I Suck At New Year's Eve

Tonight, Karen and I resumed tradition by hanging out with Karen's Lowell-loving cousin (Karlene) and her husband (Tommy). We had foregone last year's New Year's Eve tradition because Karlene was sick and I think Karen wasn't feeling too well either during the pregnancy at the time). Regardless, I joke saying that last year Karlene ruined New Year's Eve. Yep, I suck at New Year's Eve.

Anyway, because I had to work today, Karlene and Tommy came down to visit us. My favorite sister-in-law (Janine) and her family who were spending the past few days with us were going to spend the night back at their own place since the smoldering fire. Hopefully, their place is less smokey now. So in essence, Janine and her family were going while Karlen and Tommy were coming.

I'll admit. I am curious to see if sleeping back in my bed will feel downright awesome or if it will be just blah. I have been sleeping on our pull-out couch the past couple of days. I remember when I came back from our vacation down to Onset that sleeping in my own bed felt awesome. I wonder if I will feel the same thing after the past few days.

Needless to say, it was fun hanging out with Karlene and Tommy. We practically played this new game that Tommy got for Christmas: Disney Hedbanz for... hours. We definitely played until the new year, that's for sure. For anyone curious, Disney Hedbanz is like the "Who Am I" drinking game... just without the drinking. Or I suppose there could be drinking during the Disney version.

Among some of the more interesting topics of conversation that came up during the night were playing favorites, and praying. Karen's family is keen on not playing favorites, even though I disagree that it's people's nature to play favorites.

As for praying, that topic came about because Karen's family is supposedly faith-based. And naturally because I dislike religion (and still have original sin), I made the comment that praying is essentially useless because it does not influence the thing that is being prayed for. At best, praying's sole purpose is to make the person who is praying feel like they are altruistically helping. Of course, my view on praying may be clouded because I lost my son (Braden).

Regardless, it was a good fun night. Truth be told, I was quite surprised that Karen actually made it past midnight. She's usually in bed well before then. But she made it this year. Yay. Anyway, Happy New Year!