So just an update on my old lady's aunt: Her daughter has tested positive. Last night she needed to be admitted to the hospital temporarily because she had trouble breathing - she's ok. But her cousins etc down there seem a bit upset she came (btw she flew) to visit, given her uncle has cancer and are now concerned it could make things worse. Good news though my old lady's aunt still thinks this is nonsense. Bitched that her former in-laws are full of shit and need to calm down.
This might have been my favorite Christmas ever. My favorite grandmother died last year and that sucked. I had two awesome grandparents and two that pretend to care the once a year I see them. Guess which two died first. Anyway, all extended family stuff got cancelled this year. Would have been sad for the family I like seeing anyway because my grandmother isn't alive to tell my wife and anyone else that will listen how she wants me to knock up my wife and sire a son. 93 years of life has a way of reducing one's ability to give any shits. On the other hand, the shit bag grandparents Christmas was cancelled. I missed getting to meet my cousin's "recovering addict" (her words, which almost certainly means it is an inaccurate statement) new husband and their collective new child. This is the same cousin that called me worried to death because the guy was taking fake adderall from a gas station. Could not text it because of the paper trail it would leave. So, instead of pretending to care about the grandparent for an awkward evening, I spent time with my wife's family, had a few drinks, and went to hunt for the rest of the day. Pretty hard to improve on that. I do not want my grandparents that are left to die because it would hurt my mother's feelings, but I wouldn't be upset if it happened after this glorious year.
The words "recovering addict" or "recovering alcoholic" are common phrases in the recovery community of AA and NA. Whether this dude is working the steps and trying to stay in recovery may be a different story. But judging his well being based on a phrase you feel your cousin made up shouldn't tell the whole story. He may very well be a recovering addict and heard those words used in NA meetings. Spoiler Just throwing that out there. I'm not judging you either. :fistbump:
I was hoping that I illustrated the fact that my cousin seems to be lying instead of disparaging anyone that is actually in recovery. Honestly, she lies to the point that nothing she says seems reliable. I work in pharmacy and hearing someone go that in-depth about a gas station medication would make me think that she is truly concerned about him and his possible recovery, but knowing her makes me wonder if the entire story is fabricated. I have never met him and I am in the clear until at least next Christmas, so I will not judge or assess his sobriety or lack thereof. I apologize if anyone read that as disrespect towards addicts in recovery. I know there are a few on this board that have been very informative and have helped to shape my thoughts on that process. Probably should have chosen a different way to phrase that.
There's at least one poster who outs themselves as the asshole family member every year in this thread. Looks like we have a winner...
You focused on that and not the part when I admitted that my grandparents passing away would not really bother me? I think that firmly established me as the asshole.
Been back home for about a week so I can hang out with 1/3 before moving to the UK; got about 2 more weeks here. 1/3 is great, mom is great, even my ex and her new husband are pleasant. But I may smother my dad with a pillow by the end. Is it because he made me promise years ago to do so if he became the grumpy, mildly condescending ass he's become? Largely yes. Is it because he's gotten really into Irish folk music and its been a constant soundtrack throughout the house? Also yes
My dad just blamed me for him losing the cap to a bottle of olive oil because I was talking to 1/3 when he dropped it so he couldn't hear where it went. My ex meanwhile is sneaking me vegetables and tea whenever we swap 1/3 like I'm a refugee because there's basically a produce-aside-from-iceberg-lettuce ban at my parents house. On a positive note my dad has seemed to realize fox news is poison and even corrected himself on mis-gendering someone, so progress!
WhiskeyDelta sorry haven't been keeping up to date on your story. Have you found a house here yet (I'm not selling, just curious)?
My parents and my wife's parents are all passed away There is shit loads of things I would love to get a chance to do with any of them, but a fucking vacation is not on that list
I did that a few years ago and, surprisingly, that was nothing like our other vacations. If I got tired of them, I just got on the train and went to another city.
I'm doing one in a week and a half with my wife's entire family. And frankly, I'm looking forward to it.
One week on a gated private estate in Jamaica with an on-site chef, butler, maid and driver? I don't care who is with me for that. I get along with them all anyway.
If you go on vacation with someone who is high-strung or can't adapt or gets super hangry (meals tend to get delayed in transit), it can be a miserable experience.
i like family vacations because my closest family all gets along and we're ruthless about maintaining balance
I go on an extended family vacation every year and have my entire life and it’s amazing and awesome and something I look forward to every year for the same reasons I don’t contribute to this thread a lot besides real distant relatives. notsohumblebrag
I've had an annual family vacation with my mom's side of the family every year since I've been born. Early on it was stressful because all of the mothers had their idea of what we should be doing on the vacation and trying to split the cost. Has become much more enjoyable for since my cousins and I have gotten older and mostly started our own families. Now it's basically do what you want, but at least make a couple of the family dinners through the week.