Frustrated by Google map route? Solution
Posted By: Me on 2008-12-13
In Reply to:
I was just playing around with a route that Google map gave for a particular To and From location, and was frustrated (as usual!) with the illogical-appearing route it chose. I never knew you could click on the map and have the option of Change Route appear, but you can! You just drag the mouse to the route you'd like, and it will reconfigure the way you want to see. NATURALLY the route you chose really does turn out to be shorter in distance and time. Problem solved!
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Google, google, google and make some practice
x
This might be a route you can take
Since a lot of companies have employee assistance programs, you might want to look into what your company offers. Call your supervisor for a phone number. Not only can you call and talk to someone over the phone right away (a supportive voice can go a long way) they will fast track you to counseling and psychiatric services, and they will do a lot of the work for you. One of the hardest parts during a crisis is knowing how to help yourself. They know that so one phone call can really get you going in the right direction.
I had a breakdown during a crisis a couple of years back and can totally identify with everything your going through, especially doing odd stuff like leaving your vehicle running. Some of my goofs were leaving the front door open all night, putting my phone in the refrigerator, and one day I couldn't even remember how to spell the word "who." I have learned to laugh about it now, but at the time, I was quite afraid I was losing my mind. Don't be ashamed. One day you will be able to help a friend and the circle of friends continues.
Is there some other route you can try? Umm,
xx
I know someone who went the route you are saying (sm)
and her husband has taken her to court repeatedly trying to get full custody of her children. He has not gotten it yet but they have been in battle for years. He has stalked her and threatened her. In my state if I just pick up and leave, I lose all the equity in my home. My children deserve to have a place to live.
Thank you, I think I will try that route. (sm)
I knew they had groups for families of alcoholic/drug addicts, but just hadn't put 2 and 2 together that they might be able to make her see the light of day.
There is a local group in town, I will call them for further information.
Thanks again for your assistance and just lending an ear.
BTDT, don't want to go that route again, tx. NM
x
typo, sorry - route not root ! LOL nm
x
I'm also disappointed that you chose this route.
It seemed obvious that you didn't want the paddling to happen, but you caved and let someone else (school and daughter) make the decision.
Whether one is for or against corporal punishment isn't even the issue for me. The bigger thing with me is the thought that some adult getting may be getting his/her thrills from paddling a teenage girl.
Got lost twice on a route I knew well.
I was on my way to a church group leadership training class. First, on autopilot, I got into the wrong lane at the first intersection out of the house. I couldn't do a quickie lane-change because there was a police car right next to me. This meant I had to drive halfway across town to get onto the freeway.
If that weren't enough, still on autopilot (you'd think I'd have figured it out by now) I got into the far left lane and blew right past the exit I needed. The next exit available for turn-around was a couple of miles further, so I took it and got turned around, but while I was off the freeway I made a quick call to the trainer and told her I obviously couldn't be let out of the house without adult supervision.
She found that so funny she shared it with the rest of the trainees, and they had a good laugh at my expense. But you know what? I was happy to provide it, and if you can't laugh at yourself now and then, it's a pretty sorry fix you've gotten yourself into.
to frustrated QA
Maybe the hostility from MTs is really resentment for your arrogance. You seem pretty condescending in these posts. Just because you have a QA position does not mean you are an expert in the English language or in Medical Terminology. I've gotten plenty of feedback from QA people that was wrong. The road runs both ways.
Frustrated with IE7 SM
Someone mentioned making sure IE6 was uninstalled. Well, I couldn't find any IE6 to uninstall. It is not there, yet that was what I was operating on. I installed IE7 again to give it another try. I started having the same problems and decided to uninstall it again. Well, my computer freaked out! I couldn't get on the internet at all. I finally was able to get through windows update back to reinstall IE7 again. It worked great again, other than the problems I was having. I went over and downloaded Firefox. It's great and I am loving it. Plus, it is more secure than any IE program. Anyone having problems, I would suggest this to you.
just frustrated
Because they said the only thing they could do was charge off as a bad debt. It was crazy. The reason I was working three jobs is have you ever fallen behind? Have you ever made a late payment? Well, guess what, the charges are amazing when you miss a payment or make a late payment. It all added up. I actually have them paid off, or finishing paying them off, they just show up bad and bring your score down . . . it's crazy. They stay on your report for like 7 or 8 years. So, just venting, I guess . . thought maybe I could find someone in the same position and share . . .
Frustrated? Where did that come from?
