Happy New Year

The Five Best Reasons 2008 was so much fun:

Gracie, Ayden, Jackson, Spencer, & Coen

It's the New Year and time for resolutions and goal setting for some - but not for me.  Unlike Uncle Ed, Kathryn, and probably several others of you - I've never been very good at stating what I hope to accomplish within the next year.  I follow the Calvin & Hobbes philosophy - "I find my life a lot easier the lower I keep everyone's expectations."

But I don't mind looking back to see what I have or haven't accomplished.  For the last several years I've made it my goal to read through the Bible and have been successful each year in that endeavor.  I've never set a goal of how many books to read (but I do keep track - 34 in 2008) but I was determined to read Uncle Tom's Cabin which has been sitting on my shelf for a number of years.  Not only did I get it read but I truly enjoyed it.

We didn't  travel much  (partly because Steve hates 'road trips' and I hate flying) but we did make it to Disney World.

I tried to give up blogging but actually not only kept my blog updated a couple times a month but also joined Facebook.

I'm still walking  a few times a week but not as often as I should.  We're not even going to talk about the weight I continue to fail to shed.

I did learn a little Spanish and Sudoko but I still haven't figured out a lot of things on my Mac.

I only had one new grandchild (Jackson) this year - but I didn't really expect the kids to keep up the '3 a year' goal.  :)  But I have been blessed with time with all the grandkids and also with many of my friends.

In all, 2008 has been a good journey.  There have been many peaks and of course there have been valleys - but God is good and I'm thankful for every day I'm blessed with.  I pray the new year will bring us mostly blessings and any sorrows will make us stronger and draw us nearer to God.

Marching Forward

It is 10:50 AM on December 26 and you'd never know it had been Christmas here - except for some leftovers.  Of course, I still have to clean and put back all the un-Christmas stuff - but at least the tree and all the decorations are put away for another year.  We had a great Christmas and all the kids were able to be here - even though a couple of them were slightly under the weather.  I know some of you think I'm a Scrooge but I find it too depressing to have a Christmas tree without presents underneath anymore.  Time to start thinking about the New Year.  Happy Holidays to all!

Merry Christmas to All

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  

the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

Burton Hillis

I don't know why my kids call their children 'hams'  - I think they come by it naturally.  I may not have gotten many great photos but we had a lot of laughs.  I hope all who read this has a very Merry Christmas and

 makes a lot of happy memories again this year.

Use this picture to remember what a White Christmas  might look like.

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

                            Dr. Seuss

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

                            Charles Dickens

"May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through."

                           Author Unknown

"God bless us everyone."

                         Charles Dickens' Tiny Tim

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

                          Clement C. Moore

They Call the Wind Mariah - and other random thoughts

Before I even got out of bed this morning I made myself promise to get on the treadmill today - my back and leg pain have been keeping me from it but I know I really needed to walk.  However, as I sat sipping my coffee and watching out the window - the wind kept calling my name.  I love walking out in the wind as long as it's not a sharp cold wind, so I wrapped up and enjoyed a lovely walk  - I really didn't even want to come back in.  Now I feel so much better - like some of the cobwebs have blown out of my head.

Just finished reading "The Hour I First Believed".   I can't decide what I really think of it.  It could easily have been about 4 novels because he covers so many subjects but it was basically about the effect Columbine had on it's surviving victims.

Last night we went to the Rep with Ed & Nancy and enjoyed a short (75 minutes) but very lively play - "It's A Wonderful Life".  It's a one man act and we weren't sure what to expect but it was delightful and we all gave it a thumbs up.  The actor throws in a lot of 'common sense' notes about the original play - like "why would a bank official come to check the books on Christmas Eve?"  I think it's showing until the 28th so if you have time you should go see it.

The play made me think about other Christmas movies that we all watch over and over again.  I still love watching the old "Christmas Carol" but I like the newer Scrooged too.  (I love it when the spirit of Christmas Present hits Bill Murray with a toaster).  I know my kids like Christmas Vacation, Elf, and The Christmas Story - but I can't stand watching the part where the kid gets his tongue stuck to the pole - ouch!

Actually some of my favorite not really Christmas movies are "While You Were Sleeping" and "Sleepless in Seattle".   Maybe you can remind me of some movies I need to watch this week - what movies are a must for you to watch during the Christmas holidays?  It's less than a week away - hope everyone is almost ready  - I need to get cleaning up around here - Merry Christmas!!!

Santa Claus visits - then and now

Christmas is a season that always brings memories of many sorts.  I am very lucky that all my memories have been happy ones - or at least not awful. 

Christmas flickers:  

-The song "Silver Bells" always transports me to Cherokee street where mama would take us on the bus to do our 'shopping' and the street always seemed so magical and 'Christmasy' with bells and holiday greetings type chatter.

-Talking to Jen about all the illnesses their family is going through right now reminded me of a Christmas when I was awful sick (maybe measles?) and I laid on the couch and stared at the Christmas lights and ornaments for hours at a time (did we not have a tv back then??)

-My grandkids visiting Santa - my own visit when I was old enough to remember.  Mama took us downtown to the Famous-Barr to visit Santa and we got to check out all the store windows that were always a main attraction with all the animations.

Because Steve is the 'Piano Man' for Breakfast with Santa we get to join in with the fun.  Gracie wasn't able to come but be sure to check out Becky's blog for her Santa picture - and I'm sure Jen with have better photos on hers as well.  

Spencer and Coen seemed quite comfortable on Jolly St. Nick's lap.

Jackson was spared all the trauma - his daddy is jolly enough.

(Who does he remind you of Jimmy??)

Ayden did not want to get near Santa -

 she much preferred sitting with her cousins and watching Popo do his stuff.

Now for some memories - 

Jen, Becky, & Stevie when they were old enough to like Santa.

Stevie wouldn't sit on his lap but Mrs. Claus could hold him.

This was a riot - Jenny is trying to hang on to Stevie while I'm trying to keep Becky from bolting -  the little ones were not too fond of Santa at this point.

Before siblings - Jenny posing just perfectly.

I guess she takes after her cousin Terri Ann

(Uncle Ed tells me that this picture which is marked "Ann" on my copy so I thought was me is actually his daughter - and he probably knows best since I wouldn't remember either way.)

Well, my shopping is all done and just a few presents left to wrap - I'm ready to just enjoy the holiday now.  Merry Christmas everyone - hope your holidays are great!!