Sensitive Topics

There is one SENSITIVE topic in my marriage with Cristian (o.k. besides finances, sex, family, and other stuff like that). It's the fact that I do not like to entertain. I do not enjoy it one bit. In fact, it stresses me out. If it's my parents, siblings and their kids coming over for dinner . . . no big deal. But inviting friends, co-workers, neighbors over . . . it RARELY happens. Maybe once a year. TOPS. I invite the missionaries over for dinner about 6 times a year . . . and that's only because I feel guilty because I know what their food budget is per week ($35) and I know they probably don't have time to shop the sales or clip coupons. And I don't want them to starve to death. Or have to have to fast from Wednesday through Monday until they get their food money again.

About one month ago I decided to have a Ladies Night Out on Friday, November 30. At my house. With me being the hostess. And Cristian taking the kids out for the night. While I entertained. And hung out with friends. At my house. Cristian about had a heart attack when he found out I would be entertaining. He ALWAYS is the one to initiate inviting people over and if he doesn't invite, I most certainly won't invite people over.

Last night I found out that Cristian's trip to Brazil that wasn't approved all of a sudden got approved. Which meant he would need to be at the Brazilian consulate in Miami this morning to get a visa to go to Brazil one week from Monday. Mileage wise, Miami isn't THAT far. But traffic and travel time is equivalent to traveling from Danville to L.A. Bottom line: He wouldn't be around to take Mateo to/from pre-school today, take the kids during my Ladies Night Out, or help me get the rest of the Christmas decorations out of the attic. I had a MAJOR panic attack last night. And again this morning. And again this afternoon. Then I just took a second, said a little prayer, felt guilty for saying a prayer since I had been neglecting God the entire day since I was caught up in party preparation stuff. About two minutes later, the phone rang. It was one of my Kindermusik moms that lives a couple houses down the street. She wanted to know if there was anything she could do to help me with tonight. She brought a fruit platter. And a veggie platter. And she saved the day.

So, now my Christmas tree is up. The house is semi-decorated (minus the two boxes of Christmas decorations that are still in the attic). The guest bathroom toilet is sparkling clean. There are no dirty dishes in the sink. My floor is mopped. And I had an enjoyable Ladies Night Out. Too bad Cristian wasn't here to be able to witness it. Maybe next time I'll have a party and he will be invited.