It’s been a year of new beginnings. In January of 2012 I moved from the ‘burbs to a high-rise condo in Buckhead. I released the big happy home I’d shared with my late husband to start life anew. On my own. My condo is so much smaller and just right for me. It’s in a great location and each room has a fabulous view. I decorated with a mix of old and new; borrowed and blue. (Actually ‘swapped’ and ‘red’ but that doesn’t alliterate!) I specifically wanted a walkable area to create a sense of community. I walk to the grocery store, drug store, UPS store, two malls and several restaurants. A couple churches are within walking distance. I can even walk to the gas station but that sort of misses the point. Walking to places and seeing neighbors along the way feels like community.

My first year in my new home was also my 55^th year. (I know! I look so much younger! Thank you for feigning shock as I announce my age to the world!) Now back to me. For my 55^th year I decided to celebrate with 5 Fives for 55!

My goals were:

1. Visit 5 new restaurants
2. Make 5 new friends
3. Take 5 weekend getaways
4. Take 5 classes
5. Go on a date with 5 different guys

For Buckhead Restaurant Week in February I was in a new restaurant every day. (I’m highly ambitious like that! Some people aim for wealth and success; I set restaurant goals.) First goal achieved! Easy!

Neighbors Josh, Mari, Jim, Susan and Chris invited me to Happy Hour, wine on the rooftop, wine on the patio, wine at the bar across the street and wine in the courtyard. Soon we’ll need a group rate at Betty Ford but, hey! I have five new friends! I also met Mary Ann, Marjorie, Cynthia, Wendy, Nikki and Donna. Many people over-achieve in some category. I’ll take “friends.”

For the getaway goal I visited Susan in Jacksonville, Cindy in Asheville, Rhonda in New York, went to Myrtle Beach with Brenda then wrapped it up in Chicago where Mike and Vikki guided sixteen fun folks on a mission of merriment in the eat/drink/shop tour.

I took classes in cooking, fiction writing, memoir writing, blogging and motorcycle riding. Yes, motorcycle riding. I’ve always wanted to be the kind of woman who rides her own Harley. I’m not.

Now for the five dates. Through the generosity of friends and the ease of modern technology. I managed to scrounge up a date with five different men. Number 1 was a pleasant/plump/passive guy. I decided we would be friends. #2-The nice businessman. He decided we would be friends. #3-The ‘blond Sheldon’(as in Big Bang Theory) was a 45 year old nerd living with his mother. We’re not friends. #4-The accomplished gentleman widow who is still grieving. Sadly, with that in common, we’ll be friends. Number 5 was the good-on-paper, age-appropriate, nice-looking, perfectly-polite, friend-of-a-friend. We are already friends but since he invited me to dinner and I needed one more ‘date’ to meet my goal I’m counting it! Whew! For a curvy, middle-aged widow in a town where women in my demographic reportedly exceed men eight-to-one; getting a date ain’t easy!

Five Fives for 55! A year of new beginnings. It’s been good. It’s been fun. It’s been a busy one! Now I’m looking out across Buckhead to the horizon; thinking about what joy and adventure I can create for 2013.