New Year's Eve

Well, folks, the end of 2010 is here. My first thought is to say, "Thank God, it's over." This year has seen many battles and heartbreaks for my family, but lets not dismiss 2010 without picking out some good among the rubble.
This year, my brother-in-law recieved a kidney transplant that saved his life. God brought him back from the brink of death, and continues to strengthen him. My sister, Norma, was in excrutiating pain yesterday, later to wake from a nap, totally pain free (please keep praying for her, people. She really needs it). My sister, Glenda, after years of pain, was pronounced cancer free following her surgury. My sister Zita was accepted by the weatherization program for her house, and recieved new heaters and a new refrigerator. This should lower her sky-high bills. When the radio station was in the process of changing management, Dave watched all his co-workers lose thier jobs. He was so sure he was next, that we'd gone though the checkbook to see what extra costs we could do without. I thought I might be going back to work so we could afford to feed the cats. Not only did Dave not get fired, but he got a promotion. I finally got brave enough to start my blog, which has turned into a way for me to keep in touch with my sisters. I'm thankful for even small surprizes, like my brother spending Thanksgiving with us.
I'm not denying this has been a hard year, and I hope we never have to repeat it. I just wanted to look back on the good things, because it helps me to remember how God never leaves us to face our challanges alone. I love all of you, and I'm praying for a better year ahead full of health and happiness.

Progress For Annie

My cats, with the exception of Merlin, are uncomfortable with crowds. When we have guests at the house, even if they've seen the person before, they hide. On Thanksgiving, when my house filled up with family, Annie took advantage of the fact that most of her housemates were hidden. She took this opportunity to come out of her hiding place, and wonder the house. She was nervous, but she quickly warmed up to the fact that she was free to roam. She did the same thing again during our Christmas party. Well, she must have enjoyed herself, because she is coming out of her hole more often, and staying out for longer periods of time. She still spooks easily, and rushes back into hiding when things are too rambunctious, but I'm very proud of her. She never did like rough housing with the other cats, but I'm hoping she'll get to a point where she'll run and play with toys again. It's not perfect yet, but I thank God for every minute she spends with us.

Big Plans Tomorrow

Between Dave's busy work schedule and my sickness, I had pretty much accepted that I would miss the year end sale at The Woolie Ewe. I told Dave that my shopping spree at the Philosophy website was a good substitute. I enjoyed browsing thier website, and I have a package to look forward to (I love getting packages in the mail). I don't need anymore yarn or knitting supplies anyway, do I? Apparantly, Dave thinks I do. When he got home from work yesterday, he informed me that things had slowed down a bit at the station, enabling him to take a personal day. We'll drive to Plano early tomorrow. He'll drop me off at Woolie Ewe, while he goes on to Costco for our monthy stock up of cat food, litter, and other things. He'll then pick me up (I hope), and we'll go eat at our favorite Chinese food place, and hopefully be home by 3.
I hope I can sleep tonight. Normally, I can't when I'm excited about something.

Temperature Control Dilemma

It's a cold, rainy day in my part of the country. I was unable to get out and about, even to feed and visit with Max (I'm so sorry, Max). If I wasn't sick, I'd have probably gone anyway, but Dave didn't think it was a good idea. Trying to shift the guilt off myself, I asked Dave if he forbids me to go see Max. He hesitates. As far as he's concerned, I'm a grown-up, and he has no business forbidding me to do anything. He did managed to talk me out of it, using the reason that makes the most sense. I'm sick. (Poor, Max, I hope you don't think I've abandoned you).
So, I've spent the day indoors, watching TV and knitting. My knitting has gone very slow, because for some reason, my hands seem to be shakey, and unable to hold on to anything. During today's confinement, I've discovered my biggest enemy. The thermostat. When I turn the heat down, I get chills, but if I turn it up, all my sinus conjestion drains into my throat, causing caughing fits, and multiple sneezes. Grrr
Don't feel sorry for me too much, unless it's because I can't go see my Max. The sickness is so small in comparison to my guilt over him.

Philosophy

Ok, I have a new favorite. The gift I came away with from the family Christmas party, was a set of four cookie scented, 4oz bottles of three in one bath/shampoo products from Philosophy. I've been using the Oatmeal Raisin one for the past two weeks, and I absolutely LOVE it. I was afraid that being an all-in-one product would meant that it would be drying to the hair, but it's not. I do still use a separate conditioner, but only because I have color treated hair. Otherwise, philosophy + silk therapy would be sufficient. So here's a big, and I mean really big, thank you to whoever brought that gift. I'm pretty sure it was you, Glenda. ;)

Manly Mitts

When we walk, Dave's hands get very cold. His arms are too long to pull the sleeves of his jacket down over his hands the way I do. I had plenty of yarn left over from the hat's I'd made us, so I started knitting him a pair of matching mittens. I'd hoped to get them finished in time to give them as a Christmas gift (and if I wasn't sick, I would have), but they were not ready this morning. All I had left to finish was the top of mitt number two, and the thumbs, so I worked on them during the football game, and I'm happy to say that I finished them. So, technically, they were a Christmas gift after all. :)

Dave Is Sneaky (But Awesome)

Even though I'm sick, Dave and I have had the best Christmas. I gave him a pair of socks (hand knitted, of course), a gift card to Home Depot, and various kitchen items he'd been eyeing. He gave me a portable CD player (so I can listen to my music as I sit on my back porch), a magazine I've been eyeing, but haven't bought, and something that is so thoughtful, it left me speechless...

Back in October, when I won my ribbons at the fair, I had planned to create a page for the scrapbook Norma gave me back when Dave and I were Family of the month. Since I don't really know how to scrap, I had stuck my ribbons in a drawer, fully intending to persue my idea after I'd learned a few things, but actually I'd, sadly, forgotten about them. Last week, Dave asked me what I'd done with my ribbons, and I showed them to him. Again, I'd forgotten about them...until today. You know what that sneaky husband of mine did? He took them, along with my photos, to a frame shop to have a display made. I have to say, this was a complete surprise, and I love it so much. I hope it's not to prideful, but I've hung the framed ribbons right in the livingroom. I just have to have it where I can see it and be reminded of how much my husband loves me.