Bravo. I'm so proud of you!

Do yo have any photos???

Sorry....do YOU have any photos? Not yo!

No photos :) YET!

When I was engaged to my Jewish fiance he used to complain about the one little 2 foot tall tree I would put up every year. Now my husband gets to help me put up a tree in EVERY room in my house!!

Good for you!!! Merry Christmas!

ps...I think I'd have included a "thank you" card to his new wife, for taking that load of crap off your hands. =)

You rock, girly!

Yo!! Word!! I'm dyin here with no pics....but I'll wait for one of Bob in the tree!!Happy to hear you found your Holliday groove...Me thinks mine is gone forever ( due to Retail 0ver- Employment during the Season) I'm just sayin is all. So glad to be witness to your everchanging mental health metamorphosis.CATS! WINE! TINSEL!MORE WINE! KNITTING AND CAT POOP WITH TINSEL ATTACHED!! Happy Holidays CAP!!!!

It's very big of you to let that turd have his stuff back. I may have done the same thing, perhaps.

Glad you will be celebrating Christmas this year. I think everyone is a little maudlin during the season. No matter how big a smile they put on.

pss....what I said about the "thank you" card, I wasn't talking about the decorations either...just wanted to be clear...LOL!!

I hate to pry, but can't you schnuggle with Drew a tiny bit under the tree?

I also have to tell you how proud I am of how far you've come in finding yourself and how pretty you look standing tall without a man. You rock!

Can't wait for the photos of Bob in the tree :) Do you have an angel that looks like Soba for the top?

I used to, in the days before my daughter, put up a food tree in my family room. The one in the living room got all the colorful antique and homemade ornaments. The food tree, my favorite, got popcorn and cranberry strings, gingerbread cookies tied on with licorice whips, those little foil wrapped chocolate ornaments, candy canes, etc. Everything on the tree was edible. Martha Freakin' Stewart, that was me.

Now that I have a child in the house who might enjoy having cookies and sweets within constant arm's reach, I don't have time to put up two trees and make gingerbread ornaments.

Pout.

I'm just so proud! It may not seem like it to you, but from where I sit, you've got the bounce-back of a super-ball! So, rock on with your bad Christmas self! :-)

Good for you! Christmas is too wonderful a season to let an undeserving jerk steal it from you. So work your inner Martha--you have two years to make up for!

Oh, Laurie, good for you! You are amazing and how I can be proud of someone I never even met is a mystery to me, but hey in one very real sense I do know you, right?

(Ok, shut me up now, I'll go eat lunch...)

Can't wait for photos either! What will her creative mind come up with and how will the cats add their own special touch? And Drew is helping too! Wow!

You are so nice to return his stuff! The new wife may not think so which is an added bonus.

YEH--Bob in the tree, I can't wait for the photo..
and the other kitties are they just waiting and watching to see if he makes it to the top?
Glad you are feeling up to the holidays!!!

I am sooo proud and happy for you

Throw some lights on Francisco's tree! In fact--leave them on all year--scads of them--keep adding. Let's see what our friend does with THAT!

yay for laurie! so glad this year's looking to be better than the last couple. :)

OK, I'll admit it. I read the title and then before I read even another word, I scrolled down to look for a picture of Soba in reindeer antlers... :-)

Laurie, good for you. Three Christmases ago when my ex had just left me I couldn't bring myself to decorate either and I had always gone overboard every year when I was with him. The next year I decided I wasn't going to let him ruin that for me and went out and bought all new decorations. I boxed up my old ones and, true confession, I still have a box of them in the trunk of my car (I don't want them, but I'm not sure what to do with them - maybe I'll donate them). The ones I had bought for him over the years got boxed up and I snuck them into the storage unit we had shared before our divorce because I still had a key. He recently moved to NY and got remarried. I've often wondered what kind of reaction he had when he started going through the storage unit. Something tells me they aren't hanging on his tree this year though. :)

I, too, have opted out of holidays post divorce. Last year's thanksgiving and Christmas, this year I'll probably do the same. It's the damn Hallmark "how things are supposed to be" Christmas propaganda that makes one feel inadequate without the perfect family holiday. And then there's the stark contrast between where you were and where you are.