I was wondering why, seems in the last day or so, the ongoing preaching regarding every post. I am sure same person because the posts start with re:, same picture inside and closing with scripture. Not frustrated, just sounds like a broken record to me, over and over and over and you get the picture. I am not offended either, lived too many years for that.
He should have to get a paper route or a snow-shoveling
nm
Dear Frustrated:
First let me say I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. I hope he comes to his senses and makes the right decision. I hope my post doesn't seem harsh, because it is not meant to be and I hope it doesn't come across that way.
Wow, I guess I have to consider myself lucky. I'll tell you my story, but I guess my advice would be to suggest the Army if he wants to switch schools. If he thinks he is miserable where he is at now, he could try being a soldier, going through boot camp, being away from family and friends, eating MREs, working 16-hours days with no time off, not being able to shower, sleeping in a ditch, etc. Once he puts 4 years in he could go to college on the GI bill.
When my son graduated from boot camp we went to his graduation at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. One of the speakers made a statement and I find this is so true. His statement was, "We've managed to do in 9 weeks what you've been trying to do for 18 years."
My son was always a good kid too, never into any trouble, but now he was a man. I could see the difference already. We took him out to dinner and he was calling the waitress Ma'am.
My son left a week after high school graduation for the Army (his choice, certainly not mine, I didn't want him to go). He spent four years in the Army, 3 of which were spent in Germany. When he joined he received a $5000 sign-on bonus. He managed to travel to 25 different countries while in Europe. At the end of his 4 years, he had saved over $20,000 for college. He is in his 3rd year of college now and has taken the maximum number of credits that is allowed and he will graduate in May with 2 degrees, having completed that in 3 years, not 4. His first summer between years 1 and 2 he worked as an intern at a law office, contemplating becoming a lawyer. The second summer between years 2 and 3 he worked for a gas company changing gas meters in the sweltering heat. Soon he'll be done and off to grad school. He's been on the dean's list each semester. The only contribution my husband and I have given him towards his education is a new car to drive and we pay the car insurance. No cash, never paid for any books, never paid a phone bill, nothing, well, except for maybe some treat boxes with food, but that's it.
If you are contributing a significant amount to his education or upkeep then you have more power to dictate to him what he can/can't do regarding the phone bill, what you expect of him as far as grades, etc. I agree with you that if he decides to switch, he is on his own.
We as mothers tend to have the soft spots whereas fathers are more hardened. I can't tell you how many tears I've cried when my son missed his first Christmas home and missed celebrating his 21st birthday at home, had to go to Kuwait, etc.
We do have to let them fall sometimes and see if they can get up on their own, just like when they were toddlers learning to walk.
You should not feel like you are to blame for anything that may happen because of the way you raised him. We have no control over the influences of others on our children. We can only hope their upbringing is still deep rooted in there somewhere and they will make the right decisions. They might make mistakes, but they will learn. We cannot make all of the decisions for them or keep them from making mistakes or they will not learn from them.
I hope everything turns out okay for all of you.
Thank you, but I'm so frustrated tonight
as my daughter just came in crying (it's way past her bedtime) afraid that she's going to miss her advanced-math class that she's in because they do group work and there's really no way to make it up once she misses it. This kid even goes to school SICK because she doesn't want to miss school! She's a type A personality, minus the chit-chat.
I never thought I'd have a kid beg me to sign a paper that tells the school to paddle her, but that's exactly what she wants. How do I argue with her when she doesn't want her grade to be affected?
I went through their school handbook tonight with a fine toothed comb and see that indeed corporal punishment versus ISS is the choice in frequent tardies. I've heard rumors that the principal of her school is not very friendly, so I'm really not excited about having to discuss this with him (I'm having a few mini-crises myself right now, and with the holidays, this really is stressing me out).
I want to take the simple way and just sign her paper, but then I don't know, is that really the right thing to do? Probably not.
Calgon, take me away!
You must be totally frustrated
I'm not from your area, so sorry I don't have any recommendations (although I did go to Daytona Beach when I was 18 years old for a vacation - loved the beach). If I ever have to go to the doc I don't think I would ever tell them I'm an MT (mainly because of what you just said above). I would go without telling him what I do, listen to what he says and then if you don't agree I'd tell him I want to get a second opinion. Or if I was bold enough I might ask him who he sees when he is sick (or what he takes so he doesn't get sick because the attitudes of the docs suck). Kind of reminds me of the movie about the doc who got sick and found out what it was like to be a regular patient with nobody paying attention to you or giving you the answers you want.
