Ron's POZ Blog

Happy 2008! It HAS to be a good year!

I know that I have been very remiss in keeping up with my BLOG, but it seemed right after my birthday in November, I got swamped with family scenarios, road trips – THEN the holidays hit – cooking, baking, shopping and decorating.

Since getting my driver’s license and the mini-van, it seems my family and friends have even more options for my day. We always tend to go out eating and/ or shopping!! My father is a big fan of going out to dinner. He likes to go out to eat and enjoys having company. He’s 81 years-old now and HATES night driving. The oncoming headlights are not a problem for me. He also hates “city” traffic – again, doesn’t bother me. He’s very opinionated about his directions and driving pointers which I usually just tell him, “I’m driving”! Then, he’s quiet and sometimes sulks (like a child). And, he loves his coupons!! Anyway, I feel good when we do get to go even though at times I could shake him!

My younger nieces (9 and 12) like to go shopping and then have lunch. They have the attention spans of gnats – flitting from one store to the next – and wanting everything within reach. They are thrilled to go to Burger King or Mc Donald’s. I also have three 14 year-old nieces too! Now, they LOVE clothes and can happily go from one shop to another and all I keep saying is, “Your mother and father would kill me if I let you buy that”! Lunch – we have to go to T.G.I. Friday’s or Bennigan’s or Olive Garden or any other sit-down fast food restaurant with waiters. They prefer “waiters” so they can flirt, but unbeknownst to them, most would rather flirt with me!! If we unluckily are seated in a waitress’ station, I feel like I am at a table of Linda Blairs in the “Exorcist” as their heads turn to look at a cute waiter. Oh, to be young again and giggle like a girl! HA HA

I have also become a taxi for my parents since the van – doctor appointments and grocery store trips. It is an easy access for them into the mini-van with the ramp and plus – an added bonus for the doctors visits is that I can hear what the doctor says to them. Because, I swear, they must put their fingers in their ears and go “la la la” whenever the doctor says something they don’t like. Then, I can go home and stir up the siblings to badger them!! HA HA

Well, then Thanksgiving came along. My sister and her husband wouldn’t be home this year (2007). So, that left me to cook and entertain my parents over dinner. It would be my first Thanksgiving dinner that I’d cook since 1998 – the year before I got PML. I totally amazed my parents, siblings and friends this year (2007) because I managed it all – stuffed turkey, candied yams, mashed potatoes au gratin, salad and an antipasto plate I was genuinely pleased with the food that I made and my father gave it a “10” – WHICH made my sister jokingly announce then I’ll cook for Christmas!

Then, the race began to get ready for Christmas!!

Since, my sister was not coming home; I decided to decorate the inside of the house for her as a gift (the living room, dining room and kitchen – her part) in addition to my bedroom. So, I was busy for a week getting the bins from the storage shed and decorating.

Then, I had to begin my shopping!! And, again, this was the first time in 7 years that I was able to go Christmas shopping – alone – without needing help. And, I enjoyed it because I was able to go when I wanted, where I wanted and for as long as I wanted. I was able to shop at my leisure and think; which is a far cry from buying in a hurry while someone waits. It was a delight to shop a little at a time.

I had a small dinner party with 3 close friends in the beginning of December. I did all the cooking too – a pot roast, cruditeé and other goodies. We had a very good time – a lot of laughs, sarcastic gay witty banter and reminiscing.

About a week before Christmas, I began baking cookies with purpose – I decided to give about 2 dozen in a gift bag and managed to create 12 “gifts.” I was definitely “cookied out” by Christmas Eve. On the Eve, all my siblings, some nieces and nephews and my parents get together for a family party which began as a birthday party for my Dad to celebrate his birthday (12/25) when my parents divorced 33 years ago. My parents get along nicely, so it’s become our family’s Christmas party.

After Christmas, I spent a quiet New Year’s Eve with a sister, a brother and their spouses. We played cards, watched a movie until we were able to watch the ball drop at Times Square. I amazed them all when I said I lived in NYC for 12 years and never once went to Times Square on NYE!! I joked that only tourists go and I’d spend the evening with friends at a club and watch the ball drop on a big screen!

I never was a big fan of NYE, but I have to hope 2008 is even more exhilarating for me as more obstacles are overcome. I am very happy with 2007 – getting my driver’s license, the mini-van and continued good health. My little everyday victories over the past year may seem small to many people, but I am glad that I have an even larger part of my life back. So, when I see less fortunate people, I have to be happy that I can do or accomplish what I am able.