Tracym

Speaking of relatives and vacations...

I'm having my best friend (family of five) for two weeks this summer. I love them, but after that I know I'll be exhausted.

Plus, I have this very old dog who falls easily, and I'm not sure how we'll manage at the summer cottage (stairs).

Now.... I have an email from my cousin, who I haven't seen in years and years. Announcing that she and her husband and two boys (who I've never met) want to come stay with me right after the first batch of guests.

I'm trying to decide what on earth to say - the cottage was in our family since our grandparents, but it ended up I'm the one who inherited it. So I generally try to accomodate family when I can. But omg... a group of strangers right after a big group leaves, and two kids running around - I'm afraid the old dog will get flattaened.

Plus, that "might" be when Keith comes over, if we're very lucky.

The timing just couldn't be worse, but I hate to say no also...

Ray

Be reasonable $10 a night per person to offset costs ...

Tracym

lol no kidding. Wish I could. Actually, my friends are lovely that way, they buy groceries and all, so they're no problem - very good guests in every way.

The cousin would not I'm sure. But it's really not the money - it's the chaos level. Wimpy me - I live alone at present, and am not used to trampling herds of people running around all the time. So two batches in a row.... I dunno about this...

Deedee13

best to get them all gone in one go than just recover from the first lot and then the second lot arrive! Infact get them all to come at the same time then they all muck in together and it can be quite fun really!

Jerseygirl

Tell them no...it's not convenient.

Tracym

OMG not enough beds LOL. Or leave them all to it - and I'll go run and hide!

Tracym

You're probably right, I'd sure like to. But the fact that it was the family cottage is making me feel guilty - like I'm being selfish.

Perhaps I'll have to see if I can figure out how LONG they think they're coming for... few days would be ok, few weeks though...

Jerseygirl

Why put yourself through all this? You haven't seen them for years...tell them no. Alternatively give them the keys and tell them you expect the place to be left as it was found...clean and tidy.

TouristTrap

[QUOTE=Jerseygirl;4778355]Why put yourself through all this? You haven't seen them for years...tell them no. Alternatively give them the keys and tell them you expect the place to be left as it was found...clean and tidy.[/QUOTE]

That's what I would do.

Jerseygirl

I certainly wouldn't put myself through the mill about it.

Tracym

[QUOTE=TouristTrap;4778378] Thanks guys. I suppose it's hard to explain, or maybe I'm being silly. But I've always been welcome at any of the cousin's, any time. And I have gone and stayed with some of them, although it's been a long while. So that side of the family kind of operates that way. I really wouldn't mind, if the timing weren't so bad.

And I understand the theory - but no way would I give them the keys and trust them in the place alone. I just wouldn't. I shudder to think.

Oh well, I guess I'll figure it out. I just figuratively went "Waaaah" when I opened that email this morning.

Texas Mom

I with you on this one JG!
Tell them that Keith is coming for sure even if it's not finalized. I'm sure they'll understand as you don't see him that often just now.

joto

Just tell them that you would love to have them, but you have no vacation time left over. I'm sure they know what mean vacation times we have over here. So could they arrange maybe next year or sometime never.

Tracym

Unfortunately, they know I tend to be up there all summer. Good idea otherwise.