In with the New

If the previous two days have been any indication, 2009 is off to a great start. We rang in the New Year in style with a James Bond themed party. Above: Lucy looks like she's had one too many martinis. She resolves to be a more temperate drinker in 2009.

Actually, she was probably just disappointed that she was stuck licking the floor when all us humans got to enjoy cheese, meats, salmon, Moroccan chicken rolls, and cookies, not to mention the martinis. And knowing our dog, she probably wouldn't have passed up the Bloody Mary shrimp or even the stuffed mushrooms.

I like to get the New Year off to a clean start, so didn't wait around to clear the mess. Even though I didn't get to bed until 3:30 (and still was up before nine this morning- thanks for the wake up, Michael!), it was well worth it to get to enjoy a relaxing holiday. Amy V and I took Lucy for a walk around Green Lake, discussing our possible resolutions, and Jenn Z, a friend I hadn't seen in years, came over with her husband Joel for a lunch of New Year's Eve leftovers. In the evening, Michael and I headed out to a friend's place for games and the traditional southern New Year's dish of black-eyed peas. If every day for the coming year is half as pleasant, I won't have any complaints.

So, here's to a wonderful new year! As our friend Doug declared when toasting the end of 2008, "A year from now, may your stocks have grown and may gas prices have stayed the same!" Hear, hear!