A Blast from the Past!
By DianneN
@DianneN (247184)
United States
December 29, 2019 7:26am CST
Yes! That’s a photo of my brother and me taken about 10+ years ago at his house. It reminds me that time does not stand still.
Our New Year’s Eve traditions have changed over the years, too. We used to party with friends and family before our children were born. When they were babies, we chose to stay home with them and ordered a video and Chinese food. As they got older, we began going out to parties in restaurants with our tribe of best friends. Once I returned to my teaching career, we began traveling internationally ringing in the New Year in countries around the world. Finally, here in Florida, we formed a new tradition. We have hosted cocktail parties at our condo, then went out to a fancy dinner with friends, and returned to our place for dessert, to watch fireworks on the beach, and to ring in the New Year by watching the ball drop in Times Square in New York City. It ended with my hubs throwing everyone out of the condo immediately after.
Not so this year. With one close friend receiving cancer treatment and unable to return until the 4th and another one recovering from back surgery, we decided to cancel a huge party and all the work it entails.
So this year, hubs and I decided to do what we loved best all those years ago. I will wear my new white nightgown and matching robe, order Chinese food, watch a saved movie on Netflix, and ring in the New Year together. Then we will call our children, as we always do.
41 people like this
40 responses
@LadyDuck (472215)
• Switzerland
29 Dec 19
I am sorry for your friends having health problems Dianne. This year we are doing exactly the same. I will serve appetizers, watch a move or two and wait to see the fireworks in the distance to know that it's time to take a toast to the New Year.
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (472215)
• Switzerland
29 Dec 19
@Tampa_girl7 I think that this is the best and only way to start well the New Year.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50702)
• United States
29 Dec 19
I will be staying home too and watching some movies.
5 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
29 Dec 19
Thanks, Anna. I remember looking at my friend with cancer last year and telling her she better get well and be here next year. She’s trying her best to get well. We are going out to dinner with her and her husband the day they arrive on January 4th. Our sister in law comes down that day, too. My brother and his wife on the 7th.
We will be twins yet again this New Year’s Eve! 
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121775)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Dec 19
I never used to make a big deal out of NYE, until after my daughter was born and we started our new family tradition of spending Christmas and New Years at Disney World. So, for the past 20 years, we have been ringing in the new year to an amazing fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.
I will admit, as much fun as the fireworks show is at Disney, I kind of like your plan of spending a cozy evening at home with your hubby!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121775)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Dec 19
@DianneN I was just reading an article yesterday listing the ten best New Years Eve celebrations in the world, and Rio was on the list! Rio and Sydney, Australia are two places I would love to spend New Years Eve at!
2 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
29 Dec 19
Traditions are still wonderful, especially seeing fireworks on New Year’s Eve!
The best we have seen was in Rio. They set up barges in the ocean in front of the hotels and blasted them. We watched them with a couple we met from Capetown from our room and from the roof of our hotel.
We are both excited to return to one of our favorite old traditions. Hopefully, next year, we can return to the new Florida tradition.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
30 Dec 19
So sweet! Many times we had our New year just the two of us when my husband was alive.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223964)
• Chile
30 Dec 19
@DianneN I will spend the New Year with my best friends. I´ll have fun and probably we will retire early.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
29 Dec 19
I didn't host very many parties, except for Birthday get togethers. At times, we'd go out with another couple, to enjoy a nice dinner together, then go back to their home to visit for a while. Now, I love staying home, relax together with my husband and watch a good movie.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
30 Dec 19
We all have different ways of celebrating and for different reasons.
The main thing is that we love celebrating whomever we’re with and love.
Right?
Right!
We hope to resume our Florida tradition next year if our dearest friends are here. Otherwise, we’re very content to ring in the new year in one of our favorite old ways. We just enjoy being together.
We hope to resume our Florida tradition next year if our dearest friends are here. Otherwise, we’re very content to ring in the new year in one of our favorite old ways. We just enjoy being together.2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
30 Dec 19
@DianneN The beautiful thing about 'genuine love,' it never gets old! As we grow older, the affection never changes.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47112)
• India
29 Dec 19
Indeed, things change so much! Most of my new year eves have had been with my family, and quietly spent, and sometimes we have outside food, and watch some TV shows.
There were some exceptions when I used to stay with some of my friends away from my hometown in the early 2000s.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
30 Dec 19
Our preferences over foods , things and socializing changes as we grow old. We mellow.
Hubby and I would sometimes choose having a quiet night than going out to have some fun.
You look sooo good in that picture 10 years ago.
You haven't changed much in appearance over the years.
Happy New Year!
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37396)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Dec 19
Those 10 year later photos are always fun to look at.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (182552)
• United States
29 Dec 19
That sounds like a plan. Being home is safer too. I'm sorry to hear about your friends. That's a great pic. There she is, the model! I wonder what it's like being in another country for New Year's? I'll bet it's exciting.
1 person likes this
!
Every country celebrates differently. In Italy they threw dishes out the windows. @LindaOHio (182552)
• United States
29 Dec 19
@DianneN Rio sounds like fun. Italy sounds dangerous.
1 person likes this
@LowRiderX (22903)
• Serbia
4 Jan 20
@DianneN I have the impression that I have known you and your family for years and that we have been socializing for years ... an incredible sense of closeness to you that I definitely believe is the style of your writing, conversations and of course the pictures you post...I'm sorry your friend has a health problem, hope for the best
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
29 Dec 19
Thanks. I’m hoping my friend beats her cancer.
I put gel in my hair and scrunched it. My hair can be worn wavy or straight easily. That’s one reason why I was used in hair shows.
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Many thanks and Happy New Year to you and your family, too.
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Many thanks and Happy New Year to you and your family, too.1 person likes this
@ExplorewtMe (6332)
• Nairobi, Kenya
31 Dec 19
That's sounds like a plan. Enjoy your movie.
1 person likes this
