Survived the party

Our dinner party went very well last night.
In the past when we would have parties and my back would be hurting so bad that by the time guest were here I would have to sit and enjoy the party seated.
I think the difference for me was my back did not hurt at all yesterday.
Lee and I worked several hours preparing for last night and for the first time in many years I was still able to get up and down and enjoy the party.
I think in the past the job of cleaning and preparing was monumental for me and took days to get everything in order.
As far as mother goes I would like to think she had a good time but I have been feeling like she is having some signs of dementia this was very clear to me last night when our friend Baxter called to tell us he got mother home and while driving her home she started cussing and appeared to not know who Baxter was.
Yes mother had probally to much wine last night which may have attributed to this behavior but I feel there is more going on.
Mother did not eat much either she ate just about as much as I did which was not much. I was having a small stuck issue while having dinner so I had to stop eatting to allow the food to go through.
So while this was going on with me I had to remain the polite hostess and not show my distress LOL
Must be a southern thing.
                                                        Annie

This sounds so good. I am glad you were able to be the good southern hostess and actually enjoy it. I hope your Mother is better today.

Hi Annie,

I'm so glad that you continue to see quality of life improvements ... day to day. I think that is the whole reason for this journey... So many things fall into what constitutes improved quality of life for each of us ... improved health, mobility, freedom from pain, endurance, self-confidence ... these are all things I see reflected in you day in and day out.

Congratulations on yet another successful party,

Timing is everything - I just cleaned up from a family dinner party and was thinking along the same lines as you. I couldn't have done this 6 months ago and if I had of tried I would have been miserable.

My present to myself was a Christmas Tree patterned service for 12. I had my husband's family in for a huge dinner and we gave gifts to my neice (3) and nephew (13). It was so much fun. My Father in law kept wanting to know who had done all the work - I had the cloth napkins, the lace tablecloth, candles  - the whole schmere. It was wonderful. I had energy to spare.
- Iris

Sounds absolutly wonderful Iris.
One time when we had mother for dinner I handed her a paper towel as a napkin LOL I never heard the end of that.
So now when she comes I make sure I buy the fancy paper napkins.
                                            Annie

 Annie I never knew there were napkins other than paper towels until I was about out of high school and eating now and then in real eateries. Im glad yall had a good time and hope your mom is ok today. My dad has dementia to a degree and at times he is a riot because he is about deaf and he will ponder what the though you said for a while then say something totally off the subject. Then he realizes he goofed up and tries to laugh it off. I guess when you hit 94 you are entitled to some margins for errors.. 

If your dad is 94 I am sure he earned every year.
My mom on the other hand is 100% southern woman and also before she arrived that night I told lee I did not have enough silverware for 7 people plus I would have had to polish each piece.So somehow I got away with the everyday flatware.
                                                Annie

 your momma and mine should be sisters.. I think my mother is the only woman on the face of the earth that can qoute Emily Post chapter and verse. If you think my upbringing was tight is a wonder I ever squeezed over to the paper towel crowd. It was funny though My mom would have all this formal sort of balace but to save money use paper towels when no one was looking or coming over.. How I got to be so not like that I will never know.. 

Push,
You might also be concidared the rebel child like me LOL or commonly called The Black Sheep we dance to a different drummer.                     Annie