Donna's Daily Diary - December 31, 2009

The lady I wrote about yesterday I said is in her early 40’s and ABS (always been single) then I said she was married in her late 30’s but the marriage was short and not sweet. My mistake. She has not always been single, even though she feels that way. The marriage only lasted three months.

I did not expect to go to my office today but I had a message from a client which I wanted to respond to quickly and I had to go to the office to get her number. A man she has gone out with just twice asked her to join him for a New Year’s eve party at his sister’s house. His parents, two brothers, numerous nieces and nephews and many cousins will be there. She said “Yes” because she really likes him and didn’t want to offend him by saying “No.” This lady is a “4” in sociability, quite shy, and now she is so nervous about going to this party she doesn’t know what to do. I spoke with both of them and this is the outcome of those conversations; they are going to go to the party early, stay for about an hour, unless they both agree otherwise, go out for a quiet dinner, just the two of them, he’ll take her home and go back to the party, or not. He now understands she is shy and generally not comfortable with large groups of people she does not know. Not to mention all his immediate family on New Year’s eve. I also shared with him that she really likes him. He was very glad to hear that and it is mutual. If all this sounds sophomoric, it’s not. It’s communication, and their evening will be much more enjoyable because of it. I asked him if the situation was reversed would he feel comfortable meeting all of her family at a New Year’s eve party at this stage of the game. Probably not, but all he was really focused on was the fact that she said she “really liked him.” I also mentioned that it would be a good idea for him stick pretty close to her while they were at the party. Close, like within a foot or two of distance, as opposed to being across the room. I said “You know there is going to be an “Uncle Joe” or “Cousin Susie” who will have a couple of drinks and decide to check out the new girlfriend..be there, to protect her.” He said “Actually, that would be Uncle Mike or Cousin Katy.”

That’s it! Happy New Year again..I had all three of my grandsons this afternoon. They are 9.5, 7.5, and 7 years old. Two of them live four hours away but we manage to see them often. We went to Fargo’s Pizza, a “must stop” on all their visits. The pizza cost me $10 and the arcade $40. Then I took them to America the Beautiful park and they had a ball! It was cold, but sunny and “playground” is much more than just a “playground.” The structures were challenging, fun, safe, different and it was so uplifting to me to just stand there and watch them play. Their imaginations, their comments, their team work, their healthy competition, it was heaven. In fact, I looked up to the sky and there was nothing but blue, not a cloud in the sky. I said “Goodbye 2009. Hello 2010. I think you are shining down and ready to get started… “let’s roll.” It’s New Year’s eve, I get nostalgic…

To be continued Saturday……………………