Yes to the bolded. I once was joking on here about a WTM introvert get together. We would just all sit in our corners at our beach rental and wave at each other. I’ve been sad because all the things I’m interested in are either not safe to do alone as a female or require other people who are not interested in the thing I’m interested in, such as pickle ball and badminton. I gave up on those. I think I want to get deeper into being outdoors alone (or with my son who would love that, too). We have a national forest between us, and even if I’m not able to hike far or am hurting, I can still sit around a campfire, learn new skills, etc. I think hanging out in the national forest may be something I can do as an introvert. It’s low cost to do that once you have all the things you need. It’s cheaper than going on a real vacation and way less stressful. Edit: And, yes, I like Rosie’s post, too.

Thank you, Bolt. That sounds like great advice. I just want to consider that 1) There was no response to my sending my niece my address, 2) I did not receive a late first invite (which, I agree with you that that it may be reasonable that she will not. But….IF she 3) Does not send a second invitation, that would make me really consider not going, even though I am 99 percent sure she would want me to come and somehow I just ended up not getting invited by mail. But I would consider talking to her mom. I’m still planning to send a gift. And I will say nothing to my mom. Thank you! I really appreciate your chiming in with your words of wisdom.

I wouldn’t go without an invitation, but I’m sure my mom will ask about that soon. Given the non response to my text, how do I handle this all? If she knows I haven’t gotten an invitation, she will surely ask my niece why.

Anyway, I’m glad I mentioned this here because I was wondering what to do if no invitation ever came, even if I think it’s an oversight. So thanks.

I think in this case, my mom somehow thought that she had actually asked for my address, too, to pass along to niece. I explained that she hadn’t asked, which is why I gave her only my son’s addresses to pass along. Mom, not liking that I had told her she was wrong (even though I wasn’t at all angry…just stating facts plainly), whipped out her phone on my last visit (as soon as golden child brother left the house, as always) to “prove” by showing the string of texts between her and niece, that I was wrong. She lifted the phone up slowly toward my face without even saying a word. I knew immediately what was going on. She intended to be all “see, you were wrong!” When I read through the texts and pointed out where the confusion was, she then just said, “Oh.” So I could then see why niece hadn’t sent an invitation. She really didn’t have my address. So, instead of texting me, niece just didn’t send one. So, I texted niece myself, and got no response. I am not very close to this niece, but I’m pretty sure she just forgot or for whatever reason didn’t bother to make sure that she had sent one to me.

If she doesn’t send one, it’s most likely an oversight, I think. It could end up being an awkward situation. I agree with you that you shouldn’t go unless you receive one. What would happen is….as soon as mom found out I wasn’t going, she’d text or call niece. Niece would tell mom to tell me it was an oversight. (Unless there is something else going on with niece, which I have no reason to think is the case). Regarding my mom, at this point in life, I can’t really be sure of anything. I have gut feelings and suspicions that everyone is triangulated, probably including me. Anyway, at some point, I will probably get one in the mail, but if I don’t, I guess I wouldn’t go?

Gosh, thank you, @Katy. I’ll keep that link. I may pull the black Chaco sandals from the attic. Maybe they will do for the wedding, then tennis shoes for the reception. (It’s in a more casual setting). The wedding will be just walk in and sit down.

My niece will be getting married in a few months. She and my mom had a pretty intense blow up (which I’ve posted about) and niece did not come around to see her for a very long time. During this time, my mom completely trashed her to me. She had been the favored grandchild. My mom doesn’t get along with my niece’s mother. My dad will probably come. My mom and dad don’t get along. My other brother and mom have sort of a surface relationship. It’s supposed to be a small wedding. I am very happy for my niece. But…I just am not looking forward to going. My sons, Dh, and I are planning to attend the wedding and reception. I think mom and golden child brother are only going to the reception. Mom will try to dump all her negative rants, thoughts, and judgments about everything on me, either at the reception or later. I am planning not to sit near her. Later, I can just change the subject. I have very bad feet and haven’t worn anything other than tennis shoes in 15 years. I don’t know what to do about that. Then there is the weirdness about invitations. Niece sent out save the date cards. My mom told me niece had asked her for both my son’s addresses. She had actually asked her for mine, too, but mom only gave my sons. I did not know this, so I could not figure out why niece didn’t send an invitation to me. Finally, I asked mom about it. I found out that niece needed my address. So, I texted it to her myself rather than rely on mom to do it. I just said, “ sorry, that there had been a bit of confusion, but I wanted to make sure you have my address”. There was no response. I just want to go to the wedding and skip the reception. The boys are coming from out of town to go to both, so I should probably go, too. I wish her all the best, but I am dreading having to deal with all. the. things.

