Conference quark::mennotes

    My wife spent all the money, so I guess I'll just sit at home.
    
    Woe is me! {:-{)>
    
    

Hi Guys???????????

I thought this notes conference was for women too!!

Whilst the guys are saying much I just thought I'd say
that I am in for a good crazy time, spending lots of time
in the pubs and clubs!!

So have a nice christmas from me!!

Jenny

    I just had a big discussion with a fellow worker who complained
    Christmas had become a conspiracy by marketing types.  He groaned and
    moaned that the holiday exacted emotional blackmail, because while his
    wife was oohing and aahing about the "feel of Christmas" (you know-all
    that chestnuts by the fire baloney), he was watching his credit card
    bill soar. So there you have it, for the women it's just one more
    reason to go shopping (and this time really buy something), while for
    him it was one more reason that he was considered nothing more than a
    "walking wallet" forced to pay because otherwise he was called a
    "humbug".
    
    What do you men think?  Is this guy's opinion valid?  Let's admit the
    truth- is Christmas just another reason to shop-shop-shop and
    buy-buy-buy? And primarily driven by over-emotionalized, fantasized
    expectations of having the perfect, "Dickens-like" Christmas?
    
    Me- I like the sounds, lights and food of Christmas, everything else is
    OK.  And, Christmas is really for kids.  I mean what is so special of
    Christmas gifts.  I still buy bikes, games, clothes, entertainment
    tickets all the rest of the year.
    
    

    X-mas is special for kids....if you can afford it (as single dads
    paying Massachusetts ordered child support might not)...give your
    little and big ones surprises...a time to re-connect with friends you
    dont see often, a time to be spiritual and reflect...a time to
    give and remember...a time to slow down.....merry X-Mas and Hanukah!!

    Gee, I have the opposite problem.  Christmas is the time when I can't
    keep my husband out of the stores as he keeps buying things for our
    3-year-old twins.  And this year, he's between assignments, so there's
    not as much coming in.  Last year, he was living out of state as his
    job assignment, so he had lots of time on his hands at night and found
    himself shopping a lot, so he did all the Christmas shopping for the
    kids.
    
    And a few years ago, I got tired of all the Christmas shopping for
    things people don't need, so I make jam all summer, and I start to bake
    right after Thanksgiving, and everyone gets Christmas baskets with
    goodies. The only thing I've got left is to make the truffles and the
    fudge, but that's not til next week.  And I find it's a nice way to get
    the kids involved as they can help with all the cooking, so we get some
    nice family time.

    
    My guy view,  I worked weekends and weeknight making wreaths and
    selling trees so I could pay cash for my Christmas gifts.  I have
    a new bride (Sept 24th) and I'm a non-custodial father of one.
    
    My wife doesn't care if there is one single gift for her under the
    tree.  She has told me since long before we were married, "gifts
    don't count you do."  She has meant every word of it,   I bought
    her a few gifts. Less than $300.00 total
    
    My daughter, I asked her if she understood I needed to work weekends
    when she came to visit. Making extra cash to buy her and my wife Christmas
    gifts.. She looked me straight in the face and said "Daddy you give
    me love, thats my Christmas gift."  Never expected her to say that.
    All my work and caring paid off, she's seven and I'll remember her
    words as my Christmas gift as long as I live.
    
    Money doesn't matter, its spiritual, my wifes gift, a bible, a
    St Christopher medal, and "our" first time seeing the Nutcracker
    in Boston.  
    
    Family that is all that matters
    
    Mark

                                                     
    re .4
    
    Can I get some of what you are taking? ;?)
    
    First of all, I agree with you that x-mas is mostly for kids, but then 
    again, some of us never grow up...
    
    What x-mas means to me is additional stress...  Hmmm, what do I buy so
    and so this year that I already haven't baught them in the past, and
    what do they need ect.  Then of course the extra traffic everywhere you
    go, tons more of people in the stores, extra long lines ect.  Then of
    course there is the money factor, if you come from a large family as I
    do, your wallet really feels the pinch and the plastic cards start to
    melt.  I guess since I don't have little kids anymore, most of the fun
    is gone, seeing their eyes light up when they open the gifts ect.  Once
    they get older, the gifts become more expensive and the appreciation 
    does not seem to be there.  But hey, you are looking at a guy who puts
    the tree and lights up right after Thanksgiving.
    
    
    Dom

    Christmas is great. I love the season, the lights, the parties, getting
    together with family, the good attitudes of people at work and most
    everything that goes with it. The one thing that I would stop if I
    could is the rediculous shopping and obligatory spending of money. The
    rest of the holiday is so terrific, why ruin it with traffic jams,
    crowded malls and credit card payments.
    
