My DD and I went to my DH's Nieces baby shower today. Oy. I like her but the older people in the family I have little use for avoid at all costs. So we went kick'n and scream'n today to a room full of 'em. It was to be brunch and the foods they served were very odd choices and everyone was pushing their food around their plates. At 4pm she and went out to an early dinner 'cause we were starving. Watching the elders in this group sniping and a much older cousin of DHs taking jabs at people so not a way to spend an Indian Summer Sunday. God willing I won't see this group for months and months.
Speaking of families, for years and years we've been telling my grandmother that she and my step grandfather should come down to Hilton Head. We've got relatives they could see. My step grandfather loves bike riding, and there are bike paths galore in Hilton Head. His daughter has a house down there that they use for vacationing, so we always thought that they could stay there if they wanted to. Or they could stay in the two bedroom at the Disney resort with us.
For years it's always been no no no. They don't want to drive that far (my mom, then later me, could drive), they have plans already (yeah right), and perhaps the most ridiculous of all, we're too old to travel (which prompted a look from my step grandfather, who is in his 90s, to my grandmother, who is in her 70s, that said, "Speak for yourself").
Well, my nieces moved down there when my aunt got custody of them. So a few weeks ago, my grandmother popped down for a "surprise" visit. Thankfully for my aunt, it wasn't a surprise. My grandmother told my one cousin who told her brother who told my aunt. It caused quite a stir in the family, but at least my aunt knew she was coming. Suddenly it wasn't too far to travel anymore. I'm just glad that they got a hotel and didn't plan on staying with my aunt.
Well, we got a call the other day. My grandmother and step-grandfather are going to Hilton Head for a month in December. They are taking the train down, renting a car, and staying at my step grandfather's house. Some of the relatives will be coming to stay with them during that time. It's about a 2 hour drive from Charleston to Hilton Head, so they would stay a night or two. Hmmph. Like NO ONE EVER SUGGESTED THIS BEFORE.
I think what I find irritating about this whole thing is the favoritism shown here. My other niece is not biologically related to us. Her father is in prison, will likely never come out, and my cousin has been present in her life as her father since the day she was born. My grandmother has not treated her the same as she has treated the other great-grandchildren. They've lived in SC for 6 years now. Not one visit down to see her. But suddenly the other girls move down there and my cousin is having a biological child (a boy!) next month and suddenly she's rushing down there. I feel bad for the adopted niece. It's not like she has any contact with her father's family. Thankfully the rest of our family has stepped up, but still.
So we'll all be down there at the same time since we always go down for a week over Christmas. The good news is that we'll pretty much get to see everyone while we're down there. My grandmother offered to let us stay with them, but that was a mutual "no" from us; we will be staying at the Disney Resort as planned. I don't think we could all tolerate being in the same house with her for that long. My brother and I will get the second bedroom to ourselves. This is good for many reasons, real bed, no one waking me up at weird hours (my brother knows that he has to get up and quietly leave
). The bad news is I'm sure there is going to be drama at some point. Especially given the rocky relationship between my uncle (aunt's husband, nieces' grandfather) and my grandmother. But in the end, I'm there to relax and spend some time with my family. And I'm very much looking forward to seeing my nieces.
by stupid young adults caused T&T to never be held in the evening again. And that happened when I was younger.) Plus because we have a lot of people who live a country area (like us), the businesses downtown have a trick or treat to bring people into town. (I go to my mom's to pass out candy while my ex takes my daughter out. Kids would have to walk way up a hill to get to my place and there's only two houses on on my street.) AND this year Halloween being on a Friday, three words--high school football. Small town, a majority of the residents are involved in or attend the game.
