Hostess
I am rusty in the art of hospitality.
My family never did parties. Well, I take that back, there was that one year my mom hosted a surprise party for my dad’s 40th birthday, embarrassing baby photos and all. Instead, we always went to other peoples’ houses. Thanksgiving was spent with my dad’s trucking buddy. Summer movie nights were held in the home of my mom’s friend. Christmas was in the Seattle area with relatives.
When the ex and I got our (first and only) house, I had great expectations of opening our home to family. I wanted to host Christmas at least once. I invited my parents and my sister’s family over all the time. I got a futon and a folding cot from a garage sale and anticipated people staying overnight in the guest room. For some reason I was excited we had a guest room.
The ex didn’t have any friends of his own, and my family and relatives in the area didn’t see the point in visiting us unless they were travelling on their way through town. I did get to host Thanksgiving one year. My parents left completely stuffed and with half the trunk overtaken by leftovers. I, uhh, got a little carried away, hehe.
The druid, and both roommates, have many connections in the Portland area and many people have stopped by on their invitation. With one person residing in the living room (temp situation), we’ve made efforts to keep that room open, if not tidy. We’ve even had a few people stay overnight for various reasons.
I usually make something they can eat, while the roommates entertain. It’s been interesting having visitors. I think I like the practice. I wish our home was bigger to accomodate more. But we kludge things fairly well anyway. A bf/gf pair came over recently and we had two tablero (drinking) games going, it was rather like a tournament.
I am wishful for a real domicile that has its own yard, not stacked or bookended by other residences wall-to-wall. I want four rooms, two of them guest rooms. I want a well-stocked and large kitchen to stock and store any number of edibles. I really really long for a kitchen table and chairs, so that we can have meals together, rather than sitting on the floor or escaping to our respective rooms to sup.
It doesn’t have to be for a holiday that we have guests. Any ol’ reason would do. Just the ability to give people a comfortable place to sit and talk would be grand.
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Challenge yourself to Holidailies 2009 by writing one entry each day in December.
