Here's something you won't read about in a "lifestyle" magazine or see on one of the "lifestyle" channels: sometimes, things go wrong when you entertain. Sometimes, lots of things go wrong during the same event.

Take the graduation party I threw yesterday. In the morning, the most wonderful person helped me sent up my party tent (10' x 20'). Despite not having the instructions, we managed to assemble it quite quickly (and made notes for next time).

It was a lovely spring day. Unfortunately, it was also quite windy. Windy enough to blow the ten into the bushes and cause some bending and even tearing of the metal structure. We did right the tent and anchor it with logs, but throughout the party, whenever the wind blew strongly, we'd have to grab the poles to hold things in place. Before I use the tent again, I'll research better systems for anchoring (and check the weather report for wind speeds).

The dinner supposed to begin at 6:30 actually got started around 8. That's why you have backup lighting solutions.

Then, we had a major flare up on the gas grill. In common parlance — a fire. Once again, the most wonderful person came to the rescue, pulled the meat off the grill, turned off the gas, closed the grill to kill the flames, and gave it a good douse with baking soda. Tragedy averted.

Then, we had the liquid explosions, as soda and wine spilled across the tablecloth and some guests. We mopped what we could, soaked what we could, and did a load of laundry immediately after the party ended. That quick action seems to have kept any stains from setting.

Now, the problems at your events will differ. Any time you host people, any number of things can go wrong. But, if you accept the fact that events are only perfect in magazines and television shows where you get multiple takes, you'll enjoy hosting a lot more. You just address the problems as they arise and keep the focus on hospitality. You won't make HGTV, but your guests will be happy — and that's the point!