Breakfast for Dinner

It’s been a long while since I updated, so it’s time to get back to it. It’s been an insane month between work and family issues, so it was nice to dedicate last weekend to really doing things with my kids. Our swimming trip Saturday got sidelined by a kid pooping in the pool, but we had a nice barbecue with friends and neighbors that night.

Sunday we found my daughters’ version of heaven. Bounce World in Flower Mound is three big air conditioned rooms full of bounce houses, inflatable slides, and obstacles. We spent about two hours letting the kids run around like little maniacs to their heart’s content. And afterwards, they fell asleep by 8 p.m., so I was able to relax and watch normal television that didn’t involve a talking sponge and enjoy a beer.

Labor Day, the girls were with their mom, so I helped a friend and had some lunch at Chopsticks. Then was treated to a very nice dinner of Cashew Chicken and chocolate chip cookies. It was the kind of impromptu dinner party I could use more of.

Saturday is officially “Chigger Eradication Day”. I bought a large hose sprayer bottle of poison, and I’m gonna let it fly early in the a.m. Saturday. If anyone has a WWI-era gas mask they want to loan me, shoot me an e-mail. That should freak out the neighbors, but good.

Approximately 24 hours after what can only be described as a singularly successful potluck, fate reared its ugly head in the form of eight little legs and one word: chiggers. Everyone at the potluck Saturday is now scratching uncontrollably and probably cursing the day they agreed to break bread in my backyard.

I won’t get too vivid, but suffice it to say, the little bastards got rather intimate with me, and I have a couple itches that are kind of fun to scratch. Hopefully, a huge bottle of bug poison and an industrial-sized can of Off! will be enough to convince people to return in a few weeks when I decide to do this again.

After the last potluck disaster where we had no lights for about two hours, I thought I had broken the spell and recovered some of my hosting pride. Now it looks like a short-lived fantasy that has been beaten down by a tiny member of the arachnid family.

Last night’s potluck was a smashing success. We had around 20 people in and out and a ridiculous amount of great food. A special thanks to Allen for smoking ribs, Meredith and Carolyn for the great desserts, and as always Jefe for manning the grill and all his prep work.

The girls had a great time seeing their friends from Austin that they don’t get to see nearly enough, and I had a wonderful time relaxing with good friends, new friends, and a couple guys I’d never met before in my life. It was by far the biggest turnout yet for a potluck here, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves enough to come back again in the future. The weather was hot as always but not unbearable and for the most part the bugs kept their distance.

I don’t think I’ve had a better evening in years. Check out the photos from last night, by visiting my Picasa album.

Two of my friends finalized their divorces in the last couple weeks, and mine is officially nearing its end, so this weekend’s potluck is going to be a full blown celebration of the single parent. Steaks, chicken, hot dogs for the kiddos, and the beer will flow like wine once the children are snuggled up in their beds. It’ll be nice to feel like there’s something to celebrate.

I’m even thinking about baking a cake. I’m not sure how to decorate a “Happy Divorce” cake. Anyone have any ideas?

Of course, it’s not really a happy occasion, but definitely a relieving one. Hopefully, we can send the two newest hot single moms in Denton out into the world in style.

Wherever you are this Saturday, tip your glass to single parenthood. There will be about 10-15 people here in my backyard doing just that.