"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Desserts Spelled Backwards

So a couple months ago, I got a new assignment at church ('calling' for you Mormon-types). I went from planning twice-monthly activities for 8 and 9 year old girls to planning quarterly parties for the entire congregation. This makes me more than a little freaked out.

At first, I thought "Hey, cool! I like parties! And I like spending someone else's money to plan them! No sweat!" Yeah. Not quite feeling that now. The first party that I've "planned" is tomorrow night. It's a pool party. The local pool is reserved, the picnic area scheduled, food ordered, and other assignments made. Should be no problem, right?

If you live in Utah County and happened to look outside this afternoon, then you might understand why I am started to grind my teeth. Wind, rain and chilly temperatures are only fun if I'm having a chili cook-off...indoors.

And then there's the anxiety. What if no one wants to get in the pool? What if some does get in, but then poops in it, shutting the whole thing down for the rest of the night? What if hardly anyone shows up? (I'm having flashbacks to when they asked me to organize a playdate and the only people who came were my friends...) What if the food is bad? What if half the ward gets food poisoning or the swine flu? What if by the time I make it to the dessert table, all the chocolate is gone? What if the only people who remember to bring a dessert are the health fanatics and everyone is fighting over a single plate of whole-grain tofu bars?

Deep breath.

I might spend most of the evening hiding under the drink station, in a fetal position, sucking on my hair and humming the tune to "Somewhere in Time."

Please give me some stressful relief tips...or, lacking any of those, some more creative things to freak out about!

9 comments:

Kristina P. said...

It will be fine! And the girls will love it.

Jessica said...

Deep Breaths! It will all turn out wonderfully. Who doesn't love a pool party?! Even if it is a little chilly, that's not going to stop the kids.

As for dessert: really, these are Utah Mormons we're talking about. There will be more dessert than food - most of it containing some chocolate. It'll be great! (Can I come?)

Nat said...

People will come and they will have fun. I stressed like this when I taught my first Gospel Doctrine lesson. And when we did our first Pack Meeting. Now it isn't even a big deal. Good luck! Maybe you could stress about the whole health care reform instead!

Annette Lyon said...

Stress relief tips . . . let's see . . . deep breaths . . .

Oh, wait. You already got that one.

Jana Nielson said...

Diet Coke, 2 Advil, and something fatening.
Tomorrow will be a better day, and it will be months until you have to do it all again!

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

Hey, I used to have that calling! And the pool party was the most successful! Swimming can be pricey so people will come just for that. Plus, one less meal they have to cook. It's even been cold before and there were people with blue lips in the pool.

And I totally get the play date thing. A bunch of women complained that there were no play groups so I started one at a local park and 1 other person showed up besides us twice. The rest of the time it was just us. Yep, I'm super popular.

The Garretts said...

oh girly you are amazing. We are definitely excited. Have faith not fear. It will be great and hey you are obedient and you will be blessed for your efforts. You are awesome. Try to relax so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor. :)

Jillybean said...

Just keep telling yourself "In 24 hours this will all be over....."

I used to have your same job.

arbee said...

It will all turn out great! If not, it will all be over soon enough... :)

p.s. I am no longer in Activity Days and got called to be the Enrichment Leader! Um, I haven't been to Enrichment once in oh, forever...should be very interesting. :)

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