Average Jane’s Long To-Do List

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It’s starting to sink in that I have more than 40 people coming over on Saturday and I really haven’t done much to prepare.

I always have our big parties outside because our house is way too small to accommodate more than four or five guests. That means I need to weed my flower beds, clean off the deck and patio and hose down the outdoor furniture. People will come into the house no matter what, so I have to at least have every publicly-viewable surface cleaned off, clear a path to the half bathroom in the junk room we call a guest room, and make our bed.

Then there’s the shopping. I’m springing for hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, plates, charcoal, a case of soft drinks and a case of beer. After that it’s all potluck, so let’s hope I don’t end up with 20 bags of chips and nothing more. I’ve learned from experience that people will bring beer even when I clearly state on the invitation that I’m getting kegs, so I just don’t bother to spend a lot on it anymore. I’ve returned too many half-full kegs and it breaks my heart.

My cleaning lady is coming over today to deal with the worst of the grime. She was just here a week ago Tuesday, but we can’t keep our house clean for even a week with three cats and two human slobs in residence. The studio: too messy to bother with. The door stays locked (unless my husband wants to tackle it).

I don’t have any free evenings between now and the party, but fortunately we scheduled it to begin at 4 p.m. I don’t want to exhaust myself that morning and afternoon, but I should have enough cushion to shop, set up and take a break before people arrive. I hope.

It it wrong that I’m already looking forward to sleeping in on Sunday?

Comments

6 responses to “Average Jane’s Long To-Do List”

June 15, 2006

Deborah

No! not at all. You have a lot of work ahead of you. Thinking about the reward at the end might be motivation enough to get you through.
Have Fun! I’m sure your guests will.

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June 15, 2006

Joolie

Whenever I invite a lot of people over I immediately start to dread it and wish I could take the whole thing back. It usually doesn’t seem worth it until an hour or so into the party, after everyone’s settled and I’ve had a few drinks myself. Have lots of fun!

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June 15, 2006

Kelli

Not one bit…I look forward to sleeping in each morning (until August that is) as it doesn’t matter when I go to school. Sounds like you will have a fabulous party. Kudos to you, Very Brave Jane. 🙂

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June 15, 2006

AWE

I am with Joolie. When I invite people over I regret it until the event starts. I put so much into planning that it wears me down. Good luck, you will make it through.

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June 15, 2006

Cece

You should have the cleaning woman come after the party…that’s when you’ll need her!

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June 18, 2006

monkey

*sigh* Your party sounds awesome and actually makes me long for the days of school when stuff like this was de rigeur.
I can’t wait till I move out of L.A and back someplace where I can make friends. When I lived in the Midwest I was all set to leave it. Now I remember that it IS friendlier and easier to meet people out there. Then again, it might not be L.A. but the circumstances of my fogey-centric job and the fact that I’m uninclined to be pushy and shy about making friends to begin with.

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