Monday, January 3, 2011

Mr. Fuddy and Mrs. Duddy

I'm almost positive that we used to have oomph.

Yes, indeed, somewhere around this place, we probably have the pictures to prove it. Though I've never really liked crowds, I do like a little adventure and a shameless excuse to wear a funny hat. Somewhere around here we have photos of a couple of mad hatted twenty-somethings greeting the New Year with a countdown and kiss.

And somewhere around here, we probably have a shot of a couple of thirty-somethings hosting a New Year's Eve Game Night with friends.  By this time, I alone wore the hat, but he generally acquiesced at midnight for the mad hatted New Year's kiss. 

It was when we turned into forty-somethings
 that things began to head south. 

The girls would babysit or spend the night with their friends for travel safety. All of our friends joined us in the aging process and stayed off the roads as well.

By age forty-eight, we had  morphed into what we are today,  a couple of fuddy duds whose biggest accomplishment on New Year's Eve  is staying awake long enough to watch that giant waterford crystal ball  drop for a bunch of strangers  in Times Square.

Did I mention that we're both turning 50 in 2011? 

Well, we are. By the time the next ball drops, we will have tumbled over over the proverbial hill. That being the case, we thought it wise to put forth just a wee bit of effort in the oomph department this New Years Eve.  Here's what we came up with:

A stroll downtown,
a dinner for two,
a movie by a cozy fire,
and a kiss at midnight. 

Just call us party animals... 

I wanted to begin the night by capturing the final blue hour of 2010, and I had chosen a winter wonderland of twinkly white lights in our downtown to take the photo.

Unfortunately, the twinkly lights were still dark when we got there.  We waited for them to turn on, but apparently our town planners are fuddy duds themselves because they never did. We finally headed to the restaurant to beat the crowd.

I did catch the last blue hour photo of 2010 before we went inside. 


Oh well…

Our dinner was nice but I wouldn’t recommend the shrimp and grits there. The shrimp lived up to its name, and the grits were more in the line of cornmeal mush. And why is it that no matter what fancy name you give an oyster appetizer, it still tastes oystery?

We forgot to pick up a DVD for our fireside adventure and had to choose one from the family stockpile. I wanted Somewhere in Time; he wanted Pirates of the Caribbean. We compromised on Miss Congeniality, and he began to pile up the firewood.

Unfortunately, that part of the plan went a little south too because the newly purchased firewood turned out to be green.  He battled that stubborn little stack for the entire first hour of the movie because he hates to call uncle.  On the upside, we don't have that pesky pile of newspaper to haul to the the recycling center anymore.

It’s a good thing he set his blackberry just in case...

It woke us up just a minute before midnight, contorted like a couple of Chinese acrobats in front of a blank video screen and a dead fire.


But never fear.

I scrambled to put on my funny hat, and we stared at the blackberry until the numbers changed to 12:00.

I hastily shouted 2...1... because it's not New Years without a countdown. Then, we shared the kiss because it's not New Years without that either. Then he sent texts to the daughters because he's a high tech fuddy. Then, the party animals headed up to bed with kinks in our necks.

And thus ended our last New Year’s Eve as forty-somethings.  Not exactly what we had planned, but we choose to look at our glass half full. At least as we stumble over the hill next year, we won’t have far to fall.

So, how did you spend your New Year's Eve?

30 comments:

ann said...

Oh, yes, I can certainly relate. We're in our early fifties and we barely were awake to watch the ball drop. The kids were all out having the night we used to have!

Renée said...

"Happy New Year" Debbie,

I think you pulled out all the stops! We spent the afternoon finding the bedroom set of our dreams, met our kids for dinner at The Bonefish Grill, went to their home for a netflix, "New In Town," and then played Sequence till midnight. We arrived "home" about 12:30 AM and then welcomed 12 of our posterity for the Rose Parade and a big breakfast with Gramps running his new waffle iron. I attended Church yesterday morning and spent the rest of the day recuperating. Our holiday was lots of fun, but exhausting!!!!

Lynn said...

I personally spent the evening with George Clooney! Yes, I bought the "Oceans" trilogy and enjoyed the eye candy-not as fattening:@) Didn't make it to midnight, but never really worried about that, it seems to roll around with or without me!
Happy New Year Debbie! I'll be turning 50 with you this year!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Well you did better then us, we didn't even attempt to stay awake. I just barely stayed awake enough to catch the end of our local football bowl game on TV. We started the evening with dinner at home and a fire outside in our little portable outdoor fireplace then came in after it got too cold and watched the game. Not at all like what we used to do! LOL!

southerninspiration said...

you know how to tell a funny story like no other!!!! we were even more boring, but two days post-op and i did what i could.....slept right thru it!!!

suzanne

Karen said...

