tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post3238133607858060966..comments2023-10-22T05:06:12.331-07:00Comments on Elizabeth Bradley Fiction - Bits & Bytes: Jolly Me of YesteryearElizabeth Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03150221675618198674noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-72344416727705748892009-12-09T19:24:54.279-08:002009-12-09T19:24:54.279-08:00It'll happen when you're well and truly re...It'll happen when you're well and truly ready. I'm so sorry for your losses.Hilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787493532006658679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-9195512632103408652009-12-09T15:52:21.115-08:002009-12-09T15:52:21.115-08:00EB, I miss my father, too. He's been gone for ...EB, I miss my father, too. He's been gone for fifteen years, and I still have things that i want to tell him and no one else. But, I signed my book contract on his birthday, this year. It touched my heart. And I'll be passing that love along to my kids.<br />I hope you can hold your Dad's goodness close to you.jdsanchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04658357606303732115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-81913368579260718262009-12-09T05:36:01.906-08:002009-12-09T05:36:01.906-08:00I was so in touch with this, wrote about it last w...I was so in touch with this, wrote about it last week too. The consumerism seemed to flood me in recent years and left little spirit behind in its wake. Last Sunday I spontaneously grabbed the box of Christmas/winter stuff out of the basement and decorated the heck out of the house. It has definitely helped and I even started doing a little shopping this week. This weekend I'll turn on the tunes at a few holiday choral concerts and hopefully that will do it! Hope you find your holiday joy too!CSD Faux Finishinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05947691876538206892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-60980526815157376352009-12-07T22:27:28.597-08:002009-12-07T22:27:28.597-08:00I hope the Christmas Spirit embraces wholeheartedl...I hope the Christmas Spirit embraces wholeheartedly soon, but I understand how you must feel. Christmas is definitely harder for me now that I lost my Mom not too long ago, but I am grateful that I have my little boy to help really appreciate the spirit of the season. I am sorry for your losses Elizabeth and I hope that you do indeed have a wonderful holiday season.Mr. Shifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07061232966394052314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-91506351697383349452009-12-07T18:34:04.273-08:002009-12-07T18:34:04.273-08:00I pray you'll be comforted and that cherished ...I pray you'll be comforted and that cherished memories will light your Christmas.Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-74451963158975073012009-12-07T11:42:05.314-08:002009-12-07T11:42:05.314-08:00I can relate to your post! I have put out a few de...I can relate to your post! I have put out a few decorations (the rest of the decorations are in the attic) but since I came down with strep throat again last week I am way behind! Of course, as the temperatures are cooler and the Christmas lights about town brighten the streets I do find myself looking forward to the upcoming celebration of Christmas:).<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />KimThe Victorian Parlorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18390329658107649983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-63439417798689964712009-12-07T11:02:15.771-08:002009-12-07T11:02:15.771-08:00I find you can't force Christmas spirit, but y...I find you can't force Christmas spirit, but you can help it along.<br /><br />I spend a few hours volunteering at a food pantry. I know that sounds paradoxic, but it always puts me in a better frame of mind for any holiday.<br /><br />Maybe it's just the perspective it offers.Anne Spollenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915171740680350711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-69827323747388161112009-12-07T07:47:19.936-08:002009-12-07T07:47:19.936-08:00I am waiting on the Christmas spirit too. And we ...I am waiting on the Christmas spirit too. And we are still decorationless!Debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17480046958714954128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-21403928999007246252009-12-07T02:55:42.170-08:002009-12-07T02:55:42.170-08:00As you well know, you're preaching to the choi...As you well know, you're preaching to the choir. BUT check this out... instead of hauling the gigantic traditional artificial tree down from the attic this year, we bought a 10-foot pre-lit artificial PALM Christmas tree. Very kitschy. I even have a plastic pink flamingo and some starfish ornaments on the way. Sometimes ya just gotta go outside the box to find your Christmas mojo.<br /><br />So very sorry about your parents, Elizabeth. December will always be tough unless you celebrate the memory of your parents each year on December. Make the jolly month a tribute to all that was good and warm and sweet and memorable. Then go out there and do it up right, in their honor.<br /><br />PS: I separated from my first husband on November 1st, 1995 and the following year I was summarily dumped on that<b>same date</b> by a guy I thought might be a husband contender. Then I was blessed to meet Larry and when we got engaged in 1997, I chose November 1st as our wedding date to turn the bad memory/energy around. It worked! Now I look forward to every November 1st.<br /><br />Amazing post, btw. I thoroughly enjoyed it.Boozy Toothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10765083787738573580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-32486616124899132802009-12-06T20:59:43.207-08:002009-12-06T20:59:43.207-08:00I felt the same way! Then it snowed today, and we ...I felt the same way! Then it snowed today, and we put up the tree and hung the stockings, so now the tree looks bare without any gifts, and I have a fresh bottle of eggnog. I'm feeling a little more festive...<br /><br />So sorry about your Dad - of course it would be hard this Christmas.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178290697351352495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-37517561237255959182009-12-06T10:13:20.797-08:002009-12-06T10:13:20.797-08:00You are not alone. I find it hard to get started.You are not alone. I find it hard to get started.Rosaria Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133147851332084180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-11424889235585565412009-12-06T08:12:38.667-08:002009-12-06T08:12:38.667-08:00I love that cheerful picture! It's sweet.
