Green Eyed Lady
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Look inna eye! Always look inna eye!
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Post by Green Eyed Lady on Nov 22, 2016 16:58:14 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about Mr. Sroo's injury. Knees are important. I hope that he gets fixed up real soon.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Nov 22, 2016 16:59:41 GMT -5
When my dad was alive he never met anyone he didn't consider a friend. He was always inviting strays. They were never considered pity invites & were always welcome so it is odd that I have this attitude. Maybe because I saw how much extra it put on my mother. She wasn't resentful but sort of resigned to his ways & would just add extra food to the menu as needed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 17:05:48 GMT -5
I hear all of you complain about having to go to IL's houses, and it makes me wonder why anyone bothers either way. It sounds like you guys don't enjoy going, which makes the idea of doing a ton of stuff to get ready and then cooking for hours sound even less appealing. I enjoy seeing my family, but Thanksgiving has just become an obligatory chore for them. That turned it into a thankless task for me. Last year was the final straw. When something is no longer fun for any of the participants, why continue to do it? Because my spouse has not yet disowned his family. That's why I'm going, to keep the peace between us. There's no getting out of it this year, Thanksgiving is the one year anniversary of his dad's death and there's no way he won't be getting together with them. Same for Christmas I'm sure. Someone please shoot me. It's still fun for your spouse evidently. So I guess that's reason to continue to do it.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Nov 22, 2016 17:24:44 GMT -5
I'm only going to respond to this topic one more time, so here goes: It's very easy for those of you who still have family and spouses to sit on the inside looking out and tell me or Zib what we should or can do and especially how to feel. It's a completely different situation (one that I wouldn't wish on anyone) to be without family or spouse as we sit on the outside of the circle looking in.
And Weltz, I already volunteer about 24 hours per week at our local VA Medical Center, so daily I deal with people far less fortunate than I am, so knock that suggestion off, will you?
I wasn't invited by anyone that lives close to me, what was said to me was "do you have someplace to go on T-Day"? I lied and said yes, I wasn't going to say no then have them issue an invitation. 2-3 others said " where are you going on T-Day"? again, I was not going to say nowhere" and then get an embarrassed invitation.
Zib & I are trying hard to make a life for ourselves, and certainly we will make mistakes along the way. Who knows, next year the two of us just might spend T-Day thru Christmas together on the beach in some exotic location. Only time will tell.
No one can prepare for what we've been though this past year, we never dreamed these holidays were going to bring such sadness and sorrow. We'll survive, the sun will still rise and we'll both still do our volunteer work. Just remember please, a life lived alone is still 24/7/365 of hours - days - and year. That is a lot of time to be alone.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Nov 22, 2016 17:32:07 GMT -5
Amen.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Nov 22, 2016 18:15:29 GMT -5
I'm only going to respond to this topic one more time, so here goes: It's very easy for those of you who still have family and spouses to sit on the inside looking out and tell me or Zib what we should or can do and especially how to feel. It's a completely different situation (one that I wouldn't wish on anyone) to be without family or spouse as we sit on the outside of the circle looking in. And Weltz, I already volunteer about 24 hours per week at our local VA Medical Center, so daily I deal with people far less fortunate than I am, so knock that suggestion off, will you? I wasn't invited by anyone that lives close to me, what was said to me was "do you have someplace to go on T-Day"? I lied and said yes, I wasn't going to say no then have them issue an invitation. 2-3 others said " where are you going on T-Day"? again, I was not going to say nowhere" and then get an embarrassed invitation. Zib & I are trying hard to make a life for ourselves, and certainly we will make mistakes along the way. Who knows, next year the two of us just might spend T-Day thru Christmas together on the beach in some exotic location. Only time will tell. No one can prepare for what we've been though this past year, we never dreamed these holidays were going to bring such sadness and sorrow. We'll survive, the sun will still rise and we'll both still do our volunteer work. Just remember please, a life lived alone is still 24/7/365 of hours - days - and year. That is a lot of time to be alone.
