Functional Families

Good morning all...how's things? I never got around to blogging yesterday, but I also never got around to putting on anything more than board shorts over my bathing suit, so there:-P

I have actually been really productive this week. I am surprised at how much I have gotten done during my standard 9-3 workdays (with breaks for...um...stuff...) I would make the argument that I should work from the beach all the time, but since I only have a couple of weeks of work left anyway, that may not be the best idea.

The house was quite a bit busier yesterday, and will be through the weekend as some of Smoking Hot Roommate's Mother's family has come down for a long weekend. I think this is my favorite part of this house, and much of the reason that it is my favorite place on earth (OK, the extensive oceanfront acreage is a big part, too). It is very much a "family" house where a whole wave of cousins and Aunts and Uncles come and go pretty much at will all summer long. Because of that, it is just a really warm place where everyone always seems to be having a good time.

To me, that is how families should work at their best, and just reminds me again at how dysfunctional my own can be. Obviously it is not practical for every family to have their own massive beachfront compound...but that is really not what makes it so special. Mostly it is just the enjoyment that comes from being around the people you love as much as you can. It is a place where everyone is always welcome without feeling like they are imposing, and where they can come to enjoy the sun, sand and ocean, but also to enjoy each other's company.

I think that they are all blessed to have each other, and I am blessed that they have invited me into their family like they have (and I mean the whole crew...not just the nuclear Papa Bear clan). Several will be here this weekend, a couple more next week, and then a very large influx of them all in early August, which is traditionally one of my favorite times of the year. I look forward to every minute of it:-)

I am actually taking a little trip this afternoon with, in the strict sense, my only actual family member for some long-overdue girl time. She is babysitting for a couple hours this morning but she has the afternoon off, so we are going to hitch a ride over to the other island on the boat of the family of a friend of hers. Nothing much planned...just a little shopping, some wandering around, dinner and then back home.

Mostly it is just a chance to catch up...I feel like I haven't had my share of Munchkin time lately! Besides, there are about 40 different boys chasing her and I need to get caught up on all of them...