Random 5 for December 29, 2024 – New Year, neighborhoods, friends, goals, memories

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The last post for this year! – How did that happen? Still wondering what happened to July. Nice and warm. Didn’t have to wear so much clothing. It was gone in a flash. I was too busy whining about my bathroom renovation to enjoy it.

A fun neighborhood – I live in an area that is mostly older people. Almost all are retired and some have been retired for quite some time. I enjoy the camaraderie. We don’t entertain like we did when we were young but there is enough stuff going on to make life fun. I walk to most of my mahjong games. On New Year’s Eve we will walk to an open house five doors up. We are all in the same boat (which may or may not have a leak in it) and we all watch out for each other. Compared to my last neighborhood where I hadn’t exchanged more than 50 words with my next-door neighbors in five years, this is heaven. This is our niche. It fits our life stage. We’ve lost several neighbors this year, but the support is tremendous.

Sticking with that theme – Yesterday I had lunch with a neighbor whose husband died this past summer. We didn’t try some fancy restaurant that may be crowded with the holiday crowd but went to a local diner. It wasn’t busy and we had a great time. My salad was wonderful and so was the companionship. She has two cats and I have three. Guess what we talked about?

Goals? – Some people do goals or themes for the new year. I don’t do either. I’m hopeful that I will be erect and on the right side of the ground at the end of 2025. Things change and surprises happen, some good and some bad. Navigating all that will be challenging enough.

Days gone by – Years ago we would go out to celebrate. We have friends who would find a reasonably priced dinner dance with a rocking band. We were all about the music. The food would only have to be adequate, and we would be happy. Now I have no interest in being out until after midnight and navigating the roads. I would love to hear the music and dance though.

Hope you all have a great New Year and how was your week?

53 thoughts on “Random 5 for December 29, 2024 – New Year, neighborhoods, friends, goals, memories”

  1. Soup season indeed (eventually it will feel like winter and warm soup/chili will be the first choice meal.
    Sounds like a great neighborhood there. We’re looking and narrowing down possibilities. You look for different things in communities at different points in your life. Walking is much higher on the qualify list now.
    Time for one last dog walk ( we have a very safe street/neighborhood here). Hank says we can stay up, but he’s done for the night (Ice cream snack for New Year’s Eve for him) Besides remember no matter how late you stay up, dogs ( and cats) have morning expectations HAHAHA
    Happy New Year!

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  4. PJ sweats and a large floof in my lap make ushering the New Year all that’s necessary. That going out thing is overrated for dinners as well as celebratory days. I’m good with staying home. Here’s to a good 2025 where we’re all well and upright.

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  5. We like to stay in for New Year’s Eve too and pretty much every other night too. Hope you have a happy and healthy new year. XO

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    • Partying is best done when you are young! One of my favorite times of the day is after dinner when I change into my night clothes and sit on the recliner to either read or watch TV. So peaceful.

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  6. Sounds like a great neighborhood. When I was younger I enjoyed going out for New Years, but now I like to stay home and go to bed early. I do get to watch a fireworks display from my window about 8 p.m. by a lake community not far from me. That is my excitement for the night. I hope you have a Happy New Year.

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  7. Your neighborhood sounds perfect.

    My daughter, son-in-law and grandson have been staying with me for the past week. I’ve really enjoyed having them here. They’re good at taking care of themselves, and we’ve gone out to eat quite a few times. So I haven’t had to do much cooking. With them here, it’s been a good opportunity to get together with my other daughters and their families. By now though, I’m beginning to look forward to a little peace and quiet and rest. They’re leaving tomorrow.

    Happy New Year.

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  8. I vaguely remember those days of getting all gussied up and spending New Year’s Eve out and about. Now, I go to bed regular time and hope for the best. 🙂 Your lunch sounds lovely, and your neighborhood sounds wonderful. You have a community of people, and that is an accomplishment. We have neighbors and most we don’t know. They move in, they move out. Not like the good old days. Happy New Year and may 2025 be a healthy and happy one for you both.

