I am fairly sure that this will be my last post of the year, unless something unbelieveably exciting happens, and as I think about the odds of that, I feel more than sure that this is it for 2006. I’d like to go out with a bang, but the odds for that aren’t looking great either.
P and I have some good friends that have a gorgeous ranch down in South Texas. This is where P spends most of his weekends during hunting season and also where he killed the elk that has brought us hundreds of pounds in meat. Many years ago, it became New Year’s tradition to spend New Year’s Eve at the ranch.
The guys would build a big bonfire and we’d all cook dinner, shoot off fireworks and just generally hang out. It was always a lot of fun and as the years have gone by the majority of the once single guys have acquired wives or at least significant others so the group has definitely grown in size. In fact, I think that around sixty people are expected this year.
Part of this whole New Year’s experience includes staying up most of the night which in my pre-child days was great because I’d just sleep the next day. Now…not so much.
The rest of the group doesn’t understand this because they haven’t yet had children. For them, sleep isn’t a premium luxury item, it’s just a day to day occurrence that they can do WHENEVER they want. Ahh, what sweet kids.
I find some consolation in the fact that years from now, P and I will be the ones doing the sleeping while they will all be in the throes of the years of sleeplessness, otherwise known as it’s a good thing my kid is so cute because this is hell.
Anyway, Friday night P and I went down to the ranch while Caroline spent the night with Mimi and Bops. The plan was that I would spend the night, leave the next morning and then come back with Caroline on New Year’s Eve so that we could spend the day together and all drive back later that night after dinner.
We left for the ranch about 1:00 Friday afternoon. We had a great time. We hung out with friends, we hunted while sitting in a luxurious deer blind complete with padded, executive style chairs and M&M’s, and then headed back to the house for a great fajita dinner. Good times.
At some point, however, it began to dawn on me that this crew was planning on staying up until all hours because none of them had to drive home and pick up a toddler the next day and then spend the rest of the day entertaining that toddler. And in a move that confirmed that I am, in fact, so far removed from being the life of the party at this stage of my life, I asked P what he thought about me driving home so that I could sleep in my own bed.
Keep in mind that calling my name was not only my own bed, but a silent house that wouldn’t have anyone calling out for me in the wee hours.
He agreed that it was probably a good idea because he knows that I value sleep above all else and therefore he values it for me because it makes his life easier. I bid everyone a fond farewell and explained I was going home to get a good night’s sleep.
And also take some Metamucil and clean my dentures.
I arrived home safe and sound, put on my favorite pajamas, and climbed into my fabulously, warm bed complete with clean sheets. And then, as if on cue, it started to rain outside.
I’m telling y’all it was pretty close to my idea of what heaven must be like.
So, this morning Caroline and I are headed back down there to spend New Year’s Eve, but I promise that we’ll all be home sound asleep in our own beds when the New Year actually comes in.
Speaking of the New Year, I think my only resolution (since I don’t really make resolutions) is to try to eat better and factoring in how I’ve been eating throughout the holidays, it should be pretty easy seeing as how I can’t possibly eat worse.
I’ll just show restraint and say things like “Oh no, please just six sugar cookies with a small side of toffee for me. I’m eating healthier in 2007.”
I wish y’all a blessed 2007 full of great things. Thanks for reading and for all of your wonderful comments. I’ve loved getting to know so many of y’all during 2006.
Happy New Year!