Hops: do what you think you have to... and do NOT give a rat's patootie what any little voice in your head tells you about what they think about it. Tell it to... <expletive deleted>.
THEN, pick one thing to do that is Christmas-y and just go do one thing. Doesn't HAVE to involve groups of people. Maybe go for a stroll in a historic shopping district and window shop? And do it all flying the defiant, self-reliant, flag of the solitary female pirate of life...
just for one afternoon. Then, crawl back under the blanket, gather up the pooch, make some popcorn and watch another movie.
Me, I'm going to back to trying to make up lame excuses why I can't go have Christmas with Holly & Matt, and his family. And why I deserve this self-imposed penance of solitude... and risk offending these nice people who've invited me more than ONCE; risk sending the message that I don't like them or don't want to be around them. All because I'm afraid I'm going to be the one "downer" in their midst... and ruin their holiday...
Like I'm able to do that to their feelings.
<crawling back under my own blanket now......>
