewish guy

Hi Jayhawk,<P>good for you.<P>We all need to do a little to cheer ourselves up at this time. What you have done is great. You'll be amazed at how you feel, when you light those candles, have the fairy lights on, the garland etc.<BR>You'll feel good. It will cheer you up.<P>I have gone into candles in a big way. I think it looks lovely to have candles lit, even when I'm here by myself, gee, only the majority of the time....... LOL<P>I'm putting up our Christmas tree this Saturday. The girls (5 & 2 1/2) will "help" as usual, but we always have fun. They will then go to their fathers for the weekend, but at least they would have done something fun with me.<P>take care of you, and big hugs for you<P>Jo<P>ps<P>I thought you guys didn't celebrate Christmas? Or have I got my religions wrong again??? I hope you don't find my ignorance offensive..... Just thinking about that, if Jesus was a Jew, and he was born at Christmas, you have to believe and celebrate Christmas. Don't you??? Can I have a quick lesson here please !!!!!!!!

Jayhawk,<P>Where ya been lately? <BR>Haven't seen ya in here much.<P>Good for you! I am planning that same thing in the next week or two. I still have all our ornaments and such, but I don't think I want to put anything of her's up. Lights are lights and same for the general decorations, it is just anything that reminds me of her for now will stay in its box!<P>I think we are all going to have to work hard at enjoying this holiday season. I have already started thinking about seasons past (that sucks). But this year I am going to really try and get into the spirit!<P>Who knows what will be under my tree this year - I did send Santa my list! Maybe 36-24-36, or "something" similar! <P>Mike

I'm putting up the tree for my son, but I'm going to change it quite a bit. STBX is coming over to pick out the decorations she wants. I'm thinking of lights & garland up the stairs and across the loft.<P>I'm also hanging up some "special" stockings for Santa to fill for me. <P>Glad you're back. How was the snow?<P>------------------<BR>nick<P>it's only time that heals the pain and makes the sun come out again

Jo: Actually, most of the Jewish faith does not celebrate Christmas and my father would roll over in his grave if he knew that I owned a Christmas tree. But I think Christmas is a beautiful holiday and the decorations help to make the home a little more cheerful. So my religion can disown me for a few weeks if it must, I'll still survive.<P>Mike: I haven't been out here that much recently. There have been some issues that I have chosen to deal with on my own as of late and I've just felt the need to stay away. I check in from time to time, but haven't felt much like posting.<P>Nick: The snow was great. At least the fresh, virginal snow which was between all of the trees. Unfortunately, the only runs I could manage were packed and somewhat icy. They were groomed daily, but that only does so much. I decided to try my luck at snowboarding this time and failed! Thought I fractured my left wrist, but the x-rays came back negative, at least for now. There is some discoloration which could be a hairline, but we won't know for another 2 weeks. Until then, I am in a removal brace and am trying to work out the sprain, if that's what it is! Next time I'm sticking to the ski's

Cool, a converted mono skier. Son & I are going to Maine in Feb. & I've convinced him to ski another year. <P>Have you tried parabolics? Incredible turns I bought a pair of Volants last season & now I look like Alberto Tomba (well, I look better than I used to).<P>Where'd ya go?<P>Take care of the wrist. Us single guys are dependent on them <P>------------------<BR>nick<P>it's only time that heals the pain and makes the sun come out again<p>[This message has been edited by c00ker (edited November 29, 2000).]

Hi! It's good to hear from you again! I have an extra menorrah if you want one--in the Jewish tradition of Christmas spirit, I will even give it to ya!<P>CJ<P>------------------<BR>Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Christmas... the people across the street did a beautiful job decorating, so now the kids and I are trying to figure out something tasteful and interesting since we're definitely outclassed for this year. <P>I'm trying to figure out what I did with all the CDs of music, that will make things better, too. I bought this smelly stuff that makes the house smell like gingerbread baking. We've all decided we like a log going in the fireplace, too. <P>Lori<BR>

Y'all, my tree is gorgeous. Only 400 lights. And it is an artificial tree so it doesn't smell. And my children don't like it. I used gold curling ribbon for garland. It's holographic and really shimmers when the light hits it. But it has about 400 origami animals on it. And I folded all of them myself. Not a single store-bought ornament on it except the star on top and I'll replace that when I figure out what to use.<P>Want to hear something funny?For two years we had been invited to some friends house for a Hannukah party. Last year they didn't have it and we went into mourning. My daughter loves social studies. It's one of her academically "gifted" areas. (Seriously)<BR>Anyway, she would love it if we had a menorrah, too. But, other than light a candle each night, I wouldn't know what to do with one. Another weird thing, I don't remember seeing them go on sale after Hannukah. <P>Life is weird.

