OT: Official Off-topic Thread XLVII-Santa Claus is coming...

[Flannelman]

Kovi, I agree with you 100%. My fondest Christmas memories aren't filled with transformers or legos or whatever big gifts kids get these days, but the best Christmas memories of those with lots of family, friends and laughter.

We hosted a Mexican themed Christmas this year, both my parents and brothers and her father and siblings made the drive out this way. We laughed, had some good drinks, listened to some really bad Christmas songs and I can't remember smiling so much.

Topshelf: I'm in a similar position as you. Haven' heard from the biological since I was 5. You're right, he left you and he's missing out.

Dojji, I know from you're posts that you're stubborn (in a good way) and things will turn your way.

 

[BMC]

Glad to hear you had a good one Dojji.

I just lifted a ten ton weight off of my shoulders. My biological father and I have not had the best relationship since he left us 14 years ago. Long story short, he called me tonight to try and make me feel bad about not making time for him on the holidays and I calmly went off and let 14 years of frustration out way more calmly then I thought I would. I ended it with telling him he lost one of the best things he could have ever had in his life (little conceited, maybe).

I will never, ever not be there for my kids. A child should not have to try and be in their father's life, that much I know. Finally hit my boiling point and it was therapeutic and heartbreaking at the same time.

End rant. I don't like putting personal stuff like this out there but I couldn't help it this time.

Don't worry about it topshelf. That is one of the reasons we are all here

And yeah your Dad really missed out.

 

[OldScool]

Glad to hear you had a good one Dojji.

I just lifted a ten ton weight off of my shoulders. My biological father and I have not had the best relationship since he left us 14 years ago. Long story short, he called me tonight to try and make me feel bad about not making time for him on the holidays and I calmly went off and let 14 years of frustration out way more calmly then I thought I would. I ended it with telling him he lost one of the best things he could have ever had in his life (little conceited, maybe).

I will never, ever not be there for my kids. A child should not have to try and be in their father's life, that much I know. Finally hit my boiling point and it was therapeutic and heartbreaking at the same time.

End rant. I don't like putting personal stuff like this out there but I couldn't help it this time.

I had a very similar situation to yours and I look at it like this. Thanks to my dad not being in my life it has made me a better person, a much better father and a better man because I make sure I take the time to go to my kids plays, sports, concerts and I appreciate everything more because thats something I didnt have. So by him not being there it improved my life not hindered it.

 

[Topshelf88]

I wish I could hug all of you. Thank you all for your kind words, it really means a lot.

 

[Alicat]

Why do family issues seem to come to a head on Christmas? I can't get into it on the boards but I'm happy things aren't as bad as they could be but still made Christmas a little less cheery. Really happy it's over to be honest.

My parents spoiled the hell out of us. New Vera Bradley work bag, book shelf, Sox-Yankees tickets for the last game of the season (Mo Rivera's last game at Fenway), Celtics tickets (early present) and baking supplies

 

[BMC]

Why do family issues seem to come to a head on Christmas? I can't get into it on the boards but I'm happy things aren't as bad as they could be but still made Christmas a little less cheery. Really happy it's over to be honest.

My parents spoiled the hell out of us. New Vera Bradley work bag, book shelf, Sox-Yankees tickets for the last game of the season (Mo Rivera's last game at Fenway), Celtics tickets (early present) and baking supplies

IMO it is because the holidays bring out a lot of emotion in people. Plus being in close quarters with people you don't normally deal with on a daily basis can be challenging to say the least.

I'm lucky- no family drama here except the ever present vigilance over my father's health.

 

[LSCII]

Why do family issues seem to come to a head on Christmas? I can't get into it on the boards but I'm happy things aren't as bad as they could be but still made Christmas a little less cheery. Really happy it's over to be honest.

My parents spoiled the hell out of us. New Vera Bradley work bag, book shelf, Sox-Yankees tickets for the last game of the season (Mo Rivera's last game at Fenway), Celtics tickets (early present) and baking supplies

We got lucky this year in that my wife's mother and father are visiting her brother out of state. We also pushed off having my family down until this weekend, so Christmas day was all about just our family. Really special, and zero drama. That being said, the drama will be happening on Saturday, I'm sure. I may sucker punch someone just to get it started...

 

[Alicat]

IMO it is because the holidays bring out a lot of emotion in people. Plus being in close quarters with people you don't normally deal with on a daily basis can be challenging to say the least.

I'm lucky- no family drama here except the ever present vigilance over my father's health.

I was definitely on emotional overload Monday night and yesterday.

Lonnie, I feel your pain. We get Christmas with my mom's side on Saturday which should be fun /sarcasm. No punching for me tho.

Hope your dad is ok!

 

[Kovi]

Why do family issues seem to come to a head on Christmas? )

people lose their **** at christmas because they are forced to be together.

Although my sisters did a pretty good job avoiding each other. I shuttled between them. lol

I stay clear of drama.....

 

[DKH]

Glad to hear you had a good one Dojji.

I just lifted a ten ton weight off of my shoulders. My biological father and I have not had the best relationship since he left us 14 years ago. Long story short, he called me tonight to try and make me feel bad about not making time for him on the holidays and I calmly went off and let 14 years of frustration out way more calmly then I thought I would. I ended it with telling him he lost one of the best things he could have ever had in his life (little conceited, maybe).

