What a year, what a day, what a night and what a morning. We all know the new year brings a chance for us to start over, be reborn, or change something, or everything in our lives. In reality, it’s just another day, but psychologically, we’re conditioned to believe that it means something more. Who knows, maybe it does. Personally, I think if you really believe something in your mind, you can make it come true. In any case, it’s a chance for a new beginning, so let’s begin!
It’s beautiful outside this morning. Pink skies are resting over the snowcapped mountains surrounding the house. Before we throw away 2024, here’s a pic of the last sunrise of last year.
Yesterday went by fast. We ended up getting out of the house, for what we thought was our eight-person party, about 6:30pm. When we arrived at Gary and Jennifers, (yes, his name is Gary as I thought, more on that later), cars lined the road. At first, we thought we had the wrong house, but no, it was the right place. We walked down their icy driveway, Lori in 5-inch heels and all, to the front door. We knew there were way more than the eight of us for dinner. Apparently, word got out, and the party ballooned into 40 or 50 people. They had it catered, had live music and lots of people. We were first to arrive of our three couples. James and Addy showed up a few minutes after us and then Ben and Eleni a few minutes later. Jennifer is so sweet. She’s like 37 and Gary must be 55 to 60 or older. He met and picked her up in DIA (Denver International Airport) and married her, ha. Funny how people meet. She is in remission from cervical cancer and I’m not sure who all knows someone who has been touched by cancer, or for that matter, anything that makes you question your mortality, but it changes you, usually for the better. Her appreciation for life flows out of her and is infectious to everyone around her. You don’t wish anything bad on anyone, but the change in people who thought they might die, is remarkable. To be fair, she was always super sweet. Gary is a really good guy too. I met him a couple years ago at a party at Ben’s and knew his name was Gary, but James told me the other day his name was Greg. I even called him out then, saying, “no man, I think you’re wrong”. He was sure though that it was Greg. Wrong! I figured it out on the way to the party, thankfully, and told James as we were hanging outside having a cigar, “dude, his name is Gary”! He replied, in his own confused way, “oh yea, that’s right, I always get those two names mixed up”. Funny but no harm done. That kind of thing happens to he and I a lot, and yes, I’m almost always right!
We all had a blast hanging out together until 10 when the East Coast turned 2025 years old. Most people we didn’t know, but everyone was really nice to us. Before we left, Jennifer and Gary wanted a picture with James, Addy, Lori, me and Ben and Eleni. Some guy took 4 or 5 pictures of our group standing in front of their fireplace while everyone was staring at us. I’m sure it was because of James, but everyone was wondering who we all were and why the impromptu photo shoot. Now I hate having my picture taken and must have had 20 or 25 photos taken of me last night. It’s either because Eleni is a photo nut with her phone or because James and I are hanging together, and someone takes his picture, and I happen to be in it like I’m a lamp or something. I’m used to those kinds of pics with him, just hate having to pose for photos. Oh well, someday the kids can laugh at me. Most pics she took turned out like crap, but I’ll post one below so you can see us all. We all look horrible and are not even looking at the camera, but it is what it is.
The deer are outside eating bird seed right now. I think this morning we’ll head to the gym and then just hang out around the house. James, Addy, and/or Eleni might come over for tamales and to watch some football. Ben might try to go skiing as they leave the 3rd to go back to Palm Desert. Brian, my Partner, and Penelope, his girlfriend, arrive this afternoon in Denver and are driving up. Davy is hooking them up with their rental gear (skis and boots) so I might run into town to meet him around 6. If not, we’ll see them in the next few days.
Tomorrow night, ugh, we have dinner and Gerry and Marci’s. Obviously, we’re pretty busy. Jag and Ava come back next Monday or Tuesday. The Stock Show starts soon in Denver too! I want to go this year as I missed it the last couple years. Who doesn’t love a good rodeo!
Well, that’s it. Happy New Year to you all. Now go reinvent yourself or just sit back and be thankful for being here in the year 2025! Many are gone and if you do one thing this year, don’t take life for granted. Time to get moving, let’s go! God Bless.
