My family
I grew up in Pennsylvania (here out referred to as PA). I now live in Georgia (blah blah blah GA). My family all still live in PA. There is a very good reason why there are 3 (four if you count Delaware) states between me and my family. And before you tell me that all families are nuts, I know this. I am well aware of this fact. I am also aware that it could be a lot worse.
Moving on.
For years there was tension between my mom and my dad and step-mother. You could run electricity for an entire civilization through the tension. Years! I got used to it and learned how to deal. But ever since mom went through her cancer treatment after my step-father died there seems to have been some sort of reconciliation. Okay, my mom and Lois (step-mom) had been friends long before my mom and dad divorced so I get that. But now my dad is on the bandwagon too! HE was the one who told me they would be having my mom down for Thanksgiving because there's "no sense her being up there all by herself!". Dad never gave a shit about that before, but suddenly he grew a soul. Or he traded for one on a fair market. He's thrifty. This mutual welcoming will also be happening at Christmas, while I'm up for my every other year visit.
Okay. Hmmm. Odd but I can deal.
Well now we throw my brother into the mix. Let me interject by saying that my mom lives right up the street from my dad. This made things very convenient. My brother lives aproximately an hour and a half from them both. I call mom once or twice a week. I call dad's house about once a month, sometimes more. My brother calls maybe once every three months, and only visits when his job takes him near there. He and my sister-in-law pretty much expect them to come visit them to see the grandkids. When decisions are made for them to actually come visit there are typically last minute notification and blammo! We're here! Planning? What is that?
So. My mom and Lois have been bonding. Getting used to that. Hearing my mother's impersonation of Lois is a friggin' riot! I can deal. But now I get to hear ALL about the stupid crap my brother is doing. They only just found out a little while ago that my brother would be bringing his family up for Thanksgiving. Bitching fodder. Nobody knows which house they will be staying at, my dad's which isn't that big to begin with, or my mother's which they consider more boring because the liquor doesn't flow like a river but has a lot more room. Same for Christmas (and we don't know exactly when they will be coming to town either).
My brother and his wife are very busy people. My brother is typically gone all week and only home on the weekends. His wife is dedicated to her career. Their kids are 10 and 7. Guess who is getting a dog? Guess who is not just getting a dog but a pitbull puppy? Guess who is getting this pitbull puppy on the 19th and bringing it into this circus for Thanksgiving? Can I get a facepalm?! Really? Not just a puppy but one of the more stubborn, hands on breeds out there?! And they are bringing it without having asked permission!
This sparked some interesting conversation between Lois and my mom, Lois who called my mom to tell her about this...nay, bitch about this. Mom, who called me, isn't entirely certain there are two brain cells to rub together between my brother and his wife. I tend to agree with this assessment, but I tend to take a seat in the audience with some beer and popcorn to watch this chaos unfold.
So this is the circus I will be going home to next month. It isn't bad, really. It's just drama llamas jumping through hoops. And honestly I've been dealing with this kind of wackiness with my family since I was fourteen and became aware of their weirdness, their need to look at each other and shake their heads while muttering choice phrases about each other to each other. I anticipate the controversial topics of conversation to be brought up at Christmas dinner that will end in someone being insulted and/or hurt then not talking to anyone for a few hours until someone goes to see how they're doing which will result in an hour long list of the other person's faults so who are they to be so damn judgmental. Love and joy come to you and to you your Wassail too!! Oh yes! I will be armed! Have laptop and book, will survive family get togethers!
Moving on.
For years there was tension between my mom and my dad and step-mother. You could run electricity for an entire civilization through the tension. Years! I got used to it and learned how to deal. But ever since mom went through her cancer treatment after my step-father died there seems to have been some sort of reconciliation. Okay, my mom and Lois (step-mom) had been friends long before my mom and dad divorced so I get that. But now my dad is on the bandwagon too! HE was the one who told me they would be having my mom down for Thanksgiving because there's "no sense her being up there all by herself!". Dad never gave a shit about that before, but suddenly he grew a soul. Or he traded for one on a fair market. He's thrifty. This mutual welcoming will also be happening at Christmas, while I'm up for my every other year visit.
Okay. Hmmm. Odd but I can deal.
Well now we throw my brother into the mix. Let me interject by saying that my mom lives right up the street from my dad. This made things very convenient. My brother lives aproximately an hour and a half from them both. I call mom once or twice a week. I call dad's house about once a month, sometimes more. My brother calls maybe once every three months, and only visits when his job takes him near there. He and my sister-in-law pretty much expect them to come visit them to see the grandkids. When decisions are made for them to actually come visit there are typically last minute notification and blammo! We're here! Planning? What is that?
So. My mom and Lois have been bonding. Getting used to that. Hearing my mother's impersonation of Lois is a friggin' riot! I can deal. But now I get to hear ALL about the stupid crap my brother is doing. They only just found out a little while ago that my brother would be bringing his family up for Thanksgiving. Bitching fodder. Nobody knows which house they will be staying at, my dad's which isn't that big to begin with, or my mother's which they consider more boring because the liquor doesn't flow like a river but has a lot more room. Same for Christmas (and we don't know exactly when they will be coming to town either).
My brother and his wife are very busy people. My brother is typically gone all week and only home on the weekends. His wife is dedicated to her career. Their kids are 10 and 7. Guess who is getting a dog? Guess who is not just getting a dog but a pitbull puppy? Guess who is getting this pitbull puppy on the 19th and bringing it into this circus for Thanksgiving? Can I get a facepalm?! Really? Not just a puppy but one of the more stubborn, hands on breeds out there?! And they are bringing it without having asked permission!
This sparked some interesting conversation between Lois and my mom, Lois who called my mom to tell her about this...nay, bitch about this. Mom, who called me, isn't entirely certain there are two brain cells to rub together between my brother and his wife. I tend to agree with this assessment, but I tend to take a seat in the audience with some beer and popcorn to watch this chaos unfold.
So this is the circus I will be going home to next month. It isn't bad, really. It's just drama llamas jumping through hoops. And honestly I've been dealing with this kind of wackiness with my family since I was fourteen and became aware of their weirdness, their need to look at each other and shake their heads while muttering choice phrases about each other to each other. I anticipate the controversial topics of conversation to be brought up at Christmas dinner that will end in someone being insulted and/or hurt then not talking to anyone for a few hours until someone goes to see how they're doing which will result in an hour long list of the other person's faults so who are they to be so damn judgmental. Love and joy come to you and to you your Wassail too!! Oh yes! I will be armed! Have laptop and book, will survive family get togethers!