I will never, ever not be there for my kids. A child should not have to try and be in their father's life, that much I know. Finally hit my boiling point and it was therapeutic and heartbreaking at the same time.

End rant. I don't like putting personal stuff like this out there but I couldn't help it this time.

you are what you think you are, nothing more, nothing less; I'd wager zero conceit and likely way underselling yourself as a person in that sentence. You took one of the saddest of life experiences and will see to it that you and probably generations of your family don't have that happen.

Best of luck, reading this makes me think you would have gotten along very well with George Bailey.

 

[KnightofBoston]

Bergeron to Seguin and team Canada ties it at the Spangler cup...

 

[Therick67]

I'm tired of all the running around on Christmas. I have an 8 and 11 year old and would just like to stay home, relax and let them enjoy the new stuff they got. Instead, we go to 3 different places.

Next year I'm thinking about having an open house. Come over, eat, drink and relax. No schedule to follow.

 

[Kate08]

I'm tired of all the running around on Christmas. I have an 8 and 11 year old and would just like to stay home, relax and let them enjoy the new stuff they got. Instead, we go to 3 different places.

Next year I'm thinking about having an open house. Come over, eat, drink and relax. No schedule to follow.

No kids here, but we also got tired of all of the running around. We host Christmas Eve (which is a fair amount of work), and then would be expected to make the rounds on Christmas Day. Last year we said sorry, we're starting our own traditions and stayed in on Christmas. Christmas Day has become a low key pajama-fest...this year, we DVR'd all of our favorite Christmas movies/specials during the season and watched them yesterday. Ordered in Chinese for dinner, played with our new toys, and took our time cleaning up from Christmas Eve.

We end up seeing less family (cousins, etc) than we did when we had plans for both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, which is the only drawback. But it's allowed us to continue building new traditions, and we now look forward to post-holiday get togethers with those that we don't see for dinner and gift exchanging, when things calm down a bit.

 

[Neely08]

I'm tired of all the running around on Christmas. I have an 8 and 11 year old and would just like to stay home, relax and let them enjoy the new stuff they got. Instead, we go to 3 different places.

Next year I'm thinking about having an open house. Come over, eat, drink and relax. No schedule to follow.

This is what we do. Hauling 3 kids all over the place got old, quick, and half the misery is b/c the kids do just want to play w/ their new toys. I always thought it was the itchy sweaters, myself.

Bonus. Some cancelled b/c our kids had the flu. So, beef wellington two nights in a row! It must be Christmas!

 

[LSCII]

This is what we do. Hauling 3 kids all over the place got old, quick, and half the misery is b/c the kids do just want to play w/ their new toys. I always thought it was the itchy sweaters, myself.

Bonus. Some cancelled b/c our kids had the flu. So, beef wellington two nights in a row! It must be Christmas!

Isn't it sad how someone bagging out is better than them actually showing up??

 

[LouJersey]

This is what we do. Hauling 3 kids all over the place got old, quick, and half the misery is b/c the kids do just want to play w/ their new toys. I always thought it was the itchy sweaters, myself.

Bonus. Some cancelled b/c our kids had the flu. So, beef wellington two nights in a row! It must be Christmas!

Unless they are senior citizens, tell em to stock up on the vitamin C and zinc and grow a sack. I could not stand when relatives in perfect health would cancel because a child was sick with whatever...

I know, must people would, but not me.

 

[LouJersey]

I'm tired of all the running around on Christmas. I have an 8 and 11 year old and would just like to stay home, relax and let them enjoy the new stuff they got. Instead, we go to 3 different places.

Next year I'm thinking about having an open house. Come over, eat, drink and relax. No schedule to follow.

Yep. It's the "Christmas World Tour" generally. Hate it as well.

 

[Kovi]

Yep. It's the "Christmas World Tour" generally. Hate it as well.

second christmas alone......world tour is no more.....

 

[LouJersey]

second christmas alone......world tour is no more.....

... you are far too wonderful to be alone on Christmas! or any day for that matter..

 

[Kovi]

... you are far too wonderful to be alone on Christmas! or any day for that matter..

no nono...i have family and friends....I just meant...with no "second extended family". I had a very warm christmas



thanks Lou

 

[sooshii]

Bergeron to Seguin and team Canada ties it at the Spangler cup...

Oh man, that hits me where I live. I want it I want it.

<sigh>

Anyhoo, just got home from VA. Only took 5 hours longer than normal, due to "weather" Y'all would laugh at.

Pup is pooped but she didn't whine once.

 

[Bruins Stooge]

Random note here but it's frustrating that NHLshop.com never does free customization days. I've been saying for the longest time if they did one i'd order another jersey. They use to do them every few months and now i don't think i've seen one in years.

 

[Topshelf88]

you are what you think you are, nothing more, nothing less; I'd wager zero conceit and likely way underselling yourself as a person in that sentence. You took one of the saddest of life experiences and will see to it that you and probably generations of your family don't have that happen.

Best of luck, reading this makes me think you would have gotten along very well with George Bailey.

Thank you Dan.

Also thanks to everyone else offering kind words. I feel even better today...much more of a clear head than I have had in a while.

Is George Bailey an author? I'm about to wikipedia him.

 

[Kovi]

I am so tired

 

[LouJersey]

I am so tired

Need someone to tuck you in?