I Have Never Been So Frustrated In My Life
I asked my sweet hubby for a sewing machine as I wanted to learn the basics of sewing. I cannot for the life of me get this machine to work. I was able to somehow get it right once to use it to mess with but I cannot seem to get it right. These machines are so finicky. I took it to a repair shop the other day because my friend who can use a machine couldnt figure it out either. They fixed the tension etc on the machine and told me a couple tips about the bobbin. Worked perfectly fine when they did it. I get it home and cannot get the &*(* thing to work to save my life. I have threaded and rethreaded, got my book out and tried again. Have taken the bobbin out and tried to put it back in a hundred times and it is a mess. I am ready to throw the *(^% thing out the window!!!! I cant learn to do even a basic thing cause I can't seem to get the machine going to start with. AARRGGHHHH
Frustrated with eye doctor!
I'm so.... grrrrrr.... don't have a word for it. I have been waiting for an appointment with my eye doctor for weeks. The office was booked solid, but I thought I had a lucky break yesterday when they called saying they had a cancellation, and I could come in today. Great! My glasses and contacts are way too old, and I really need new prescriptions. I was so happy to speed up the process... I thought.
I went to the office and arrived 5 minutes early. Completed all the paperwork, etc., sat down and waited and waited and waited. The waiting room was packed. One woman sitting next to me made a phone call on her cell, and I overheard her saying that she was going to find another eye care provider because of these waits. This was only my second time at this office, so I really don't know if this is the usual situation. But I thought I'll just see how it all plays out. One full hour after my scheduled appointment, I still hadn't been called in. I went to the desk and asked if I'd be seen soon. I was given no explanation, but was told that the doctor would be calling me "soon". I know a brush off when I hear one! I waited another 20 minutes, and this time I went to the receptionist and explained as calmy as I could that I had waited 1 hour and 20 minutes, and I should be back at work by now, yet I still haven't gotten in to see the doctor. I told her I was about to walk out, and you know it... she told me that they bill $50 for canceled appointments. My jaw dropped, and I said "WHAT! ARE YOU CRAZY?? I WAS HERE ON TIME." Several other people in the waiting room made sounds of assent, I heard one or two people say, "Me, too!"
Just then, the doctor came out and called my name. I follow him back, and I was definitely voicing my displeasure. He apologized and then explained he was the intern and would be doing the preliminary examination. SIGH. We go through all the history taking, basic exam, measurements, etc. Then he left and said the doc will be coming soon. Ten minutes go by. I'm fuming again. The intern came back and said he was sorry, but the doctor is "behind schedule", and moved me to yet another waiting area just outside the doctor's exam room.
I waited another 15 minutes to see the eye doctor, and guess what. He repeated all of the exam that the intern had just done. Now, I'm glad that the doctor was being thorough and rechecked all the intern's notes. However, I can't help but feel that I basically waited so long because the intern had gotten behind in the schedule, and I ended up being there for him to practice on.
Don't worry! I said all of this to the doctor. At the end of the appointment, he walked with me to the receptionist and told her to waive the co-pay, and he also made sure that I was scheduled for the first appointment of the day for my followup when my new contacts are in.
It pays to be a squeaky wheel, I suppose. But, since I had blurred vision for a while after having my pupils dilated, I couldn't work for quite some time after I got home. I'll be up late tonight working to catch up on lines.
Grrrr, grrrrr, and double grrrrrr.
I am so dang frustrated!!!!
Whatever happened to the customer is right and we will do whatever it takes to make you happy?
I have now been on the phone with Vonage for 30 minutes and this is my 3rd phone call in as many days. I changed my billing information this weekend and when I did they put 2 test charge holds on my account of $15 each. Now my bank says they cannot release these holds, that it has to come from Vonage.
The first call, they told me within 2 hours they would have it released, to check back my account. The second call, the same scenario. Let them check with that department, please hold..... yes, they will release your money immediately. Now, third call and I have this very irritating woman with an American name (which of course is not her name since I have to listen very carefully to understand a word out of her ESL mouth) who keeps informing me there is nothing to be done and she is sorry but a supervisor is not available and she is so sorry, but no supervisor is available and if they were available they would still tell me that there is nothing they can do for me... put me on hold, play elevator music, answer again and say, I am so sorry, miss, there is noone available to take your complaint other than myself and if there were,,, blah...blah... blah
Even if.... even if.... I am sorry... as much as I want to....
