Happy 2018. As usual, I’m late to the party. There’s a reason.
Kinda not starting the way I planned but it’s all good!
Last night, after finishing my last blog post of the year, about my wigs, Bonaparte and I sat down to a couple of Kir Royals to toast the last evening of 2017 and to enjoy a nice dinner.
2017. The year I “Got Wiggy” with it!
After dinner, a quiet evening of watching TV to ring in 2018. Let me start off by saying that New Year’s Eve is not my favorite holiday. I find it a bit sad and melancholy and there always seems to be a sense of forced celebration–you know, everyone has to be at a party or gathering. I just wanna be home in my pajamas!!
Tchin Tchin! A quiet way to celebrate the end of 2017 and the beginning of a new year!
Oh…and I made escargot. Those snails–they are so delicious!
Besides that, the song “Auld Lang Syne” makes me cry. Between Judy Garland singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in Meet Me in St. Louis and anyone who belts out Auld Lang Syne, I’m a human cannon spewing out tears and sobbing hysterically.
Happy New Year, from Bonaparte and I to you!!!!
Bonaparte suggested watching a new French series on Netflix. The series, “La Mante” is a thriller starring Carole Bouquet as an imprisoned serial killer who has been asked to assist in a series of murders. This show is creepy AF! It was so creepy that I woke up in the middle of the night after having a bad dream. And that is how I welcomed the New Year!
Got Netflix? Might I recommend La Mante if you aren’t the faint of heart! Carole Bouquet is so creepy–the entire series is creepy. I’m scared!
Moving on, my plan was to wake up early this morning and write a blog post to welcome the New Year. It was also my plan to work on organizing my planner and start to track my eating habits in my food journal. And as I took the first sip of the first cup of coffee for this new year, Bonaparte gave me some news.
This is how far I got this morning..
My stepdaughter lost her car key. That’s not so bad. The bad thing is that she lost her key somewhere on the beach. She and her husband and daughter welcomed the New Year at their new place down the shore. (Note—this is why I have always carried a spare key to my car in my wallet or purse at all times).
My blog post was delayed. However, I did manage to take my diet journal and my planner with me so that I could do some journaling and planning in the car.
This is how far I got with the planner. Maybe later this evening I’ll work on it some more!
Did I ever mention that when my husband drives he envisions himself as racing in the Grand Prix in Monaco?
Did Grandpere Jacques-Henri Lartigue have a premonition about his grandson’s driving prowess? For the record, that is not Bonaparte and me–it’s some Lartigue French relative and friends.
I couldn’t write. But I did nag. I nagged him because he was driving way too fast. Now, understand, I am a very compliant driver. I follow the rules of the road. Driving is a privilege that I take seriously and I only go over the speed limit when I am fully aware that there are no cops on the road.
And about an hour-and-a-half into our drive down the shore, it seemed as though my car (Yes. He was driving my car) lifted off the road and was airborne. The result of a super-sonic speed.
Then it happened. A State Trooper was sitting off the road in his car and Bonaparte couldn’t slow down fast enough. The lights went on, I started yelling and getting all drama-queen and Chippy rolled his eyes in the back seat. There is a good chance that the State Trooper heard my hysterics. I was beside myself because I’ve never gotten a ticket in this car. My car has a clean record and I actually forgot that it is the driver, not the car that gets the ticket.
I must admit, this State Trooper didn’t even look old enough to drive. But it didn’t stop me from acting like a crazed lunatic. On the verge of tears, I explained that my car had a clean record and my French husband had a memory lapse and thought he was back in France, actually, Monaco in the Grand Prix.
The Trooper was very kind and smiled as he told me to calm down and everything was ok. Then he asked Bonaparte if her realized he was going over 90 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. I interrupted, because I do that so well, and explained our situation. Then I went on to say how much I respect officers because my own father was a NYC Police Officer and I whipped out my dad’s old PBA card.
This was one of the last things my dad gave to me before he died. I think he knew I would need it. And it’s come in handy ever since 1992!
The conversation took a rather pleasant turn as Bonaparte did not receive a ticket. But that didn’t stop me from reminding my Frenchman that he needed to slow down—and I reminded him the remainder of the drive.
And as we drove off, I blessed myself and said a prayer of thanks to my father, I swear he was watching out for us.
My dad–and yes, I changed the words of the “Our Father” prayer to “My Father”…hallowed be his name for getting us out of a ticket!
We arrived at the house, handed over the keys and didn’t stay long as Bonaparte wanted to get home. He’s not fond of the cold weather you know. I would have stayed all day…and overnight…perhaps until the weather warmed up!
The house is absolutely adorable….
But I just couldn’t understand why my step daughter insisted on showing ME the outdoor shower? I think she’s afraid that I’ll spend hours in the bathroom getting ready!
