[unaluna]

I AM!!!-------

Holiday? Did I sleep through summer and it's November already?

Originally Posted by hankster

I AM!!! I will be picking fights, on my high horse, smarmy, sarcastic, and impossible to live with for the next 8 days - and that will be my PLEASANT side! Can I apologize in advance? (it's a family issues thing.)

I am trying hard to keep the crankies away until atleast 2pm Sunday when I have dinner with my FOO... I'm trying hard to focus on the positives for now...

I also do not do well at this time of the year, but I'm trying to keep my mouth shut and be good.

I think hankster is talking about Easter or Passover. I've decided that I'm going to spend Easter with my Jewish mother in law.

I literally had no idea easter was coming up. It just wasn't on my radar. I am just happy about the longer days. The dark here in the Far North really gets me down.

[Chopin99]

I didn't even realize this weekend was Easter, either. I usually hear from my mom regarding plans by now, but I haven't heard from her. Honestly, just as well. I suppose I'll be happy to have a 3-day weekend (maybe 4-day if I can finagle Friday off).

[mcl6136]

I realized it. Yet another FOO time-travel opportunity (and I don't mean of the psychic variety).

Hankster you can pm me and we can be cranky together.

Reminds me of why I became a Wiccan.

[granite1]

Originally Posted by hankster

This is MY pattern - so much negativity associated with FOO, I used to completely freak out at work and not even realize it, just think I was being completely rational. I might have to disappear for the week.

please dont dissapear i promice i will love even crankey hank i would miss you

i do not plan on leaving my hous at all for any holidays christmas was enough for the next lifetime. and i have wednsday sessions so i for the first time wont miss T unless she is going away but i think she would have told me i hope

[taylor43]

I too am having a hard week with the holidays. Yes i am cranky too! It's ok no need to apologize. I am glad this site is here, vent away i might too!

[mcl6136]

I will vent...you said i could.

I'm single and most of the holidays are about family togetherness and Hallmark moments and well, I just don't fit.

sometimes, I'm glad I don't fit; othertimes I have a fit about not fitting, but in any case...it's another opportunity for outsider status.

Sometimes I think the therapy profession is in league with the Holiday machine to crank up the volume a couple times a year and make those-who-don't-fit rush to the ice cream counter/psych hospital/bar, you name it.

Other times, I'm fine and I sail along in my little Wiccan coccoon and it's cool. I can even appreciate my unique take on things.

But it takes work. And chocolate.

I realize this has very little to do with therapy. And to think: I've had several posts removed of late and I lived through that too.

Thanks for posting this Hankster- yes! I've been randomly bursting into tears for the last few days. Today has been one of those days where the world is too noisy and too bright and too itchy and nothing fits. You've helped to make sense of why.

I think I can just about bear the disappointment of my life (relationship breakdown, single, no prospects of that changing, financially dependent on my parents at 30, I could go on and on...) when the lives of everyone else around me are ticking along at 'day to day'. But the holidays throw up this huge contrast. All around me the people I know are going on holiday (me- no money but more importantly noone to go with), planning weddings, taking their babies to the park, gathering with their families for Easter- and I literally can't bear it. I have turned into a raging seething ball of envy and I literally don't recognise the horrible person I've become- completely unable to feel any joy for anyone else.

Of course the holidays also throw up comparisons with past holidays when I was with my partner/had a 'better life' (was it?)/more to look forward to.

And I'm crying again. Oh dear. And T's away- she gets a family, and a holiday... and so it starts again.

Originally Posted by mcl6136

Sometimes I think the therapy profession is in league with the Holiday machine to crank up the volume a couple times a year and make those-who-don't-fit rush to the ice cream counter/psych hospital/bar, you name it.

But then why do they all go away for the entire holiday three times a year or more? That's when we actually need them! Thank you for pointing out the alternatives though mcl - think I'll go straight for the ice cream counter. I could get a lot of ice cream with the £120 I won't be giving T this week!

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by hankster

This is MY pattern - so much negativity associated with FOO, I used to completely freak out at work and not even realize it, just think I was being completely rational. I might have to disappear for the week.

