Last night was my best New Year's Eve EVER!! None other comes close, not even the swank black tie party at Richard & Nora's the year after we were married. Never thought anything could top that splendiferous soiree!
And it wasn't until late on 12/29/12 that I had so much of an inkling of the fun that lay ahead!!
It was on New Year's Eve eve - around 10:30 p.m. - that a grannie client, lulled into bald-faced honesty by the late hour & a vodka martini, blurted out, "I dread New Year's Eve!"
Those few words hit me smack between the eyes.
Was still smarting from not realizing that one of my grannie clients was alone on Christmas Eve, the worst time of the year to be at home by yourself. New Year's Eve is a close second, especially for widows & widowers.
Might have muffed being available when I was needed on 12/24/12, but still had time to cover 12/31/12!!
Assured my g. c. I'd put together a special evening. The look in my eyes & the bounce in my voice told her, "Dear friend, this is a done deal!"
What started out as a special evening for two grannie clients expanded from a pot roast dinner with all the trimmings for the two of them into something considerably bigger & way better!
In less than 36 hours, I got a "go" from the director of the local senior residence (home to one of my g.c.), who posted an invitation to all the residents for "Dessert & Martinellis" in their attractive dining room followed by a movie. I snapped to, a whirlwind of shopping, baking, gathering up a few extras to give some pzzazzz (a few Happy New Year! hats & glistening serpentines & noise makers, along with my collection of champagne flutes), and managed to pull my #1 choice for the movie - Holiday - out of a party hat (the story of procuring it - less than 6 hours before party time - is one of my 10 greatest triumphs of 2012!!!).
Dinner was a snap - put the pot roast on at 8 a.m., got some of Fernando's delicious brown gravy for the meat & potatoes (used diced tomatoes & coffee for the liquid - great base for soup, not for gravy), cheated with ready-made mashed potatoes, made sure I had Anne's beloved broccoli, then put the dinner together with ease in Marg's cozy kitchen. Went without a hitch.
While the ladies & John chatted after dinner, I hightailed it to the dining room to set up "Dessert & Martinellis."
Everything went like clockwork!
Sort of chortled, noticing how Cairnwood Village residents waited politely outside the open dining room doors until the clock hit 7:00 p.m. Such a reward, seeing their smiles, catching their high spirits.
It took a little bit of urging to get them to use the nine champagne flutes I'd put out - they thought they were just for decoration! - instead of just the back-up plastic glasses, but soon each flute had been filled.
For me, it was as much a celebration of "grans" (gals & guys) who've been mentors & role models in my life as it was a New Year's Eve party. And amazement that >I< made it happen by pulling together inspiration, a rather unusual personal data base, and organizational skills honed this past spring/summer/fall by my Bryn Athyn Bounty participation.
The honored guests were back in their apartments, John from taking a grannie client home, the last bit of cleaning was finished before 10 p.m., leaving us plenty of time to head over to see in the new year with friends at a party that serendipity placed not far from Cairnwood Village.
The best tribute to how well everything fell into place was the fact that I had plenty of energy left to enjoy toasting the new year within a circle of dear friends.
With Cairnwood Village now having a weekly movie night, my plan is to do a monthly "Dessert & Martinellis." It would touch my heart if other younger adults join in on the festivities - so much fun for so little work & grand for the "grans" of Cairnwood Village to connect with some of the younger adults of our community!
It was a gran(d) night for smiling!
p.s. - took a lonnng nap today.
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