Getting Ready to Party

It's almost 1 AM and I'm not in bed! Argh! I'm going to die tomorrow. I've still got so much to do: cut up veggies, make sandwiches, wash off plastic chairs, set things out... I'm sure there are other things. My list is in the other room. I wish I could have washed the windows of the back porch. I'm really quite proud of myself for what I did get done, though. For example, I got at least half of my magazines on a shelf in the kitchen. That's such a relief to see them there instead of lying around. I also moved some tables around in the living room. The table that Mary always had next to her chair has this bizarre metal sort of "fence" around the edge, so it was hard for her to pick her coffee cup up and set it down. She would never hear of my moving it, though. I moved a bigger one there and I really like it, so I hope she comes round. She seemed receptive to it, although we didn't sit in the living room tonight. I put the one with the ring around the edge next to my chair. The lamp is higher up and that should be good for my knitting. I also moved my computer. It's not sitting on a little footstool right behind Mary's chair. I put my zofu and zabutan in front of it, so I can sit on them. It will take some getting used to, but it's probably better for me than leaning over from the couch. Also, it leaves the coffe table free and I really like that. It looks so nice and neat. Maybe this neaterness will help Mary's psyche. She was always neat as a pin. I left her alone a lot today, but I told her that the benefit will be that the house will be the neatest it's been in the last six years--since I moved in!

Before Susan came, I worked so much cleaning up the basement. I moved another shelf upstairs to the kitchen. It's funny how it can take you so long to make a decision but then when you finally do it, you feel this immediate sense of relief. I love the added shelf space in the kitchen and I love the new arrangement and neatness in the living room. Now, if I can only do the same thing in my room!

I've been thinking--I haven't thought about Mary's taxes at all! Her financial advisor wants me to use look at the accounts online. I haven't set it up--there was Gina's death, then Susan's visit and now this party. I hate thinking about money. I don't understand people who are so into it. When I think about money, I just get a stomach ache--regardless of how much is there or isn't there. Speaking of money, this party has cost us out so much! I'm really so irresponsible with Mary's money...but I think she will love having everyone here and doing this for Angie. However, I need to stay away from the grocery store at least for the next week. Two weeks would be good, but I know I'll need milk and then there will be bread and then... As I said to Mom, the problem is that grocery-shopping is what I like to do during my free time. It's fun for me.

Well, this will be a good time for Mom and me to look through pictures of Gina so that Fred can get her video ready for the Mother's Day Memorial Service. I found another chain for my St Edwin's medal. (The original one broke.) I was wondering whether we should get St Regina medals made :-)

Well, I'm beginning to feel ill, so I should get to bed. I just wanted to say, though, how much I've enjoyed planning this party. I've always loved having people over--I just hate to go anywhere, myself. I know Mitch loves to have people over, too.