My lovely Princess,<P>As a representative of the Jewish community, may I offer you a menorah? If you seriously want one, I'll stick one in the mail to ya, because I have three people in my family and nine menorahs! We have some that are homemade, some that we received as gifts, and some that the kids liked and bought them! <P>I'd be happy to share one with ya. Email me, and it's yours!<P>CJ<P>------------------<BR>Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Yeah, I'm putting up the tree and going through the motions of it all just for my daughter. My STBX took all the decorations so there is nothing to remind of past Christmases. Everything is from scratch, as it should be. I'm trying to get into the Christmas spirit, listening to the music, thinking about the gifts, etc. etc. but so far.....Bah Humbug....oh well, life goes on right people? We'll make it through this one too, in hopes that someday they'll be better once again, but for some reason I think this Christmas will be the one that remains permanently etched in my memory. Gosh what a glum outlook eh? Later all. Jax<BR>

I've been through the first Christmas alone. It was tough. But there's the saying "Fake it till you make it". You can do this. How old is your d. She probably won't care whether you have expensive or cheap ornaments on the tree. And if you feel the need to bake cookies for her sake, she probably won't mind if they're the slice and bake kind. I have some easy recipes for cookies. Really easy ones! If you need any, let me know on this thread or e-mail me. See page 117 of the megathread.<P><BR>Also, I would like to send those of you who have been around awhile, an origami ornament for your tree. Or for your home if you don't have a tree. I will, however, need home or work addresses in order to mail them because they are not virtual ornaments. Sign up on this thread, I suppose. But then again.....<P>Oh, fooey, I am an honest upright princess and you can trust me. Be brave and take a chance. I was thinking about cranes - the Japanese symbol of peace. Pretty appropriate, huh?

Sigh. Sniffle, sniffle. Shuffle off with head down and lower lip quivering. <P>No one wants a crane.<P>Shuffle, shuffle. Sigh.<P>I made over 100 of them for my Christmas tree which will be in the newspaper on Saturday. I know how to do this.<P>Sigh, sigh, sigh.<BR><p>[This message has been edited by cinderella (edited December 05, 2000).]

Your majesty,<P>I am so sorry, but since I am a Jewish person, I do not have a Christmas tree. Is your origami suitable for display next to a menorah? Could I hang it from the ceiling by my dreidel decorations? Could we string them together? If they are suitable for decorating Jewish homes for the holidays, you can mark me down for a couple. <P>CJ<P>------------------<BR>Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Cinderella,<P>I musta missed this! Please send me a crane! Or if no one else wants one, you can send me 4! One for me and each of my sons! I email you my address. With all of the freaks and stalkers here (you know who you are! ) I don't know how smart it would be to post it! LOL LOL<P>Thanks!<BR>Mitzi

Don't cry Cinderelly.... <BR>I was out of town when you posted this, and I missed it. Now.....BLOW!! Much better <P>I'd love a crane... I'm with Mitz thought... I'll email you my address, but then again, the stalkers would have a hard time finding me in a PO Box! Unless they wanted to hang out at the post office all week for me to make my semi-weekly stop for mail! <P>

Dawnetta,<P>But then again, if we post our addresses, it might be a definate way to get some action! <P>Mitzi

What I had planned was for each person to e-mail me their mailing address. I had not planned on a posting for the world. In fact, they could go to your work address and then, since I am a depraved and psychotic serial-killer, I would only be able to find you when there are other people around to protect you. <P>So far I have CJ, Bonnet, Butterfly and Mitzi for a total of 7. <P>Yes, CG, the crane - which is Asian in origin is appropriate for any decor, I suppose. It is not a Christian symbol and I see nothing wrong with hanging a symbol of peace with your Hannukah decorations. As best I can remember there is no conflict between Hannukah and peace. You won't be offending me. And I doubt you would be offending anyone. And if you did, tell them your friend sent it as a gift of love and well wishes. That will get you off anyone's hook.

So, all you crane people......<P>I need your addresses. Email them to me at jane_elisem@altavista.com<BR>