THE NEIGHBOR FROM HELL

I've got the neighbor from Hell.

Okay, I guess that you've been waiting to see how my weekend went.   I have been beside myself.  I was hoping that it would get better, but it's not.  I just feel like I want to vent.

The "bachelor" has a playboy lifestyle...he always has someone different over there (not that I've been paying attention).  He invited us to a party at his house on Memorial Day weekend, with people and noise--young women everywhere.  I think that they were in their twenties.   I told Chloe that I felt like I was at the Playboy mansion.  She shook her head and told me to relax and not be so critical.  She was actually having fun at that party!  I told her that I think that he should grow up. I left early.  Came up with the migraine excuse, and then once I was home, I swallowed a row of Girl Scout Tagalongs.  The "Bachelor" is ruining my diet!

Philip tells me to mind my own business.  Give him a chance, he says.  I don't know what it is.  Maybe it's my mother's instinct, but I don't trust him. 

MRS. ANTI-SOCIAL?

I think that I might be classified as anti-social.

Well, that's what Philip thinks, anyway.  Let me explain...We've been invited to "the bachelor's" Memorial Day party on Sunday, and I don't want to go.  Does that make me anti-social?

Yes, I don't feel comfortable around strangers.  I'm not very good at making conversation with people that I don't know.  Yes, I'm not particularly thrilled about being crowds, getting bumped around and having nowhere to sit.  Does that make me a pariah, or am I just shy?

I have my two best friends, Chloe and Theresa, and I'm happy with the two friends that I have.  I can depend on them.  I don't need other friends, especially not whoever is going to be at that party on Sunday.  They will be talking politics, or sports, or whatever gibberish of the week.  I'm not in the mood for it.  I would rather stay home, if Philip would let me.  But, he won't let me off the hook.  I have make nice and bring potato salad. I am so happy about that (that's sarcasm).

Nevertheless, one of my very best friends, Chloe will be at the party with her husband and son.  "The bachelor" invited all the neighbors, and Chloe lives a couple of blocks away.  She's actually looking forward to it.  I think that she's lost her mind.  My lovely (that's sarcasm too) next door neighbor on the other side, Roberta, will be there as well, and let me just say that the less time I spend with Roberta, the more sane I will be.  She'll probably be hanging out of her bathing suit, as usual, and hanging all over the available men at the party.  I really do not want to be there to see that.
Aargghhh!! I wish I had  bunker to hide out in this weekend.

Do I sound anti-social?  I don't think so.  I think that I'm just selectively social.

THANKSGIVING ANXIETY - UNEDITED

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  So much to do with so little time.  We are having company at our home this year.  We are having turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings, and will have the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade playing on the background.  It is one of my favorite holidays, outside of Christmas.

I have to admit that even though this holiday is one of my favorites, this year I am dreading it.  I'm having the in-laws over, and Philip's sister, husband and children.  I love them, but for the past ten years of my marriage, I have felt that they tolerate me, at the most.  It is always such a stressful  time when they are over.  My niece and nephew run around the house, which makes Derek a lunatic.  Philip's parents seem to complain about everything;  the traffic, the food, the decorations.  I try so hard to please them, but whatever I do does not seem to be enough for them.

But I will soldier on, as usual, and watch the clock counting the hours before they leave. The Girardis are stopping by at around seven, and this might be the last time that we spend Thanksgiving together.  Hopefully, Philip's family will be gone by then and I can relax.