What's weird about where you are staying - Thanksgiving 2024 edition

[Anonymous]

Arrived at MIL's yesterday, and am here for the whole week. Need a distraction from her fretting over cooking (which I am doing all of) and financial planning (which she only trusts DH around).

I'll start:

- House is freezing. MIL considers setting temp to 65 high, and says it's because kids are from south (California). I grew up in Midwest, BTW. I've been wrapped up in blanket since getting here...MIL nearly fainted when I suggested setting temp to 67.
- MIL insists on hosting dinner. Will no longer let me host, which involves travel, nor SIL who is 15 minutes away. But MIL hates cooking and does not have a full size oven...so getting meal together is lots of coordination and drama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arrived at MIL's yesterday, and am here for the whole week. Need a distraction from her fretting over cooking (which I am doing all of) and financial planning (which she only trusts DH around).

I'll start:

- House is freezing. MIL considers setting temp to 65 high, and says it's because kids are from south (California). I grew up in Midwest, BTW. I've been wrapped up in blanket since getting here...MIL nearly fainted when I suggested setting temp to 67.
- MIL insists on hosting dinner. Will no longer let me host, which involves travel, nor SIL who is 15 minutes away. But MIL hates cooking and does not have a full size oven...so getting meal together is lots of coordination and drama.

Where does MIL live? Is it cold outside and she can’t afford to heat her house higher than 65? I can’t quite follow. Most older people have real circulation issues and insist on the house being in the 80s, so you may be a lucky one there. You can always put more layers on.

[Anonymous]

My MIL’s house has the fewest outlets, the dullest knives, and the oldest spices ever.

[Anonymous]

Thank you OP for starting this thread! I have noting to contribute (having a quiet nuclear family Thanksgiving this year) but love reading these every year.

Everybody PLEASE detail any and all weirdness about meals, closing the kitchen, etc.!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL’s house has the fewest outlets, the dullest knives, and the oldest spices ever.

I bought my SIL an electric knife sharpener for Xmas years ago and the first thing I do as her annual TDay guest is sharpen every knife in the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL’s house has the fewest outlets, the dullest knives, and the oldest spices ever.

Me again her paprika is literally in this tin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arrived at MIL's yesterday, and am here for the whole week. Need a distraction from her fretting over cooking (which I am doing all of) and financial planning (which she only trusts DH around).

I'll start:

- House is freezing. MIL considers setting temp to 65 high, and says it's because kids are from south (California). I grew up in Midwest, BTW. I've been wrapped up in blanket since getting here...MIL nearly fainted when I suggested setting temp to 67.
- MIL insists on hosting dinner. Will no longer let me host, which involves travel, nor SIL who is 15 minutes away. But MIL hates cooking and does not have a full size oven...so getting meal together is lots of coordination and drama.

Where does MIL live? Is it cold outside and she can’t afford to heat her house higher than 65? I can’t quite follow. Most older people have real circulation issues and insist on the house being in the 80s, so you may be a lucky one there. You can always put more layers on.

PNW. MIL is actually very wealthy, hence financial planning stress. It's a weird thing about DH's family. They keep house at 60 and wear jackets inside. It's a favor that house is set at 65, but I'm still freezing. DD is wearing gloves!

[Anonymous]

I would not put up with that. If I’m not comfortable. I’m staying in a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL’s house has the fewest outlets, the dullest knives, and the oldest spices ever.

Me again her paprika is literally in this tin.

This is my favorite post in years. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL’s house has the fewest outlets, the dullest knives, and the oldest spices ever.

Me again her paprika is literally in this tin.

Ah, that’s awesome! Last year my then-13yo went through my spices and tossed anything older than him. Sadly, I lost a fair number that day!

[Anonymous]

We are only allowed to eat in the kitchen. No snacks in the living room (which is where we all hang out, next to kitchen.) Once they found a bag of chips that were in the upstairs bathroom garbage and they lost their minds. One of the kids had it in their bags from a rest stop before we got there and threw it away. We heard about it for weeks after we left.

[Anonymous]

My mom gets very upset when people are early or late. I am flying into her town, and will have about 24 hours there before I fly back. But if my plane is on time, I won't see her for the first couple hours because I can't be early. To be clear, she lives in a senior building, and we will be eating dinner in the dining room, so she's not cooking and wanting me out of her hair.

[Anonymous]

SIL’s kids leave huge messes all around the house and I am constantly cleaning up after them for basic things. They leave the kitchen and dining area a complete mess after every meal, and then rush off to the park or an activity or bathtime. Don’t get me started on the toys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL’s house has the fewest outlets, the dullest knives, and the oldest spices ever.

Me again her paprika is literally in this tin.

Please keep this tin! Ask MIL if you can have it as a display piece, then mail to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My MIL’s house has the fewest outlets, the dullest knives, and the oldest spices ever.

Me again her paprika is literally in this tin.

Please keep this tin! Ask MIL if you can have it as a display piece, then mail to me.

HAHAHA