    ..Tom

I don't have kids and I'm pretty far outside the Judeo-Christian belief system,
so Christmas itself does not mean a lot to me.

My wife and I spend some money on gifts for people we care about, but not so
much or so many that we see a big credit card bill in January.  I shop mostly
mail order or in November, because I really hate crowds.  We decorate a tree
together, but she puts up the nativity scene.

And we've learned there is too much stress in visiting relatives over the
holidays.  Much better all around to see them in November or January.

What I like best about this season is getting together with friends for cooking
and eating holiday dinners.  We invite people we really care about and spend a
lot of time at both cooking and eating, talking the whole time.

I also like seeing the sun lower in the South every day, knowing that a week
from now it will be starting to get higher.  I like having six months of growing
darkness and six months of growing light.

Does this sound too quiet, or even dull?  Suit yourself.  I like it.

	IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, TTFN.

    Christmas.... I shop till I drop! I sign off cards till there are no
    more cards to send! I feel that its a good time to say hello to those
    we care about. Although we have drifted some what in our lives from
    each other. I have called an old friend from the early 60's as a kid I
    chummed around with. My distant aunts and uncles that I have not seen
    in soo long...one wounders if they are alive or not.
    
    Why? Because I care. Because life is sooo short, and because these
    people touched my life as I have theirs. And share a common bond that
    is on a short term loan.
    
    Christmas use to stink when I was married... the is a saying,'There is
    no law like the outlaws!'.... and dealing with a drunk brother-outlaw
    and a constant cross dragging martar mother-outlaw got to be out of hand to
    where I could not stand it much. Glad they are gone! Glad they have
    them selves for the holidays... most of all they can comish with their
    missories!(sp) And I am no longer around. I still send them a Chirstmas
    card. And have yet to get one in return. Someday.. maybe they will get
    it.. or figure it out.... Till then.... I am having the time of my life
    with my daughter of 6. And we are going to parties, shopping for her is
    lots of fun. And she really gets wound up for it all. And ask about not
    having a fireplace for Santa to come down. And all that sort of worry.
    Wow! I wish I could have that as my  only heart burn!
    
    Merry Christmas!

    
    
    Guys,
    	Sounds so familiar, (gals too)
    	I hope we all can keep a good spirit all year long,
    	even if our Christmas day isn't picture perfect...
    	keep those thoughts coming in .thanks, Bob

As much as I look forward to this time of year (I luv these holidays 
the most of all) it's gonna be a little wierd..

My dad is in the process of being placed in a nursing home, he's had
alzhiemers for a few years now, and is reaching the point where he
really needs the type of care only a nursing home can give.  This is
ofcourse breaking our hearts, but my Mom is the one bearing the brunt
of it... Alzhiemers is such a cruel disease,,, it robs you of your
loved ones, while keeping them alive, which is far more hurtfull and
haunting than any of the other 6 or 7 thousand ways you can go...  So
sad to loose him like this...

But despite it all, my wifes sister and her family just arrived from 
Florida, her brother (florida too) is due in on Friday, so we're
looking forward to spending the holdidays with them..
so, most of the plans have been set....  Despite the heartbreak
of my Dad's situation, we're gonna make the best of things, (as we usually
do...)  Thank God for my wife, kids, and family...  I'd be nuts without all
of them right now...

peace...

/r

    
    
    sorry to hear about your Dad, I am going through a similiar situation.
    your right, it is a horror and does put a extra strain on this
    commercial holiday. Your family is lucky to have you. Good luck:
    
    	Bob

    
    
    RE:  .8
    
    I agree...you took the words right outta my mouth.
    
    One of my friends sent me her "wish list" without me even 
    asking her for it.  
    
    I was sitting here and "bleep" accross my screen comes 
    the message "Just in case you were wondering what to get me" 
    followed by her list.  It just took me back a bit.....
    
    Anyways...
    
    Happy Holidays!!!

    Merry Christ-mas and happy holy-days to all.
    fred();

    Merry Christmas! Have a safe one!!!

    
    xmas bites. 
    
    people are extraordinarily rude and thoughtless. its a
    good time of year to dissappear and wait out the madness
    with an ample supply of cognac and get caught up on reading. 
    
    i can hardly wait for the new year.

    Difficult to believe that Christmas has come and gone already. Bring on
    1995. Hope it's a great one...
    
    ...Tom

    After reflecting on the thoughts I had during the last few days of 1993, I
    realize that I am once again saying next year has got to be better
    than this one...
    
    
    	Well, this is the one...I just have this feeling that things are
    going to be better!
    
    Go ahead...Humor Me!
    
    Rod

    
        .20  They gotta get better for you. Especially where your still
    thing about 1993,,,, where did 1994 go?   8*)
     
       Rosie

       .21   Meant to say your still thinking about 1993...