I have to say, Christmas time is my favorite holiday! I always get caught up in the bright lights and festivities.
If it weren't for my husband, I would no longer be able to have a well lit and well decorated house. I use to do it all but for the last eight years, I haven't been able to and so my husband carries on the tradition.
He hangs icycle lights all around the house and we have a white fence that borders the driveway and he decorates it with lights. He also puts up our outside raindeer and Santa and sleigh. I have to say, it is quite beautiful when he gets done but he has to start right after Thanksgiving to get it all done. As for the inside of the house, I do most of it and the things I can't do, he will do for me.
The one thing that I am going to have to change and I don't know how to go about it is, with my failing health, I don't know if I am going to be able to do the whole Christmas dinner like I have done for so many years. No one has to bring anything as I do it all, right down to the desserts! I'm not sure how to approach the family that it's getting too hard to do it all now. I don't want them to be upset over it. Last year, by the time it was all over with on Christmas day, I was secretly wishing everyone would go home as I was so tired and in pain! I hated feeling that way.
Anyways, I found a sugar free pumpkin pie recipe:

1 (9 inch) pie shell
1 egg
6 packets of granulated artificial sweetener
1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup evaporated milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, sugar substitute, and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. Add pumpkin puree and milk to egg mixture and stir until smooth. Pour mixture into a pie shell. Place on baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until set in center.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Blessed Christmas!!

Linda

Thank You
 

Linda, thank you so much for the pie recipe. I will make this for them.

On TV the other day, they talked about the stress of the holidays. It need not be that way if we delegate. And, Linda you need to do this also.

I use to do it all. Super this and Super that. My heart attack put a halt to all of that. I no longer have the crowds here. If you do not have other family members to host the holiday cooking, then ask everyone to bring a dish. Another thing I use a lot of is STRONG festive throw away plates and cups.

Most everything goes into the trash can. My china and crytal are collecting dust now.:rolleyes: Don't care.

I have a daughter, a daughter in law and a niece that now take over hosting the large holiday gatherings. Your health and well being is No. One.

Thank You again for the recipe.

Blessings to you.

Lisa:)

Linda, I know what you're saying because I'm the same way- have always done it all myself- that is, since we stay down here for holidays now instead of going back home. My son is married now with a 3 yr. old son and naturally they want him to have Christmas in his own home instead of hauling him, gifts,etc. somewhere else. We did that the first few years with our son but that got old really quick. We now tell people that they're welcome to come to our house for Christmas because we're staying here to celebrate with the grandson. I have a DIL, but....let's just say that she offers to help but I "move" alot faster than she does and know what I want and need to do, so I just usually tell her not to worry about it. But....the older I get, and with my pain "issues" and my BAD feet, I realize I'll have to relinquish some of this stuff. My husband helps too if I ask him and has his "jobs":D but most of it I do myself. We already don't necessarily do things like my mother did when we were growing up. She and my gr'mother would cook enough food for an army- we'd have a turkey, a ham, all the "sides", relish trays, numerous desserts,etc. I do NOT do all of that- the last few years for Christmas and sometimes on Thanksgiving we don't even have a turkey- I've done steaks several times, fajitas last year.....We're usually all sick of turkey by Christmas. I agree with Lisa- we need to learn to delegate and give food "assignments":D to the relatives! It sounds like you have a great husband who is willing to help and I'm sure he's aware that doing all this is hard on you so enlist his help in persuading others to take over some of the work. At the end of the day, after cooking, doing the dishes, cleaning up,etc. my feet are always killing me so it's become a matter of just not being able to do it all anymore. Just tell your family that things are going to have to change a little and that you need some help because of your health and surely they'll understand.

Red_____, does your Mom need a 'reacher', sometimes called a 'grabber'. My Mom got some elastic shoe laces when she had her knee replacement. They also gave her a long shoe horn. You just tie your shoes once, take them off without untying them and them put them back on without tying them.

Last year my 25 year old daughter said it was time for the young kids, meaning her generation, to step up and handle the meals. They sometimes ask us for advice, the meals may not taste exactly how we would have made them. But they have to learn. And I love her all the more for offering. My nephew, of her generation, says after diner it's time for all the guys to clean the kitchen. We use real pretty paper plates, have plenty of disposable storage containers available and cleaning is a breeze. We usually stay at the same house all day long so you just bring out leftovers for supper. Turkey or ham sandwiches taste wonderful.

