Thursday, December 28, 2006

Home for (the rest of) the Holidays

I'm back in New York after far too many days in Atlanta. Alas, I had to stay as long as I did to settle the house and do a little Christmas celebration (though that wasn't much of a task, I assure you). Yes, the house is sold - signed, sealed, delivered - but after everybody grabbed their money, I wasn't left with much. Once the smoke clears I'll have a better idea of how things shook out.

It was an enormously emotional time for me - that little house represented a lot, and to see it go was very painful. Yes, I had to sell it and am grateful it was snatched up, particularly in this market, but it will be some time before I can speak of it without tearing up. It was my sweet little home.

On the up-side, I got my fill of good Suth'en eatin' - The Colonnade Restaurant (best fried chicken outside of yo' mama's) twice, Waffle House, Krystal hamburgers (two or three times - I lost count), and the Piedmont Driving Club (doncha' know). It being Atlanta, we drove everywhere - very little walking - so pounds were definitely put on. It's good to be back in New York, where I can get back to walking and climbing stairs. My body will be grateful.

Highlights of the trip:
1) Fabulous going-away party for good friend Beth, who's off to St. Paul, Minnesota, to be rector of her very own church! Yea, Beth!
2) Big family get-together. It's good to see the next generation coming on so strong! (Plus the good food, natch.)
3) Meals with family and friends - Kate (Raja, Bridgetown), Lynne (at the PDC), Barbara (Colonnade), Carey (La Fonda, Outback), Alexander (Waffle House). All marvelous - for different reasons.
4) All the Christmas movies and Christmas episodes of old sit-coms.
5) Christmas Eve at All Saints'. 'Nuff said.
6) Returning to New York. ;-)

Now, it's back to work for me - it should be piled pretty high, even though I've tried to keep up long-distance. Forging ahead . . .

4 comments:

Elsie said...

Glad to hear you had a great trip, enjoying family and friends.

Your feelings about your home (I noticed when you write of selling it, it is a house; when you write of emotions attached to it, it is a home) are completely understandable. When we moved a few years ago, we had to keep reminding our little guy (age 5 at the time) that while we sold the house, we got to keep all the memories. I needed some reminding, too. I know you don't.

As 2007 approaches, I wish you a year full of excitement and new memories in the Big Apple. Great things are coming your way, Mary. I can feel it.

Happy New Year! Glad you're back.

Liz Hinds said...

Glad you have closure (I think that's what it's called!) and can really start afresh now in a New Year in New York.

As Elsie, says, you will always have your memories - and family to go and visit.

Continue to enjoy the holidays before throwing yourself back into work!

Joy Des Jardins said...

Your trip sounds wonderful Mary. I'm especially happy that your house issues got settled. I know that was a hard thing to go through. It's amazing what you can do if you have to, isn't it?

Good luck with catching up at work...pace yourself...it will all get taken care of in time.

Have a very Happy New Year in the Big Apple. Are you going to attempt Times Square?

Anonymous said...

Comforting knowing you are safe and sound back in NYC. Now there's an oxymoron... And happy for you that the Atlanta house is a done deal. Having been in that situation, I know how that can drag on you until it is done.