Number Crunching Blues

Can I just say now I hate income taxes. I've just finished working on our 2008 income taxes. I can't believe all the numbers.

We are simple salaried people so our taxes are pretty straight forward. We don't have anything complicated about our lives. No wind fall income from royalties or foreign investments. So Turbo Tax and I do the paperwork. I have on occasion called an accountant friend to make sure I've entered a thing or two correctly (which I always had when I asked) so for the most part I don't find this hard to do.

I have all the W-2s, the 1099-R, the 1099-Misc., and several other numbered forms sent to me by various persons with whom I receive money from or give money to. There is one form missing though that I have to find out about. A matter of winning a raffle and getting a nice little sum. The winning was at the beginning of the 2008 and the paper I think I got is no where to be found. I'll continue to search, but I have a feeling it isn't going to show up. Some one will be getting a phone call to find out what I should do.

We are healthy people so we don't have huge medical deductions, we got a good interest rate on a small home loan, and our property taxes aren't all that much. Our biggest deduction will be charitable contributions, and although it looks good on paper, it isn't even over the limit so that we have to kick part of it forward to next year.

For the past several years we have had to pay Uncle Sam a little more when all this paper work is done. This year isn't any different except the amount we underpaid through the year is considerably higher --- I'll figure on this a bit longer just to make sure I haven't overlooked something, but I have a feeling what I have in the computer is correct.

That said, Uncle Sam won't be hearing from me very soon. It will probably be more like April 14 before the *check* is in the mail.

Scattergories Shared

This is a little game that is going round on facebook right now. Thought I was share it with anyone who hasn't played it.

Rules: It's harder than it looks! Copy to your own site, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag 10 people. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real. . .nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question. HaveFun!

1. What is your name: Patsy
2. A four Letter Word: poem
3. A boy's Name: Paul
4. A girl's Name: Penny
5. An occupation: prostitute
6. A color: pink
7. Something you wear: panties
8. A food: pasta
9. Something found in the bathroom: powder
10. A place: Paris
11. A reason for being late: Piddling
12. Something you shout: PEOPLE GET QUIET!
13. A movie title: Pirates of the Caribbean
14. Something you drink: punch
15. A musical group: Pink Floyd (maybe not a group, but the best I could do)
16. An animal: panda
17. A street name: Palmetto
18. A type of car: Porsche
19. The title of a song: Patches (http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=4612)

Not Aloud

Heads and the topic is LOUD. I have a little story about homophones -- those words that sound alike, but have very different meanings and spellings --which cause problems for non-native English speakers and native English speakers alike.

There is a Mexican food restaurant that we love to eat at whenever we are in Albuquerque. One evening as we drove up to the restaurant with its overflowing parking lot, we had to go around behind the building and we thought we spotted a place to park. However when we got the space there was a large sign written by hand stating *NO PARKING ALOUD*. We thought that if we just whispered it would be ok to park there. What do you think?

It Tickled Her Funny Bone & Unconscious Mutterings

I wouldn't say my life is dull, but it is very routine. We do much the same thing each day of the week. Monday through Friday is work with various things happening to keep us entertained, but nothing all that exciting. We share with each other many of the funny or cute things that happen and because I have shared with him I often forget that some of it would be stuff I could write about here. Here is one such story that I haven't shared with Robert. I'm not sure he would appreciate it.

Yesterday while at a meeting of the Women's Ministry Steering Committee, which I still can't figure out why I'm a member of, Carolyn our leader got a phone call. Now you need to know that Carolyn is a very quiet woman who has one of those sweet soft voices and who is lot of fun while being proper at all times.

When she gets off the phone she begins to laugh and I'm talking laughing to the point of crying. We were a little concerned. I've seen Carolyn laugh before but not like this.

It had been her husband on the phone. He just called to tell her he was going to the store to buy bread. That was it --- She looked at us and asked, "How was I to respond to that?" It tickled her funny bone and ours that he felt it necessary to let her know. We weren't sure if he was asking permission, letting her know he knew were the grocery store was, or if it was his way of chastising her for not having bought bread the day before.

Men -- and they say women are hard to figure out.

