Dear_Sis@the_end_of_my_day.calm©
Two sisters and their friends, share the joys of Larchmont motherhood through E-mail.

by Val Estabrook

Date: 1/17/03
To: Barbara, Kim
From: Val
Subject: A Pretend New Year's Party

Truth or fiction? Written invitation…w/4-6 week lead time…essential to guarantee big turn out for a New Year’s party? I say true, however, there exits an alternative approach still popular in Larchmont…quietly used by aging rebels.

It’s commonly known as the ‘Two Day Heads Up’ phone call. Has a spontaneous appeal…a bit jejune…..and hey, your friends are flattered. Example…on 12/29 I call several buds and…acknowledging their receipt of engraved invitations to other parties (gatherings to which I have not been invited)…I say “stop by before you go to that big bash and let’s have a quick toast to the new year”. To clinch deal…I mention little hot dogs will be served w/mustard…not just the usual ketchup. Down side? Had to start early…6:30pm…to be a clear 1st stop choice. Everyone accepted. Jill & Dick stayed on to ring in new year w/us and for first time Kyle was not home to watch ball drop. Missed him.

Where were the two of you?

Happy New Year,

XXOO Val

__________________________________________________________________

Date: 1/17/03
To: Val, Kim
From: Barbara
Subject: New New Year’s Resolution

Among the many inane New Year’s celebrations in my life, the most recent ranks among the truly ridiculous; an evening that makes the accompanying ritual of a ‘new year’s resolution’ a myth…a worthy tradition wasted on me, a woman who obviously cannot learn from her past debacles because she cannot remember her own name let alone a pledge made only a year ago to never again, in this or any other lifetime, throw a New Year’s Eve party.

I did not make your ‘party before the real parties party’ because I was busy throwing my ‘party after the other lesser parties party’. You were, of course, invited. Didn’t get my message? Perhaps you thought I was kidding given last year’s folly? You were delusional to put any faith in my resolve. But I digress.

You know how we like to get away for the holidays and spend quality time with Elizabeth. Well we did get away and our 17 year old was with us, but I’m not certain “quality time” is the operative phrase here. St. Bart’s was lovely and believe it or not we did not run into any Larchmont neighbors. At Grande Fond we felt faraway from it all and relaxed and Elizabeth did converse with us until, unfortunately, she discovered our waiter to be a freshman at Michigan. We haven’t seen her for some time now. Perhaps her new love is explaining the concept of ‘rolling admissions’.

With no one else to talk to, Ian and I looked into each others eyes and decided we really needed to be around friends for New Year’s. Fun, fun, fun. We called fifty or so of our nearest and dearest and left messages on all their cell phones with time, place, our favorite kind of champagne, etc. Having secured a second mortgage on our house, the airlines agreed to change our return from January 4 to Dec. 31 and I called Stanz to cater la grande fete. Perfect.

On December 31…back home…at 11:59pm…it became clear to us that the silence around our television set was not the familiar hold-your-breath moment as the ball begins to drop nor was it that scary silent airtime when Dick Clark’s teeth fall out. Our great room was dead quiet because NO ONE…pas un ami…came to our party.

Obviously, our friends decided we were to be their third stop of the evening. Even with the best of intentions, no one ever makes it to their third party on New Year’s Eve. Ian and I made the best of it. With the digital camera set on its timer, we were able to capture memories of the two of us standing round the deep freeze depositing hors d'oeuvres for 50 and thinking about our empty rental down on St. Bart’s.

Luckily Elizabeth designated our home as her fourth party stop and you’ll be pleased to know she did make an appearance. Come over this weekend and help us eat this caviar.

Happy New Year, Barbara

______________________________________________________________________

Date: 1/17/03
To: Val, Barbara
From:Kim
Subject: Did you notice water marks on my Christmas Card?

You ain’t heard nothn’ yet. There were no friends at my house New Year’s Eve…early or late. Life preserver rather than black tie set the tone for the evening. I’d write more but the continuous, thunderous roar of the 14 electric fans (each 7ft tall) has wrecked havoc upon my focusing powers. There is good news…the waters are receding. More to come

xxooKim

__________________________________________________________________

Is Kim vacationing in the Caribbean or has the Town of Mamaroneck been flushing the hydrants again? Find out in our next column. Love to hear about your New Year’s resolutions.

Write to me at Val@larchmontgazette.com. Just click on this blue link. XO Val

Val and Kim Illustrations by Larchmont artist Sue Girardi. "Ann" courtesy of Snobhollow.net "Barbara" from : www.acn.net.au/ebusiness/ manual/chapter6.htm

Send this page to a friend

Discuss this topic in our forums, or send a letter to the editors.