You Know You're a Grown-Up...

My friend Andrea posted on Facebook that her best Christmas present was that the results of her husband's medical tests were negative. Besides being delighted to see this, I really got it. After all, my present to myself was a new shredder and I am happy it arrived today. But I had two wishes for December and they were about as far from frivolous as could be.

My first wish was to make sure I got to see Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring during her visit to New York. I'd made plans to visit the exhibition with a friend, but our dates weren't coming together. As the days went on I realized I'd miss seeing this if I just didn't buy a ticket. I went online and picked the first available date that worked for me. Yesterday I got to skip the line and so enjoyed my visit.

The entrance to the Frick Collection

The center courtyard decorated for Christmas. I think this is one of the most serene places in New York.

I loved seeing Girl with a Pearl Earring. I enjoyed the book and the movie and here was the actual painting. The rest of the exhibit is in a different room and Girl with a Pearl Earring has her own gallery with three guards. I wish I had a photograph to share, but they are very strict about cameras and I didn't want to be asked to leave the museum for violating the camera rule. 

The Frick Collection is so worth a visit if you are in New York City. The holdings are relatively small, but the paintings, sculpture and decorative art pieces are extraordinary. Besides seeing "Girl" a high point was seeing the three Vermeer paintings that are part of their permanent collection. The three "Girls" are grouped together and it's an amazing sight to see them all in a row. They're in good company with two Rembrandt paintings, two Van Dyck's and two large and fabulous Veronese paintings, all in one room. 

My second wish was more in line with Andrea's observation. I wanted to make sure that I scheduled my least favorite medical test before the end of the year. One, I wanted to make sure it was in 2013 when I had already used up my deductible, and two, I wanted to get it done and out of the way. I trudged out in the snow on Tuesday, took care of the test, and I am delighted to report that I don't have to go back for five more years. Happy! 

If someone had told me forty years ago that these would be my best presents I am almost sure I would have shaken my head in some measure of disbelief. But you know you're a grownup...

As far as I can tell my shopping is done and so is most of my wrapping. I've got some cards to do and one more trip to the post office is on my agenda. I'm going to stop by the office tomorrow for the holiday lunch and I'm excited about a concert at Lincoln Center tomorrow night. I hope your days are as merry and happy!

As always, thanks for stopping by and take good care of yourself.