Over The Hill

It was a rough weekend. My sister was up from Georgia with her husband, two-year-old son and infant daughter for the girl's Baptism.

We tried to do as much family gathering stuff for them as possible - a sit-down dinner for 9 adults on Friday, a post-Baptism buffet for 10 adults and 5 children (all under the age of 6) on Saturday... it was rough. Martha Stewart we are not. Perfectionists we are, and we had melt-downs whenever things went awry (like, there was a mountain of pots and pans to wash, dry and put away because we needed countertop space for the buffet - and we had to leave for the Baptism in five minutes... and then I dropped the directions to the church under the car and they stuck in a mud puddle)... The toddler got Valentine's Day chocolate all over the white and pale blue striped sofa... the brother-in-law aggravated my 87-year-old uncle and made him shout ... we ran out of red wine...

But then there were the good parts. My cousin's pumpkin soup was divine. The sausage-potato-vinegar pepper dish was a tremendous hit. I taught my 3 nephews and niece how to spit. Loudly. We got a handful of "It's A Girl" cigars (just need nicer weather so we can go outside to smoke them). Georgia nephew swept the floor with his white teddy bear (so we didn't have to) and we laughed our butts off when his mother saw the bear. Turned over the sofa cushions so the chocolate smears don't show. "A good time was had by all" (I hate that phrase, but it was the truth).

So much more to tell... but this old lady now realizes that ONE party is enough work - two was far too much (despite all the help from family). I am really feeling like I am over the hill. Next family gathering will be in Georgia. I hope.