Thinking of those who are alone - Page 4

bootsanne · ‎01-21-2011

@phoenixbrd My husband has been very ill the past month and when not in the hospital, I've been the primary caregiver. I haven't felt well either, stressed to the max, and naturally his 2 self-indulgent children are MIA. His daughter has spent approximately 30 minutes with him over the course of the month, she's leaving for Florida today, couldn't possibly miss out on any joy in her life, His son hasn't spoken to his father in over a year. We usually spend our holidays alone with each other, go to a casino or movie, but if he recovers, it will be a very long road. My 2 kitties give me comfort. I think the hardest thing about this time of year is that TV portrays everyones lives to be perfect, beautiful well lit homes, with luxury cars with bows waiting for them outside. These boards have been a blessing for those of us who are either alone or just feel that way.

Happiness Is Inside JOB · ‎06-14-2016

@bootsanne wrote:
@phoenixbrd My husband has been very ill the past month and when not in the hospital, I've been the primary caregiver. I haven't felt well either, stressed to the max, and naturally his 2 self-indulgent children are MIA. His daughter has spent approximately 30 minutes with him over the course of the month, she's leaving for Florida today, couldn't possibly miss out on any joy in her life, His son hasn't spoken to his father in over a year. We usually spend our holidays alone with each other, go to a casino or movie, but if he recovers, it will be a very long road. My 2 kitties give me comfort. I think the hardest thing about this time of year is that TV portrays everyones lives to be perfect, beautiful well lit homes, with luxury cars with bows waiting for them outside. These boards have been a blessing for those of us who are either alone or just feel that way.

Bootsanne

I'm sending you positive vibes. My kitty is a comfort for me also, when I am home alone it seems like you really are not alone. I am glad that tomorrow is a Tuesday (as iin week day) because a lot of talk shows will be on, maury, paternity court and shows like that which help me. FOR ME, when I'm home alone on any holiday, watching family shows can make ME feel down, or like Im missing out or even depressed so I have learned "some" of my triggers and I try and AVOID those type of things so I can keep my spirits lifted.

Happiness is ALWAYS an inside job,
Don't assign anyone else that much POWER
in your life!!!

Desert Lily · ‎06-24-2011

After reading some of the responses, I've been trying to think of what I could say or do. Some are affected by family-type Christmas movies, while others find comfort in those or other types of movies. One kind poster wished she could have everyone over for dinner. So that made me think: there could be a virtual dinner together here. You could "bring" your favorite dish "to pass." Describe it and give the recipe. There could be some great new dishes to try making in the future. If you don't cook much, you could find some gourmet foods online (QVC has several food items.) Or, maybe there's a movie to watch that several could agree on and discuss it online. Or maybe just checking the boards occasionally and knowing poster friends are here. What are your thoughts?

newjersey · ‎03-09-2010

This was a very nice post and I thank the OP for it. I wll be on the forums sometime tomorrow. My 92 year old father is in the hospital. I will go see him tomorrow, then I'm coming home and will be alone but that's ok. My sister and her household will open their presents tomorrow then go to the hospital.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@Desert Lily wrote:
After reading some of the responses, I've been trying to think of what I could say or do. Some are affected by family-type Christmas movies, while others find comfort in those or other types of movies. One kind poster wished she could have everyone over for dinner. So that made me think: there could be a virtual dinner together here. You could "bring" your favorite dish "to pass." Describe it and give the recipe. There could be some great new dishes to try making in the future. If you don't cook much, you could find some gourmet foods online (QVC has several food items.) Or, maybe there's a movie to watch that several could agree on and discuss it online. Or maybe just checking the boards occasionally and knowing poster friends are here. What are your thoughts?

@Desert Lily......what a neat idea. Hope you are the one that starts it. Wonder if it should be a special thread. We want to know what your favorite dish will be......

Desert Lily · ‎06-24-2011

I thought I'd post this recipe for "Secret Kiss Cookies" aka "Cannon Ball Kisses" (if the baking powder is left out.) When I was a young Buyer in the 1980's, a lady I worked with gave me this recipe. I made them every year for various holidays without baking powder (as in the original recipe) for about 5 years. I finally realized that I was the only one trying to eat them because the cookie that surrounded the Hershey Kiss was as hard as a rock - which is why we started calling them "Cannon Ball Kisses." I finally asked my grandmother what I could do to fix them, and she told me to add baking powder - a great fix! If we were having a "virtual dinner" tonight, I'd bring these. So, here's the recipe. Depending on the holiday, I sometimes add food coloring to the dough.

"Secret Kiss Cookies"

Ingredients: 1 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 cups flour, 1 package Hershey Kisses, powdered sugar.

Beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt and add to the butter/sugar/vanilla mixture. Mix until blended. Chill the dough for 2-3 hours, until it's crumbly.

Use about 1 Tablespoon of chilled dough and wrap it around a Hershey Kiss so it forms into a ball with the Kiss in the center. Continue the same with the rest of the dough. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. (Ovens vary, so you may want to check yours.) Remove slightly cooled cookies and place on waxed paper.

When cookies have further cooled, roll them in powdered sugar.

phoenixbrd · ‎03-27-2010

@bootsanne I just read your post. I understand what you are feeling with the responsibility of being a caretaker. It can become an overwhelming burden. I was going to give you a list of suggestions, but my guess is you have already implemented the obvious. I do hope you take some time for rest and relaxation for yourself. I wish we could share a cup of tea, my mother's remedy for almost everything. This is a difficult time of year for many people, especially if we compare ourselves to unrealistic expectations. How beautiful that you are caring for your husband. I'll bet he appreciates your concerns, even though when people are in pain complements are infrequent. It is these times in life that test us and offer the opportunity to grow and learn more about ourselves. Some days are harder than others, our lives here are short and I remind myself daily how precious time is with our love ones even at their most challenging times. Sorry that family is MIA, that is their loss. Take very good care of yourself (I love scented Epsom baths when I need a treat) and honor yourself for all you are doing. Much respect to you, be as kind to yourself as you are to others. Much love.

Desert Lily · ‎06-24-2011

For dinner I would also bring a salad that my grandmother used to make. She left the red peel on the apples to help give the salad holiday color. The oranges kept the bananas and apples from turning brown.

Ingredients: iceberg lettuce (rinsed and torn or shredded), fresh baby spinach (rinsed and torn), a can of mandarin oranges (drained), 1 - 2 bananas (sliced into several circular pieces), 1 - 1 1/2 red delicious apples (diced), 2 tsp granulated sugar.

Drain/dry the lettuce and spinach. Mix ingredients together and chill.

doxie1 · ‎03-09-2010

Christmas time is still somewhat of a struggle for me. I am not totally alone because I have the delinquent doxies to entertain me and they do a great job. There are moments that I remember the house full of laughter. Loss of loved ones has changed things a bit, I still try to find things to laugh about. I have survived some major medical issues and that is reason to be very thankful.

I will definitely be around.

doxie

phoenixbrd · ‎03-27-2010

Join me in a yummy bowl of nice cream. I always keep bananas in the freezer so I have this treat on hand for special occasions. I put the frozen bananas in the blender or food processor. I add coconut milk, a handful of frozen cherries, cacao nibs (if desired), and about a tablespoon of cacao powder (last week I found an organic 2 lb bag at Costco, very reasonable). Be creative and sub whatever fruit you like or add a tablespoon of nut butter. You can't go wrong!