The I say :: You think meme

1. Unwanted :: News


2. You’d better :: do it now


3. Woman :: man


4. Weighed :: rejoice (the scales have gone down the past couple of weeks)
5. Upright :: piano


6. I feel :: pretty, oh so pretty and witty and bright
   (edited because I have friends who help)


7. Ill :: sick


8. It’s like :: you know


9. Poor man :: rich man


10. Great :: excellent

Give Me an *H*

Annie over at Hootin Anni's posted a little game that sounded like fun. Here is how it goes. You are assigned a random letter of the alphabet. You then post ten things you love that begin with that letter. If you read this blog and want to play leave a comment and I'll give you a random letter. Others read you and comment. You assign the letter and on and on it goes. That simple.

Ten Things That I love That Start with *H*

1. Home – I’m much like Dorothy form the Wizard of Oz who said “There’s no place like home.” The problem I have is deciding exactly where home is. Whenever I’m going to see my parents I say, “I’m going home.” But when I leave them I’m going home also. Home is where I’m comfortable, where I’m loved, where I can be myself.

2. Honey—This is nature’s perfect food. I don't eat honey often, but I do enjoy it with peanut butter on toast.

3. Hot Dogs—This is another favorite food that I don’t indulge in often. I can eat a hot dog any way you want to prepare it. It can be grilled, boiled, nuked, split open and fried (a favorite from my childhood) or even cold from the package (although that is no longer recommended according to the package). I will eat them with a bun or bread. I like mustard, sweet relish, and a bit of chopped onion. Chili and cheese are optional.

4. Honesty—The virtue I look for and expect in people. I don’t think “Honesty is the best policy “ is just a trite saying. I think if more people (especially those in high positions) would take that thought to heart then we all would be better off.

5. Hair—I have good hair, and I’m proud of my hair. I work hard to have stylish hair. Over the years I’ve had many different hair styles from long to short, curly to straight, bobbed to stacked and the current spiky do. Robert is willing to let me do whatever I want with my hair which is probably a good thing since I would have done it anyway.

6. Hope—The hope for the future is something we have heard a lot about lately from politicians, but I think the hope for the future lies with the children of our nation. That is one reason I do my job. The hope for us, for the world, is through education.

7. Happiness—The *H* word that makes me smile. I think that happiness is a state of mind. You can choose to be happy or unhappy. Except for the occasional day when I have a pity party I choose to be happy.

8. Health—I am lucky to have good health. Well, actually Robert and I both have good health and for that I praise God. I have many friends my age that take a handful of pills every morning to regulate all kinds of things from blood pressure to allergies. I do have to take a weekly Fosomax and Robert does take Crestor, but that is it for us. Sure we have slowed down little, heck we are 60 years old, not exactly spring chickens.

9. Helping – I can help. Just give me a call. I’ll offer, but until you ask I’ll pretty well leave you alone. I know there are people who just show up and get the job done. I wish I were one of them, but I’m not. I have tried to change, to become that person, but to no avail.

10. Hydrangeas—A beautiful flower that starts with *H*. I was given a beautiful hibiscus plant by a couple that I helped a couple of years ago. They were broken down on the side of the road, and were walking away from their vehicle. I knew it was a long way to town, they were nicely dressed in a new model vehicle and something in me just said stop. They had run out of gas, couldn’t believe that I had stopped and actually lectured me on the dangers of what I had done. I drove them to a service station where we got gas then back to their vehicle. Two days later a beautiful plant and thank you know were left sitting by my garage. I planted them in a flower bed there at the house and enjoyed them until we moved.

A Day in the Life

Every once in a while a student will say something that just tickles me. Such was the case on Tuesday.

I work with a group of second graders for about 30 minutes each day and have to rush from them back to a fifth grade group. When it was time for the boys to leave I was rushing them out explaining that I had to get back to the main building to teach a group of fifth graders. At this point on little looked at me and said, "You teach fifth grade too? You must be smart."

Yep, I'm smart enough to teach fifth grade too.

As I was nearing home today, driving through a school zone I saw light flashing behind me and then heard the sierne of a police car. I moved to the far right as he raced by. I pulled back into the left lane to make the turn to go home when I notice the police was turning just one block on up the road, so I did something I don't normally do. I went on down the street and turned behind him. I was curious about what had our local police in such a hurry. I soon found out. There had been a wreck at the corner I needed to turn on to get to my house. There was a car upside down in the ditch right at the corner. I'm not sure how the driver of the car had managed to accomplish that feat, but he had. I had to back track back up the street and take a long way around to the house. By the time I drove back by the ambulance was there. I have no idea if anyone was hurt but it did have all the neighbors out gawking. Gotta love small towns.

