Rowan

Thanks for that story about the little kids - especially the part about the little boy jumping into his dad's arms after the song.
I love your stories and your graphics, Rae.

Elizabeth2007

HI ! I'm pretty new here but loving this site so much.

This holiday season is unlike any other I've ever had. I'm approaching 8 months sober and this will be my first sober Christmas.

The joy that I feel inside is unspeakable. The fact that I can truly appreciate my children opening their presents without a hangover, that I was able to get all my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving because I could think straight, the fact I can plan and 'deal' with my oldest's 12th birthday party this saturday with over 20 kids is because I AM SOBER AND HAPPY!

Sobriety is the best thing I've ever done for myself and the best gift I've ever given my children, my husband, my friends.

Merry Christmas to all ...

Its a wonderful life

Rella927

Rae thank you for this thread! It reminds me that 'tis' the season, as I needed this today with all the rushing and bustling going on ...this reminds me to slow down what I can! Beautiful!

Psssst Miss. K will give you $10.00 if you can guess who wrote 'Twas the night before Christmas' (No cheating)(He actually is my Great Great Uncle) how about that for some Chirstmas Cheer! Wooo Hooo


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Jersey Nonny

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The poem Twas the night before Christmas has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus. Prior to the creation of the story of Twas the night before Christmas St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers! The author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas was a reticent man and it is believed that a family friend, Miss H. Butler, sent a copy of the poem to the New York Sentinel who published the poem. The condition of publication was that the author of Twas the night before Christmas was to remain anonymous. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry. Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family and his father Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a Worldwide institution.

OK...I cheated...but, I did already know...I just couldn't think of it right away.

So, we have a "celebrity" (sort of) in the house!?! Pleased to meetcha!!!

parentrecovers

well, that's cool.

Rella927

Miss. K

Why thank you Rae!

It is amazing my uncle just sent me a copy of the "Family Tree" and Moore is all over the tree! Also happens to be my middle name

And yes "Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family" that would be my family and we are blessed!

Jersey Nonny

With little tin horns and little toy drums...rootie-toot-toots and rummy-tum-tums...Santa Claus is coming to town!

Well, I think tomorrow officially starts the 12 Days of Christmas...I have so much to do in the next week. Right now, I'm hurrying off to listen to the local middle school chorus! Catch you later.

Impurrfect

Hi Jersey -

Thanks to you, I went down "memory lane" last night and tried to think of my best christmas when I was growing up. Guess what? I was lucky - they were ALL great. Even the year that my dad lost his job, was diagnosed with colon cancer 2 months later and we had a zillion medical bills/no insurance and no $$. The church we went to...people chipped in and gave us $500 for Christmas. Of course, most went to necessities but we realized how much we had to be grateful for. I am going back to that church this Christmas eve (candlelight service) for the first time since my mom died 16 years ago and am really looking forward to it.

Ooops..I forgot. I did go one other time, my niece was about 2-1/2 and was so excited about the candles but got them confused with candy canes and had everyone laughing because she kept saying "we're gonna light candle canes". Then, when everything got really quiet....she blurts out "Amy, I gotta pee!"...oh, the joy of potty training!

Thanks again for this wonderful post!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

Jersey Nonny

We always did things "last minute"...even after the kids no longer believed in Santa Claus...maybe it was the active alcoholism that got in the way. However, we managed to get things done, in a helter-skelter fashion. Because the boys were only a year apart, it was always two of everything for their Dad to put together each Christmas Eve...two rocking horses, two tricycles, two bikes, two skooters, etc., etc. etc. I'm pretty sure he and I drank our way through all the assembling and gift wrapping, getting to bed just before the kids got up and tore things apart!

One year, we hadn't even done the Christmas shopping yet the night of my company party. I can still remember the lovely skin-tight little black dress I wore...I looked hot! We had a great time, as usual...not wanting to leave until the last minute. My husband was working at a large department store, which was opened until midnight...so, that's where we went to shop. We knew how many people, and how many gifts we needed to buy...but, we weren't paying too much attention to what we were taking off the shelves and putting in the shopping carts. Of course, Christmas Eve we had to sort everything out and decide who got what. I'm sure there were more than a couple of surprises Christmas morning!

Jersey Nonny

He's making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice...Santa Claus is coming to town!

How about you? Have you been naughty or nice?

parentrecovers

um. well....

Krissy41

A little naughty but always nice about it

scaredykat

I've been a little of both. Just not so naughty like i use to be.

Jersey Nonny

There was a little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good...but, when she was bad, she was horrid. (She got verrrrry, verrrrry good, the closer it got to Christmas!)

parentrecovers

Jersey Nonny

The devil's little angel, eh!?!

parentrecovers

Jersey Nonny

He sees you when you're sleeping...he knows when you're awake...he knows if you've been bad or good...so, be good, for goodness sake!

If Santa knows all of that, then he knows I'm not getting much sleep these days!!! My new roommate goes to sleep between 7:30 and 8:30, is up at 1:30 and 3:30 to get coffee, go to the vending machines, hit the bathroom...then, up at 5:30 for the day. Breakfast comes at 7:30...so, you figure it out. I guess she can't help banging the drawers and doors; but, she also has a toilet paper and paper towel fettish...stopped up the bowl, and we had a flooded bathroom yesterday.

I'm trying to be good, Santa...but, I'm not feeling it, I'm so sleep deprived. Going to have to talk to the social worker on Monday to see if this situation can't be resolved somehow.

OK...must remind myself...'Tis the season to be jolly!!!

Alive

i just hope you get some nice, Christmas sleep

you deserve it...i am about to hit the bed too...

love ya Jersey...

Jersey Nonny

Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane! He traded the reindeer for a snowmobile...let's hope it doesn't rain!

I actually got about six hours uninterrupted sleep last night...have to make up today for all the time lost yesterday...lots of little Christmas things to do. Have a good Sunday (or Monday, depending on your time zone)...catch up with you later!