Happy Freakin’ Holidays
“I’m giving thanks that we don’t have to go through this for another year. Except we do, because those bastards went and put Christmas right in the middle, just to punish us.” – Home For The Holidays
I’m certain I’ve used this quote before. I don’t care. If I could come up with a decent excuse I’d use it every day. I freakin’ love that movie. They’re so dysfunctional and real.
I’m starting to become disenchanted with the holidays already and we haven’t even made it to Thanksgiving yet. It’s so obligatory. There’s so much pressure. The expectations are so high and so different from person to person. I try not to get involved in any of the nonsense.
We’ve had Christmas Eve at our house for the past 8 years. Both sides of the family and multiple friends are invited. It’s worked out great. This year, hubby’s brother wants to have it at his house. He and his family just bought a house near us and are loving having parties. I resisted at first because I enjoy having it here. I finally caved because he can be, well….”persuasive”, and I figured why not let someone else deal with the hassle and mess for once.
Then the bossy-bosserman decided he wants all holidays at his house. Including Thanksgiving. My mother has Thanksgiving every year for my sister and her family and me and mine. It’s the only holiday she has. We always spend the day over there and then meet up with hubby’s family later in the evening.
Hubby’s brother does not like this one bit. He wants us at his house for dinner. In his defense, he did invite my mother but only after rigorously attempting to persuade her into giving up on having us over to her house. She flipped out, told my sister if we wanted to go to his house then she would just leave town and spend the day with her sisters and mother.
I agree that my brother-in-law can be pushy, but that’s just how he rolls. He’s not pitching a fit because she wouldn’t agree to give up Thanksgiving. He just gave it his best shot. Her temper-tantrum on the other hand, is so typical. And annoying. If she can’t get what she wants then she’ll just take her ball and go home. Ugh. Who knows what she’ll do now that Christmas Eve is not at her daughter’s house and is instead at my brother’s-in-law house. I know she isn’t happy about that but it was my holiday to give away and she is more than welcome at his house.
Apparently last year hubby and I had a spat right before leaving my mother’s house because I had thought we had to leave to go to his family’s at 6 but it was actually 5, and he mentioned that to me….at 5. I’m certain it was not a major blow up of an argument. Probably just some bickering over the correct time and most likely me saying he should have told me sooner. I’m told this was, “awkward”. Now, I’m no fan of public arguments but I don’t even remember this one taking place. And no, I was not drunk. I have no idea why I wasn’t. Note to self….drink more this year. But really, in the grand scheme of things, there is so much dysfunction and awkwardness at these things, could our bickering really have made such an impact that it’s vividly remembered a year later? Or is that just it….it was the only rational awkwardness, the only real conversation that took place that day that made it so memorable?
“Well, that was absurd, let’s eat dead bird!”
Thanks for stopping by!
I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS (she says nearly choking!)
This year should be extra special fun. My father & his wife will be spending Thanksgiving at my brothers house. This has never happened before. All of a sudden my dad announced he wanted to spend the holiday with us…my brother and I went – HUH? WHAT?
This will be fun because we have a very traditional dinner, turkey, mashed potatos etc. My dads wife eats….well…we are really sure what she eats but we know it won’t be anything we prepare..ahah!
Plus, my sister will be bringing her girlfriend to a family function for the very first time. Oh, did I not mention that my sister came out shortly after I did? Must have slipped my mind. HA!
So, I will have to explain, without doubt, this situation to my father and his wife. Where do we think that conversation will lead?
Yes, I am stocking up on the wine and beer now, because the holidays are bound to be a HOOT!
Ummmm…..yes, you did “forget” to mention your sister’s news! Well, compared to what you’ve got in store for you, mine will be a breeze. Good luck!
ohh the holidays, how i dread them. maybe that is why i moved overseas. now wait, i should clarify. i love the holidays. i am that person who loves to decorate for christmas. i am a kid at heart and i get giddy with holiday cheer. but the minute you insert my family into that formula, the clouds cover the sun, darkness reigns and small animals go running for shelter.
this year dad is trying to bribe us all into spending both holidays with him and my step mom. he bought a house in colorado 15 minutes from the slopes and my mom hasn’t stop flinging accusative remarks since. yes, i am home. the sound of bitter fighting has tickled my ears. who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? and this is why God invented alcohol….
consuella´s last blog ..i’m not afraid of anything, right?
