Is it me? Going dizzy with re-arrangements..... .

This sounds just like my life - most days! Nothing ever simple with my lot, who find decision-making very hard.

I hope that you enjoy their company with/without food and wherever!

I can really identify with what you say whenim64.

Just the other day I was complaining to DH that I didn't mind helping out with the DGC in various ways but what I found difficult was all the last-minute re-arrangements, sometimes just an hour or so before something was due to happen.

I thought it was just my DD who did this kind of thing but now I know other people experience it as well I feel kind of better about it.

Yep- drives me nuts too. Our (adult) kids do sometimes think we have nothing better to do than fit around their very busy lives- because we are retired ...

Or because they think we haven't got a life

It's not just my DD then

Sounds so familiar. I'm trying to finished my Christmas deep clean and the phone's ringing constantly. I'm not going to answer it as it'll be one or other, or both, asking if I can look after the grandchildren while they go shopping or the dog so they can take the GC to care Santa, or have the GC AND the dog while they visit friends.
I wouldn't mind but it's ME doing Christmas dinner for all 12 of us

They do lead very busy lives, and their plans have to change all the time at the whim of their jobs and businesses, so I do sympathise. It is not that they are uncaring- but sometimes just don't realise we have commitments too, even though retired. Last Summer, we didn't make any plans for July or August, didn't invite friends over, etc- as we knew dd, sil and grand-chidlren wanted to come over. We waited, and waited for them to commit to dates. When tehy eventually did, a few weeks before- we finally made plans to go away for a week after their departure. Too late of course to invite anyone over for July... One week before, dd phoned to say that sil's was too busy to leave, and they would be coming over a week late. So we just had a few days to see them, then had to leave ourselves, as we were comitted to meeting relatives from the US in the Cotswolds, and could not let them down. Grrr. And you can't say anything, as you'd run the risk they'd say they can't come, as we are 'too inflexible'- doh (:
Bless them- but I do wish they'd realise it makes our lives a bit difficult too.

My youngest son is always arranging and re arranging my life. I don't know whether I am coming or going some days .

Not helped of course by the fact we live so far away.

Both of mine live within a 5 mile radius of us they come and go frequently. DH is always commenting that he thought they'd left home

I only have one 'running round after the family' job to do and that's to pick up DD's MIL and youngest son tomorrow morning and then drive three hours to Gosport for the duration

That'll be after I've got DH dressed sorted, fed the chickens, taken the dogs to kennels, gone back home to pack everything in the boot after checking all the lists, checked windows/doors are locked, fill car up with petrol and pray very hard that there are no traffic problems!!

Next Friday I will do everything in reverse.

Sook I hear what you are saying! Same here. However, it's time some Gransnetters let children know that they have lives too, and say NO!Of course sometimes due to circumstances you need to be flexible, but that is taking the mickey Whenim64 and is just not on.

Instead of reversing all the way home from Gosport,merlotgran you might prefer to turn the car round and do it forwards - less of a strain on the neck!
And as for WhenIm's life - never mind Plan B, you must be on Plan Z subsection 49!!

Mine are overseas this year so everything is strangely quiet. I thought I'd be rather sad this Christmas but I'm actually quite enjoying the peace and quiet while I can.

Whenim a friend sent me a wee poster which says "Relax, Nothing is Under Control" It is strangely relaxing to think that way even for a control freak like me. I will try and put it on here but I am rubbish at these kind of things. Have a lovely Christmas and hope everyone is happy and healthy when the day comes.

I don"t know perhaps I am an old meanie , we always tell our when we are going on holiday , well in advance !
We always leave the half terms and 6 week break free .
if they cannot fit round that --tough !
We are entitled to a life also !

hmmmm

Having looked at the weather forecast, Soutra, I think I'll be blown backwards anyway.

Well, we got through the day, did visits, ate lunch, exchanged presents, had a laugh and enjoyed being together, then I dropped grandson off, took son and partner home. 80 mile round trip. I brought in my presents from the boot of my car and one tag says 'for you mum. Thanks for being so supportive and always being there for us.' Guilt trip!

That's lovely when

Makes it all worth while, Whenim64.

It does!

Going to MIL's for a few days, expecting DD&Co the day after Boxing Day to stay for a few days and Sister1 phoned the other day and says can she come too, to see DD&Co and swap presents. Fine, I say and cook and freeze more veg. Today had just got out of bath and was packing when her car pulls up... She decided to come today instead. For lunch. Hadn't cooked enough so had to stretch it out.

Collected Son from Uni yesterday, he still hasn't finished his assignment (deadline xmas eve) so he worked all day today and needs us to 'just drop in to Cambridge' (How????? How can anyone EVER 'just drop in' to Cambridge?!!!) because he has forgotten some things from his flat and needs to check that his work is compatible on the Uni's MAC computers...

So had to phone MIL and tell her that we can't make it for lunch and with any luck and not too strong a good wind, we may make it by teatime.

It's good to discover it's not only in our family where it is 'musical arrangements' - and we also have DS birthday on the 24th December to contend with as well, which usually results in a merry-go-round of arrangements in its own right

Oh boy! Just read through from Whenim's on. Yep, definitely relating to these, though mine aren't quite as dramatic. We live in Wiltshire, DS and DiL in North London, DD and SiL and DG (hooray!) in Guildford. Firm arrangements were that we would go today to DS, detouring by DD in Guildford to drop off turkey and their presents to avoid leaving them in the car on the street in London (just round the corner from HMPs Holloway and Pentonville). Then London to Guildford tomorrow, stay until 27th, drive to French Alps. Car all packed, house cleaned, no food in fridge.
No, HYHIABC?
9 o'clock last night, DS rang to say he now has to work until late tonight, and tomorrow, and DDiL tomorrow. So could we go there on Boxing Day instead? Talked to DD, unravelled Boxing Day plans. Now rooting in freezer for food for today. Ah well - at least we are lucky enough to be seeing them all, for them all to have good jobs that mean they can work, for food a-plenty.

(Just in case it's new, HYHIABC is an RAF acronym for Haven't you heard it's all been changed). But hesitate to teach GNetters to suck eggs....