Good on you for the ornaments. I thought of getting some lights out to put in the window. I just may.

I have not liked XMAS in Georgia for the past few years for some complicated reasons that involve some southern people trying to put their religion on me. I am Jewish/Catholic via my parents (Neither whom practice) and we always had a very small family xmas because we had no christian relatives in VA but non the less we enjoyed it and I loved the tree's and the lights. Enter georgia, my place of living for the past 7 years, away from my family and into the lives of others who push stuff on me all the time and made me actually hate church and XMAS, two things I never ever hated before. SO THIS YEAR my husband and I are traveling to Paris for XMAS, so screw everyone, I am going to enjoy the XMAS songs and tree's and lights just like i did when i was young back with my family, but instead now with my husband.

The 11 y.o. knocked over our fully decorated tree last night, because he is hyper as hell and couldn't sit still if you held a gun to his head. Trust me, a bitchy cat is much easier to deal with (love you, Soba). After I got over being pissed off, I was kinda glad, in a sick way. Hated how it looked anyhow, so I tossed a bunch of old ornaments and bought new ones, and redecorated all my myself. The only thing missing was a bottle of wine, because I don't drink, but this year, I'm wishing I did. I imagine the only thing worse than going through or recovering from a divorce at Christmastime is *contemplating* a divorce at Christmastime. :-(

I'm glad things are looking better for you, Laurie. Your blog is the highlight of my day, and I really mean that.

I hope you told Francisco not to trim the berrys on your wreath? That man is NOT to be trusted! Imagine what he'd do to your christmas tree if given the chance. o.0

I'm glad you are doing something for yourself that makes you feel good.

I'm decorating my Zombie for Christmas this year. May even get some cool (as in don't get hot) lights to put on him. :D

a soba tree topper. *snort*!

*
Yay You !!!

*

I too am very proud of you (also strange that I don't know you...) You make me beam as I read of your courage and strength!

Congratulations for taking Christmas back!

"No one to please but myself" is a wonderful thing.

We have two full-size trees. One stands in the living room, your standard real cut tree in your standard tree stand, decorated with innumerable cat-proof ornaments and satisfying my husband's ingrained need for a proper tree. The other is outside where it lives year round and outgrows its lights periodically, decorated in season with birdseed wreaths and satisfying my ingrained need for a proper tree. This fulfills everyone's propriety requirements and makes for double the fun at our tree-trimming party, for which I need to send out the invitations pronto.

In other words, to each her own. I too want pictures of yours.

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am to read this. I hope you're proud of yourself. I know we all are. And thankful that you choose to share your journey with us.

You GO, girl!

Red berry Christmas wreath: $10

Being able to decorate your house however you want? Priceless! I hope this is an awesome season for you!

and on a totally random topic, did your friend Lark put out his CD?

holy cow, can I relate to you! Thanks so much for the bravery to share your story--so many of us have been there. Enjoy your new Christmassy place!

yea!! have a great time decorating. can't wait to see the pictures :)

and good luck keeping bob out of the tree!

You've come a long way, baby!

And darn me if I don't wish all those old ornaments end up being mailed to him *again* someday, by the current-to-be-ex-wife.

Oh laurie! enjoy! i had a friend tell me, "the only way out is through." so nice that christmas bliss is greeting you on the other side!

You're puttin' the jingle back into your Christmas and mine too! I was all poutin' and having one big pity party because I can't decorate inside my house this year due to a massive re-sheetrocking and painting going on. But you have made me realize that I can decorate the hell out of the outside of my house and not let some little roadblock get in my way. Happiest of Holidays to ya!

Go you! Hooray for enjoying the holidays! And hooray for the opt-out clause :^) Enjoy your festive, only-pleases-me decorations! I know I enjoy mine :)

He might call.
Some men love thinking of their ex's sitting in the dark trying to figure out how to get them back. Getting that box of old ornaments may alert his ego you're not doing that. If he does, just thank him for letting you know the package arrived and Don't Chat.

