MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
We've arrived at the in laws. 3 nights then back home. In that time we've got to split time between both sets of parents.
The in laws ask us the same questions every time we see them. Then my Dad just tries to organise everything while pretending to be laid back about it.
Our relaxing Christmas holiday starts on the 27th when we get home.
How is everyone else getting on surviving their family Christmas?
One day in scouseland tomorrow then its all my own. I purposely made this year much less stressful as I need a good chill this holiday.
Just departed 2 days with the inlaws to spend two days with my mum and dad. Told the inlaws I'd be leaving at 4, told the parents I'd be leaving at 5. That's brought me an hour in the pub ON MY OWN.
The weather is rubbish and mrs gastro is refusing a trip to the pub to give us a couple of hours of peace and quiet.
I've saved the most recent Singletrack mag to get me through this evening.
So far three days at my dads (without my girlfriend), one blazing row (no real loss, it's probably been brewing for a long while) resulting in me hitting my dad.
Now at my mums with my girlfriend, we've decided to do Hanukkah this year so it's much more relaxed with plenty of food and champagne.
Sort of looking forward to seeing my girlfriends parents since it'll be considerably more relaxed than with either of my parents!
Annoyingly won't get any riding in but I'm calling it a rest week!
we've decided to do Hanukkah this year so it's much more relaxed with plenty of food and champagne.
Sounds a lot like christmas....
Sounds a lot like christmas....
Christmas doesn't last 8 days though does it? 😉
There's a lot less pigs in blankets as well!
No.1 & No.2 gone home after being here for a few days.
Now I don't need a survival plan as I've made sure everyone is giving me a wide berth.
I don't do "family"
Ever
We're hosting. Sis in law is doing starter we're doing everything else. If I hear the words bisque or waitress one more time.
Mil has already offered sil a hand as she's been so busy (on holiday all week) but expects us to pick them up tomorrow.
Boxing day can't happen soon enough.
Oh we've had carols from King college, now its blankety chuffing blank.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrggghhhhhhhhh
I've been here at the [b]Outlaws[/b] for just 3 hours and I've fixed the TV from having no signal (dodgy aerial lead snagged between radiator and TV stand, resulting in a bent aerial socket on the back of the TV now) I've set up the surround sound (because they'd pulled it all out, in dispair they'd shuved the optical lead into the nearest socket they could find, just so happens to be the now mashed aerial input jack) I've reset the bloody AGA to Heat the ferkin radiators to get some heat in the bloody place, from "I thought it was a bit cold, put another jumper on sonny" to actual real life heat now coming out of the rads. They've now gone out visiting knowing full well we'll go round fixing all the stuff they've broken and come back to "oh, I didn't realise xxxx wasn't working" horsecrap they always spout.
My Mother goes away every Xmas to somewhere hot and remote, damn if I'm not joining [i]her[/i] next year.
Stuff this routine I have every time I venture North to the Farm.
It isn't funny, comedies are funny, this is tedious.
FIL is staying over...
He has just gone to pick the mrs up from work and he managed not to moan about immigration/other bigotry in the few hours he was here so going well so far.
So far three days at my dads (without my girlfriend), one blazing row (no real loss, it's probably been brewing for a long while) resulting in me hitting my dad.
You [i]hit your own dad?[/i]
I'm going windsurfing...again,like I did on friday.Hopefully with better waves 😐
Bikebouy, do you not think that if you offer to go with Mum next year, Mum might decide to stay home ?? 😉
We're trying to weather the storm- shit weather is forecast for the next couple of days up here but it's forecast to be nice on Tuesday, so no riding until then probably. We've got a nice walk out planned for tomorrow though- cheese and pickle butties for christmas dinner in Hawthorn Wood! 😀
I remember one year when my ex outlaws stayed for the thick end of a week. A ****ing week! FFS. Really? A week! ****s.
Dropping my mum at airport in morning she's off to see her brother then we are going to MIL to join up with SIL..if I dont kill anyone it will be a good day not allowed to come back till boxing day night...
Persuaded Mrs 100th to take bikes van caravan and dogs to middle of nowhere next year. Need to investigate a bbq cooker method for Xmas dinner.
Enjoying the peace while he is gone, cooking us all some food and necking a few white russians to make sure I am ready to cope with it once he starts saying stuff that annoys me
[b]My[/b] Mother is fabulous, she'd be most pleased if I went along, if I went along [i]alone[/i] she'd be even happier 😉
In-laws family Christmas here, very strange. They've booked a hotel an hour away, popped in for an hour earlier and are getting a taxi here and back (chapel en le frith to Manchester) tomorrow.