Me again! I am so frustrated, scared, and upset over here. I'm sorry, but sm
my husband doesn't understand and my other friends homeschool (as do I), so I have no one to talk to about this. My 3-1/2 year old has been crying all day. What is wrong with him? Not crying, but unplugging stuff for my computer, unfolding laundry, taking DVDs and throwing them all over the floor. So, I spanked him, yet again, and nothing is working. I sincerely cannot take this. I cannot, I cannot, I cannot. I have to put him in a program somewhere.
I am crying so hard right now because my husband and I are both advocates for homeschooling and having the children at home. I am suffering having to spend the majority of my day spaking and disciplining an unruly child which gives me no time to homeschool his brothers. They (the other brothers) hate to see their little bro get into trouble, but what is one supposed to do? There are 3 of them and 1 of me. I just lost it a few minutes ago as he just started tearing things up again. Here are the options: Get rid of every single electronic thing in my household (including my work computer), tv's, Playstation 2(which is 10 year old brother loves), and everything else and go back to the days of old where it was just mom, kids, and dad at work. I'm seriously thinking he is just too distracted and can't help it. OR solution #2, put him in daycare somewhere (this makes me cringe, cry, sob- because he will be just a number there (I know - I worked for one for a long time - I don't care what anyone says), or in a pre-K program somewhere, but around here they only last for 2 hours (GA). I know, because I've checked.
Anyone else with similar situation? I'm thinking of putting them all in school so I can work since I have to work. Our expenses outweigh husband's income. I must work. I only work at night,though, so that isn't an issue during the day. I am at my wits end. I know if I work, though, a lot if it will go towards daycare. But inside my head and heart, I can't take this. I don't know why, I just can't do this anymore. 
Mowing lawns, mail route, get friends together for a car wash
Deliver pizzas, work at restaurant, retail sales (Christmas coming up)....
Good luck!
I cannot believe the nastiness of certain frustrated, workless people...
Before responding to a comment, GO BACK AND READ THE WHOLE THREAD, THEN M A Y B E YOU WILL UNDERSTAND B E T T E R !
My solution
I had this happen many, many years ago and it affected our credit score, etc. I finally went on line and got the names of the Chairman of the Board, members of the board, etc. very high up personnel. I sent a registered, signature and receipt required to the chairman with copies to all the members of the board and needless to say I got immediate reaction. I also cc the local mortgage company with their names, etc. on it. Be sure to get a copy of your credit report to make sure that all the payments are being reported to being "on time" or that could also mess you up and you can sue for that. Tell them you will be seeking the advice of a lawyer if this happens again. You are right, if your credit report has been damaged, you have been damaged and can receive compensation. But somehow find the President, Chairman of the Board, etc. and write to them with a cc to this local office manager and the bafoo that you talked with. Good luck. It will take your time but it is well worth it.
Solution???
Find someone who wrote them a check and have them pull it up in their statement and you will see their bank on there on the back of their check.
My solution
Sleep less, bake more. Just bite the bullet and stay up some night and make the dough and then a day or two later cut them out and bake them. I had to do that for years and years, but I had a big incentive because all those doughs at the grocery store give me massive heartburn. Of course, I eat them anyway and the stay up all night anyhow because I did. So, see you could just make your own yummy dough and avoid heartburn. Don't you love how I have "organized" you all up? See if someone you know will double their batch and share dough with you if you can't afford to lose the sleep. I have done that for friends in the past. We all need to stick together in the baking department.
One solution
Maybe all those who are offended by MERRY CHRISTMAS should just stay out of the stores and shop via catalogs during the CHRISTMAS season. Or, the store could require them to receive and sign a disclaimer/waiver at the front door. Or, the stores could post warning signs; they post warning signs about other stuff. After all, is really should not be a HUGE SURPRISE to shoppers during the CHRISTMAS season that some folks may just want to say and hear, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! DUH. If it is true that Lowes' employees are fired if they actually use the word CHRISTMAS, I will be one of those that boycotts the store.
Unfortunately, these come off. Not 100% solution,
x
my solution...
i try to get the hubby to switch cars when i'm low so i never have to fill up. LOLOLOL
my solution
to hand the bills over to my husband. He doesn't like me saying "we don't have the money" so when I took a paycut to stay at home with kids (joint decision) and he couldn't get used to less money coming in, I handed him the checkbook and said "its your turn for a while." We have no extra money anyway so he can't mess things up that bad. I know he will pay the bills and all that. He just needs to see for himself that we have to cut back. It has taken about 9 months but now I crack a smile every time he tells me "we need to wait until we get paid again" or something of the like...he's finally realizing how expensive things are and that every couple dollars adds up.
i have a solution.
three would work. i have thought about this before. one would work days, one would work afternoons, one would work evenings. you could stay at hom. a living room with a tv and family room with a tv would probably be a good thing also. this way your schedule would not collide. you could get the fixing of the house stuff done, and probably have enough money to pay the bills.
