Friday, September 5, 2008

The First 40

My husband is now 40. We have busied ourselves getting ready for his party. I'm not sure if it's his fault, or mine, but the plans seem to grow and grow and grow. Thank goodness the party is smallish and limited to people he knows very well and has known for a long time, because my little house would not be able to fit anymore in it. Unfortunately we won't have all our good friends over, because we really would love to have EVERYONE, but it's going to be tight. And also, it's not like it's a wedding or something.

Emboldened by the deadline of having people in my house I got a few wild hairs (this has been pure aggravation to the old man). In the past couple of days we did the following (under the guise of preparation for the party):

- Carpets cleaned
- Tried -- unsuccessfully -- to match and fix paint
- Contracted both a caterer and a party rentals contractor
- Sewed pleated sheers for the dinning room (then ran out of fabric--that's another post for another day)
- Cleaned the entire house, including the disaster known as the toys room
- Drove around town for an entire week with birthday presents for two of my brothers in my car, and forgot to send either one of them
- All manner of beauty appointments
- All manner of shopping, including but not limited to patio lights, party dishes, party clothes, workout clothes, kids' clothes, groceries, groceries, groceries, birthday cakes (two of them for good measure), birthday gifts (which were returned less than 4 hours after opening)
- Moved the test gardens off the patio
- Cleaned the patio and the porch and all the outdoor furniture
- Secured a babysitter (not an easy task now that school is in session)
- Moved a TV and DVD player to the basement so that kids and babysitter will have something to do whilst they are banished
- Cleaned my fridge (because I don't want to scare people)
- Spent more money on celebratory spirits than was spent on celebratory spirits at my wedding!
- Made custom labels for fun party gift and folded takeout boxes for other fun party gift
- Washed all the stemware and glasses to be used at the party (because it's been a while and I didn't want anyone to find a spider in their drink)
-Moved furniture

Ummmmm... that's about it. Though, I am certain I am forgetting something. That is NOT to say that I am forgetting to list something -- you know how I love a list. That IS to say that I'm absolutely certain I am forgetting something. Something crucial. But, such is life.

PS -- I also bought paint to paint my master bedroom, but then decided that would be a good project to "relax" with after the party.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know where you get the energy from, that alot of work!!!!!!

Glenda said...

Happy Birthday Steve....I love having a son in law who is over the hill. Now you are on the same down side as we are!
See you later in the month.

Elle said...

If you have ever taken then Strength Finders test, I would bet that one of your top 5 strengths is Achiever! I have that as one of my top 5 and so when I get things done, I feel really good and accomplished something. Tell Steve Happy B-Day. Hope the party was a great success! Looking forward to reading about it!

lynnie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lynnie said...

Happy Birthday Steve...we will celebrate with you in a couple of weeks! How about some pics of the party?

Rachel said...

I want to see lots and lots of pictures of this Big Bash. Happy Birthday Steve.

laurel said...

Happy birthday! 40 is really old. I am 40 and 2 months. It stinks. Hey, did you get a cake...or is that in the catering plan? Wouldn't want to forget it.

Claudia said...

Whenever Adam and I watch home buyer shows on HGTV, most of the people show approval for homes (or lack thereof) by stating it would be (or would not be) good for entertaining, because of course they all "love to entertain". Adam and I always laugh. Who exactly are these people that are throwing parties all the time? Is that just a tag line that they all use because it's expected of modern homeowners to "entertain"? Or maybe they just picked up the phrase because they, like us, watch HGTV, and it's just what you say when looking at a potential home? Anyway, after reading your list, I don't think "entertaining" sounds fun...stressful is more like it! But of course you are you, and luckily, that means you are NOT like me, and since I've read the post-party post, it's obvious that it went on without a hitch (or limes or ice, for that matter! J/K) and was a complete success! You even took care of the left-at-home children! So happy belated birthday, Steve, and Julia, you are yet again my hero!

Anita said...

And the party was FABULOUS! I will send over pictures soon.