Ours was utterly quiet, although not unpleasant :). Both kids were off doing their own NYE celebration so the house was nice and calm. We ate dinner, chatted, then he went to sleep early and I read for awhile. Boring? Maybe but also a moment to cherish being secure in our lives and with so much for which to be grateful. Actually, our New Year's reminds me of the lyrics to one of my favorite Carly Simon songs, Misfit: There are plenty of late nights If you want to stay up for them You'll just want to find yourself a friend And tie a couple on in a night spot Draw pictures of your soul, win the jackpot Pour tears in your beer It's hip to be miserable when you're young and intellectual In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit Come on home with me We'll turn on the TV About 10 o'clock we'll turn off the light Not every man was born to stay up late at night There are plenty of boats to catch If you notice all the sails in the wind But you better look hard my friend In case you catch a ride on the wrong one In the distance is the one you belong on Oh the water is wide It's hip to be miserable when you're young and intellectual In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit Come on home with me We'll sit under a tree And if you get the itch I'll supply the scratch Not every man was born with a boat to catch It's hip to be miserable when you are young and intellectual In a bit you'll admit you're a misfit A misfit

Rita, there was lots of melted butter. Linda, Pam, I got over being squeamish years ago. It is a lot cheaper to cook your own than order it in a restaurant. Especially when you want more than one each. And after the first time, the "deed" becomes much easier. Dixiedog, I steam them more than boil. Ann

We'll go out for an early dinner of Mexican food, maybe with friends (and with or without their children), maybe not. New Years Day I cook prime rib for just the two of us...tradition these days. I never again plan to sit around New Years Day sleepless, with a headache from the night before trying to be interested in football, have outgrown that for good :) For many consecutive years we went to the same party at the same club. Finger foods only, lots of alcohol and a band....while we aren't the types to sit on differences and peeves to let them out (publicly) all at once, it was surprising how often friends did just that, and New Years Eve got so it could almost be counted on to be 'fight night' with one couple or another. No thanks, no drama, no more :)

I'm off to the First Night celebration in Monterey. One of my favorite bands is going to play this year. Don't know how well I'll do with my hearing out in one ear but I'm going anyway. I used to hate traditional News Year Eve celebrations. I'd have to be running a fever to miss First Night. First Nights are held throughout the country. No drunks,cool art and music venues and happy people. If you have one near...GO. Here is a link that might be useful: First Night