Nothing in your life is any of his business so don't favor him with your lovely accent any longer than you have to to be polite.

Awwwwwww . . . I'm so happy for you!

You got your Christmas back! Yay you! Can't wait to see Bob in the tree. :) I'd counter with pictures of my Grace in the tree, if I only had a brai- uh, blog.

Awesome. There are no other words. (Well, there are "fantastic" and "glorious", too.)

I stumbled upon your blog a few days ago and it's quickly become a favorite. You've provided a few laughs during (what has become for me) a rough time of year.

My family is deceased, there's no one to share the holidays with, not even a Bob to yell at...the last few years have been tinsel free and full of Bah!Humbug!.

You've got me thinking about putting up decorations for the first time in a long, long time.

Hooray for you!!! I'm so happy for you, I'm kind of tearing up! ~sniffle~

You've just inspired me to decorate the heck outta my place this year. Even though it's just me and the two kitties for most of December.

Roping and lights! Here I come!

Thanks, Laurie. ;-)

Yeeehooo.. good for you.. for moving forward once again.. for letting go.. You will have a good christmas and each year it will get better and better.. believe me I know from my own divorce experience.. Cheers to you.. cant wait to see some pics

Wow - what a truly considerate thing to do, to return meaningful items to the ex. It means that you are healthy and healing. You deserve a beautiful Christmas, surrounded by your home and your family of kitties and friends and love. And, buy yourself a wonderful gift!

Good for you, Laurie! Glad you go your Xmas groove back!

As someone who does not wish to deal with all of this, I have great admiration for your ambition. What I lack in decorating, I make up for with cooking and baking and leave the decorating for others. Its all very pretty, but I dont' like taking it down.

Good for you, Laurie! Glad you go your Xmas groove back!

I am excited to see the Christmas explosion! And to see what your new Christmas decorating style will be. As long as it doesn't include any sparkly fruit. Yay for reclamations!

Btw: Since you will grow hoarse with saying get the hell out of the tree, Bob, you might as well get some good pics from the experience.

My friend's mom took a great one of her cat (aka: the 'lil Varmint) when he made it to the top of the tree and ended up using the image for her Christmas cards. Just think of how cute that could be when you finally produce the calendar that I keep nagging you to create with Bob as Mr. December.

It's always good taking Christmas back. Cats in trees -- I can relate. I have a small 2 foot fiber optic tree on top of my entertainment center because my cats tried to eat it!! I hope you have a FABULOUS Christmas.

You are such an inspiration for us scared, hurt girls out there. Thank you for putting your heart and soul on this blog. Reading your posts always touch me in such a way, I just had to thank you.

Soba in reindeer antlers!

HAHAHAHAHA!

I am so proud of you, Auntie!

Btw, Drew better hang lights for you. That's a man's job... or something. /nods

Please decorate the cats - it would really be fantastic. Can't wait for the photo's

You go gurl!!!! Bravo!!!

My plus-sized kitty Butch always took a particular fancy to the artificial birds we covered the Christmas tree with each year. We'd save the half bald, one-eyed monstrosity and every year when the decorations came out, we'd give it to Butch and watch as he'd stalk it, prowling around open boxes and strings of lights, wondering if he remembers that he did this SAME EXACT THING last year with the SAME EXACT BIRD. He was the tree decorating halftime entertainment!

Yes, please post photos? And give Bob a bird of his very own!

Yay!

Don't you think your poor butchered fruitless mulberry needs some Christmas decorations? Make Drew climb up it and string lights, then add some of those bird seed bells with red bows on top -- festive for both you and the kitties.

Oh, and get the LED lights -- they're cheaper to run, and less hazardous because they don't heat up the way the old kind do. And the colors are amazing!

Good for you.

I hear Santa Claus can get pretty lonely himself shlepping toys on his back all Christmas Eve. Why don't you invite him to sit by the fireplace a little before he continues on? (and after the snuggling, ask for a Playstation 3)

love the LED lights...VERY colorful!

Good for you, Purlie!!!

