Well, the year-end holidays have come and gone. It’s a relief in some ways and a big letdown at the same time. I had the same feeling when the final exams were over in college. So much effort – so much focus – and then it’s over. Exhilarated, exhausted, and somewhat empty. Now, what am I going to do?
After hosting two sets of relatives, I‘ll start by getting the house back in order. The place isn’t too bad – they were very considerate guests. The guest sheets and towels all need washing. And, of course, the guest bedroom and bathroom need to be aired out and refreshed – ready for newcomers.
Then there is all the leftover food we prepared. Why couldn’t they be a little impolite and eat that last cookie, lemon bar, or piece of chocolate cake? Hubby and I will have to eat them because I am far too frugal to throw them away.
As for special meals, we may have overdone it with a complete Mexican food fiesta for one set of guests and a Chinese dim sum dinner for the other. The dim sum dumplings were great fun to make as a culinary team. It was highly entertaining – sitting around the table together, each of us trying our best to craft such Cantonese delicacies as sui mai, won tons, and potstickers. Both authentic ethnic meals were delicious, but I won’t want to eat either national cuisine for some time. We still have a batch of handmade uncooked potstickers in the freezer!
One good thing about having so much company is that every pot, pan, and plate we own got washed at some point. I found dishes I never knew I had! That never happens with just Hubby and me – the same few pieces get used repeatedly. So now I won’t have to worry about cleaning out the cupboards for a while. It’s all been done.
Entertaining our much younger guests was a piece of cake – gag! – sorry, I should have said – easy. They loved to travel around our beautiful desert area, taking in all the sights that we take for granted, while Hubby and I mostly stayed home and prepared the meals.
Some evenings were quiet. Everyone was content to kick back in front of the fireplace, relax with their favorite drink, and enjoy stimulating conversation. Neither we nor our company wanted to play any board or table games, but we did watch some new release movies streaming on TV. It was all pretty low-key. And everybody got along beautifully! After all these years, we’ve all finally figured out what hot buttons not to push. It was a relief. We weren’t really on guard, but most of our family and friends have very strong opinions, so we have become expert at filtering – and avoiding the pitfalls.
The only holiday decorating I do anymore is purchasing a few poinsettias. I see they are still holding their own. Should I plant them outside, hoping for survival, which is possible in our soil and climate? Or should I let them die on the vine, which has been my historical modus operandi?
Several activities and events have already been scheduled for 2024. Some are good, and some not so good. Medical appointments fill up much of our calendars, but we are thankful to have access to such good medical care. Then, there are the ongoing household repairs and improvements. The first project is the installation of a new hot water heater. Actually, I can hear the water heater being installed as I write this post.
Serious life milestones also lie ahead. The first one, sadly, is a celebration of a dear loved one’s life – or funeral service – as we said in days of yore. Then, happily, two weddings are planned where we can wish each couple a long, successful, and happy life together. The last two weddings I attended resulted in divorces after very short marriages. I’m a little surprised I am still receiving nuptial invitations!
I’ve been cautioned not to wear white at the weddings. I did so at the last wedding I attended. (I wonder if that’s why they got divorced?) I got my ears pinned back by more than one attendee. I purchased the beautiful but offensive white outfit at an upscale California boutique. The stylish young clerk knew it was for a wedding and convinced me it would be perfect for the occasion. Maybe I should have mentioned the wedding would be in Minnesota – because, in that environment, it was a definite faux pas!”
Hearing of that disgraceful episode, my eldest granddaughter cautioned me to please not wear white when she got married someday as she – the bride – was the only one who should wear white. She’s now at the age where I can tease her, so I agreed to honor her apparel request if she promised to earn the right to wear white at her wedding. That shut her up for a while!
I have also been admonished not to wear red and never, ever wear leggings at weddings. “Gosh, would it be better if I just arrived naked?” I jokingly asked. The response – not entirely in jest – was, “You’re not the center of attention, Roberta. It’s not your day!”
