I watched all the quarter finals, semis, and final. What an awesome tournament. I would have been happy with any of the final four teams winning it all, but I think the Messi story has a very satisfying ending. I think the final game was one of the most exciting matches I've ever seen.

Thanks! Just ordered my new batch!

This is my first time checking on this thread. I was wondering why it kept growing. Now I know.😘 You guys are too funny!

I'm so sorry for you and for your husband and for your mil/fil. But, you must hold to your boundaries. Be firm. Never commit to a pressure situation. At most, say "I'll let you know if I'm available" and then let them know later that you're not available. You aren't creating the mess that is going to happen, but you can refuse to be party to it. I'm glad you're not letting your children go "sit" with grandma, because that's code for full on home care if something happens or grandma gets out of bed. Offer very limited and specific help, and only if it completely fits into your established boundaries. I don't think SIL is a bad person, I just think she's in denial and believes something good is going to happen if we can just get MIL home. Hold firm to your boundaries and encourage your dh to do the same, even though he's under a different pressure. I'm sorry you're going through this.

Any of the Advent albums by Future of Forestry are wonderful if you like the style. This is my favorite version of O come, O Come Emmanuel: https://www.google.com/search?q=youtube+future+of+forestry+o+come&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:3854cf61,vid:uKi-uKfCXYQ

This is the saddest song I know. It's beautiful, but so full of grief that I can't listen to it unless I want a good cry. It's about the death of a sibling.

Happy thanksgiving! I would count this day as a success because it went better than expected, and you are not letting it rattle you as much as anticipated. However, you know the other shoe is going to drop, and it is starting to drop already, and you are getting rattled already. I think this shows that you are changing and starting to disentangle yourself from the toxic family dance you all do, but your next task is recognizing and distancing yourself from the second shoe drop part of the dance. You did a good job today. You are making progress and you are setting boundaries and trying not to hurt difficult people. Take the win from today and strategize about the shoe drop part that’s coming. Your kids sound like neat people who understand that grandma is difficult, but they don’t want to hurt her.

I watched US vs Wales. Will try to watch a lot as my schedule allows!

We got our wills and POAs updated. We got all our paperwork together and met with the kids and their spouses to go over everything. We outlined our wishes for end of life, death, burial, and we let them know where the paperwork is and what the assets are. It was a very sweet meeting and it helped put everyone's mind at ease. It started a lot of great conversations about life and death, values, what means most, etc., and it was a nice time of bonding for the kids who haven't all been together like this for a long time.

I'm so sorry. May you find peace and comfort.

Sorry, Quill. It's a hard situation. My dad was not a hoarder, but he was reluctant to make a move for many reasons after my mom passed. We were able to get him to eventually move close to us by asking, "When the time comes, where would you like to go/ what would you like to do?" Not saying that the time was already here, but "when the time comes." We also got POA and paperwork in order to make the transition easier, and did all the research into possibilities. You can't make them move, but their refusal to move will limit their options in the future. And that's their right, even if it breaks your heart to watch it unfold, knowing it could have gone much better for them. My dad did eventually move, and we had a wonderful three years with him in assisted living near us. I wish you the best. There's only so much you can do until they agree or are incapacitated. Hugs to you and your siblings.

You must do all you can to get over this kind of toxic thinking. Change your default. Therapy, books, support groups, religion of choice, whatever will help. If you don't get over this, your own toxic thinking will take your mother's place as abuser long after she is gone. Do what you must to get her voice out of your head. Find your own voice. Trust your own voice. You are a kind and loving person. You are doing the right thing. Hold your boundaries. Protect yourself and your family.

I would recommend having the sister take a two week vacation for mental health, and get her out of range of the possibility of helping. Then see what happens, and see if other sib steps up to pay for care or offer care. This would also allow sister the time to figure out if she wants to continue in this role. It would give you a realistic view of what parents are capable of handling on their own. You and sis shouldn’t have to pick up all the pieces of other peoples’ bad decisions and denials of reality.

My breakfast smoothie: 2 tablespoons chocolate mixture that I make with coconut sugar and cocoa powder 1 banana 3/4 cup frozen blueberries 1/2 portion Orgain protein powder with superfoods, vanilla 1 scoop Orgain collegen powder with superfoods, chocolate or unflavored 3 ice cubes 1 cup milk of choice plus 1/2 cup water I have had this almost every morning for three years. I hate breakfast, but the chocolate makes this taste like a lovely chocolate shake.

Take the money and do with it what you wish. People were moved by your story; it's a blessing to them to give to you. You can't help that it has cycled around again. It is a strange problem to be having, but I'd just smile and take the money.

Taboo is really fun for that size group

My picture is of our first wonderful dog. My name is from our second wonderful dog. Both dogs have been in doggie heaven for over a decade now. Thankfully we have another wonderful dog and two cats now. But I just can't part with the picture and the name, so here I am! I've been on WTM since 2008 but had to reboot in 2018 or so.

Progress Report: We met with our lawyer on Tuesday and outlined our new wills. We will get a community property agreement, new wills, and POAs. After we get these completed, we'll have a group meeting with the kids and let them know where we hide/keep the paperwork. The documents will also have our important paperwork, like vehicle titles, bank account information, etc., and asset locator paperwork. It will be good to get this done.

I'm sorry. Everything will be ok. He sees you and your home as a safe place to land, and a resource to give him strength. You're a good mom and he's a good kid.

Rest In Peace, Greta. Thank you for sharing your life and your wisdom with us for so many years. You will be missed.

I think maybe you'll have to focus on your "Family Culture" and explain things that way. Older person may never understand or approve, but you could just reiterate that "We appreciate your love and concern, but this is our family culture and we are going to handle it our way. You are a beloved and respected grandparent, but we have to parent our teen our way, and it may be a way that you are not familiar or comfortable with." Sorry this is happening. It sounds difficult.

We have an appointment with an attorney to update our wills next month. The old will is fine, but we're changing our personal representative and a few other small things. We also discovered that we don't have POA's, except for medical, so we're getting POA's done also. I'm working on a finder list called "When We Die" to help the kids navigate/find our finances, investment, insurance, paperwork, car titles, etc. I was personal representative for my dad when he died in 2020, so I have recent firsthand knowledge of the work and trauma involved when someone close dies. We want to do our best to minimize this for our kids. I'm going to look into "What Matters Most." Sounds good. Thanks for starting this thread. It's very timely for me.

I remember you! You were intent on getting a good education, despite challenging circumstances. I admired your determination for one so young. I'm glad to read your update, and I'm so happy for you! Good job all around. You are an inspiration to me.

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We had a quiet neighbor man who would walk his dog every day. He never spoke to us, but sometime's he'd nod in our direction. He always seemed very sad. He was arrested one day, and about a year later we watched a Dateline episode about him and his cold case murder conviction for killing his wife 20 years ago. You just never know...