The thing is, I’m glad we took the drive. I find the beach/shore very tranquil during the winter months when nobody is there. I like the solitude.
A lonely wooden sailor stands alone outside a restaurant that is empty now but will be thriving come May..
The bay is like the frozen Tundra..
No signs of life…
..except for the person manning this toll booth and he didn’t seem to happy to be working today!
All is quiet and dormant.
Closer to home as the Philly skyline comes into view on this New Year’s Day!
So that’s why I’m late to the party. It’s late afternoon on this New Year’s Day. Tomorrow I’ll start taking the decorations down and once again, things will return to normal.
Ain’t gonna lie. I miss the kids. I miss the activity but I’ve got lots to look forward to for this coming year.
And here’s what I wanted to say earlier:
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!
I’m late to the party but I wish everyone the best for 2018!
There will be no resolutions because I always manage to break them. There will be no goals because I never manage to reach them. There will be no expectations because—well, just because!
But—I will try. Because to try is the best I can strive for. I will try to be a kinder person. I will try to focus. I will try my best to write. I will try, for my daughter, not to get all politically upset! I will try to be a better person because that’s all I can do for this new year.
And I thank each and every one of my Atypical60 friends for reading about my misadventures and my failures and successes. Thank you for making me feel better when I’m not doing well. Thank you for your support and engagement. Thank you for laughing with me and thank you for “listening” to my rants. Also—thank you for enjoying my reviews and I will try to keep you entertained during 2018!
Best to all of you for a healthy, happy, and successful new year!
Here’s a nice song for you. John Mayer’s 83. It’s the year I became a mom and when I listen to it, I think of my oldest son!
Happy new year 😊
Thank you Chantel–and a happy and blessed New Year to you too!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Bonne Annee 🍾
Merci Sharon!!! Bonne Annee to you too!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Happy new year and you’re doing great – just dont worry about being a this or a that, just be exactly who you are, like I tell my kids – you cant improve perfection 🙂 Any new years resolutions can be made whenever, for now I am just focused on being grateful for random stuff in 2017 and seeing whatever 2018 brings (a trip home to NZ to see the nearly 90yr old mother in mid march for starters), and I am going to blog regularly – thats about as far as I go
That’s about it Juliet! We can only go as far as we can go!!! Resolutions just don’t work for the majority of us–so trying helps!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Hi Cathe! I so enjoyed this blog post. Sorry about the loss of the key…but hey, I think we have all done that. Last time I did it….I was only a thousand miles from home(lost the car keys). LOL. Glad Bonaparte didn’t get a ticket and sully the reputation of your car. I love reading your blogs and watching your YT videos. Hope that 2018 is the best year ever. All we can do is be the best we can do….and it’s always a journey. Happy New Year! ~~Karen
Hey Karen! Happy 2018 to you!!! Yeah–thankfully, Boaparte knew where her spare key was and we ended up having a nice day!!! Thank you and I wish the best for 2018 for you as well my friend!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
My New Year’s Day didn’t go as I planned either! Because our heat pump doesn’t like to work in this bitter cold, it was 62 degrees inside the house this morning and the sliding glass door to the yard (where my dog Yoko does her business) was frozen shut, complete with ice inside! That was just the start of the derailing of my plans. But I think your detour was a bit more enjoyable, and makes for a better story! So let’s both agree to start our New Year tomorrow, with all of our writing and planning. Happy New Year! Xoxo
Hi Lori! OMG. Why does this $hit always happen in winter? I agree–actually it is tomorrow as I write this and the year already got better!!! Happy New Year Lori!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Wow, Roman looks EXACTLY like his Grandaddy ! A Peaceful new year to you all.
J xx
Jilly. You got that right. Everyone is amazed at how much they look alike. At a family wedding a few years back, three of my aunts started to cry because they were overwhelmed at the resemblance. And when the kids were young, before I went to bed at night, I would stop in each of their rooms to kiss them goodnight–even though they were asleep. In Roman’s room, the streetlight reflected into the spot where his head was on the pillow and so many times I would look at him and literally see my dad. It’s incredible–isn’t it???? XOXOXOXO!!!!
A lovely post, touchingly and beautifully written. A very happy new year to you and yours! L
Hi Liliane!!! Thank you so much!!! I’m happy that you enjoyed this post and a very Happy New Year to you and your family!!! XOXXOXO!!!!
Thank you so much for the Netflix recommendation! We loved Paranoid and have been debating back and forth on La Mante, so I think we’ll probably go ahead and binge it this weekend. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Hi Keri. Oh. You have to binge on La Mante and tell me what you think. It’s creepy AF but Carole Bouquet is really, really good!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I lived in Ocean City and Seaville NJ back in the early 80’s and LOVED the off-season months— as you said, so tranquil and relaxing! Another stroll down memory lane, courtesy of Catherine. Your blog is like comfort food to me. Happy New Year to you and Bonaparte—love the pic of you both!
