Tonight we're going to an annual holiday party at some friends' house. It is a house party, preceded by Christmas caroling in the neighborhood. Years ago we went caroling with them, more than once. It was miserable. It was usually very cold, and often very snowy, like this year. Then everyone returns to the house for the party.
Several years ago we gave up on the caroling part. I spent my whole career having to fight the elements, and doing it now just isn't any fun. Elaine has never liked the cold. So, now we just go to the party at the house.
Even that has become more than we want to do. Too late, too much drinking, too much noise, too many other things we need to do....just....too much.
We've pretty much agreed to make this our last year for this one....