Defying Logic Once Again

the grandson, after grandma took one too many pictures- 

I love my family and extended family. That said, my story begins.

Back when Mr. SB and myself were employed, our work schedules varied, forcing us to take our turns working Saturdays, Sundays and sometimes both. Choosing corresponding vacation weeks was also a nightmare due to the high seniority co-workers in each of our departments. The fact that my husband was frequently forced to work overtime (sometimes) daily, and at one point had him working up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, precluded our having time off together period. This was especially bad when his children came out here for their summer visits, because they were bored, bored and more bored.

Mr. SB's family could never understand just why we were unable to attend many of the family commitments at that time. They all had more normal 9-5/Monday-Friday jobs, and lived closer to each other than we did. Their reaction to a turn-down to a party was "Tell them (the company) that you have plans!" No-can-do... our employer was much like the U.S. military except that we were issued helmets, but not guns.

Bringing us to nowadays. We live one hour closer to the family, who have moved even closer to one another not unlike our American pioneers circling up the wagon train. We now have the time to be social... and they don't! Their jobs have become somewhat like ours were by forcing some weekend duty on a few of them. Understanding this, we have given them all an open invitation... come by when you'd like.

We've been getting apologies to the effect that "We can't all get the same day off to come by!" This is Mr. SB's family so I don't want to start something, but who said you all have to visit at once? Are you afraid that once separated we'll break you down and make you tell us some family gossip we're unaware of? Whatever!

Last night, while babysitting my grandson (shown above,) I receive a phone call obviously originating at a party, and it takes the caller almost a full minute to identify themself. Let's just say they were very happy! Surprise- it was the family! They were having a party, and thinking of us!!! Isn't that nice? Too bad they're all so busy they didn't think to invite us.

This is the third family party in recent months we know of, where this has happened.

This really wouldn't bother us, except one of my sister-in-laws gets on the phone and says "We all really want to come up and visit, but can never get the time off!" This defies logic altogether, and is making our idea to visit, and perhaps move up to Washington state much easier to plan!

So hello Greenie and Eclectic, you may be having new neighbors sooner than you think!