What Do You Get When You Mix a 6 lb 12 oz Can of Potatoes and 6 Women?

Thursday, November 5, 2009....


You get amazing conversation and food collected for a good cause.

Last month, I decided to extend the Weight Watcher promotion of donating a pound of food for every pound lost by inviting friends over for a tasty dinner (well, I hope it was -- no one died and many have signed up to come for November's dinner). Because I lost 6lbs, every guest was to bring 6lbs of food for my local food pantry.

One friend, D, went shopping at Restaurant Depot where all food is larger than life and among the items was a 6lb 12oz can of sliced potatoes. I'm not a restaurant owner, so, I was both intrigued and amused by the can (yeah, I'm sometimes easily amused at stupid stuff).

I think I was so amused by it because I couldn't imagine Bill and I sitting down for a 7 lb meal of potatoes. Last I knew, we weren't giants.

Know what the best part of the can was? The recipe for scalloped potatoes on the back.

The conversation at the table was mixed, but at some point focused to a guy my friend met online. He was affectionately named 'Seahorse Guy'.

She hadn't met him, but he already told her that he raised seahorses as a hobby. He explained the process to her and my gf, D, blurted out something like "Oh. My. God. What a boring guy."

Personally, I was amused by Seahorse Guy, but I like quirky people (although, I think dating a guy who went on about his love of raising seahorses would be too much for even me to handle).

I really loved D's comment. She's been married almost 20 years and hasn't dated since college. She doesn't have a clue of what it is like to date in your mid to late 30s. If she did, she might have thought he wasn't half bad.[Before I get slammed with comments about women being whack jobs, I'm only speaking from my experience -- seriously, one guy (8 minute dating event) told me he likes his job because he likes to be in big trucks -- I thought I was on Sesame Street. Needless to say, I did not choose to see him again]


I also learned it is the male seahorse that gives birth and a bunch of other factoids that have quickly left my head.

Since the dinner, my friend, L, has gone out with the Seahorse Guy and she's coming to my next dinner. She mentioned she was going to take a break from dating for a bit, but am looking forward to her misadventure with him.

When I dropped off the food, the reason for the dinner sunk in. The waiting room was packed. People in line for food, others for winter coats and when I handed the volunteer the food, I was asked what church I was from. It's probably because of my angelic looks.