What a weekend! So glad it’s over, but it had it’s high points. Saturday we went to Pat’s cousin’s birthday party, about 50 of us crammed into the back of a Chinese buffet place (I love real Chinese food. The stuff they serve in these places is just mass produced blech.) One thing that was once again proven- my inlaws thrive on drama, and I’m apparently the favored audience for venting. (I guess they see my I don’t give a darn attitude and assume it’s more of a please tell me all your tales of woe attitude.) Fortunately this only happens a couple times a year, so I just grin and nod my head a lot. They’re not looking for my response, they only want to get it out of their systems. I guess I’m performing a public service. And I do love these people, even when they make me batty.
Maybe they should get blogs. Works for me.
Then Sunday we went to a more upscale restaurant and in a private room with fireplace had a Christmas party with my extended family. Of course, there’s drama there too, but so much more low-key. It’s the legacy of my Irish grandmother that we don’t burden others with our problems, so even if people are unhappy, they hide it oh so well. But know what? Parties are just more fun when people aren’t whispering about other people in the room. And it was a fun party. I was actually able to spend some quality time with cousins I rarely see. I felt bad for those having to keep track of preschoolers and toddlers, it’s never easy in situations like that. But I served my time, and their freedom will return soon enough!
Plus the party yesterday involved free alcohol. I may have tolerated the Chinese buffet better if they served alcohol. But then, the honoree is celebrating 10 years sober, so I guess drinking at his party would have been inappropriate.
Gee, almost makes me glad to live 600 miles from our families!