What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.
Everything was normal this morning as we became vertical about 7:00 AM after a good long soak in the spa last night! Mary and I hit the garden and replanted seven barrels surrounding the pool! Thanks to Colleen; she had been a lifesaver! We all had our to-do lists and checked them off.
Scout, The Wonder Dog, was also up early and helping for the party! He had his hat on so he would not get sunburnt! He is going to the beauty parlor tomorrow to look fabulous at the party, and he has a tuxedo to wear!
He is looking good!
Mary and I started in the garden making sure all was OK and doing some replanting. Look carefully; we found another Praying Mantis. His camouflage was terrific. His head is triangular (just a hint).
“Careful there, fat boy, I am hungry this morning!”
The yard is ready, and Colleen is on duty as I have a doctor’s appointment in Los Alamitos. Mt Cardiologist wants to see me every six months (whether I need it or not).
The lights and wiring for the band are in the pavilion now, so they should be ready for the shindig.
While in the doctors’ office, we got a panic call from Colleen; the sprinklers came on. They do not turn on until 6:00 AM, but I realized that we shut the power down to the house when the electrician was here, and that event reset the sprinklers.
Via the phone, Colleen found the sprinkler controller behind the garage freezer, turning it off. Colleen is quite resourceful!
The truck arrived, and Colleen guided the guys to the backyard and gave them setup and unloading instructions.
Three guys and a lot of stuff!
They rolled the chairs and tables to the backyard, including the bar and buffet tables. They also brought six 20′ floodlights to light up the backyard when the tables are set up!
The catering team will set there up three hours ahead of the party!
Meanwhile, after I arrived home, I prepared a GFI outlet that I will put under the eves tomorrow morning. That way, I can split the load and keep all cables off the ground; we want no one tripping!
I love the shop; I have almost every took known to man (and if I do not have one, my sone Joe does).
We were not kidding about the party’s theme, Dancing Under The Stars with Mary and Paul. The guys kept busy as each panel probably weighs in at 75 pounds! The floor is 400 square feet, the size of an oversized two-car garage.
The floor has plastic under it to protect it from moisture.
Mary and Colleen were inside doing things to get ready. Mary came out and said, “I Quit!”.
Robin came over after work and also helped out getting things ready! We worked until dark and then decided we were too tired to cook, so off to Rockwell’s for dinner. We are all getting to be regulars there.
The girls teased our waiter unmercifully, but he got a good tip! We had a bottle of wine, and we ordered another one. Well, when he came back, he brought a glass only. We explained the issue, and ever so quick, Robin said, “That glass is on the house, right?” The manager was behind us and said, “Yes, and please do not come back!”
I reminded everyone, “When you wait for a server in a restaurant, doesn’t that make you the waiter?”
Having two daughters that are so close is a sight to behold. I love them both! A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.
We discussed plans for the party, and I reminded them. “Hear no evil, speak no evil, and you won’t be invited to cocktail parties.”
I did remind the girls, “A cannibal is a person who walks into a restaurant and orders a waiter.”
What is this? We get our picture taken together! Tell me it isn’t so! Dang, history is being made! Remember, “You and me make a wonderful WE.”
The best feeling is when I look at you, and you’re already staring.
I pulled out my favorite app and scanned the sky. I could not see them but they are right above us probably awaiting an invitation!
Back home, I used my new apps to “see” what can’t be seen!
To make things colorful during the party, I bought a box of Cosmic Flame packets, which are chemicals one adds to a fire, and the flames get rather colorful! Toss an unopened pouch into the fire to enjoy a brilliant display of colorful flames!
They are making pretty beautiful!
We turned on the lights and aimed them correctly. This will be perfect for the dining and drinking area! Colleen checks out the brightness.
We kept folks away from the pool so they would not “fall in!”
The pool lights and the lights in the container plants are perfect. I think we are ready!
Hear no evil, speak no evil, and you won’t be invited to cocktail parties.
By 10:00 PM, we were all beat! Robin headed home, and we crashed!
