Well, you sound a little better. Hopefully, she'll have the sense to open OP's gift in front of OP, not you.
Your little girls sound so cute...do for them...just the little girls. They will have such a good time tonight.
Please put on a good smile tonight, even though you just want to scream...if necessary, pretend it's just another dinner out...no anniversary, okay? Be strong for the little ones.
It will be interesting to hear what kind of "mood" your W will be in...good, I hope.
Wait until you see the counselor before putting up a last resort...see what that person says. I would really hate to see your family split. You've come this far - you can wait just a tad longer.
Enjoy your dinner...order anything you want to eat...don't worry what the W thinks...if you want pancakes, then order pancakes (just an extreme example - I know you're not eating at a breakfast diner).
Last, but really the most important...remember what this great holiday is...it's Christmas, a birth, a new life, rejoicing in our Lord...not gifts.
If things get rough...just think of CM, in his thong and tiara and I sitting a table away...watching your back. That's a sight....
