You’d think I’d know better now I’m a ‘mature’ 60 year old but last night I reverted to being a petulant teenager. All over garlic bread!
You see, we had a family dinner for my mother in law’s 85th birthday. Elaine is a wonderful lady, very dignified (unlike me who can, when warranted swear like a trooper). I was happy to organise the food that we would take to her place (she lives next door with my father in law Jim). The family would then gather there for a beautiful ‘Little house on the prairie’ style evening. I duly prepared two lasagnes to feed seven people. My daughter Ashleigh was bringing the salad and garlic bread over and Chelsea my youngest daughter managed to escape bringing anything saying she’d pay me money towards the evening (still waiting).
Everything started well, Ash and partner Mitch arrived and promptly said they wanted to drink and could someone drive them home afterwards. They live 15 minutes away. Dummy me, wanting to please (why?) said I’d abstain from the alcohol and be their driver. I thought a night off the wine was probably a good thing for my health …not mental health though as you will see.
Mistake number one. I need the alcohol to get in the party mood… especially if I’ve done all the work. After a very short time where I revelled in their thanks, I realised too late that my soda water just wasn’t going to cut it.
Mistake number two.
Chelsea was arriving from the other side of town a bit late so I went back to our place to wait for her. Dinner was in Elaine’s oven browning beautifully and all that needed to go in was the garlic bread…which I asked Ashleigh to do. Chelsea arrived and we joined the others. THE GARLIC BREAD, HOWEVER, WAS STILL ON THE BENCH!
Such a minor thing but REALLY, how hard is it to do ONE SIMPLE THING! The excuse,
‘Oh but it didn’t fit with the lasagnes in the oven!’
I opened the oven and placed it next to one of the lasagnes…not rocket science. Everyone then let me know they thought I was over-reacting and to chill? (Never say that to a cranky woman of any age).
With great effort, I let it go…the lasagne over browned but everyone said they loved it and had a jolly old time. I enjoyed it but not as I should have. I then drove Ash and Mitch home. Sent them a text when I arrived back to say I was home too but they didn’t bother replying. Sigh.
Woke up this morning feeling embarrassed but then thought ‘fuck it – I’m old enough to OWN my hissy fits’. I’ll never change. (Sorry about the swearing but sometimes you’ve just got to be firm with yourself).
All is good and I do love my family to bits. Time for coffee with girl friends that will laugh and say I had every right to be aggrieved. We are always in the right!
