I’m back in New York and my parents are coming over for dinner and New Year’s Eve festivities tonight, and thank God because I could really use some blog fodder.
So in preparation for the dinner, Papa and I had a conversation.
Remember this?
Well, yesterday Papa says to me, “what time should we arrive?” And I tell him, “whatever time suits you. We are home and free all day! Come as early as you wish, for breakfast, if you like.”
And he tells me that he has no interest in coming over for breakfast and would like me to set the time.
So I suggest 7, because they are going to stay until midnight and 5 hours seems like a good amount of time to spend together. And when I suggest 7 there is a silence and then Papa says, “okay, I can sit in the car until then and wait.”
Why?
Why does Papa do this?
Should we turn this into an impromptu I’m Right, You’re Wrong?
Cast of Disagreers: Marinka and Papa
Disagreement: When invited over by close family/friends and the hostess asks what time works best for you, should you tell her, if you have a very strong preference or say it is up to her, pretending that it doesn’t matter and then fume and seethe when she fails to read your mind ?
Position One: Just say what time works best for you, especially when asked.
Postion Two: How sharper than a serpent’s tooth is it to have an ungrateful child…
What do you think?
Let me know, Papa will be waiting in the car.
___________________________
On a more serious note, thank you so much for reading this blog and commenting and tweeting with me and sending me emails and small-to-medium sized gifts. I’ve had a great blog year, and value every single one of you. Except you. Because you know what you did.
Here’s to a very happy and healthy 2011. xo, Marinka
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: _becca_kaye_
December 31, 2010 at 11:09 am
I do the same “come over whenever” thing. People always ask again what time and never seem to be satisfied. Tell Awesome Dude if he wants to wait in the car that’s fine but at $3/gallon for gas that would seem to be expensive.
Have an awesome new year’s eve. Hope 2011 brings you everything you hope for!
Oh, and, I found your blog earlier this year and have enjoyed every moment of it! Thanks so much for all you do!
Twitter: houseofgirls3
December 31, 2010 at 11:10 am
Happy New Year Marinka! What I wouldn’t give to celebrate it back in NYC once again…
Twitter: SheSuggests
December 31, 2010 at 11:22 am
What did I do? WHAT? I’m sorry! Why me? Everyone loves me. Well maybe not my mother in law, but everyone else!
Tell Papa to keep the heater running, it’ s cold in the car.
Twitter: sellabitmum
December 31, 2010 at 11:34 am
Happy New Year. Make him wait in the car.
Twitter: wacdance
December 31, 2010 at 11:44 am
Happy New Year! This has been my favorite blog find all year!!
Twitter: Peajaye
December 31, 2010 at 11:53 am
Papa DRIVES to your place? How does he find parking?
Twitter: FairlyOddMother
December 31, 2010 at 12:07 pm
OMG, does your Papa want to date my mother? Because they’d be perfect together. My mother will complain that “no one calls her or visits” and then, when we have her over or visit, she longs for the quiet and solitude away from us.
Hope Papa doesn’t get too cold in the car! LOL, he is quite a trip, isn’t he?
It’s New York, there’s plenty to do until 7! Park the car Papa and go have fun!
What will Mama be doing while Papa is waiting in the car? If Papa insists on waiting in the car you could send the kids down to play Chinese Fire Drill, that way he won’t get too bored or DVT.
Twitter: HalalaMama
December 31, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Honk if you love Papa. Happy New Year! I assume he has WiFi access there and is reading your blog, right? 🙂
Happy New Year Marinka! So glad you made it back to NY safe and sound! Cheers to a healthy and happy 2011! xo
Twitter: Mamabirddiaries
December 31, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Happy New Year! I’ll be waiting for you in the car.
Why wait in the car? He could be shoveling snow.
Happy New Year!
crap. How did you know it was me?
Yeah, I’m sorry about that thing that one time.
Happy New Year, Marinka, and welcome home!
Twitter: annsrants
January 1, 2011 at 8:30 am
For some reason this reminds me of playing Scrabble with my father. Sure he is happy to play! He’ll just be reading his novel during your turns.
Happy New Year, Marinka! Welcome back. xo
Twitter: jukeboxbarb
January 1, 2011 at 1:15 pm
New Years Resolution for 2011- Papa is ALWAYS right.
Twitter: MommysMartini
January 1, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Ann’s comment cracked me up as much as your post did. Obviously the right answer is that if you refuse to mention a preferred time when asked, then you should bring along a good book for your long car wait. And a flashlight so you don’t run down the car battery. Or, you could do what my parents do: very carefully and precisely mention a time when they will arrive, and then show up an hour or more earlier, when I’m barely done with whatever last-minute repair must be done prior to their arrival and am likely still putting away the wood glue or cleaning up the drill dust. (They are coming from far away, and my house is never as clean as it should be.)
Twitter: Glamamom
January 1, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Happy New Year Lady! It’s been a riot getting to know you.
Your dad is hilarious! Have a great 2011, Marinka. ox
Snigger…
In Belgium ‘come as early as you like’ is code for ‘if you show up before xhr I will make you peel potatoes, clean Brussels sprouts, give the kids a bath and scrub the kitchen floor’.
Happy new year!!
Twitter: HipMom
January 2, 2011 at 4:22 pm
You’re kidding, right? Of course you are right. The guests should just show up at the agreed-upon time. If the time doesn’t work for them they are free to propose something, but if they have asked the hostess to just set a time, they should just shut up and show up… on time.
You are a saint. And I’d know, ’cause I’m a saint too.