My solution
This girl is evidently sick in the head. If she is going to college and all that she also knows full well what she is doing and planned this out a long time ago. This is what I think, ready...
1. The baby's and her previous children should not be made to suffer. Take care of them and let people adopt them who can give them a good home.
2. All money paid to this girl should be spent to pay off hospital bills and she should not receive one penny of it.
3. Whatever is not covered should then be sent as a bill to this wacked out person.
4. This wacko should be institutionalized. In my opinion (I say that cos I'm not qualified to say that with certainty), but in my opinion she has got some major mental problems.
5. She needs to be sued by the state. Here she is...no job, evidently going to school and she goes to BH and has this procedure done. Usually when parents are doing IVF they have planned out ahead of time whether or not they can afford it and the future baby(s). She knew she couldn't afford it and she had it done anyway...this is theft of public money, and if she was counting on welfare to foot the whole bill they should sue her.
6. Throw the doc in jail that performed the procedure and take away his license.
7. Sterilize the nut case.
Sorry if I sound harsh, but these are hard economic times and we're all listening to this whacked out lady that all she is interested in is money. She could care less about the children. Just a prop for her to receive more money that she does not deserve.
The health and welfare of these innocent children should be saved.
Oh yes, lastly sterilize her. When someone puts their own interest before their childs and knowingly has them as a way of her "making her millions" they do not deserve to have any more.
My solution...sm
You don't have to cook dinner for him and the mistress. If your husband wants to still hang with him, that's his prerogative, but you simply remove yourself from it. If he shows up at your house with her, find a reason to leave the house for a bit. If they invite you out, decline.
You don't have to give a reason to him, or her. You're not obligated to host him (and her). If your husband wants to...he can.
I understand him not wanting to upset the long work relationship, but you don't have that. It sounds like your husb will understand you not wanting to be a part of it.
Your solution is the better solution, put her into
this assisted living place you found for over $ 1,000.--a month.
Then your aunt has more freedom, you can visit her and I agree, living with relatives is always difficult and gives reaon for arguments.
my solution also
I didn't really plan on getting up at 4:00 a.m. to be able to leave by 5:00 but it seems like that is the best idea.
My solution to your stress
just BEAT HIM. LOL. J/K of course.
I would be upset too. Look for another company to go through. Unreal.
I know this is not a solution to your problem but
I couldn't help but respond to what you told your daughter about the police. Children should be taught that police are there to help them if they are ever in need and not be frightened by the thought of them. If you tell your child the police will take her away from you she will only think that police are bad. when I was younger I heard a mother tell her son that if he didn't start behaving that she would have "that police officer lock him up". I was terrified. My mother did help me through this and actucally took me to a police station and let me meet officers so I wouldn't be afraid. BTW, my son finally stopped his constant running at about age 3. Now if only I could get him to move a little faster, sigh, teenagers.
Simple solution
But of course, this what I would do - may not seem acceptable to you.
IF YOU STILL LOVE THIS MAN, you move as close by as possible into another type of home that you can afford to build/buy.
WHO SAYS you have to live under the same roof to be happily married? think outside the box!!
IF YOU FORCE him to move he will be as unhappy as you.
Use that equity you have to save your marriage - I'll bet he'd agree to this.
Then you can be together in TWO houses.
Well, I have a simple solution
My husband and I have been married 8 years now and guess what, never celebrated the first anniversary yet! No kids from this marriage and if we had, could have had 2, 3 or 4 years prior and years later they still would not know.
Have you tried this simple solution? sm
What about a DrinkWell fountain for pets? I have had them for, well, perhaps 15 years now. My cats (two of whom are Maine Coons and LOVE any kind of water source) all love it! It is not just a source of drinking water because they all play in it with their paws, so it has become a source of fun too, which is great because they are wanting to drink at the same time. There is something about the moving water that has always fascinated my cats. Give it a try! 
I haven't found a solution
At times, the burning in my foot is bad enough I cannot stand to wear shoes. I haven't really found any one thing that helps. I have found that as long as I'm busy, I don't think about the discomforts I'm having. I've tried changing my socks during the day either footies/knee highs. I've went for walks, helps to get my mind on other things. I don't know that Montel has a book, but I've seen him talk about his MS somewhere. Terri Garr is an actress that has it too, I believe she has a book.
