Friday Free for All-On New Year's Resolutions

      The last Friday of 2022 and after the three year roller coaster, do we dare say 2023 will be better? It's like those memes that end with, "Here, hold my beer," when comparing two incredible things. 

     Do I make resolutions? Each year I try to improve upon myself, from the year before whether it's health, perspective on challenging situations, to be kinder, less judgemental, as typical resolutions tend to be. Good intentions that rarely hit the mark.  It's more accurate to say I set goals, things to plan, tackle, hopefully accomplish, but minimally point me in a direction. I'm still working on these for the year. Maybe by Sunday. 

Lonely Time of Year 

     I didn't mention my cousin opted to not come Christmas Eve. The bitter cold, the drifts still lingering from blowing, and she had a fall earlier in the month resulting in reduced left arm mobility, added to her decision. Two sisters and I picked her up for lunch yesterday, met by a third, as an alternative. She shared she's felt more isolated this year. While it was not great recuperating after an accident in a care facility, she was surrounded by people last Christmas at least. It was hard to see her struggle with simple thoughts and words, the lingering result of her head injury last year, clearly though knowing what she means. She sure was happy to show us some beautiful space in the restaurant we went to, a renovated old historical building with a dance floor, velvet lounge area, and mahogany bar. She's friends with the owner so got VIP access, lol. 

     It's strange to some to realize by choice or not, not everyone has wall to wall friends and family to spend time with on holidays. Her friends have their own family's and her immediate family, siblings, my other cousin's have passed away. Her niece, a second cousin actually to me but of my age generation, does the best she can. I guess this is one NY resolution, to reach out more to my cousin, and look for those that might need connections at holidays, or other times of year. 

     DH is thinking about how he can stay active post retirement. He's a very social guy. I see him being a really good Meals on Wheels visitor. My brother, a huge talker, delivers once a week, and finds he connects with the seniors that don't have family nearby. It's good for him and those he visits. My parents did tons of volunteer work at the Veterans home. My sister followed in their footsteps. So many men isolated from their families and in need of just people to play cards with, arrange music from time to time, and distribute treats and basic needs like socks, t-shirts, and underwear. They need people that let them know they matter. 

      Holidays aside, winter itself can be isolating. If this resonated with  any of you, I hope you see my blog as a bit of companionship. 

New Year's Plans 

     We've been invited to a sisters and are still deciding if we'll pop over. We know we want to watch the ball drop here (or more likely, see the replays Sunday after we crash well before midnight.) A bar in Minnesota is planning a Bobber Drop ommage to the 10,000+ Minnesota lakes and fishing. I've got both prosecco and sparkling juice, so we can toast 2022 out and 2023 in with a foggy or clear brain. Maybe I'll save the prosecco for next weekend withy kids. 

      It's a football weekend, with our Vikings playing on Sunday. His brother and wife have tickets for the Packer game at Lambeau Field. Brrr, but the crowd and festivities should keep them warm. I fear our guys used to playing in a roofed stadium might be challenged. The Minnesota Gophers won their bowl game, the, and I'm not making this up, Bad Boys Mower Pinstripe Bowl. Whoever bank rolls the thing, gets to attach their corporate name. Ahh, college football, big business. 

     Hopefully we'll get greetings from our kids, all dispersed for the weekend. We've got both dogs to keep us busy. The puppy has been having "looking to be naughty time" each night. He's tiring, but it's made worse because that's the time pup is crabbiest. Pup got a hold of something, and he guarded it, but then I got caught by his mouth trying to get it away. He didn't bite, but came down on my hand so that's quite sore today. I need a vacation from my vacation time. But this is how the puppy looked after we had a particularly long sniffy walk after the freeze broke. He just plopped on the floor, not even into his cozy bed. Later, he thought he was a lap dog and did his stealth climb into DH's lap. You can't be annoyed too long with that cuteness. 

 Time to Plan 

     That leads me into spending time this weekend figuring out a get away. I'm hoping the weekend of February 18. Football season will be done, and DH should be able to take that Saturday off, and I have a three day weekend, four if I'm able to take the Friday as my flex day. I want something walkable once we're parked at the hotel with both a decent dinner  and brunch restaurant nearby. I'd like to know we can have a few drinks, should we choose, but then walk back. I don't want to drive more than 3 hours either, preferably more in the two hour range. DH wants to plan a destination vacation, but that won't be for a while. We'll see. It's in his court to plan. 

     That's what I have this Friday what's rattling in your head? Are you planning any NYE celebrations or get aways? Do you have pets that have times of the day that add to the "fun"?