On 26 Apr 2005 17:18:38 -0700, "aem" > wrote:

>I'm already pouring my pre-dinner libation when, "Oh, I forgot to
>mention that So-and-So is dropping by for dinner." "I hope she's not
>expecting anything special, it's leftovers tonight." "Is that all we
>have?" "When is she coming--there isn't time to go shopping, (mutters)
>even if I wanted to, is there?" "I know you'll come up with something.
> You know how she likes to talk."

Who cares what someone else thinks. Unless it's your SO's boss. That
dinner is their problem.


>So there's the pitch. The unspoken but well-understood message is,
>Don't Embarrass Me.

Well, they'll learn next time won't they.

>And I was looking forward to an effortless prelude
>and accompaniment to the Dodgers game. Instead, it's going to be me
>scrambling from behind rather than the team. Well, what to do?

Go to the game.


>You've all been there, right? How did you cope with the last minute
>challenge?

My wife would not do this to me nor would I do this to her (if she
could cook). You let the SO know what your boundaries are and this is
crossing them.


>Last night's worked out pretty well. Our guest turned up almost
>immediately and I put on just enough of a show to demonstrate that she
>merited special attention. To dress up the ordinary tossed salad I
>roasted a red bell pepper on a long fork over the gas flame before
>peeling and slicing it, and toasted some sliced almonds in a dry pan.
>Instead of the intended leftover mashed potatoes I made homemade egg
>noodles. The two-day old beef stew (made this time with beef shanks)
>was plentiful, and I casually commented that such things are always
>better when they've mellowed in the refrigerator overnight. A slightly
>better than planned red wine, and all was good. But the Dodgers lost.

While your verbal message to your SO may have been that was wrong.
Your physical message was that you are a doormat. Please step on me
again.


>And you?

Anyway, that's my opinion.