Should I go to the family reunion or not?

Here's the backstory.... I'd planned on spending this Memorial Day weekend at home, catching up on some much needed projects around the house. I've been really busy at work and with volunteer political stuff lately and, quite frankly, the place is verging on shabby these days. I'd been really looking forward to this. Then I get a call from a great-aunt about the family reunion, again, going on this weekend. Now, I'm not particularly close to this branch of the family. I do like them, very much, and I would enjoy seeing her and going to the reunion, but it would mean an eight hour drive on Saturday, the reunion on Sunday, and then an eight hour drive back on Monday. I would basically lose my entire planned weekend in favor of this reunion, and that's what's gnawing on me. If I could just pop over for the day and then pop back, it'd be great, but I can't. And I just can't face going back to work next week with this shabby house and nothing done around here and no future break in sight. But I would feel really bad skipping out on the reunion. It is family, after all.

Sooo....

One of the advantages to living on the East Coast is that most of the relatives are within 2 hours, even if they're in another city.

Remember, though, if you stay home, you'd better get those projects done! (thought I'd inject some of my Catholic-bred guilt in there)

you will probably have cool memories and photos to look at of this weekend.

Go. You can clean the house next weekend, and the weekend after that.

I wish I could. I have things going on every single weekend in June. That's why this is so hard to decide. I agree with you, though.

;)

It makes me feel all squoodgy inside to feel like I can't invite people over because the place is always a disaster area....

It's inconsiderate for someone to invite you to a family reunion at the 11th hour. Family reunions take a lot of planning and extra time to arrange schedules. People are busy. If this phone call was last minute, consider yourself an afterthought in the family constellation.

There's nothing rude about saying you have other obligations this weekend, and that if you'd been notified in a timely fashion, then maybe you could have cleared your schedule.

Me, my house is always shabby and having an excuse to leave it that way is fine. But you have to live there and if you are going to suffer for at least another month then the trade off may be too much. Stay and work on it. (I agree that if it was a last minute invite by phone, forget it...but suspect not)

Guess the measure is how guilty you will feel staying home vs. how much you will regret going.

that you have a family to visit. The way your house looks is not important, but family is, they are the most important people in your life.

And my dad, mom and brother all live here and I see them every week. These are just sort of accessory cousins and great aunts and extended family whom I like very much, but am not very close to. You're right, though.

Short notice (?),
Distant relations,
Your busy sched,
The sheer distance/time involved.

Maybe send them flowers with a note <regrets> -- and make a date with this g-aunt in the near future.
I fully recognize family ties, but sometimes you just can't do it.

If they're cool, they'll understand - unless you think the guilt would be too much (then go, and bag the house).

I love family reunions! I would try to find a way to go, if it were me.

It's more of a spiritual thing to put your living area back in order. :) It makes me feel better and more able to concentrate on everything else if I can clean my home and have pleasant surroundings.

Since you see the family members to whom you're closest, I think I'd pass on the family reunion. :)

Them maybe you can work on your living space 15-20 minutes here and there.


Of course that's just my gut reaction. I don't really know how often you have these reunions.

And say "Howdy!" to those who make it in front of the camera :D

that you will cherish. Cleaning house - I understand... but... you won't cherish that memory. Go to the family reunion, enjoy yourself, take pictures and have a great time.

make it up to your aunt some other time. :)