Help! I am in a quandary, I am invited to the PTO meeting tomorrow

And I'm living in one now and NEVER imagined I'd be away from

a city. I am not loving it and look forward to retirement just for the move:)

(Okay - I love the home we built, our gardens, and the small lake we live on. But I'd still trade it in in a heartbeat!)

As a funny - I once gave a cooking class for several moms of young children that lived in the neighborhood. Not one of the 5 moms knew that there is something called 'fresh garlic'. The only garlic they knew of was 'garlic salt'! (Imagine how the capers, roasted red peppers, and shittake mushrooms went over:)

Deb

 
Oh bother, I just lost my long response I typed out...

I didn't mean to get so defensive but I think our attitude that I have seen in this thread, including my own, keeps a lot of lurkers from ever becoming contributing members.
The dirt cake and apples with dip, are geared towards the children, which is what this group of women are all about. There are perhaps a dozen or less of these women who chair every committee and make sure the kids have their carnival and all the other fun activities through out the school year.
I make mini dirt cakes every Halloween for the kids. Clear cups, chocolate pudding, crushed Oreo cookies on top. then a Peanut Nutter, or something like that, dipped in white chocolate, with little eyes and the letters RIP piped on them, and yes the gummy worms inserted for the gross out effect. Not gourmet fare by any means, but the kids love them.
I am planning on making Jello Fish Bowls on Friday, which is blue jello, inside a clean fish bowl, with gummy fish "swimming" in it, cute, would I eat it, nope but the kids will, and they will always remember it, along with the Sit Sandwich.
Like I said, I am having trouble finding a way to fit in. My bluntness and sense of humor are not everyone's cup of tea. Add the fact that I fell down the stairs and broke both of my wrists, wore a borg on my left arm that was hidden slightly by an ace bandage, had a fabric sling that my hubby picked out from my fabric stash, which was a medley of gangster implements, brass knuckles, a revolver, a poker hand, etc. and the words, the harder they fall, on it, and I had to wear my sunglasses because my others were broken when I fell, well, let's just say, I did not appear to be the typical resident of this town. At least you don't have to bury my pickles!
I am going to take Barb's advice and bring salsa and chips. A perfect solution.
Thanks everyone for trying to help me muddle my way through.

 
It sounds like you made a good choice as to what to bring, Please

let us know how you do. I'm sure as time goes on, you will win them over. Starting with their children as they talk about the fun things you make for them. smileys/smile.gif
Best,
M

 
I certainly meant no disrespect with my post and am very sorry if it offended anyone. Perhaps this

thread should be removed?

 
I must respectfully say that the tone

you present now, is not the initial tone and intent that I read in your first post.

You originally mentioned a group of PTA ladies getting together where the "Hostess," (who was also the town's great cook) would be serving "Dirt Cake." Whether you intended it or not, it was a comical image and you sounded slightly exasperated. No one in these posts has impugned the integrity of their dedication to the PTA and their children. Once again, the problem of how something is read can be very different than the intent of the writer.

No where in your post did you mention that this was an event where children would be present. That is a totally different event than the one you intially portrayed, and of which I and others commented on. Of course the refreshments you mentioned would be most welcome by children. I'm sure if you had originally mentioned that you were looking for ideas to bring to a PTA children's event, the replies would have been much different.

Would I serve a dirt cake or blue jello aquariums to an adult group where a host or hostess is functioning? Certainly not. Would I make it for my granddaughter, a Halloween party, or some other appropriate event, absolutely.

We just need to know what the correct situation is.

But I'm reading something else into your post (I'm always reading between the lines, I can't help it) when you mention the tone and keeping others away. Perhaps this is the real issue at hand?

We are an opinionated bunch, that much is certain. And sometimes the joking and kidding between people that have a history of communicating and knowing something of each other's personalities can probably sound very rude and "cliquish" to an initial observer. The solution to this would be very neutral non-personal posts and replies. Something I think most of the members here do not want.

