All week long I have been checking the weather to find out if it is going to rain.  This past summer has been one of the wettest that we have had in quite some time.  Regardless of the weather the party was going to happen.  The tikki torches had been set up all long but we couldn’t put the tables and tableclothes until we knew the weather was going to be okay.  It rained the day before and the day after.  The day of the party couldn’t have been more perfect.  It was even a little on the chilly side.

Friday Rich and I brought everything up that would need to be set up the next morning.  The kids were brought to my in-laws for an overnight sleepover.  Saturday morning came and we started to set up.  I was making the last minute dishes in the morning and early afternoon.  My friend Sue came over to help with cutting and putting things together.

By this time we pretty much knew who was coming and who wasn’t.  Knowing there was a good possibility of last minute cancellations due to child illness or emergencies we had a good handle of the amount of people coming.  Due to the effort that goes into this party it is important to know how many people.  The gift bags were already put together.  The party is mostly friends and neighbors that have now become good friends.  Some people even ask months in advance when the party is going to be to make sure it makes their calendar.  Some people I find are a little less enthusiastic.  I would never want to force someone to come.  I want people who want to be there.  The invitation states “An evening of good food, good friends and laughter.”

Everything was on-track until the phone rings at about 6:01.  The party starts at 6:00.  People were already starting to arrive.  Keep in mind I know that things can happen but this just put me over the top.  A friend called and said they couldn’t make it because they were buying a car and still needed to sign the paperwork.  I thought she was kidding until she quickly chuckles and goes into what a great deal they were getting.  I am thinking to myself – you have to be kidding!  The last thing I wanted to hear was what a great deal they were getting when I had over 20 people coming to my house for a party.  Others that couldn’t come either had other plans or were on vacation or had a true childcare issue that arose unexpectedly.  But purchasing a car?  This was a first.

Let’s just say the invitation list gets rearranged every year and this is an example of why.  I want people there who want to be there.  It was just as well because the people that came had a wonderful time and stayed until 2:00 in the morning.  They helped clean so the next morning involved minimal cleanup.

The party was a success and we are already planning the next one.