Monthly Musings: Ringing in the New Year

 It's the last Thursday of the month and time for Monthly Musings with Holly and Patty. This month we're looking at how we celebrate the New Year.  My post will be pretty short and sweet (with no pictures this time!) because we don't really celebrate the new year at all. 



1. Typically we don't do anything special to ring in the new year... and I don't think any of us have ever made it up until midnight (or at least not since my husband and I were in college anyway). 

2. We don't have any traditions for New Years Eve or New Years Day.

3. We used to get Chinese take out each New Years Eve waaay back in the day.. apparently it was a popular tradition since the last time we tried it we had to wait over 3 hours for the food we had pre-ordered earlier in the day and we said never again!  

4. I don't wear any fancy New Year's Eve outfits; usually just a pair of comfy pj's.

5. I don't know what I am most looking forward to in the New Year... I guess Alec's graduation from high school and most likely Ian should be ready to graduate college next December (if the classes he needs are offered!) so those should both be exciting.  We're talking about planning a 2 week trip to Hawaii for the whole family so I'm excited about that but it's definitely not a done deal.

6. We are asleep by 10.. in fact I probably won't even make it up until 10!

7. I have no word or goals for the New Year. I tend to set small goals through the year as I see fit. 

8. I don't know that I have any self-care tips right now but sure could use some! December has been rather stressful for us... and really nothing at all to do with the holidays.  

9. I don't have a planner (paper or electronic) and just use our wall calendar to keep track of who needs to be where when.  

10. I have never ever had black-eyed peas... and I don't think I want to try them either so that would be a nay from me.  

Linking up with: Spread the Kindness, Final Fridays for What It's Worth, 







Comments

  1. Good Better Best FoodDecember 28, 2023 at 6:11 AM

    I love Chinese take-out on New Year's! I am sorry this month has been stressful for you and hope you find some peace soon. Crossing fingers for Alec and that he gets a school he loves.

    Happy New Year and thank you for linking up with us.

    Patty
    GoodBetterBestFood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 28, 2023 at 6:25 AM

      Thank you! He was accepted to both the schools he applied to.

      Delete
  2. Maria RineerDecember 28, 2023 at 6:31 AM

    I have never had black eyes peas either... I usually stay up until midnight but will go to bed shortly after that. I hope the trip to Hawaii works out for you family!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 28, 2023 at 6:37 AM

    2 weeks in Hawaii sounds lovely. I hope the stress calms down soon!
    Sarah @ Sunshine & Books

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kim CarberryDecember 28, 2023 at 7:08 AM

    We stay up late and have a party tea. We stopped getting a takeaway years ago when we realised everyone was doing the same and having to wait hours for food.
    Wishing you all the best for 2024. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 28, 2023 at 7:27 AM

      Yes, it was just not worth the wait anymore. I'll happily cook something!

      Delete
  5. TomDecember 28, 2023 at 9:36 AM

    ...we do nothing special for New Years. We go to bed early, but that's not special either.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tamar SBDecember 28, 2023 at 9:52 AM

    I am like you - I prefer to be at home in PJs on NYE!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 28, 2023 at 11:50 AM

      I prefer to be at home in my pj's just about any night of the year.

      Delete
  7. Jodie's Touch of StyleDecember 28, 2023 at 3:37 PM

    I think you'd like black eyed peas...they really aren't that much different than white beans.
    We are the same way about staying up until 10 pm. We used to hang with friends and watch movies on NYE and they would make us stay up until midnight. It was SO hard, haha.
    XOOX
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 29, 2023 at 6:15 AM

      I used to have no problem staying up late but now I have a much harder time sleeping in and am so tired in the evenings.

      Delete
  8. JenniferDecember 28, 2023 at 3:51 PM

    So nice to know that I am not the only one who will be out by 10!:) We celebrated "big" (big for us, at least) on Y2K (stayed up to make sure the world didn't evaporate!) but that is the last time that I can remember! And I don't have a planner either...totally thought I was the only girl left who did not!! Thanks, Joanne:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 29, 2023 at 6:16 AM

      I'm pretty sure the last party we threw for New Years was Y2K and I'm not sure we've stayed up to ring in the new year since!

      Delete
  9. NatashaDecember 28, 2023 at 5:45 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear December has been stressful :( I hope your vacation to Hawaii works out because that sounds really good. While I'd love a reason to wear something sparkly on NYE, I am usually right with you in the pjs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 29, 2023 at 6:17 AM

      Thank you! The hardest part is trying to coordinate all the different school schedules.

      Delete
  10. StephanieDecember 28, 2023 at 10:18 PM

    I like the idea of just setting small goals through out the year! I am the same way. Hawaii sounds fun. My sister and her husband are currently living there. I hope that you have a Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  11. MarshaDecember 28, 2023 at 11:51 PM

    Honestly, New Year's is just another day for me. But, I am making a couple of resolutions health-wise so I can't say I don't make resolutions anymore. I hope your trip to Hawaii comes about!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kym December 29, 2023 at 12:22 AM

    Sounds like you have some wonderful things ahead in 2024! Hope you have a very happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sherry's PickingsDecember 29, 2023 at 3:49 AM

    we don't do anything for new year's. it's just a regular quiet night at home. Nor do i make any resolutions for the new year. we are having a heatwave and they're expecting rain on new year's eve so that will be fun :=)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 29, 2023 at 6:19 AM

      We have had so much rain this past month! I'm thankful it was rain and not snow but we have had some minor flooding which is so rare and weird for December.

      Delete
  14. Jennifer WhiteDecember 29, 2023 at 7:26 AM

    2024 looks to have some big milestones for you all! Hawaii sounds fabulous! When I was a kid, my mom would always make black eyed peas on NYE, and we would have to eat as many as our age. haha

    ReplyDelete
  15. HollyDecember 29, 2023 at 11:49 AM

    Well wishing you a relaxing New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Memphis BridgesDecember 29, 2023 at 1:06 PM

    Hawaii sounds lovely and I love the idea of small goals throughout the year. Happy New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousDecember 29, 2023 at 5:23 PM

    Ditto for me on most of these. Black Eyed Peas are so bland tasting to me. They are a southern tradition, but definitely not for me. Hawaii sounds wonderful...I'm hoping to go back in 2026 for our 25th wedding anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  18. JoyceDecember 29, 2023 at 11:16 PM

    Well I'm married to a southern boy so we always have black eyed peas on new year's day lol. We celebrate our 40th in June and conveniently my daughter will be moving to England for six months so we plan to tie a celebratory trip in with a visit to see her and her family. We are usually low key on new year's eve. We have three couples we've known since college coming for the weekend but plan to hang out here and just relax, play some games, watch some football, and eat a lot of snacks : ) Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne December 30, 2023 at 6:14 AM

      Both your trip to England and your New Years Eve plans sound great!

      Delete
  19. Lindsay's Sweet WorldJanuary 8, 2024 at 11:13 AM

    I can't believe you've never had black-eyed peas! You should try them sometime. They're delicious! We do eat them on New Year's Day along with collards and pork chops and rice because that's the meal you at for luck and prosperity in the new year here in the south!

    ReplyDelete

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