Auld Lang Syne

“What does this song mean? My whole life, I don’t know what this song means. I mean, ‘Should old acquaintance be forgot?’ Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances, or does it mean if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot?” — When Harry Met Sally

2010, I don’t want to part with you.  You were good to me, and I am so grateful.  With you, I saw all of this happen:

  • We moved out of the city and became suburbanites.  Although P claims I left claw marks at the Lincoln Tunnel when leaving my city life, I couldn’t be happier in our house.  This also meant my return to driving a car — fellow motorists of NJ, sorry about that.
  • Our daughter went from sweet little infant to crazy, climbing, mind-of-her-own toddler who is (in a genetically inexplicable turn of events) obsessed with shoes and bags.  And cute as hell every step of the way.
  • Our son rolled with the change of moving homes and two new schools.  His imagination exploded and I love to hear his stories unfold every day.  He also mastered potty training (OK, so it took almost all of 2010 and cut years from my life, but in the end, we got there).  And, in a trend that I expect I’ll continue to report in upcoming years, he continues to be obsessed with trains.
  • Fordeville came to life in this very space.  A very big development for me, even if only four or so people read it (thanks, Mom, and three random car buffs who came here accidentally after googling “De Ville” and promptly left).
  • And, most importantly, our loved ones are healthy, our friends are dear to us, we are both employed and life is good.

Did bad things happen?  Sure.  Dramas, change and general chaos reared their ugly heads a fair amount but I can’t complain.  Really, I can’t.  And although my grandmother passed away this year, we were grateful for the long and healthy life she had.  Grateful for getting to see her that last day.  And grateful that she did not suffer.

So, 2011, I see you peering around the corner.  And I won’t lie to you — I am hesitant.  I don’t like change.  And, in a freakish but entirely true admission, I don’t like odd-numbered years and am especially afraid of prime numbers.  I prefer my numbers even — from passcodes to roulette picks, you’ll rarely find an odd, and certainly not a prime, number from me.  I can’t explain it but please know that 12 months of 2011 is freaking me out a bit. 

Anyway, filed under “things I cannot change,” I will have to embrace 2011 soon enough, or at least cordially shake its hand until we get to know each other a bit better and see what’s in store.  I resolve not to list any formal resolutions but here are a few things I’m thinking about tackling to make 2011 a good year.

  • Be greener.  I can’t promise any homegrown compost or swear to a minimalist lifestyle but I will say goodbye to plastic bags forever, be more conscious of consumption and think about other easy and meaningful ways to stop being an eco-terrorist (yes, that means the end of my beloved 1.5 liter Poland Springs bottle habit).
  • More tech stuff, please.  This was the year of the Facebook, the FourSquare and the Fordeville for me (the tweet was 2009), as well as the loss of my Apple virginity via iPhone and, now, iPad.  Pretty good progress.  But let’s see what’s next (Tumblr, I’m looking at you) or how to make these things work together better.  Or how to wed my gadgets into better “make life easier” co-existence.  Because this seems stupid.  
  • Be less digital  — sometimesWhatchoo talkin about WillisYou just said to amp it up next year.  Yes, but I’ve got to step away from the online life when I’m with my kids.  That whole balance thing — never was my strong suit.  Being more present for them is something I can’t imagine regretting someday, even if I do miss your awesome tweet, email or Facebook post in the meantime.
  • On a related note, I will slow the fuck down (also, see “clean up my language” under past failed resolutions).  This year was 500 mph.  Every day.  The breathing room was little to none.  And though I’ve always thought that I thrive this way, maybe I don’t.  Because the sad truth is that I am missing things that are right under my nose.  And not just paying a bill on time because I can’t find it (again).  I mean the real stuff that life is made of.  Note to self in 2011:  Stop missing it.
  • A return to current movies, books and music — ones that don’t revolve around toddlers. Enough said.
  • Cook more.  By “cook,” I mean the use of the big appliance on the bottom, not the one with all the buttons and the rotating dish on the top.  I know how, trust me — I just, well, went 500 mph too often. 
  • Oh yeah, and get in better shape.  I’m not out to lose a bunch of weight but just be a more fit person.  Make the time for it regularly instead of that ad hoc run. (Running for the train in heels doesn’t count anymore.)

So, 2011, that’s what I’m thinking.  I hope you have good plans for me too. Let’s try to get along for the next year because, prime number fear or not, we’re stuck with each other for a bit. 

How about you guys?  Anything you want to unofficially resolve to do?  Don’t worry, I won’t hold you to it.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

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Comments

  1. seadragon says:

    Can I just follow all of your resolutions? They sound perfect.

  2. Markus says:

    How did you know I found out about this by googling “De Ville”? Is there a spy cam somewhere in my office?

    I had no idea about this “odd number / prime number” anti-fetish… a bit odd, um – I mean strange – no?

    A few resolutions to add to yours:

    1) Watch Less TV: I find that I have become a slave to my DVR and I feel the need to watch what I’ve recorded in order to make more space to record more shows. It’s a vicious cycle! Although I will definitely not stop recording Modern Family, and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations…those are keepers.

