"family time"

okay, so i haven't written in some time for several reasons, one of them being that the computer was taken, and another being that there has been a seemingly endless amount of "family" time over the last few weeks which has occupied most of my time and ALL of my thoughts. And while you would assume that "family time" would be enjoyable and entertaining and a favorable switch from the typically mundane, the truth is that it completely stresses me out. i'm not sure if it is because i have incredibly set expectations, or if families are retarded, or if i am just the one that is has no ability to see past my own desires. which ever one of these aspects is true, does not change the fact that "family time" actually means stressed out, over emotional, completely out of control time. mostly from lil old me, but i tend to be triggered by others. anyhow, there were moments of fun and laughter, sprinkled with words of bitterness and tears of anger. ya, it was a memorable time. is it just me or are families harder to deal with the old that everyone gets? i watch these movies (like Dan in Real Life, for example) where loving grandparents, friendly siblings and adoring children come together in one little house and seem to abound in happiness and good cheer. and then i attempt to do the same thing with my family and the only thing that is abounding is pissy-ness and resentment. don't get me wrong, we all love each other dearly, we just really don't like each other dearly as well!! let's just say i am praying that the next "family time" event will be in the far away future! (some fake happiness photos on the way)