Happy New Year

Yes – it is, or will be a very Happy New Year. Think of all the extremes that happened last year, from sports to politics. What ever could 2009 bring that would offer such surprises? Hopefully a lot more good than last year. Something to look forward to since we certainly can’t move backward.

I had to spend an extra hour or two in bed today since I watched the ball drop and didn’t get to bed until 12:30 AM. The champagne toast comes today since both Ted and I were too tired to drink to the New Year. But more on New Year’s Eve later.

I tried to walk Shane around MV this morning but just couldn’t. My fingers froze and were so painful, we had to high tail it home. It was 1 degree. I had 1/2 a banana with Naturally More peanut butter as a pre workout kick in the behind. Downstairs, I ran for 30 minutes. Worked shoulders and abs…wish I could tell you what I did but Shane was in the gym with Ted and I and wanted constant attention. He got the ball stuck 2 X under the treadmill…most annoying. Then was in our faces if we were on the floor doing crunches. Somehow both of us got through a most frustrating workout.

For breakfast, I had 1 scoop Jay Robb Chocolate with 1/4 banana, 1/4 cup Fuze, 3 strawberries. 1/3 cup Thick and Rough Oatmeal with cinnamon, 2 strawberries, 1/4 banana.

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Today is the day we always take down the holiday decorations – hence, begin the New Year. That comes a little later. This morning, I am making the frosting for the carrot cake, a tedious task on my wrist since I have to constantly stir the heating egg white and sugar. After that – the decorations, then some bowl games and reading. If Ted’s real good to me, he’ll light a beautiful warm fire.

New Year’s Eve With Friends

I want to offer a recap of last night because it was so enjoyable spending an early dinner with friends and toasting the New Year.

We went to a Lebanese restaurant called The Phoenician. It offers a pleasant, casual atmosphere and the food is more reasonably priced than some other places we typically visit.

We began with a basket of pita bread, so soft and fresh.

Then the round of appetizers arrived which were hummus and grape leaves, some with meat, some without.

Everyone had a salad. I opted for a super sized since there were no vegetables with dinner. The salad was simply iceburg lettuce, tomato and feta cheese.

The dinner was good, a little disappointed since my grilled swordfish was a bit under cooked in areas. Ididn’t eat the rice. I think they must have used some MSG in some seasoning since my nose and cheeks began to feel flushed. What? Could it have been the wine? We had a carafe of Cabernet, the men, and a carafe of Chardonnay, the ladies. No- couldn’t have been the wine, I had drank only 3/4 of a glass at that point. Although I do think it went right to my head as I referred to Mary Ellen and Gene’s son as “Gino” – he is certainly NOT a Gino, he is a Eugene. Silly me! Anyway – the dinner presentation was simple but nice:

Sorry the pics are so dark – I can not get this camera right!