Wow! I had no awareness of easter coming up. How self-involved is that? Do you have to see the family, Hankster? What happened to your sabbatical? If you've got to see them, I recommend damage control. Keep it short. Take breaks. Remember their behavior actually has very little to do with you. Breathe deeply and always have an escape plan. Let 'em whirl.

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by hankster

. Aren't you glad I started a thread?!

Yes. Yea.

And thanks MKC - I was trying to figure out which holidays were at issue.

I live across the country from my family. Could you have friends over or start your own holiday ritual/gathering instead?

((((hankster))))

Luckily for me Easter isn't a big deal to my family, or even really celebrated where I live -- people just buy kids chocolate eggs. I may buy MYSELF a chocolate egg... Chocolate bars are cheaper, but is it my imagination or does it taste better egg shaped?

But now I'm wondering if my T will be taking any time off... my appointments are Wednesdays so I'm hoping to be unaffected, I don't know if I can deal with a break right now... Professionals don't always treat easter as holidays though do they? I once had a driving lesson on Good Friday...

[tkdgirl]

Thankfully Easter has been postponed in our family due to there being something wrong with my mom's teeth. In a couple of weeks I'm sure the holiday will be forgotten. Holidays in our family usually end up with food being thrown (were all adults), excessive drinking and lots of yelling. Nothing I can't do without.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Didn't even realize Easter was coming up until my Mom mentioned it today. Any holiday that involves spending time with family and eating big meals is difficult for me. Fortunately, I think my parents are going out of town, so I'll be on my own! Honestly, Christian holidays do not really fit in to my spiritual beliefs, but the rest of my family is Christian, and me holding drastically different beliefs would not be accepted. So, twice a year (Easter and Christmas), I pretend to believe and suffer through it. Looks like I get a break for Easter.

it's always good to take out your frustrations by biting the A s s off a chocolate bunny. does the soul good.

see i crash on st pat's, & then again on mothers day..but am ok on easter..must be the stress relief of de-butting bunnies.

easter doesn't bother me...never was a big one in my house...this year i am loading up the van & heading off to a friends house where my 3 dogs, + 1 foster + 1 annoying dog i am watching will romp with her 3 dogs + another visiting one...ought to be just wonderful as we try to grill steaks. anyone want to run a pool on if the steaks actually make it to dinner????

[roads]

Hanky, how wonderful of you to provide us with a Cranky-about-Easter thread! Me next, please!

I decided I wasn't christian before high school but never told my family. It wouldn't have broken my mother's heart as much as it would have scared her, & I just couldn't see any sense in doing that if she never suspected that I wasn't a believer. She truly was.

But I managed to outlive my entire close family without having to break that news, & now make no pretense to anyone of celebrating any church events with FOO. I do know a 9 yr old young man I'm very fond of, & he'll ask me to attend something for him sometimes--which I do. We discuss belief because it's got him wondering a lot: his mom's a devout Catholic, his dad a "free-thought Buddhist" (don't ask me).

But I've got my own ideas--at last. So guess what? Now my friends, all of whom freak out every holiday because their families drive them nuts, want me to come to their family celebrations! Yeah!

Any suggestions how I can decline without telling them straight-out that--having outlived my own family--I want no part of their own personal cuckoos' nests?

Roadie

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by My kids are cool

I think hankster is talking about Easter or Passover. I've decided that I'm going to spend Easter with my Jewish mother in law.

And passover with your Christian one.

P.S. Oops! You don't normally get two mothers-in-law. My bad.

[Screenager]

Not really cranky, just... meh. I'll be by myself on Easter, but it's okay. I mean, it's not like it's Christmas. My parents are visiting my grandma and I could've come too, but I didn't feel like it.
Today a friend and I decided to spend Sunday together though. I'm looking forward to it and am glad I won't be alone that day.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by Roadie

Any suggestions how I can decline without telling them straight-out that--having outlived my own family--I want no part of their own personal cuckoos' nests? Roadie

Miss Manners says the only polite way to decline an invitation is to say you're sorry, but you already have other plans (i actually do know me SOME eddyket!)

[WikidPissah]

Just wondering if this should go in the religious forum since it's about a religious holiday.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by stopdog

And thanks MKC ... Could you have friends over or start your own holiday ritual/gathering instead?

That's a good point. There ought to be a Wiccan spring festival of some kind. When is the equinox?