Quote:That's completely understandable. It also serves to remind us that there are many more out there who are less fortunate.


I don't have extended family to deal with during the holidays. My brothers and I are scattered wide and don't stay in touch. My wife's family is in the Philippines, so the only ones at our home is just us and our five children. Well, I say children but the oldest three are grown. None are married yet so they eat at boyfriend/girlfriend homes and then eat here because we don't start until around 6. The most interesting part always happens after dinner, though. All through the evening the friends of all my kids come by the house to nosh on my fried turkey and have a good time - card games, music, and sometimes my son breaks out his guitar or ukelele and plays while my daughters sing. Of course I'm on my second bottle of moscato by then so all is well. It's a good time.

I miss those days of hanging out with the family all night playing games having a fire lit and music playing. My side consists of my family, my parents and my brother and his family. My brother is out west, my parents are enjoying retirement and rarely in town anymore. They don't even live a mile away yet they are gone all the time. They worked their butts off so I don't blame them for enjoying retired life. I really miss those holidays we were all together. My wife's side is a bunch of dysfunctional yahoos. Not a single one has a job!!!! Can they get one? Sure. do they? No. Why when my taxes are giving them everything they need? I mean that in the most loving way possible. They eat and run. They get to our house about 30 minutes before food is ready and leave about 3o minutes after we eat. As irritating as they can be, can't we all just hang out and enjoy the holiday? It's like why even bother? Well, next year lets have it at some one else house. Can't. None of them even have a house. Could be because they don't have a job, idk.If we are just going through the motions why even get together in the first place? My wife and I try so hard to get in the holiday spirit and they just literally suck the fun right out of it. I guess it's worth mentioning my wife agrees with me on everything I have stated in here. I'm not just being mean, she feels the same way. How is she not adopted?

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