Great ideas, doydie- I think the "grabber" sounds like something she could use. Also, good for the young people for stepping in! Yes, they need to learn. I only have a son, and he'll help if I ask him, but I'm just used to doing it myself....I love my DIL, don't get me wrong, but she was raised "differently" than my son was and isn't used to a family that actually cooks on holidays. My husband is great but his idea of cleaning the kitchen and mine are 2 different things...:eek: We've started going the paper plate (heavy Chinet) route too. Of course, paper plates weren't used at holiday dinners when I was growing up but times change, people are busy and overworked, or unable to do alot of dishes at one time, so I say, "why not"?! I'd rather spend as much of my time as possible enjoying the day and my family and that's more important than what we eat off of. We also stay here all day- son, DIL, and gr'son usually go to her grandmother's later in the day but by then, I'm like Boopers- kinda ready for some peace and quiet!

Hey, I think we have a recipe thread going in Survivors of Suicide. Maybe people could add to it, or go check it out for some recipes. We have some master cooks in there! :)

Thank you Lisa and Redjpwranglergirl,

Yes, I have a great husband that does all he can to help. Otherwise, my Christmas wouldn't be much.
I have two sons and DIL'S and three grandchildren, 2,3, and 4 years old. They make life worth living. My DIL'S are great, don't get me wrong, but have never brought in one thing for dinner or helped with cooking. The gather in the kitchen and watch Mom run around, which isn't easy, as I also had a heart attack two years ago at Thanksgiving, I have congestive heart failure that has really kicked in, I have 7 herniated discs in my neck and back and I could go on and on, so the family knows of all my health problems.
I wouldn't think I would have to ask for help but the one daughter-in-law likes to visit and take pictures and the other one didn't grow up with celebrating holidays, so guess they just don't think about it. I have the grandkids running in and asking me for this and that and even though I love them dearly, my mind is going a million miles a minute!!
I thank you for the idea of the heavy paper products. I will do this for the holidays and that should help alot.
It was a tough summer as I had shoulder surgery, blood clot in my lung, pleurisy, broken foot and now have to be on oxygen, I have COPD. I know I'm no spring chicken but at 52 years old, I never thought I would be in this bad of health.

Anyways, thank you for all the suggestions and I hope all of you have a very blessed Holiday Season!!

Love,
Linda :)

Oh my gosh, Linda....I'm so sorry to hear about all your health problems...You REALLY do need and deserve some help during the holidays. I think you need to put your foot down so to speak- maybe just come out and tell them that Mom just cannot do everything anymore. Would it go over better if your husband asked/told them that they're going to have to do more because you just aren't able any more? I love my DIL too but she doesn't bring anything either....I guess she probably would if I asked her, as she would probably help more if I asked her, but you know, it aggravates me because you would think people would know to help without being asked :( . My son and DIL also seem to think that they don't have to watch the gr'son as much when they're down here- that we will....Our gr'son is the love of our lives but I can't watch him at the same time I'm trying to cook- that really aggravates me. He's 3 yrs. old and very "busy" so there's no telling what he'll be up to at any given time....I'll go in the living room and find them watching TV or asleep!:mad: I don't know how you've done what you've done so far with herniated disks in your neck and being on oxygen....I think it's time you hung up your apron or turned it over to the DIL's!:D

Linda, You sound like me...before. :p My Daughter and DIL would sit and visit and catch up with the latest happenings. (both school teachers) Son and SIL would visit with Dad on the patio or in front on a TV set watching any kind of a sport. And three grandchildren would be running around and asking me for this and that. I would be soo exhausted that I would not eat...I just picked at my food and then died in the bed when they left. Been there.
But they would always clean up but not everything the way I liked it. Now, I delegate before and after for our small gatherings. Big gatherings, (always elsewhere now) I bring a dish and a dessert and do not lift a finger at their homes. I have paid my dues to society and then some. :o

Sorry to hear about the MI and the COPD. I have asthma. There is suppose to be a brand new inhaler out for smokers and former smokers that is for 24 hours. I saw this advertised on TV today. Forgot the name of it but I believe it begins with an S. You may want to ask your doctor about this and see if it helps with the COPD.

52 years is Young...we are about the same age. Some days I feel 80 and look 100. :rolleyes:

I did get a permanent handicap car tag and this has really helped. Get one if you don't have one.

Take a 2 hour nap in the afternoons. Listen to soft music.

Be good to yourself. I am. I carry a big stick now. ;)

Gosh they might be just waiting for you to ask for help??

At least ask them to help with something - maybe to peel potatoes, stir things, set the table, and they can help do the dishes when it's over.

The younger kids can even help to "rid" the table as my grandmas' used to say.

my brothers have gotten up and loaded the dishwasher a few times this last couple of holidays. After mom and us girls did the cooking.