ARGH!! PARTIES!!!
I just got back from planning my mom’s retirement party with Aunt Laurel and Aunt Liesl. I am going to scream.
Had I wanted to be railroaded into becoming a caterer, I’d have certainly asked for it. Me? I wanted something simple. A few friends, a few neighbors, a few co-workers.
NOT a huge blow-out.
My love for my mom is not in the size of party I throw her.
BTW, I helped my aunts throw my parents a Surprise 25th Anniversary party 15 years ago. We all went broke over it, and learned some big-time lessons… like, the persons being Surprised actually don’t get a chance to talk with everyone… so we’re making this an open-house type deal.
I wanted the menu to be:
Cold-cut tray
Cheese tray
Rolls
Veggie tray with dip
Macaroni salad (homemade)
Cake
Punch
But instead, the menu is this:
Meatballs (sweet and sour, and swedish)
Sliced Ham
Au Gratin Potatoes
Green Beans
Rolls
Cheese tray
Veggie tray
Spaghetti salad
Macaroni salad
Pink Fluffy Salad
Cake
Cookies
Coffee
Punch
Water
I need to get some guts and tell my dear Aunties that this just isn’t going to work unless they can pare down the menu a little.
Oh, and my mom’s former boss/nemesis is pals with Aunt Laurel and I’m pretty darn sure they plan to invite her to the party. I spoke up and let them know my mom wasn’t exactly fond of this lady, but my Aunties seem to think it will be fine. I’m telling you, it’d be high treason for this woman to be at my mom’s party. Mom wouldn’t say anything until afterward… but geeeeez.
And, I’ve been nauseated all afternoon. YAY!!!!!!!
July 23, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Relax. The party will be fine.
Hope this finds you in the bathroom puking up your shoe soles.
July 23, 2007 at 9:54 pm
UGH… fine times at party planning central. Good luck on teh cycle and the party planning.
Thanks my dear. I guess I should check on your cycle… going to peek at your blog right now!
July 23, 2007 at 10:56 pm
You forgot the Champaign fountain and the Norman Love chocolates. :jk:
Meatballs (Swedish)
Chicken Fingers (Costco)
Homemade Mac salad
Rolls
Veggie tray
Garden salad stuff
Cake
Punch
Water
Tell yoru Aunts that if they don’t think that is enough, they can have everyone over their house before the party for appetizers and they can all stop over after the part so that they can make them coffee.
Also, please tell her that I will be there as well, and I would appreciate some home made cheese cake and I like Sambuca in my coffee.
Charlie
Charlie, you made me laugh, friend.
Thank you.
July 23, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I went through the same thing when my dad got re-married. My step-mom’s family thought it would be a good idea to throw a huge reception for them when they returned from Hawaii. Nevermind the fact that the whole reason they got married in Hawaii was to avoid a huge party. When I spoke up and mentioned that my dad #1, HATES surprises and #2, HATES crowds, my “step-grandmother”, if there is such a thing, said, “Well, Jennifer thinks this is a good idea and SHE knows Ben.” Who’s Jennifer, you ask? My step-sister. And Ben? MY dad. hmph Needless to say, my dad’s sisters, who were also at the meeting and totally agreed with me, were as upset as I was at her remark and we all backed out of helping. We showed up for the party to support my dad and when my dad found out I tried to stick up for him and what his MIL had said, he was fit to be tied. He let them know it, too. The only suggestion they took from me was to not have a traditional wedding cake and serve spice cake instead. That was the only thing he liked about the party. I sincerely hope your moms party has better results!
Kerri that’s just horrible!!! I’m glad your dad liked the cake, though.
**hugs**
July 23, 2007 at 11:40 pm
don’t take on any more than your hubby will approve, let him be your shield. you need less screaming and more nausea.
Besides, small is the new big when it comes to party menus, NONE of the people coming will go away hungry.
July 24, 2007 at 8:24 am
I’m at http://www.charliearcario.com
a.k.a thechaly.wordpress.com
please stop by
July 24, 2007 at 10:49 am
Planning and preparing for parties like that are always stressful. And they always turn out fine. Ok. Well. Not always, but 99.999% is close enough to “always”, right? I’m sure it’ll be a blast and will be worth all the work when it’s over.
God bless
Thanks, Carrie. God bless you, too!
July 24, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I am not a fan of party planning. Especially with others…it can get out of control…fast!! I hope things work out
I know that the throw up feeling is a side effect of the HCG…but I hope it is SO much more than that!!!!!!! Praying for you sweetie!!
You are such a dear soul. **Hugs**
July 25, 2007 at 9:20 am
So if they volunteer to add a menu item that means they’re volunteering to make it or bring it, right?
Hey when I first saw the post title I thought for a second it said, “ARGH!! PIRATES!!!”
Ahoy Maties!
July 25, 2007 at 7:08 pm
I hate planning parties! And I agree with David in the Mountains. Allow your husband to be your shield and then your aunts can take on the extra work if they feel it is that important to have all that extra food!
I love planning parties, and I tried to get away with doing this one on my own without their help… but oh well. I hopefully figured something out.
And about Rob being my shield? This is one of those cases where it just could never happen that way. He’s way too nice and I’m way too outspoken to let him fight my battle for me with my Aunties. They mean so well and their hearts are in the right place… I just have to find the right way to present my argument. And then I’ll make them see things my way. With generous heapings of coals on their heads!!!
July 25, 2007 at 9:03 pm
It sounds like Christmas dinner! And if it’s an open house, why serve meal items? It doesn’t make the most sense to me. I agree with your menu!
And I am really really praying for you and hope the nausea is for a reason that is so worth it!
It does sound like Christmas Dinner, doesn’t it? My Aunties tend to overdo things sometimes… but still love them to pieces.
July 25, 2007 at 10:25 pm
I agree with anothershadeofgreen…and open house calls for finger type foods. Also, if your aunties want the full blown out meal, they can fix it! I know…easy for us uninvolved readers, hard for you! You have my sympathies. I wish I lived closer to my families, but in these situations…being 4 hours away is a blessng!! ;O)
I pray the nausea stays…for a GREAT reason! I had terrible nausea with my last pg…Ginger Ale was my saving grace!
Blessings-Andie
I won’t know anything until a week from tomorrow, because the hormone shot will interfere with the pg test. Just enjoying the waiting time now. God is so amazing… for me to enjoy the waiting is a miracle in itself.