Twice this yomtov season, I've been offered guests and turned them down (once we didn't want guests and once I simply didn't have the food.) Today, a third person called, sent by our rabbi. I can't turn down a third - it's in the house and I haven't shopped yet at all. She wanted either Tuesday or Wednesday lunch. I'm doing eggs/dairy for Tuesday lunch, but she didn't want that. And a good thing, because she's bringing two others. Although, asking for a meal and then turning up one's nose at what's offered...*shakes head*.

So. She's coming on Simchat Torah. Which means a complete change in plans for me. I am *still* making chicken paprikash because now that I'm feeding five people, not two, a big one pot course is best,but now I need a dinner for Tuesday night. Ah, maybe I'll just make chicken breast fillet - fast, easy and not too heavy for 10PM.

And she won't meet us at synagogue, so I had to give her an approximate time to show up at the house, too. Which I didn't know and couldn't guess as her phone call woke me up and my head was spinning and...wow.

I'm going to have to be a gracious hostess to three strangers who probably won't expect my somewhat messy house and idiosyncratic meals. Or, given the conversation, some of my vocabulary. On the most stressy holiday of they ear for me.

I'm guessing there's a reason for this.