Would You? Could You?

One of the reasons I moved to Arizona was to be closer to my granddaughter. However, it seems my daughter and I have differing opinions as to how that closeness is going to work. I've been here six months now, and it's Bree's sixth birthday. So my daughter, who is a social butterfly, decides to throw a party {complete with the Wizard of Oz theme!} With that, I knew there would be a party in the park (since that's where my directions were to). 

 In my mind, I envision the whole thing: kids and adults; food and cake; pictures and gifts. And plenty of ex-relatives to go around. Since I'd driven two hours to attend, we were planning on spending the night. So my assumption is that I can survive a two hour party with my ex husband, his wife, the ex mother in law, et al. 

 I'll paint you a picture: A very warm Arizona afternoon, trying to be civil, with a smile pasted on my face, camera at the ready for a few chosen Kodak moments, and small talk with the ex's. Yes, I wandered off on my own several times because ... there is a REASON I divorced him, and the family. And just maybe my daughter feels a need to have us all together, but dang, ya know??? Said party ends about 1:30, and with a huge sigh of relief, she says "follow me back to the apt and we'll go swimming". 

My Vision: a relaxing afternoon of swimming and frolicking with Bree. But... that is not to be. 

The Reality: Turns out that later, "the whole gang" is coming back for dinner, etc. They arrived at 4 and didn't leave til after 9. My ex mother-in-law has always been 'outspoken'. I endured cracks about Walmart, "sand in the schlitz" {good grief you don't REALLY need that explained do you?}, and small talk all day about things and people and whatnot that I am not familiar with. It was a very very very long (did I mention long?) day. 

So... I ask... Would You? Could You? Endure a day from hell with the Ex's in order to make your granddaughter happy?? And I also ask.... when there's a next time... What would you say? or do? [I know I'll be giving a "Divorce happens for a reason" speech to my daughter! lol]

HUGS to everyone!