Just some thoughts.

 
I came from a small town in the midwest...and developed an uncanny ability to laugh at myself...

Your makeshift solutions post fall are the stuff memories are made of...and it's worth celebrating. (You could joke that you moved to town being in protective custody after the mob roughed you up! LOL!) I have this self depricating sense of humor in those kinds of situations...and it seems to bridge the gap really well. In fact, now that I live in a large city, it makes moving in and out of different groups really easy. People always comment on it.

Everyone loves a compliment...even the town's great cook.

When I lived in a small town, manners meant more. I wrote thank you notes, made a point of celebrating all the great things people did...and kept my mouth shut when they didn't go so well. Negative remarks are the stuff of legends and NEVER are forgotten. Besides, it's so much easier to laugh at the situation and celebrate all the good things people do. No matter where you live, people love positive comments and knowing their efforts are appreciated.

As for what to bring, I'm smitten on the chocolate dipped strawberries. Adults and kids alike love them...and they'll go perfectly with dirt cake. smileys/smile.gif

 
I also didn't realize it was a kid's party. Dawn, I hope we've cleared the air...

This forum is a bit like a small town, complete with occasional misunderstandings and personality clashes, but you're among friends here.

I can't imagine that the other ladies would be anything but delighted that you're attending.

 
I live in fear that one of my clients will read one of my rants. It has to happen sooner or later.

 
And the homemade oreos I posted are a real crowd pleaser for all ages. Your salsa is wonderful and

I think the perfect choice. I grew up in small town Indiana, and almost all the ladies canned and preserved, so a jar of your favorite preserves would be well received and might even open up discussion of home canning and you will have something very much in common with the the other ladies. Could be a nice ice breaker.

 
I never thought I'd be asking this, but how do you suspend the fish in the jello?

I think my kids (high schoolers) would getr a kick out of this!

 
Dawn - sorry to be on the tail end of this thread...being from Hicksville, MO, mySELF...let me add..

That all you have to do, my dear friend, is SHOW up and BE yourself! You have nothing to fear. You are a warm and giving woman who has compassion and love for those around you and that will shine though!

Our town is 3,400 people and I moved back here in '83 after living in Dallas and Southern Ca for 24 years but things hadn't changed much in all those years.

Take your chips and salsa or whatever you want and just be yourself! You are great!

I love you!

Gayle

 
deep breath sweetie, you'll be fine. as I learned, people in small towns are a bit more

cautious getting to know someone because you just can't walk away if things go wrong. it takes a little more time but they will get to know you, appreciate you and love you. keep it fun and simple and good. if there are children, why not make some of those sitdown sandwiches? not only would it be fun for the kids but it would keep them from running all over the place "-))

and, when you are healed, have a "ladies tea" some afternoon for them. it would be something different and fun for all of you. and.... if you really want to get to know them better, make it Long Island Iced Teas....

hang in there Babe, you'll do great!

big HUGS

 
Well, it seems I have moved to a mini Peyton Place...

after what I saw today, I will not have any more stage nerves. Seven women, all with two plus kids, mostly very rambunctious boys, racing around, hooting and hollering, finally one in tears so the mother of the child gathered them up and left. I was just watching all of this drama with my mouth open. Amazing. All very nice women and they do work tirelessly and with enthusiam and creativity. I enjoyed myself. I had been to another meeting this morning with my co-op friends, and had to rush home and make something. I didn't have chips or the makings for salsa, and I didn't have time to run to the store. I did have Buffalo Pretzel Nuggets and Buttermilk Ranch Pretzels, so I mixed them together, added some peanuts, and almonds, oil and Ranch Dressing Mix, the dry kind, and shook them up. They tasted like a Chex Mix kind of thing. It was perfect, easy to eat and not messy. These women were not there to eat, they were there to work. Oh and the Dirt Cake was for the women. Go figure. Thanks everyone for your kind words of encouragement.

 
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