22, married 3 years

I can see this from both sides now. I sympathize with being demanded to “get over your fears” and also with being asked to kill the bug.

The broom has always worked pretty well for me, and you can sort of gently cover the bug with the broom as you sweep, keeping it trapped. Then one last gentle sweep at the threshold, and it’s outside.

I kinda think it was weird, too.

Do you think you could do it this way? First, prop open a door. Then, get a broom and sweep the beetle out. It might be fast, but I’ve always found that if I sweep in short quick movements, I can move the bug toward the door faster than it can get away. Maybe you could try this, and it might help for at home, too, when no one is there to help. We usually try to just get them outside.

Hugs, @saraha.

It may be getting out of hand now. 🙄 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-arrested-police-found-2500-stanley-cups-car-rcna134995

On this topic, I was browsing random videos on RV park etiquette, even though I have never nor ever will be RV camping. Just something to look at. Anyway, the unsanitary ways people rinse out their waste hoses. 😳 They drain them with them all draped over their picnic table. They don’t wear gloves when undoing the connection. Letting their dogs run loose. People just tromping through other people’s sites. Loud music and bright lights. Not following quiet hours. They say these things are common! I have no idea if it is, but it sounds unpleasant. And makes me glad I have my own small folding table, which I prefer anyway.

This made me laugh.😂 We plan to be very minimal. I can see some people do need to take more stuff. Of course. These were all questions I previously had, but learned the answer to. You covered it all!

Yes. There are photos. I also found YouTube videos of each one. I really want the unicorn site, lol. Not on the side of a forest road where I feel alone and vulnerable. Not with other people, either, lol. I’m definitely planning to spy out the land ahead of time to look at several sites, including good (hopefully) wilderness sites. Some areas are for the horse crowd. Some areas are for the OHV crowd. Some areas are for hunters. Some are family campgrounds. And you can boondock anywhere except near campgrounds and trailheads. I just need to map some choices and backups. It’s an hour and a half drive for me, so I want to know where to go. I think the rustic one is a good general choice. Sites are spread out. No RV’s.

Yes! This was my plan to start with. We can absolutely do that. We’d just drive to a nearby trailhead with a parking lot and make lunch or dinner right there. Then hike for a bit and head home.

Ds and I are planning to camp for one night stays because we will be driving to meet each other at the site. He has a cat, and we don’t leave our cats for more than one night unless someone is paid to feed and scoop. So I was seeing that check in times are late in the day and checkout times are early, at all campgrounds. This makes for a rushed and short stay. So I was thinking of using wilderness sites. That is an option, but I haven’t laid eyes on these areas to know if I will feel safe. I’d like to have a few different spots scoped out ahead of time in several types of areas that I’d be comfortable staying in and be ready to choose another spot if something is full. I’m just trying to figure out how to stay in a paid camp site if need be and still stay long enough to enjoy it without it being so short of a stay. Paying for two nights seems like a good option in the inexpensive, rustic site. And we’d have other choices if need be. This area has many different sites ranging from wilderness to paved pull in sites with water and electricity. It is vast.

This is a good idea. So just put two nights of camping into the kiosk, and stay as long as you need the next day. We have a rustic campground that is only 5.00 per night. So, it’s still cheap to pay 10.00. Thanks.

Thanks. I don’t know if anyone will be patrolling where we are. They may. It seems best to checkout on time, then. I just did not know if it was one of those things that wouldn’t matter much. To avoid check in and out times, we have options for wilderness areas, too.

Yes, I did think about that. This is a good point.

Let’s say you are going to a family campground (a rustic one that has no water or electricity) that has a pay kiosk and no pre-registration, only first come, first served. So you pay for one night and set up at check in time. The next day, you pack up to be out by checkout time. My question is, who, in this rustic setting, enforces this checkout time? What if the campground isn’t full, and probably no one else is coming in behind you? What if you stay a few hours later so you won’t feel rushed? If someone comes in looking for a spot, and there are many open ones, is it rude to stay past checkout in this situation? How do they know you aren’t going to stay two nights? I would never want to be inconsiderate, so explain this if you can. Is it ok to stay past checkout until later in the day if the campground is empty or has several open spots in the afternoon? Again, for first come first served types.

I have never gotten a call back when I had to escalate. Very courteous rep, who put me on lengthy hold to “check this out”, then promised call from supervisor. I honestly wonder if they aren’t just futzing around when you are on hold like that, and no supervisor is ever actually notified of the problem.