Traveling for Christmas

As has become my recent tradition, I was a traveler for Christmas - to my brother David's, then to Kellie's, then Kathy's and even to Earl and Lucy's this year. Quite the little traveler! Even though I would much prefer the tradition where all the kids come to me, it really doesn't make a lot of sense.

Before Christmas day, Hailee (oldest granddaughter) and I got to spend some one-on-one time after I picked her up at the airport on the Sunday before Christmas and then delivered her to Kathy at Kellie's on Tuesday. She was really a sweetie and quite a hit when she went to work with me on Monday. She made good use of my paint pens and made a book for Kathy and Sara. Didn't much like my beef stroganoff, but that's okay. I loved it, so I froze the leftovers!

In addition to celebrating Christmas, we also celebrated the birthdays of the two girls. Hailee is December 19 and Sara is January 1. It seems a little unfair having to celebrate it all at one time, but with everyone so far away from each other, I guess it's the only way.

Hmmm - was trying to add more pictures, but I guess that doesn't work too well -- getting more than a bit slow.

Christmas and birthdays were all a success and it was great to see everyone again. I just love being with my family!

Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone - it's hard to believe they pass so quickly.

The new year brings a time for resolutions and fresh starts. I'd like to be more thoughtful and careful of the people I love this year. I'd love to lose 20 (or more) pounds. I'd like to be more spiritual. Those are all things I want - the thing is, do I want them enough?

To be more thoughtful of the people I love I resolve to:

1. make sure I have everyone's birthday and anniversary on a reminder
2. at the very least - send an email card
3. call everyone on the "A" list at least once a month
4. always listen when they talk
5. keep at least some of my advice to myself

To lose 20 (or more) pounds:

1. revert to my "elimination diet". No - not eliminating everything that tastes good! Actually, it's for eliminating allergens. Having done it before, I already know what my triggers are, so now, it's just making sure that I avoid those things as much as possible. What that means in the doing is that about 95% of the foods that I eat are made from scratch and that I avoid white flour and excess sugar. Notice I said excess :-) I get to decide what excess is!
2. exercise for 30 minutes at least 4 of the 7 days in the week.

To be more spiritual:

1. read scriptures every day. I'm mostly doing that now - "mostly" being the operative word
2. be sure to include morning and evening prayer
3. prepare my Primary lesson before Saturday afternoon
4. listen more to uplifting music and watch less CSI reruns (that will be hard! I'm addicted!)

I think that's plenty! Don't want to overresolve myself!

I'm having blackeyed peas and greens with cornbread for lunch. Fresh is soooo good! This is not a case of "oversharing"! Those of you who are asking why I mention that small fact need to get out now and get yours!

Eating blackeyed peas and greens on New Year's Day is supposed to mean good fortune and prosperity throughout the rest of the year. The greens are said to represent paper money and the black-eyed peas coins. Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold. For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Not sure that I counted... in fact, I'm not sure that the whole package contained that many! But still, I'm making an effort. I'd hate for my year to go bad, just because I ignored tradition!

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2009!