Sounds like we are all in the same boat; age & umph! But, I am so glad you asked about my New Year's Eve. (this is great blogging material) Hubby went to bed & I blogged. UNTIL 12:00! But, all of a sudden! 5 loud shots rang out! The neighbor acrossed the road shot his shotgun up in the air ( I came unglued ) it was raining so no one could shoot fireworks, so I guess he decided he still needed to blast (ring) in the New Year.
I believe mine ranked right up there with yours or I hope you a least got a smile as big as the one you gave me! Have a wonderful year holding on to 49. ( I'm trying to not think about it, because hubby is three years behind me.)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, my friend! I think we have you beat in the fuddy-duddy realm. Our fire log never took, we made dinner, called everyone at 6 p.m. and I was drooling on the couch by 10:30...our movie was done at 11:30 and we went straight to bed, only to fall fast asleep and we skipped the entire 12:00 extravaganza. The worst year by far, but I sure felt great the next day!
xoxo
lynn

Denise said...

I think your plan for the evening sounds very romantic. Sorry it didn't all work out quite as you had hoped. My fifty plus hubby was asleep by 9:30...even with other people at our house. We talked while American Pickers and Pawn Stars played all evening. He wouldn't wake up at midnight. (No kisses here). They left at 12:02 (we started cleaning up at 11:50 so they could leave ASAP). Went to bed by myself. Sigh. Maybe next year...

Patty H. said...

My hubby will be 50 this yr, I'm following close behind. As usual we were both sound asleep when the new yr was born. We are the true fuddy duddy couple!
Blessings
Patty H.

Angel said...

Well, once again you have me wiping away tears from the belly laughs. Your story sounds just about like ours on a good year. This year, the hubby was sick so there was no going out and no kiss at midnight. Though we did try to say up, we fizzled out about 20 minutes shy of midnight. So just call us fuddier and duddier :)

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

HA! Perfect! Everyone but a 30 something is going to both love this and completely relate!! :)

Happy New Year!

Ann said...

Ah, Debbie. Sounds like you and hubby had a wonderful New Years! We watched Shrek with the soon to be marrieds and the (last year of) teenaged son! LOL! Now how sad is that? ALL of us fell asleep at some point during the movie.

We are even raising "fuddy duddies." But, Nick did go midnight bowling Saturday night with friends.

Happy New Year and welcome to "mid-life" this year! It's not as bad as you think.

Cheers!

Sue said...

Debbie I laughed all the way through this post!! been there done this thing!! after a few years the ommph will come back if for no other reason to try and prove age wrong (that's the stage we are in) LOL. We did stay up through midnight and went to a flea drop in a little town nearby, and found that for this year we beat the age thing. lol YEA!! Now I have got to come up with a better plan for 2012.
Praying God's continued blessings on you and your family for the new year! What a blessing you are!
Hugs, Sue

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Oh, I can't wait til you guys turn 66 and look back and die laughing at yourselves and this post. You are still wet behind the ears--such babes in arms--well, let's see, when you are 66, I will be 82--I think I will still be blogging--don't forget me in 2027, okay??

You made me laugh out loud several times, Mrs. Duddy!!

Happy New Year! BTW, my Mr. Fuddy was in bed by ten but as I've done the last several years, I went out on him with Mr. Clark and stayed up til midnight! Hooray for me!

Sharon said...

Hysterical!

Especially the part about being curled up like Chinese acrobats! I think we would have fit right in at your "party!" Mr. and Mrs. Old Fogey, yesiree! We DID manage to stay up to midnight (only because there had been SEVERAL "nodding off's" during the evening...) A quick kiss, a "see you again next year" and that was it! Didn't even watch the dumb ball drop. Just stood at the front door, with a blanket wrapped around each other, and waited to hear the neighborhood to go crazy. (It was crazy"ish").

I gotta tell you, though - it was nice.

Nothing frantic, no hangover the next day - and someone to celebrate with...

Hey! I'm claiming my fuddy hat and duddy shoes!

Happy New Year!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Debbie... you didn't even want to know how boring our New Year's was this year. I was still sick, and Mr. Magpie started feeling a little icky, too. So it was early to bed and no kiss in case he caught my illness. Let's hope I shake this cough soon. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh I laughed all the way through it - how cute. You guys had some great things planned - then life got in the way - as usual - but it ended 'just right'.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sandie

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I am laughing so hard!!! Have you been in my house...well I have to say, I was dressed as a country bumpkin with braided pig tales in my forties, then by 45, well I was due any day with my sixth child and I went to bed at 9!!! This year at the very last few days of age 49, with a four year old who would wake me the next morning...I went to bed at 10!! The firecrackers started up outside, I got up, kissed my husband "Happy New Years" and crawled back into bed...so much for trying to get a babysitter for two old people to go out.

