I thought I'd start another thread for us here to talk about what we're doing to make Christmas special since we know our Lifers aren't going to be home.

I've decided that in addition to the usual effort at making Christmas nice for the kids, I'd give myself a Christmas makeover. I'm going to spend the holidays pampering myself in little ways. Bubble baths, getting some nails done (even though I HATE that filing they do) wearing makeup more often, making an effort to get some clothes that are more flattering. I've already started by getting little sample bottles of Pantene shampoo and conditioner, some new makeup and nail colors, soaking in a wonderful bath with bath salts, doing a pedicure and putting on some really jazzy red toenail polish, getting some new hair ornaments (I have really long silver streaked dark hair that I don't cut) and making sure I use lotions and colognes, at least put on eye makeup and wear some nice jewelry every day. It's been easy for me to just feel like "what they hey" since I don't work outside my home.

I've also joined some MSN groups on renaissance faires and decided to get involved with making some beadwork items along those lines.

Anyone else doing anything like this? I think we especially need to pamper ourselves as women this time of year.

toi,
great ideas. i'll be going to see gary a couple days after christmas. this is the first year that it's meant anything to me. i'm still having a hard time though, my dad died on the 23rd, 3 years ago. maybe i'll just curl up on the couch with a book and watch miracle on 34th street or something.

I think I'll take a leaf out of your book Toi, all that pampering sounds good to me and boy do I need it. The girl on the cosmetics counter asked me recently if I wanted a makeover, I told her 'honey I don't need a makeover, I need a miracle'!! Seriously though, I have three weeks off college over the holidays but have 5 assignments to do (sigh). I'm coming over to the States 3 December for one week for families days at the prison, but apart from that I've no plans.

Anne

I'll be visiting the week after Christmas. I'm going to try to pamper myself too. Pedicure and bubble baths sound good and relaxing.
Sunrise I hope you have a great visit and a safe trip. Rottndobelover I hope you have a nice visit and safe trip, too.

Good morning all.. yes pampering sounds great.. just need some cash..
:))) i love to get pedicures.. and wear makeup and all that since i go out to visit once a week.. or two.. and work.. i usually am out and about so try to look presentable.. what i really need is some r and r.. just chill out.. but i agree it is nice to be GOOD to ourselves..

I am constantly buying new "stuff" .. i love lipsticks.. cant get enough..:))

have a great holiday
Donna

I haven't had a "Christmas" for four years. I haven't had a tree, decorations, family, nothin. Guess it will stay that way til he comes home, although, i do plan on buy a "first Christmas" tree ornament, for he and I. This is our fist Christmas together, even though physically we are seperated, in mind, heart and soul, we are always together. I plan on buying him a gift, wrapping it, and putting under my Charlie Brown Christmas "plant". And when he calls on Christmas day he wants me to open it for him, but I won't. I'll hold it wrapped until he comes home to open it himself.

For the most part I will probably spend alot of time in the local church, praying, asking God for guidance, and volunteering with food drives. I hope everyone's Thanksgiving goes well.


LOVE to you all here at PTO!

I'm sorry you haven't done anything at Christmas for so long, but you'll just enjoy it that much more when he comes home. Since this is your first Christmas together, maybe it would be a good time to get a tree and decorate it and take some pictures for him so he can share it, too. That's just my idea, though. Not faulting you for not choosing to do it. I'm sure volunteering at the kitchen is really rewarding for you. I think that's a great way to spend Christmas.

I am just trying to make sure I have enough to buy Bryan some books for Xmas and if I am REALLY lucky I will be there with him for the whole day:) Its our anniversary now and it was the BEST xmas I had had in YEARS just to be w/him all day!*swoon* LOVE MY MAN!

You all may me wanna cry, :(
I have been telling myslef this year I don't want to even mess with christmas, But for my kids I must, But my mind will not be that far from Emil and what will his day be like ,,,, Are they all blended into just another day, But I guess the bubble bath sound really good, Maybe I'll treat myself to a massage the day before or after .. and Christmas eve snuggle in a warm bed with a book and drift off to sleep
Rose

Good, Rose, I'm glad you're going to pamper yourself a little this year. I'm sure you're going to feel much better for it. I think it's easy to neglect treating ourselves to the little luxury things, but they mean so much when we actually take a little time and effort just for us.

WELL MY BIG THING IS THAT MY SONS DAD WILL HAVE HIM AND WE DECIDED THAT WE WHERE NOT GOING TO PUT UP A TREE THIS YEAR AND WHEN I CAME HOME FROM VISITING HIM TODAY HE HAD A FRIEND OF HIS GO GET US A TREE IT WAS ON THE PORCH. MY SON AND I CRIED AND 5 HOURS LATER EVERYTIME I SEE THE TREE STILL CRYING.. SO WILL THE TREE GO UP???? OH YEA//// I HAVE BOUGHT HIM A PRESENT EVERY YEAR FOR 10 YEARS AND THEY ARE WRAPPED AND HE CAN OPEN THEM ONE DAY. HE HAS LOST HIS PARENTS AND THE YEARS THEY DIED THEY GAVE ME A GIFT TO GIVE TO HIM IT STILL REMAINS A SECRET.. BUT ONE DAY WE CAN OPEN THEM AND HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS TOGETHER AGAIN. GOOD BLESS AND GOD SPEED FOR OUR LOVE ONES TO RETURN HOME...............

Thats what I do also.I usually get a cd or dvd of a good movie I want us to see together. I do his birthday and xmas that way and put another card apart from the one I send for the other holidays, and put a picture inside so he can see the changes time bring ( and the hairdresser)lol. I hope someday it is a sweet surprise!

I'll be visiting Ralf on Christmas day, but other than that I have no Christmas plans. I have no close friends here, and my family disowned me when I stood by Ralf. Except that it is an extra visitation day that week Christmas just doesn't mean much to me right now.

all i want for christmas is BRIAN..
well since that will not work maybe get my nails done!!

DOnna