I would have walked down and gawked with them, but Robert called about that time and reminded me that I was supposed to be at the house closing. No, we didn't buy a new house, but we did refinance the one we are in. Talk about writer's cramps. I lost count of the number of times I signed my name or initialed but we did get a great rate 4.75 fixed for 20 years.

Then I cooked supper -- yes, I actually cooked a meal. Robert gets a meal at least once a week.
Then off to choir practice. Now a little TV and blogging. Life is good.

Unconscience Mutterings & The Interview

The I say :: You think meme

1. Arrival :: departure


2. Vomit :: puke


3. Fit :: too tight


4. Stutter :: stammer


5. Lifestream :: family


6. Tread :: lightly


7. Desire :: lust


8. Freezing :: cold


9. Permit :: allow


10. Crinkle :: wrinkle

THE INTERVIEW

This is a meme where you get to be both the interviewee and the interviewer. I guess it started with Maria at Immoral Matriach, who asked Maggie some questions, who then asked Lou some questions, who asked Julie some questions who then asked me some questions that I've answered below.

1. What is your earliest childhood memory? My earliest childhood memory is the birth of my youngest sister. Well, I don't actually remember her being born and I think the memory is really me wanting my mother. I was three. The memory came more like a dream than a sharp clear picture. I remember being in a dark park. Dark because the sun was blocked by all the big trees. I remember being scared, but it was okay because Daddy was with me. We were looking up at a very large building with dark red bricks and lots of windows. Way up at the top was my mommy. Her blond hair was shining because she was above the trees where the sun was shining and she was waving to me, but she wouldn't come down. That is what I remember. When I described this scene to my mother she said that what I pictured was the old Saint Anthony's Hospital (edited because of Ida's comment) grounds in Amarillo and it was right after Ida was born. At the time children were not allowed in the maternity ward of a hospital and she was holding the new baby up for us to see. I don't remember there being a baby, but I have a very clear image of my mother in that window.

2. What is your dream vacation? Where would you go if you had unlimited funds and were excused from all responsibilities? Wow, unlimited funds and no responsibilities and since you didn't specify I'm going to assume no time limit. I'd start by going back to Ireland and Scotland. There is so much more of those two countries I want to experience. The trip we took in '08 has whet my appetite to see and do more. I would rent a car (and possibly hire a driver just to be safe) and drive everywhere. Stopping where I want, spending as much time as I want in each place, soaking up the beauty of the country and the pace of the people. Then if I hadn't grown weary of travel I would venture back into England, hey it's right there, and do more of the same.

3. Where is your favorite place to be? After pondering this for some time I've actually decided my favorite place to be is home. Yep, right here in my house with my stuff and my stuffy, but lots of fun hubby. We are just a nice fit. We like to do much the same thing. We both love to just sit -- him in front of the TV and me at the computer but we are in close proximity to each other. We comment on what the other is doing. We like to poke around in old shops looking at things from decades before -- too much of which we know what is and have actually owned our used in our lives. We like to travel together, but neither of us has ever suggested a trip without the other --- well, let me correct that we take lots of side trips alone -- me to see the kids, him for the job or Lions. But vacation type travel is always together. And he is a good sport and takes me to things where I get to dress up. My favorite place to be is with Robert. Yes, that's it.

4. Tell me about your favorite book or movie or song or something. The song by Enya Only Time is probably one of my all time favorites. The words, her voice, the music -- it moves me each time I hear it. Actually the entire CD is a favorite. wild child tempus venum one by one -- They are all favorites for different reasons. That being said, I will read about anything you put in my hand, I listen to a variety of genres of music with enthusiasm, and movies are just not my cup of tea, but I'll watch one if you want to.

5. If you were the supreme ruler of the universe, what petty little pet peeve would be a capital crime? And what would be the punishment? (Like, would people who suck their teeth at the table be banished to the outer rings of Pluto? Or maybe people who drive for miles with their left turn signal on might be allowed to only ever make right turns...) SUPREME RULER OF THE UNIVERSE PATSY says if you drag your feet you will be made to walk 100 miles through a maze made with bars set three inches high so you CAN NOT drag your feet. This comes from walking students to and from sessions each day and then being in the hall during class changes. These are elementary kids who are just to lazy to pick their feet up. It drives me crazy!!!

