Preparing for dinner by shopping, cooking, and set up all in one day was a bit of an undertaking. In managing my time, I didn't want to take up too many days for one event because I'm stingy with my quiet time that way. However readying in one day meant starting early and moving quickly and taking my chances that everything would fall into place. I guess that's called risk taking (for the 40's crowd).
I started early (before my shower) because I only wanted to shower once before greeting Important Person. I was moving fast in my shopping making decisions such as finally purchasing matching place mats for 20 (18 were actually invited though 16 showed), shopping for fresh ingredients, making substitutions as needed, noting prices, thinking of forgotten details, mentally checking off what I'd need from a different store, and shopping at a couple of stores... that sort of thing.
However beginning early in the day I kept noticing women smiling at me and saying "hello". Now I emphasize, I put a brush through my hair, made sure there was no smeared make-up from the day before (and did not put on any makeup), dressed in my thrift store jeans (rolled up at the bottom and baggy enough to come off without unsnapping) a sweat shirt, and my hair cut appointment is next week - and would have been 2 weeks ago if I weren't trying to be frugal. I'm over 40 and out of shape. This is no pretty picture - I assure you!
At first I thought to myself, have I met that person? [smiling back] Then I thought, these people have been to some workshop and think I was the presenter (poor person). In the midst of my hurrying and worrying and fretting about dinner and all, I was surprised by the people who smiled and said "Hi".
In the end I didn't know one person who greeted me - I just figured I looked like Every Woman. I figured that in some Sci Fi way, I became the projection of what what these women were recognizing. I smiled and said "hello", and sort of wished I'd showered.
Dinner and the following lunch went well. It was tense at first - dinner cooked more slowly than at home and was late and Important Person was hungry and a little grouchy, but in the end ate every crumb in sight and complimented the meal and at the end of the evening everyone relaxed and remained relaxed through today as well. We had music and wine and candle light and set tables and I couldn't have done it without the help of Mr. Greenjeans and Chibi, and the lovely ladies of the church.
Do you ever get confused for someone else? Do you smile and greet strangers you don't know?
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11 comments:
I'm glad it went well. But I am trying to imagine how you become an Important Person by being visibly grouchy to people who are going out of their way to provide a nice dinner for 16 in a church. Humph!
Maybe people around you noticed that you were On A Mission today. You were dressed to get work done, and nothing was going to get in your way, and maybe they recognized that energy from a time when they were in the same place.
Or you had toilet paper stuck to your shoe all morning. :-)
I love how Important People get to be grouchy and hungry while everyone else has to be perfectly polite and well-mannered while serving them.
I think my DS11 and DD9 were once Very Important People!
I actually was very pleased with the weekend. It was a huge success that I didn't get a critical remark about something. And Important Person being relaxed for an extended time is a big deal.
This was like an annual review at work, and some people have to find fault or they think they haven't done their job. But that didn't happen! I am really pleased.
I'm so glad the dinner came off well! Whew...
I do get confused for someone else - not a particular person but an employee that will answer questions. (See rant.)
Do I smile and greet others I don't know? Yep, frequently. I'm outgoing and sociable. Unfortunately, the response is often lacking enthusiasm or entirely lacking. Had that this morning as I said "Good morning" to a neighbor two streets down dumping her trash. She waited and finally mumbled "morning" in a way that sounded resentful of the expectation she be sociable. Maybe she just needed coffee...
Verde, what if no one confused you with someone else? What if you were just more available, without the makeup and 'correct' clothing?
What if you were so distracted by your plans, and surviving the process to that point, that you were walking around looking .. pleased. Cheerful. And people were returning the grace?
Maybe all your positive energy attracted more positive energy. That happens to me sometimes when I am On a Mission (quoting matriarchy). Not to get all newagey on you!
Congrats on your success!
First of all, you'd NEVER catch me serving 16 people. Yikes, that's scary to even think of.
Perhaps people are aware that the economy is going to pot and theyr'e realizing that COMMUNITY is going to become important again, and they're practicing?
Although I'm thinking toilet paper or your shirt was on wrong-side out or backwards.
Who knows, but you guys make me laugh.
I say hi to people... walking down the street, down the aisle of the supermarket, down the hall when I got to the University to take classes... I think it's because I'm a teacher. I remember being shocked when I first started working at a school and everyone says hello in the hall. But now it's just something I do.
I agree with Brad K.
Not wearing makeup while grocery shopping, you didn't look like every woman, you looked like yourself. Obviously you are an open and welcoming personality. It must have shone through without the mask.
Ja ever think it was your bubbly personality???
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