Day 1186 Aquarium

 

Fun night at the Mystic Aquarium with friends, music, food, drinks, and the whole place to ourselves. My good friend CJ works for a real estate company, and each year they throw a big party. For the past few years it’s been at a farm, corn mazes and all that, but this year they rented out the aquarium. I’d say it was a big hit.

Tim almost came with me, but he would have had to miss his card night and football… not a chance. So Heather and I set off on our adventure without our guys. I had been home all day cleaning my basement before the furnace repair guy arrived and judged me by my mess. Not sure why I care so much about what a perfect stranger thinks, but I’d guess I’m not alone on that one. I cleaned and cleaned, vacuumed the concrete floor, and made it presentable. We only have one small basement room, the rest is finished as our family room, so it’s easy for that little space to become overwhelmed with “stuff.”

I had to leave before the furnace guy arrived, so Tim took over the wait-and-watch, and when he had to leave, my mother stepped in. The furnace was cleaned, the ignition fixed, and whatever else he did, it’s all in working order again, thank goodness. Without the furnace we didn't have hot water, so I let myself into my neighbor’s house to shower. She was at work, but don’t worry—I have a key and her blessing to go in as needed. Good neighbors are a blessing. I’ll be so sad when she moves, but she’s getting married next year and her fiancé lives in Massachusetts, so I can’t imagine she’ll be my neighbor much longer.

Back to the aquarium, Heather and I meandered around, drinking wine, tasting delicious appetizers, and even scoring a couple of T-shirts for our husbands so they’d know we were thinking of them. We were home early, and as soon as she dropped me off, I was in my PJs and into bed in a red-hot minute. Only then did I get a call from her saying CJ wanted to meet us at a pub down the street… not a chance for this gal. I was already too warm and cozy. You’d think I would’ve had FOMO, but I knew I was exactly where I wanted to be.

All in all, it was the perfect night of fun, laughter, and just enough adventure to wrap up the night. Sometimes the best ending to a memorable evening is simply climbing into bed, content and grateful for good friends, good neighbors, a warm home...and of course, a clean basement!