Don't like family parties? I found the solution. Don't go to your family party. Go to someone else's. I was invited to a friend's husband's brother's 40th birthday party. I have known my friend and her children for probably 10 years, but never met the husband or his family. My daughter and my friend's daughter are very close friends, and I have been walking with the mother for most of a year. We will call her Christine, because, well, that's her name.
She invited me, said there would be good food, alcohol, and a hot tub. What's not to like? It was at a clubhouse in a new condo complex not that far from me. So I figured, go for an hour or two, meet some new people, have fun, go home, right?
I got caught up in it all. I got to know everyone, chatted with the ladies, played with the dog, took the dog and a 3 year old for a walk. The little girl was adorable. She grabbed the leash out of my hand with surprising strength. I compromised with her, and gave her the end, then held it in the middle. She was OK with that. The dog was good, but you never know. So we walked and talked. No wallflower, this child. She is going to be an astronaut and eat the moon and the stars, because they are made of cheese. One of her little cousins, or maybe her brother, dropped his suit and told everyone, loudly, that he was naked. In case anyone didn't hear, he went to every group and displayed himself and announced his lack of apparel. They were all too cute.
Family issues were non-issues for me. People told me family stories since I was a new audience. Christine seemed glad to have a friend along with her in-laws. I stayed almost 8 hours.
Then today I met a former co-worker for lunch. At my request, we went to a Mexican restaurant where they once canned their own peppers for salsa and poisoned 59 people with botulism. It's a nice independent family restaurant.
After that, I took my little beige end caps to the store and asked the clerk who sold me the patio set to call the manufacturer and order me the green brackets I need by Monday, when I plan to entertain on my patio.
It will be my own family, but I have invited Christine, her husband andkids to join us. Maybe she can give me a fresh new view on my family. If I have a table, that is.
8 comments:
That sounds like a wondeful idea.....going to other people's family gatherings. As far as "parts" are concerned...we have a few left over from assembling a gas grill but I don't think it's the ones you need. Anne
I admire your self-sufficiency putting together the patio set. I got a two seater swing with middle armrest from Wally World one year and, if it had not been for my boyfriend and his son it would never have been assembled. I have NEVER seen so many little parts. When I moved away the next year, I gave it to him. If I had left it with the house it would have increased the value beyond measure!
Donna
Glad you had a great time hope your brakets come in on time :)
Essayons
Deb
What a delightful idea! I am with you I prefer to hang out with 3 year olds any day...they are much better company. Besides they never expect you to keep up your end of the conversation because they have so much to say. Good luck on the parts and enjoy! rose~
You do like to live dangerously, don't you! Sounds like a great party. I'm going to stay away from home made salsa for awhile!
I wish you could come to some of our parties!!
Glad you had a nice time. I wouldn't want to invite you to come to any of MY family gatherings......the good ones are all dead, the bad ones will never die, half of them don't speak with the other half. The only way it looks good is if I'm reinforced with whiskey.....(lol) Jon
Oh, you adventurer! Gotta love those pre-schoolers. They remind us not to be so stuffy!!!
Happy Labor Day!
Cyndy
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