Yup! It goes something like this:
Yea I think this really is our best option. Maybe next year after we have had time to train Duchess with other dogs we can bring her. I'm gonna talk to the SO about maybe driving separate so that he doesn't have to cut his visit short. I think what might be best is for us to leave after presents and come home. Then let her out for a bit and around 5 when it gets dark lock her back up and put the chickens to bed and go back over for dinner but stay no more than an hour or two. I think that's the fairest way. It's not the best option but it's the most fair.You mentioned it's not far to the inlaws place. Go back home and let your dog out after a few hours. Or just cut the visit short. No point in stressing everyone out.
Sounds great. I definitely cut my Christmas visiting short too. We always go separate because I come home early to care for my animals.
I've cut them short before because of anxiety and...well...boredom. The visits mostly consist of sitting around the television. Which if you don't want to watch M.A.S.H can get old fast. Now that they have the 3 year old it's mostly children's programming all day and a lot of conversation. The conversation though can be irritating and sometimes prodding. Last year they fought over whether one dish was Orange Chicken or General Tso's and when I provided my opinion I was told I was wrong and that I simply do not know what I'm talking about. I stayed out of it after that but I was angry. We went home shortly after eating because "I was worried about the chickens". I wasn't but at least I got out without a fight. I don't like the drama and I do not want a to be involved.
Well..You solved your own problem. Why not just go in the morning for gift opening and stay home so then everyone enjoys their gifts and make your own dinner?
I would but they insist we come back for dinner. I have suggested this before but the answer was implicit in the question. It got me nowhere and I decided not to push it.
Thank the Lord my outlaws are in SaskatchewanIn defense with my family it's usually we snack on appetizers and gab. Then we eat dinner and usually play a card game (Cards Against Humanity, Skipbo, Apples to Apples, Poker) and have a couple of beers before heading home. It's not an all day thing. Usually only a few hours. It prevents us from bickering and we all leave knowing we had a good time. We say we should do this again soon but don't get together for at least 3 months. It's a good system. I wish it was like that with his family but you can't always get what you want.
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I also must comment that when you "like" something it makes me giggle
