Busy times at D's parents' place! We've finished almost all of our wrapping, but holiday activities have been ramping up with the arrival of more and more family members.Things are quite different here this year -- D's brother, the next oldest in the line of four boys, got engaged in August and bought a house with his fiancée. So we've been given his old bedroom for our stay, which is much more private than the previous part of the house we'd been using before (the sleeper sofa in the basement, right next to the pool table and storage closets, both of which get tons of traffic).
I'm very grateful, to say the least. I'm uncomfortable admitting that I need space from people sometimes, but it's something I can't ignore -- I tried doing that last Christmas and ended up feeling horribly resentful toward everyone, even D, through the endless stream of activities I felt I couldn't escape. So this year, it's been a particular relief to have a little haven where I can get an hour of quiet time. It's made these last few days so much more enjoyable.
We've done almost one jigsaw puzzle per night with the whole family, played board games, shared cooking duties, planned the annual gingerbread construction project, gone caroling, and talked ourselves hoarse. And I've liked being part of it. Tonight, we're off to D's brother's house for dinner and then maybe some cookie decorating.
Hope you're all having good holidays. I'll post more once we're on our way to our next destination.
3 comments:
An hour of privacy during the holiday madness? Priceless! Merry Christmas!
I can't imagine what it's like being part of a big and bustling family. I'm an only child and out here there is just Mr FF and his ma who lives nearby (his brother is back in the UK with his wife and kid). I think the idea of a large jolly crowd is probably better than the actuality of it.
I can totally understand you feeling swamped when in the midst of lots of people. I like to be by myself a lot - just as well seeing as Mr FF is leaving for Paris at the weekend.
I'll be dropping by to take lessons in how to cope in the lonely moments. In the meantime I want to wish you and your family a lovely 2010 - with no more medical tests and a thesis that receives plaudits galore.
x
Julie
TKW -- no kidding! I couldn't believe it. Worlds of difference for which I am hugely grateful.
FF -- you're so right. Jolly crowds are lovely to imagine when you're not stuck in the middle of one. Most of the time they're not truly jolly anyway, just trying to do a good impression of it, and it grates on everybody else from being so forced!
Thinking of you and Mr. FF as you enter this new chapter in your lives. Thank you for the kind thoughts. Warmest wishes to you too for the new year.
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