Happy New Year! It's 2017

Mr. Man and I welcomed in the year 2017 together, joining friends for a party and evening of celebration, food, cards and wine. It really was a nice beginning. New Years eve is usually spent at our house, looking at each other and eating sausage balls until we fall asleep.

The last REAL New Years eve party we went to, we were confined to a couch and forced to watch the broadcast of the mirror ball fall in New York City. We only knew the hosts, so it made for awkward conversation as the evening lacked alcohol, music or any entertainment except watching the children bang on the pots and pans with spoons. We left at 12:02 a.m. What a lovely difference this years party provided and how much better ringing in the New year with beloved friends makes!

Since I have retired from hospital work, I no longer have to worry about working the holidays, waking up early or waiting for a call to come in. It's been the biggest change in my life so far. An enormous relief and freedom from the all encompassing anxiety that filled my days leading up to work, at work, or recovering from work. I have a new found love for the holidays. I no longer have to spend them away from Mr. Man or hear about the days events second hand. Best is not having to watch the Rose Parade broadcast in bits and pieces throughout the days replays in patient rooms.

Spending the holidays at home mean I get to take my time decorating and planning. Now that they're all over, I've taken my time taking down the many, many Christmas decorations and trees. There seems to be more time to carefully pack it all away neater and more efficiently. I left up the lights until the last  because they bring such delight to me. All of them were put on a switch that could be activated with a touch of one button. Best invention ever for light fanatics like myself!  I would turn all the lights on before leaving my bedroom so the light display greeted me first thing every morning and uplift my spirit! Lit garland garnished with sprigs of Virginia Pin berries were all over  the doorways. Piece by piece, I packed Christmas away, encouraging the Nutcrackers to peacefully slumber until next year and the Santa's to stop their kicking and be good little guys during their hibernation in the bins. The house always looks so barren after clearing off the shelves of the masses of holly and décor. It all gets a thorough cleaning and vacuuming before the everyday décor goes back. Amazing how much dust accumulates over a month!

Today, I was smugly satisfied that no trace of Christmas remained. Its all back up on the high shelves in the closets, or packed and stored in the roof of the garage. I did the final dusting and rearranging of the dining. The letter I write to myself every year which congratulates me for surviving another holiday was already written and packed. (note to you all- writing a self affirming and positive revue of the holidays is a must. I even draw myself diagrams and included photos or magazine ideas of how the decorations worked best or what to try for the next year.  p.s.- I was awesome this year!)
Then I saw it. A large black plastic footing from the tree which is stored the highest up in the rafters. How could this have been missed? It's a foot long and BLACK!!   NOW what to do? It has been mocking me from the countertop where I left it. I've decided to put it into a large ziplock, and affix it to the inside door of the closet where the tabletop decorations are kept, writing myself a note about it. I don't think there are any other bits or pieces left out but if there are, they will join the tree foot in its plastic bag!

My wish to you all, near and far, friend, family,  Blog reader, is this....That 2017 will bring you renewed joy, improved health, a light spirit and the ambition to  spread goodness and kindness to everyone you encounter. May you be blessed and well loved.

Happy New Year!