All...I love that cheerful picture! It's sweet.<br /><br />All I've done is hang my Santa Claus on the front door. I'm done! As long as my job is delivering the mail, Christmas will never be my big favorite. I haven't been invited to the family bash in years--no LGBT people in THEIR family, tyvm. I do watch "It's A Wonderful Life" though.Fireblossomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07040525704916368792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-25746330840663765332009-12-06T07:03:17.462-08:002009-12-06T07:03:17.462-08:00I like your idea of watching White Christmas. The...I like your idea of watching White Christmas. There's something about that movie, definitely our fave Christmas movie here. I'm pretty sure we have all the dialogue memorized, and have been known to drop a phrase or two into our everyday talks ;)Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-9080984847578552322009-12-06T06:14:36.061-08:002009-12-06T06:14:36.061-08:00do what you like, the holiday spirit isn't in ...do what you like, the holiday spirit isn't in doing - it is in being. I'm happy to be a Buddhist this time of year. I get to cherry-pick my favourite things of the season and not obsess about the rest. (well mostly...sure I get all messed up too, but I am better at letting it go than I used to be). So watch White Christmas, have a nice warm drink or good cool one and really think about what things you want to do as opposed to have to do. And I'll join you!Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-39763081733796208082009-12-06T05:34:11.974-08:002009-12-06T05:34:11.974-08:00For a long time -holidays meant little to me - too...For a long time -holidays meant little to me - too many losses - I understand - be gentle with yourself. There are no shoulds, no musts - take gentle care. SarahNikki (Sarah)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13731200601840020130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-3874036583148996402009-12-05T22:50:07.640-08:002009-12-05T22:50:07.640-08:00I understand how you feel, Elizabeth. The holidays...I understand how you feel, Elizabeth. The holidays can be an overwhelming and stressful time, even in the best of years. Just relax and go at your own pace and definitely have an eggnog, laced with rum and nutmeg for me!Margueritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15846051579802335412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-17979783935626591682009-12-05T20:09:06.889-08:002009-12-05T20:09:06.889-08:00Elizabeth Bradley, I hear you.
And not all the mec...Elizabeth Bradley, I hear you.<br />And not all the mechanisms in the world can make it happen. It has to happen on its own.<br /><br />We got snow last week and it hasn't stopped. That has surely helped. but it is a creeping in on its own accord that finds me merrier this week, than last. I hope it finds you too.<br />xo<br />erinWoman in a Windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14747858840088922077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-51296698951194835362009-12-05T19:54:29.153-08:002009-12-05T19:54:29.153-08:00Holidays can be a really rough time for all of us....Holidays can be a really rough time for all of us. I think listening to your heart and just taking it slowly might be the way to go. I think Stacy is absolutely right...we don't have to be merry all the time! Hugs...<br /><br />ElizabethElizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-21324157603106770342009-12-05T18:30:22.744-08:002009-12-05T18:30:22.744-08:00Do what feels right for you at this time. If you d...Do what feels right for you at this time. If you don't feel like going all out, then do what you do feel like. We've got our tree up and decorated, but we're not putting up all the other decorations. I don't usually cook a lot for Christmas, other than the dinner, but I've been thinking maybe I should make some cookies or some snack mix to put in tins. We'll see.<br /><br />December feels different for you this year. Maybe you can find a way to honor your parents as part of your Christmas time.<br /><br />Helen<br /><a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Straight From Hel</a>Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-51612671173764192482009-12-05T18:21:04.893-08:002009-12-05T18:21:04.893-08:00Don't let the bombardment that starts before T...Don't let the bombardment that starts before Thanksgiving make you feel guilty. There are no requirements.<br /><br />I hope that makes sense.ellen abbotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-82284209429628996492009-12-05T18:08:38.783-08:002009-12-05T18:08:38.783-08:00{{{{{{{squeezes}}}}}}}}
:){{{{{{{squeezes}}}}}}}}<br /><br />:)Crystal Poseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09939745305440912406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-6647386133575421252009-12-05T17:35:22.052-08:002009-12-05T17:35:22.052-08:00Between yesterday and today, I shopped and shopped...Between yesterday and today, I shopped and shopped. Now I am dropped :)<br /><br />But... it helped me get into the spirit of things. All that music, a dusting of snow, pretty wrapping paper. <br /><br />Don't force it - the spirit will arrive when it's ready!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-17130040417731430712009-12-05T17:28:24.366-08:002009-12-05T17:28:24.366-08:00The Christmas spirit doesn't come to me until ...The Christmas spirit doesn't come to me until Christmas Eve. <br /><br />I hope you will consider a new tradition this year one that will not remind you of your folks. Maybe that will help.T. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-28686305182670786332009-12-05T16:56:41.481-08:002009-12-05T16:56:41.481-08:00Dearest Elizabeth,
Holidays are the hardest, aren&...Dearest Elizabeth,<br />Holidays are the hardest, aren't they, dear friend? I find it so difficult as well...we share so many common life experiences!! Your mother-in-law's care/my mom's care...your parents' deaths/ my parents'...Southern California... previous decorating businesses ...writing...I just know that if we lived near one another, we would be the best of friends!! Here's hoping that you give yourself plenty of grace this holiday season, and that the days are filled with only happy memories and love!! Love you much! Janine XOSniffles and Smileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10073156486641622612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981771317071817483.post-5888879669999311702009-12-05T16:31:13.156-08:002009-12-05T16:31:13.156-08:00Eish. I need to start listening to Christmas music...Eish. I need to start listening to Christmas music, I guess. I just started liking some of it last year. Time to use the "dusty" playlist when I write. :0)<br /><br />Christmas makes me remember too. Some of it not so good, but some of it is. I hold on to that.Kristen Torres-Torohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903038121623389560noreply@blogger.com