I love the holidays themselves, but the commercialism has gotten so out of control. My family was always more low-key at gift-buying, while DH's family goes hog-wild, spends every penny they can scrape up and then some, and then whines afterwards because they can't pay their bills. I think that's why I like Thanksgiving better than Christmas. Still get to have all the good food, but no gift-buying pressure. We tried cutting back with DH's family last year; told the grown nieces and nephews not to buy for us, and we didn't buy for them. We really felt like heels when presents were given out and they had bought for us anyway. And now MIL thinks I'm goingt o have it at my house this year. Ha-ha...I've got news for her...
BFC...I feel your pain. I took care of my FIL for a couple of years before he passed away. Thank goodness his living with us was only for 2 months, and the rest of the time it was me going to his place during the day. Xanax helps. lol I was reading something you'd posted the other day about them and had to laugh. Hang in there; it'll all work out, one way or another. :)