I'm throwing a birthday party for my son this weekend. I sent out invitations and had my son's teacher pass out flyers to his class. On the invitations and flyers, I stated that we would grill hamburgers and hot dogs and what-not and to please RSVP. So, I've been getting phone calls for this party, and last night I got a kind of strange one. Unfortunately, when I'm in a bad mood (which I was), and tired (which I was), I'm not used to having to practice restraint. Also, anyone that knows me will tell you that I have no tolerance for idiocy. I received a call from a mother of one of Nick's friends. She wanted to bring her son and asked if the parents were also invited. Okay, so, after a pause (I didn't quite know what to say, because surely this woman knows I don't want to watch 20 kids all by myself), I told her "Yes, the parents are welcome", and patted myself on the back for not retorting in an unseemly and insulting manner. I also told her that the yard is fenced and safe for the kids to run around in. She informed me that it is supposed to rain Saturday, and asked if the party would be cancelled because of that. Folks, I'd been in the yard all afternoon weeding and cleaning after a long, hard day of sitting around the office doing nothing. I was very tired, so you see, I might have accidentally SAID what I meant only to THINK. I responded in a most serious tone, "Actually, our house is equipped with what is called a "roof", so that when it rains, you can take cover inside and not get wet. And we also have furniture, so there are plenty of places to sit as well." My poor Nicky is in for a long childhood. Hey, if I'm lucky, maybe this lady is so dense, she will not have been offended.
September 24, 2003