Cleaning. And, organizing.
Ok, maybe it's two things - but you get the point.
In my defense, my parents didn't partake in any superstitious activities on New Years Eve...heck, we didn't even do much celebrating; unless, of course, you count our stop at our local Catholic Church as a religious celebration (versus an act of devotion and respect that it was).
When in my 20's and early 30's, my best friend and room-mate at the time, would sit with me to plan our New Years Eve and New Years Day celebrations. Yep, we celebrated in style.
For us it wasn't just how we ended the year, but also how we started the new year. Whereas we might end the year at one of our favorite restaurants, we were usually booked for a massage and facial the afternoon of the new year.
When I met the man that later become my hubby a few months prior to the end of 2007, I expected some sort of romantic New Years Eve celebration.
"Maybe he'd bring over Champagne and cater dinner." That was a no.
"Maybe he'd make reservations at a restaurant overlooking the ocean." That was a no.
"Maybe he'd take me to a far-off locale and kiss me under the stars." That was a no.
So what did my "then" boyfriend plan for our first New Years Eve celebration? A night of shopping for board games at our local Target and Chinese take-out.
His plan was to have a quiet New Years Eve celebration while watching the Ball Drop at "home."
Yep, home.
"We are spending New Years eve at home," he chimed in when I asked him what he planned for our first New Years Eve together.
Funny thing is...the home he was referring to, was my apartment - that he didn't live in. Little did I know that a few months later I would do the one thing I thought I would never do: Live with him.
As surprising and unexpected as our first year together, the later years have taken me to beautiful locations, and celebrated the start of a new year at places we both love.
My Plans to Ring in 2012:
Today, while many of you are busy rummaging through drawers or making the last minute trek to the grocery store or Victorias Secret to buy the red undies that will bring you love in 2012, I will be doing my last minute cleaning and organizing to symbolically welcome a new year with a clean slate.
I will then celebrate the last day of 2011 in one of my favorite places in Southern California with a couple of my favorite people, then come home to kiss my hubby and four-legged son in our home at the strike of midnight.
As simple as that sounds, it feels -just right.-
May you too honor the end of a year and celebrate the start of a new year with those you love.
Love, Health and Success in 2012 to you and yours.
