Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy Blue Year!


Our town hosted a fantastic New Year's Eve celebration in the buildings surrounding City Hall. I took Emma, Elise, James and Samuel; Kyle wanted nothing to do with it, and Jeff said he had work to do. There were carnival games and prizes at the elementary school, fire cans and music in the parking lots, story-telling at the library, burgers and hot dogs at the rec. center, and more, more, more. It was all free! The carnival games were staffed by gentle, polite youths who had smiles for even irritable Samuel. The whole operation had a friendly, community vibe. Awesome.

At the elementary school we waited in line for face painting behind a bunch of excitable teenage boys. (Because nothing says COOL and attracts the ladies like painted faces! At the kiddie carnival!) When James saw that they were all getting dolled up like the movie Avatar, he wanted to follow suit. I asked the face painter, "So, how many Avatar faces have you done tonight?" About seven, he said. I counted the group of young men now leaving through the front doors. Ah, so just their group. And James. We later ran into this Blue Boy Group in the food building. I couldn't help but chuckle when the leader stared at James with a pained look, as if he had stolen their thunder.

It was a fun night, but after hours of solo greco-Sam wrestling, I was ready to go. Battered black and blue. 


Back home I promised the older children they still could stay up until midnight, if they wanted. Once in a blue moon. They were thrilled. Kyle had, by this time, gone to a friend's house. I got Samuel to bed and tended to laundry and dishes while the kids started games. When I passed by my room I was stunned and hurt to see that Jeff had already gone to bed. What? Without saying goodnight? On New Year's Eve no less?


So that's how I entered 2010, feeling blue.


Today I've thought of lots of ways blue makes it into our language. Blue states and blue plates. Talking a blue streak. Shouting till he's blue in the face. Men in blue. Singing the blues. 


You know what? Blue is actually my favorite color.

One of my most pressing New Year's resolutions is to search for the bright side in everything, like seeing dishes and laundry for the bounty they represent. Seeing not a lump beneath blankets, but a hard-working husband who just needed his rest. That's all. The brightest side is knowing his love for me extends well beyond an 11:59 command-performance embrace. I really am a lucky gal.

I wish all of you a wondrous 2010, filled with blue skies, or vistas of whatever color you hold dear.

Happy New Year!

8 comments:

Nora Mair said...

Happy New Year to you and your lump, I mean, Jeff-- "Hi Jeff-fun talking to you yesterday" . Don't you just love a new year to reflect and write. You should write--you do it so well and it probably didn't take you all day...huh? How'd the rolls go?

Jennie said...

I love that - opting to look for the lighter side of things rather than the obvious gloom. Great advice. I should try to do that more.

I really need to remember this when I'm groaning at my kid's messy rooms or mtns. of laundry.

Circe said...

You're so clever with words. Blue skies are very, very important to me. The color of the sky seems to directly affect my mood. If I can catch a glimpse of blue, I feel better knowing that above the clouds, it's ALL blue! Happy New Year!

Circe said...

that picture of james is so cute. I hope Emma can go to girls camp! love golda

Kate said...

Oh, wow! I took an extended blog visiting vacation in December and I really missed out. Oh, I just realized, you enabled the comments again! Wooho! Thank you!

Your thoughtful Christmas card gave me pause and caused me to reflect and then giggle. (I can relate to number 5 ever so well!)

I am so grateful for your friendship and example.

Kate said...

And how did you take that amazing Christmas photo?

I love the huge picture of your family. What a great birthday present.

Chels said...

YAY!!!! I'm so glad you put the comments back on! You are such a good mom. Thanks for being a good example. I love the pictures you take and reading your blog-you write so well! I'm so glad we can keep in touch this way.
Love your family picture-so cute!

Circe said...

Only YOU would pick up on all the different meanings of "The Dog Star!" Thanks! :)