SOFT POWDER!! FREEDOM!!

2 weeks ago on March 1st, we had a gorgeous snowfall here in Virginia that resulted in 8 to 10 inches, which is quite a bit for this area. It snowed for 18 hours so I took advantage of trying some night shots and then getting pictures of Molly first encounter with snow. Jack is born for the snow and he resists coming inside the house. Kenny enjoyed it too because the Virginia phenomena of no school for 4 days kicked in. From someone who grew up in the midwest, I find this ridiculous, but the roads were bad from what I hear.

Within 5 days, the snow was totally gone and the temperature was 70 degrees. This past week we had 3 days of 80 degrees. I thought for sure that Spring had sprung, but guess again -- on Friday, March 13 it snowed all morning. Thank goodness it switched to rain in the afternoon and now 3 days later it is still raining. So it goes in Virgnia!!!

Snow pictures around the house and yard:

Night pictures of the dogwood tree next to the house:

MAKING RESOLUTIONS .......

OR NOT! I have never been one to make New Year's resolutions because they normally get broken within a week. However, making goals for the year are not so bad. My dad was always a big on making goals -- even if it is was a simple to-do list on Saturday morning at breakfast. I remember him checking off each item throughout the day and I know he always felt a sense of accomplishment.

My goals for 2009??? I haven't really made a list on paper yet, just some things floating around in my head. I like working the week of New Year's because it gives me an opportunity to clean my desk, go through files, and do some organization. This year I got a head-start and really went through everything including personal files in my office.....and believe me, it took hours! My home office looks great and I am now ready to start the new year being organized. So, I guess one goal is to keep my office clean and organized in 2009. Let's see how long that lasts!!

Other goals for 2009??? Well, they will have to remain secret. I don't want to put the "announcer's curse" on them.

I want to wish all my family, friends, and others who may read this blog a happy, healthy, prosperous, and peaceful year. There is so much going on in our personal lives and in the world, that I pray each day for God's blessings and protection. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas day here in Virginia. Kate, Kenny, Kaylea (Kenny's girlfriend) and I started the day out with singing Silent Night and a candlelight service ending just at midnight. What a wonderful way to begin the celebration of Christ's birth. Even though it was a very traditional service, we enjoyed the simplicity of just hearing the scripture read from the Gospels.

Throughout the readings, I was thinking how overwhelmed Mary and Joseph must have felt with shepherds along with wise men showing up to see their new born, the serious threat of King Herod to one child, and the daily decisions they had to make on living and returning home...regardless of the fact that this baby boy was not conceived in traditional ways! I wonder how many meltdowns Mary had after the birth of Jesus?!? (Every mother knows what I am saying since I am sure 99% of us have experienced one or two -- especially after childbirth.)

But that just makes the birth of Jesus all that more special and inspiring! Could you have imagined if Jesus had been number 16 in the Dugger family of 18 children? There was nothing common about his birth.....it was extraordinary!

As Kate and Kenny get older, Christmas Day becomes calmer. I actually got up at 8:30, let the dogs out, had a cup of tea and watched a cute Christmas movie on Lifetime Movie Network. Mike arrived as Kenny was coming down the stairs at 10:00 am and by 10:30, we were eating cinnamon rolls and opening presents. It is still fun to watch the kids open their gifts -- even at this age!

However, there was one first this year besides having Molly our new Golden Retriever there. I finally broke down and bought an artificial tree! For years, we have either ordered a fresh-cut tree from a tree farm or cut our own. This year I was tired just thinking about the prospect of watering the tree everyday let alone getting it in the stand straight and stringing at least 750 lights. I was pleased to find a pre-lit tree that looked real (and yes, I purposefully made "holes" in the tree to make it look more real) and that was up and lit in less than 20 minutes. Next year it will even take less time since I won't have to read instructions. I was concerned about the 1,250 lights on the tree but with my hand-blown glass ornament collection, it really sparkles! So to my brother in Kansas who still goes with real trees and real needles -- I say "don't knock it until you try it." We did have a discussion on which tree smelled better -- his fresh one compared to my pine smelling diffuser!

All in all - it was a Wonderful Christmas. I wish all my family and friends a blessed holiday season!!! May God Bless you all!