Christmas Report

[Begonia]

Hello WW: Well, DD called yesterday but she did not hand the phone to anyone else--they were all busy, she said. I didn't ask.  Haven't heard anything from DS since he dropped the bomb about cancelling our family gathering.  Today he wrote Merry Christmas on my FB wall. I didn't reply or call.  I kept very busy and today went to a gathering that ended up being four single women for dinner at a wonderful house and we laughed our way through the hours.  In the middle of dinner a huge white-tail buck with 8 points came right to the window to eat sunflower seeds. The dog didn't even bark!!  So no conflicts, no expectations, no disappointments.  Only a little hurt in my heart about not talking to any GC, but I feel content that I made the right decisions this year.  Thanks to all of you for your help and support.  I hope your holiday was equally peaceful and that it is filled with love. 

[luise.volta]

What a beautiful, wonderful, dignified win! Laughter heals. I swear that's a fact…as does fellowship. Sending love...

[Doe]

We should do a head count to make sure everyone made it there and back again!

Everything was fine here.  We were surprised to get a gift package from DIL a few days ago - no message, just a couple of little items for DH and me.  We put some money into DS's account as usual and got a short thank you in response to DH's text.  I decided to heck with the games, I just want to treat him as usual and if he wants to have his panties in a wad, so be it.   DIL did respond that the money was appreciated.

DH and I went out for a great Christmas Eve meal, an Italian seafood stew that was a sensual delight! Today we went to see "Mission Impossible IV " and dined on popcorn and coke, then went down to see YS/GF and swap some presents and good cheer.  It was a beautiful sunny day here with snow on the ground.

I'm glad it's over!  I'm really looking forward to the New Year to complete some projects I'm working on to help set us up for the next phase of our lives. 

[Pen]

Such heartwarming stories; I'm glad to hear things went well for you both.

[luise.volta]

Lovely!

[Pen]

We're exhausted, but happy. DS, DIL & DD were here all day; DIL was pleasant, talkative and seemed to enjoy hanging out with us. All in all a very good day!

[Shelby]

We're exhausted, but happy. DS, DIL & DD were here all day; DIL was pleasant, talkative and seemed to enjoy hanging out with us. All in all a very good day!

Pen - I'm very happy for you.  You deserved a good day.

[Begonia]

Great reports!!  I have so much admiration for how all of you extended your good will.  Doe, I like that you say you are going to go about things as usual.  So nice that you got thank yous for your efforts. That means so much, at least they are trying.

Pen, nice work with the DIL.  Glad things were smooth. 

Luise, thanks for replying.  Sending love back to you and a basket of joyful good wishes for 2012! 

One down, one to go!!  Now on to the NY gathering with DD and Sis and families.  DD said, "Now, what are we doing for food?"  And I said, "Nobody has talked about that, I know I'm not cooking (I have to drive 5 hours one way), so I think it'll be pizza."  We are meeting in her town--not because she suggested it, but because it is kind of in the middle for Sis and me. So I had already made up my mind that if DD wasn't going to be with us that would be fine, but apparently she wants to join us.  This will be the first time I have seen her since she blew up at me on the phone last summer and said she didn't want me to visit.  So glad I will be at a hotel, busy with my sister. I am going to put my best foot forward but I am never again going to be a doormat for my AC bad manners. 

[Doe]

I am going to put my best foot forward but I am never again going to be a doormat for my AC bad manners.

Yay!  The bad manners do get boring after a point, imo.

[Lovethemboth]

We thank God for special moments with friends alright. What would we do without them? I consider you all my new found friends. Even if I never see your faces, I hold you in my heart. Thank you for adding to my Christmas with all your stories.

[luise.volta]

We're a cyber-family! 

[PatiencePlease]

I don't know where I would be without this place.   The advice I have read here the last few months has been invaluable.

If you are not aware, I posted back in November that our son had moved home.  We were skeptical this was going to work out this time around, but of course, always held out a bit of hope.

This time around it is better than it has ever been.  He has been totally responsible and respectable.  He has not asked to borrow any money from us and he has paid all his bills.  He has severed all ties with his partying friends.  His job is going well and he has plans to transfer out of state, determined to live on his own.  (It's much cheaper to live anywhere but here.)

We had our usual family crowd for Christmas.  After dinner we were having a conversation with our adult niece and nephew about parenting and parenthood.  Our son piped in with his observations:  "I don't know how hard it is to be a parent yet, but I do understand that my parents have sacrificed for me and my sister so that we could have a good life."

He did buy us all presents this year (and he's girlfriend-less this year -- so he bought these all on his own - lol).  The presents were nice but his statement was a priceless gift I'll cherish for a very long time.

[luise.volta]

What a great review of an even greater Christmas! Good for you! Sending love...

[PatiencePlease]

Thank you Luise!!    Sending love and gratitude back at you and everyone else here. 

[Pooh]

Awww....so glad to hear all these wonderful stories.  We rock!