I even have an old metal doll house that was given to me around age 3. I still have the house, all the furniture and the dolls. But the door and windows are all broken off their hinges and lost. I kept it at my parents' house for many years. When my daughters were little, I brought it back for them to play with. Now it's in my attic, waiting for either Grandchildren or Ebay. I also have a dollhouse kit I bought some 30 years ago, but never put together. It looks like Scarlett O"hara's mansion, Tara. That is, if it ever got put together.

I love Autumn and I love Thanksgiving and so I can't imagine ruining it (for me) by putting up Christmas decs beforehand. Thanks AWM for posting the words to my favorite Thanksgiving song, "Over The River and Through The Woods". It makes me happy every time I hear it. If it were up to me, I'd wait and put up our Christmas decs the first weekend in December, so that we could really enjoy a long weekend, leisurely, holiday weekend after Thanksgiving. But, I "shot myself in the foot" years ago by letting my kiddos talk me into starting the day after Tday. It's now become "the tradition" and my sweet 16 y/o DD tells me it would "ruin everything" to not decorate for Christmas the entire long weekend after Thanksgiving (sigh!). So, younger parents, be careful of the traditions you start early on, as they may turn around and bite you in the butt later ;^D Wishing everyone who's celebrating, a very Happy Thanksgiving!!! Lynn

Very nice!....and happy Thanksgiving KT! Konrad

Hi FD, everyone has posted lots of good ideas...:) I think KKNY's idea of the depression is a very good one, your SO does sound that way. You could take him to his family doctor and check into it, you can also take online "tests", such as this one.. http://www.depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/l/bldepscreenquiz.htm There are lots of sites if you just google "depression test" and they aren't a perfect diagnosis, but if your SO takes one, it might at least show him if he is indeed depressed and then he might at least choose to get some help,if he is depressed. He also sounds like he is still allowing his DD's and his ex to manipulate him terribly and he sounds like a big time enabler. He is "enabling" his kids and his ex to ruin his (and Your!) holiday! Sounds like he could use a therapist to help him get thru this, as he is letting them run and ruin his life for him. In turn, you help him with the kids, because you love him and you are a good person, but you get "swept" into the mess. I really hope you go to your family party and have a good time and as my dear old Mum says "Let him stew!!" Sometimes just by letting him sit there and be miserable and by not asking him anymore to come, maybe he will actually think about how his behaviour is affecting you and your relationship together. I would even go so far as to tell him when you leave to go to the party: "think about how your behaviour is affecting other people,in particular me." Then give him a smile and a hug and a wave and a "see you,I'm off to have a great time!!" If all else fails, tell him your cousin is bringing a newly divorced guy who is apparently heartbroken but dashingly handsome and smart funny, etc...a doctor...LOL!!