My son came in from out of town. We got to meet his girlfriend for the first time.

Yes, i had one of the best Christmas's ive had in many yr's. Went out to my cuz's house and the whole family was there. They have made a bar in the back of there house so we sat around and sang song's and i had so much fun, i didn't want to leave. It's the most fun ive had w/out liquor in a very long time. Think it's my new medicine that really helped. I have a wonderful family and nobody fight's. I was of course late as i usually am. She made 2 ham's and some delisios lasagna. Even the kid's got in on the action. Of course we sang our holiday song first which is Bohemian Rapsidy. It wasn't as good as most yrs. Then the real fun started. I even tried Hazelnut coffee and i didn't hate it. So yes i had a great Christmas and will prob be going out there on N.Y.E. I JUST worry about driving out with the drunk's and don't think they have room there for us. So my answer is a big old YES. Glad you got to see your son, mine also lives out of town and i never get to see him. that is wonderful. Great post. xoxo

Glad to hear you guys had a wonderful holiday!

Mine was a little quieter than most years, but I did enjoy a three hour call with my family back in Texas. My hubby and I also watched some Christmas movies we've never seen, which was fun.

I have started some of my own traditions which has cut out stress.
My mom is not a nice person...only when others are looking.
However, since I moved her up here to be closer to me, we always celebrate chirstmas by me picking her up
chirstmas eve and drive around looking at the lights. We usually stop at Outback for a steak dinner, but there was an 1.5 hour wait and we are both diabetic and I NEEDED food...lol.....so we ended up at Red Lobster. The wait was 5 minutes and we got great service and food.
Mom is in a wheelchair and I took her car away from her (she reminds me all the time about robbing her of her freedom), so instead of riding the free bus that the facility AND the township offer, she is too busy playing the helpless victim. So her shopping (the mall is two blocks away) is not always the best and she ALWAYS gets me these ridiculous gifts that I can not use.....but I smile and thank her anyways. So this year I suggested we skip gift giving and she agreed. We ended up baking and making tons of cookies for the local police and fire department :)
I got these wonderful large decorative boxes and mom and I filled them to the brim and delivered them on christmas afternoon. The police and firemen/women were smiling from ear to ear and were eager to rush off with the treats. I was afraid the police would be hesitant, but I know a few ppl that work there and they put in a good word for me.
After we got home, we just made up a bunch of odds and ends for a meal (nothing healthy...lol....except some fruit). I am a good diabetic, so I splurged a bit on the naughty food. I am happy to go back to the healthier foods now that the holidays are over :)

Mom is very difficult and I empathize with you Barbara. I minimize my time with her and now she is bucking me and I am having to go behind her back to get her help as she is losing her memory....fast and even her doctor and everyone but her sees it. She is fighting me tooth and nail about the extra help and she deems me as the "bad daughter" who is getting revenge for her bad choices (rolls eyes).
Ya just gotta do the best you can and that is all anyone can do.
It is sad they spend so much time being angry and bitter. My mom constantly reminds me that I do NOT understand (I understand more than she knows). She claims she is not afraid to die and that this is the last stop before she dies.....but she shuts me out and makes life difficult for the both of us. I blew up a bit at christmas when she pulled the "you don't understand" card and I retorted that she doesn't even TRY to understand me and what she is putting me through.....I got silence and a dirty look.
I so feel your pain. As hard as it is.....don't let your mom steal your joy. She chose her path and now she has to live with the consequences just like my mom. The best you can do is walk away when she starts up with the nasties......I do it all the time.
Take care of you (((((((((Hugs))))))))))))