<p>over here, boysx3! (Raises her glass of sangria to Montori)</p>
<p>Cheers. And new jobs!</p>
<p>Resurrecting the ole hangout. I think I was here a year ago sick with a cold. A hot toddy did wonders for me…so, I’ll have another one, please. This time I have laryngitis. </p>
<p>DH brought the dog to the vet which gave me time to rest in bed. Nice! Unfortunately, the $22 visit for an allergy shot turned into $132 of unnecessary canine toiletries and toys. The worst part? I didn’t have a voice so I couldn’t complain.</p>
<p>Feel better, lilmom!</p>
<p>I don’t need a drink…been partying quite a bit today. Went from a wedding/pig roast to an artist appreciation party at a house that you would have to see to believe! </p>
<p>DH and I are so 
:D</p>
<p>I’ve been drinking Cuba Libres all week while on vacation, but I’ll have another.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>hot toddy over here, too, please! I can sure use one,</p>
<p>Just rereading this thread, on a Christmas evening. </p>
<p>Remembering that back in June of 2006 I began the long process of ending a 20-year long marriage. That I posted here, not telling anyone, as a way to keep my sanity. You all helped, so much.</p>
<p>Nor did I know then that my son, the God of Mute, who liked marine biology, was gay and would be a Comparative Literature major writing a creative thesis. I thought he was a slacker. He graduates from Princeton in June, and has a job waiting. </p>
<p>My red-headed daughter still has red hair.</p>
<p>Some things surprise us, some things do not. Thanks, CC, for being such a great place for that certain age.</p>
<p>Happiest of holidays, alu!</p>
<p>Happy holidays. I was remembering how scared I was to post in 2005. My oldest just turned 23, is off the parental dole because he is employed, survived and graduated from college, managed to survive until he was “of legal age” and while he turned my hair gray, he called me today to thank me for everything I’ve done over the years for him. Sniff, sniff. Since 2005 I’ve sent two off to college, seen one graduate and now preparing for 3…and I’m not scared to post anymore. With that I will pour another glass of vino in toast to Alumother who said it right.</p>
<p>Ah, Sinner’s Alley, I have come and gone here from time to time. Raising my glass to you all. Raising a glass to my retirement from my current job and moving home to the States in the summer to Ohio. Never been; I am a Californian by birth and nature. I am doing research and writing now 
in the great state of Ohio. May the new year draw out the best in us all.</p>
<p>Happy holidays! When I first came to CC both kids were in high school. Oldest son was then and still is the consummate computer nerd, but not he’s graduated and gainfully employed, albeit on the opposite coast. Younger son, who always seemed like a slacker child has found a purpose in life. We are amazed at how he stepped up to the plate doing far better than I would ever have imagined playing the college admissions game. We’re still waiting for significant others - of whatever persuasion they turn out to be!</p>
<p>Here’s a glass of bubbly to the future for us and all our progeny!</p>
<p>DH and I sipped Delirium Tremmons last night and felt at peace. Older kid is self-supporting and looking at MD/MPH programs – apparently they are free and involve stipends, so we’re good with that. His current GF doesn’t seem to speak and texts thru dinner. We are keeping an open mind. Younger one who a year ago was convinced her life was destroyed by having to move at start of junior year is now deeply happy – accepted EA to Princeton, about 45 minutes away. I will need counsel next year on how not to be a mom who won’t give her space to enjoy college on her own.</p>
<p>We have wonderful new neighbors here and a whole new state and region of the country to explore. We are looking forward to becoming true empty nesters in the year ahead. Just hope the health holds.</p>
<p>I love CC. Just the right balance of intimacy and anonymity. It has helped me many times when life overwhelmed.</p>
<p>xo</p>
<p>Hogmanay my friends. I have a basket prepared with coal, shortbread, whiskey to take to my Canadian Quebecer friends. A touch of Scotland to finish out this year. I have put some baskets down behind the bar for you all. Ask the little animals, wee hedgehogs and the like tending the bar, they know where they are. Just make sure that your threshold is crossed by a dark haired person carrying that basket on the stroke of midnight. Play a Robert Burns. Best wishes for 2012! My clock is almost ready for a count down. I am a bit ahead of you. Fingers crossed.</p>
<p>So lovely to hear back from you guys. I’ll be occupying the Alley’s old sofa, out behind the bar, wrapped in goose down and holding a glass of oddly haunting scotch. Cheers to us all as our days progress.</p>
<p>Cheers and Happy New Year! Posting now while I think of it.</p>
<p>I’ll join you in the scotch, Alu. My H has a bottle of THIRTY-year old that he was given. It’s lovely. But do you think it goes with peanuts? </p>
<p>We are so tired from traveling up & down the East Coast, visiting elderly parents, and me catching a cold in the process…for New Year’s eve all I want to do is have some fine Scotch in a place where everybody knows your name and there are peanut shells on the floor.</p>
<p>A happy and healthy one to all!</p>
<p>Of course, scotch, not raw whiskey. Scotch!</p>
<p>OTOH, I recently had Irish whiskey for the first time and it was very smooth. So I wouldn’t refuse it…</p>
<p>Perfect with peanuts. We can have an all-peanut menu, in fact. Dry-roasted for appetizers, boiled for primi piatti, in the shell for secondi, and, of course, BAR NUTS for i dolci! God I love crisp sugar-coated peanuts…</p>
<p>Honey roasted peanuts, yum. Chilling the sparkling wine…</p>
<p>Sewhappy, I’m so happy to hear all is well with you after the move. </p>
<p>After staying put w/one in college and another starting next year, DH and I are looking forward to a change - new jobs and maybe a move. cant wait to welcome the new year!!</p>
<p>I’m drinking scotch tonight - it’s been several looooong months to have this dangling over our heads. Make it a double.</p>