2009 - Remembered

2009 was a year which found a lot of Americans unemployed,losing lots of money in their investments, ans many losing their homes. It has been a hard year for many and most will welcome 2010 with hopes of better times.
In January we saw our first african-american president sworn in. He has taken over a job that is filled with turmoil. I pray that he will do his job well and to the betterment or the country. He can not make everyone happy,but no one can. Let's just hope that we can look back on this time as changing for the good.
In 2009 the death angel claimed many of our celebrities. This link will take you to a list of them .
www.whosdatedwho.com/celebrities/people/list/celebrity-categories.asp?FD=yod&ID=2009
The one that it me the hardest was the death of David Carradine I have long been a fan of his.
My family was blessed to have two graduations this year Brandy from King's College and Jenny from Byrnes High.
We were very blessed to have Angelique return from Kuwait after a 6 month tour on Thanksgiving day.
2009 will be remembered with both good and bad which can be said of any year. But I chose to believe the good out weighted the bad.
Everyone have a safe and Happy New Year!!

Congraulations!!

My daughter,Brandy has graduated from King's College in Charlotte, NC. She now has an associates degree in Travel and Tourism. I am very proud of her. School has never been her favorite thing ,but she hung in there.
She has started a great job with Verizon in Charlotte and is planning a wedding for later in the year. I guess NC claims another one of our children. She's still only a couple of hours away. That's good she can visit often.

A New Week

It's a new week and at the end of it we get a new year.
Hopefully my depression is lifting. Most people love this time of year,but for me it just seems so stressful and depressing. I hope everyone did enjoy their holidays and not be down. I keep telling myself I will enjoy it more next year.
I am ready to start some new projects. I have a few new sewing items coming soon to my Etsy shop. And the amazing thing is that I am working on a piece of mixed media art. I am discovering interest I never knew I had.
Full time work starts back Jan. 4. But hopefully I will be able to manage my time better than I have in the past since I have an empty nest now.
Everyone be sure to make your charitable donations by Thursday if you are going to take them as a tax deduction. Remember to get a receipt. Also remember that property taxes paid on your home can be deducted even if you don't itemize. More tax tips to come later.

CHRISTMAS--JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

We as Christians complain that Christ has been taken out of the day. But aren't we part of the problem?
Christmas has coming to mean big get togethers to eat,drink,and exchange gifts. We rush around shopping for gifts for folks who we don't know what they need or want. Just because that is what is expected. In what way does this honor our Lord? He cleared the temple of moneychangers yet isn't that what we are doing creating sales in his name that in no way honor him. We go in debt ,skip payments that should be made and do without so we can give a "nice gift". It makes more sense to buy a gift for a loved one when you see something they would enjoy or you think would make them happy instead of buying something ,anything so that you fit the mold. If I see the perfect gift for you in April why should I wait til December to give it to you?
Christmas should be the time that Christians celebrate the birth of our savior not turn it into a social celebration.
I tried to cancel Christmas at my house this year no one is coming over on Christmas day and I only put out a few decorations, no tree. It's not that I don't want to buy gifts for my loved ones I want to do it when .I see something I think will make them happy without consulting the calendar or having to buy everyone something at the same time.
Thanksgiving is a much better holiday to me it is about family and friends gathering to eat a feast,give Thanks and watch football. No pressure about gifts and who spent the most . No hurt feelings.

Christmas should have Christ put back into it by us Christians then maybe the world would get the picture.
I know I am guilty of selling Christmas items in my shop habits are hard to break but we do need to but the emphasis on the real reason for the season the birth of our Savior. How many of us stop and read the story of his birth on Christmas eve? Or we just to busy doing Christmas.
I would love to hear your comments on the subject.

November Ending

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
We ate our feast at our daughter Brandy's home in NC. It was her first holiday in her own apartment. The food was delicious. I ate too much. We had so many desserts to chose from it came down to a sliver of this and a spoon of that. The cherry cheesecake was my favorite.
We had so much to be thankful for Brandy has graduated from King's college with an associates' degree in travel and tourism,Jenny is surviving her freshman year at Clemson even though she thinks she won't. Angelique has returned from Kuwait. Everyone is employed and in at least fairly good health.
Everyone slow down a little bit and enjoy the season. We all get in such a rush, we miss out on all the fun.

Random Thoughts

These were sent to me my friend Nanci and they are so good I thought I would share.

Random Thoughts for the Day:

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to
immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument
when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap
when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5.
I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told
you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of
tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment
at work when you know that you just aren't going to do
anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue
Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it
asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper
that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash
this -- ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello?
Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine
times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer?
Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then
not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know
not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad
what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I
respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday
or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!

1. Plans and schedules never work for me .

2. I'm happy when things go smoothly .

3. The last thing I drank was pepsi .

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is my family .

5. I like ham,mushrooms, and pineapple on my pizza.

6. Dear November,I love the colors and temperatures you bring.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include seeing "Men Who Stare at Goats" and Sunday, I want to watch racing and football as usual!