Carole, that is SO cute! Happy Belated Birthday!

Thank you to everyone else who posted.

I just spoke to my mom, and since she has spent 6 shopping trips for Christmas dinner at her place, she has said she prefers to have it at her place. (She did ask if I knew of anyone who was on their own for Christmas).

So I emailed my friends and declined. I was crying when I did it...I mean, how many more Christmases will I get with my mom? At the same time, it feels really lonely with just the two of us.

But I asked my friends if they knew anyone on their own, and I emailed my church about that as well.

Thanks for your words, folks. This is a time of year when aloneness can hit REALLY hard, as you all know.

OK...now to go back up a dead HD....work today!

HUGS to you all and deep wishes for a Merry Christmas!