Re: Re: Handling the holidays

[Guest guest]

Ho Ho Ho...can I borrow some of your make-up....Ho Ho Ho

Tracie, this is absolutely so true, the only thing you left out was my hypochondriac father who likes to outdo me in the illness stakes! I totally agree with the "you look great, what do you mean you're sick" comment, however I'm seeing the other side of that at the moment. The cellcept is not agreeing with me at all and my face has turned a terrible shade of grey, its amazing how NOW people seem to understand something might be wrong!!MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL,It's been a pleasure to have met you and I thank you for your help and support thus far.Rach

>> I suspect the board will be rather slow this week, as we come upon Christmas Day. I know all of us have some family obligations and some cooking and cleaning and shopping and ...> Not only is there all of the "above"-- we will have to pull our "reserves" to deal with the comments of "you look great, what do you mean you're sick"-- or that one generally overheard from the depths of the hallway-- "you know, I don't believe this for a minute-- heck she (he) still gets the kids to all their stuff-- and look, she's always been the drama queen." (not that I've ever experienced this unkindness myself-- wanna buy a bridge in

Arizona..)> Anyway, know that even if we make the best drama queens (kings) that it is ok to (I wanna say flip em off- ) sit down and talk with your significant other before the party begins--- and get them onboard with you. > You will need to pace yourself. Let them know if you get to overwhelmed, tired, that you will tell them you need to leave-- and ask them to honor your request. If that is not possible, tell your host/hostess- - that you may need to sneak off into a quiet corner and regroup. Then do it! > If you are the host/hostess -- let someone know that even though it's happening in your home-- that you may need to sneak off and regroup-- and leave them incharge. Then do it!> Really be aware of eating healthy-- go for the vege tray-- or for the Chex Mix-- and enjoy. Choose water or decaf tea instead of that second cocktail (please don't throw rocks-- I know, it's

family time) but you will feel better. > Delegate! Delegate! Delegate. > Did I say Delegate-- do it-- that family member that always wants to butt in and run the show-- let them!! Go take a nap-- or find your comfortable chair-- and let them do their thing. Sure, they'll decide that they are doing too much and the conversation above in the first paragraph-- well, it gives em something to talk about. > Most of all, make a simple dinner-- the salad mix in the bag is great-- those french rolls that can be shoved straight into the oven-- excellant! Potluck if you need to. Give the main dishes to the one who always wants to butt in and run the program-- it's good for their egos. > Delegate the baked goods, and the jello and you know the drill-- DELEGATE!> Do you need help wrapping gifts-- get the kids to wrap their siblings stuff-- then you can bug them with-- "You know,

this year we did something different-- each of the kids wrapped their own gift--that'll blow their minds and if they have been teasing the others about "knowing" what they got--at least there will be a moment of dead silence (the only one all day btw)and then you can tell them that you were kidding.."> You may want a camera handy to get the expressions on their faces-- especially since you had Mike wrap a nightgown Such fun! > Most of all-- take it easy. All of us "Type A's"-- will have to learn this, and it's important stuff. In fact, it's one of the most healing exercises we can do. To take care of ourself first will allow us time and the energy to get through the holiday and only need a few more months of therapy to recover. By the time we finish- we'll be onto Easter and we can look forward to another chapter in living with sarcoidosis.> > My sincere love to all, and I do envision

a Wonderful, Merry, Merry Christmas-- fill it with love and laughter and joy! > > Tracie> NS Co-owner/moderator>