Another year over…

...and a new one just begun.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year! We started off by trying a new place to eat here in South Bend (Brothers Bar & Grill at Eddy Street Commons by Notre Dame...decent food, reasonable prices, and a fun sports bar atmosphere), where we watched Illinois win their bowl game. Then it was off to watch Notre Dame beat Boston University 5-2 in hockey. Yay! After that, we headed over to my sister’s house, where her and her husband were having a small family party. A few of them had already broken into the champagne, and it was kind of funny! There was some dancing going on in the kitchen, and some Rock Band going on in the basement.

At midnight, we all did the countdown, hugged and kissed and wished each other a wonderful 2012, then Diana (my sister) herded us all outside where she set off a firework that had the neighbors cheering. A couple of minutes of multiple starbursts that covered the sky over their back yard. I don’t know where she got it, and probably don’t want to know, but my pyromaniac sister really outdid herself with that one! Wow!

It was a low-key celebration, but lots of fun. Well, low-key other than the pyrotechnics going on in the back yard!

We didn’t need to go anywhere today, so we just slept late and were semi-lazy. We’ve got a winter storm on the way, so it’s good to know that we can just hunker down for a couple of days and not worry about going anywhere or getting anything.

A new year usually prompts people to think about resolutions, or what they’re planning for the year, or what they wish for themselves or for humanity. I don’t really do resolutions, at least not merely because it’s a new year. If I need to, I’ll do them throughout the year, and I’ve pretty much been doing that. We’re working on some plans for the coming year, and have a reasonable hope that they will work out. As for myself and my loved ones and my friends, I wish us all good health (Isn’t it odd how you start to think about that more and more as you get older, and start to understand the frailty of human life?) and happiness. For the world, I hope we can continue to work towards peace, safety, and health for all. I hope for an end to fear-mongering and hatred, no matter what it is based upon. (I reserve the right to despise someone for the hateful philosophies they espouse, or for the mean-spirited actions they exhibit. Condemnation is not the same as hatred.) I hope for a renewed purpose in our own country that is based upon building up the country and its citizens rather than destroying an opponent. I won’t ‘resolve’ these things, because most of it is beyond my control; I won’t pray for these things because it is within OUR control.

I raise my Mimosa to you all, and wish you peace and success in your endeavors in the coming year.

A great Saturday, and there’s a lot of it left!

Today is turning out to be a most excellent day. It's sunny, a little warmer (although still far from balmy), and tonight I'm going to my first-ever hockey game! Notre Dame is playing Nebraska-Omaha in a best-of-three series for the playoffs. ND is ranked #2 in the nation in hockey, so this should be a fun game for my first time out. Although I've never followed hockey (even though I lived in North Dakota for five years...hockey to North Dakotans is like basketball to Hoosiers), I know enough about it so that I won't be entirely in the dark. Three periods, penalty shots, and so forth and so on...should be a good time! And I dedicate my good time at the hockey game to Donna of D's Design's who had surgery this week. Most of you know that Donna loves her Sabres! I'll be thinking of you, Donna, and sending good hockey vibes your way!

Ken and I just had a little discussion about moving. This was based on our friend Joann's comment about how Levi is going to be sorry he didn't marry Bristol, because he'll be left out when Sarah Palin becomes President in 2013. Ken said, "If that happens, I'm moving to Canada." I said, "I'll be right behind you. But how about Australia instead? It's warmer. I bet we'd have a lot of fun in Australia. Or maybe they'll have Mexico fixed by then, and we can move there." So thanks for the laugh, Joann! [grin]

Oh, before I forget, a few of you expressed concern about our neighbor. I had mentioned that it almost seems like he's watching for me when I go out to get the mail. I was just joking, because although it happened several times, I think it's just a coincidence. He's harmless, just a good ol' boy who likes to chat and sometimes even gossip a bit. He knows Ken and has talked to him quite a bit, and usually asks after him and his job. He knows quite a bit about the area and about our house--he knew the people who built it--and he's the one who told us about the iron bed frame out it the woods where a log cabin used to stand. (I thought I had a picture of it on this computer, but I don't. It's neat--it has a 12-inch diameter tree growing up through it.) So no worries about Dave the Neighbor, mates. He's not a bad guy!

And...I had an email this morning that made my day. Check this out:

Hi Beth,

Yeah - I'm real sorry too that we did not get the chance to meet up in person in Chicago, I was in the Smart Bar of The Metro for about an hour after the gig yakking away to whoever wanted to chat & I did look out for you!! Never mind, at least you enjoyed our 1st American Massacre by the sound of your email & MySpace comments. If you send me your mail address & t-shirt size I'll mail you a Godfathers t-shirt & a signed 'Hit By Hit' to make up for it - how's that for service?

Thanks always for your support - without people like you to play to we're nothing!!!

Best wishes to you & yours,

Peter Coyne.

I'm telling you, these guys are just the best. They don't just give lip service about how much they appreciate their fans. They really do. I thought that was so cool and so sweet of him. I'll have Ken take a picture of me in my T-shirt when I get it! A signed copy of the re-released "Hit By Hit." Oh boy oh boy oh boy! I'm as happy as a little rock 'n roll girl!