Holiday dilemma again

For the last few years, Crista has been trying to break the family traditional Holiday schedule.

Last year,  Mother informed her that she has emphyzema and would probably be leaving the planet soon.  Crista did an about face and hosted a wonderful Dinner.  Due to a light dusting of snow however, the Everett family did not come.

This year a month before Thanksgiving, Crista announced that she would be hosting Thanksgiving at her house, and her Christmas dinner would now be on Christmas Eve.   The problem of course is that those are both the Dinners that Mike has prepared and hosted for the last 30 years.

I decided that I would not attend Cristas Thanksgiving. I would take the girls to Mikes.  I rarely see the Mustelss and the kids have not seen them in several years.  Crista was not happy with me making my own decision. We had a discussion and we agreed that I would come to her house for Thanksgiving and she would host Christmas dinner instead of Christmas eve.    I praised the compromise!  It made me so happy that my sister and I could compromise and put our Mother first.

Thanksgiving went off pretty well. I enjoyed spending the Holiday with my mother. I missed seeing the Mustells.

The first week of December rolled around. We placed a dinner order with the WAC, Bronwens employer. Part of the arrangement with Christmas is that I bring the dinner. All we have to do is heat, plate and eat.   Crista announced a new plan.  She is not going to have a dinner on Christmas, She is having an open house.  Cinnamon Rolls and Ham will be available as an appetizer.

The deal is off.  I was lied to.

Mother is very upset. She is still negotiating with Crista.  I feel she will cave, as she just doesn't have the strength to fight Crista every day.  We considered having dinner at my place in Seattle, but I think it's just too much for her.   Plus, my place is not much bigger than Moms.   Other ideas are renting a home for dinner or having it at a Restaurant.

No deal is reached as of yet. I am going to propose the girls and I come over in the AM and eat a traditional Breakfast Casserole. We can spend a few hours, then I will bring the girls home and go home and spend Christmas with Bronwen. We have spent one Christmas together in 11 years.  I had never even considered it before, as I believe the Holidays are a time when you put others above your needs, but apparently our family isn't doing that anymore.   It is a Holiday of ME this year.  Me me me.  

I will update once we finalize our plans.  But, needless to say, the Family Tradition is broken, as well as the Family.