Wrestling Banquet

Yes, I am crazy. I was in charge (with Marilee) of the end of the year banquet for the High school wrestling team. All was planned and we had a lovely venue (King's backyard). Even coming up with tables and chairs for 130 was not so bad (for free, of course). I sent letters for money and it showed up. I ordered the food from a local BBQ place and the food was set. Marilee and I made some cute coaches gifts (t-shirts and pillowcases), got lots of pictures printed and hung on the wall. One of the Dads did an awesome job on the DVD (of which I made 25 copies, 1 copy about 15 mins, this took forever) we had a screen, player and even a sound system!

The tables were set, the decorations were great, the Coach was 45 minutes late. Well, actually I knew this was going to happen. There was a freestyle tourney that same day and about 8 of the wrestlers (Dallin included) wrestled, they did not start until after 2pm so I knew 6pm was not possible. However I figured we all would eat and socialize and it would be fine (it was).

What went wrong?! After verifying with the catering guy - I went to pick up the order. I (thinking I was smart) took some of my big coolers to put the food in to keep it hot and not spill BBQ in my truck. I get there pay my bill ($784.44) and they point to these huge pans (8 or 9) and say that's my order. The buns are on a rack I cannot have and the pans are about 30 lbs a piece and HOT. Ok - through the whole crowded restaurant, through the double door they have narrowed to one, through the Saturday crowd of snowbirds (retirees who winter in AZ), into the parking lot and down 1 store to my truck, heft the weight on the side of the truck and balance so does not fall, open door, open cooler and try to fit the huge pan in said cooler - no dice, balance weighty pan on side of truck again, haul both coolers in to bed of truck, open door, put first pan into truck, head back through the crowd at door to get next pan, repeat! At no time did any of the staff help, only when I was down to 2 pans and taking up the last available table did two guys who work for Southwest ambulance help!! Yes, I am going to call and complain today. He should at least have warned me to bring some help.

So now I am late - a little frantic and I have to drive CAREFULLY! Not my best. I speed. I know it is bad and yet.....

I arrive at the banquet and get HELP to carry all the food. We get it set up and I am filling a pitcher so I can fill the chaffing dishes - water is slow (did I mention the speed thing?) so I grab the sprayer to see if maybe it is faster, yes way faster, turn off the water, return the sprayer and get the food on, come back to the sink to wash my hands.....full in the chest I get the great sprayer! Water everywhere, what else is there to do but laugh.

I froze the rest of the night. Luckily, I brought a jacket and I was wearing 2 shirts - one light and gauzy so you really couldn't tell my undershirt, and underwear and Bra were very wet. Oh well that was the only bad thing that happened - the rest went really well. Except lots of leftovers! I bring it home to bag up and freeze (concession stand on Saturday) and go to open the 3rd pan of meat leftover and it was the BBQ sauce - we could not figure out why it wasn't included - another thing to complain about - should have told me what was what!!

I am tired! I am taking today, which is Celcee* day (my favorite) and relaxing (with 2 sick kids) and going to Jens to play.



* Celcee is my house cleaner, she comes everyother Monday with her sister Melee and her cousin and they clean from top to bottom, is it any wonder it is my favorite day?