In my ongoing attempt to add some order to my life, there are things that I routinely do when the new year begins:
Put up new calendars.
Change the batteries in my smoke alarms.
Change the cartridge in my razor (also May 1 and Sept. 1).
Change and sharpen my steak knives (I have 12, and use 6 at a time).
Rotate all the canned food and frozen food (use up the oldest).
Revise the Daylight Saving Time dates in my sunrise/sunset chart for the new year.
Be grateful that I made it through the Medicare “donut hole.”
I wait for my birthday presents and badger Mr. Athena into making me a cake. Hell if I’m gonna give up my birthday just cuz it’s a holiday and everyone’s hungover.
For a little while after waking up, amuse myself with thoughts such as “I haven’t eaten anything since last year!”, or “OMG, I haven’t taken a shit all year!” or “Hey, I can eat these leftovers from last year!”. That, and moan how I’ve had a hangover all year, although this year probably not so much, what with a baby and all.
ETA: uh, does that make me sound weird? I’m not the only one who does this, right?
My only “tradition” is to go for a hike. This year I’m on call, so my trail choices are somewhat limited. (I have to have cell phone service and be able to make it to the office within an hour.)
My family has this bizarre tradition of calling eachother on the eve of of the new year to say happy new year. Then on the morning of the new year a phone call to say happy new year. Then gets together for dinner that evening and once again, wishes eachother a happy new year.
I love them all but I’ve always thought it a bit mental.
I try to sleep in. I go to bed early, sleep through the midnight countdown, and attempt to sleep until at least 10 am the next day. With two 5 year olds that is less easily done now.
This year, hubby is working 24 hours New Year’s eve, so I’m not sure if we’ll do the one thing we’ve done in past years. (well, he always does it, me, not so much.) We usually go to the local Polar Bear swim. He swims (dunks) and I hold the bath blanket. I thought I’d do it this year, but, then there would be no one to hold any kind of blankets.
In years past, there have been only a few people, 30 or so. For some reason, last year there were hundreds.
Picu, I’ll be in the ocean like we do every year. (We use our shoes to hold down the corners of the blanket so we can all go in.) Feel free to join us - Atlantic City, NJ 11:30am, in front of Resorts.
Dark Side of the Moon, timed to end just before midnight. Then I do first-footer. Yummy Cupcakes has a Lump of Coal cupcake, so I can bring in food and warmth/light at the same time. Of course, I really shouldn’t be the one to do this, since I’m a woman and a redhead, but Mr. Rilch says it’s my idea, so I can be the one to go outside and freeze.
Anyway, it’s a darn good cupcake. (Chocolate, with a cookies and cream filling, chocolate buttercream frosting, chocolate pastilles and a chocolate truffle on top. They actually don’t have it for New Year’s; they have it for Christmas. But it’s the kind of thing you use to bribe a kid, not threaten them! And the vanilla champagne cream that they do have for New Year’s is the perfect companion.
