Super

Remember just this past holiday season when I said my only anal retentive quality was trimming the Christmas tree? Well, I was wrong. It is decorating for special occasions, our Super Bowl party being one.

Most people would just buy a tablecloth but not me. That would have been too easy and time-freeing. Instead, we bought indoor/outdoor carpet resembling Astroturf and cut it down to the size of our table. Then, I proceeded to spend an entire day painting the thing, albeit with interruptions for Pint-Sized care, teenaged transportation, and laundry, always laundry. Never having painted Astroturf before, I didn’t realize the challenges it would present. It was a little like painting shag carpet, just less fuzzy. And I didn’t have to rake it. Did your mother ever make you rake the shag carpet? Mine did. Anyway, I was mostly happy with the end result as was David who kept saying that it was too bad we had to put dishes over top of it.

The only bummer was the fact that some of our party guests thought I did buy it after all and darned if I was going to let that impression stand. I had to have some recognition in return for my aching feet and knees.

Of course, that done, I had to paint the front entrance. Glass is a much easier canvas but less forgiving of uneven brush strokes and paint thick/thinness. Now that I am an admitted anal retentive decorator, I will fess up to the fact that I spent hours on this as well, walking inside the house to see how the sun was illuminating my many errors and then walking many feet away from the house to see how the logos looked from the street. Still aching from painting shag carpet, I finally gave up on perfection and instead spent another hour hanging blue and red curling ribbon on the inside of the glass to camouflage my errors. My rheumatism can only handle so much anal retentiveness.

Lauren fact #263: I need constant reassurance.

Hunny, what do you think? Is it good? Do you think people will like it, notice it, worship at my feet?

It took everything I had not to quiz each and every person walking in the door. I really need to get over this aberration. They’re NFL logos for goodness sakes, not the Mona Lisa.

After all was said and done, we had a great time, though you can’t tell from this picture. I’m the one in the background raising my arm in a hearty huzzah while everyone else was paying attention to the game. You can’t see it from this distance but I drew a NY logo on my face. I decided to route for them after my preferred Packers lost. In turn, I received unmerciful sh*t from favorite neighbor and fellow Maryland native Tom who repeated ad nauseum, “How can you root for a New York team? You’re from Baltimore!” Apparently, I missed that memo in the Maryland charter. Maybe my rule violation shook up the universe to the point that the Giants won, how about that, Tom? Jeez.

Besides the great company (even you Tom), the food was awesome. We served hot dogs, sliders, and chicken wings, complete with fixins plus a few dips and spreads. Our guests contributed side dishes, snacks, and deserts. Our plates runneth over deliciously.

That’s probably more than you ever wanted to hear about our Superbowl party but I’m a little fuzzy this morning and unable to edit. You understand.

Lastly, one of our guests gave us the photos he took of us at his New Year’s Day Open House (he’s a professional photographer). Other than the fact that I cannot be this old, I like this photo the best. What do you think?

Or do you like this one better?

Comments

[Michelle]

For the decorating aberration I think you need professional help. On the couple photos I like the top one best. And if you looked younger, you'd make HH look like a cradle robber and you don't want people to think THAT of him, do you? Do you?

[Nancy K.]

Your decorations are out of this world!! What an ARTIST you are! The NFL should PAY you to design logos and decals for them. Incredible! Amazing! Such talent! (feelin' pretty good now???) ;-)

I LOVE the first picture! One can see the joy and love for life as well as the love that you have for each other in your eyes. It's amazing that you can look so happy with all the trials and tribulations that you've had to endure. You are an inspiration!

[meg]

You are brilliant .... absolutely brilliant!!!