[*Judy*]

So what is up with this whole Holiday stuff? I mean I love them but man they just wear me out. This has probably been the busiest weekend we have had in a long time. I always cook Thanksgiving dinner so I was busy with that all Thursday. My MIL and BIL and his wife decided to arrive an hour an a half late...come on now...where is common curtousey? Then when my BIL's wife asked what she could bring, I said just make sure you come ready to help clean up...well she didn't lift a finger after dinner was over!!! Just sat at he table talking about how she steals things from TARGET (She calls it a system. She finds something she wants and then takes the price tag or barcode off or something and then hides the other items like it that are on the shelf, then takes it to the register and tells them she doesn't know how much it cost so they give it to her for dirt cheap or something.) ! Then when I said that she was stealing she got all offended. I mean seriously...if you know something cost $12 you should pay what it costs and if you can't afford it don't get it. Don't be all sneaky and pretend you don't know what it is! I worked my butt off cooking dinner and then she didn't even help clear the table. I can not believe she didn't even try to wash one dish!!!! UUUUUGGGHHH!!!!!!! Oh well. Then when I said to my DH that it ticked me of that she didn't help clean up he told me I expect to much of my guests...WTH??? I expect them to be on time and to help clean up when they asked what I needed to be done...That really upset me and started a big ole thing with us!!!! I honestly don't think it is wrong to expect people to be on time, or to help clear a table or wash a couple of dishes when they didn't have to do anything else all day...uggghhh!!! What do you all think?

[*Bobbie*]

Judy....


Seriously..... next year you three should just cook for yourselves. I would tell everyone else you have plans. I can't believe she did that! I work retail (as most of you know) and what she is doing to Target is just WRONG! People like that make us pay more for stuff in the end. Retailers have to raise prices just to make money because people steal and we end up paying for their *free* stuff. UGH!!!! I soooo hate shoplifters.

Anyways..... I know that is one of my *hot buttons*..... I am the shoplifter Queen in my store. I can just spot them. And 99% of the time I am right on

About Turkey day.... and holidays in general. I feel like we never have family time ALONE here. This Christmas I am not allowing my in-laws to come over Christmas morning. We have NO alone time with our kids and sometimes you need to put your foot down and just enjoy the Holidays. I think simple is best...after all who is going to remember what they ate last year?

Or next year.... tell her it's her turn...and then sit back drink coffee and enjoy not doing the dishes Or tell her to bring the paper plates next year!

Okay I am drinking wine again..... so I am not sure any of that made any sense? I am such a lightweight now for wine. UGH

[..Jessica..]

What she did is really wrong! I mean, she didn't even bring anything AND she's eating an amazing dinner that 1. she's not paying for and 2. she didn't have to cook. She should be grateful to even be invited to someone's home for Thanksgiving!!

What she's doing to Target is stealing beyond anything! I'm amazed that she finds it funny, she won't find it funny when her kids get caught for stealing when they're older.

Now...about the whole "you expect too much from your guests" ... I stayed at my aunt's house during August for my cousin's wedding. I was there a week. That's it. And I felt SO CRAPPY for leaving a glass in the sink, that I would wash the dishes, even if they weren't mine! Now, my aunt would get mad and say "don't do that, you're on vacation" but that's not why I did it! I did it because I was brought up to clean up after myself, and if I just left it alone, I'd feel THIS big for not lifting a finger.

I'm heated now...

[*Judy*]

Thanks Girls!!!
Bobbie,
You are right, maybe it would be better to just spend it the 3 of us next year...that way there is no worries about making other people happy and all that. I wouldn't mind, but DH may...Let's see I have a whole year to convince him. And the shop lifting thing is just so wrong! I worked retail for a LONG time, got me through high school and college...I hate that she does it and thinks it's alright. She said oh yeah I got pillows like that and had this list of things she was rattling off, and then I said well that's stealing and she said oh I only did it like once, and I was like you just rattled off a list of things you got by doing that. UUUGGGHHH!! I really don't like her!

Jessica,
I was brought up the same way. If on vacation or just a short stay doesn't matter, you just should pitch in or at least offer. I mean chances are if she would have said I will do the dishes I would have said no don't worry about it...but she didn't even scrape a plate. I mean she asked a few days before what she could do so I told her, but I guess she just conviently forgot or something while I was stuck scrubbing pots and pans...My mom helped with the dishes (mind you she is 75...she had no business doing anything and I had to literally kick her out of the kitchen!) Oh well...I just know not to expect ANYTHING from her not even common manners!

[*Bobbie*]

Judy.... how about you all come here next year We will both have babies in our arms and the men can do the dishes!


Let's set the date....and then tell the witch to take a hike for good

[*Judy*]

I'm in!!!! I am so totally there with a new little family member (hopefully). That would so rock!!! We could have a Thanksgiving play date!!! It's a done deal. Booking reservations now!!!

[*Bobbie*]

LMAO.... Dave said he cooks and does dishes so all we have to do is give birth and hold those babies .... so this time next year... it's you and me kid

Now I need to bookmark this post so next year we can look back and think we were psychic (sp?)


<fingers crossed for a year>

[*Judy*]

Mine are crossed too!!! I really hope your psychic powers are right on target with this one Bobbie!! No dishes!!! No cooking!!! Just holding...I think I can do that!!!