12 Oakdale

Resolution for 2025 - be more social. I could hardly be less, so to that end, we invited our neighbors and Steph et al for drinks and appetizers* New Year’s Eve. At 5:00 PM. I didn’t completely loose my mind and consider staying up until midnight. No, Gracie and I were happily tucked in bed at 10:30, listening to the fireworks. The theme parks started their shows, which we can hear but not see, at 6:30. Across the street, Vanessa and Ross shot off some at 9:00 for their daughters and friends. Gracie shot to the window to see what was happening. After that, she retreated to our bed, seeming unconcerned. I was surprised. The rest of the evening, especially 11:00 - 1:00, was a continuous thump from houses around the lakes. No need for the city to spend money when all the local residents will spend theirs. Grant came to bed eventually. His foot is still really sore, and it is swollen all the way of his calf. He got a by from exercising from Denny this week, which meant I got all the attent...

Well, that was an underwhelming New Year’s Eve. Since it was Sunday night, no college bowls to watch. In the NFL, the Greenbay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings, 33-10. Never a doubt as to who would win.  After, I wanted to see the ball drop in Times Square. As we struggled with the TV streaming service here, I got out my iPad and watched Paul Anka sing John Lennon’s “Imagine”. Then, it was time for the count down. The glittery ball was not impressive on an 11” screen, but 2024 was here. At least on the East Coast. Since we’re on Mountain Standard Time, it was only 10:00 PM. However, the household is on baby time, as well it should be, so we followed Molly and Spaulding to bed. Maybe a champagne toast today. My 2023 resolution was to catch up and stay caught up on reading my magazines, which I did. There are a couple of new ones waiting for me to come home, but I’ve developed a satisfying routine of reading an article in one or two each morning, What to do this year? I’m enjoying ...