Lessons Learned

We had our shindig last night. A bit of an international affair, with Bolivians, Brazilians and Argentines. It was supposed to start at 3, most people showed up around 4:15, 4:30. Our hired BBQ guy began to get nervous that the meat was getting cold by 5, so we finally corralled everyone to eat around then. Lesson #1 - don't have the hot food be ready too soon after the expected start time!

Booze was plentiful, I didn't indulge a lot for multiple reasons but there was much enjoyment of a large assortment of beverages. The food was excellent, the company was delightful and the conversation was mostly lighthearted. We had a bit of a philosophical discussion near the end of the evening about love and relationships but then never quite got around to completing it - very fun!

Dominga was here and working her tush off. I had earlier suggested to John that we hire help for Dominga, serving and cleaning up but he felt she could handle it. 20 people later, she worked like a dog! I pointed out the error of John's way, rather delicately and we agreed that next time, we'd hire an extra person (Lesson #2). We paid Dominga her extra wage and then some.

So, overall a success. The weather complicated things a tiny bit - first it rained but we were all already under our big Embassy tent. Then by the end of the meal, the sun had gone down and it became pretty chilly. We retired up to the dining room for dessert and coffee. The other American ladies helped me quickly make the table and they did a smash up job considering most of my linen is still in boxes. That was lesson #3, have the inside entertaining area prepared, just in case.

We played a small game with some "door prizes" and I tried to steal Christine's but she wouldn't budge. Grrrr. ;-) I'm in dire need of a crystal ice bucket. I ended up with a lovely (truly) huge thermos. Carlene went home with some "Amor" incense - lucky Aaron!

After John drove the last couple home, he, Lisette and I cuddled into our bed and watched "V for Vendetta" while we waited for Nicole to get home from her fiesta. It was nice to snuggle with my baby girl after a long day - never far from my mind is that she'll be flying the nest in a matter of months.