meh. trying to get the prep work done and not hurt myself doing it. tired, grumpy, and just plain meh. 

I've had some sobering health issies this year so I know what you mean, Clove.  It changes how you think and what you do.  I joined Silver Sneakers at the Y and it's already helping.

I''m doing ok so far but the holiday season is typically pretty rough on me due to SD62's annual drama.  And, right now she's out on bail for a felony so it's like there's a volcano on the backyard and earthquakes are occurring. 

One thing I do nowadays is lavishly celebrate my birthday next month and I'm looking forward to that (casino overnight, dinner at great Chinese restsurant).

Here's hoping we all get through the holidays with the minimum of drama.

Thanksgiving is always good, it's just DH and I since BM wanted Thanksgiving each year, but not Xmas. Which also means Xmas was/is always stressful.  I usually take the whole week of Thanksgiving off because my work gives us both Thurs/Fri of the week off anyway and most people are out on Weds.

We like to travel out of country the week of Thanksgiving, but since my baby boy kitty, 17.5 yo now!, needs more care, travel is not an option.

So we do a grown up feast of whatever we want to eat. This year is cioppino, salad, homemade polenta (along with homemade sourdough bread), and I'll make an italian chocolate/hazelnut cake with whipped cream. Plus champagne of course. I get to sleep in, exercise when I want, get a facial, watch my shows/movies I want to watch, hang out, read books, etc. A real vacation time.

Xmas this year I have no idea what's going on, I abdicate from all of it, esp. after last year. I will make treats for friends/coworkers though. On weekends YSD17 is not here.  I will however, on Xmas eve eat well (DH must cook), sleep in, and then hang out the next day in my pjs.

I'll most likely be dodging step-mother obligations that have been thrown in my lap last minute (as usual), Oscar worthy acting, eating myself into a food coma, and spending money I don't have lol 

Plan to indulge in some wine and spirits as well. 
 

And of course plan to be thankful for what I do have that is going right. 

Mr Aniki and I are completely burned out on socializing and agreed that we need a break. So we told person A we're dining at person B's and vice versa (neither knows the other). I cheated and ordered a complete Thanksgiving meal for us. I even ordered the pie from our fave bakery so I don't have to cook a single thing - just heat it up -  and we'll have leftovers. We're very much looking forward to enjoying a lazy day of comfy clothes, tasty eats, movies, and each other.

Happy Thanksgiving, CLove!

I hate the holidays. I never used to... but now I just want to be like the grinch and live alone in a cave with my dog. I'm tired and want to be left alone.

Little Idiot is coming up for 8 days (and while that's not as bad as it usually is, and the plane tickets were far cheaper this year... I'm still dreading it). The holidays always make me reflect back on my poor choice to get involved in this circus in the first place. 
 

The last couple days she's been crying poor, no money for her bills (thankfully hasn't come to US...yet... but I guess The Skunk Ape and ex stepdad contributed to her plight) then the next day showing off new iPhone accessories she bought herself. I just can't stand her anymore.

Thanks for asking. Today is my 57th birthday, so I used my personal day and haven't been out of my PJ's all day. I'm also wearing a tiara. Yes, you read that right. LOL

Having had to share my birthday with siblings and a former spouse most of my adult life, I make a BIG fuss about my birthday....MONTH. Last week it started with a dinner out with my gal pals. Saturday night, some of the same ladies and my two older kids met me for a Mrs. Roper Romp and pub crawl. We dressed up in curly red wigs, tacky jewelry and muumuus (caftans) for a pub crawl to raise money for leukemia research. The actress who played Helen Roper died from leukemia, so it seemed a fitting tribute.

Sunday, my partner came to my house, took me out for lunch and spent the night.

I'm enjoying living with my daughter (30) in my former airbnb, and I now have 2 sweet kittens. I adopted them on 10/22, so it's been a whole month. Hazel and George are their names and they are two of the most well adjusted cats I've ever had in my life. The adoption center is quite fancy and their cats and kittens have a very luxurious wing where most of the cats run loose - think 30-40 cats in a room with ramps, walkways, hiding places and catios. Very fancy. The kittens are about 7 and 8 months old, and have adjusted well to my daughter's dog.

I'm a happy momma living with my daughter, and it looks as though it's not going to be for much longer. She has been interviewing for a job in Boston and has a second interview next week. I am SO glad I made the decision to move out of partner's house and into my airbnb to make the most of the time she is in Maryland. I'll be sad to not have her nearby, but the job is a great opportunity, and she already has friends in the area.

