Note: In this blog entry, Chucklebutt has made some edits to correct some factual issues in my original post.  His updates are still written from my first-person point of view, but are in blue text, like this.

Happy New Year to everyone out in cyberland!  I have never been one for New Year’s celebrations, however there have been a few memorable ones including this year’s.  In high school, I had a rockin’ New Year’s with my dear friend Brooke (now a doctor, wife and mommy).  We rented "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (we wanted to see what all the buzz was about) and solved the amazing book/puzzle "The Eleventh Hour" by Graeme Base.  At the time we felt a little bit like losers since we had no hot dates, however I will always remember fondly that girlish, giddy night. 

Then there was the crazy New Year’s I spent with my best friend Christine and our wacky friend Greg.  We crashed not one, but two parties.  We ended up at this couple’s house (who we had no idea who they were) right on the water and they used an old boat to start a bonfire.  The evening commenced in a van full of marines with flatulence problems.  Good times and one to tell the children about!

I will also treasure the first New Year’s Chuck and I spent together.  We went Salsa dancing at a little club not far from my house, and watched fireworks from an alleyway in his 1973 Dodge Dart while sharing a bottle of sparkling cider.  It was romantic and sweet and perfect.

So, as you can see, in the past 35 years, only three of them stick out when it comes to ringing in the new year.  That is until yesterday.  Chuck and I hosted our first ever major party and it was so much fun!  I invited all the residents from my work to come out to the Junction and enjoy some good food and good company.  They brought the company bus (I wish I had gotten a picture of it in my drive-way) and the company van.  We had a total of FORTY people in our house.  It was awesome!  The pictures are primarily for perspective to see how we fit all those folks inside.

I had six tables set up throughout the house and two outside.

The bus driver Dave, my friend and boss Vanessa and of course Chucklebutt all helped with the serving.  It was a good old fashioned tea party complete with scrumptious Russian Tea and decadent cream puffs, eclairs and Scottish Shortbread.  I also made green olive/celrey pasta salad and cucumber and egg salad sandwiches.

While everything went off without a hitch, I’ll admit I was a crazy lady the day before.  For those of you that know us, neat and tidy isn’t really one of our better attributes.  I like leaving piles of my things all over the house, but Chuck likes empty space and lots of "rooooooom" as he calls it.  I thought I was going to kill Chuck — he kept trying to clean up some of HIS stuff, but I wanted him to clean up all MY stuff instead!  Actually I thought that this ordeal was worse than putting on our wedding.  A true test of a relationship is throwing a dinner party.  We definitely had different ideas about what’s important; but my ideas were all that mattered!  😉   But as soon as 11:30 ran around and all the residents de-boarded the bus, it was simply marvelous.

I gave everyone "crackers" (the neat presents that pop when you open them) and a lot of folks got crowns inside.  You’ll notice a couple people wearing them in the pictures.  My friend Virgina is sitting in our Eagle’s Nest chair and she was the first one to brave it.  She is so cool and I love her sister Lucille.  They are from up-state New York and just a lot of fun.  Lucille subscribes to Mother Jones and is a little radical.  I love it!

Eventually James decided to give it a go.  He’s a retired Baptist preacher and his wife Elna (sitting in the foreground) is a retired school teacher.  They are an amazing couple and Chuck says he hope’s we’re like them when we’re older.  He adds of course that I will need to do some considerable mellowing.  tee hee!  Janet is on the left and used to be a lobbyist in DC.  She’s incredible and I love talking with her.  Alberta, on the right, is a good old gal from Illinois who loves all things outdoors.  She and her husband have seen the US by car, camper and tent.

With the exception of Dave and Vanessa, Chuck and I were the youngest folks there by about thirty years.  It was so much fun.  Afterward, my friend Lori came over to eat and see the kitties (they were in our closet the entire time) and then I passed out.  I have never worked so hard in all my life.  I had three hours sleep the night before and didn’t even have time to comb my hair yesterday (thank goodness for buns).  When I woke up from a much needed nap, I saw that Chuck had cleaned up the entire house.  I mean the ENTIRE house.  All the card tables an chairs were folded, the dishes washed and the food put away.  I was so relieved, I almost cried.  Now I can start making little (and big) piles of my stuff again!  😉  I guess that completely makes up for the fact that I didn’t give him time to clean the mirrors in the bathroom or vacuum our bedroom.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Chucklebutt!  You rock!

I leave everyone with some fun pics of our New Year’s Eve Party at work.  We had a nice singing duo and some champagne and light snacks.  I wore my grandmother’s crystals and even danced a song or two — something I haven’t done in a really long time.

I love this picture of Irene.  I think she looks beautiful!

Shake your booties ladies!

I think this is a great picture of Pat.  She reads my blog, so here’s a little shout-out to her!

Chucklebutt and Jiggle Puff together!  Happy New Year!  Tonight I’ll post Christmas pics (better late than never).  We had a very blessed holiday in Asheville. 

Well, I think I’m ready for round two of the naps.  Chuck has yet to wake up, but I’m convinced he’s a vampire.  Love to all and may your 2009 be filled with love, laughter, health and joy!