What were you doing New Year's Eve?

When I was in my 20s, the very idea of not having a big party to go to on New Year's Eve was mortifying.

I used to ring in the New Year at gatherings that featured live bands and where the champagne flowed like water. There were always tons of people, fireworks and midnight and dancing until dawn.

I usually woke up not feeling the best, but I'd think to myself, "Man ... that shindig last night was soooo worth the headache this morning."

Well, now I'm 39 years old. Last night was New Year's Eve, and I spent it very quietly, as I have the last few.

We were childless for the evening, as our 7-year-old was spending his holiday break with the grandparents in Michigan and Fort Wayne.

My husband received a Red Lobster gift card for Christmas, so we decided we'd drive to Avon to use it and then see where the night took us. On the way there we discovered we could also use the card at Longhorn Steakhouse or the Olive Garden.

We were excited about that. Red Lobster had sounded fine, but we talked it over and changed our minds ... we were going for the steakhouse.

It's amazing what can make you giddy as you get older.

We went to the hostess stand, and were told it would be at least an hour wait. I looked at my husband.

"You have anywhere you need to be?" he asked.

Nope. For once in my life I didn't have to be anywhere or do anything.

We ended up waiting for about an hour and 10 minutes. We had a really nice dinner, and then we talked about going to a movie.

It was close to 8 p.m.

"What would you think about just renting a movie and going home?" I asked my husband.

He smiled.

"That sounds good," he said.

We went to Family Video and chose a movie. Then we went home, got into our pajamas, lit up the Christmas tree for the last time (ours always comes down on New Year's Day) and cuddled up on the couch to watch the movie.

After the movie, we started watching some shows we had DVR'ed. About 11, my husband dozed off.

I let him sleep until 11:58. He came to long enough to watch the ball drop, wish me a happy New Year and kiss me.

I stayed up for a while, watching the tree and reflecting on 2009. I'd look at my sleeping husband every once in a while and smile to myself.

As exciting as New Year's Eve wasn't, it was still good for me. I really hope it sets the tone for the rest of my year ... content, quiet and warm.

That's all any of us can really ask for, isn't it?

Happy 2010 to you and yours.