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Posted 11/26/2007 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
We were out of town for the holidays and it's so stressful for me. It is for everyone, really, isn't it? I try hard to keep myself calm in the face of lots of family (even loving supportive family!) and friends and a hectic pace, but I never wholly succeed. I've long since stopped spending time with my own family during the holidays because they are far too toxic, now we only see my husband's family. But the driving was exhausting this time and we spent hours and hours in my car in bad weather and slow traffic. Yesterday our 5 1/2 hour drive took 8. On Thanksgiving night, we go to a friend of the family's house for an annual gathering which includes really fascinating people: international students and teachers, lawyers, architects, moms. :-) I couldn't do it though. There were 27 people there. Every time someone asked me how I was doing, I teared up. I had to get out of there. I hid in a back bedroom reading to my daughter. As soon as dinner was over, I had my husband drive me home. Everyone else stayed at the party and I went home and watched Ugly Betty. I felt so Pathetic! But it was better. I couldn't spend another minute there like that.

I'm glad to be home, and maybe now I can spend a little more time on my board with my peeps.
Posted 11/26/2007 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Serafena, I totally understand the need to not be in such a confined place with SO many people, as wonderful as they are, it can be TOO much. I think of it like this...it is similar to this exquisite meal I once had that contained multiple courses from a man named the world’s best chef. Each course was designed to tease and please the palette. Each course built on the last with flavors growing and building in intensity until the final desert was given. By this point our taste buds were ALREADY going WILD with stimulation...so for me, by the time this last chocolate item came, the flavor was SOOOOOO intense it was TOO much for me. It was almost painful...I could take no more. After the first bite, I passed it to others who still wanted more. For me...I had reached my ability for it to be exciting and pleasurable. So...how my analogy fits is this....you had already had plenty of stimulation with your husbands family between the drive and visit, not to mention keeping your little one occupied outside her own home…so to go to a place with 27 people....it was simply too much. It wasn't for others and that is fine, but, for you...you would have needed to have not had ALL that had come before take place, so your stimulation level had not already been too high. Going home was the BEST thing you could have done. I am not BP and I at times would have done the EXACT same thing. I must be in the right frame of mind to handle an evening like that. It would be difficult during the holidays for me, I can't really enjoy it the way I would like, I already feel SO spent with everything else. So...GOOD FOR YOU for taking such good care of yourself and knowing what to do. This was perfectly normal to me.

Which episode of Ugly Betty was it? I watch it too! Hugs, LFW
Posted 11/26/2007 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the backup. It's always a large party, but this year was especially large, and I just wasn't in the right place. (I love your analogy by the way. It was very fitting.) I just wanted my slippers.

I've never seen Ugly Betty before. It was very sweet! It was one where they're trying to put the issue together at the last minute and I think the old editor has died. They put a black cover on the issue because the cover actress is in rehab. tongue
Posted 11/27/2007 1:13 AM (GMT 0)

I completley understand where yo0u are and I am sorry that you are having to go though this. On thanksgiving I had a similar experience and I was only with my family, 10 people or so. I sat in the living room by myself crying and couldnt stop. SO i know where you are.

I hope now that youre home you are more comfortable and just feeling better overall.

bunny

Posted 11/27/2007 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks bunnypucker,

I've just never been a fan of huge groups of people anyway, and huge groups of family especially. Someone's gonna poke out their eye.
Posted 11/27/2007 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, that was the last one. It is a really funny show, if you have questions or need to catch up to keep watching, just let me know.

Glad you sound better. LFW
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