!!!MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! HAPPY, HOPEFUL 2009!!!

We had a quiet Christmas this year. After the Boston contingent left, we put up our Christmas tree. Although we have become "green" with our 12 foot artificial tree, I love it. I found a ceramic disc that I can put a pine oil on that takes care of the all-important hint of pine in the air. This year we decided to have an all silver tree. It took 2 days to get the ornaments just the way we wanted them. Here is the result:




Baking is theraputic for me. I baked for several days creating quite a variety of cookies. We had our little friends, Katie and Maddie, over to make a gingerbread house which has become a tradition. The zoo is a place that I never tire of visiting. We took the girls and their mom, Jennifer, one milder evening. Another night we went with my pal, Mary and her son, Benjamin. I subbed at Ventures, a facility for severely disturbed children and juvenile offenders a few times this month. Though I held my own and they were discussing hiring me, I realized I wouldn't bounce (like I did when I was 20 working with these children), not if, but when I got tossed across the room so......... though it broke my heart, I declined. Who woulda thunk?!?


Dennis had to work through the holidays. Rus was put on furlough for 12 days due to budget constraints at the end of the year. We decided to make the most of this time and the beautiful weather to hike at some of the beautiful Metro Parks here in Columbus, visit the Franklin Conservatory, see a few movies, take a trip to downtown Columbus to German Village, make some incredibly intricate, but delicious dinners. It was wonderful to be able to sleep in, relax, and not be on someone else's time clock.





We brought in 2009 quietly at home after a delicious surf and turf dinner. Frankly, the thought of being out on the icy roads on New Year's Eve has lost its appeal. Call me old, if you must! All too quickly this time came to an end. Rus went back to work only to find out that his hours were cut in half until the 17th. We are waiting for AEP to decide which projects they are keeping, which they are scrapping, and if Rus will have a job in 2 weeks. Believe me when I tell you, this is NOT the way we wanted to begin 2009, but we are trying to be flexible and ride this storm out. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.


We wish you all a Happy Healthy Hopeful 2009!