Seeing in the New Year

We started our New Year's celebration with Jaime and Aaron coming to visit. We stayed up late visiting Thursday evening, then next morning, off to the Downtowner for breakfast with Derek and Amy, a browse around Reta's antique shop, and a trip to the grocery store. I ran from bank to library to post office, getting the final report for my grant mailed in--I wanted that off my plate before the new year arrived.

Friday was such a pretty day that we sat out on the deck when we got home, and I watched Jaime's needles fly as she knitted and we visited.The phone rang, and it was Susan--she was free for the weekend and could she come down? Of course she could, and did.

We went to Derek and Amy's for the bonfire and New Year's Eve party. the night was perfect: not too cold, not too muddy, plenty of food and happy people.

Cassie and Jordan sang and we watched the flames burn all the troubles that had been mailed in as we waited for midnight.

The kids were getting tired (and so was I!) so we headed home about 1:30, but sat up until well after 3:00 am, just talking. We haven't seen Susan and her children since August so we had plenty to catch up on. 

We started earlier than I expected the next morning, because someone called at 9:00am on New Year's morning to wish us happy new year. It felt like the middle of the night, but of course the phone woke everyone so we made coffee and started on breakfast: pancakes with pear or raspberry syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and cider, along with lots of coffee. Over breakfast Susan mentioned that she had not yet seen Mothman or Point Pleasant, and neither had Aaron or Jaime. Since we had no real plans other than to eat cabbage, and it was a gray and misty day anyway, we took off on a road trip. (My camera had to stay home because I couldn't find it--it was still buried in the stuff we'd brought home from the bonfire.)

We had a great time, looking at the statue, walking along the mural painted floodwall, poking around in Tu-Endi-Wei Park, and then eating at a Mexican restaurant (the only place open, apparently, except McDonald's). The rain hit in earnest as we arrived at the restaurant, so the warm food was welcome.

After dinner we headed home to cook ham and cabbage and eat dinner with the golfers (Derek, Amy and Jared) and Haley. Dinner wasn't quite as elaborate as I'd planned, but it was mighty good. I scored 65 cents out of my serving of cabbage, so I am expecting big money this year! Bedtime came a little earlier on this night, and everyone was soundly sleeping by midnight--except Larry, who started a part-time job last week, working from 10pm-4am. I know, what hours! But he likes it and he's the one that matters.

By early afternoon on Sunday all our company was gone and the house was still and orderly once again--well, sort of.

Since the boys grew up Larry and I have been home alone on New Year's Day, seeing the year in quietly after the evening bonfire. This year we started off on a different foot--road trip, the house full, lots of activity and children around--and it was a blast. Who knows what this year will bring? With my coming retirement, we may indeed be traveling a lot more, seeing our grandchildren, having more company and seeing more places. If New Year's Day is any indication, it should be a year to remember.