STRESSED OUT!!! DINNER TONIGHT???

Hey guys...I have become completely overwhelmed with things. There is so much that needs to be done and not enough time to do it in. I was going down to Anniston today to see my neice who just got back from Ireland before she goes back to school on Saturday. Too, I've missed being able to see my family...and wanted to go down and see them. I had a talk with my mom a bit ago and told her...I just can't keep being the one that does all the going. I want to see them, but the road runs both ways. She understands completely...and she said that unfortunately most just expect me to come down because I've always done it. My mom and dad come up usually a couple of times a year, but the other brothers and sisters maybe make it once every year or two. Its like I told mom, even though I don't have kids, my time is every bit as valuable as theirs is. She agrees completely. She and I were talking about the fact that when they lived in Huntsville in the 50s, that no one ever came up to see them...probably because they always made the trip about once a month. I'm frustrated a bit because the whole summer went by and neither my sister or sister in law made an effort to come see me...and it wasn't because I didn't invite them, because I did. My next oldest brother has only crossed my threshhold once since I've been here and that was when we had the whole family for the 4th of July. I'm in a griping mood I know. I'm getting a lot better now about learning how to say NO. I've decided that I'm going to start telling people in advance when we're going to be in town and where we will be and if they want to see us they can come there. I think if I drive 2 hours...they can drive 10 minutes...and I don't think its unreasonable. Too...there's a part of me that wonders...if I didn't go down for about 6 months if they would get the idea. I think the best way to handle it is to just start telling them that I really want to see them, but I can't be the only one making the effort. And I guess if it means not seeing them but a couple of times a year...then that's what it means...I just can't run my legs off anymore. If they don't understand...then they don't understand...but I'm not going to kill myself anymore. Now...this is where I was going....I decided to stay in town and have some down time and work on getting the house back together after the painters. I'm going to give myself a break and work today on one room at a time...getting it back together...before going to another room. Mike is still gone and will not be bac****il tomorrow. Would anyone like to get together tonight for Dinner? I'm not offering to cook...its more than I can bite off right now. I was thinking going out to dinner...I could REALLY use some social time without having to do a lot of work to get it....ANYBODY INTERESTED??? Becky, the stressed out...needing to be social before I get mean, one.

Oh, Becky, I am here for you!! I understand completely what you mean. They can come see you just as easily as you can go see them. I would love to go to dinner, but I have my kids and they have homework, chores, and then bedtime is at 8pm and then Frank gets home around 9:30 and he will go straight to bed cause he has to be at work at 6am in the morning. I hope we can do it again though. I really enjoyed lunch yesterday. You are a very beautiful and nice lady. I love your hair!! I love short hair. My husband doesn't really like it, but he picked out my hair style I have now, so he is ok with it. Anyway, feel free to come over here anytime. I am home most evenings. I do have to close one night a week at Mcdonald's and hopefully soon that will change. I hope you are feeling better!!!! Love ya, Linda