All good today as the mil was sober. Tomorrow could be more testing. I might drink run with the fil again, he's from the Dominican republic, I don't tend to keep up.
So far three days at my dads (without my girlfriend), one blazing row (no real loss, it's probably been brewing for a long while) resulting in me hitting my dad.
Shit, Nath you ok chap? Doesn't sound fun...
You hit your own dad?
He's always been very cash and self-centric and I really really don't want myself to turn out like him but I'm aware that I'm very career minded.
There was drink involved (not that that's an excuse) and I do regret it but on some levels I don't regret if those bridges get burned.
In happier news, my (usually argumentative) stepdad is being thoroughly pleasant and I'm having a cracking time with my Mum etc!
Various members of the family have not been getting on well recently and the rest are mostly stressed.
The MiL has drunk an entire bottle of wine for the second night in a row, and is singing badly.....again
I'll be hiding out in the home office this evening, and the kitchen tomorrow. Pity I can't get out for a run tomorrow, as I have for the last two days. On the plus side, them being here is doing wonders for my fitness 🙂
I've got a really ratty hormonal bad time of the month Mrs cloudnine to deal with. Went absolutely ballistic when I suggested a quick pre Christmas bike ride this afternoon. Stress of Christmas and hormones.. Oh what fun.
I've got to spend tmw with a bunch of bloody veggies. Thankfully I've cooked a turkey, a ham, a load of pigs in blankets and bought a deliberately non-veggie cheese board. Also have emergency rations of chorizo and rioja.
Im away at work until the 30th. This works brilliantly as my wife does not get on with my parents, and neither do I to some extents, but I can tolerate their presence better.
This give my wife the perfect excuse to say, 'Nope' to any suggestions of vists to or from them on Christmas day. She just wants to have a day with the kids to herself and being very mumsy.
Bikebouy is a keeper . 🙂
How is everyone else getting on surviving their family Christmas?
I tell them, in no uncertain terms how much I hate Christmas, and not to expect to see me or do anything with me, during said period of festivities!
Yet that STILL doesn't fully stop them from trying to include me in things... 😈
So in just over 12hrs time, I'm on a plane out of here for a few days, so none of the ****ers can get hold of me until its all passed!
Well there's usually a few more houses on the market in January after all the post xmas divorces..
We did my parents last weekend and hers Thursday and Friday and we ate out both times. Zero stress. Back home now and not going anywhere until sil comes for ny and then I'm going to remember a panic job in the unit which just can't wait
All I really want at Xmas is a rest and some time to get a few bike rides in. Going back to 'home' tomorrow and meeting family in the pub. Ms Mudmonster is Polish and I know a few family members are brexiteers, hopefully it will all be ok. Bit apprehensive with alcohol involved though.
Run up to the family home (my side) only 40 mins north and then Lakes for boxing day. No riding going on.
Outside of lunch etc I'll pass some time online updating my site - www.unsponsored.co.uk it tends to get a huge number of hits Christmas day as I suppose many paddlers want a little bit of escapism from the 25th's routine.
Mboy chin up just keep your christmas hat on to hide your car crash haircut!
If you dont like something dont do it.
I'm looking forward to a week or running, zwifting and maybe even an actual bike ride. I've also got this vague idea about reminding myself how to play guitar and I would like afew hours to better understand multiple regression analysis which I think will be usuful for work next year.
Between that lot and one day visting my sister it should be a nice week.
PiLs arrived on 23rd and aren't planning on leaving till 28th... dear lord..
Am under orders from better half to not touch the wacky Baccy till they've left so in an attempt to burn some time I've already rearranged my garage and converted one bike to tubeless.
I'll gorge a kilo or two of pigs in blankets today whilst contemplating not being with my son for xmas nor having spoken to my immediate family for third year in a row.
Fortunately I'll have my son visit on 27th and I have tickets for footie so my xmas will really begin then.
Now TV have offered Sky Cinema free for two weeks which has already killed around 12hrs, it's a god send.
First time at the girlfriends parents for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. They are religious and tea total. I am neither of these things. So far we've talked about their dog - a lot. In fairness to them, theyve been very friendly and welcoming and have plied me with booze to pacify me, still been a bit of a struggle though. However soon to set of back to Wales to my folks for boozing, biking, playing music too loudly and swearing with my dad! Happy Christmas one and all
Sofaboy that could have been so much worse for you, she may be a keeper!
