<BR>Hi Everyone -<P>I thought it would be a good idea to link an old thread from last year's "pre-holiday" postings...<P>The Holidays can tend to bring about added emotions to our already overwhelmed states of mind......perhaps this can help to focus a bit better. <P>Hope so.....and remember that we will all make it through this turmoil - hopefully, much better with ourselves for the journey.<P>Enjoy the link and just disregard the personal references of that time......soak in the message part!!!<BR> <A HREF="http://www.marriagebuilders.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/009881.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.marriagebuilders.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/009881.html</A> <P><BR>Love and Peace to you and yours.<P>BIG HUGS,<P>Sheba

loved your post. <P>That is pretty much what we did last yr. There were some tense moments thanks to WS being stupid about OW but the kids had fun. Thought we were doing the same this yr but now WS doesn't want to go anywhere (in Sing everyone leaves the island for part or all of the Christmas holidays) as all we do is fight. Not us, our children bicker, then we fuss at them. Oh well, he can only ruin it for himself. <P>Have a great next 6 wks. I am all ready for:<P> WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAMS, RIGHT THIS VERY MINUET, WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS NOW!

I thought I had put this out here....<P>Guess the old memory is starting to work again!!!<P>Thanks Sing......and keep "singing" - we could all use some of that SPIRIT for ourselves!!!<P>Up for more cheer!!!!<P>BIG HUGS,<P>Sheba

::blink, blink:: Sheba, do my eyes decieve me ? Is it really you ? ::blink, blink::<P>: inch:: It is you ! <P>Things are looking like things here . I will be doing the tree and gift thing this weekend, alone as Mike has been drafted to work six days days this week , same thing for last week.<P>I am thinking of making mini loaves of bread as gifts this year. Apple Walnut, Pumpkin, Bishops Bread (a chocolate bread with cherries and currents) , and Banana Nut bread, maybe some coconut bread. What do you think ? I think a loaf of each flavor in a basket would make nice gifts .<P>Thank heavens for the internet and recipe sites !<P>Anybody have tree decorating ideas ? I haven't put one up for the last two Christmas seasons . I am thinking while lights with red velvet bows (unbreakable, the knight in shining armor brought home a kitten who love to knock things to the floor. Blasted Cat. That's not really what I call him but the first letter is the same .)<BR>and maybe some wide wire ribbon instead of garland. An adult tree. <P>I have agreed since we will be getting a small tree 3 to 4 feet, to live with only 4 or 5 hundred lights on it this year. I am a good girl :P<P>Happy Holidays everyone.<P> <P>------------------<BR>Deb<P>Hepatitis C, Please educate yourself ! <A HREF="http://www.hepatitis-central.com/<P>In" TARGET=_blank>http://www.hepatitis-central.com/<P>In</A> memory of a very dear friend <A HREF="http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/wally.adp" TARGET=_blank>http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/wally.adp</A>

Deb,<P>I think a basket with that wonderful selection of mini-loaves sounds heavenly. Get baking.<P>

Hi my good friend, Sheba!

Hey Deb.......Hey FHL!!!!!<P>How are two of my favorite people doing?<BR>All is going well.....I hope?<P>Miss you gals!!!!<P>Deb - the breads sound wonderful.....I could SMELL 'em as I was reading - YUMMY!!!!!<P>"Blasted Cat" eh? What's it's REAL name......no....not the other word with "B"......!!! How old..about? How wonderful that he has a place to call home for Christmas. Knight or no - you two are so caring and loving. God Bless You Both.<P>An Adult Tree......sounds nice - the way you picture decorating it. Should hold up well with B-Cat around. Make sure to anchor it!!!!<P>You sound like me with the lights. I LOVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!!! Since I was little....it's always me saying "more lights Daddy......More Lights H....<BR>And them saying - if you want more - do it yourself!!!! And I would!!! LOL!!! <P>I use my little Bag-A-Tree now....<P>It's a 3 footer and has about 250 lights on it!!! It's great....I leave it decorated and throw a big garbage bag over it to store.....<P>Takes me about 15 minutes to get decorated for XMas around here now.....<BR>Pull off the bag...throw a couple of things on the front and back doors...wrap some garland and lights around the mantle....a few collectibles here...a few candles there....hang the cards and presto - Christmas!!! <P>Now if only I had a receiver...I could hook up the CD player that my brother gave me to play my Christmas music on. Course I would have to buy CD's.....<P>Oh well.....the cassette player works just as well - and I already have cassettes!!!! <P>So FHL..... How are you? I am sorry that I haven't been around much....I do check in occassionally but very rarely have the time or concentration to post to many. I have been adjusting to a "just Sheba" lifestyle......<P>It's kinda fun!!!! When I get the house changed to express "me" more....it will help alot. Like most anything, it takes time and money!!! I've got the time so am working on the money part!!!<P>I should post an update....I'm sure I will soon. When I see or talk to H - it is great....communication-wise, respect-wise, emotion-wise. No expectations or pretenses....it feels good. <P>What's really good for me, is that I have reached the point where I really don't think about him except when there's contact.....and even then it is to just enjoy that particular moment. His family talks about him to me more than I ever did to them....they ask ME what is going on with him.....They are mad at him cuz he didn't come to B-days, etc.....he didn't return a couple of their calls either.....I told them not to tell me cuz I am learning not to try to defend or protect him or his relationships with them anymore. Very important step for me and I am doing very well with it!!!! YAY!!! I know I am, cuz they go and tell me anyway - so I am definitely getting practice!!!<P>That's about it on my part....XMas parties to go to, shopping to try to come up with money for and then battling crowds,etc. I do love wrapping day though....I make a whole day of it with music and singing while wrapping - my brother and SIL come over with the kids stuff and we do that too....it's fun and this way the kids don't see anything!!!<P>How about you....done shopping, decorating, etc.? <P>What special things do you all do? How you celebrate the Holidays? <P>I'm so happy to hear from you both....<P>BIG HUGS and much Holiday LOVE to you and yours,<P>Sheba<P>