"HAPPY NEW YEAR"

"Happy New Year to all".......It's now 2009 and my wish to you is that 2009 will bring you happiness, good health and whatever new years resolutions you make you are able to fulfill them this year....

How did you spend your New Years eve? Last year Marion started having a ball drop in our downtown so Bob and I went to it and it was really nice so we decided to go again this year. Most of the stores in the downtown area stay open until midnight and they have different organizations that set up stands and sell sandwiches, hot chocolate, etc. Our local fire department brings in their bucket truck and some lucky citizen gets to be in the bucket truck along with a fireman and they raise the "ball" way up in the air and at one minute before midnight they slowly lower the ball and when it lands on the street then it's midnight. The ball lights up and everyone cheers. Last year the turnout was pretty low but this year there was a lot of people there.

Bob and I knew it was going to be around 20 degrees at midnight so we really bundled up. You should have seen me. I looked like that little boy in the Christmas Story. I had on 2 pair of pants, 2 shirts, 2 pair of socks along with fur lined boots. I had on one of Bob's hunting coats, ear muffs, a toboggan and a hood. I also had on 2 pairs of gloves. You would think I would have stayed warm but my hands still got a little cold. The wind had been blowing pretty hard earlier in the day but thankfully the winds were calm at midnight. I know you probably think we are crazy for standing out in the cold watching a ball drop from the sky but I have to admit it is fun.

Today is a big football day for Bob. I believe the first game starts around noon and there will be games up until late tonight. I plan on having a lazy day. I want to read, watch a couple movies I have taped and take a couple naps. Sounds like a great day to me. We are also going to grill out this afternoon. Were having steaks...YUM!!!

I got a email from a friend that had some old wives tales I've never heard of for New Years. Like your not supposed to sweep your floors on New Years Day because you will sweep someone out of the family. The first one across your threshold on New Years Day cannot have red hair. Someone with red hair is supposed to bring anger into your home for the year. If you wash clothes on New Years Day then you will wash all your luck away. I don't really believe in these wives tales but I do remember mom used to always fix cooked cabbage on New Years and she would put a dime in the bowl and whomever got the dime was supposed to have good luck. We went to Kroger's yesterday and the meat department had a lot of pork out on display so I guess a lot of people eat pork on New Years Day. It's so funny what some people believe....

To everyone I wish a happy 2009. I hope the year offers to you everything you hope for. Take care.

Happy Monday...

Hi,

I hope you had a nice weekend. It's so cold up here in Ohio. It got down to 1 degree last night. That is cold!!! I think it's up to 23 degrees now... WOW, heat wave!!!

Dad drove up to Columbus on Thursday and I met him at Bobby's and brought him up to Marion. We went out to dinner that evening then Friday morning dad helped me out with a few problems I was having with Photoshop, then after lunch I took him down to Bobby's. On Saturday, Bob and I, along with Bob's parents and Terry all met at Bobby's for a early Christmas celebration. After having Brunch we went to the Franklin Park Conservatory then we came back to Bobby's and had dinner then we opened presents. Below are some pictures.

Were all sitting around Bobby's kitchen table. We just finished eating a great Brunch that Benita fixed.

Benita is working hard in the kitchen

Bobby is having fun picking on Bob

Dad headed home on Sunday. It was great to spend some time with him. I hope to be able to see him more in the coming year. Time just goes by way too fast....

Is everyone done with their Christmas shopping? All I had left to get was a couple items for Bob & Terry's stocking so I picked them up today. I also finished all the grocery shopping for Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinner.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday...Take care and enjoy the time with your family. Love to all of you.

Hope you had a nice weekend...

Hi,
I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Bob and I had a very busy one. We left out Friday afternoon for a road trip to West Virginia and after making a pit stop for a minute at Bobby's in Columbus we drove to Mickey's in Ravenswood. Mickey is doing well after his surgery. He is still in physical therapy but seems to be progressing very well. After a nice visit with him and Christal we drove down to Joy's. It was great to see the new bathroom Charley has built onto their house. We went down to Charleston and had dinner at Laury's then we went back to Joy's house and visited for a while.

The next morning, Bob and I drove back to Columbus. We did drive through Ripley to see all the changes there. We spent the afternoon Christmas shopping then we checked into our hotel in Columbus and attended Bob's company Christmas party Saturday evening. His company gets a room for every employee and they have a nice dinner, and the next morning they have breakfast for us and then you go home. It's really a nice time.

Before leaving Columbus we picked up a couple more Christmas gifts then we headed home. It was a really busy but nice weekend. It's always great to visit with family and to also visit with friends.

Everyone have a nice day. Take care.

It's been 3 years now......

Three years ago today, mom went to heaven to be with the Lord. I miss her so much, but I have comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering and that she is happy. Mom, I miss you and I love you. Some day we will be together again...I look forward to that day.

Is it cold where you are?

I hope your staying warm...It's really chilly here. No snow yet but I think certain parts of Ohio are getting snow.
I wanted to thank everyone for praying for the family I posted about before. They are struggling but with God's help they will get through this. It's the kids that are so sad. They are so young.
Take care.

Special Prayer Request

Hi,
When you say your prayers can you remember the family of Heather Mollenkopf. She was killed this past weekend in an auto accident. She was only 38 years old. Her husband is a deacon at my church. They have 3 children, ages 5, 8, and 10. The family is in shock right now as you can probably understand.
Thank you.

It's a little chilly!!

Hi,
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I'm sure you ate way too much turkey, mashed potatoes and don't forget the desserts. I don't think you can have a good holiday unless you over indulge in something good.

Gatlinburg was a lot of fun. It was very crowded though. When we got there on Thursday it took a long time for us to get from Pigeon Forge through Gatlinburg to the Inn we were staying in. The traffic was bumper to bumper and the streets were loaded with people. Shortly after we arrived at the Inn, dad got there. After we unpacked we walked down to the main street in Gatlinburg and did some touring. There are so many shops and great things to check out. We rode a sky lift to the top of the mountain which was just beautiful once you got up there. Bobby and Benita arrived about 7:30pm then we all went out to dinner at Calhouns. Very good food...

The next day we spent the day just touring around Gatlinburg. There is so much to see there. I loved going down the side streets to what they have set up as little villages. They are brick lined streets with little shops everywhere. It's was fun to turn a corner and the excitement of what you may see. We visited the Aquarium which is always nice. For dinner we went to Maxwells and Maria & Mike joined us. The food there was also very good.

The Inn we stayed in was wonderful. We rented out the whole Inn, which has 6 bedrooms. It was great to have the place all to ourselves. The owner stayed long enough on Thursday to show us around then she left and didn't come back until Friday morning. She made a Continental breakfast for us and gave us fresh towels. We enjoyed being there alone and having full run of the place.

I will post some pictures as soon as I can. Take care.