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suesinfl
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Post by suesinfl on Nov 22, 2016 18:32:59 GMT -5
The last couple of years, I have had no holiday spirit, not sure what is up with that. The kids and I will be going to my oldest DD's house. When the kids were younger, I spent many holidays alone as they went to their father's house. It was hard, but no where close to those that have no one. I often wonder what I will do when my last two are gone and have their own families. I'm sorry for those that will be alone during the holidays.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 18:40:10 GMT -5
I know my holiday spirit dropped dead November 22, 2003. Spending Thanksgiving planning a funeral and picking out happy family pictures really sucks ass. My father loved to do the cooking and all that fun stuff that I don't. He loved having all of us at the house sitting around the table being the dorks we are and it made him happy. Even my mother, whom he hated for the longest time after the divorce. Now, poof, it's all gone. Now it's just something to be endured.<br>
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Nov 22, 2016 19:01:24 GMT -5
A week before the election, I invited the whole family (18 if all attend). The day after the election, I wanted to dis-invite most of them! Now we have been dealing with a sick pet that we are having put down and I have absolutely no desire to cook or clean or socialize. We will go through the motions, but come hell or high water I will not be hosting next year! Yes, feeling very grinchy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 19:17:55 GMT -5
I enjoy Thanksgiving. I enjoy the time with my extended family and whatever other random people stop by that day. Maybe I enjoy it so much because I've never cooked the dinner. Even when I've hosted Thanksgiving dinner at my house, I didn't cook. My Mom came over and cooked. I usually contribute a ham from the Honey Baked Ham store to the dinner.
This year, my sweetie's Mom wanted me to cook a pie or cake. I don't eat pie, have never even tried to make one, and I've only ever baked one cake in my life. I'm not going to embarrass myself by bringing an experiment to their dinner.
My family will be out of town for Thanksgiving. I have to work, so I couldn't go. I'll miss being with my family, but I'm ok with visiting his family when I get off work.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Nov 22, 2016 19:31:39 GMT -5
My family is changing, figuring out new ways to do things. About 40 years ago my SIL announced she was staying home for Christmas the kids were about 5-7 and my brother just quit the Navy after 9 years. She said her family was making their own traditions and if anyone wanted to see the kids open presents get there at dawn. So every year she made Christmas day hers. I took Christmas Eve and Dad took Thanksgiving. Now she has been married to my brother 48 years and saying she has cooked Christmas Dinner 50 years and is done. Dad died in 1993 so she was doing Thanksgiving too, mom never cooked. Now the kids are 45-47 and the daughter has been doing some of the holidays, SIL's sister did the last two Thanksgivings, I stopped Christmas eve in 2003 and nobody cared. This year 47 year old nephew has a new house and is doing the entire Thanksgiving himself, nobody allowed to bring anything. We didn't decide on Christmas yet. I am thinking of talking ISO into hosting at his house, if he decorates and cleans I will do his cooking and people would bring things like pies and dinner rolls and green bean casserole so it wouldn't be that hard. He could put up a tree and decorate but we all are 100 miles away so a long day for guest. We don't do gifts, nieces kids are 17-20 now so no babies.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 19:33:47 GMT -5
As far as Christmas, I haven't decorated or bought gifts in years. I do enjoy the time with my family even if I don't have the Christmas spirit. My dear grandmother died in December a few years ago, so that kind of dampened the holidays for me even more since then.
This year though, I'm kind of looking forward to it so far. I plan to put up a tree at my house for my grandbabies and decorate my sweetie's house. My oldest grandchild is old enough now to get excited about it and his children are young enough to still care about Christmas. Maybe that's helping me find some Christmas spirit again.
I still don't care for all the focus on the gifts though. For me, the religious meaning is a big deal and so is seeing my family and loved ones. That's what's important to me, not gifts or what we eat.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Nov 22, 2016 19:50:03 GMT -5
I invited my 24 year old niece and she will be joining us. She is now an official grown up with a real job 1000 miles from her parents in FL amd about 300 miles from me. I have no idea if she had plans, but she jumped at the idea of joining us. I'm sure she would love a home cooked meal. My kids adore her. I'm looking forward to seeing her.
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Wisconsin Beth
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No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Nov 22, 2016 20:11:29 GMT -5
I've been on both sides of the holiday stray invites. I never felt like a pity invite when I was alone, nor did I offer pity invites when I had the means to host. Maybe it's because I've moved around so much, but as an adult I've found myself gathered with friends more than family during the holidays. Im currently considered a stray by my neighbors when MrSroo has to work, and we are both invited when he doesn't. Ill admit that my interest in holidays has a direct relationship between how stressed and busy I am at work. This year will likely be a low key year. In fact we are currently debating house decorations. MrSroo blew out his knee at work this week, so we'll likely have surgery to look forward to in the next couple of weeks. ouch Sroo. Hope he heals fast.
