Party People

Audrey, 1962

My darling husband proposed on New Year's Eve, seven years ago. I wore a 1920's inspired silk slip dress, he wore a tuxedo.  New York City sparkled almost as much as the ring on my finger, while the promise of a new adventure built for two popped and fizzed around us like uncorked champagne.

This morning, the boys were tearing around the house trying to sit on each other, his back hurt, my coffee was cold...The memories of New Year's past lingered like a delicate perfume, and let me tell you if I had a flask of it, I'd douse myself like a fourteen year old boy uses Polo. 

I snatched at my husband's offer to watch the boys while I hit the YMCA--at 8:30AM--like an inmate seeking sunshine on a dull day. Which is more fun, I asked myself, child-rearing or...ZUMBA?!

The class was packed with sweaty folks in spaghetti straps, "Moves Like Jagger" was on the sound system, and the lights were turned down low. I had my New Year's Eve dance party before most people were awake, and it completely changed my perspective.

The rest of the morning was back to business as usual--we jumped in our suits and went swimming, ate at our favorite restaurant and topped it off with sweet treats from Crumbs. This morning was the kind of moment I have tried to create with Forced Family Fun Day (alas, it never works). 

So if your New Year's plans aren't shaping up the way you wished this year, turn down the lights and pop in a little "Beat It". There's nothing like focusing on fancy footwork to change up the rhythm of our thinking.

                                                                I'm pretty sure I am the one in the middle.