New Year's Eve

Sunrise
  Kill Devil Hills, NC

There’s always a lot of hoorah about New Year’s Eve.   What’s everybody doing?  Where’s everybody going?  Should we just stay in this year....stay home?  That option is always tempting, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.  I know I have a bad case of FOMO (fear of missing out) and it kicks into high gear around New Years.  I mean, it is the big kick off. 

So, we invited dear friends to join us at Kill Devil Hills for an evening of fun and frivolity.  There were eight of us, all beds were spoken for, and cars began pulling in by 4:00 on Monday afternoon.  The protocol is to bring your own linens so we don’t have to bother with laundry in the morning, and of course the unspoken, but strictly adhered to policy, is to arrive with a plethora of food and beverage.   

Phyllis and Margene pulled in first and claimed the twin room (that made sense).  Their beds were made up by the time Dru and Everett arrived with Howie.  Made sense to assign them to the downstairs suite since Howie brought along his crate.  We had all taken a walk on the beach searching for beach glass and running behind the dogs, by the time the O’Neals arrived….cocktail hour.

An evening of constant conversation including politics, gun control, music, books, real estate, television programing, ship wrecks, and who can remember what, was followed by dinner and more wine and lots more conversation.

Those of us with FOMO decided to head over to Manteo for some live music and a taste of the wild side.  Poor Richard’s is a tiny waterfront bar that is the favorite of Manteo locals - especially the gay and lesbian crowd.  It’s our all-time favorite hang-out.  It did not disappoint on New Year’s Eve.  It was rocking.   We weren’t.  Just not enough oomph.  In my case, not enough alcohol.  Actually not any.  Which turned out to be a good thing.  Brilliant really.  We got pulled over on the way back.  We figure it was just a blind call, but my inspection sticker was six months overdue and my registration was not up to snuff.  He didn’t really know that though.  Not until AFTER he pulled me over.  I was very polite.  After all, I have never, ever gotten a ticket.  Honest.

I didn’t break my long standing record.  Just a warning to get in line ASAP on Wednesday morning and take care of it….and I did. 

We got back to the cottage unscathed and roused the dead-beaters out of their beds.  We actually saw the ball drop and had an orgy of a group hug at midnight.  Aren’t friends great!

We lingered over a huge, delicious breakfast provided by the O’Neals.  That was after consuming a box of Duck doughnuts that Everett picked up at daybreak.  Closed up New Year’s with the dishes all stacked in the dishwasher and suds just oozing out the top and sides.  Turns out I had put a laundry detergent pellet in the dishwasher.  Good grief.  It was a morning of mopping suds and running multiple cycles through and through.

All in all I chalk this one up as one of the best.  We held our own and managed to hang in until the midnight hour.  We are well and happy and oh, so lucky.  Happy New Year!