So you accomplished so much more than I!!! and you have a tale to tell.

Who knows, maybe in my 50's I will get a second wind...my hubby is 56 and he always makes it until 12...but he also doesn't get up in the morning with the four year old!!!

Happy New Year...so enjoyed this post!!

FrouFrouBritches said...

You are too funny!

Gosh, I didn't even THINK about this being my last New Year's Eve in my 30's. We were Fuddy Duddys. We didn't have a babysitter so we sat at home with the kids. Hubby was off Friday and Saturday and we rented 5 or 6 movies and stayed home for two days. It was pretty good and for the first time in 3 or 4 years, Hubby and I were both awake at midnight. That in itself is a miracle. HA!

Glad y'all had a good night. I wish we could've gone out to dinner. I love your blue hour picture. I still haven't done one. I need to do that in 2011!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Debby, how I've missed you! I've thought about you so often and thought that I would get over here to check on you and see if you had written one of your SO entertaining posts. With the events of the holidays, I just never squeezed in an extra minute to check on you. I loved this post! I'll be posting our wild new year's fun later this evening. I've decided that you are doing great if you still kiss your spouse at midnight on NYE (or somewhere around midnight)! Your blue hour photo is beautiful! Just wait until you're my age - you won't even pretend there is a chance of seeing the new year in! laurie

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
You are just too funny and my stomach is hurting from laughing so much! That pesky pile of newspapers sent me over the edge on the laugh meter! :)
You made me laugh, see...you made me really laugh, see...

~Jean

The Charm of Home said...

Debbie,
We are stay-at home 40's. We are still up and count down types. Popping the cork at the stroke of 12. Your so funny. I thought someone would think my post was about the other type of teddy.LOL
Sherry

Kathleen said...

My other half and I spent ours at my daughter's home. We came home before midnight though. Other half went to bed and I watched tv and surfed, the net that is. The fireworks on the Thames were spectacular. Exciting life I do lead! Love the picture of the dead fire, I think that just about says it all. Also remember this, 50 is the new 40! Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
Sounds like me! Mister usually stays up, I fall asleep.
But this year, this last year of being forty -something - I did it! I stayed up til midnight!
Mister is 9 years older than me, so he's already well acquainted with the next decade. He's seems to think it's ok, in case you guys are wondering....
Happy New Year!

Maria said...

I rang in the New Year watching an episode of The Golden Girls with a friend from college. Whose old on the inside? ;)

Sharlotte said...

Debbie,
I LOVE reading your posts, you are too funny! Your evening sounds a bit more exciting than ours...do I dare say we fell asleep at 11:30? We did, only to wake up at 12:30, say "Happy New Year" to each other and close our eyes again. Our usual evening was cancelled due to everyone in the group being under the weather, so we opted to stay at home for a quiet evening...and quiet it was!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Too funny, Debbie. We stayed up but there was more food than fun to be had around here, although we did manage that New Year's kiss thing. :)

saltbox
treasures
said...

Happy New Year, Debbie. Sounds like a wonderful date night. You are so good at capturing the blue sky. I really don't know if our sky is ever that blue. We used to never go out on new year's eve {Kevin is a firefighter and he considers this night to be the most dangerous to be on the roads}; however, about 5 years ago, we started meeting friends for dinner and playing games. Now that is our new tradition. Maybe we're getting more carefree as we get older . . . we both turned 50 last year. Happy Birthday to you; enjoy 49!
~ Julie

Amy Kinser said...

You totally are not a fuddy duddy because a fuddy duddy could not make me laugh and smile as you do.

Fuddy duddies, I would imagine, are dull, no sense of humor, dry, unimaginative, certainly not someone who would set up tablescapes for hundreds of people to see and definitely not ones who would wear a funny hat at anytime in their lives.

So, see, DEBORAH, you are not a fuddy duddy. You just are so content with your life that you don't have to party and stay up all night acting crazy. You can sleep right through midnight with the peace and contentment that God has given you a full, blessed year and another yet to come.

Jennie said...

Hilarious! One of the funniest ones yet. I laughed so hard about the pesky stack of newspaper! ;) (And the thought of my Sam refusing to give up at the fire task as well.) At the stroke of midnight Sam, Mrs. Lisa, and I were sitting in her living room. Her cell phone starting vibrating every few seconds with "Happy New Year" texts as non-texting Sam and I (Mr. & Mrs. Fuddy Duddy Jr.) looked at each other and shrugged.

You know what? It's still a new year. :)

P.S. - I talked to my parents on January 2nd and asked what they did for New Year's. They said, "We stayed off the roads!" Hahaha!

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