Pride over Anger...Novel Concept

Hey, you.

Sounds like a fun night with J&M. I think I met M when I was visiting once, didn't I? We went out to dinner with her if I remember correctly. Sorry to hear both have been going through tough times. It's probably as much a joy for them to have that once-a-year friend like you - a chance to hear a fresh approach.

Friday was fun with my parents. We came home and J took the afternoon off. We went to this new restaurant in town; it's pretty much the first decent, non-chain restaurant we've ever had, and I thought it was great. Their claim to fame is that they serve their beer at 32 degrees, so we all ordered Mac & Jacks and enjoyed. I had fish tacos, which were very good, and I don't usually order those because they're hard to get right. Anyway, we kind of dinked around the rest of the day until it was around dinner time...I planned to have my brother and family up for a bbq so we decided on paper plates and easy stuff.

My brother and sister-in-law are freaks of nature with absolutely NO social graces whatsoever. I know, this isn't news. I think the topper to my having to ask her to bring a salad (she didn't offer anything), followed by her bringing three extra kids she was babysitting, followed by those kids' parents showing up and my brother inviting them into my house and offering them a drink, followed by not lifting a freakin' finger to help make, serve or clean up dinner, was when, as they were leaving, CC said to me, "I think they're coming back to our house for a bit. Do you have a bottle of wine I can take?" She walks over to my wine rack, surveys it and says, "Just something you don't like."

I corked the 1/4 full bottle we'd already opened and handed it to her. I told her I don't buy wine I don't like. She is so lucky I didn't unload five years worth of frustration and resentment on her stupid a**.

Can you even believe that? Oh, of course you can. And who stayed and cleaned up my entire kitchen? Who didn't even have dinner with us??? T.

(I should say, here, that regardless of all that, it was a very fun evening and I enjoyed the new couples' company quite a bit. And they had great kids, so that was a big plus.)

Not too long after that, I had my "I have a good house" moment. I was about to spew hatred and bitterness on J about CC and my equally lazy and socially retarded brother, when it occured to me that, as ugly and mean as I feel inside, I know I don't project that to my (even uninvited) guests. I'm pretty sure my Grandma, who died when I was 25 and was my favorite person on earth, was looking down on me and smiling last night. She was the queen of making people feel comfortable and making sure that no one, not even someone off the street, felt as if he hadn't been personally invited to her party. I am grateful for the gift she left me and am happy to say that I chose pride over anger in that moment. Baby steps...

Today, just getting my plants in the ground and then wine club tonight. I'm flippin' exhausted and hope to get a short nap in here beforehand. Not to mention I had my fair share of wine last night, so I'm working on the bloated Stevie Nicks look today. I'm making cremini-stuffed acorn squash halves for my app...I've never tried them, but really, how can that suck?? I'll let you know how they turn out.

Hope you're enjoying your quiet and solitary weekend. It sounds heavenly! We'll be in Portland all day tomorrow and not home 'til late, so I won't be around for a phone call, but it would be great to catch up soon.

Love, A