It's been forever...

So much has happened since Christmas and much of it, I didn't know how to talk about.

Just after New Year's, daughter Kellie and her husband Michael separated and are now in the process of divorce. Kellie has been living with me since February, I think; maybe March - and despite the circumstances - I'm loving it! It's great to have company and great to have my dinner ready most nights when I get home! I think it's been good for her as well - but then, I would :-) I've seen a lot of the area and done some things I hadn't done before - mostly for a lack of having someone to do them with. And she DOES have some great ideas... The Whistle Stop Cafe for one. She is in Oklahoma right now, helping her friend Jade with a cross country trip to see her family.

David finished his MBA at George Washington U in DC in May and is now working for GE in their health services division - still in DC. He seems to like it. I expect to see him in mid-August for a few days, when he figures out a little better how his days are going to go.

Kathy, Travis and the girls were just here for a visit - short but sweet. We managed to fit swimming, playing with the birds, a Gwinnett Braves baseball game, eating popsicles and playing in the sprinkler into the two days they were here! It was great! Hailee looks so good! She's so tall and slender. I love her so much! Sara has gained so much weight (a good thing for her!). She now weighs 30 pounds and looks/IS so healthy! Kathy seems happy and content - it was good to spend time with her, too!

Just a couple of paragraphs to cover such a long time...

Not Entirely British - and a giveaway!

Anne Bradshaw is giving away a Debbie West Coon recording on her site - Not Entirely British. Anne Bradshaw Only 1 day left for Debbie West Coon CD give-away at http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2009/07/contest-debbie-coons-cd-you-are-loved.html .

Traveling for Christmas

As has become my recent tradition, I was a traveler for Christmas - to my brother David's, then to Kellie's, then Kathy's and even to Earl and Lucy's this year. Quite the little traveler! Even though I would much prefer the tradition where all the kids come to me, it really doesn't make a lot of sense.

Before Christmas day, Hailee (oldest granddaughter) and I got to spend some one-on-one time after I picked her up at the airport on the Sunday before Christmas and then delivered her to Kathy at Kellie's on Tuesday. She was really a sweetie and quite a hit when she went to work with me on Monday. She made good use of my paint pens and made a book for Kathy and Sara. Didn't much like my beef stroganoff, but that's okay. I loved it, so I froze the leftovers!

In addition to celebrating Christmas, we also celebrated the birthdays of the two girls. Hailee is December 19 and Sara is January 1. It seems a little unfair having to celebrate it all at one time, but with everyone so far away from each other, I guess it's the only way.

Hmmm - was trying to add more pictures, but I guess that doesn't work too well -- getting more than a bit slow.

Christmas and birthdays were all a success and it was great to see everyone again. I just love being with my family!

Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone - it's hard to believe they pass so quickly.

The new year brings a time for resolutions and fresh starts. I'd like to be more thoughtful and careful of the people I love this year. I'd love to lose 20 (or more) pounds. I'd like to be more spiritual. Those are all things I want - the thing is, do I want them enough?

To be more thoughtful of the people I love I resolve to:

1. make sure I have everyone's birthday and anniversary on a reminder
2. at the very least - send an email card
3. call everyone on the "A" list at least once a month
4. always listen when they talk
5. keep at least some of my advice to myself

To lose 20 (or more) pounds:

1. revert to my "elimination diet". No - not eliminating everything that tastes good! Actually, it's for eliminating allergens. Having done it before, I already know what my triggers are, so now, it's just making sure that I avoid those things as much as possible. What that means in the doing is that about 95% of the foods that I eat are made from scratch and that I avoid white flour and excess sugar. Notice I said excess :-) I get to decide what excess is!
2. exercise for 30 minutes at least 4 of the 7 days in the week.

To be more spiritual:

1. read scriptures every day. I'm mostly doing that now - "mostly" being the operative word
2. be sure to include morning and evening prayer
3. prepare my Primary lesson before Saturday afternoon
4. listen more to uplifting music and watch less CSI reruns (that will be hard! I'm addicted!)

I think that's plenty! Don't want to overresolve myself!

I'm having blackeyed peas and greens with cornbread for lunch. Fresh is soooo good! This is not a case of "oversharing"! Those of you who are asking why I mention that small fact need to get out now and get yours!

Eating blackeyed peas and greens on New Year's Day is supposed to mean good fortune and prosperity throughout the rest of the year. The greens are said to represent paper money and the black-eyed peas coins. Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold. For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Not sure that I counted... in fact, I'm not sure that the whole package contained that many! But still, I'm making an effort. I'd hate for my year to go bad, just because I ignored tradition!

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2009!