I come from a very large family, one of 17. Christmas has always been a big deal for my family. Yet, due to CRPS, I am unable to travel to be with my brothers and sisters either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day! So, I'm saving up all of my favorite Christmas movies and plan to use them to celebrate and have a great time, regardless of my CRPS pain levels. I plan to watch them beginning on Christmas Day. Oh, and I also plan on going off my strict diet on Christmas Eve and Christmas day too. Someone had best warn all of the Christmas Cookies that I can find, because they are gonners! And least I forget... I'm also going to continue to crank the classic Christmas music that I've been listening to too over those two days. So, How about you, how do you plan to overcome our common Monster, CRPS, over Christmas, in order to truly celebrate and enjoy yourself, regardless of the pain? I'd also be interested in hearing about how you spend your time with family and friends!

Merry Christmas Everyone

I pray that God knocks your socks off with the Blessing of the Christ Child, born in the Manger of Bethlehem, and abundantly provides for each of you in the New Year.

-Spike-

I still like to get together with family but gatherings are usually smaller and shorter. I spend most of my time sitting in one spot but its just nice to be around everyone. The rest of the day is just me, my boyfriend, and now my 13 month old daughter. We turn on the holiday music channels on cable or the Yule Log and just chill out and relax. we both work retail so just having the day off together is special.

Awww! Congratulations on having your little daughter. I bet you will make Christmas extra special for her this year. I'm like you, when around others. I lay low, but it is so nice to have them around, especially on Christmas. I hope you, your boy friend and your daughter have a great Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you as well! Do you really have 16 brothers and sisters? If so WOW. As for my Christmas plans, luckily this is our year at home. No travel!!! That makes for a pretty calm Christmas. Just my speed. We will have Christmas dinner with my parents. We have cut out a big Christmas Eve dinner which is usually at my house. Still not up to entertaining. My husband and 2 boys are leading up to Christmas watching the old 1960's specials (love those), some Christmas movies and lots of music. Hope your day goes well and you feast and watch movies in peace. Maybe you could call the family and have them pass you around the holiday celebration. Not as good as being there I know, but it might be a way for you to take part in some of the festivities. Happy Holidays~mac

Well, I am not entirely sure how this Christmas is going to go for me. This is the year that we are supposed to be with my side of the family at my parents house up north. We were planning on taking the trip in our van where I could lay down in the back to keep my leg elevated. Unfortunately the van broke down the other day, and we are now left with our classic pick-up to drive around in which only has a bench seat in it. I know I can't handle the 3 1/2 hour trip without a way to elevate my leg, so last night I had to call my mom, and tell her that we will not be making it up this year. It really broke my heart to have to do that. I haven't had the chance to make it up there in 6 years and was looking forward to seeing how there house is coming along.

On a brighter side though, my husband and I are celebrating our 6th anniversary on the 26th. Since we can't make it up to my parents for the holidays, we decided to have several of our friends over to celebrate the holidays as well as our anniversary. One of our friends happens to be a great chef, so she is planning on cooking us a wonderful meal. It won't quite make up for not being with my family, but having close friends around for the holidays is the next best thing and sure does come close.

I hope everyone has a very happy holidays!

Ugh, I know the feeling. While I was in the Ministry, I could never go home for Christmas because I preached at about 3 or 4 worship services over Christmas (sometimes more), and I'd be totally exhausted by the time that was over with. So, I never made it home ever to see everybody. Now that I have CRPS, I'm not able to go, because of my pain. And having so many in my family, it would really mess everything up to try to get everyone to come here for Christmas, so for their sake, I won't mess up the traditions that we have established for years in terms of whose house everyone goes to on Christmas eve and Christmas day. Like you, it's been years since I've been there with everyone. I'm thrilled that you have the great friends that you do that will get together with you to celebrate. Having the Chef will make it extra wonderful too. Happy Anniversary! Do you have your husband trained yet? *GRIN* And Merry Christmas to both you and him. I love Christmas, especially for the sake of family and friends. How wonderful that you also get to celebrate your wedding day all in one. What a great holiday celebration. What type of Chef is your friend?

I certainly know the situation of not being able to go home for the holidays while in the ministry. I have an uncle who is a priest down in Missouri. He's retired now, but his dedication to the church through the years has left him unable to come home to Michigan except on a rare occasion.

Thank you for the Happy Anniversary. Is my husband trained? What is there to train? We get along wonderfully, share nearly all the same interests, and do almost everything together. Sure we drive each other mad from time to time, but there is a strong connection between the two of us that we both usually know when to give in to each others wants and needs. I guess that means that we are both trained.

My friend that is a chef actually only went for her associates degree for self satisfaction. She mostly cooks solely for friends and family for gatherings. I never actually asked what she specialized in. All I know is that everything she makes is some of the best food I have ever tasted. She was originally supposed to be my Maid of Honor and cook at our wedding reception, but unfortunately she ended up in the hospital a couple of days before our wedding and left us scrambling to figure out what to do. The whole evening was kind of a disaster but we all just had fun and laughed every time something didn't go as planned. I think she feels so bad about that, to the point that she comes over every year around this time of year to cook for us. She enjoys doing it for us anyway.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

GRIN

Now that is the way a marriage is to work... You and your husband are an ideal model. Sweet!

Thanks for Sharing. My fav. Christmas Movie is Scrooge with Albert Finney. And oh, yes, you are so spot on about the 60's Christmas movies. I can't remember if Frosty is from the 50's or the 60's though. But, they sure did a great job of putting the spirit of Christmas into those shows. Another one of my favorites is the Grinch cartoon. I love that movie. I still laugh at that as if it were the first time I'd ever seen it. Classic, true classic! Merry Christmas to you!

Yes, I really am one of seventeen. Merry Christmas Mac!