I wish I could write more but I am completely swamped at work. But nonetheless, I manage to read your entries every day. I am really happy for you. I've always thought you would bounce back from the Bad Times, and for once in my life, I'm right! :-) Anyway, Rock on, Girlfriend! and yeah - please post photos!

Very very happy for you. :) Happy holidays!

We so need to see a picture of that lovely wreath!

I have just started reading your diary, but have been hooked even though I don't knit. Maybe its the bad Southern Hair link? Anyway, Good for you on the decorations. I hope you post some pictures. Keep on keeping on girl!

Oh Yea You! I can only imagine the sigh of relief that went off with that box. I wish I could their faces when they get it though.

Happy Holidays to you Laurie! :)

Decorating for the holidays absolutely, 100% DOES warrant a proclamation! Bravo!

I hope you post some pictures, I do believe I'm opting out of the holidays once again this year. I would love to live vicariously through you, just a little bit.

Oh Laurie, here I am at work, ruining my mascara because I'm crying at your post. With all your other e-friends, I've followed your activities over the past couple of years, and you've come so far. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.

You are lovely. Happy Christmas.

Well done!

Oh honey! I am so thrilled to hear about the Christmas decorating. I am sure it will be beautiful and perfect. I also happen to know for a fact that wine goes wonderfully with twinkle lights and white bows.

My indoor-only cats always love getting in the Christmas tree, and I feel so bad for depriving them of real outdoor trees that I let them get in the Xmas tree. Just secure it to the wall to keep 'em from knocking it over! Nothing says Christmas like kitties in a tree.

You are such a strong woman, Aunt P, and I'm very proud of you! WOOT!

You should throw a party once your house is all decorated. :)

Hooray for YOU!
Isn't it nice to take back the season in a way that makes you happy?
I grew up with a Christmas decore control-freak (aka "The Tree Nazi") who made all our lives miserable by her constant nagging, unpacking and lugging of countless boxes of crap and re-doing of everything we touched.

Now I happily unpack my ONE! box of elegantly restrained Xmas garlands and teeny tacky-as-hell fiber-optic tree (GOD I love my mother in law for giving it to us!) and enjoy a simple one-hour decorating with no one nagging me or making me
re-do anything I don't wanna. Hooray and pass that eggnog!
And the other poster is right- he MIGHT try calling now you're happy. SCREEN those calls!

P.s. Leslie, as schnuggley as our darlin' Drew might be- and as delectable as Laurie is--it's a safe bet that he's just not that way inclined. Sadly, all our hopes for an uber-knitting-crocheting genepool from these two are simply NOT To Be.
P.P.S. Hug to you Velma- hope it gets better!

I'm so glad you mailed it. Hooray!! Let me know if you need any extra help decorating. I am feeling very Christmassy this year.

Was the wine white, too? Just saying. Now that you are getting your Christmas decorating groove on it's time to coordinate your beverage hues with your decor! :-) So glad you mailed the box; you're brave and mature. I still have the Boy Scout shirt my (then) ex-boyfriend loaned me for a halloween party. I'm never sending it back. He was slimey then. He is undoubtedly slimey now.

Weird that I feel so proud of someone I don't really know, but I think you're awesome and doing fabulous! Hope this season continues to be a great one!

I am so proud of you for mailing that stuff. I know how hard that was. Good for YOU!

woo-hoo!!

woo hoo!!! can't wait for the kitty-in-the-tree pics!!

WOOOO HOOO! There's nothing like taking back a part of your life that some shithead ruined for you.

Don't forget the essential TV stuff..."A Christmas Story," "It's A Wonderful Life," "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," and of course, all the Rankin/Bass animated stuff.

oh Laurie, I'm so proud of you... I might've let that box slip into a dumpster somewhere. I'm so happy to see that you are taking back Christmas this year. Enjoy your decked halls, and have fun with your new stuff!

I am so happy for you!! Way to go with the taking-back of the holiday season! Because you deserve to enjoy every minute of it--and if having a house decorated with Santa-puke does it for you, have at it, girlfriend. :-)

Also, congrats on letting go of the ex's ornaments--less baggage, more room in your garage.

