Headache

I still haven’t decided what to do for my birthday. Most people have given up asking now, so I may have to go with Philippa’s suggestion of an ‘Open House Party.’ Effectively, that means we just stay in all day Sunday, and send everyone who might want to see me an open invitation to pop round whenever they like.

There are pros and cons, of course:

PRO – I don’t have to dress up, or travel.

CON – We would have to provide food and drinks, and I wouldn’t have an escape route.

I think we’ll go for it, actually. The more I think about it, and type about it, and the less I over-think it, or approach it negatively, the more there is to like. Normally I’d prefer to be out somewhere, or visiting someone else, because then I can just come away if I feel awkward. But I can invite who I like, so why would I end up feeling awkward? Plus -for any of you who are NOT parents of a young child – taking them out somewhere is like planning an invasion of a small country. You need clothing, nappies, bottles, toys, prams and a vehicle strengthened by Army engineers that can cope with carrying it all. If you book a table somewhere for 1pm, you have to start getting ready at 9am to stand any chance of making it on time. I love him to bits but taking him out-and -about is a logistical nightmare, especially in January when you need waterproofs, extra layers and all other manner of ‘Just In Case’ bits-and-bobbins.

With this plan, he can have free roaming around his own home, and we can take him off for a lie-down if he needs it (or, indeed, if I need an excuse for a bit of quiet time away from everyone).

And the other BIG Pro: We can go shopping on Saturday, and I can pick loads of fun buffet food to prepare for Sunday. If we went out for a meal, I could only pick a few things to eat; this way I can get WHATEVER I WANT.

AND – we can have lots of leftovers for Monday, which is my birthday itself.

Marvellous.

I’m off to design an e-invite.

RC 15-1-20