So I think I will attempt to recall some of the past events of New Year's Eve. My memory is sketchy at best. It's certainly not because I drank too much, because I've never been a raging alcoholic. I guess this is kind of a challenge to myself, a brain exercise so to speak.
Alright, let's flex that mental muscle. Hmmm...
1997 -> 1998 my first year of college. Don't remember. Probably hung out with my older sister (and roommie at the time) Janice and her friends. Maybe one of my best high school friends, Luke (I remained good friends with him through the first year of college and after that we drifted apart).
1998 -> 1999 this was the year I studied in Manitoba, Canada. Back for Christmas break, I met my new twin nephews for the first time. Hung out Janice and her friends. Kinda had one of those mutual attraction things with one of those friends, Steve. He's the one I kissed.
1999 -> 2000 spent that evening in Michigan with my loser boyfriend at the time, Rob. What a waste of breath that guy was!
2000 -> 2001 don't really remember. Guess that mental muscle isn't working particularly well. Had graduated earlier in the month and was living with the parents while looking for a job.
2001 -> 2002 end of first semester at grad school in the deep South (Alabama). I know I visited the family in Indiana for Christmas, but I can't remember if I returned to Auburn before or after the New Year. My good friend Nancy would've been in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), visiting her own family. What did I do?
2002 -> 2003 once again can't remember. Jaume and Marta, the Spaniards, returned to Spain and married for legal reasons. They planned the ceremony for April. Nancy was in Edmonton. Me? Either in Indiana or Alabama. Told you that memory is unreliable! Maybe I have pictures somewhere?
2003 -> 2004 had graduated from Auburn and was once again back in Indiana searching for a real job while working temp. Probably another time with Janice and friends (didn't keep in touch with anyone from high school myself, so I barely knew anyone in the area anymore). Most of my siblings lived near or in Indianapolis. Jim (brother) and his wife Becky had lived in a growing community north of Indy. Sarah (sister) and Levi had married in August and moved to an apartment south of downtown Indianapolis (later purchased a house nearby). Tom (brother) and Tami (now sister-in-law) lived near downtown Indy (now they live near Tampa, Florida). Michael (younger brother) lived in Indy as well, on the north side (he has since moved to Chicago).
2004 -> 2005 still looking for a "real" job (while working at Purdue). Wow, my memory is lousy!!
2005 -> 2006 had moved to Omaha, then purchased my house in Iowa and moved there. Took the week off between Christmas and New Year's Eve to spend with family in Indiana. Think maybe I went out to a bar with Janice.
2006 -> 2007 dating Josh, the Army guy. Pissed off at him because he wouldn't come with me to see my family for Christmas. Flew by myself to Indy but returned before New Year's Eve. Josh picked me up in the crappy Mazda (had wrecked the Ranger in November). He had injured his back when he slipped on the ice on the back step of my house while I was gone. He wasn't particularly mobile. He didn't want to go out anywhere for New Year's Eve. Definitely very grumpy. We stayed at my house and watched the ball drop on TV. Wow, can't beat that for excitement! :-P
2007 -> 2008 drove all the way to North Carolina to pick up both Josh (Ft. Bragg) and little puppy Quimbalina (Asheville). Actually, Josh picked her up for me from the breeder and had her with him in the barracks when I arrived in Fayetteville. Got a little sleep, then we headed out on the road back to Indiana. I had left my truck with the parents and borrowed my dad's car (Taurus) to get better gas mileage. Rainy in the mountains of Virginia/West Virginia. Visited my brother Jim and his family, stayed for Christmas with my parents, then to Sarah's house for the traditional gift exchange. From there we drove back to Iowa, stopping near Des Moines to visit with Josh's grandparents (mother's parents I think) for dinner. Continued on to see his other grandmother before finally pulling up at my house pretty late, puppy in tow. We took Quimbers with us everywhere while Josh was around. I hadn't yet named her, just called her "Puppy Girl." Visited with his sister and her husband (I never liked the husband) several times (they don't live far from me). Had dinner New Year's Eve at a tiny restaurant in the small town north of me. Once again stayed in for the evening and watched TV (Josh didn't want to go out).
Quimby sleeping on the floor at my feet on the ride to Indy from NC
My nephews enjoyed meeting Quimby (L->R Matthew, Benjamin, Gregory)
I love this one because of how cute Quimby looks, ready to play football with the boys (L to R the ex (Josh), Matthew, Gregory)
Hard to believe now, but at one time Quimby was smaller than my brother Jim's Cocker Spaniel, Scruffy (Jim is the one with the three boys)
2008 -> 2009 had split with Josh in the spring. Had plans with someone, the jerk no-showed on me. Went out with my friend from India, Sudhir, and two of his buddies (also Indian). Had dinner at a Greek place in Omaha (or was that when we went to the Mexican restaurant in South O? One of them we went to for Halloween). Ended up at a gay-friendly dance club downtown (my first such experience, having lived primarily in very conservative areas). Danced some, but it was extremely hot and steamy on the dance floor. Gave Sudhir a quick kiss at midnight. Can't remember if I kissed the other two guys or not...
...That brings us back to the present evening. No desire to go to a bar and spend the evening with a bunch of drunk strangers. Maybe I'm just getting old, although I've never been extremely into the drinking and partying scene. Supposed to be well below zero tonight, so too cold to enjoy the full moon as Julie had suggested (at least outside). I'll probably just go home and play games on the computer while little Kit Kit curls up next to me.
However you spend yours, have a wonderful time. I wish only the best to everyone in 2010! May the New Year fulfill the dream of better days and better times ahead for all.
2 comments:
Sounds like you're about where I am--tired of dealing with the BS from the boys. People think it's odd that I'm perfectly happy alone, but really, there's not much out there that tops taking a nice, long hot bath and sipping on a glass of wine for New Year's Eve :))
Yes, people think there must be something wrong with you if you aren't dating and have no interest in doing so. Or you MUST be a lesbian! ;-) I really enjoy living by myself and not having to compromise on anything, because I get my way all the time :-) Oh, and I'm also happy that I don't have to deal with a couch potato watching football, basketball, baseball... all year 'round (grew up with that). Cheers to strong single (by choice) women!!
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