This is ****ing depressing

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Elspode

Times are bad. They're as bad as most of us have seen in our lifetimes.

As with all things, YMMV, but even though some of us may have been worse off a few years ago than we are now, it is difficult to say that, overall, things aren't as tough as they've ever been for most.

Comparisons with the Great Depression aren't valid; not in terms of the National Average. But for those who have lost jobs and face the coming holiday season bereft of funds, it *is* as bad as it has ever been.

Let us not make light of the economic crisis. Let us instead take the extra five bucks, if we have it, drop it in a kettle or such, and move on, counting our blessings that we still have any sort of job (if indeed we do), giving thanks to our chosen deities that we have something in freezer (assuming that we we have such), and letting The Universe know that, despite all the suck, we're still in there plugging.

I have exactly $300 to spend on Xmas/Yule for everyone who matters to me. I hope to spend it well, and I'm glad to have even that.

nice

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I had no right to cast any aspersions on that woman, the way she spends or does not spend her money or way she chooses to celebrate Christmas and when.

Yeah, but what fun is that?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by classicman

Very good post SG - much different than would have been a year ago. smiles

I know! I'm all proud at my self-growth

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Yeah, but what fun is that?

Should I add it to my list of New Year Resolutions?
1) Cast more aspersions.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Oh yes, like bread crumbs among the pigeon shit, or something like that.

[monster]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Okay, it was an off the cuff remark.
My first thought was that the story didn't make sense.
From that thought I progressed to the opinion that the woman's behaviour didn't make sense.
I read it that she had paid to take her children to see Santa in November at a time when her situation was very precarious.

As you know, November is not Christmas here.
And seeing Santa is a luxury.
I accept that neither is true in America.

I also hold my hands up and say mea culpa. I had no right to cast any aspersions on that woman, the way she spends or does not spend her money or way she chooses to celebrate Christmas and when. Especially when it is known that if I had £5 left in the world I would probably go and buy some hair-dye to cheer myself up about the future.

I think I've had more responses to that one comment than to anything else I've written all year

Well, you see, the thing is that that's totally what I think -spend your money more wisely, silly santa-visiting woman- but I've been jumped on so many times for saying that, that this time I didn't..... so I was a little surprised when you did!

[xoxoxoBruce]

Instead of chastising SG, you could have explained that across the pond, visiting Santa is an expensive indulgence, but nooooooo...

[Jaydaan]

I was a young, poor single mom many years ago... and I would always take my kids to see Santa in November. 2 reasons : Santa would tell me what they wanted, and I had 6ish weeks to come up with something close, and if I could not afford it... I had 6wks to change their minds on what they wanted

Santa is free in Canada too, but if you want a picture it would cost $3 to $10.

[Jaydaan]

Something I learned from living paycheque to paycheque was to purchase one to two gifts per pay. As the kids got older, I would get gift certificates from Walmart. I would put $5 down on each card in Jan and then $10 per month... in the end it gave me $125 per child to spend, or give the certificate.

Gave them something at least, without stressing me out in Nov/Dec.

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Oh yes, like bread crumbs among the pigeon shit...

...so are the days of our lives.

[Stormieweather]

My partner and I were at the mall last weekend with our 4 yr old. We spotted Santa and got in line. After waiting quite a while, and the 4 yr old watching intently as the other children sat on his lap and pictures were taken, she announced firmly, "I don't want to do this. I want to go home". We looked at each other with raised eyebrows and asked her, "Are you SURE? This will probably be the only time you will get to talk to him". She said while shaking her head, "Nope. I don't want to talk to him, lets go home!" And ducked under the rope and walked away...

We didn't argue, just shrugged and said..OK. Our daughter has a mind of her own and obviously saw something she didn't like. We're fine with that.

I think she likes seeing him from a distance, but has zero desire to get up close and personal with him. She'll shriek excitedly and point one out if she sees one (like standing in front of the drugstore waving), but no...not too keen on touching some stranger. I kinda like that.


And I never pay for the pictures. I take my own with my cell phone

[richlevy]

Someone told me that in their town or group used to have a Santa until the one they were using failed a background check. Maybe your daughter has good instincts.

"Go ahead and sit in the fat strangers lap. He's wearing a red suit so it's safe."

That reasoning didn't work for priests, so why should it work for Santas.

To be fair, my brother was 'Santa Paws' at a Petco last year as a fundraiser. He was supposed to have pictures taken with pets, but since it was for charity, I paid for Jeff to have his picture taken standing next to his uncle in a Santa suit. So we have the picture in the frame they gave us with little doggie bones on it.

My brother-in-law was a Santa years ago.

[Clodfobble]

Funny, Santa doesn't look Jewish... [/nyuck nyuck nyuck]

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Funny, Santa doesn't look Jewish... [/nyuck nyuck nyuck]

Well, you're not going to be able to tell by looking at his nose.