Landslide (formerly Fly Away and Suzyramble)

Christmas @the Lodge

December 20, 2003

The Christmas Party at the Lodge was tonight. Booze, door prizes, band were the order of the night.

Last year we were winging our way (okay, riding the rails, actually) towards Indiana during the annual Christmas party. The year before we went, but were both feeling ghastly and didn't make it the whole night.

This year we closed the joint. Tony wasn't feeling all too hot, as we're getting over a bug that the whole family has had, but off we went.

Me, in my leopard print Santa hat and light bulb earrings. Now, I've only had 3 drinks in the past 8 months. Ever since the birthday debacle, umm, party I've avoided most alcohol, even my beloved vodka.

(For those who are new to these parts, my good friend, Tracey and I, always celebrate our birthdays together. Well, I drank to the point of Tony carrying me to the vehicle and pouring me into it. It was not pretty, I was sorely embarrassed and stopped drinking for awhile. I don't have a drinking problem, I was just celebrating, exuberantly, my 28th birthday.)

I didn't even finish the bottles I bought in Indiana at Christmas last year tonight. I got a slight buzz going, but it seems I have learned moderation.

Katie, my sister, does the runaway and shows us that reindeer (note hand antlers) do know how to fly. The whole family was at the Lodge so we took the opportunity to take a Mom, Dad and four kids picture. Pietras Family

Front (L to R) Dad, Mom Back Mary, Richie, Me, Katie Mom was sick, Dad's in pain, but we had a good time. Some of us, ahem, Katie, more than others. Whenever we get together like this, silliness ensues as we really are pieces of a silly ass puzzle.

We sang, danced, laughed, and just bonded. The only one missing was my other sister's, Mary's, boyfriend who was with his Mom celebrating her birthday.

Our family personifies what the Loyal Order of Moose and Women of the Moose are working towards; making the Moose a true family fraternity. All of us who are over 21 are members, and you often see us together at dances or darts or other activities.

For a family that on the surface seems to yell a lot, and not be all that close, we really are a tight knit bunch. How many other 20 year olds (my brother, Richie) would voluntarily go out with their siblings and parents?

But, really, I'm getting away from the night.

Jennifer Rose and Backstreet. The band, Jennifer Rose and Backstreet (hey, they predate that other Backstreet by 20 years) was wonderful, and kept the diverse crowd interested. The age range was 18 to 80 or so and they played music that worked for everyone. Suzy and Katie, um, er, dance?

Suzy and Katie boogie. In fact, I even danced. I haven't danced in years, the gimpness stops it, but I did a pseudo, cane leaning, barely moving my feet, thing to the music. Damn it felt good. You'd never know that I used to go dancing 4 nights a week and belong to a line dance group, but I danced a couple of times and even slow danced with my husband.

That is one of the things I truly miss about being disabled. Just the act of letting myself go to the music was a wonderful part of my life. ANd While I can chair dance like no other, it's not the same.

And that picture is one of only 2 full length pictures of me on this site. Yes, I am short, I am fat, but damnit I dressed cute last night.

Suzy 2 AM @ 7-11 After the band finished and everyone cleared out, we sat and talked to the members for awhile. They are all really great people and work wonderfully together. I hope to get them to this area more often since their local venue closed.

When we all cleared out, we dropped Katie at home and headed for the after party destination in the tiny town of Colonial Beach, the 7-11. Hot dogs and home.

Another laundry list type entry, but again, something I want to remember.

Suzy and Tony
That's one of the few pictures of Tony and me together, anymore. Normally we have the camera in our hands. Isn't he a hottie?

Every time were at the Lodge, in the hall, I think back to our wedding. We were married and had our reception in the hall, in fact we were married about 15 feet behind where we were in this picture. 5 years, 2 months later, I love my husband even more.

And, with that I'll end this entry.
Happy Holidays.
Suzy Smith

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