Pie can make everything better. :)
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Pie can make everything better. :)
Dear Neighbors that invited me over for dinner,
I wasn't sure you actually meant it, since you didn't tell me a time range to come over. So when I worked up the courage to come across the street, and knocked on the door, I heard laughing inside, but no one answered. I didn't want to bang on the door, so I went back home. Had my favorite Kashi microwave dinner, and an apple tartin from Trader Joes (well I didn't eat all of the tartin, yet).
To the world in general - if you know a single person, invite them over for a holiday meal, but tell them when, so they know you actually mean it.
I hate holidays - they only remind me that my severely disfuctional family is scattered to the 4 winds. And yes, I did choose to move here, or move again - don't ask me what I'm looking for, maybe it's a reason to stay put. Holidays are just something to get through. :(
Aww! :( I have leftover steak, rosemary potatoes, and a couple of cats for company - I'd share if you were closer!
(((((Beth))))) Wishing you a future of joyous holidays with your chosen community. And wish I could send you some of our way-too-much food, too. :(
Big hug to you, Beth, and to anyone else who is far away from loved ones today (family or otherwise).
Couldn't have said it better myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by bmccasland
I'm sorry, Beth :(
I'd have you over any day, Beth! You sound like an interesting and friendly person, definitely one of the ones that makes TE the place it is, that I wanted to thank yesterday :)
Virtual pie and cat company all round!
Dear family member-
In some ways, I'm glad that we had our discussion yesterday. It confirmed for me that you're a bitter control freak who's clinging to apparently minor transgressions that I committed years ago and who is unable to forgive or forget anything. You're a master manipulator and had me promising all sorts of changes on my part with absolutely no willingness to give or compromise on yours.
Also, for the first time in 10 years, I got to experience what it must have been like to grow up in that household. It sucked, but it's going to make me a better wife in the long run 'cuz I get it now. (DH, I'm sorry! And thank you for being my partner in all of this.)
I've never intentionally cut a family member out of my life, and I cringe every time I think of the collateral damage that's going to occur, but you may very well be the first. Congratulations on a dubious honor. (BTW, I welcome advice on how to do this.)
Sincerely,
Emotionally exhausted and shattered.
Don't tempt me!!! I have a passport that needs stamps in it. One of the things I've thought about was going on vacation for the holidays - hop a plane, go somewhere else. Now if I can just get someone to buy the ticket, pay the boarding for the kitties. *sigh* But I can dream.Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
Got out today, and did some shoping at local small shops. Got a pastry at the Danish Bakery, and had a meat pie from the Australian Pie shop.
Happy weekend to everyone! ;)
most of what is bad in my life and memories, ie loss of dear ones two footed and four footed, life time crisises, traumatic experiences and ill health have happenend between Thanksgiving and New Years. Here's hoping that this year doesn't follow the pattern.
We've had a good Thanksgiving and are going tomorrow to meet a new rescue dog to give our FIL 's dog Beau as a companion. Here's hoping.
Becky,
I am one who has cut relatives out of my life, specifically my aunt (my mom's sister), which also means I no longer see my cousins or their kids. I was very close to my aunt growing up, as she was only 16 when I was born. She and her husband lived with us for a couple of years as newlyweds. She was always contentious and opinionated, as opposed to my mom who was tolerant and kind. My family moved away when I was a teen and she became bitter over the fact that she was left to care for my grandparents. My uncle died at the young age of 52 and she has never recovered; despite all kinds of offers of help, both social and psychological, she just became more bitter and lives totally through her kids. When I moved back to the area, we saw each other a lot for awhile, but it was always at her convenience. What was once just a little neurotic is now controlling. She tried to control my mom's death, which of course, she couldn't. My cousins (2 of the 3) became, well, one became a right wing political extremist and the other became an Orthodox Jew. My opinions never counted and my aunt is brainwashed by Fox News at this point... Despite the fact, I still tried to find something in common with them, they all decided to hold grudges against me and my husband for things (stupid things) that happened ten or fifteen years ago. I quit calling my aunt about a year and a half ago. They are racist and intolerant, so different than my own parents. I feel badly she has lost the chance to see my kids as fully independent adults, but I just couldn't take it anymore.
Crankin, thanks for sharing your story. It's helpful to hear from those who have been there. This part of your story really resonated with me, as it's similar to what DH and I are dealing with:
In our case, it's an immediate family member, and maybe that's what makes this so difficult... I'm trying very hard to remember that there's a lot of people who love, like, and respect me, and that the opinions of one person aren't necessarily correct or realistic. (But dang, that's tough to do sometimes....)Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
I'm really anxious about what Christmas is going to be like this year, as that's the point where I need to "fish or cut bait", so to speak, and decide if I'm ready to break all contact. *sighs*
Do you mean it's a sibling or parent? My family is super small, so to me, my mom's sister was pretty close. I have one brother, many years younger than me, who lives across the country from me, near my dad. The fact that I live about 12 miles from my aunt and have never run into her (I ride by her street a few times a year) amazes me. But, her world is very small.
Sometimes it's hard not to be with family on holidays, for me, especially Jewish holidays. But, we have been sharing holidays with friends for many years, and they have become our family. Of course, my kids, I think would like to continue contact with my cousins, but haven't, knowing how it would upset me.
Yup, that's what I mean. (Sorry, I'm being a little paranoid about what I share in the public domain...)
Dear personal statement--
Why are you so hard to write? I hate writing about myself--it seems like bragging. And then I have to edit you to suit four different schools, then write another one for the fifth? I'd crawl into a hole now, but I have two weeks until the application deadline.:(:mad: