Let the Party begin!

And did we!

Saturday was a pretty quite day, until that evening about 5:30.

Drew and Paquets

Enter The Paquet's, all 5 of them!  We had 8 people! in Trace's room including her.  It got to be a bit much for and she actually asked for some of us to leave.  So we did, all of us.

Now enter The Pales, all 5 of them too!  We met them on our way back to the Med Inn.  It was then decided that we would take control of the breakfast lobby in the hotel before anyone else could claim it.

Now enter the Harrisons, not all 5, but 4 of them.  Sophia and her boyfriend Eric were to follow later.  We set out some food and then we headed back over to see Tracy for a while, while the Paquet family, Harrison and Pale kids held down the fort.

On the way back from Trace’s room, John ordered 7 pizzas, I think.  Thanks Pale's!  They arrived a short time later and the party was in full swing.  All the guys were watching sports (IU upset #2 Ohio State!), while the ladies played some game with headbands and cards.  The party was in full swing! 

I missed Tracy, as this party was something she looked forward to doing every year.  I longed for her to be with me.  So about 9:15, I left to go back to her room.  When I got there I told her everything that was going on back at hotel, only 100 yards or so away, right outside her window.  I lasted about an hour before I thought I should be social and headed back to the party.  

As the first set of elevator doors opened for me to go back, the party kind of popped out of the elevator!  It was the Paquet's and Pale's.  They were on their way home and were stopping by to say goodbye.  So I followed them back to Tracy's room for the goodbyes.  As the Paquet's left Debbie told me Tracy had said "Happy New Year" to her, which made the night for me, or so I thought.

The goodbyes were quick, so I was back to the party around 10:30.

Not quite as quiet as Christmas Eve

I lasted a little more than and hour this time before I was on my way back to Tracy to celebrate the New Year as I had for the last 21 years.  Wow! It was now going to be 22 years, thank God!  Tracy and I spent New Years in her room with two nurses.  It was probably the best so far!  I kissed her, hugged and prayed with her and even got my own "Happy New Year" from her.  The night was made for me, but I couldn't leave I wanted to stay.  And stay I did until around 1:00AM.

Drew, Will, Ian and Jon playing Cribbage before Jon and I took them to the woodshed.

When I got back to the hotel the Harrison's were still up and Drew and Ian wanted to play Jon and I in cribbage.  Guess who won?  Let's just say, Old Guy's Rule and know how to peg!  :)  By the time we cleaned up and got to bed it was 2:00AM.  

The daily 6:30AM call to the nurse’s station came too soon. :(  But was welcomed as they said Tracy had slept most of the night after I left.

For now, Happy New Year!  It was for us thanks to some great friends.

God Bless and "Never Give Up... Never Ever Give Up!” 

Rob 

PS  Please forgive me, as I didn’t send Christmas Cards out.  But, I am sure you understand.