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Wisconsin Beth
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No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Nov 22, 2016 20:16:03 GMT -5
My problem with my mil relate to 3 things:
- her bossiness about food and need to one up her dils' on damn near every occasion
- her insistence that DN#6 is solely the reason bil drinks and has anger issues with dn#6 and his wife
- being on opposite ends of the political spectrum.
Eta I can and have sucked it up for the first and last problems. I am unable to do so in regards to DN#6.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Nov 22, 2016 20:40:51 GMT -5
WB - good for you for sticking up for DN#6. And - for my morbid curiosity - how is she bossy on food? and is it food she is one upping on the DILs? or other things.
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sesfw
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Today is the first day of the rest of my life
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Post by sesfw on Nov 22, 2016 21:49:51 GMT -5
a life lived alone is still 24/7/365 of hours - days - and year. That is a lot of time to be alone.
I know about that ............ and the walls start caving in.
My job and volunteer work saved what was left of my sanity.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Nov 22, 2016 22:14:04 GMT -5
I'm only going to respond to this topic one more time, so here goes: It's very easy for those of you who still have family and spouses to sit on the inside looking out and tell me or Zib what we should or can do and especially how to feel. It's a completely different situation (one that I wouldn't wish on anyone) to be without family or spouse as we sit on the outside of the circle looking in. And Weltz, I already volunteer about 24 hours per week at our local VA Medical Center, so daily I deal with people far less fortunate than I am, so knock that suggestion off, will you?
I wasn't invited by anyone that lives close to me, what was said to me was "do you have someplace to go on T-Day"? I lied and said yes, I wasn't going to say no then have them issue an invitation. 2-3 others said " where are you going on T-Day"? again, I was not going to say nowhere" and then get an embarrassed invitation. Zib & I are trying hard to make a life for ourselves, and certainly we will make mistakes along the way. Who knows, next year the two of us just might spend T-Day thru Christmas together on the beach in some exotic location. Only time will tell. No one can prepare for what we've been though this past year, we never dreamed these holidays were going to bring such sadness and sorrow. We'll survive, the sun will still rise and we'll both still do our volunteer work. Just remember please, a life lived alone is still 24/7/365 of hours - days - and year. That is a lot of time to be alone. I was trying to help, so there was no need for the snark. Believe me, it won't happen again.
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quince
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Post by quince on Nov 22, 2016 22:35:26 GMT -5
...Of COURSE a female child is responsible for a grown man's issues. Of COURSE.
(argh)
My husband and I have no holiday spirit, so I am delighted that my parents do. They host Thanksgiving and Christmas. We bring the kids and pie for Thanksgiving, kids, gifts, and I make cookies and give them frozen dough with instructions for Christmas. I could just as well stay home for all I care for holidays, but my parents enjoy it, and my oldest kid loves my parents, so it's worth doing.
I wish I cared about holidays, just for the kids. I remember enjoying it when I was young and I want them to have that, but I have no enthusiasm for it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 22:43:55 GMT -5
I'm only going to respond to this topic one more time, so here goes: It's very easy for those of you who still have family and spouses to sit on the inside looking out and tell me or Zib what we should or can do and especially how to feel. It's a completely different situation (one that I wouldn't wish on anyone) to be without family or spouse as we sit on the outside of the circle looking in. . Are your kids/grandkids far away? If so, is there a way you could move closer?
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Nov 22, 2016 23:27:45 GMT -5
The last 2 holloweens, I've noticed that I'm just going through the motions. Inwardly, I dread the start at the door, and I'm glad when it stops. It's spreading to other holidays, seems like a lot of work. I used to love holidays, but the thought of cooking a big special meal this week is just annoying. When that is over, I need to start planning for the Christmas blow out. I know I maintained a child-like glee about holidays well beyond most people, but I never expected to become such a scrooge. i prefer my usual evening to a holiday! Is this a funk, or is this being a "grown up"? You seem to be suffering from several factors. Possibly over work, job stress, stress related to trying to support kids in college, stress related to your own education, and, most importantly, the absence of young children, for whom the holidays are so magical. While a four year old old before Christmas really isn't a viable DIY project, maybe now would be a good time to start some more adult holiday traditions. Something such as a cookie baking day with the kids. Or having the kids help with preparing the holiday feast. Together time that also helps lift some of the burden from your shoulders. Tskeeter is making an appearance as the guest kitchen elf at his MIL's on Thursday morning. He will be assisted by his DMIL, DW, and favorite SIL. Upon returning home, Tskeeter and Mrs. Tskeeter will begin preparing some holiday treats. Peanut brittle, almond bark, krumkake, and rosettes. No lefse, though. That's reserved for when Tskeeter's aunt makes a visit to whip up some Scandinavian delicacies.
