![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vettecatTomorrow is the birthday party for my mom. Her friend P., whose house we're using, called her yesterday to invite her over Sunday night, as arranged. At first everything seemed to be going smoothly, but then my mom called me up and said, "I have a feeling that you and P. are planning something." Oops. I tried to be evasive but it was pretty clear she'd figured out something was going on. She told me that she didn't want anyone going to trouble for her, but she also sounded flattered. I hoped that the latter would win out.
Tonight I took the final cake over to P.'s and set up the dessert table. Two stacked towers with three kinds of cookies each, three platters with two kinds of squares each, three cakes... Everything came together very nicely, and I was just putting the finishing touches on when my cell phone rang. It was my mom, in the car; she'd driven by and seen my car out front. Argh! I had a quick discussion with P., and we decided that at that point she may as well come in. So I told my mom she could come in if she wanted. She was very pleased and accepted. P. and I thought it might be just as well, because we had been worried about her being upset at being surprised... and this way she could see the desserts all set up before people started eating them.
My mom came in, happy about being invited to see what was going on, and was very impressed. She told me that she couldn't believe I had done all that, and she didn't think she could have done it. (This is a major statement if you know my mom.) She was particularly impressed with the centerpiece cake but really liked the overall presentation as well. She said she very much appreciated everything I've done, and she wouldn't change anything about the setup... except she would rather not involve any more people.
I told her I understand her not wanting anyone making a fuss, but I really wanted to do something special for her. She appreciated the motivation but was still uncomfortable with the idea of people fussing over her. We went round in circles on this for a while, starting at P.'s house and continuing later on the phone. She is still uncomfortable with the roomful of people aspect, but she appreciates all the effort I've put in, so it looks like she will "behave" and go to the party.
So on the one hand it isn't really a surprise anymore, but on the other hand at least I know she isn't mad at me. Hopefully all will go smoothly tomorrow, and she will be comfortable with the people once she's actually there and realizes they're all people she likes. And hopefully everyone will like the desserts, too!
Tonight I took the final cake over to P.'s and set up the dessert table. Two stacked towers with three kinds of cookies each, three platters with two kinds of squares each, three cakes... Everything came together very nicely, and I was just putting the finishing touches on when my cell phone rang. It was my mom, in the car; she'd driven by and seen my car out front. Argh! I had a quick discussion with P., and we decided that at that point she may as well come in. So I told my mom she could come in if she wanted. She was very pleased and accepted. P. and I thought it might be just as well, because we had been worried about her being upset at being surprised... and this way she could see the desserts all set up before people started eating them.
My mom came in, happy about being invited to see what was going on, and was very impressed. She told me that she couldn't believe I had done all that, and she didn't think she could have done it. (This is a major statement if you know my mom.) She was particularly impressed with the centerpiece cake but really liked the overall presentation as well. She said she very much appreciated everything I've done, and she wouldn't change anything about the setup... except she would rather not involve any more people.
I told her I understand her not wanting anyone making a fuss, but I really wanted to do something special for her. She appreciated the motivation but was still uncomfortable with the idea of people fussing over her. We went round in circles on this for a while, starting at P.'s house and continuing later on the phone. She is still uncomfortable with the roomful of people aspect, but she appreciates all the effort I've put in, so it looks like she will "behave" and go to the party.
So on the one hand it isn't really a surprise anymore, but on the other hand at least I know she isn't mad at me. Hopefully all will go smoothly tomorrow, and she will be comfortable with the people once she's actually there and realizes they're all people she likes. And hopefully everyone will like the desserts, too!