Want to be part of it?

Follow these instructions:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. (Patsy adds leave an email address if your not sure I have one all ready or I'll leave your questions in a comment.)

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

and 6. Link to this post and all the previous post.

Haiku Friday -- Grandma and Grandpa's Legacy

Recently my mother sent a photo of her mother and one of her father. Separate photos taken either shortly before of after they were wed. From those photos sprang these thoughts.

My mother's mother
Beula Elizabeth Deaton
I called her Grandma
My mother's father
He's Henry Alvin Britton
I never met him
Wed 1914
Ten children were born to them
Only eight survived

Auto accident
When Grandpa was 47
Five children still home

Aunts, uncles, cousins
Filled my live for many years
Now in reunions

Sometimes I wonder
Would this family please them
This their legacy

Ghost of Christmas Past or Just a Memory

I was tagged by Hootin' Anni to participate in a little 6x6 meme. The directions are simple.

1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or where ever you stor your pictures.
2. Go to the 6th folder, then pick the 6th picutre in that folder.
3. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes with the picture.
4. Tag 5 people you know (or don't know) to do the same.
5. Leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

When I opened My Pictures the sixth folder was titled 2006-12-30. Ahh, Christmas 2006.
The sixth picture happened to be one of one of my mostest fovoritest people in the whole world.

Meet Abigail aka Abby and Miss A at age 4. This smiling face is because she is getting to ride with Grammar and Grandpa over to Uncle John's house for Christmas in Sunray. This was one of the first times she had gotten to go with us on a trip more than just a few blocks. I do want to take time to explain that what looks like food on her face is actually a bruise that is in the yellow phase of healing. She had taken a nasty fall a few days before and dinged her chin pretty hard.

We usually spend our Christmases in Amarillo since there and in close by towns is where most of the family resides. In 2006 our second son, John and his wife, were hosting the *clan* for a fish fry, shrimp boil, present opening, made house. When we are all together we number 19 and this Christmas all 19 were going to be there. Yes, fun and noise.

Robert and I stay at my mom and dads whenever we are in Amarillo because they have a large house with two extra bedrooms. The day before we were to head for Sunray for our *clan gathering* it was decided that Abigail would be allowed to ride with us. She was very excited about getting to go in Grammar's car and hopped around wanting to know when starting early that next morning.

When we finally put the car seat over in the suburban and told her to climb aboard she became all grins. We picked up the only other granddaughter, Holliday, and away we went. Holliday was in Amarillo with her mom but was getting to go back to Sunray for the evening to be with her dad and the rest of her family. (I must add here that Kim has always been very generous to let us see Holliday even when it cuts into her time to have her.)

It was a fun trip traveling with them. Holliday was 8 at the time and was just wonderful with Abby. She talked to her and showed her the things she had in a bag she was bringing and in general entertained her for the 6o miles we traveled.

We had a wonderful time that afternoon/evening/night. We didn't leave until late and when we got Abby home she was sound asleep in the car seat, and didn't even wake up when she was taken in the house and put to bed, clothes and all.

And here is a second picture from that Christmas. It shows all 19 of us. This same group will be going on a cuise this summer. Yep, all 19 of us on one big ship. It should be fun.

Now the hard part; to tag five people. Here are five places I like to visit and who know me if not by sight, by site. Tag -- Your it.
Donna
Carrie
Julie
Ida
Jo Ann

It's About a Bottle

The flip of the coin this week was tails. Freedom to express one's self as desired. The topic or theme is bottle. At first I was going to write an essay on the history of the bottle, but that sounded to much like an assignment in school, and then I was just going to write a little diddy about how I use bottles, but when I began writing the poetry muse that seems to be wanting to express itself had another idea. The following is what happened. Pretty elementary, but I didn't say it was a great muse --- just the one wanting attention right now.

Genie in a bottle,
Message in a bottle,
Capture our imaginations.

Bottle of lotion,
Bottle of shampoo,
Practial things we use.

Bottle of milk,
Perfume in a bottle,
Things for babe and mom.

Bottle of beer,
Soda in a bottle,
One for dad and one for son.

Made of glass,
Made of plastic,
Many shapes and sizes.