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countrygirl
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Post by countrygirl on Nov 22, 2016 23:42:19 GMT -5
I spent most of the last 15 years alone, sure I was married, but rarely did DH get home for holidays, wedding anniversarys, or birthdays. Yes, I had DD, but sometimes that was no consolation as she only thought of her needs. It hurt, people don't invite an odd duck with a kid with issues. I learned to spend my time alone, sometimes I was sad, sometimes not.
This is the first year after all that, that DH has really been home. He was last Christmas but he was just finished, not ready to quit yet, and could not settle in. This year he seems excited, we really have no one to invite. He is bringing his mom and aunt from the assisted living center, that may or may not end well. Honestly I kind of dread it. I did invite a high school acquaintance that has no family. I don't know what happened in her family, I know her 2 aunts raised her, she is 74, eluded a bit to hurt. I don't know if her mom was unwed, didn't want her or what but its left her with issues. She told me she will come but please don't think she is mad or anything if she just gets up and leaves she said sometimes just to many people makes her feel closed in and she has to just leave. I told her with all the issues in my family, don't worry about it. Then of course we have DD so this should be interesting.
DH is deep frying a turkey, he makes great tasting ones and making the noodles, I told him how when he was overseas and he would make gobs of them so that will work. DD wants to help so I told her she can tear up the bread for dressing, she is excited. We WILL make this work and we WILL have a good time no matter what, so all I can say.
If you want to be with people I'm sure some would have invited each of you. I literally had no one that would. I know how you feel, 3rd wheel, or just being nice. Do what you like but I would take the invite, you can leave right after dinner, not do it again, or maybe enjoy yourselves, that's what I did, and may have to do it this year again! Who knows how this will turn out??
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Nov 22, 2016 23:43:38 GMT -5
Hopefully it is just stress related, tskeeter.
Feels deeper than that. But, time will tell, I suppose.
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CCL
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Post by CCL on Nov 22, 2016 23:47:43 GMT -5
No, I'm with BG. We aren't really welcome just more of an obligation. Watching families together and people with their spouses suck for those without one or the other. I know the holidays are rough for many people, but I can tell you I invite people over just because I enjoy sharing my time, energy and hospitality with them. It doesn't have anything to do with feeling sorry at all. We have plenty and I like to share. I do draw the line with the rowdy kids, though. If they can't behave, they can leave.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Nov 23, 2016 1:34:05 GMT -5
WB - good for you for sticking up for DN#6. And - for my morbid curiosity - how is she bossy on food? and is it food she is one upping on the DILs? or other things. she sort of tracks who eats what and how much. And she will reference how she only ate 1/3 of what she took because she just doesn't want to eat. And how my son is destined to have diabetes because he likes his carbs. If it's one of her dils turn to host, she will happily offer to bring a dish because we're so busy and/or don't cook to her standards. And she will not let you forget that she brought a dish. And she wants certain holidays hosted to her satisfaction and fights any change like crazy. I've been hosting a Christmas Eve thing for 8 years now because she insists that all gifts to her grandchildren must be opened in her presence and on Christmas Day no matter what traditions her dils' families have. I've explained my tradition. My mother has explained it. Every year I still hear her asking about it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 9:39:51 GMT -5
The last couple of years, I have had no holiday spirit, not sure what is up with that. The kids and I will be going to my oldest DD's house. When the kids were younger, I spent many holidays alone as they went to their father's house. It was hard, but no where close to those that have no one. I often wonder what I will do when my last two are gone and have their own families. I'm sorry for those that will be alone during the holidays. Don't feel sorry for me - I am looking forward to it.
It's a day off work! Yeeha!
