Sooo thanksgiving was okay with my in laws . I was shocked to hear that BM decided on thanksgiving to drive into town. We met her on the way to MIL house, I asked DH if BM would be getting SD from MIL or if we needed to take her back home ( I knew SD was gonna try to stay the whole weekend since she missed her weekend) . DH didn't know so I dropped it. Over the few years since my family stopped doing holidays together due to conflict scheduling, I had to spend pretty much all the holidays with MIL and SIL which includes being around SIL drunk husband.

Well, I had a nice Thanksgiving this year -- alone. It was DH's year to have SS13. Since he wasn't able to take him on a trip earlier this year, he took him on a week-long cruise. I didn't go due to work commitments and difficulties getting a dog sitter, but, honestly, I'm happy this way. I get the house to myself. And I don't have to spend a week sharing a cabin and bathroom with a surly teen boy. Win for me!

My mom passed away.

As some of you may know if you've followed my blogs, my mother has been very ill and I've been caregiving for her full-time since March.

This doesn't even feel real. My mind body and soul feel like mush. I don't know how to go on without her.

I want to share her obituary I wrote (altered names) to give even a glimpse into the kind of person she was because I need to keep her kindness and love alive. 

"T, a pillar of kindness and generosity, passed away on 11/17/24 leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her.

On Thanksgiving morning, of course (following the ancient BM family pattern of "Look at me" on holidays), SD called DH and told him that her adopted adolescent daughter (who is the sister of step-son-in-law) is in the hospital because she tried to commit suicide. 

A big blow up had occurred the weekend before and that is when it happened (so why didn't SD tell him on another day?) 

We hosted Thanksgiving this year. It was only DHs brother and his family, plus his Mom. 11 people total, not too bad! 
 

I am just wanting to know if your SO was going to be working out of town with  the opposite sex would you think they should tell you? 

Even if you dont celebrate in your country, I am THANKFUL for YOU.

Startng tonight, off for the next two days and then the weekend.

Got started with a work review and a raise.

Ive got TWO Thanksgiving dinners, my family and then DH's considerably larger family. No purchase (which is good because the stores are CRAZY busy) no prep, just show up and eat and hang and leave.

Then a nice little dinner with a friend.

No plans other than to sleep in, and lounge.

I'm sorry but I just want to scream this ! Every freaking year, every holiday BM has to find a way to bug and or start drama ! That is about the only thing she is consistent on. This year since I guess SD is not getting anywhere on her texting DH wanting to be picked up tomorrow, enter BM. She started sending DH SD15 Christmas list unprovoked. SD had already sent DH her list weeks ago. Normally I have finally gotten to the point where I am not affected by BM or SD but DH is constantly complaining and I ask him what is going on? And he is like it's this damn list !

So there has been threads on this before.  I am sure it has been discussed on the forums as well.   What are your methods to keep feral skids ransacking household goods like a plague of locusts?  What are your cost cutting ideas?

Some choose the hiding method such as hiding in the veg bin as skids are naturally averse to anything that grows from the ground and that requires picking.

DH has not talked to SS18 the Golden child in almost 3 WEEKS. DH is livid because SS is talking about hating college, and we know it's 99% because of his Jr-in-HS gf back home. SS is across the country and has a ton of friends, is in a frat, and this college is amazing for his major. There are HUGE opportunities that he could never get anywhere else. But, a month before he left for college he decided to get super serious with his gf here. WHY. Prior to that they would go weeks without seeing each other.