Speaking of weddings, what gifts should I buy for those upcoming nuptials? One of them is easy because they have registries at Target and Amazon. I glanced at their list and realized these were the things every young couple needed to set up their home. If I am one of the first to purchase, I will have free reign.
The second wedding is more challenging. This is the second marriage for both bride and groom, and they are each on the far side of 50. They have requested a gift of money. That makes sense to me, as this couple already has tons of stuff. They don’t want any more stuff, and they don’t wish for gifts they may not like.
So, how does one graciously ask for money for a wedding gift? I was amazed at the amount of information online on this topic: When asking for gifts of cash, it is essential to ask gracefully. For example: “We can’t wait to celebrate our big day with you! Your presence is more than enough, but if you’d like to give a gift, we’d be overjoyed with a contribution towards our honeymoon fund.” – or any other fund they can think of – like a condo in Kauai! (Just kidding!)
You can also have friends and family spread the word that a cash gift is requested. I plan on doing that. I’m starting by writing about it in this very post. [Contact me for the remit to address.]
Not surprisingly, there are now cash registry sites. That certainly simplifies things. But how much should someone give? Of course, it depends on the relationship. I wonder if others can see how much one gives. That puts a damper on things, doesn’t it?
I no longer make New Year’s Resolutions. The last one I made was in 2022, and that resolution was never to cook another turkey. So far, I’ve held firm. I can actually sneak by the piles of turkeys without stealing a second glance. I’m not even tempted to look at them!
The big event we have planned for 2024 is a 93-day cruise throughout Asia and the Pacific. This part of the world was eliminated from our 2022 world cruise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we visited ports in the Middle East that were added to the itinerary. That was a good thing since those same Red Sea countries are in the middle of war and strife, and it may be years before they become cruise destinations again.
One of the movies Hubby and I watched over the holidays was “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I assume that most, if not all of you, have seen it. Although the main character’s dreams are dashed throughout his life, he realizes he has a wonderful life in the end. I think that rings true for most of us, but it’s hard to find that positive sentiment sometimes in conversations with other seniors revolving primarily around health concerns.
Then, I came across a quote from Abraham Lincoln. It was refreshing after hearing that trite, age-old question so often, “Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?” I’ve always responded to that conundrum, “I see the glass as being the wrong size!” So here is the quote from Honest Abe!
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
Amen to that!
To each of my faithful readers, I hope you have a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2024 and smell a lot of thorn bushes along the way!
6 Comments
Good luck on the 93-day Asian cruise! We returned a month ago from an 80-day Asian cruise, which certainly filled in the blanks left open on the world cruise. We started in wonderful Alaska, then to beautiful Japan, and points east ending in Sydney. We were surprised to find it was a ‘segmented’ cruise, meaning every two weeks a bunch got off and another bunch got on. Hovering around the equator produced incredible heat and humidity. The gazillion people on scooters everywhere was a little difficult at times. But it was a fascinating experience, and we have no regrets. It reinforced how blessed we are to live in the USA, even if we are a bunch of nuts.
As a good friend said to me last year when I was on the fence- yes/no on being old to take on a physical challenge: “You will not be any younger than you are today.”
Make every day count in 2024.
Thanks for reminding us how fruitful and fun it is to spend time with family and friends and it is never easy! I’m sure your fresh baked cookies help ease the initial awkwardness and tension lol.
You know it’s a great movie when you can watch it after a few years and still be moved knowing how it will end. Brave heart, Dumb and Dumber and Brian’s Song! 😂
Thanks for sharing!
I still say your white outfit was beautiful. The wedding outfit conundrum is nerve wracking. I may follow my grandson’s advice and wear gray sweatpants😂 I like the wedding where they say wear jeans. It is all ridiculous.
Am I the only person in America who has not seen “It’s a Wonderful Life?”
Yep, probably! You and my stubborn Mother-in-Law! She won’t watch it because she doesn’t like old movies! 🙄. Well, that’s okay. My husband and I have watched it at least once a year for the past 50 years, so that makes up for those who don’t watch it. Do yourself a favor, watch it ASAP. I guarantee you will not be disappointed! Happy New Year!