I am going to dust and wash my bedding. It's not often I am home during the daylight so I want to take advantage of my chance to dust when it is light out.
I am also going to read my book and watch some television. Pure bliss.
I bought a boneless turkey breast and plan on making that in the Crock Pot. I won't have any side dishes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 9:54:26 GMT -5
Don't feel sorry for me - I am looking forward to it. It's a day off work! Yeeha! I am going to dust and wash my bedding. It's not often I am home during the daylight so I want to take advantage of my chance to dust when it is light out. I am also going to read my book and watch some television. Pure bliss. I bought a boneless turkey breast and plan on making that in the Crock Pot. I won't have any side dishes. OK, I feel better. I thought I was a little weird because even though I loved DH dearly and would have him back beside me in a heartbeat (at least in his pre-disease condition) so far I'm kind of liking living alone. I married for the first time at 31, was divorced at age 44 but sent DS to a military boarding school shortly after that, and married DH when I was 50. So, even though I've had men in my life during the "alone" years, I mostly had my place to myself since DH and I kept separate houses till we married. I'm retired but manage to get out of the house for one thing or another every day and have a great network at my church (where they'll be happy to find things to occupy me when I get bored! ) DS and family are 3 hours away and I plan to do the annual road trip to the Carolinas to visit family at Christmas. It will be bittersweet to do the trip without DH, especially with memories of our last road trip to Myrtle Beach for my mother's funeral, when he was weak but stable enough to make the trip. I guess some of us do better than others at living alone but I think I'm going to be OK.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Nov 23, 2016 10:06:31 GMT -5
I'm glad you are going to be OK. I've lived alone for about 8 years now & overall I really like it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 10:07:21 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for good thoughts about MrSroo. i hope everyone can find some fun and good thoughts this holiday. I know it can be a tough time of year, because of family or the lack of family. I remember a couple of years ago the local pub that I went to shut down on Thanksgiving and hosted a dinner for all the orphans. It was a great day, we had everyone from students who couldn't make it home, adults that didn't want to or couldn't be with their family, a couple that didn't have family, and non native Americans who had never experienced a Thanksgiving. Everyone brought something we had about 25-30 and it was dubbed the island of misfit toys Thanksgiving. Ive had a lot of these types of holidays and I've found that they are more enjoyable and memorable than most of my family holidays. The friends that I go bar hopping with on Christmas Eve call us the Island of the Misfit Toys.
Some people comment how sad it is that we go to the bars on Christmas Eve, but it's not. We have a blast.
There are not a lot of bars open on Christmas Eve. With the Packers playing at noon that day, it might be an early one this year.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Nov 23, 2016 10:51:32 GMT -5
I lost my holiday spirit years ago when we were disinvited from my aunt's family celebrations. She and my mom had talked about separating the celebrations for years as my sister had 3 kids. My mom said something to annoy her, and that was it. I used to enjoy seeing my cousins. Now, for over a decade, I'm lucky if I see them once a year. (Usually, not even that often. Sometimes it's years--and they all live within 2 miles of my house!) My sister's kids are all grown, and she's been flaky most of her life anyway. My brother got divorced 6 or so years ago. My mom can no longer make dinner, so it's up to DH and me. It's just a lot of work. We invite MIL, who brings the 5 minute to make green bean casserole, and makes it at our house because she's so "helpful". (But is open arms when leftovers are being put away.) Also, my brother may or may not bring his 3 kids, who helps not at all--even the 18 yo daughter, and won't know if he's bringing them until he shows up, probably at least 1/2 hour late. Maybe an hour. Hey, at least he asked if he could bring something this year! My mom had the turkey at her house, and I hope she hasn't completely F'd it up with the thawing.
I would loooove just to go to someone else's house for Thanksgiving, and not worry about the hangers on. At least with this crew, I don't even worry too much about cleaning the house.
Christmas is a little better since my kids are little. Still got to deal with the hangers on for dinners. Christmas Eve is done at my mom's, but I still have most of the work, while my brother lazes around. MIL on Christmas Day, will hang around way too F-in long. She has spent 8+ hours at our house for holidays before. (I'm an introvert, and like to chill without company for at least some of the day. Can't I at least have a couple of hours of the holiday for myself?) Now, I try to work the timing of dinners and such so that she can't hang out the whole freakin' day.
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