I'm an unusual case. Required 3 neurologists conferring between them before making a decision. Presented with tingling in both feet, which went away after 2 months. Four months later had right arm and right leg incoordination, off balance. Prednisone relieved the symptoms 95% gone. I am left with right foot neuroathy and minor incoordination of the right arm/hand. F/U MRI showed more lesions in brain and spine. I'm unusual because I've not had optic neuritis, my spinal tap was normal, visual evoke and brainstem tests were normal.
cold hands solution
I found the best solution for when your hands get too cold to type. I filled an old tube sock with rice. Pop it into the microwave for 4 minutes or so. Put the hot sock in my sweatshirt pocket. I can stick my hands in for a quick warm up most of the afternoon. It also keeps the rest of me pretty toasty. ( it is only -3 degrees here!)
Just thought I'd share my idea. Happy Friday.
A recently used solution against this group
was applied by Hells Angels. No joke.
The Hells Angels motorcycle group was nearby where a protest was being held and they showed up! Ran off every single one of the Westboro derelicts.
First time I've ever been in favor of Hells Angels.
You do know about the recall on wetting solution
that is causing blindness for contact wearers? I do not know the name of it but can probably google. By the way, I have heard using honey can alleviate allergies. I just heard that now, but worth a try if I had them.
Maine Solution to Insomnia
Shot of Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy, AKA fat a$$ in a glass.
So you're saying there IS a problem & the solution
come up with solutions? I'm sorry, but that doesn't make sense. You also sound a bit racist and seem to have something against the poor. Maybe you should work on that. Geez.
One solution when she gets to calling, unplug your phone - sm
for 15 minutes or whatever. I used to have to do that for some crank who would call me every night (a guy I would not go out with) for months. I did it for about 6 months, when I finally pluged it back in at night he had given up by then, yeah. How about call block on her number, sure it would make her a bit angry but maybe she would get the message to leave you alone during the day.
Kim Komando's Solution for thowing out stuff
I thought this might be of interest to some...Rather than throw away junk, try this.
www.kimkomando.com
www.freecycle.org
Have to agree that the biological parents are not always the best solution. But we were just discus
MTs working at home with their children. I meant to imply that I certainly didn't think it was neglect or abuse for mom to have a set of headphones in her ears.
Sorry you had a bad experience with a CASA volunteer. But afterall they are all people too and the primary intent of the children's justice system is reunification with parents if possible. Sounds like they were probably just lacking enough evidence/proof to terminate parental rights at that time.
I still love giving gifts and have a solution with my family. sm
We all buy gifts for our parents (there are 4 of us, all married) but we wrap them all in the same paper and they are from everyone. That way, if someone is having a tough year, then it still looks even. Over the years, all of us have had a year that extra money just was not there during 1st babies, 1st homes, high gas prices, unexpected bills, lay-offs, new jobs etc. This way, our parents don't know who did what and they can't turn them down or worry about one family when they don't want to share with them their troubles.
We treat the kids similarly. We all buy for all the kids (7 total) but no set limit. Some years, when having a good financial year, they get big presents, some years they don't. They all get to open at least 5 presents (counting Grandma and Grandpa) and we torture them until after dinner before they can open gifts! There have been years of Dollar Store gifts and years of video games. We all look for things during the year that we can give to all equally. Last year, I found pajama bottoms at Old Navy for $2 in the summer and bought a pair for everyone, including the adults. One year, my sister got them all Uno decks which were $3 each because that's all she could do and they are still the favorite gift and go everywhere. Uno tournaments, using all the cards are a family tradition and we make up different rules all the time!
I am fortunate to be in a good position the last few yeas and have bought more extravagant presents. Not to show anyone up, but because I can. Not to make up for the very lean years, which were many, but because it is easy for me to do right now. We don't have jealousy and I don't expect anything in return because if I need something or want something, I usually buy it for myself. I just like to give gifts and can, and everyone is fine with that.
But I have to tell you, my best gifts from the others are from years when there was no money and have now become tradition ... strawberry jam from my SIL, fudge from my brother.
Christmas is what you make it. We are loud and loving and crazy and if we exchanged soup cans, the kids would still love it. It is what you make of it and how fun you make it for them.
I get frustrated by the double standard they use when judging people. They let certain people go sa
What do you think about the voting process?
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