Trip to visit the fam (part 2)

My actual trip to visit my family was fun. My aunt and uncle now live in the country and on a lake, so it was quiet, peaceful, and relaxing (except for when my parents were patronizing me). I managed to take my 94 year old grandfather out for a paddle boat ride. We picked blue berries from the other side of the lake right before it started to pour down rain. Grandpa was a good sport though. However, everyone else thought that I was trying to drown my him. The next day I took the same boat ride with my aunt but without the downpour. We saw the Boston Symphony play a mostly (completely) Mozart concert at Tanglewood and got to sit on the lawn which is way more fun than sitting in the shed. I also got to see my only cousin and her kids.

My Grandpa moved into an elderly community-type place which is really nice. It reminds me a lot of the upscale dorm I lived in my first year of college. My grandpa has a 2 bedroom apartment and managed to take most of the stuff from his house, shove it into that apartment, and make it look magnificent. I have to say it is weird seeing all the stuff from my grandparent's house in a small apartment, but my grandpa is happy, and that is what is really important.

My parents spent most of Saturday and all of Sunday complaining about all the "shit" I still have in their house. See, they want to remodel the upstairs and can't until all my shit is gone. I actually like my shit (that's probably why I kept it in the first place) and so we are butting heads. The solution is that I am going to spend my labor day weekend at home, not having fun, but cleaning out the upstairs and getting it ready to remodel. Now I'm moving back home for 2 months starting in December and I have to say that if I spend these 5 days cleaning out their house and no remodeling occurs between now and December, I will have someone's head on a platter. That, and my parents better feed me well and take me shopping labor day weekend.

School is starting soon. People are coming back into town and first day assignments are posted. I still have to finish my job (only 3 more days of work - WHOOP!) and then I have a 10 day trip where I'm going to babysit one nephew, coddle another, and allow my mother to drive me crazy. I feel like there is no time to relax. I need to learn how to say no, how to know my own limits, and how to relax. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone?

I never get to see Taz anymore. See, we are dating, but I only get to see him once a week for a couple of hours so it doesn't feel like we are dating. It makes me sad, but the reason for the lack of together time is because he is preparing for his auditions. I really hope he gets one of these jobs. It would mean me re-arranging my life or at least considering re-arranging my life, but it would make him happier, which is key.

My dad on marriage:

Dad: When are you two going to get married?
Me: I have no idea.
Dad: So how do you know that Taz isn't stringing you along?
Me: I guess I don't know.
Dad: Well how can you find out?
Me: I don't know, but if you think of any suggestions, let me know.
Dad: Well you could get pregnant. That's usually a good way to find out if someone is stringing you along.
Me: Daaaaad!

Taz on marriage:

After telling Taz about my dad's comments.
Taz: So when are we going to get married.
Me: How about tomorrow.
Taz: Sure, I'll drive down.
Me: Are you serious?
Taz: Sure.
Me: For real?
Taz: Yeah. Are you going to call me on it. Cause I'll do it.
Me: Well I think there is a 3-day waiting period to get a marriage license, but I could pick up the application and bring it up when I come visit you tomorrow. We could fill it out.
Taz: Sure! *giggle*

So I think I am going to pick up the form, but not mention it and see if he mentions it. I don't yet know if I'm serious, but... well I don't know. I'm not as adverse to marriage as I was a year ago, but it still does mildly frighten me.