Thankful not invited mother in law nor visiting this year so bonus.....Partner has serious lurgy....She managed to have her annual rant against Xmas it's futility and absurdness ( this is a hang over from dealing with her mother at Xmas) however even though it is annual event and has happened for the last thirty years it still takes me by surprise.....Plus this year I made comment so yesterday was a very quiet Xmas Eve,.......Daughter hid till we went had a half in the pub.
So far this morning it is more a scene from the living dead,......
All OK here.
Coffee in Drop Off Cafe mug, Christmas music on, Wife getting ready, Step Daughter 1 and BF not seen since last night but there is evidence they came home.
MiL and BiL due shortly.
Gin and tonic at the ready.
Should all be uneventful which is good.
Riding tomorrow with Step daughter 2 - and kids Boyfriends before lunch. Apparently one of them is competitive so I will be turning myself inside out on the climbs.
Have fun boys and girls.
I find pretty much everything my mother says or does almost unbearably irritating and she's here for 3 days 😕 Thankful for the inlaws being here too as they are good company and help dilute things a little. On the bright side it's fun to see the kids all excited and we're hoping to get some child minding out of the grandparents while me and mrs B go for a spin on the bikes tomorrow.
Poorly dog, sick and squirty shite all over new cream carpet, ho ho ****in ho 🙄
I've decided to just take Xmas day and Boxing Day off this year as the only family I have is mum and if we spend too much time together we end up fighting.
Being self employed does have it's upside 😉
Went best mates last night for a Chinese so today quick bike ride out to nans grave, lunch then probably just browsing on here or planning some holidays for the new year.
All the best to everyone on here. * gone teetotal so raises mug of fruit tea to toast *
Sat in a Premier Inn near [major UK airport] about to fly 180 people to a famous skiing destination.
Return trip will be near-supersonic as I'm intending to be home before midnight and have 220 miles to drive afterwards.
So those of you whining that you can only bear to spend one day with your families, bear in mind that some people don't get a choice. FFS, someone here said last night they ended up punching their dad.
Is it wrong to be hiding on the loo BEFORE the Outlaws turn up?
Our trick has been to go skiing over Xmas. Has worked a treat for the last few years!
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Poorly dog, sick and squirty shite all over new cream carpet, ho ho **** ho
He must have caught it from me...great Christmas present.
Happy Christmas woppit, your drink matches the walls!
Aging parents who are now declining rapidly that need full time professional care.
And smile!!!
Stockings opened with kids (22 and 20!) on the bed
Dog walked
Church service
Margaux decanted
Bubbly and Puligny Montrachet (tribute to my dear old man) in the fridge
Hoovering done, table laid
Waiting for PILs
Missing my old man and friend across the road (RIP both of you)
Sad that my mum is in hospital with broken hip, but bravo to physios working on her this morning and to my bro for being there
No food yet, but looking forward to a nice gorge
THM. Liking the wine choices.
At my partner's house, her brother doing the cooking, her daughter cleaning the place. I'm low profiling it.
The beef is going to be cremated so her mum likes it, and I am going to have to sit at the same table as sprouts and parsnips and two brexiteers... but could be worse.
My mum in a home and doesn't know the year let alone the day. My dad seems off the radar, again. Kids with their mum. I too prefer skiing xmases.
New record for FIL he managed nearly 24hrs without saying something rediclously offensive.
It was going so well until he started trying to defend the celebrities of the 70's who have been proven as peados...
Also the glass that I found that was the perfect size for my White Russians has turned out to not be a glass but an empty Candle, nobody told me
Alcohol works here.
Going great .Drinks etc and child tantrums at friends in the morning.
Now the boy has gone to play with his friends (learning loads of Italian swear words).
Late dinner to follow and my local has just given me a free beer. London is blissfully quiet.
Epping slop ride on the cards for the morning ,not quite Skiddaw but I'll take it.
🙂
BiL's GF is a loud and abrasive,...........
No probs here with a bike build going on in the lounge. 8) Son and I talk about bikes all day long, so far it's been about tyres, wheels and brakes.
I'm considering lacing the MiLs next glass of wine with xanax
FIL spent 2 hours building one of the kids toys (knex dinosaur) and tells them off for touching it in case they break it! It's the kids and it's a toy ffs!
And I've been told I'm drinking too much when I haven't even drank enough to be over the limit to drive.
Obviously the Mrs sides with him as he can do no wrong and is the perfect father despite the fact he left her and her siblings with their abusive mother when he ran away and didn't see them for years...
