Ringing in the New Year 2019
12-29-2018, 07:38 PM
#11
In the early 70s I used to go to Times Square every year to watch the ball drop. Sometimes by myself, sometimes with friends. That was before it became so commercial and it was a lot of fun, awfully cold, but a lot of fun.
For the last 20 or so years, Liz and I have opted to stay home on New Years Eve, and celebrate on New Years Day instead. A long time ago we found that the costs were high, the service was awful and the food was terrible on New Years Eve and everything was better on New Years Day. Besides, we celebrate New Years 3 times a year so we don't really feel like we're missing much. We'll probably go to New York CIty on New Year's day, walk around, look at the windows and have dinner in Chinatown.
2018 was a mixed bag. I can't say it was all good but some good things did happen. Unfortunately, some not so good things happened as well. My older son who was stagnating in New Jersey in a go nowhere job moved to Reno, Nevada. Within a few week he got a job with Intuit (Quickbooks) and while he's not making a lot of money he loves the job and believes there is growth in the future. Adam got settled in with Honda and got a really good review. His girlfriend, also a mechanical engineer, graduated from Virginia Tech. Adam helped get her a job with Honda and now they are living happily in a townhouse in Ohio. Unfortunately, my last surviving aunt died. She was 89 and live a full life, but from a very large family, she was the last aunt. We redid our kitchen, The job that was supposed to take 6 to 8 weeks ended up taking 17 weeks with lots of aggravation along the way. Fortunately, now it's done and it somehow came out really nice. Liz was very upset, but now I think she's gotten over working with the contractors and is feeling better.
On November 16 I finally broke away from the firm that I was with. I was there a long time but things weren't going the way I thought they should. Now I'm independent, working out of my home. Fortunately, a lot of my clients followed me and some others, who liked me, came along too. I won't work the same crazy hours I used to work, and now my practice is mine alone. I'm very happy about it. For the first time in the 36 years that we've been married, I finally get to have breakfast with my wife.
Yogi Berra once said, "Predictions are hard to make, especially predictions about the future." He was right, but I think (hope) that 2019 is going to be a good year.
For the last 20 or so years, Liz and I have opted to stay home on New Years Eve, and celebrate on New Years Day instead. A long time ago we found that the costs were high, the service was awful and the food was terrible on New Years Eve and everything was better on New Years Day. Besides, we celebrate New Years 3 times a year so we don't really feel like we're missing much. We'll probably go to New York CIty on New Year's day, walk around, look at the windows and have dinner in Chinatown.
2018 was a mixed bag. I can't say it was all good but some good things did happen. Unfortunately, some not so good things happened as well. My older son who was stagnating in New Jersey in a go nowhere job moved to Reno, Nevada. Within a few week he got a job with Intuit (Quickbooks) and while he's not making a lot of money he loves the job and believes there is growth in the future. Adam got settled in with Honda and got a really good review. His girlfriend, also a mechanical engineer, graduated from Virginia Tech. Adam helped get her a job with Honda and now they are living happily in a townhouse in Ohio. Unfortunately, my last surviving aunt died. She was 89 and live a full life, but from a very large family, she was the last aunt. We redid our kitchen, The job that was supposed to take 6 to 8 weeks ended up taking 17 weeks with lots of aggravation along the way. Fortunately, now it's done and it somehow came out really nice. Liz was very upset, but now I think she's gotten over working with the contractors and is feeling better.
On November 16 I finally broke away from the firm that I was with. I was there a long time but things weren't going the way I thought they should. Now I'm independent, working out of my home. Fortunately, a lot of my clients followed me and some others, who liked me, came along too. I won't work the same crazy hours I used to work, and now my practice is mine alone. I'm very happy about it. For the first time in the 36 years that we've been married, I finally get to have breakfast with my wife.
Yogi Berra once said, "Predictions are hard to make, especially predictions about the future." He was right, but I think (hope) that 2019 is going to be a good year.
Last edited by ralper; 12-29-2018 at 07:57 PM.
12-29-2018, 10:17 PM
#12
Registered User
Rob, I missed something somewhere. I thought you went out on your own years ago, my thinking was 2010 or since then. Did you just change firms or am I getting senile?
12-30-2018, 01:00 AM
#13
Thread Starter
I'm making black eyed peas for Hoppin' John in the crockpot today in anticipation of the New Year. Southern tradition that is supposed to bring luck. I'm spreading the luck to everyone!
12-30-2018, 03:43 AM
#14
As for celebration. 
probably not much.
probably not much.
12-30-2018, 04:08 AM
#15
Registered User
Was not a good year for me.
12-30-2018, 05:31 AM
#16
Thread Starter
^ Sorry to hear this...I hope 2019 is better!! 
12-30-2018, 05:37 AM
#17
Will probably be in bed asleep long before midnight.
But will probably be awakened by the neighbors across the street when, as usual, they set off what sounds like sticks of dynamite at midnight.
And since we've had a lot of rain they, hopefully, won't set the surrounding woods on fire.
Which thankfully- but not for lack of trying-they haven't managed to do in past years either.
2018 wasn't a bad year for us. A few more aches and pains but our health is still pretty good compared to others we know who are over 80.
We have decided that our house and yard are getting to be too much to handle and have put a deposit down on an apartment at a CCRC that is being built in Durham NH.
Our expected move in date is early 2020.
So 2019 is going to be spent downsizing, getting the house ready to sell [one of our kids wants to buy it] and preparing to move.
But will probably be awakened by the neighbors across the street when, as usual, they set off what sounds like sticks of dynamite at midnight.
And since we've had a lot of rain they, hopefully, won't set the surrounding woods on fire.
Which thankfully- but not for lack of trying-they haven't managed to do in past years either.
2018 wasn't a bad year for us. A few more aches and pains but our health is still pretty good compared to others we know who are over 80.
We have decided that our house and yard are getting to be too much to handle and have put a deposit down on an apartment at a CCRC that is being built in Durham NH.
Our expected move in date is early 2020.
So 2019 is going to be spent downsizing, getting the house ready to sell [one of our kids wants to buy it] and preparing to move.
12-30-2018, 05:58 AM
#18
Thread Starter
^ Always good to plan ahead! 
NH is a pretty state.
NH is a pretty state.
12-30-2018, 06:28 AM
#19
Deb;
Our new home will be only 35 miles North of where we live now in Massachusetts which is ~12 miles South of the NH State line.
My family has a 200 plus year history in New Hampshire and Vermont and had farms in both states.
I've probably spent more vacation time there than anyplace else in the country.
.
.
Our new home will be only 35 miles North of where we live now in Massachusetts which is ~12 miles South of the NH State line.
My family has a 200 plus year history in New Hampshire and Vermont and had farms in both states.
I've probably spent more vacation time there than anyplace else in the country.
.
.
