Archive for December, 2009

Posted on December 30, 2009 - by Cate

A Memorable New Years

New Years Eve, 1983:  I was living at home and going to school, finishing out my last year of college. We had just arrived home from a disastrous Christmas in the Caribbean. The first and only time we had ever spent Christmas away from home, we as a family had agreed that instead of presents that year we would treat ourselves to a week in the sun. The first few days were SO bad, we voted to come home for Christmas in spite of no gifts. But that’s for another entry.

It helps to set the scene for New Years, though. To say we were tired, frazzled and disappointed would be an understatement. So you can imagine that when my friends, sisters Michelle and Katie, who were also commuter students to Butler University, called to plan a New Years Eve “on the town” adventure, I was more than a willing participant.

What to wear, where to go, could we get in, who would drive, were all questions we girls enjoyed answering and we threw ourselves into the planning. Because we were commuters, we didn’t have the built-in social life a dorm or sorority would have provided. In other words, this was exciting stuff.

On the big day, I had my hair done, bought new makeup and a new outfit just for the occasion. This was pre-cell phone and since we were all living at home we needed to keep the ‘rents informed of our plans. Michelle would drive. It was damp and drizzly out, not snowing per se, but a definite chill. The dress coats, hats, scarves and gloves were in order for such a night. Big mall hair would have to have extra spray in order to hold.

It was the norm for them to be late. I sat in the living room looking out the window waiting for the platinum blond (think Madonna) and brunette (who always wore red lipstick) to arrive. As I saw them pull into the driveway, I jumped up and made a beeline for the door. I waved to them as I made my way down the walkway.

I went to open the door to the back seat and realized it was locked. Katie twisted around in her seat to unlock it and then subsequently open the door. Just then I realized I had forgotten my gloves.

“I’m going to run back in and get my gloves!” I shouted through the crack in the open door.

I shut the door and turned to run back down the walkway to the front door.

All of a sudden I heard screaming. I turned to see Michelle reaching around toward Katie. Both were facing the back of the car and Katie was screaming bloody murder. I really didn’t understand what was going on, but I did notice that the car was still in drive, Michelle’s foot was not on the brake and it was rolling toward the house.

I started running down the walkway, screaming and pointing to the house. Michelle was screaming and pointing to Katie’s hand which had gotten caught in the door when I went to run back into the house. By the time I reached the back door to relieve Katie, Michelle had crashed into the house, specifically the garage, demolishing the door. In fact, she was basically parked in the garage by the time her foot hit the brake.

Michelle sat there, dumbfounded. Katie was in pain. And I was vacillating between the absurdity of the situation and having to explain it all to my father. We had not even left the driveway and our big night was over. To further add to the irony of the situation, Michelle and Katie’s dad happened to own an insurance agency. He was not amused.

“Where are you?” he asked Michelle.

“I’m at Cate’s” she repeated. He was clearly confused.

“No. Where in town did you have the accident?”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you Dad. I ran into Cate’s house…” (oh boy)

“What do you mean, you ran into her house?” he asked, incredulously. “You just left!”

I felt badly for him. You just can’t make this stuff up.

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Dad. Katie’s hand was stuck, and I was trying to help her and my foot came off the brake and we ran into her house.”

“No, Dad we haven’t been drinking…there hasn’t been any time…”

As Michelle heard herself, she started to laugh. It really was funny.

“No, I know it’s not funny, Dad. I’m sorry, it’s just that, well, it is kind of funny. It was actually comical.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that,” Katie said tersely.

“I am sorry, Katie,” I said, “about your hand. I had no idea I had shut the door on your hand…”

My dad stood there in disbelief as well. He had come up from the basement (man cave) at the sound of all the commotion. We were collectively reluctant to put both dad’s on the phone together. But it had to be done. Additionally, we knew we would never hear the end of it from our brothers. And we never did.

Postscript: I know most people worry about getting home on New Years rather than getting started. After reading my cautionary tale you might be tempted to stay home, but if you do elect to go out, be careful, drink responsibly, designate a driver, and girls, watch what happens to your drinks and who serves you. While we rarely go out, we do try to stay up for the ball drop, a toast, and phone calls from distant family and friends. Have fun ringing in the New Year!

Posted on December 12, 2009 - by Cate

My Irish Uncles

My two Irish uncles, my mother’s brothers, have a special place in my heart. Two men, born and raised during the depression who served their country during and after World War II, raised families, worked hard and now, during their retirement find time to spend time with me.

My earliest memories take me back to Philadelphia in the 1960’s. My parents had moved us to Indianapolis but made the road trip back to Philadelphia several times a year. My mother wanted to maintain close ties to her family and wanted us by extension to understand and enjoy those bonds as well. (more…)

Posted on December 4, 2009 - by Cate

Gift Ideas for the Girls

My daughters are 18 and 20 respectively and I thought I’d pass along some inexpensive gift ideas I’m mulling over for them this Christmas (no they don’t read my blogs, unless they’re mentioned in a story and I feel compelled to inform them for the sake of full disclosure so they can’t come back at me later in life and withhold grandchildren or something.) (more…)