To balance the grumpy posts, I'm at the folks house with my gf. Drinking a selection of great local beers, the folks are nice as ever, I think they like my gf even more than me. Life is pretty sweet today.
Don't come here with your happiness :p
The time spent with the kids is great the whole day hasn't been ruined just the bits when a certain person is talking...
Kids are starting to run out of steam - for the 2yo that means having a book read to her, for 11yo it means strutting about like Kevin the Teenager from back when Harry Enfield was funny. Pouting because he's missed Doctor Who despite the fact he knows full well it's on the iPlayer and he's been glued to his Xbox since 8am.
FiL came for lunch, he's quiet and introverted like me so we get on fine.
I've done the dishes and degreesed the kitchen - there's a huge amount of left-overs from yesterday's party and stuff that's not even opened - it's got a few days before it's recycled, shameful waste but we 'had' to get it or Xmas would be ruined.
Mums tomorrow, Wife might join us later but she's working tomorrow - 3 days of over eating and unwanted social interaction - I could do with a nice long ride and a dose of picolax - can't do either this week so I'll punish myself in the gym on the 27th instead.
I'm the miserable one in our house. You guys should have some sympathy for those of us who feel under pressure to be jolly when it doesn't come naturally.
The decibel level has gone off the scale with MIL and SIL shrieking shite at each other. Junior and I have escaped upstairs to make some lego!
FIL is staying over...He has just gone to pick the mrs up from work and he managed not to moan about immigration/other bigotry in the few hours he was here so going well so far.
My FIL (who is staying for 3 days) and reads the Express and Mail religiously and believes every word in them. Quite shocking really, he's a nice person who has just been completely brain washed into becoming a racist / xenophobe.
Me & mrsp at my folks. We don't drink much, my folks do. Father becomes increasingly racist and intolerant as he drinks, now has fallen asleep. Bored stupid and already making plans to spend Xmas 2017 away,or at least say I'm away.
BiL now spouting rubbish, I'm shooting the worst down(Thankyou Wikipedia).
Mil Fil auntie in law and wife happy watching strictly. I can't drink and thinking of gouging my eyes out. 🙁
These are great and I'm now feeling much better!
In laws here until Boxing Day. They live 10 mins away but for some reason they need to stay last night and tonight!!!
Some days I do wish I hadn't given up drinking.
And why is it whenever the MIL comes to our house she goes on and on about how warm our house is and how cold her is. Its hotter than the Gates of Hades here.
I cooked 99% of the dinner, made everyone breakfast and drinks all day, walked the dog and done the enormous pile of washing up yet I have to sort the kids out and get them to bed because "you haven't done much today"
Oh well, at least you didn't literally have to try to survive Christmas thanks to the RAF's finest, like the people of Augsburg.
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Juesss !! come on you guys/gals, some horror stories here, but 90% of all this stuff can be prevented by learning one simple word............NO.
Just had a massive row here with a nightmare guest. He was supposed to be staying until the 29th but has just booked the 6.20am flight back to London tomorrow! Hurrah!
No, no , no Noooo!
Just trying them on for size.
Just been for a stroll round the village on my own.
Not been a bad day at all, but needed to clear my head and encourage the digestion.
The diet starts tomorrow. Maybe.
Tom_W1987 as quoted in the Beeb article:
"Most Germans celebrating Christmas open their presents and have their main festive meal on 24 December, rather than Christmas Day".
So it didn't actually ruin anyone's day.
Tbf my in laws (staying for a few days) are less daily mail than my own folks, so pretty chilled
Spent the day building Lego with the kids, it on their new bikes and then made the dinner (sprouts/ lardons/chestnuts we a big hit)
BIL coming tomorrow then my folks for me year's day, Brexit will not be discussed 🙂
My planned walk for myself and my partner from dinner back to where we were staying was ruined by the demand that it was raining and therefore was too dangerous to walk the 4 miles along a disused railway walk in Wales. Had to resort to a stroll around the village instead 🙁
planing to rebuild and true multiple wheelsets next christmas to keep me occupied. nuff said
I head home tomorrow, it's been 3 days (today's the third) and I've been ill with cold (so minimal interaction) the Aga and radiators have actually worked for once (I had to reset the whole bloody system) and today I'm off to Yorkshire Sculpture Park to see some beautiful things, sure there will be some works of Art there too 😉
There's been no infighting, no disasters in the kitchen, not a cross word.
Just my angst to contend with.
And breathe..
