It's A New Year, A New Day

Hanging With The Neighborhoodlums

As we had planned for New Year's Eve, we stayed close to home. This is one of the benefits of having great neighbors.  We started two doors down at Sandee and Gerry's. We were missing a few neigborhoodlums.......Lauren and Jay- the youngin's- went down the road a bit and unfortunately, Tom and Joan missed this year with another offer in the next town.

That did not deter their friends Gail and Greg joining in on another New Year's with the Winnicutt Road Gang.  They walked into Sandee and Gerry's and said 'Where's Tom and Joan?', shocked that they would miss the fun. They would not believe us that they went somewhere else.

We did our best to carry on, beginning with a sing song around Sandee's piano. we sang a little of everything starting with a couple of Irish songs Sandee had found in her book, a little Dylan, the Beatles, John Denver, the neighborhood theme song of course- That's Amore, and we ended with God Bless America because everyone knows the words.

Then we took headed out, complete with flashing lights, New Year's horns, tin whistles, and champagne and walked the two houses up to our place.  As expected, more merriment followed. 

Sandee tested out her new wine aerator on Greg's wine. Two thumbs up from those drinking vino. I on the other hand, took my new cocktail mixer for another test run. This thing kicks butt.  Sister Gloria gave it to me for Christmas and she found it at Brookstone.  It not only mixes, but has an automatic motorized dispeser and light. Classic.

Gerry and Gar played YouTube DJs and we did some more singing as well as some dancing, including Gerry and Garrett doing their best Right Said Fred impersonation to 'I'm Too Sexy'. 

Greg and Gail had to leave just before midnight because they'd been away from home all day and needed to let the dog out.  Sandee had a quick lie down on the couch because she caught the dreaded bug. 

She recovered however, just in time for the Midnight toast.  I am peeking out from the back, donning the pink boa.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had as much fun as we did. Did you sing and dance too? Or did you play cards and games? Did you have a special meal, like my parent's bake stuffed shrimp? Did you make it to midnight?

Had a great day yesterday too at sister Di and bil Al's house. His family came down from Canada and we had a lovely roast turkey dinner.  We used to go up there for New Year's so it was nice to spend New Year's Day with them again. More on that tomorrow.

Here's a sneak peak..........Sistafriend Celine (bil Al's sister) got a Red Neck Wine Glass from Di and Al for Christmas! Too funny.

Sunrise Meadows

Beautiful sky this morning. Got up from bed just to get a shot of the pink clouds.

Have a great day in your corner of the world.

Ciao for now,

Manifesto for a New Year

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

Call me crazy, but I'm not very sad to see this past year go.  It hasn't been the easiest for many people I love.  I'm ready for some new energy. More positivity. A renewed focus on things that are important to me.  You know, all that comes with beginning a new year.

So here it is. My manifesto for 2012. I'm not big on the word 'resolution', only because it seems when you make them, you're so over them by February.  I want to think forward to the entire year and what I want out of it. The things on my manifesto will help me get there.

I'm sure I could have come up with other things if my head wasn't still full from this bug. That said, I will add to and take away as I see fit.

What about you? Got any dreams, goals, resolutions? Got a manifesto? I'd love to know. It may help me see that I've missed things on mind, and as I mentioned, it's a work in progress.

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve and thank you so much for spending time with me this year. It means a lot.



The New Year Is Nearly Here

Got Plans?

Our New Year's Eve plans are simple.  We're hanging with the neighborhoodlums. Well, some of them.  We'll be heading to Sandee and Gerry's - a big two houses away- to start the night singing around the piano.  The other neighborhoodlums are off to parties while Sandee, Gerry, Gar and I are hanging close to home.

After the piano session we'll probably end up here for more singing and some dancing to You Tube. We usually get the party basket down from the attic and find something silly - like masks and tinsel- to put on. There are also noise makers, but if there weren't we'd just use the pots and pans. Anything to make a little hoopla.

It's fun bopping around the neighborhood. One year we even wheeled a keg around in a wheelbarrow from house to house in a blinding snow storm. That's just how we roll 'round these parts.

I don't think we'll have a blinding snowstorm or a keg this year, but I'm sure we'll find a way to raise a little hell.

It's what we do best.

How about you?

Freeform Friday

Let me just be perfectly clear. Our dancing tomorrow night, will not look anything like this. However, we may pretend that it does. Click here if you are receiving by e-mail.

Have a great Friday and Happy New Year, a little early.  Don't forget to kick up your heels!