Can't wait to see pics when you finish decorating. . .

Cats in tree? Check. Cats under tree? Check. Cats racing through the house with Tinsel dangling from butts? Check. Must be Christmas. :)

I have 3 cats, all female and varying ages.

One kitty feels the need to lay under the tree ON THE PRESENTS and stare into the lights, becoming a present herself. Likes paper for snacking.
Second kitty, loves ribbon and tinsel and all chewable, stringy type things. Is also CONVINCED that tinsel from top of tree is tastier than what she has knocked off.
Third kitty, feels the need to knock off one ornament at a time and snuggle it 'til it breaks or rolls away (See second kitty). Then repeats process.

ALL KITTIES DRINK THE DAMN TREE STAND WATER AND HACK UP,,,,,Furry (eventually) ornaments of their own. Gotta love that festive feline spirit. :)

Go Laurie!!!! If I owned pom poms I'd be doing a cartwheel and possibly a high kick!

Cats in tree? Check. Cats under tree? Check. Cats racing through the house with Tinsel dangling from butts? Check. Must be Christmas. :)

I have 3 cats, all female and varying ages.

One kitty feels the need to lay under the tree ON THE PRESENTS and stare into the lights, becoming a present herself. Likes paper for snacking.
Second kitty, loves ribbon and tinsel and all chewable, stringy type things. Is also CONVINCED that tinsel from top of tree is tastier than what she has knocked off.
Third kitty, feels the need to knock off one ornament at a time and snuggle it 'til it breaks or rolls away (See second kitty). Then repeats process.

ALL KITTIES DRINK THE DAMN TREE STAND WATER AND HACK UP,,,,,Furry (eventually) ornaments of their own. Gotta love that festive feline spirit. :)

oh, please tell me Sobakawa included a *special* treat in the box for Mr. X.

to quote a dear friend, woot!!

to quote a dear friend, woot!!

Oh yeah, did you put extra furry padding in the box for Mr. X?

I would have sent along alot of special "cashmere" packing.

Sometimes evil just is.

you can wear your majorette boots, too, if you wanna.

Hooray for you! I think it took me a good four years to "get my Christmas back" after my divorce. My ex- was completely nuts about Christmas, and I used to run myself ragged making it special for him.

My three furballs would think a Christmas tree was a present just for them, so no tree, but I am enjoying the Christmas shopping more this year. The best present last year? My fiance showing up with a red bow on his forehead!

And YAY for you for shipping the ornaments back to Mr. X. It was fair, it's good Karma, and it'll probably start a lovely fight with the new wifey, who is probably more than a LITTLE insecure about the guy who dumped his wife of 8 years to be with her.

Chortle! Now, there's a thought to warm you on Christmas Eve!!!

Hope your holidays are WONDERFUL - break out the egg nog - WITH RUM.

Delurking to say, GOOD for you! Congratulations. Have a glass of rum, I mean eggnog, for me!

I would give up the sparkley star on the top of my Christmas tree to be there when that package is delivered. You are going to have an amazing Christmas. It's an inspiration to see how far you come, woman.

You made my day!! Here's to tinsel in the hairballs!!!

I knew you'd come back to Christmas one day. And mailing off that box- you've made some room for good things to happen. I wish you a very light and free season.

yay! glad to see you running and dancing in the light at the end of the tunnel called 'divorce' keep it up :)

You, go girl! Take back the holidays and have fun!!!!!!!!

Whoever the dork married, she can't hold a candle to you!

Your ability to express raw emotion in writing without getting
maudlin is incredible.

This is a small step for one woman, a giant step for womankind.

Jean

You know that it's going to turn into midnight at the Holiday Cat Rodeo, don't you? Cats = ceramic trees bolted to the mantle.

Good for you. Living well is the best revenge, and the opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy. Chin up!

You, my dear, are a total inspiration. My Christmas will be four and a half months after The Former Man asked me to cancel the wedding. AND I am so totally following your example, chica! There will be sparkly lights because we deserve them--LOTS of them. They'll light up the wine in my glass perfectly.