    2) Read More: This is like a fad for me. I will do it for a month, or so, and then I won’t pick a book up for six months. This year I’d like to have a book in progress throughout the year.

    3) Double the amount of music on my iPod: OK, so maybe double would be a bit extreme – and expensive – but at the very least load ALL of my CDs on it.

    Now what about P?

    Markus

    • fordeville says:

      I’m glad that your love for the Cadillac has inadvertently brought you to Fordeville and even kept you here.
      I’m sorry you never knew about my fear of prime numbers. I looked online to see if there is an official term for this but I am apparently alone in this one. Will Hunting, I am not.

      Thanks for adding your resolutions. Glad to hear you won’t give up Modern Family or Tony Bourdain — both favorites of mine. (How funny is that kid Manny? Cracks me up, every time.)

      Hey, if you read more, maybe I won’t have to! Just read some books that I would also like and you can recap them for me. It will be like Oprah’s Book Club but without single-handedly controlling the publishing industry. I guess, really, it would be more like high school — at least for me. (“Hey, did you read the homework? Do you have the Cliff’s Notes?”). It’s a win-win: You can read more and I can watch Modern Family for you — then we trade notes. Fair, right?

      OK, your iPod resolution chills me to my core. Just step away from the iPod, Wilson. No device, or person (except P) is ready for your full CD collection 🙂

      As for P and his resolutions, I don’t know for sure, but he mumbled something about a proper vacation. Now that’s a guy I can keep in 2011.

      Happy New Year!

  3. Debbie says:

    Great quote from one of my favorite movies. I could have written 2/3 of your passage, right down to the issue with odd numbers. I always head into the new year with such anxiety – the fear of what the new year has in store for us. Moving from an even year to an odd year quadruples the panic…so I feel your pain. 😉

    I’m going to steal your resolution about slowing down. I realized over this holiday “break” that it’s okay to sit still, it’s okay to do nothing and, in fact, it’s necessary to enjoy life.

    Happy New Year! I hope 2011 brings your family health, happiness and prosperity.

    • fordeville says:

      A fellow hater of odd numbers! You have made my day. We must play roulette together, or at least Lotto.

      Steal away. Glad we, in our similar I-work-and-parent-like-crazy lives, have both agreed to slow down and enjoy. It goes by too fast, even when you have the time to pay attention.

      Thanks for the good wishes, and all the best to you and yours for 2011 🙂

  4. Heather says:

    There are FIVE of us reading… Remember, you can claim an international audience 🙂 loved this post but still wish someone would explain what the hell Auld Lang Syne means 🙂 happy new year my friend – may 2011 be the year we see you in Tokyo (or maybe have news of our reappearance in NYC :-)) big hugs to all xoxo

  5. 2+0+1+1=4. All better now. Happy New Year!

    • fordeville says:

      Grasshopper, you have no idea how things just improved. 4 is my uber luckiest and all-time-favorite number. It’s disturbing how much better this made me feel. You rock.

  6. Kitaliana says:

    Six and counting! Your blog rocks.. so honest and true and funny (hello, “claw marks at the Lincoln Tunnel??!). Plus you have snow flakes (for a few more days at least 🙂 Keep. it. up. (not easy). I’ll have to subscribe (happily) as catching on Twitter is so.. catch as catch can. Happy New Year, Kim and family!

    • fordeville says:

      Six! This is out of control. How will I keep up with this fan base?
      Thanks so much for your kind words — very nice coming from a blogging veteran. Happy & healthy 2011 to you!

  7. Erinn says:

    I second (or third) your emotion regarding odd/prime-number years. Thanks to Margaret for the buffer math. Great stuff. This saved me from investigating Scientology.(Seriously, what is wrong with us? Maybe THEY know.)

    From the Hill House perspective(my “Fordeville”), I too have a tough time letting go of a good thing. And 2010 was a successful, fulfilling year.

    Less curve balls, more gratifying than 2009, and most of our loved ones maintained relatively good health. To enjoy the world through travel and experiences with family and friends who are on the right side of health — nothing is better.

    I’d hit the replay button if I could.

    But I’ll hold my head even higher and into the fire I’ll go …

    All the best to you and yours for an amazing 2+0+1+1=4.

    P.S. You need to add a Kindle to your gadget stable. (You might already have the app on your iPad.) Unless it is a cookbook or Penny’s reading, we are not going to bring any more dusty volumes into our home. Yea! Score one in my battle versus the dust.

    • fordeville says:

      Thanks Erinn. So glad the Hill House had a great year — wishing you more of the same in 2011 (now affectionately known as Year IV, thanks to Margaret).

      As for the Kindle, I just bought one for my husband for Christmas, so it’s in the household tech arsenal. Will also try an iPad app as a reader. I too can’t handle anymore incoming clutter.

      Thanks for sharing your odd/prime number reservations. There are more of us out there, I just know it…
      Happy New Year!

  8. You got me thinking about new year’s resolutions. My first one is posted over at Conjuring My Muse: http://margaretreyesdempsey.wordpress.com/2010/12/31/marketing-or-madness-you-be-the-judge/

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