She is the Thanksgiving hostess. I have already made our traditional Jell-O salad and the homemade cranberry sauce. In a little bit, I'll make the pumpkin pies, and in the AM we'll make the sage dressing. Right before dinner, tomorrow, we'll make the mashed potatoes and gravy.

My DS-33 has been brining the turkey for 2 days and will roast it tomorrow morning and transport it to my house. My XH1 will be joining us (ugh), but I'll be fine because it's for our daughter. He's bringing a few dishes (sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, rolls and cornbread). DS-27 is bringing some beverages.

Partner was invited to dinner, but he's hosting some of his family members at his mountain house. I'm glad for him. After losing their mom in July, they should be together to support each other.

So, I'm just vegging out and will soon drink some wine to round out my birthday evening.

My only stressor tomorrow is spending a couple of hours with my XH1. He's not a bad guy but he's hard of hearing and annoying. LOL

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Just DH and me today. We don't live near family, and our close friends are dealing with their own issues.

My morning is dealing with pantry moths. I hate those things. Otherwise, a lazy day. Plenty of food and booze in the house. 

I hope you have a great holiday CLove.

I am having an IL clan immersion holiday.  And dad is dealing with a bug.

It is a mixed bag.  The gatherings tend to be mostly pretty good. However..... anyone and everyone they talk about are "idiots". Doctors, Teachers, Principals, etc.... All idiots.  Not once, with the excption of my brilliant bride, have I ever heard anyone in my IL clan say a positive thing about anyone.  Including their friends.  They talk about a doctor visit, how the Doctor/PA/NP/Nurse is an idiot and they are going to a different Doc office next time.    

Then... they start telling stories about the latest piece of junk vehicle, equipment, etc... they have been working on for yrs and just got running, how the "new" transmission went out as soon as they started driving it. Of course as Paul Harvey so eloquently points out... "now for the rest of the story".  The new transmission is actually one that they had rebuilt yrs ago, did not get used for years, is now full of moisture from condensation which causes seal failures, etc... when they get an engine put in it and finally start driving it.  The shop that did the transmission rebuild gets blamed. When I point out that the transmission was left outside under a tarp and the rebuild shop likely did a good job but sitting out in the weather for years is not good for an automatic transmssion.  Obviously IATA.   There is always a "the rest of the story" with my IL clan. Everything is always someone else's fault.  Of coure the someone else is.... an idiot.

For me and the other Outlaws (BIL2's DW, SIL's DH, Eldest nieces BF) it is a challenge to participate without highlighting "the rest of the story" that always gets avoided in order to maintain the facade of superiority that is assertively presented and defended by the IL clan.  DW knows full well about the facade.  I have to be very careful how or if I discuss any of it with DW after the day breaks up and everyone heads to their respective places.

Tomorrow, should be pretty good. If.... BIL1's bride does not get bitchy with BIL2 and his DW.  

Tonight was SIL's daughter's B-day. She is a pre-teen. She was such a little bitch that I had to "take a walk" before I said something.  She was being rude about the gifts people gave her, etc.... my SIL gives the sing songy sweet voiced "now beeeeeee nice". Which was pretty much met with even more little bitch bullshit.

I may just drink through TG tomorrow to take the edge of. But that probably is not a good idea as it tends to loosen my already overly opinionate tongue.

My DW is in her happy place. I do not want to crush her bliss.

Which I almost did today. She got irritated with me because I was "being grouchy".  I played a get out of jail card that I was worried about my dad. He woke up this AM with his eyes swollen shut and his face severly swollen.  My first concern was Cellulitis which I have had 4 bouts with. It hurts like hell on the face or neck and it can be extremely dangerous if not addressed quickly.  They did get to the Ugent Care near their home that is affiliated with the hospital that just did my mom's Twisted Bowel surgery last weekend. The doc said that it was either Cellulitis, or allergies.  The Doc is leaning toward allergies but did put dad on a horse pill antibiotic.

While I was worried about dad, I was grumpy because I had to spend the day with SIL and her two kids.  Though our nephew (SIL's eldest) has improved exponentially in the past 5-ish years, the niece (B-day) girls is not even a bit better.

So, I hope to eat myself into a triptophan coma early tomorrow and maybe have a Tequila (or 6) with SIL's DH.

Happy TG STalkers. 

I hope everyone has a superlative holiday and that the drama is minimal.

Gobble till you wobble.

Note* - I forgot to hit save yesterday when I wrote this.