Just a warm thank you to my Sistahs for shoring me up

The iPhone messages, the OH PM's, the emails and the phone calls, when I've not said much to anyone have been appreciated more than you know.

I suffer from seasonal depression every year at this time and it's been especially tough this year. So for those that just really knew it and those that didn't but wished me good things, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I finally got out of bed after two days this morning. Wasn't going to but Mike came over and said 'you're going'. Sans, makeup and a smile, I went. I had a really good time, my family didn't fight, my brother was actually nice, the kids liked what I got them, everyone was happy.

DIL liked her gift and why not???? A Coach purse. We gave Becky a 40" Sony Bravia flatscreen. We are hoping to have her moved by February or March. It's not going to be easy. That was mother's house and someone has lived in it since the 1960's. There will be tons of things to go through.

Mike and Jodie are still hot and heavy. He gave 'them' a cruise for Christmas. They'll go in March, I think.

Mike gave me some practice canvas's and a good stretched canvas and said I had to give it back to him for Christmas next year... finished. And he gave me a gift certificate to Hobby Lobby to get new brushes. I may need to take lessons again. I've not had my oils out in 15 years. Used to be pretty good. Even won some ribbons. Mike was my constant travel companion for years... until he got a girlfriend.. so I think I'll go back through our pictures and find one to paint for him. Makes me teary-eyed. Those were great times.

I snacked more than I would have liked to but in the final analysis, it's the first food I've had in two days. Now I'm home drinking water.. it's only 6 p.m. but about to take two Tylenol PM's and chill. Maybe I'll get some choice sleep tonight. Supposed to be 29 degrees.

It's a little belated but Merry Christmas.

Janet

Our Dear Janet, My I say that all the Joy you give each and everday, should come back to you ten-fold. 

You have a heart that welcomes all . Your smile is worth All of Texas. The Sistha  in you is what this world should call, Loving, Caring, Sharing, Being there for those that need a Touch of Texas . You are the Best.

Your Sis out west, Peg 

Aloha sweet friend from Texas........Oh my, I did NOT know that Christmas was a challenge for you. It is for so many people, and sometimes for me, too. I am so glad to hear that you got through it and even had fun!!

It is only 3:45 in the afternoon here in Hawaii, and soon I will be going to a pupu party with the neighbors. It has been a quiet Christmas with family everywhere but here. I talked to my little ones last night and they were for wound up with excitement for this morning that they could barely say "HI TUTU!" I have yet to hear from them today.

Tomorrow morning I will be at the hospital hearing screening the Christmas Day babies! That, to me, is a crazy wonderful thing to get to do. I wonder how it feels to have a baby on Christmas!

For the years that I've known you through OH, you have always tickled me with your unique "way" about you, and I never miss when you write anything. A big aloha hug coming across the ocean to you.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Janet, I didn't know you were suffering from seasonal depression. I am sorry. I have suffered a little from that. I hope it passes soon.
Nan

Monica and the traveling bra are happy you got up and out. Your support has been and is soooo important to me. I didn't know that you had this issue, guess I was OCDing too much to be aware. You is a wonderful women *****aches out and truly touches all of us. We are happy to carry you for awhile. You lift us up, let us do the lifting now, like the VS traveling bra does for me.

Hugs and love, Monica

Dear, dear Thelma

I told you everyone loves you and keeps thoughts of you close to their hearts.

I'm glad your day turned out well. 

Love you, ya know....

Louise

My dear Sistah, Janet!

I had no idea that you suffered so...you hide so much behind that brilliant, dazzling smile.  The Christmas season can be very difficult to many...reminising, life changes (I hate change) and all the hype and expectations that make us see "pie in the sky" instead of the "burnt toast" we sometimes get. To be fully, brutally frank, I am always glad when the "season" is over.  Too much commercialism makes many forget what is truly the "reason for the season" and some of us get crazy.

Thank goodness that Mike was your strength today..and he always will, dear lady...he loves you dearly.  I am pleased to hear that he is encouraging you to re-discover your joy in "lost" past-times. So,metimes it take great courage to face your demons..and today, you did..I am so proud of you!