Deb!!! I grew up out on Long Island and spent my childhood surrounded and close to the beach. Even when I lived in NYC, I was never more than an hour away from a beach. The beach is soooooooo important to me–I miss being able to hop, skip, and jump to the beach during off-season. I’m glad to be comfort food for you–no calories either–LOL. Happy New Year! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
TRES BELLE ANNEE to you Catherine ! and we expect a lot of wonderful posts , amitiés Nathalie
Merci Nathalie!!! Bonne Annee!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Great post Catherine, maybe the car key will be found when they go for walks again. You never know. At this stage in my life I feel New Years Eve is a little overrated. When you are younger you want to party with friends, drink and wake up with a hang over. Can’t think of anything worse now. Plus I find too many idiots out on the town, fights break out and things get out of hand., you got to queue to get a taxi home or wait for ages if you are at a restaurant or a friends place. Or make the decision not to drink at all. Last few years happy to be home, have a drink and watch the fireworks in Sydney on tv, then go to bed. Heres to good health and happiness for 2018.
Dianne–you said it all in your comment. I sleep through NYE’s every year–I think the last time I celebrated was with a house party and my ex-husband got wayyyyyy too wasted–it was not a good scene. Ever since, I just want to sleep through the old year’s exit and new year’s entrance. Thank you and good health, happiness and success to you through 2018!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
I’m impressed no ticket was written! WOW! Personally, I’m glad the holidays are over. So much hype for my taste, I guess. We had a visitor over Christmas and even though she said to not go overboard, she expected just that once she got here. Oh well. I have an objective this coming year to really limit the number of house guests. I’m tired of entertaining people and want a year off. I’ve got some home improvement projects I’d rather spend my money on. LOL.
Yours truly,
THE GRINCH
Hi Vava!! Truth be told, I’m the queen of getting out of tickets, but Bonaparte was lucky, I would have ticketed him just to get him to stop speeding! I like having family for house guests simply because they know the rules. My home is your home and if you want something, the fridge door will be opened by you! My kids are my fave house guests. Nothing much has changed since they lived at home. When they go out they never fail to ask me if I need anything from the store on their way back to see me. But I’ve had some doozies of house guests in the past. I know where you are coming from. And you are not a grinch!! Happy New Year!!! XXOXOXOXO!!!!
Don’t worry. I get weepy when I hear auld too. Everyone else is cheering and kissing and I have tears in m eyes.
Ohhhhh..Chrissy! That makes me feel better–I swear we’re the same on this one. While everyone is wasted and kissing everyone and slobbering, I’m in the corner getting all weepy with that song. Happy New Year to you!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Happy New yesr!!! Do you get all weepy when you have to say goodbye to someone? Like a coworker leaving? Just curious.
Oh! Please don’t stop your political rants! I’ve already got your signs made up for the presidential election in 2020!!! 😉 (Have missed your blog while I’ve been away!!!)
Hey Lady Calen. That is exactly why I do not make resolutions. I’ve already ranted on Twitter this morning!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!! Welcome back and have a great new year!!!!
Happy New Year Catherine! We’re Ready to make it Great!
Hey Jeanne. Yes! I’m ready to make 2018 great again!!!!!!!!!! LOL and tee hee!!! Have a great new year my friend!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Hi Catherine, a very happy and prosperous New Year to you and Bonaparte! Love reading you and your wonderful blog! Looking forward to more of the same in 2018. XO Amelia
Hi Amelia!!! Thank you so much!! And a happy and successful New Year to you too my dear!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Hi Cathe
I’m no fan of NYE either. I feel sad, can’t explain why, just always have. Bonaparte was so lucky not to get a ticket! I got caught by a speed camera last year doing 38mph in a 30 zone. I had to do a speed awareness course…. fee £110 or face three points on my licence and a fine.
I won’t be making any resolutions either but will try to eat less crap and move more.
Bonne Année…. and btw that’s a lovely photo of you and Bonaparte. Xxx
Happy New Year Fiona. Hey. I can’t explain why I get sad either on New Year’s. I was sad taking the decorations down. That’s why I wanted to do it in one fell swoop. Before Christmas, the decorations make me so happy–and after, when everyone leaves, I get an overwhelming sadness. I’m ok now. LOL. I had a salad for dinner tonight. I’m hopefully on the right track!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
I feel the same way as you do about NYE……….sad.Stay HOME!
GO TO BED!
Elizabeth–it’s the best way! It’s more comforting for me to just go to bed one year and wake up to the next year. I’ve done that for years and celebrate with sweet dreams!! XOXOXOXO (PS. I LOVE your longer hair and the bangs–you are rocking the look!!! )
Happy New Year to you
Love your wigs..they look so natural!
Thank you so much Brightside!!!! XOXOXOXO