JetBlue is my New Year's Eve destination party

I have taken a break from blogging and life has been one long, pleasant day of spending time with my immediate family. We've been cooking incredible meals (all four of us pitching in), laughing and telling stories, staying up late having great chats, sitting by the fireplace (a family first... we've never before had one), drinking wine, drinking coffee, going to Wilmington for tasty grilled fish sandwiches, walking along the river, walking on the gorgeous beach nearby on the Atlantic Ocean, picking up shells and stones, having ice cream sodas at the local soda shop in Pittsboro, checking out the local arts shops and thrift stores, wandering around UNC at Chapel Hill. I got a great haircut at the Aveda Institute on the main drag in Chapel Hill from this sweet young woman who lives with her sister -- a junior at UNC -- and two brother kittens. She sang along to the radio as she cut my hair. We even attended a John Edwards rally. My mom has discovered a love of sushi. We're all having a great time even if I never got to see a deer in the neighborhood.

Right now, I'm writing thank you notes, writing up an interview I had with a prospective Bryn Mawr student, finishing up knitting projects and playing an intricate game of "How Can I Bring All of This Back to NYC?" I'm heading back this evening to Brooklyn and I'm sad to say goodbye to my family, especially since my brother is staying until the second week of January. Yet, I have so much to look forward to this coming week. Tomorrow, I'm going to a party in the neighborhood then dinner w/ RJK et al. Tuesday, Sprout is moving into the apartment and I am making dinner for her, her parents, RiRi and whoever happens to be in the apartment. Wednesday, I'm going to a play at MTC with the Swan. Thursday and Friday, I have no immediate plans, but I am sure Sprout and I will be cleaning and reorganizing the apartment. I'm sure there will be a trip or two to Target. Saturday, we are celebrating epiphany and RJK's birthday. I have to make time for sleeping and writing. Oh, and returning to work. That too.

I should get back to packing, but I hope everyone has a safe and fun New Year's Eve. Let's hope 2007 is a hurricane-free year and certainly full of more joy and more prosperity than 2006. I hope it's another year of good health and happiness. Best wishes to everyone.