O/T - sorry for not being around much.

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I am so sorry I have not been able to keep up with you gals and guys

with the message board and I have not been able to do Christmas

cards. I have just been so overwhelmed with my RA and trying to

make a wonderful Christmas for three children at home that I just

don't have enough energy or time left in the day to complete even a

simple amount of tasks. I feel just awful letting you all down and

not being there for you, but please know you are all in my heart and

prayers, and hopefully after things quiet down after the New Year, I

can pick up a little at least with reading your posts. Of course if

you need to tell me something specifically, you all have my email so

feel free to email me otherwise I am not sure if I will get to read

what you commented. This is only my second Christmas since being

diagnosed and last year I had Christmas shopped early thank

goodness. Does anyone with several kids at home have any ideas on

how to better pace yourself or where to take shortcuts so that I

don't get so worn out? Any advice would be appreciated. I know

some of you have been through this already so you have the wisdom

that I am searching for!

Again, I am sorry if I have disappointed all of you. I do think

about you every day. Have a wonderful holiday season.

Tracie in Maine

[Guest guest]

Hello there! Sorry it has taken me so long to

respond, the network here went down and then my modem

was disabled awhile b4 I finally figured out what was

going on. Anyhow, I'm sorry that you are so fatigued.

It seems like about everyone is in a flare lately. I

think it is so wonderful of you to be putting all your

effort towards your children! I hope that your

Christmas is wonderful and truly and special time to

remember! I think everyone will understand and does

understand! As for the pacing yourself with the

little ones, gosh I think you probably know your

limitations more than anyone and I was fortunate (if

ya can call it that) to come down with all this after

the kids were grown and gone. I can't imagine going

through this and being able to keep up with them then.

Bless your heart! I hope that things calm down for

you and I look forward to your posts in the near

future! Take care and God Bless! Merry Christmas and

may the Lord truly bless you! Kim

--- tracierae143 <tracierae143@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I am so sorry I have not been able to keep up with

> you gals and guys

> with the message board and I have not been able to

> do Christmas

> cards. I have just been so overwhelmed with my RA

> and trying to

> make a wonderful Christmas for three children at

> home that I just

> don't have enough energy or time left in the day to

> complete even a

> simple amount of tasks. I feel just awful letting

> you all down and

> not being there for you, but please know you are all

> in my heart and

> prayers, and hopefully after things quiet down after

> the New Year, I

> can pick up a little at least with reading your

> posts. Of course if

> you need to tell me something specifically, you all

> have my email so

> feel free to email me otherwise I am not sure if I

> will get to read

> what you commented. This is only my second

> Christmas since being

> diagnosed and last year I had Christmas shopped

> early thank

> goodness. Does anyone with several kids at home

> have any ideas on

> how to better pace yourself or where to take

> shortcuts so that I

> don't get so worn out? Any advice would be

> appreciated. I know

> some of you have been through this already so you

> have the wisdom

> that I am searching for!

>

> Again, I am sorry if I have disappointed all of you.

> I do think

> about you every day. Have a wonderful holiday

> season.

>

> Tracie in Maine

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Tracie:

I can empathize so much with what you are saying as it is so easy to get

overwhelmed with all the " to-do " lists. I am right there with ya, Sister!

I am learning to let go of perfection (what a joke!) and just do the best I

can. Here are some ideas: My daughter helps with wrapping (and gift bags are

great) and likes to bake. We cut out the piles of food that could feed an

army and just get what we need. No complicated cooking or cleanup and a

Honeybaked Ham is always a hit. We order gifts online. Gift cards are another

favorite and people can get more bang for their buck after Christmas. When in

doubt, candles make wonderful gifts for friends and eliminate the need to

walk around the store browsing for something else.

I give myself the gift of a daily nap which means I do Christmas stuff in

the mornings, when the crowds are fewer. I don't send as many Christmas cards,

but I do pick up the phone and check in with old friends I really miss.

This is so nice for both of is. Mostly, I am just really kind to myself and

treat myself like the best friend that I am to myself. :-)

Hope these thoughts help!

Love and Prayers,

Beth