Three cheers to you!

Good for you, girl! The new address, with the new wife? I can't imagine what it will feel like when (if) my ex remarries, but I don't think it will be good. Way to conquer the "D" stuff!

mwah.

100+ comments in ~3 hours after posting! have you been offered a publishing contract to turn your blog into a book deal yet??

Oh GOOD FOR YOU! Enjoy Drew's visit and for heaven's sake, he has to come back to undecorate with you! That part is really a pain in the arse

Congratulations on taking Christmas back and making it your own! I hope that you find a certain satisfation in being able to have things just the way you want them without having to bow to anyone elses taste.

My favorite time of the season is the week between Christmas and New Years. That's when I can relax. All my entertaining obligations are past and I can curl up on the couch with a comforter, a cup of tea or hot cocoa, tree lights on in a darkened room, and just admire my decorations.

You are 5000 times the woman I am... Sure I would have sent the stuff back.

Broken.

Bad Carma be damned. ;)

Santa, you can't keep him down! Yay for you!

Congratulations on reclaiming Christmas!!

Brilliant, Laurie. Good for you. And, if it's not too early to say so, have a wonderful Christmas.

I am so glad for you. Enjoy it, even the passing maudlin moment where you might be wishing for a non-feline to snuggle with. Then tilt back your wine glass and cheer your tree that is 100% yours and reflects all of your wishes and dreams and love that spring from you alone. And marvel.

I have to say good for you! However you choose to celebrate or not celebrate the holidays - I applaude your knowing what you need to do for you!

I am so excited for you- hooray for Laurie!!!

Laurie, I wish I could find my Christmas spirit this year. I'm usually all about the Ho-ho-ho and Jingling bells.... but Hubby's been out of work and things are behind here at Chez Birdfeathers are us and I don't see a bright Christmas in the making for the 7 year old... and it is kind of depressing because this could be the last year she "believes". I've already canceled hosting my family's Christmas Eve party (and shocked a few people that I am breaking tradition) but the budget says No. I keep waiting for the Christmas spirit to find it's way back here. So if you see him sitting on his duff around your place after all the tinsel is strung, perhaps give him a map to my place? *Sigh* Sorry to pollute your blog with my hum-drums.... me and the Grinch will be lurking in the corner....

Rock on Crazy Aunt Christmas lady!

Also, is Drew going to come back and take the lights down? Just sayin'.

And when will we be seeing pictures of your gingerbread house? :D

Whoop!

You are a far far greater woman than I. Good on you for taking your desires back!

Why yes Crazy Aunt Purl, there is a Santa Claus.

Congratulations!

I haven't posted in a long time (and I sure as heck don't expect you to remember me - I rarely comment on your blog) but I couldn't let this moment pass wihthout telling you how proud and happy I am for your. I am so very moved by your ability to move on, let go; creating closure with a small act of kindness. Warm regards.

congratulations. you made it!

I just broke up with my boyfriend of five years. We were thisclose to getting engaged/married and I freaked out. I love knowing that a glass of wine with breakfast (not lunch) and dinner is quite alright. so a big *mwah!* to you.

Thanks innernet for bringing Laurie love and kitties into my little place!! =)

Yay! Hooray! SO happy to hear you sounding SO good!

Enjoy all the good stuff and remember that you are a gift to all the rest of us. You make us laugh and cry and think and feel.

You are a kick-ass, cat-farming blogger-babe, and we loves ya!

MWAH

Good for you!!
I'm happy for you. And good for you that you sent him his ornaments. It's a very grown up, self-assured thing to do. Bravo.

I, too, have had reasons for not decorating for Christmas the past few years, but this year, I'm going to decorate!

In my brand-new off white apartment with lots of white lights, blue glittery things/ornments and stars. Lots of stars!

And probably a few half-unpacked boxes, because I won't be moving in until this weekend.

I need a decoration for my door, too.

Yay Laurie!! Excellent!!

Been lurking for over a year and always been shy about commenting until today's post made it impossible not to comment.

At first I could not imagine life without him, then I got used to it, then I could not imagine having to put up with him in my life again.

