you know the old skipping the holidays seems like a good idea to me - I have tried it every year fior the last 8 or 10 years - but somehow someone drags me in to it.....we dont do presents anymore but these freakin extended families just seem to pop in or you get invited to 16 functions over 3 days and it just feels like Chaos not Christmas....I beleive Christmas is for kids so i will make an effort to get my 2year old grandson something and probably drive 4 hrs to see him for the day - but all the while knowing he will be up to his a$$ in presents from 4 sets of grandparents, mom & dad, etc......so i say why bother...but then again do I really want to be the only grandparent to abstain from giving him something....of course not.

I want there to be less Chaos in my world at Christmas this year, $1million dollars and a date with a super model......no holding my breath on the later part of that - but hoping for some relief on the first part.

Christmas has been called a Jewish holiday for as long as i remember,I guess because Jews owned most the stores and made the money on Christmas.

Perry,
The milestones are tough, but don't just shut yourself off.  As bad as you may feel, you could be a lot worse off.  The thing to do is get out there, spend time with friends and/or family, or even complete strangers.  It may be just an act at first but you may just find yourself actually laughing and enjoying yourself maybe just flashes of it but it will get better.

My first Christmas was tough too.  My ex decided that all the decorations were hers and she picked through and left what she didn't want.  My best memory of that year was making homemeade decorations with the kids.  
kinda cheesy, but the memories are mine.

To be left alone, ignored until the insanity is over.

BTW angie, you need a new husband.  One who can fix your bike.

Phelonius