New Little Computer Talk

Here I sit on the couch by hubby, watching TV and typing my blog on the little acer computer I got us for Christmas. Actually I got it for us after Christmas, but in my world that is very much beside the point. I really don't like buying presents for Robert --- I never know what to get him and he really isn't all that exciting a person to give a present to.

I like for the recipient of presents I give to react with joy and glee. I usually put thought into the present -- worrying over it, hoping to get something they will a least appreciate. My girls learned early how to react. Shouts of, "Look what I got!" whether real or fake could be heard along with "Thank you sooooo much." Or just a laugh and a "Look at this." something, some reaction.

Robert doesn't react nor does he even act curious about a gift. If something shows up under the tree for him he doesn't try to figure out what it is or pester anyone about it. It's as if he doesn't care. He says he likes things, and he says, "Thank you." but something is usually just missing.

So back to getting us this little computer. I knew I wanted it so I could sit on the couch and blog or facebook or any other thing I was into if I wanted to. But I also wanted to have a second computer in the house. One that Robert could play free cell, spider or hearts on instead of on the desk top when I'm itching to be on the computer working on photos and other things.

A friend told me about this little computer she had seen that was the size of sheet of paper and only cost about $350. I couldn't believe it -- a laptop for so little. Granted it doesn't have tons of memory or a cazillion things fancy about it. It came with Windows XP and wireless Internet ready. Beyond that not much that I've found, needed or wanted. That may be all it is capable of
doing but for my purposes it is perfect.

For Robert there is hearts, spider and free cell. Yesterday evening he even went on line and found out were the closest Men's Wearhouse is located. I would have been doing that for him if
Little Ace weren't here.

Now back to Robert and reaction on receiving gifts. I've learned with him that he really needs to have something in his possession for a bit before he can appreciate it. He doesn't like to have things thrust upon him and to immediately get into it. This little gift has been well received, but it had to win him over.

Buy him some new clothes and he doesn't have to have a fashion show. Heck, they may hang in the closest for two or three days before he even tries them on.

Such is my life. I want enthusiasm -- I've got Robert.

100 Word Challenge -- March & Unconscious Mutterings

The 100 Word Challenge word issued by Velvet Verbostity this week comes from A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeliene L’Engle and is March. When I think of March I think of wind. I grew up in the Texas panhandle and I remember standing on the playground with a strong wind blowing, back turned to protect the eyes and hunkering down to protect the legs from the sting of the blowing sand.

March

A gentle March wind stirs
Softly, gently as the lamb
Hope of spring then summer fills the heart
Too long held hostage in winter’s icy grip

A stronger March wind rises
By the breath of lamb and lion.
Tender buds on trees are tossed to and fro
As the air and soul are warmed

Gusty March winds roar
Loudly, furiously as the lion
Blue skies change to the dusty brown
Plunging the soul into despair

March with ever changing winds
From winter’s cold to summer’s heat
The heart and soul are carried along
Never sure of what will be






I say :: You think

1. Resolution :: ending



2. Break :: ruin



3. Tied :: shoestrings



4. Suffering :: pain



5. Instead :: option



6. Slash :: cut



7. Divorce :: remove from



8. Cough :: cold



9. Happy :: elated



10. Sniffle :: cough

Catching Up

It is time to write. Not think about writing, not whine about not knowing what to write, not try to impress with writing, but to just write. I have neglected this blog long enough and to my few readers I apologize. Not that I've ever written all that many things to brag about, but I do have a couple of things in the *bank* that I'm really quite proud of. A couple of stories well told, a couple of poems well written and a few really awesome pictures.

First an up-date on Rudy, the fourth grader at our school who had a brain tumor removed shortly before Christmas break. He is now having radiation treatment daily. He is in great spirits and wants to be back at school, but of course the doctors won't let him. To much risk of taking all that is going around in a school with his weakened immune system. He is doing home bound work. The prognosis isn't really all that good. I've heard a couple of numbers but they aren't from truly reliable sources. No one has ever said that this is terminal, but it hangs there filling the air anytime Rudy is mentioned. We still pray for the miracle of life for him. So I guess you could say that right now we are all living in a world of not knowing and denial.