This cracked me up: “the clouds cover the sun, darkness reigns and small animals go running for shelter.”
Why don’t we all just switch families for a year and then report back as onlookers…we’ll probably still need booze.
i just want to go on record that i LOVE “Home for the Holidays”!!! Love.It. I feel like I’m watching my dysfunctional family when I view it.
and Tammy – OMG! That sounds like a fun one! Good luck with all of that!
For more family dysfunction, I recommed “Eulogy.”
she´s last blog ..Protected: “The time has come,” said the Walrus to the Carpenter.
I’ve never heard of Eulogy but it sounds ominous. I’ll have to check it out.
Oh Cyndi, this blog post and the comments here make me almost glad both my parents are gone. Almost. Over the years, I’ve had better holidays with friends than with family. But some obligations you just have to bite the whatever and get thru. It will be a great time to practice staying centered inside yourself and observe the goings on. See how long you can stay out of the dysfunction!
Karen
Karen Walker´s last blog ..Telling the Truth Tuesday – Losing and Finding Friends
That’s an excellent idea. Observation. It will most likely give me LOTS to write about too!
LOL, “persuasive”….love it!
You know I remember EVERYTHING, that’s how *I* roll! And, I remember it so vividly because other than that little grapple (yes, I stole your word) the day was pretty smooth…unusually smooth. It wouldn’t be a family get-together without yous two bickering about something! LOL
Steph´s last blog ..Eco Beauty Part 2
I so wish I could remember ANYTHING!
It’s usually smooth because it’s so freakin’ fake…unless the hostess really gets on your nerves and you order her out of her own kitchen.
Good times.
“She flashed me Claud, she flashed me.”
OMG! I *have* kicked her out of the kitchen! LMFAO!!!
“Wow, is that you car Tommy? It looks like a carnival ride!” {Insert flatulence} “How fast can it go?”
“Like the wind, honey, like the wind.”
Steph´s last blog ..Eco Beauty Part 2
No matter what, you and I always crack ourselves up!
“It’s mine; you can’t have it. She gave it to me. “
“Well you know what they say about assholes, honey. Everyone’s got one and eveyone says everyone else’s stinks! Oh shit!”
Steph´s last blog ..Eco Beauty Part 2
I’m siding with your Mother on this one. It’s tradition to have Thanksgiving at her house and there is no reason you have to go to your husband’s family for BOTH Christmas and Thanksgiving.
My only child announced a few weekends ago (at my scrapbook party) that she is going to Texas for Christmas (Ryan’s family). I’m sure she decided to let me know then since she didn’t think I’d explode in front of acquaintances (doesn’t she know me at all?). Last time she wasn’t home for Christmas was the 1st year she got married and I boycotted Christmas that year and went to Las Vegas for Christmas (and was miserable). This time I’ve decided to boycott HER. No presents from me and I’m not accepting anything from her. I’d like to give her Ryan with his balls cut off stuffed in his mouth but it’s not worth going to jail for. Hopefully I’ll be dead by next Christmas and she can wallow in guilt for not spending my last Christmas on earth with me (I never said I’m not a drama queen).
BAH HUMBUG!
I’m not disagreeing with my mother. I’m fine with her keeping Thanksgiving. That’s why it was so bizarre that she had a temper tantrum and threatened to leave town. Both my sister and I had already told her we were fine with her having it and my brother-in-law will be fine with us stopping by there later in the evening. She just didn’t like the idea of him even asking and for some reason, took it out on my sister.
LOL – she must not know you very well, or is just in denial. Many of us are about our drama queen mothers.
I’m sorry she’s going to TX. I can’t believe she didn’t learn her lesson the year you went to Vegas. Just hearing about that X-mas even gives ME bad nightmares and I only heard about it from you after the fact! 
And you better not be dead by next X-mas, who will entertain me like you do?!!
She’s probably doing it to pay me back for telling her there is no Santa Claus when she was five (she asked and I don’t lie).
You’re probably right! My little guy was so upset I KNOW I’ll be hearing about it when he’s an adult.
Ugh. The Holidays. Who ever said they were supposed to be fun? The only bright spot for us is that my in-laws live clear across the big wide state of Pa. So we’re kind of limited to my side of the family–and still, the drama exists.