We Host Vanguard

At every party there are two kinds of people -- those who want to go home and those who don't. The trouble is, they are usually married to each other.
-- Ann Landers

Saturday, October 6, 2001
One year ago: Melancholia
Two years ago: Discuss Amongst Yourselves

I woke up and drove Jack's daughter H--- to Nisqually, good and early. We had a lot to do today! It made sense for Jack to stay home, since some of the things he was working on were blocking tasks. I enjoyed making such good time! The entire trip took only two hours.

We worked steadily through the day. When I couldn't do anything more because Jack wasn't done yet, I headed off to Office Depot. Jack had been putting driver disks and documentation in pockt folders, in binders, but had run out of supplies, so I went to find them. We also needed more magazine holders.

All told, we did the kitchen, the bathroom, the dining room and living room. Jack did a lot of straightening in the office, which is a very visible alcove to the left of the front door. We even got some small ikea lights installed above the bookshelves. They looked great! The last thing was dusting and vacuuming; no use doing it earlier.

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I was in the shower at 7 pm when I heard voices in the house. Who had arrived so early? But it was okay, it was Paul and Julie. Jack put on the utilikilt I bought him for his birthday -- he looked very cool in it, it really suits him.

I asked Julie to make coffee, then poured it into the thermos jug -- first time we used it! I should have had styro cups on hand! We did have paper bowls and napkins. Only a few people brought food that needed serving utensils or platters. I provided kettle corn from Costco, along with chips and salsa. There was a good crowd! Many praised the house.

There was lots of good talk. Dan and Lisa showed up. They are two of my weblog buddies, whom I've been inviting to check out Vanguard for a while. I'm glad they made it (via Flexcar, how cool!); one can only bug people about such things so many times. The porch was populated with smokers all night.

At eleven I remembered the cream puffs, but they were still frozen. I howled with laughter when one that I nuked (to thaw it a bit) spurted on me. (I should have told that joke about the penguin!)

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Margaret stayed late, talking con stuff with Paul, while Bruce was sleeping on the loveseat. I invited Paul and Julie to stay, or at least I asked if they were sleeping here. I thought Jack might have invited them earlier, which is why I phrased it that way. They were very welcome, of course, and it was no trouble to fetch pillowcases; they had their sleeping bags with them.