My other friend Winnie has had three rounds of chemo for breast cancer and has one maybe two left. She will be having a mastectomy in about a month and is dreading that. Please pray that God will calm her nerves and bring her through that procedure as he has the chemo. The cancer she has is called HER2. I have no idea what that is and to be honest I don't want to know. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Her hair is all gone now, and her hubby shaved his head in total support. That is quite a sight I'm sure. This is a man with wonderful snow white hair and a beard. She didn't mention if he has shaved the beard, note to self, ask about the beard.

Now on a lighter note. I'm sure you all know the term maverick, but are you aware of where it comes from. Yesterday I was teaching a lesson in reading and the paragraph we had to discuss was about the man Sam Maverick. It seems that Sam Maverick was a cattleman/politician here in Texas in the 1800s. The paragraph went on to tell how Maverick didn't brand his cattle because *branding hurt the cattle*. As we read that I thought, "Uh, first of the PETA people. Boy would Robert have a hay day with that one." Of course I didn't say any of that. The term maverick, according to this article, comes from this man who didn't follow the conventional idea of the day. A maverick is also said to be any unbranded cattle found roaming.

Well I had to check this out. I didn't doubt the article about the term maverick coming form Sam Maverick, but it seemed a little far fetched that in the 1800's he didn't brand cattle because it hurt them. Following below is a quote from Wikipedia with the link to the complete article here for those wanting to read all about this man who actually played an active role in Texas history.

Maverick steadfastly refused to brand his cattle. As a result, the word maverick entered the English lexicon, meaning both an unbranded range animal as well as a slang term for someone who exhibits a streak of stubborn independence.[75]
Maverick's stated reason for not branding his cattle was that he didn't want to inflict pain on them.[75] Other ranchers, however, suspected his true motivation was that it allowed him to collect any unbranded cattle and claim them as his own.[75]

So there you have a bit of trivia. Teaching reading is a great source of bits of trivia. Now if I can just remember this tomorrow.

This is a picture of me (at the top in the plaid shirt) with my sisters. I'm not sure of the date. Guess I should have asked Mom. I'm going to say 1959 though since that is the date written above TEXAS.

Tough Choice to Make & Unconscious Mutterings

The meme of I say :: You think

1. Confirmation :: affirm


2. Verse :: chapter


3. Authorize :: okay


4. Blog :: write


5. Thirty :: forty


6. Heir :: descendant


7. What are you doing? :: what's up


8. Complaint :: disgruntled


9. Leave :: go away


10. Tune :: song

A Bit of Musing
The news for the Gaza Strip is a bit unsettling. I haven't followed it closely. But I do know there is war, unrest, rioting, murder and mayhem in the Holy Lands right now. That all makes the choice about going in December of this year even harder.

The Holy Lands has never been high on my list of must see places, but I would like to take advantage of the opportunity since it is making itself available.

The people we would be traveling with are all good friends and people we really enjoy.

Money isn't a big issue. We always manage to have what we need when we need it.

But that silly fight (okay silly is my word. I'm sure those who know much more than me would choose a different word) has me nervous about committing to this trip. Should a person plan a trip to a war zone? Should a person be excited about the possibility of putting himself in harms way? I'm going to have to wrestle with this a bit longer.

Tonight we go to the first actual meeting about going. Our pastor is the one putting the trip together. I'm sure he will have much information that can calm the nerves, maybe even persuade me that all will be safe. No money has to be exchanged just yet --- and maybe, hopefully by the time it must be things will be better.

Hope --- And a Resolution

The theme for this week's is simply hope. I have hope that the bathroom scales will continue to registar a lighter weight each time I step on them. And that has become my New Year's Resolution. I'm determined or resolved to be a slimmer, trimmer, more fit person at some point in 2009.

I got a jump start on the resolution just before Christmas. December 22 I woke up with a nasty stomach bug. At first I thought I didn't feel well because I had imbibed in a few drinks the evening before while celebrating Christmas with two of the boys and their families, but after a bit I knew it was so much more than a slight hangover.

I could stay awake only long enough to get to the bathroom and then right back to bed to sleep. I was that way for a good 36 hours.

