Dilemma of Major Proportions

I have a dilemma of major proportions

Yes I got a haircut (see photo)
But that's not the issue this time

I have a reputation for throwing parties
I also have a reputation of never being on time
Combined, it's always a good idea to come later
than the time I specify
Or if you want to share my neurosis,
please come early

I clean off the dining room table when
I am expecting a crowd
I just throw the stuff in boxes or bags
Or move it to a nearby shelf
Last week, I went through one of the many
bags and boxes lying around the house
I had the opportunity to open some bills
from 2008

About 30 years ago, I threw a Surprise
Anniversary Party
I told the couple being celebrated to show up
at 3pm
I told everyone else to park on the next block
and get here at 2:30
About 10 people showed up
... at 2:30

I was preparing curry
The hard part was preparing condiments
I had peanuts, pickles, chopped egg, bananas, apples, scallions, yogurt, homemade
and store bought chutney, and a special hot sauce to liven up the mild curry I prepared
We laid it out on the table with the presents

3 o'clock rolled by
Then 3:30
By 4pm, we had eaten much of the condiments (as well as lots of bread)
We were worried and tried calling
They rolled in about 4:30
Their excuse: “Gary is always late and we had things to do, so we
decided to show up until around when dinner was ready”

That's not the dilemma
I will have Dennis with me and he is an “on time” person
I acquiesce
I just wanted to share some of my anxiety

Here's my Dilemma
Dennis ALWAYS wants to buy lunch
He must be prevented!
In the past, I could buy and he could stifle any attempt by the birthday boy
But, alas, these are leaner times and I need help

I gave them my credit card when I made the reservation
Any contributions you may want to make should be done without Dennis seeing them
If we don't connect on Tuesday or you don't have the bucks, I am OK until May 1st
So if I get some moolah by then all will be well with me and BofA

So far we have 8 confirmed
We have an infinite number of maybes
Sadly, Bettye has to work
It appears her employer does not know it's Dennis' birthday
I have begun a petition
We will miss her

Not so sadly for her, but Joanne is unable to make it too
She is in Hawaii, helping Dr. Thal while he is recovering from a serious infection
Alan has been hospitalized three times this year
I just likes the attention of the pretty girls
We are watching you Alan

I can't tell Dennis that Joanne will not be there until we get there
She, along with Carol, is the lure to get him to come out
Of course, Carol is all the lure one would need
Dennis tells a lot of puns and we need quantity in case someone faints from brain-scramble

So thanks for helping with this dilemma

I look forward to seeing everyone

ps        This may be my last email regarding Tuesday
            If I think of anything else
            I will keep it to myself