NOTE: The photos in this post are in no way related to Mexico; I'm not sure I've ever seen photos of that trip. These are a few pictures from our new home and environs - which we are loving; Vermont is absolutely perfect in every way.
Not sure I've ever written about it, but one of our best new year's memories, was the year Charlie and I went to Mexico with my Dad and his wife at the time, Gail. Dad and Gail came to visit us in San Diego, and on a whim, we put our two dogs, Monty and Molly, in a kennel and drove south of the border to Ensenada for a couple of days.
We'd ask strangers where they'd suggest we visit during our time in town, and they would personally escort us to all the different places that they thought were worth a visit. We were intentional about having fun and we did! We ate - we drank - we danced - we laughed with our new friends in Mexico and we had an absolute blast.
At one point, all the people around us started to count, "Cinco ... Cuatro ... Tres ... Dos ... Uno ..." and then the entire restaurant / bar / dance hall shouted, "FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!" And the four of us fell in to hysterics because while it didn't dawn on us in the moment, we quickly caught on that they were counting backwards ... five, four three, two, one - happy new year... in española!
Another memory of that trip, after Gail fell backwards in to an oversized plant pot because her legs were so tired from dancing and she may or may not have had too much tequila, was the four of us making our way back to the hotel room to play cards, and realizing that we were famished. So Charlie left us, at 2 AM, to peruse the streets of Ensenada and see what he could find to eat.
Looking back, that probably wasn't the wisest choice to send Charlie out alone, but he came back with heaping bags full of chips, salsa and street tacos and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. One: that he made it back to us. And two: that he came bearing FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD. We never did figure out what was in those tacos, exactly ... pretty sure it was some kind of meat ... but in that moment, it was the most delicious thing we'd ever tasted and we were so darn grateful for our brave hunter and gatherer.
The year was 1999 we partied like it. I doubt I'll ever have a New Year celebration that matches that one; don't physically think I could handle it ... but what a fun event for the memory banks. There's such truth in Prince's lyrics: "But life is just a party and parties weren't meant to last."
This past Thursday, Charlie and I went in for our COVID booster shots. We both got 'em on the same day, which we never would have done a few years ago when the kids were younger. Alas, they're older now and more capable of taking care of themselves - and us - so we thought this would be a good opportunity for our offspring to learn what it's like to care for us when we're infirmed, and scheduled the first available appointment. No surprise, we were both totally incapacitated for almost 18 hours. So instead of a rocking New Year's celebration, we laid around in our pajamas all day, cuddled under blankets and clutching cups of hot tea, and watched back-to-back movies. We introduced our kids to the legend that is Jackie Chan, and did less yesterday than we've done all year ... and it felt so, so good.
Because we don't have any furniture yet, we have moved our patio furniture inside, but it looks great and is a significant upgrade from our camping chairs. We also don't have a TV upstairs yet, either, so have been pinning a white sheet up against the back wall and using our projector for the ultimate in-home theatre experience.
At this juncture, we're so incredibly focused and happy with what we do have: Our health, our family, our faith, our new home, our sense of adventure, and this totally exciting new chapter of life which just keeps getting better - and better. I'll close this post with a verse that I included in our annual holiday letter:
The most important lessons we've learned this year, is to never forget your value or worth... sometimes, taking that huge leap of faith, while very frightening, can be akin to a second birth.
Also, remember, to always breathe deeply, and give abundant thanks to the gifts from above... and the universe will continue to unfold as it should - when you fill your days with love.
Life continues to be amazing, wonderful, and as beautiful as we believe and see it to be... it is our holiday wish that you feel all the love and good wishes we are sending to thee.
Feliz Año Nuevo, amigos! May you dance - love - live - and enjoy your best year, yet.
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