HAPPY NEW YEAR 2104

2013 has been as busy going out as it was coming in. And in our house with just a few hours left – it still is!

Three decades ago, I was pouting and sulking on New Years Eve because I wanted to go out, but DH said “NO.”

Why you ask? Because New Years Day was my due date for our first born.

I wasn’t crazy, I didn’t want to hit the club, and do the hustle all night long (line dancing wasn’t out then), I just wanted to see a movie and maybe dinner afterwards but “it didn’t happen.” We stayed in with Dick Clark and watched the ball drop. True to form Tiffany arrived on New Years Day interrupting Lee and his plans to watch the Rose Bowl game (Karma – I love it) It was the second birth that day at the Army hospital. We lost the 1st place prize, a free washer and dryer – doodle-sticks!

It’s become a tradition since she’s an adult, that we meet for “brunch” and celebrate at the restaurant of her choice. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

In preparation for the birthday gathering, the Boys kept me company while I wrapped her presents…

Not sure if he’s helping or not

Or should I say, just got in the way…

Okay, now I’m sure: He’s not!

I have a box full of “all occasion cards” that I collect and keep on hand (love catching those sales at Hallmark) for various social events and when I went fishing in the box to get out the card I had been saving, Leo grabbed this one. I tried to tell him she wasn’t this old yet, but he insisted so I’ll give it to her anyway and tell her it’s from him…

Trust me, DS will get a huge kick out of this…

Before DH and I head out to church for Watch Night Service, I wanted to set up The Boys pawty corner so everything would be ready for them at the stroke of midnight. Harley was a lot of help…

Harley’s the one who insisted on the boas for the table

Poor “Disco Leo” (he loves to dance), thought the pawty was starting right then and there. He grabbed his hat, got his seat and waited for his treat and bubbly…

I had to give him a treat, I couldn’t tell him no. Look at that face…

We really don’t have a bunch of “resolutions” to list, share, attempt and then fail 90 days from now. But Harley did voice a few changes he’d like to see in 2014.

He said he wants to write more…

He wants to send out cards, submit more to the website, etc… He believes he has hidden literary talents we have yet to discover. I’m going to give him a shot at it and allow him more editorial leeway. He said he has “oodles and doodles” of stories to tell….

My “muse”

So he’ll start with the rebirth of Doodle*Licious (their quarterly e-newsletter). He said it’s scheduled to hit your inbox this month…

BEFORE WE GO, PLEASE LET ME SAY THIS: 2013 has been a year of struggles, trials and triumphs. People have won, lost, laughed and cried for one reason or another. We’ve suffered and we’ve been blessed, and no matter what – we are all here to start a new, in 2014. This is a gift, let’s unwrap it and rejoice.

My dear friend Scotty sent me a poster today, and The Boys and I have decided to make this our mantra for the entire year, because we plan to…

So come on, roll up your sleeves, let’s take this new year by storm. Are you with us?

Thanks for reading, see you next year…