Party in the USA

School went ahead and ended for the semester, and not a moment too soon.  The kids took their tests and headed on home to bug the bejeebers out of their families for a while.  Good.

On Friday, I am pretty sure I left campus the moment I was actually allowed to go.  In fact, I was one of the first three people from work to arrive at the afternoon happy hour.  The waitress apologized when I arrived that none of the drink specials would start until two in the afternoon.  That's an early happy hour, and we had to wait about thirty minutes for it to kick in.

I only stuck around for two beers and a sandwich.  I had to hit up the liquor store for last minute party goods.  I picked up four bottles of wine, a dozen beers and as many bottles of hard cider.  I got all of that back to the house and made it back in time to get ready for Cas' work Christmas party.  It was just as large and loud as last year's party.  It was a decent enough time, but when it was time to leave, I wasn't fighting to stick around.  It was a pretty long day, but a good one.

The next morning, I got myself out of bed and started to make the drinks for the cocktail party later in the day.  Before Cas even walked into the kitchen, I had made a big batch of margaritas and of a whiskey drink that tastes a bit like pie.

I started in on the queso and the wrapped sandwiches as Cas got ready to go to Zoey's second birthday party.  He was out of the house for a few hours, and that was actually okay.  I had to get things done, and I have kind of a system.  It's all good.  When he came back, he helped out with arranging things on trays and such.

By the time 3pm rolled around, we were ready, and my friend Larua was the first to arrive.  Some of Cas' teacher friends came next, as did a few of his cousins and some of his longtime friends.

I had fewer people come, but I wasn't really bothered by that.  Danny came with Laurie.  They got to meet Jerone and Julie.  The party was pretty good.  We didn't run out of food or drinks, and the last people left before nine, which is pretty good, considering that we said we would be wrapping up at eight.

Today was a typical Sunday, so I went to my parents' house.  Tomorrow, Cas and I have plans to go to a movie with his brother and sister-in-law.  Tuesday, we have a glass blowing class and Wednesday, I have to help my mom with the food for our Christmas celebration.  My family will get together on Christmas Eve; his family will get together on Christmas Day.  After that, we have a few days to bum around in Dallas before we head to South Carolina.  I'm looking forward to the trip.  It should be a good party.