There was once a line--the day of the final breakup--that was the before-and after-line. I find it so odd that I once measured my life in two parts, one on each side of that line.

The time came when I would catch myself thinking about him, and then would remember how long it had been since he had last been in my thoughts. Now I hold on only to the memories that make me smile. The day arrived when I could control HOW I thought about him rather than endure having thoughts of him control my emotions.

Laurie, may the New Year bring a new line into your life. You have been sitting shiva for a long time. I wish for you the strength to uncover the mirrors and face the future with joy.

CAP, it is so much easier to see you without that man blocking the view.

You shine, girl.

Merry Christmas! As a gift to you, here is a copy of my prizewinning holiday beverage from back in my bartending days:

CREOLE QUEEN:

1 shot of Southern Comfort
1 shot of Sazerac's Praline Liquer
2 shots half and half -- more if you wish -- and use the real kind, no diet crap

Shake vigorously with ice, drain into festive glass, add a dash of whipped cream, a pinch of nutmeg and top with a cherry.

Toast YOURSELF.

Cheers,

Dez

Much dramatic theme music, go on girl! That you continue to embrace yourself while letting the yucky stuff go just thrills me. Get yourself some elf shoes to wear to work and little antlers to wear on the bus and everyone that doesn't like it can just stuff it!

Huzzah! Making the house look pretty is such a nice part of Christmas... ~x~

I hope you crushed Mr. X's ornaments before you mailed them. "I'm just saying is all!"
:-)

Mo

Last year I bought a new tree and new ornaments to start over. But I still have one set of ornaments from "us" that I can't let go of. He has a new wife and new ornaments and is making new memories, so maybe this year I'll only put one of the ornaments from the set on the tree...

Thanks for the inspiration!

Congrats on all the lovely decorations, Laurie! :) I didn't decorate last year for the very same reason you didn't. This year, I'm feeling a little of the Christmas spirit. Might just go get myself a tree and possibly put up my twinkle lights. :D

hey grrl.

i'm a fairly new visitor from the NJ swamplands to your FECKIN' hilarious site. thanks for the giggles ... i feel like i'm sitting down for coffee with a treasured grrl-friend.

can't wait to see the finished product of your decorated sanctuary. i'm getting a tree this year for the first time, and i'll be yelling to my two cats:

"Squeaky ... stop doing a butt-scoot on the tree skirt...have you no shame, boy???!!"

"Sammy ... those lights are not things to chase, you witless wonder!"

cheers!
swampgrrl...aka moe...a teenage Sun-In victim

Did you let the cats piss on the box before you sent it? I would have.

I can't wait to see a photo of Bob in the tree.

Yay! I wanted to stand up and cheer for you when I read this! Talk about a comeback, I hope your new holiday is wonderful!

Good for you. :)K

You should get Drew to dress up as Santa and take the cats pictures on his lap!!!! (sorry Drew)
The two of you will have fun.
And you are a good person to send his those things in one piece.

I'm happy for you ~ letting go is sooo healthy! YAY!
xoxo m

I'm glad you did not let the grinch continue to steal you Christmas. Christmas blessings 2 u from me and pumpkin the cat. annie

we need pictures!!!!

WOW. Up Music! Down Lights! Bravo for you to have gotten to the place you can chose a pleasing happy holiday. You are an inspiration. I've been lurking for a long time and simply can't not comment any more. I walked away from my desk ON AIR after reading this post; just so pleased for you. Love-love the cats, the back yard, the porch, the couch, the hairstory!(brought it all back) and knitting places pix, love the bus 'ride' into LA with you, etc., etc.,. You are a great writer...thank you for taking the time to let us all in.

To RishaMoonshadow

I'm so sorry for the troubling time you're going through. I know what you're feeling because I've been through it too. My husband's been out of work twice in the last 10 years, once for 1 year exactly and once for 15 months. Both times covered the Christmas season. We are older and he was at the top of his particular pay scale which not only made it hard for him to find a similar level job (younger people right out of college are payed less) but made it impossible to take a low paying job just to have some money coming in (no, you used to make more so if we hire you, you'll quit as soon as something better comes along). I tried to help, but as a middle-aged housewife who's never had a job, I couldn't even get one interview (very damaging to the ego, by the way). But we made it through and so will you.

