after the party...

My friend P and I used to throw parties together in the late 80's and early 90's.  Sometimes they were big and loud.  Other times we just created quiet dinner parties along some sort of theme.  I also threw a few big parties in Brooklyn when I lived there.  Those parties were way too crazy.

I've gotten out of practice.  My PTSD got a lot worse during the late 90's and early 00's, and it became even harder for me -- shy and easily thrown into the "bad place" -- to be around a lot of people.

D and I had our wedding celebration at home 9 years ago, and we did all of the cooking for it.  Since then, though, we've only had one or two people over here at a time, I think...  Until last night...

30 people came to our house for a Halloween party last night, and half of those people were 3-feet tall or shorter.  It was very fun in the end.  I wasn't nervous once all the food was ready, but I swore a lot in front of my young child yesterday morning and the day before.  The kids wore great costumes and played well together.  Their parents were loads of fun -- way more fun than when we run into one another at the school.  No one got too spooked by D's haunted basement and huge blow-up spooky castle.  Nothing was broken.  Everyone could drive home properly afterwards.

Today has been funny...  I remember now that my favorite part of throwing a party is that (if I do the clean-up before I go to sleep) I wake up the next morning to a clean house and lots of interesting ingredients in the refrigerator.  Tonight we're having a casserole with leftover vegetables and lots of dill (I rarely have dill here)...  all I had to do was make the rice.  I took a nap today because most of my usual Sunday chores were done.

And tomorrow is a school day, and I don't need to rush off anywhere.  Time to myself!  No big cleaning or preserving projects are nagging at my mind.  What will I do?  I may just float away...

Comments

[Stephanie]

You know, I was a little worried about how this was going to be for your stress level... I am so glad to hear that you felt good about it! We had a great time. I was so glad to have an 'out' on the trick or treating... :-)

[Account Deleted]

That sounds SO wonderful. I agree....sometimes the day after is the best part of the party!!