I try not to badmouth my in-laws too much, because they're really good people. I share some musical interests with most of my brothers-in-law, and it's easy to have a really good discussion with my father-in-law. My mother-in-law is probably the most self-sacrificing person on the planet. On top of taking care of her 15 yo non-communicatative Austistic son nearly 24/7, she is never found doing anything for herself, but always trying to help others (this alone actually drives me nuts, but that's not hte point here).
She can be a little psycho crazy lady sometimes.
Their family makes a big family gathering out of every birthday. Which y'know, is typical. Why not? Though it does mean that, with me, my brother-in-law's wife, and our respective children, there is more than 1 birthday gathering a month (with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and various birthdays thrown in, we're looking at 6 gatherings over a 30 day period). So it gets a little tiring sometimes.
Now, I like presents. And they tend to give lots of presents. Thing is, they never look at my wish list. IF they were gonna get me things like the Smallville season collections (an equivelant gift to what my sister-in-law just got) I'd be all over the masses of gifts. Get me straight here, though, I neither expect nor think I deserve hundreds of dollars, or even tens of dollars, to be spent on me by my in-laws. I just usually end up getting presents like Myst: the board game (used, naturally, so no returns possible) and books I don't want to read, usually with the condition that they want to give it to someone else if I don't want it. I'd rather not have the presents in the first place, frankly. Just let me go buy a DVD or something and I'll be happy.
The other thing: these gatherings usually happen on Sunday, because no one is working and usually we can get everyone together. However, the sunday after my birthday (the closest one) is the Messiah Sing Along at church, and my father-in-law is conducting: he has to be there early, which means no time for the gathering. Most days during the surrounding week are similar: people out of town or working late or committed to other activities.
So, while I like being the focus of attention, i'm going insane because the main topic of conversation for days, including phone calls to me here at work, has been arranging a time. Really, I don't mind. Ideally, you can just watch my kids for the evening (or better yet, all night) and my wife and I will run off somewhere. Failing that, let's have cake. WHoever can make it makes it. We can have it multiple times if you like, so everyone can participate. But I'm fine with just a couple of 'em. I'm going to have dinner with my parents twice that weekend, and my wife will be with me at both, my kids at one of them. That's all I need.
/B****-session
Yeah, I realize that's pretty stupid. But come on, it's my birthday. Given my druthers? A night away with my wife. First runner up? An all-day game session with my friends. Third choice? A quiet night where I can watch movies. After that, it's really just any other night in my life.
