Erica,

Is there a way to ignore the "hoopla" and just enjoy the parts of the holiday you enjoy?

Years ago various brothers' and sisters' families were going through financial straights and we decided to stop exchanging gifts with them; prior to that, we did a pollyanna where we took turns buying for one another; maybe not a pollyanna as much as a rotation schedule. But now we avoid the gift giving.

And now that the nieces and nephews are largely grown up, don't buy for them either.

But do buy for parents and for the little kiddies (grand nieces and nephews) but just something small and nice vs expensive.

And then, just bake what I want to bake. Just give away what I want to give away. Just watch my christmas videos, listen to my christmas music, do the level of decorating I want to do, just enjoy the holiday season.

For sure, I stay out of the stores, the malls too close to christmas. Yesterday was officially my last day for sure. And during the week; weeknight, so no crowds.

and for sure, I stay clear of the local radio station that insists on the very bad christmas music, vs the nice old classics, jazz, blues, interesting stuff, even before T-day.

I can't handle "Hoopla" so I don't.

People adjust when they realize that we have made up our minds about something and that is the way its gonna be. So long as we do it matter of factly and not in a negative emotional way.


sue

Spondyloarthropathy, HLAB27 negative
Humira (still methylprednisone for flares, just not as often. Aleve if needed, rarely.)
LDN/zanaflex/flector patches over SI/ice
vits C, D. probiotics. hyaluronic acid. CoQ, Mg, Ca, K.
chiro
walk, bike
no dairy (casein sensitivity), limited eggs, limited yeast (bread)