Good-Bye 2009

As years go 2009 wasn't such a bad year.

In March we celebrated our 25th anniversary.

I was named McIntosh Reading Council's Reading Teacher of the Year...

We went to Kentucky for Drew's Birthday

The boys all grew another year older...

...they've worked, gone to school, and continued to grow into fine young men.

I was Stark Elementary's Teacher of the Year, I turned 50 and went to see Bonnie Raitt in Concert.

MeMe lived to see another year and her cancer has stayed in remission. Dan's mom had a very success breast cancer surgery. Kate and CW have a wonderful little boy named Carter. Dan's had not one job, but two this year.

However, I hope I always remember...

Merry Christmas

For the first time in 26 years we have not celebrated Christmas yet! Drew and Nicole will be here Sunday afternoon (Dan's Birthday) and that will be great!!! We talked to Dan's parents yesterday. They were alone for the first time since 1956. We were all a little sad. Dad said next year will be that much sweeter when we are together. I think he is right.

We did let the boys open one gift last night. They both opened their new cell phones. This is Gabe's first one, so he is really excited. I am afraid that Matt is going to be sad this year...even thought we spent the same amount of money on each boy. Matt isn't going to get a WOW moment, because he got a WOW moment in November when he got his license back. (I'm praying he remembers)

Some things are the same...we are watching "The Twilight Zone" marathon and Dan is cooking breakfast. I LOVE the smell of bacon cooking.

Merry Christmas

Hope this finds everyone enjoying a peaceful time with family and friends. We are missing Dan's parents this year, but very thankful that the doctors got all of Mom's cancer. Our oldest children will be here Monday and we will do Christmas then. Tonight we are letting the other boys open one gift and then wait till their brother gets here.

We are very blessed people. We are blessed with three healthy children. We have jobs! We have each other. So all is well.

Love to all!!!

Quote

"Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two."
-St. Augustine

Medication or not

That is the question! I'm not sure I have the answer. There are days that I'm sure Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor are my best meds. Other days my man evens out my nerves. Now for those days when all three elements collide...what can I say "LIFE IS GOOD". So do I need a pill to take off the edge...let me look into some organic methods first! Unitl then...sing on Bonnie.

Moody Blues

Today has been a tough day! When I finally woke up I was dreaming of my mom. Since she has been gone for 38 years it isn't something that happens. Then Dan said he bought me a Christmas present. I thought we weren't buying each other Christmas presents. Then I figured out without peaking what he bought. Then I was depressed, because if you wanted to spend money on me why wouldn't you pick something more romantic and personal. I was/am totally bummed. Call me petty, but it seems that no one in my family really knows me. I'm just the woman who cooks and cleans. There are no suprises, and I promise I have not petty.

In the midst of my gloomy mood, I stood up F and others at one of my favorite restaurants. Do I need happy pills? Something that makes me not care.

From there this day has just escalated. Dan wanted to finish Christmas shopping, then I said something that made him mad and he walked out of the store. We still aren't speaking and I don't feel like apologizing. (I always apologize) I must be getting old and cranky.

I still am on the verge of tears, but know that it will get better. I've got a physical on Monday and might need to talk to the doctor.

Under the Influence

The heading is correct. After the past two days of dealing with my back, hubby said this morning I need to snuggle in and stay on the muscle relaxers until Monday morning. Then I'm to leave my job at 3:15 and go see the chiropractor. (I love it when a man is forceful! Of course he knows I will do whatever I want to do!) I've struggled with the back since Thanksgiving and now it is into muscle spasms that take your breath...literally! So perhaps he is right. (Do not tell him I said that...)Especially since I'm right handed and any movement on my right side is now triggering the muscle spasm.

Because of the back and work issues I missed going down yesterday and giving birthday wishes to my favorite art teacher/photographer. She rocks my world and is a breath of orange goodness. I know it is hard to be up at our job, but truly she is such a thoughtful encourager to me.

Then what would I do without F. Who listened to me this week bemoan Middle son's college experience. She's listened to me huff, puff, and moan about this stupid back issue. A true friend!!!! Last night she told me not to make Dan suffer because I choose not to make time for the chiropractor. You know that didn't work. I jumped him while trying to eat supper! Good friends are hard to find.

Teaching is tough Big Dawg wants to make a self-contained EIP class. Unfortunately, I am very mothering and do not want any of my chicks taken from me. Period! However, they need to be in a small class and we keep getting new students!

Middle son has decided on a change in majors to Agriculture Communications. Who knows what he is doing with that, but his skills are more suited for that field. At the same time Youngest son has managed to not do a project due yesterday, but an extention was given till Tuesday. Do I have a direction sheet...NO!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, this week I sold old gold gathering dust in a storage building and made $540. WOOHOO Christmas.

So now it is off to the recliner and flipping the remote is the extent of my day. Wish me luck!!!! The mounds of laundry usually get me going...