The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

The office Christmas Party is coming up, so the day was spent with food preparation. It is a luxurious overnight party at a resort, hosted by Attila’s generous employers. The dinner and the breakfast will not be suitable for me. I had to push to be allowed to bring my own dinner, originally the restaurant had said no, that I wasn’t allowed to bring in my own food. I just could not face spending an overnight trip watching everyone else eat and have a good time, as I sat and drank water, and later hiding away in our room to eat by myself. I called the manager and we sorted it out, I am bringing my own food, thanks to my persuasive skills. Nothing is simple. Today was lets-get-ready-for-this-party day. Parties, for me, are a lot of work, which is why you will never see me become a “party animal”.

My cold plate dinner will consist of cheese, macaroni salad, gherkins, fresh pepper strips, and cheese bread. I haven’t thought about a dessert yet, I suppose I should. My breakfast will consist of a blueberry bagel with cream cheese, cheese bread, a clementine, and whatever beverage I can get at the restaurant, water if need be. Today I cooked the macaroni, prepared the pepper strips, and baked the cheese bread. Still quite a bit to do, but at least I’ve started.

Clothing has to be sorted out as well. I will be wearing my 30+ year old skirt that I have just mended, a turtleneck, and a jacket. Nothing fancy for me, and at least I didn’t have to purchase anything. At breakfast I will wear jeans and a shirt.

The company rarely hosts overnight Christmas parties, so next year it might be just an evening at a restaurant, not nearly so much work.

Attila will have a good time, which he richly deserves.

I am using all my will to keep my curmudgeonly, sardonic oh-joy-its-a-party feelings to myself! I am determined, I will succeed!

Maybe I will watch “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” tonight, to really get into the spirit of giving up curmudgeonliness.

Worldly Distractions

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“It’s easier to put on slippers than to carpet the whole world.”
Al Franken

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WendyNC

Maggie, I suspect the word anaphylaxis helped a good bit in the conversation, at least if the manager had any sense. I’m sorry that this is your world, and agree that people with your degree of allergy should have the same protections as folks with other kinds of disabilities.

NORA

Maggie,

I’m glad your persuasive skills were able to allow for your dinner to be taken care of by you. I would feel as you do about the kitchen. I am not a big fan of eating out to begin with. I am okay with take out pizza (we cook it) because it cooks at 425*!
I think our persuasive skills get batter with age.

The overnight sounds relaxing. No worries about driving at night. Just to be able to be free of that and have a good time which I hope you do. I have never been to a company party that provided an overnight. I really think that is terrific!

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

NORA

Better….grrrrr and, I did write better!

Joan

I hope the gathering will be more enjoyable than you suspect!

Bex

It’s true – you do learn something every day. I never knew about this overnight party thing before you wrote about it. And what a hassle with the food allergies etc. Is this really the first time EVER anyone has asked to bring their own food at this place? It seems that more and more people are allergic to more and more things. I would have thought that accommodating these patrons would be routine by this point in history… at least you persevered long enough to have it resolved to your satisfaction.

Still no JournalScape working! I thought I’d get up today and it would be all fixed, but no… so will just have to wait longer.

TopsyTurvy (Teri)

Such a hassle, just to be safe, but that’s unfortunately your world right now due to the way we process foods. When I was strictly low carbing it was a hassle as there were almost no foods I could eat when going out. I could eat the meat and salad or veggies but nothing with a sauce, or bread, or pasta, or any kind of grains or dessert. Those were really rough times for going out and I’d often feel sorry for myself – so I can definitely see why you might be feeling Grinchy. There are even days when I can feel Grinchy just being rousted out of my house!

We went to DH’s company party last night. We had a full Christmas dinner plus a plethora of desserts. Afterwards, the played a Family Feud-type game to give away door prizes. It was so funny due to the fact that the entire game fell flat on it’s face and the CEO’s who were MCing it were running around trying to figure out how to award prizes when no one could answer the questions. (Really, how many people are going to know the name of the CEO’s dog?)

But your party, including an overnight, sounds wonderful! So nice of the company to do that! DH’s company pays for your taxi home after the party, so at least they do that to keep there people safe.

I still have some 30+ year old skirts in my closet that I’m fine with wearing for something special, though last night I wore a black velvet dress that I’d gotten about 5 years ago for $17. Waiting for extreme sales prices can sometimes work out, even with online shopping.

Have a wonderful time at the party, Maggie and Attila!

