Family Reunion

Saturday morning Mason and I were up early to get ready to leave for the family reunion. I was not excited. At all.

Austin was to get up and help me get all my stuff and Mason into the car but what do you know he didn't. I wasn't real shocked.

Austin and his dad had plans to go watch the nascar race in Newton. I had told him that he would want to get there early but he told me not to worry about it. They had planned on leaving his dad's house at around 10. At 8 Austin got a text message from our friend, Joe, that was already down there telling him they might want to leave earlier than 10 to get a parking spot as it was already really busy down there. So of course he listened to Joe and hurried out of the house and didn't help me carry anything to the car. Even though he made several trips in and out of the house and had to step over all my stuff and pass my car on the way to his truck. I could have just beaten him. Beaten him with a really long heavy club, with spikes. Repeatedly.

So I finally get out of the house and over to my mother-in-laws to pick them up. Yes, I drove because I refuse to be uncomfortable. I realize I'm short but I don't remember it being a law that the short people have to ride in the backseat. Some conceited tall person made that up and considering that Austin's family is all tall I would have been stuck in the backseat the entire trip in one of their small ass vehicles. No thanks. I drove guaranteeing me a front seat spot. It seemed only natural since I have the largest car with the largest backseat. Suck that Raquel.

We had a real good drive out to the Amana Colonies where we ate at the Ox Yoke because Raquel had her ipod. After we ate we all used the potty and I was the last one out, because I don't know why, anyways I get out to the car and Raquel is sitting in the front seat and Robin is driving because I asked her to. I went to the passenger door and opened it and calmly told Raquel that I get car sick and can't ride in the back for more than 20 minutes.

I know a total lie but that bitch wasn't going to get stick me in the backseat of my own car. I don't know how she even came to the conclusion that it was okay to just take the front seat. So anyways she had to sit in the back and stew for a bit.

I didn't care how upset she was. The sucky part was that I couldn't let myself think that because of my mother-in-law, she can read minds. We carry conversations all the time without me having to say a word. I know how freaky!!

So I had to keep thinking I was queasy. How simple. I would read a page or two of my book and then look up and think 'my lunch is not agreeing with me'. I am nothing if not convincing.

So we finally get out there to the hotel and I find out that Raquel and I are sharing a room. Wonderful.

After unloading our stuff at the hotel we ventured out to find a grocery store to get stuff to take to the reunion. I know real exciting. I took a 12 pack of Coke and some fresh pineapple chunks.

The family reunion went good everyone seemed to know me as Austin's wife because even though Austin hadn't seen these people in years they remembered him. No one remembered Raquel. They kept asking who she belonged to. Ha Ha...

After we ate I pulled out my camera and started playing. It is amazing to see peoples reactions to the camera when you tell them you are a photographer. They don't mind. They trust you to get them in the best light. Raquel had out my mother-in-laws camera and no one would look at her so she went over to the playground with Mason and took photos of him while I took photos of the croquet game.

Even when we were taking family photos everyone was looking at me and not her and she had hers set up on a tripod. I am still chuckling about it.

We finally left the reunion around 9. Way past Mason's bedtime. By the time we got to the hotel he was telling everyone 'night night'.

I got stuck with the idiot that has to sleep with the tv on. Not a chance with Mason in the room. I put my foot down after she turned off the lights. I reached over and grabbed the remote and just turned it off and then put the remote under my pillow. She wasn't able to reach the tv because Mason was in the way in the pack and play.

I didn't feel one bit bad. I might have been laughing inside my head every time I heard her sigh. After what felt like an hour she finally passed out. I think she was trying to outlast me so she could get the remote. Not a chance.

I know it might seem like I went out of my way to make her uncomfortable but I didn't. If she wasn't so cocky and thinking me a second class citizen I wouldn't have had to put her in her place. No one is going to make feel inferior. No one. Blame it on my self confidence, or just call me a bitch, the outcome is the same.

So after she finally passed out I snuck out for a cigarette. I deserved it dammit. Everyone was still alive weren't they? It was wonderful! I have never enjoyed a cigarette so much.

Sunday morning we all got up and went and had breakfast with the family. After breakfast we had to go out to the cemetery. I wasn't too interested in the cemetery until I saw the chapel at the entrance. Made the trip all worth while to me.
We finally got on the road to come home around noon. We stopped off at exit 220, Williamsburg, at the Tanger Outlet Mall. Highlight of the trip for me. We were there for a couple of hours before heading home again.

Austin met me outside when I pulled in the driveway at about 6. It felt so good to be home. Saturday and Sunday were more exhausting than Tuesday thru Friday because I had to constantly be on alert as to what I was thinking, saying, and how I was handling the delicate situation known as Princess Hateful.

I don't know how Austin handled growing up in that household. Honestly I don't.