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  10. My neighborhood is like your old neighborhood Kate. It wasn’t always like that but all the former neighbors either retired to Florida or passed away. As to my neighbors, I talked to them the night of the fire in December 2022 and not since – Marge’s son says “hi” if he feels like it – whatever. If I could choose my neighborhood, I’d like yours or Anne Mehrling’s … super neighbors that care about you. I used to go out with friends back in the day too, then worry about who was out on the roads while driving home – sometimes you worry if you go out too early on New Year’s Day (like for a walk or a Starbucks run – yikes!). Have fun at your event!

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    • Anne has wonderful neighbors. That’s as it should be. I remember one white knuckle drive home after a NYE celebration but only one. We made it home ok but we were careful and there weren’t many cars on the road.

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      • Yes, I am envious of Anne’s neighbors. When we moved here in 1966, there were several elderly couples on the block. The men in the neighborhood would cut their lawn or shovel their snow. I remember my mom sending me out to rake and bag leaves for them. We’d send baked goods, when my Mom baked, not a whole pan, just a little plateful … being neighborly. I don’t like being on the road on a holiday, even during the day. We have so many accidents anymore. I wait until after rush hour is over in the morning if I’m driving any distance.

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          • Very true! We had neighborhood kids cleaning the gutters after my father left … that worked well ’til they all grew up and left the ‘hood. By the way, I have wanted to tell you that the inspection I had by this franchise for seamless gutters, the guy said everything was okay, furthermore that I didn’t need to have the gutters cleaned now or more than once a year. (I usually always get them done twice and may adhere to that schedule) and he did not charge me for the inspection which surprised me as the company is based in New York. My lucky day after dealing with the guy (jailbird twice for B&C and larceny).

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              • Really?! Wow, that’s incredible. In fact, I asked him about installing leaf guards and he said “I wouldn’t waste your money on them.” What contractor says that? I was ambivalent about getting them since I’ve heard they can cause a backup/leak, so his insight was valuable. That neighbor with his tree that caused the two downed wire fires in 2022 and 2023 – that tree is gone and my neighbor’s tree next door, but there are still lots of very old oak and maples behind and across the street.

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                • Unless the trees are near the house it’s unlikely they will fly up to your roof. Wait a year and get them checked again and see what they say. Actually have them take a cell phone pic so you can see what’s in your gutters.

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                  • My former handyman used to check the roof for loose shingles and chimney flashing as well. I need to find an all-purpose handyman. I’ll resort to Angi’s List come Spring (unless I get referrals from satisfied homeowners near here in the meantime).

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  12. Our neighborhood is like what you describe. Most people are friendly and it isn’t unusual for us to spend an hour out talking to people walking by. Jerry knows almost everyBODY from all the walking he does and from being on the tree committee for the HOA. You can’t walk out the front door without getting a wave and a chat. I think if we needed help with something someone would be there for us. I feel safe here and I have stepped out of my introvert self a bit 🙂 Your lunch with your friend sounds wonderful… good companionship is a gift!

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    • I’m the walker here and I know most people or at least those with pets. I know I could get help if I needed it. We are not in an age restricted community but I would do well there too.

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  14. Your neighborhood sounds like what I wish OUR neighborhood was like. We are the oldest people around here. I have no problem with that but it would be nice to talk about “old times” with someone who knows what that means! Anyway, there were times when I did NOT think I’d be alive to see 2025 but here I am – persistence pays off! LOL Happy New Year!

    Hugs, Pam

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  15. Glad you’re enjoying your neighborly neighborhood and have a New Year’s Eve Open House within walking distance.

    Despite the shared hallways and elevators, our neighbors appear to be ghosts who wish to remain anonymous. We almost never bump into anyone for a casual conversation. It’s strange, bordering on eerie.

    People seem to stick to themselves more than in the days of yore.

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  17. Your neighborhood sounds lovely. One of my favorite NYE celebrations was on the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Different bands or DJs in different ballrooms (country music, big band, 70s)so you could dance in different places. Then fireworks set perfectly to music over the harbor. We’re debating having friends over for Andy’s beef Wellington this year, but we might just keep it quiet.

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  19. Hershey has a huge New Year’s celebration within easy walking distance from us, but hanging around outside in the cold (and probably rain this year) until the wee hours just isn’t in the cards. I’m lucky if I wake up when the fireworks go off.

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