I'm Late, I'm Late for a Very Important Date!

Every time I am rushed, I think of the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. I'm pretty sure he's my alter ego. I think of him constantly as I'm running around, continuously glancing at my wrist watch. Oh Nivens McTwisp!..... and you thought you were forgotten.

I always have so much on my plate that I have to make time to have some fun. Tonight I'm hosting what some us have dubbed The Crappy Dinner Party. My friend, Janet, came across an article talking about how one woman enjoys having friends or family coming over for dinner without notice. The woman in said article, checks the fridge, the freezer and whatever she can pull together for a meal is totally fine with her guest. Now, our Crappy Dinner rules are not quite that clear, in fact everything gets a little fuzzy after an hour or two anyway, but we have established that the person hosting is not required to clean their house, dress up or do any special shopping. I really don't care if the host is in pajama pants and a stained tank top with no bra. The point is to get together, have a bite to eat, perhaps a few drinks and just have a nice time. If the guest so chooses, she may bring a dessert (nothing fancy) and perhaps a beverage she'd like to share. (May or may not be alcoholic). 

Between Scouting, quilting, reading, family, work, household stuff and whatever else I decided to throw in the ring the past couple of decades, I almost forgot to add friends. Everyone needs to add friendship and humour to their life! I'm terrible with staying in touch but I've come to learn that when somebody just stops in for a visit, I'm totally okay with it as long as they realize that they may not get a full four-course meal with all the fixin's but I will try my best to roll out a red carpet.

The last couple of years, I've been trying to "scrape my plate off" a little to make time for more important things. My daughter likes to have tea with me. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we don't say much and that's okay. My sons sometimes like to come by and talk about what's going on with themselves, ask advice or whatever. The guys sometimes say what they want to say and walk away and that's okay too because I realized that they knew I was there to say it to. (Their conversation skills are normally better than that though)

I enjoyed the years of carting children off to soccer and swimming but I'm glad our family slowed down because I knew I couldn't do it anymore. I didn't learn my lesson though....I started making myself busy again with other things. What's wrong with me?

I may have to do some plate-scraping. 

Orrrr....maybe we should call these so-called dinner parties Group Therapy Sessions. :)