A thread of solidarity for those with Christmas guests

[Champagneforeveryone]

DM is arriving today, DH has just gone to collect her. Our relationship is normally OK, but due to some extremely dubious parenting on her part we've never been close.

Currently she's astounded and quietly appalled that the trains are busy and there's been a delay. She had also made vague noises about sending gifts down via courier but then left it too late, so tomorrow will require a trip to town <screams>

Added to the mix, DS is home from uni and his GF will be joining us from Boxing Day. DM is mildly racist and GF is not British. Dm also disapproves of wokeness and the general silliness of young people, so we're all in for a treat when she finds out GF is actually trans.

I intend to spend the next few days in a state of mild inebriation 🍷

Ah, @countrygirl99 , that's sad. Was she nice about you?

I can't decide what would be worse, DM telling me how marvellous her daughter/me is, or how awful I am. The latter would at least feel familiar!

Alcohol consumption prior to the meeting of the GF is apparently frowned upon.

They can get stuffed!

She told me her daughter likes animals.
She kept getting confused about where she was and last night when DH and I were preparing dinner she was surprised we'd been allowed to "takeover the kitchen". Goodness knows whose kitchen she thought it was. She couldn't remember who'd fetched her (me) and panicked they'd gone home without her. It was exhausting and made me realise just how much her alzheimers has progressed since dad died.

I'm so tired. I'm hosting the ILs tomorrow, with mum still here.

I'd like to make a meringue, and I've tonight's dinner to do (nothing hard).

DM wants to go to a festive lights show. I might get DS to take her. Which is a shame, as id quite like to have gone, but I am just too tired.

The last two times I've hosted the in-laws they have been ill. FIL not bad, as he's delighted to read in his room and sleep, happy with anything I cook, and delighted at things like a eucalyptus shower tablet for a nice steamy shower. MIL though nothing satisifies. Needs to have the TV up to 11, and when she's feeling a bit better up and roving about DS room, straightening everything and touching things with her germ hands. I have heard them inquire to each other if they should take off to a hotel so as to not spread germs, and then they say but why? We have a good setup here with everyhting we need! ACK.

We had a quiet alone time this year.

Off of the topic, but why is it we like cheese so much? About 25% of hosting threads become about cheese.

I'm reading these out to my friend whose house I'm a guest in for two weeks, she looks horrified and says she kill me!
She knows I won't though, it's why I'm a guest plus she's currently trying to convince me to stay until mid January, I've been here over a week already!

It's all gone surprisingly well, DM has been on the best of best behaviour which proves she CAN do it if the mood takes her She's even complimented GF on her frankly scary eye make up.

DS and GF will be at the house shortly in order to take her to the station. She's dropped numerous hints about how difficult it will be to get home but there's simply no space for her with GF here, and this has been the plan all along. Besides which her restraint is likely to crack before too long.

GF seems lovely and more than a match for DS who, as previously mentioned seems besotted. Whether things will be as rosy after four nights of them both in the house remains to be seen.

Hoping that everyone else on this thread is coping with their visitors with as much grace as possible 😉

Grace abundance here. I've broached the subject of returning her home. She's not keen on getting the train. She can't work out how to manage all her stuff. I do feel buying a toilet roll holder and mop, as well as the two coats, two sensible hats, and three silly Christmas hats she brought with her aren't helping.

pickle I feel your pain.

DM is finally home, after a journey across the rail system that would put Everest expedition hikers to shame. There are numerous items of hers from this and previous visits which she is unable to carry, so remain with us for "next time"

There was much talk about later trains so she could "stay a bit longer". DS (aka The Golden Child) arranged to take her to the station, so she went with little fuss (although 4hrs later due to the train strikes)

DS and GF are now hooting with laughter over the Jenga set which is currently being constructed into a miniature Colosseum, surrounded by Baileys glasses.

I can't help thinking we've come out of this reasonably unscathed and can be nothing but thankful 🥹

Still have MIL here - has been since Christmas eve. Struggling a bit. Seems to want a lot of attention from me but DH and DCs are here too so could hang out with them. Have escaped into the bedroom.

Getting comments such as I got up a bit earlier than yesterday so I was 'doing well'- and stuff about dismissing health (waiting on test results which have got lost) Well if it was important I'm sure they would have rang me followed by tales of how she had suffered in the past and no-one had found out what was wrong either.

Going on about how it would be nice to go out for a walk but not going (thinks maybe wants me to go) but I just need a break.

We've to try out this new air fryer thing she had for Christmas which seems to be causing no end of trouble and comments. Can't be bothered.

Oh also comments about drinking.

.....and breathe! She's booked on a train tomorrow. 😅 can't wait. It will still be stressful, lots of moaning to be heard first. But she'll go!