The Family Descends Like Locusts.

My family (meaning Mom, Stepdad, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins) mostly live in the La Porte area, about 2.5 hours away. I have one Cousin and his wife that live here, as does Sister. I also have an Aunt, Uncle and Cousin that live in Terre Haute and Dad, Stepmom, Stepgrandma, and Stepbrothers live near Tampa, FL in Riverview, FL.

Thus, the family doesn't have easy access to just 'drop by' unannounced, they typically plan a trip at least a month in advance and then I prepare myself mentally for the invasion.

Don't get me wrong, I love my family. Please note, however, my failed experiment at living back in La Porte for a year failed mainly because it was too much togetherness for me. Yes, at that time I needed family support but I also needed time alone. The time alone was much harder to get when you have: a) a local phone number and b) a local address.

So moving back to Indy, er, Carmel, was a move that allowed me to still be close to them but far enough away that they had to plan their visits. This is the ideal distance.

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Tomorrow starts the invasion. Mom and Cousin B will arrive mid- to late-afternoon. They plan to start on painting my bedroom and guest bedroom tomorrow, with the idea to finish on Friday. I've invited JD over to meet them on Thursday evening. On Friday afternoon, Cousin K drives in from La Porte. She is in nursing school and has clinicals until 1 on Friday so she can't get away any sooner. On Friday night we will meet up with Cousin D who lives here in town for dinner. Then on Saturday, Aunt N (Mom's sister), Uncle R, and Cousin T will drive over from Terre Haute to visit with my Mom and Cousins for lunch. On Saturday night I expect that Mom, Cousin B, Cousin K, maybe Sister, maybe Boy Wonder, myself and JD will go out to dinner and for entertainment later that night.

On Sunday, the family should leave mid-day (as per normal) and I'll have a date with JD in the afternoon. Movies, dinner ... thinking of seeing Vantage Point ... it comes out this weekend and I thought it looked good. Nothing like a romantic date to a political thriller movie, right? :)

As for today, I have plans with friends Bev and Laurie for happy hour at McCormick and Schmick's. I have some work to do at home for paint prep as well ... all that and see Nick as well. A good day :)