Christman blues............Pain and decision making

As Christmas is not long away, I feel compelled to express my feeling about the whole thing. I fear as many would say, Christmas season has lost its real meaning and value as years go by. This very special period has been turned into yet another money making scheme, peer pressure amongst individuals and a time to simply overindulge, overspend, and peer pressure especially amongst youngsters. It's no longer considered a family time but a time for comparing presents and spending, funny though... I always feel like Christmas always ends on the Christmas morning after everyone opens their pressents...... and then the spirit of Christmas simply dies out. Then comes either happiness or resentments.
One never knows exactly what to do that is right or wrong, rarely most people get what they wished or expected. This in itself is a very stressing time for husbands, wives, siblings and of course parents especially......, and as if that was not enough, lenders are taking this season to both pressurising people into taking out more loans, and for those who are already owing...., they have being systematically intimidated or taunted to the point of personally and mentally breaking down.

Just today I bumped into a friend of mine who did not know what to do about the handling of the Xmass celebrations ... or not!!! and she was besides herself... to say the least...... on one hand she owes money which is due before X-mass, on the other she has to buy presents for family members whose birthdays lands on the X-mass season , to make matter's worse.... it seems all her utility bills have arrived at almost the same time... (in red!!!!!!), in which case she has to make the most difficult decision.... she most definitely needs gas, water and electricity, that's for sure,.... she also needs food for the family.... (definitely).... and the loan company wants their money before the 23/12/09!!!!!!!! or she faces bailiffs at the door...possibly on X-mass day... and of course "court action" to top it all.... Santa better come with something!!!!! or the family will be hitting the roof!!!! (especially the youngsters.) So my dear friends, tell me what advise I should have given to this friend of mine???? I stood there in a confused state, because the more I tried to analyse her situation the harder it was for me to give a definitive response. I was not sure nor did I know what exactly I could say to her that would be right or wrong, I did not want to risk the so and so advised me so.......situation.... So, This is for everyone out there, if you have any thoughts on the idea please feel free to leave some comments, for I am sure there is more than one individual out there facing this kind of situation may be similar or less, especially during this financial climate. WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY HOLIDAYS ENJOY YOUR TIME TOGETHER AS FRIENDS OR FAMILIES OR EVEN COMMUNITIES, AND WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO, PLEASE DO MAKE SURE YOU DO
NOT GO BEYOND YOUR MEANS....... IT CATCHES UP WITH YOU EVENTUALLY.... STAY BLESSED AND MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD GUIDE AND WATCH OVER YOU ALL...

Close to your heart.

Today I went to see my hairdresser, as usual hairdressers are like the substitute of the the therapist, once in the hairdresser's chair is like something compelled you to speak and pour your heart out, and of course you get to hear a lot more from every tom dick and harry that is there. The two or so hours I spent there got me thinking. Funnily enough there was a programme about marital bliss and the question about the vow that is recited on the wedding day..... funny aha aha, I really did enjoy the programme, because the debate was really good.... it included a so called happily married man for 21 years, who twitched throughout the programme and looked like a soaked lamb, but I really did enjoy his views and testimonies, be it false or well orchestrated, he did a good job being the only man amongst four ladies in the studio, and of course in front of the cameras, I found his views convincing at times, but was not sure whether they came from the heart or they were for the benefit of the camera, there was also a radio presenter who is happily single and in her early 5OS, who made it clear that she was not against marriages, especially honestly happy ones, but she clealy stated that she does not support marriages that put up the front for the sake of the social class and suffer in silence, but would whole support a marriage that is honest, compatible and loving, a spinster who has been married twice happily single and has now decided she just need a companion to see her through her old age if needed, and was candid about her past experiences with men and was happy to discuss her feelings about false pretence in the relationships and indeed marriages, and of course the presenter of the programme who has never been married who voiced her opinions on the issue as well as she could. The topic of the programme was the recital of the marriage vows......( for better or worse, til death do us part.....) should they be universal or should people be allowed to make up their own vows???? also do people really know what they are committing to when they say I DO?????? Do they really understand the gravity of the statement in question? Do people get and stay married for the sake of "social class, approval? or simply because is customary??? I tell you it was interesting I only wished I could have recorded it. But I felt compelled to share this with everyone that would feel obliged to look at my blog. And would really appreciate if someone would comment on this and give their views on this matter. I wish everyone a happy holidays and please do comment and express your views on the issue. Bless you all, With Love
LUCIA

Christman blues............

It's already the 3rd of the December, funny I thought just yesterday was summer, my little girl is now virtually a teenager..... a little worrying for me, I am honestly not looking forward to that.... Not that I do not want her to grow up, but I am a little worried about everything that is going on in the world... I just wish I could put my little baby in the coccoon and protect her from all the madness of the world, my son is now at University and by all standards a grown man, but I still can not get their childhood images off my head. The older they get the more they become more distant, unpredictable and quiet frankly the more expensive they become.... one can no longer buy just any barbie doll or an action man figure, everything they wish to have is not less than £70.00, now does every parent feel that X-mass is now becoming more commercial than a festive season??????????? I do wish to have a fantastic festive session, but I do feel that I might not be able to meet the standards that our today's children demand. I can just about remember when we use to share clothes and toys between siblings, but that is no longer the case. If I go and buy anything on the cheap thinking it would do the job, it ends up on the bottom of the wardrobe, and probably never be used, so in essense I have just wasted my money...., times are changing rapidly, and I am afraid is not for the best of everyone, even for the well off and people with old money...., but everyone is indeed feeling the pinch. One thing for sure is I do intend to have a fantastic X-mass, because December is one month that I can not easily forget, my first child was born in it........... to make it even more significant to myself is that it was on the night before NEW YEAR'S EVE...... now how do you forget that???? I just wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry X-mass, just in case I get so caught up on all this X-mass mayhem. Enjoy yourselves and Bless you all. PEACE TO THE WORLD.