I mean a few years ago there were alot of joke gifts, such as "walk around the block" for excercise, I still have mine still a good idea

Cute story.. That large tree with lower 'one quarter bare'..sounds 'Unique' lol...but when it comes to pets...you do what works! I always found it funny when 'The Tree' was brought into the house for the first time each year. Our dogs did lots of sniffing and checking it out..lots of bewilderment too. It's like - 'Wow' they brought this in just for me! So when we chase them away, it's like - total shock and they become more determined to 'play' with it! jane

It is all so exhausting, isn't it? This year my DH has been SO much help. He bought, set up and decorated the tree. I laugh though, thinking of the poster who gets very OCD about the tree and keeps adjusting it. I swear, half of the ornaments are facing the wrong way. He didn't put half of the lights on either. But I'm not saying a word! Yesterday he worked on our holiday baking. He has a tendency to "overcook" some things. Half of the mini rum cakes were like hockey pucks, so he had to start over. Oops. Again, not saying anything! (thank GOD I didn't pay for the pecans.) DD is home from college and like a walking zombie. I'm not 100% sure what is up with her, but she is literally less than no help. DS is so busy with school and basketball he too, is useless. I did all the shopping, even for myself. DH doesn't shop much. I'm perfectly happy while I'm shopping for everyone else to pick up a few things that I want/need. One year he surprised me with a diamond pendant, but for the most part we don't really do "big" gifts. I keep wondering how I did it all alone when DH worked really long hours and the kids were little. Last night I saw a couple of Moms at Target who looked so exhausted. I just wanted to hug them and tell them to try to enjoy. Beth P.

mom2emall I can certainly understand your frustration. For me at times it just isn't that it has been a step parent issue but the issue of bio mom and wife as well. It seems like a thankless job at times. One that I know in hind site they all appreciate but while I'm in the middle of all the goings on I want to become invisible and see how they all manage. I recall one particularly enlightening moment during my first marriage. It was a Sunday, (my only day off) 1st husband was at his friends house drinking beer ( as he was everyday ) SD was with her mom at the lake and I was downstairs doing laundry, his laundry, her laundry...I did not have kids at the time. These days I feel like the secretary to a very dysfunctional group of office executives. They all act like they are in charge of their own lives while wanting me to tie up the loose ends for them since I do not work outside of the home. No matter that it is Christmas time and all the gifts given from our home to husbands side of the family and our children are done by my leg work, wrapping skills and so on. I am exhausted from the stresses of late, preparation for Christmas, a root canal that was horrid and now must be redone next Monday. Not to mention my sons grades, errands for husband and DD20, laundry, cooking, putting up the tree and oh yes, my disability. I need a vacation. Then DH comes home from a weekend visit to his family in Ca. (1700+ miles away) with Christmas presents for SD and himself (I believe my name is just on there as an after thought) and nothing for my 2 kids. This is the third year in a row for that. His daughter in Ca. is 30. They make enough money to send at least a $10 or $15 gift card to my kids. My SD33 in Ar. has never left out my newest SD10 and wouldn't think of sending a package for Christmas with a gift in it for everyone except my SD10. SD33 sends SD10 birthday gifts every year also. My kids get nothing from DH's oldest daughter. I told him this time that I was going to get a gift card for my kids from his daughter and that he could speak to her after the holidays. I'm tired of letting it go when SD10 is thought of by everyone under the sun and my kids get the shaft. Anyway....venting on your post....sorry. It gets a bit much a times to see everyone else get the praise and so one while you do all of the work. I have told my kids that they need to come up with a slave name for me because at times that is how I feel. They say they already have one....It is "Mom".