Garbage Man's Ball Take 4

Two Saturdays ago. January 28. The fourth time we attended a holiday party put on by a major waste company for their larger accounts. In English: Butler Disposal does a lot of contract work for Casella Waste.

It's at a place called Riley's. We love the food, the ambiance and our annual night out. For the second year in a row, Bethany and Brianna babysat the A-Team. Our first year, Todd's Dad babysat Adam. The second year, my parents babysat him. At this point in their lives, there are few people I wouldn't feel guilty asking to handle my crazy toddlers at bedtime because...they're crazy. But nothing phases Bethany when it comes to kids. Scream, cry, whine, laugh or run, she just knows what to do. The kid-whisperer.

This year, after dashing about in a flurry the year before trying to find something to wear, I prepared myself almost three months in advance ordering a skirt I love and a blazer I didn't end up wearing due to it's shoulder pads that just don't flatter short round people.

Abbey was so upset we were leaving, Bethany had to hold her. Adam was not. Bye, Mom he told me. I told him to go hug his sister...he said "OOOOKay" reluctantly. He was enamored with Brianna. Later, Bethany sent me a photo that I accidentally erased :( of Abbey obsessed with Bri's shirt. She was the hit of the night for them.

This year, we didn't mingle as much. I only met one new person. We spent the night talking to people we already knew...Joe, who does a lot of repair work on Todd's compactors and his wife Sylvia, who was very open thanks to her wine. And Travis Bliss, the hauler from the Rome area who got me my pink trash can for last Mother's Day :)

It wasn't a choice...we just settled into our favorite parlor (there are several...it's the second floor of an old house), got a drink and waited for the food.

Oh, the food. I watched what I ate for several days and doubled my exercise bike time that morning in preparation. (yeah, I know that's what fat people do...that's why we're fat!) There's an antipasto out, but I don't waste my stomach room or calories on it. The shrimp cocktail comes around. And when she comes back through, Sylvia grab another. Why not. The sliders are amazing...too amazing...I have two and I start to loose stomach room and can't finish the second one. The mini roast beef sandwich from the carving station, vegetable pot stickers all lead up to ...lobster on a stick. Yeah, it's good.

Joe and Sylvia are in their 50s. but we traded child stories and I heard plenty about grand kids. She was feeling good and shared what may be considered some scandalous details. I made sure she knew, in my way, that none of it was a big deal. She told me I was great to talk to. :)

Last year Travis came with his brother Cory in their uniforms, something they've been teased about since. This year, Cory was a no-show, apparently turning into the evening drunk after we left and was still embarrassed a year later. I assured him no one probably remembered Cory's behavior, but we were one of the last to leave and as Travis left, the host said, "Leaving so early? Last year you were the last to go". Ha. Guess they were remembered. I stole this photo from Google maps...i don't think I've ever seen the place in the day :) The navy walls, antique furniture and pocket door bathroom tucked into the coat closest add to the ambiance. And the gay bar tender who swooned when I ordered a Vodka Collins.

We left sober despite my best intentions.... I'd had to peter out my drinking as my stomach protested, though I still had a slight hangover the next day (not fair!). We slid down the steep staircase, crowded with one of those chair lifts to be in ADA compliance, Todd's hand on my back as we burst out into the chilly evening, colder than when we had gone in, relaxed from a nice evening out. Though we spent much of the night talking to others, we were together. One of my favorite things about us as a couple. We are together most of the time even when we're not. We are two solidly separate people with very strong personalities but together we are better, by choice.

Thoughts of after party cuddling gone when I went to the bathroom to wash up and came out to see my husband sleeping in his dress clothes on the chair in the living room. So cute. And what a good idea, I thought, passing out on the couch beside him.

Bethany had reported that Abbey went to bed with no problem, but Adam was asking for me. I know, he's spoiled, I had warned Bethany she might have to sing a few songs....and she did. Thanks Bethany!!!