just smile and nod

Number two son, Seth, the beautiful, funny boy. I asked him this past Saturday, while he was knee deep in cartoons and hot cocoa, if he'd like to run to Sears with me to buy sweeper bags. He said, "As tempting as that is, I think I'll pass." Point taken. I would've passed, too, except that more guests were coming on Sunday, the kind you have to sweep the carpets for. The whole thing was fairly regrettable--spending Saturday morning buying sweeper bags as well as the guest visit (not the wonderful friends who visited earlier in the week). While intelligent and funny, and while married to a very nice and interesting guy and having a delightful little son, this aquaintance, I've decided, is one of the most whining, complaining, negative people I've had the opportunity to spend time with. The next time this particular aquaintance calls to tell me they are passing through and would like to spend the night I am going to say, with exactly Seth's emphasis, "As tempting as that is, I think I'll pass."