Housewarming Potluck Party A Success

We got the housework done, and the yardwork as well– a good half hour before starting time so I could jump in the shower (for a cool shower because– hot!)

My first guest, Reese, showed me how to work the controls on my high-tech heating/cooling system– which I probably would have figured out, but I was too reticent to deal with the hassle of it. However, yes– COOLING. Because we have central air conditioning! I should have guessed, right? I mean, I saw the unit that is both a heat pump and for air conditioning outside, so why wouldn’t I have it? I guess I just had a hard time realizing our luck was that good. Its all brand new, too– put in by Fannie Mae. By the time we finish replacing appliances, almost everything in this house but for the house itself will be brand spankin’ new. Crazy…

So, seeing as how it was near 100 in Portland and easily 96 here, I was thrilled to turn on the air for guests because one melted if one stayed outside too long.

Then they all showed up (all but 2 people who canceled last minute). Over 20 people mixing and mingling and bringing nummies to eat and good stuff to slack our thirst. Our realtor came with her husband and couldn’t believe how much we’d done in only 2 months (has it been that long?) She said she wanted to get together with us once a year, and I think that would be really nice.

Longtime friend from the Circle that I haven’t seen in 13 years, ‘Lilian,’ showed up as well, wanting to renew ties and hang out more often, now that we’ve found one another again. She told me one of the reasons she left the Circle– the main one, actually, besides wanting to take classes in Florida for her new career– was that Kate and Wacita used Lily’s realtor license as an excuse to be chaperoned to various houses to look at for entertainment, not because Kate was genuinely interested in buying, thus wasting Lilian’s time and money. When Lilian finally said that she wasn’t going to haul them around anymore (as Kate never got pre-approval or anything) Kate blasted her with hateful emails!  I had no freaking idea. If only she had told me. She then gave me, all these years later, her honest appraisal of everyone who had been in the Circle. She greatly admired me and my vision, and she was especially fond of Ruby and Belinda– both are still active friends with me and I told her she could contact them via Facebook. She admitted that the same 4 people who gave me grief: Kate, Wacita, Heather, and Kelli– were the ones she didn’t like and was happy to get away from. She said, “Some people are just plain mean, and all you can do is get away from them and be happy you did!“ I confessed I regretted that I’d put up with so much nonsense from them all. I tried to prove myself to assholes and that never ends well. I updated her on how everyone else was doing and she was glad to hear most are thriving post-Circle.

A bunch of ladies from my old workplace were there. Besides Reese, there was Camilla, Tess, Margie, Eleanor, and Joy– who is usually so busy either working or traveling the world that I was lucky the party timing worked out to see her. They pretty much congregated together, pow-wowing over old times. Sleep, Reese’s friend and a new gamer friend of mine, came as well, and I think he has a crush on me. Its weird. He’s 10 years younger, but his eyes shine in this certain way that I’m pretty certain I’m not mistaking! Flattering, certainly. I’m not attracted to him back, but I guess I still got it, huh?

The rest were old neighbors and other friends we’ve made on the East Side of Portland, as well as a couple of people from Gerick’s work. I was kept very busy going back and forth and making sure everyone was relaxed and entertained. There was tons of good food and refreshing drink (not alcohol-heavy though)

Everyone took a tour of our house and yards, and then checked out the Tiny House. Lots of oohs and aahs and I have to admit it was fun to show off a little! We’ve worked so hard for this that getting to have a party declaring, ”Lookie what we did!” was all kinds of satisfying.

Everyone took off before 10 pm, which was ideal, because it was a long day and we were exhausted. The upside is that I got to socialize with supportive, kind, people and my house and yards are looking amazing right now.

WE DID IT!  =^D