Mary, since my MIL passed away I have hosted every holiday, by choice. It seemed that the family was going to fall by the wayside and everyone was going to go their own way without her. I started to host because no one else offered to and I didn't want any family member to stay home alone on a holiday because they had nowhere to go. So I invited everyone to come if they had no other plans. If they came OK, if not OK. I never went all out, just did what I could with only DH to help me. There was always plenty of food, but it might not be fancy. Then the kids decided that I shouldn't be doing it all every holiday and they said they were going to take a turn. The problem is, they don't like Uncle Mark, who can be very strange, but he never hurts anyone, just has some weird ideas and behavior. But he is alone and he is DH's brother, so I always invite him. Sometimes he comes, sometimes not. When the kids hosted Easter and Thanksgiving they didn't invite Mark. They didn't care if he sat home alone with no holiday dinner or family. That made me angry, but I don't have the right to tell them who to invite to their home. We decided that we are going to go back to hosting every holiday, and all will be invited. I think you can put up with someone you don't like for a couple days out of the year. It's not like he's drunk and disorderly. It's a lot of work and I get really tired, but I have cut back and just do basics, and anyone who doesn't like it can go elsewhere, or pitch in and help. I know your situation is different. I know you have others that host sometimes and also bring a covered dish to help out. But you should just do what you can do and make it as simple as you can and not put too much burden on yourself.
I'm thinking my bil and sil will not come to our house for Christmas because we didn't go to their house for Thanksgiving. I will have to see if my step-daughter knows what they have planned. In a way, I prefer that they don't come. They bring their own alcohol and they both drink a lot, then they drive home like that. I'm always afraid they will get into an accident and we will be responsible because they did the drinking at our house. DH will not tell them not to drink or limit them in anyway. It just scares me.
Sandy, there's not very many things that I'm good at, but I admit I am a great baker. I have learned over the years what ingredients and brands work best for me. When my kids go to a party or get-together they ask me which cookies are mine because they won't eat other people's baked goods. When it comes to cooking, its a different story altogether. LOL I have a few things I make well, but also a lot of flops.
Karen, I'm confused. I don't know much about computers but DH told me that the newer computers don't need modems because they are only needed for dial-up, which most people don't use anymore. But of course, I might have misunderstood what he meant because I am very technically unsavvy. LOL
Gayle, I think since you have started this new way of eating healthier your body is rebelling against the M&Ms. In the long run, it's good that you get that headache because that will keep you away from them.