Yes, I may not communicate often, my life is insane...but never think that I don't think of you often. *hugs* We have history, girl, how can I ever forget the laughs, the honesty and the fun we've shared!

So now...I will quote a wonderful woman I've come to love and respect: "Y'all get your big girl panties on and DEAL with it!"...time to take better care of YOU, girlfriend!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life...move forward with courage and joy...so much more life to live yet!   *hugs*

Nancy B   :  }

"Calories are those little *******s who sneak into our closets and make our clothes tighter!"

Janet,

I didn't know you were having troubles ... I know I get the blues around the holidays, especially being away from my family, and especially this year, being alone again and in a new place that I'm not happy in, and everything I've been through this year.

If I didn't have this board, I would've eaten myself into a stupor (at least grazed way too much). It's often the only place I can come and express myself. This past year has been hell, and you guys have been great. So Janet, you can always come here. We are here for you, depressed or not.

Love ya, Red.

Oh, and little Law and Order can cure most anything...:)

Today, I can go back to 'normal'. Whatever normal is.

Really don't like to share but guess I just wanted you to know if you 'suffered' from the Christmas blues, you weren't alone and it will get better and does with such outstanding friends. Any 'problems' I have or could have or miniscule in comparison to what so many others are faced with. Nothing I can't cure with a facelift, a tummy tuck, a slumber party, a good cruise, or a great telephone conversation with friends. I'm going to take these Starbucks cards I received for Christmas and put them on my gold card. It's getting more costly now that I've got THREE Starbucks in my life. Yes... one in the morning.... one after work close to the office that I go to sometimes... and my highly favored Highland Park Village Starbucks that sits next to Chanel, Ralph Lauren, William Sonoma, Jimmy Choo's, Hermes, etc. Love it. Chairs are cushy, plenty of newspapers, the real estate ain't bad, and I get the ride through the high rent district on the way home. Always insures that I've got the make-up on correctly and the clothes match before I can go...:) Who knows??

Told you I was going to sleep the night.. well.. heck.. no. Woke up thinking that these new fingernails had broken.. got up to see. Silly me. I'll drink some water and go back to bed and watch more Law and Order. There is no perfect crime, is there? They always seem to get caught. Guess it will keep me 'honest'.

Thanks for all your responses. I knew you were there. I think this board is the one constant in our lives. While our daily lives are so different from each other, we have one common thread that has solidified that we stay together.

Nothing like good ol' friends to make the 'spirit bright'.

Now, let's say together... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Janet

Dearest Sistah,

With you on the late Christmas tidings, and so glad that you found solace in knowing people care about you. . .  while I was somewhat busy the past few weeks (what else seems to be new), I can say without a doubt, you are an important part of this forum and the "Queen" of the Dallas Sistahs (lol), even if you did pass the baton to some New York (Jersey) jester more recently. . . 

Funny thing about love, while people profess to "love us", we cannot feel it and so it sometimes is hard to fathom why anyone would care, sadly what I continue to learn is self-love is what makes me capable of feeling that others might actually mean what they say to me, when they profess to care about me. . . 

Anyway, can't wait to see some of those canvases put to use and nice to know you have some talent to share with us.  Mine is definitely in the kitchen and then I like to write poetry, but not many people can really say they enjoy that art, so I mostly keep that stuff to myself, though when I've chosen to share it with friends I trust, I always get good responses. . .  wonder what other talents exist among us. . .

Among my gifts this year, were a bracelet, Pandora type, which my Ange bought me when I was in Florida, she had crystal and peace sign on it and then my DIL got me two charms that represent my grandchildren, Vaughn and Avery, a hippo, which represents Vaughn, who when he was a very little boy, under a year, we took to the acquarium and he just loved watching the hippos swim around and still sleeps with his stuffed hippo, and a charm with flowers and a dangling pearl, which happens to be Avery's (and my) birthstone, the fun of this bracelet is that I can add to it as time goes on. . .  also got a cute lunch purse and coach/este lauder make-up case/kit and some perfume, which is going back, since I don't like the smell of it (lol), then of course is the Kuerig Tony got me, a Santonio Holmes Jets jersey and the best gift of all, which is my health and one I must cherish by getting back to the business of eating the right things and doing what I know will keep me healthy long term. . .

Love you, Laureen