You're right to tighten you belt and stay on a strict budget but here are some things I did that might help you find a little Christmas spirit.

Do what decorating you can with things you already have to make the house look festive. Be creative and use things like toys to make little holiday vignettes. (for example, one of the things I made was a sleighing scene. I made a cardboard sleigh and leather shoestring harness and used them with an old Barbie doll and Breyer horse, decorated it with bits and pieces of stuff I could find around the house and set it on a book case.) Pull out stuffed animals or anything that you can turn into a decoration.

Play any Christmas music you have or find a radio station that's featuring holiday music. And watch all of the holiday movies on t.v. that you can, as a family.

I did still host my family get together but we made it a potluck, I just provided the place. My family knew what a hard time we were having and were glad to help after I was straight with them about our situation. We also agreed to just enjoy each others company and not exchange gifts.

I made a few easy gifts for my husband and children and gave I.O.U's for fun things to do together.

This was all easier for me than for you because my children were older, in their teens, and were more understanding, less disappointed. But perhaps you could do some special things with your child like bake and decorate a batch of cookies together, curl up and read seasonal books together, etc.

Good luck! I hope you can find a little holiday spirit even though I know how worried and depressed you must be. I'll be holding you in my thoughts.

Hip hip HUZZAH!!!
I am so glad for you Laurie! You are a real inspiration for every one!
Have a wonderful and brilliant Christmas!

Good for you! Your wreath sounds beautiful!

I'm brand new to your site and just the posts I've read about T'giving and your feelings now - I'm SO pleased for you.
I've been there. (not divorce, but cancer).

So glad your frame of mind has gotten so much lighter. Keep it up.
Things just get better :-)))
A new reader
Cathie
PS LOVED the cat basket post!!!!!!!!

i'm a lurker but needed to say WAY TO GO.

and also, i just got my very own brand new Razr phone and now understand your picture taking enjoyment.

your blog is a joy to read!

janean

Cool Beanies!!!

Enjoy your Christmas...you've given me a shot of some Christmas cheer. Truth be told, I do not look forward to this time of the year and reading your uplifting post made me want to drag out the decorations and put Bing on the stereo.

THANKS!!!

If you take pictures of your t.v. , would you take some pictures of Knitty Gritty. My girlfriends are going to be on the show and it would be fun to see them knitting on the t.v. in the L.A. (so c.o.o.l.)
My one gal pal Amy from Knittiy is going to be in the L.A. this week end, and my other gal pal (The Harlot) is going down to the L.A. next week. I am hoping to get some gum,(L.A. gum) Or sometimes I get some yarn, but they are all T.V. this time. Cheers from T.O.

I am so into the Xamas thing too this year. Mixing up dough and freeze it, my pal is haveing a cosmo and cookie exchange thing.

Don't put tinsel on the tree. Cats eat it and then do one of three things. A) Play with it and pull the tree down. B) Eat it and throw up shiny. C) Eat it and die.

=D

Congrats! I'm so proud of you! Good luck keeping Bob out of the tree. 2 of my 4 cats think they need to be in my tree all the time.

Good for you, Laurie! You are a strong woman. We all come out better on the other side. We have to, we deserve better! Been there, done that! :)

I'm incredibly proud of you - and I can't wait to see Christmas pictures of your house. HOpe his holiday sucks ass and his new wife is a terrible Christmas decorator.

Just don't let the cats eat any tinsel! Some will do that, and it's dangerous. Happy Holidays :o)

Thanks for these posts recently. You're an inspiration. Really. (I wasn't married, but I spent five Christmases with someone, and this is the second alone, and I am getting there. I think.)

Good for u for getting into the x-mas spirit. But u should consider yourself lucky for having ten holiday seasons with someone to share it with albeit someone who was an adulterer. Many women have never had a serious relationship or one relationship that was so longstanding.