………………………..Happy New Year’s Day………The photo………..1998…………….New Year’s in Jamaica…………………..Another year is gone, and a new one has started…….I have no expectations for the year to come, which is unusual for me, but …….in theses uncertain times it’s foolish to make plans…..I was going to the theater on Jan 19th to see “Moulin Rouge”, but it was canceled………..I’ll just take it day by day……….no expectations!……………..The photo may be faded, but the memories come flooding back.
Dear Louis,
I very much like your sentiment for our uncertain times: no expectations. That way, we will not be disappointed! And, we can be happy and enjoy what we do have and what remains, including our cherished memories.
We brought in 2022 at home with our adult children. Ordered in Italian food, played games, watched the ball drop in Times Square and took a walk in the falling snow with our two dogs. My husband is back to normal life now after a cancer reoccurrence this past year and we gained a lovely daughter-in-law, as our oldest son was married in Nov. Lots of blessings in 2021 to be sure in the midst of it all. I did dress up on NYE in all Linea–navy sequined pants and the navy lurex sweater…Earlier in the week, the unexpected happened for us and then the devastating tragedy nearby in Boulder. We were under a brief, but terrifying, evacuation order for a grass fire near our home in the CO foothills. (As if the pandemic isn’t enough!!) Unlike the devastating Boulder fire with high winds, we were lucky the firefighters got everything under control. Our hearts are still hurting for all the people who lost homes and for the lives lost in Boulder. We had friends who lived in the fire zone, but thankfully they are OK, as is their home. We are counting our blessings, as “there but the grace of God, go I”…But, we also know that climate change will impact drought conditions where we live going forward. Our home is in a beautiful place, but we are vulnerable and for the first time ever, we have a “go bag” for the next fire. I pray we’ll never use it. Maybe it’s time to move back home to the East coast and take our chances on hurricanes! At least, there is some warning…
I do want to wish you all the best in 2022 and thank you, once again, for all the goodness and joy you’ve brought to my life. You are indeed a treasure to so many of us and I feel fortunate and grateful our paths have crossed. Much love and happiness to you, Louis…Grace
Dear Grace, First, that is great news about your husband’s condition! Your New Years celebration sounds perfect. There is no better place to be than with those you love and who love you around you….I did hear the horrible news about Bolder, and I’m glad to hear your home made it through without damage….I think it is wise to have a bag packed and ready to go. Jac and I have been evacuated from our home twice due to hurricanes and flooding. We didn’t pack a special bag of treasures. We just got some over night things, the dogs and left. I have thought that it would be wise to have a plan of what we might take, so I have all of our valuable documents in a black case ready to go. The only other things I would want are my unreplaceable pictures…..As I said, I have no expectations about what the year will bring, no plans about going away…..though I would love to go to the Caribbean this year. The clear turquoise water and sun always seems to revitalize me…..but no plans, no resolutions, no expectations. I’m ready for whatever God has in store for me.
Louis, I’m sorry to hear you and Jac were evacuated twice!! I can now appreciate how it must have felt to leave it all behind. I have to say, when we got the first pre-evacuation text, we didn’t take it seriously as we’d never gotten one in almost 30 years in this house. When we got the evacuation order text that ended with “leave now” we were in shock and denial. While we were gathering our paperwork and staging up our pets, the order was cancelled. Horses were already being moved from the nearby Equestrian Center. Then, four days later, the Boulder tragedy happened š Now, we are more prepared, and thank you for sharing what you took with you. Our documents are in a small safe, so putting all that in a bag as you did, is the way to go. I’m now assembling photos to grab in a moment’s notice…It is what it is and life will take it’s course. God willing…maybe once we get through the Omicron surge and into the warmer months, travel plans can be made once again. The warmth and beauty of the Caribbean sounds about as soothing and restorative as it gets, so I hope that trip is in the cards for you this year. I have a much delayed trip to Italy still on my list and even got new luggage from Santa to keep hope alive!! Guess that’s the best we do in times like these…Thanks, again, for your kind words and advice.
I have the āMoulin Rougeā dvd with Nicole Kidman
and itās fabulous! You could probably get it from Amazon and enjoy some popcorn and Milk Duds on
your nice warm couch at home. Luckily, you got to see the ROCKETTS RIGHT BEFORE THEY Cancelled!
Dear Louis,
Happy New Year to you! I just wanted to thank you for all the gorgeous clothes in my closet. My family decided to get dressed up for New Yearās Eve. A small family get together to celebrate. I wore your amazing tuxedo jacket and sequin pants with one of your black whisper knit tanks and lovely jewelry (black cut beads with pearls, necklace and earrings set). Thanks to you I looked amazing. My husband wore his tux as did my brother and his wife wore the gown she wore to my godsonās wedding. My niece and her husband (our Hosts) wore their best as well. We drank champagne and ate fresh seafood and a salad to watch the festivities in NY. We are in California so dinner was not too late!
I miss spending time with your models. I hope 2022 finds all of us in a healthy and happy world.
Lovely to start the New Year with Jacās beautiful smile.
All the best to you, Louis!
Hi Louis,
It’s been almost 2 years that we have been living in these uncertain times. Along with all the orther stuff that life throws our way.
Thank you for your wonderful blog !!! It has truly brought joy in so many ways. Thanks for sharing, educating, advising & caring !!!
Wishing you everything good in the New Year!!!