Tired

Whew! Spending a week-end with family can be an exhausting experience. Especially when that family is approximately 300 miles away. So there's a long drive, with young children in tow, then enduring the company of family and extended family that simply *must* stop by to say hello while you're there. Not to mention that's usually when kids choose to act out or just act differently. Trying to keep everyone in line can be wearing plus the fact that family tends to want to include outings that may or may not be draining. And all this is besides the fact that my particular family just happens to reside near a semi-popular public beach. Though in January, there aren't many requests to go there. It does help, I suppose, that this particular part of my family happens to have not only a pool, but a hot tub in the back yard. So at least there's the benefit of possible relaxation, once the kids are put to bed.

However, there are some aspects that are difficult to deal with while visiting. One of these is the unfortunate tendency of some family members to imbibe more than they ought. It's tough being the only sober adult in a small group of people. Of course, it's not my place to dictate to them what they do in their own home, so I never say anything. Though it's nearly always amusing for me. It can also be tiring though, having to watch it. Still, there were many other aspects of the visit that were nice. I do enjoy my family, though sometimes I am somewhat grateful that they live so very far away. I love them dearly, I simply need to have room to be myself and not have to listen to the seemingly constant drama that continuously unfolds therein.