TopsyTurvy (Teri)

The Boxing Week sales would be a great time to look for a nice dress for next Christmas.

I was just about to close this window and looked up at the header. Had to smile at the Grinch title. DH and I got back from helping SS30 move to a new apartment this afternoon. DH wanted to watch a Christmas movie so we ordered a pizza and then settled down to watch the Grinch Who Stole Christmas movie. It’s cute in it’s own way, though not as good as the original cartoon version from my childhood. 😉

NORA

So glad ladies that you both enjoyed the holiday parties! Good luck with the sales. I’m looking at them too. Cheers!

TopsyTurvy (Teri)

Do you have Boxing Week sales now the way Canada has picked up Black Friday sales, Nora? That would be funny if the US took on Boxing Day.

Irene Bean

It all sounds very festive. Maggie, Attila’s company sure went to great extravagance! And it all does sound quite wonderful. I’m so glad you had a good time – and a getaway is sometimes the perfect gift of relaxation and re-enforced group morale and cohesiveness. I tiptoe into another realm… that in these challenging economic times, if employees would’ve preferred a handsome bonus check instead? Perhaps they get that too? Sorry if I’m being a buzz-kill. :)))

TopsyTurvy (Teri)

We have Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas, Rudolph ;), Scrooge with Alistair Simm (DH’s favorite Scrooge), and Scrooge the musical version (Albert Finney) which is my favorite. We’re going through them one at a time right now, getting ready for Christmas.

Maggie, that’s lovely that your DH has such a wonderful employer! So glad to hear that Attila will be getting some paid time off for the holidays. He truly deserves it. Over here, my DH has a paid week off between Christmas and New Years, though he’ll be taking a few extra vacation days and so will have almost two full weeks off.

NORA

Tops, I have no idea but I don’t think so.

Maggie, I hope Terra goes with you. It’s always nice to have some one come along. More fun. I go shopping with my sister a lot when she is down. She is a shop-a-holic! But she shops and knows how to get the best deals with her coupons and this, that and the other thing. She saves oodles of mula.

Hubby hasn’t mentioned anything about a holiday party at work yet. The year before last wives were allowed to accompany. The party was awful though because it was in a room too small and the music was way tooooo loud. You could not even carry on a conversation. It was at a posh country club. I walked around outside of the room a lot. Glad to go.

The following year wives were not permitted. The company was cutting back on expenses. This year it is a new company so I am wondering what will happen. I felt really out of place at the last company party I went.

NORA

Glad to go meaning – leave the party.

Irene Bean

Maggie! What a marvelous company Attila must work for. People must clamor for employment. So glad for this update of extreme generosity. xo

TopsyTurvy (Teri)

Maggie, funny you should mention not taking vacation during the holidays. DH just informed me last night that his employer is now saying that with the company getting larger they’re not going to be letting as many people take time off at Christmas, anymore. 🙁 I’m hoping that with DH’s having 16 years with the company and his being the senior on his team that he’ll be able to get the time, as by this time of year he desperately needs it. But I also know that time off is on a first come/first served basis, so we run the risk of his not being able to.

Nora, 2 years ago DH’s Christmas party was like the one you attended, and we left as soon as the music started as it was so loud you couldn’t even talk to the person next to you. It was like that for a couple of years and then I guess someone listened to the complaints and made sure the sound was turned down, so these last 2 years have been fine.

NORA

Yikes, I thought Maggie has been snowed in and lost WiFi….I kept checking here and today I see I was wrong. I’m tardy!

I’m possibly like Terra with shopping. I too will put more in my cart and think about it before checking out. I am very frugal! I get the best possible buys I can. I used to enjoy shopping but I really don’t like getting out and about to do that anymore. I am enjoying online shopping a lot more these days!

Yes, the music made me crazy. Plus it was music I never ever listen to but hear frequently when sitting at a stop light waiting for it to change. In fact the whole town could hear that type of music. Talk about something getting under your craw.

Glad that the parties have simmered down Tops. Hope if there is one this year for us it is enjoyable.

TopsyTurvy (Teri)

Heh. Maggie, DH’s company isn’t downsizing, it’s growing by leaps and bounds. It’s bought out something like 7 companies in the last 2 years. They add in new companies to add in new products, and the strategy seems to be working for them. I believe they’re now one of the largest software companies in Canada.

I’m not at all like Terra. Most things get dismissed simply while I’m looking at them. Maybe 5% will get touched/handled or tried on. Very little actually ever makes it into my cart. 😉