After that I was much better. I was able to function in the world of Christmas and enjoy giving and receiving gifts and help Mother prepare food for the holiday feast. But, and this is a happy but, I wasn't interested in eating. All the wonderful sugary foods that usually call my name weren't --- and when I nibbled them they just didn't appeal

So a jump start on what I hope is a down ward trend. :)

Haiku Friday -- Ode on a TV Screen

(click on the icon for more particiapants)

Ode on a TV Screen

All this week and next
Battles will be won or lost
On hundred yard fields

Twenty-two young men
Eleven make up each force
Face to face in war

Proud parents will watch
Fans will cheer in wild support
Glad to be a part

The prize to be won
Is pride and the right to brag
Now and for all time

That day we were best
Will be told for years to come
Spectaular play

As years in the past
2009 has begun
Football on TV

100 Word Challenge -- Doorway

After taking a couple of weeks off I've once again created for the challenge from Velvet Verbosity with 100 Words for doorway.

Slowly, I walked down a long, door lined corridor. I was looking for something, some place that I was supposed to be. Each door had a sign on it, but none of them was what I was looking for. On I walked past doorway after doorway stopping briefly at each trying to decide if it was the right one, if it was the one I was supposed to enter. I looked back up the empty hall at all the doors I hadn’t opened. I hesitated on the threshold of the last door then with one hard push I entered.

2008 in Review

According to my sister over at Losing Myself Thrusday Thirteen has been dicontinued because of an illness in the family. Seems I missed the official blog about that. Miss two weeks and the world changes. Different individuals are picking up the slack and hosting from their sites -- one such place is at jayadee.

I was all ready to post a wonderful Thursday Thirteen, but when I clicked on the link to said meme it wasn't there. That in itself sent my world into a tizzy. I went to a couple of blog sites that I knew usually participated in the TT world hoping to find the link to where ever TT had moved, but to no avail. I can't find it. I Googled it, but to no avail. Where has it gone?

The list I was going to leave is a look at 2008 month by month. I know there are only 12 months so I was going to be one short --- I really feel everyone would be relieved or would have quit reading by month 6 and would never miss the fact that there was no 13 or I would have figured out some happy quirky thing to add for 13.

Since there is no Thursday Thirteen I'm just going to post my list anyway and hope someone stumbles upon it and get a smile from my ramblings.

January -- The Texas Association of Fairs and Events Convention was held in Austin. The highlight of the convention was winning the $5000 ($1250 of which was my share) calcutta raffle. You can read about it here.

February -- Robert and I attend the Junior Service League's annual Charity Ball. We were dressed to kill, as seen here.

March -- I went to Amarillo for a short visit, Robert went to Kerville with the Lions for a work day at the camp and we hosted two young ladies and their sponsor from India. You can read all about March here.

April -- We got the call that Robert's mom was really going down hill and that hospice was being contacted. Of course we traveled to Amarillo to be with family, but traveled back home knowing that Helen's days were going to be short. I attended a Women's Retreat hosted by our church. That was a refreshing time for me. Of course, I blogged about it here. The gripping news that Preston had been in an vehicle accident came right at the end of the month. He has survived and is doing well --- a miracle from God.

May -- I attended the Britton Family Reunion with Mom and Daddy. What fun to visit cousins I hadn't seen in years and then had my sister, Jo and her husband come visit me for my birthday.
And then I went to Albuquerque to visit #2 daughter. It's all recorded here.

June -- The big trip to England, Ireland and Scotland happened the end of June. It was an awesome trip and I've posted about it several times.

July -- Our friends Peter and Mary (or Merih as it is actually spelled) were married and I helped her put her wedding together and then hosted the small reception. Here is an account of that event. Amy came down for a visit, but it was cut short by the passing of Robert's mom.

August -- I don't think I did a blooming thing in August. There is nothing on the calendar that made that month special.

September -- Robert and I went on the Chamber Cruise the sixth through the eleventh. We got back to town just as Ike decided to rev up his strength and head for Galveston. It was an exciting couple of days as we waited for --- well were we are -- nothing.

October -- I started by tutoring job, helped Robert (very little this year) with the Rice Festival Parade, and attended the Women of Faith conference. Just check out the month of October for blogs about all of those.

November -- The highlight of this month was the trip to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. What fun we had. I recorded part of it here.

December -- This month has just past. I was busy all month, doing what I'm not sure. I went to practices for handbells and choir and participated in the programs each performed. I hosted a small Christmas gathering for the leadership team, and I had Christmas with my family. It was a wonderful month.

There you have it a quick look at the year just past. We were blessed in many ways. Robert and I are both in good health, we both have jobs that are secure, and we have a wonderful friends around us and family we love. All I can say is, "Life is good. Yes, life is good."