NYE 2008

In accordance with what is becoming an annual tradition for me, I spent New Year's Eve with the McNamaras!  We spent a quiet evening together, playing with the kids, watching movies and for some of us, sleepily waiting for the new year to arrive.  (Don't worry Amber, I won't mention the names of those who were so sleepy, so early)!  I have come to LOVE spending the last hours of each year with a family that is so full of energy, love, and laughter!  This year was made especially memorable for me by Miss Anna!  Super shy Anna, who I have learned to keep at least a six foot distance from at all times, crawled up on the sofa next to me.  She leaned over, kissed my arm and then gave me a great big hug!  And then we got to play together!!!  I can count, on one hand, the number of times I have held Anna since she was born so her FINALLY warming up to me, made my heart absolutely SING!  We had such fun together and I soaked up her every laugh and giggle!   

MY SWEET ANNA!

As I mentioned earlier, some us were getting pretty sleepy before the clock struck midnight.

Feeling badly, I decided to leave the heavy-lidded McNamaras a bit early myself.

And as I was leaving their subdivision . . . adventure beckoned!

At first I wasn't sure where I would find my midnight adventure.

But I knew I had 30 minutes and a full tank of gas to find it!

Growing up I remember tuning in to Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve broadcast to watch the ball drop in Times Square.  As I was reminiscing of years past, I had a brilliant idea!

I too would have a ROCKIN' New Year's Eve!

(yeah so i'm obviously still working on self-portraits with my new phone)

I had just enough time to make it to the Snake River!

I picked out a rock . . .

and with just minutes to spare, ran out onto the dock!

As the waters of the mighty Snake flowed past me in the pitch black of the night, I let the memories of 2008 come flooding back.  With an incredibly sincere smile upon my face, I felt the weight of the rock in my hand--the weight of all that had happened in the past year.  As the clock rolled over to 2009 I pulled back and let my rock fly!  It sailed through the darkness and produced the most spectacular "sploosh" in the crisp night air.  I did my famous Super Happy Arms-Spread-Wide Spin and whispered "Bring on 2009!"

And then, as the distant rural community fired celebratory gun shots, I dashed back to my truck.  Gotta admit, 

ROCKIN' New Year's Eve celebrations are pretty dark and creepy!

However, I am thrilled my new year began with an adventure of my very favorite kind--both solo and spontaneous!  I am glad I took a moment to remember the past and then give it a mighty release and I am super proud that as I stood there on that dock, alone, I was genuinely filled with peace and contentment.  What a truly amazing way to start a new year!

I can't wait to see what adventures 2009 will bring!