Same Auld Lang Syne
-- Dan Fogelberg
Met my old lover in a grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
Stole behind her in the frozen foods
and I touched her on the sleeve
She didn't recognize the face at first
but then her eyes flew open wide
Tried to hug me and she spilled her purse
and we laughed until we cried
Took her groceries to the checkout stand
The food was totaled up and bagged
stood there lost in our embarrassment
as the conversation dragged
Went to have ourselves a drink or two
but couldn't find an open bar
Bought a six-pack at the liquor store
and we drank it in the car
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
Tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how
She said she'd married her an architect
Kept her warm and safe and dry
She said she'd like to say she loved the man
but she didn't want to lie
I said the years had been a friend to her
and that her eyes were still as blue
But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude
She said she saw me in the record store
and that I must be doing well
I said the audience was heavenly
but the traveling was hell
We drank a toast to innocence we drank a toast to time
We're living in our eloquence, another old lang syne
The beers were empty and our tongues grew tired
and running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out
and I watched her drive away
Just for a moment I was back in school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
the snow turned into rain

How's that title for an attention grabber? *grin*

We dropped off Punkin at Grandma and Grandpa's and headed off to enjoy our first New Year's Eve in a long time. Typically, we just stay at home and hold a quiet celebration before going to bed. Last year, we let Punkin stay up as long as possible so we could all celebrate together. Long about 10:45pm last year, I was wondering if she would EVER get tired. I think I dozed for a bit, but awoke before midnight arrived.

This year, we did things differently. We had planned to go out to dinner, just the two of us, other than that we had no plans.

We planned ahead, on Saturday, December 30. We had called Bob Chinn's Home of the World Famous Mai Tai, and discovered that they would be packed (duh) and the best time to go would be around 9:30pm. After dropping off Punkin, we decided to just drive over there to see what was what. The parking lot was indeed crowded, and I ran in to add our name to the list to be told that the wait was around 1 hour and 50 minutes.

After collecting our number, we drove over to Cy's Crabhouse (just down the street and not nearly as crowded) to see if the situation was any better there. It was, but we finally decided to just wait for Bob Chinn's. After all, we didn't have anywhere else we needed to be, and we had both heard excellent things about Bob Chinn's.

We hung out in the truck for a while, and eventually made it back to Bob Chinn's parking lot, found a parking spot and went inside. We had only been on the list for about an hour or so, and when we returned, we were pleasantly surprised to find that we could be seated right away.

They seated us at a little, tiny table snuggled up right next to the wall, in a traffic path. The place is huge on the inside and we were seated by a "relay team" of hostesses. Our server was there right away with our rolls. They were awesome. Two little buns just slathered in butter with dried parsley sprinkled over them. I fell in love immediately.

We ordered our Mai Tais and then ordered our dinners when the drinks arrived. Did you know that Bob Chinn's serves 850 Mai Tais daily, 5,000 weekly and (are you sitting?) 260,000 Mai Tai's annually? They have this deal where if you order 8 Mai Tai's, you get a free Bob Chinn's Mai Tai jacket. I'm here to tell you it is cheaper to buy the jacket, unless you are planning on drinking 8 Mai Tais to begin with.

We each ordered the Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail, as well as one order of Shrimp Scampi. In other words, we indulged ourselves gluttonously (is that a word?) and loved every minute of it. Hubby had spilled his butter, so we asked for two more. Our server brought them to us on a little plate, and when Hubby wasn't looking, I poured what had splashed out of the little cups all over my lobster tail. I felt somewhat guilty about all the cholesterol and fat, but if I was going to give myself a heart attack, this was indeed the way I wanted to go.

We waddled out of Bob Chinn's just about the time we had originally expected to be seated and Hubby asked where I wanted to go next. During an earlier trip to the ladies room, I had heard a song that I had once enthusiastically line-danced to. It sparked my desire to go dancing, and the place where I used to line dance regularly COULD BE on the way home. I mentioned that idea, and after a moment's hesitation, to see if I was serious I surmised, we went. I was SO excited. Those of you who know us know that Hubby has been a bit reluctant to accompany me when I go line dancing. This time he said yes. I was floored (and very excited!). Unfortunately, the cover for New Year's Eve was 70 dollars a person. As much as I wanted to dance, I did not feel right in spending 140 dollars to do it! I was a little disappointed, but the two of us made plans to return when the cost was a little less expensive.

Once home, we listened to Sting and other CD's on my new kitchen stereo as we waited for midnight. We may have had a few more drinks (cough) and I decided I would dance in the kitchen. Hubby joined me for a slow song or two, but mostly I danced like a crazy, totally buzzed fool, and laughed myself silly. It was a rare moment of sheer and total happiness for me and I reveled in it.

Midnight came and we toasted and kissed and went to bed. Sleeping in this morning was wonderful. Lounging around today was wonderful, too. In about 10 minutes we leave to collect Punkin, who by now is entirely spoiled, and we resume our "real lives" again tomorrow.

I have no great reflections on the past year, and I have no resolutions for this one. I just want to live from one moment to the next, soak up the happy moments, and hang on through the less happy ones for every day, every week, every year brings them.

Happy New Year to all, and to all a good laugh.

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