Separating from your family

Has anyone just stopped talking to several family members?

My parents are divorced. I live with my mom but see my dad and talk to him often however, I do not like his side of the family. The only problem is they haven't really done anything wrong to me but I don't like them. They gossip and spread stuff about each other and some of my aunts like to be b(*tchy.

I also don't care for my grandmother. Several years ago, I was dating a guy who was a heroin addict and at the time, i was very close to my grandmother and told her and told her not to tell anyone since i hadn't yet but she ended up telling people anyways.

Apparently my freshman year in college, she was telling people I was partying and drinking a lot (at least thats what my brother said). Yeah right, I BARELY left my dorm room i was so depressed. I think i went to one or two parties that entire year!

Anyways, I never see them, never go to family events. I don't want to look like a jerk but i want to peacefully separate from them and let them know i don't want to be involved in anything. It was my grandmothers 75th bday last week and my dad asked if i was going i said yeah. I was going to. but when the day came, i COMPLETELY FORGOT! I keep reminding myself on my day off to bring a card and flowers and say sorry i was working a double shift that day (total lie). but to be honest, i just don't want to be part of this side of the family anymore.

.... is this bad of me? is anyone else this way? how did you separate from the family?

again... they haven't done a whole lot wrong which i feel makes it harder for me to say i don't want to be involved in anything.

I didn't make them formally aware. I said something along the lines of "If these things aren't addressed, I may not feel comfortable." I don't speak to my mother, step father, step father's family, and sometimes my youngest brother. But my youngest brother doesn't want to talk to me. I wish we talked.

Everyone else has a problem that hurts me. I have to protect myself with boundaries.