I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to update my blog. While away for Christmas I had very little computer time and didn’t want to waste a minute with Cora’s first Christmas. What a joy it was to see a little one again, her eyes light up with wonderment and excitement on Christmas morning. Needless to say we had a wonderful time in North Carolina and it’s becoming harder and harder to say good-bye to that sweet little baby girl. This time last year her Mother went into labor and she made her appearance on New Year’s Day 2008. I will miss her first birthday tomorrow and it will be shared in PA., with her Daddy’s parents and relatives. We were invited to go to PA., as well but the logistics of the travel involved, getting me back to Michigan and hubby back to DC on Monday made it impossible.
We got back to Michigan Sunday night and did not notice anything amiss but it was late, dark and we had been driving for 12 hours. It was not until Monday morning when I opened the blinds in the master bedroom that I discovered the Bradford Pear tree on the corner of the house (outside master bedroom) had been split in half by a storm that I’m guessing hit the day before we got back home. Luckily it fell to the side and not into the house or crashing through the bedroom window! The tree service was out yesterday and removed the tree. We are on the list to have the stump removed (grinded) in spring, then we will decide what to plant in it’s place. For now the house looks quite bare! I am glad it’s winter and I don’t have to be outside much and see this empty space.
I’m very much looking forward to 2009 though I think it’s still going to be a tough one economically for the nation. The company my husband works for announced last week that for 2009, no raises, no bonuses, and no matching contributions to 401K, OUCH! He called me from work and told me this news before it was announced on CNN. This is definitely going to hurt us but we are thankful he still has a job. A few in his department do not. I feel sorry for President Elect Obama and the mess he is inheriting though I am very thankful he’s the one to deal with it!
I want to thank all of my loyal readers for sticking with me and being a part of my blogging family. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year and good things to follow in 2009.
And now from last years…2008 blog post:
RESOLUTIONS FOR AVOIDING MISERY
Choose to love—rather than hate.
Choose to smile—rather than frown.
Choose to build—rather than destroy.
Choose to persevere—rather than quit.
Choose to praise—rather than gossip.
Choose to heal—rather than wound.
Choose to give—rather than take.
Choose to act—rather than delay.
Choose to forgive—rather than curse.
Choose to pray—rather than despair.
Author-unknown
Here here! Happy new Year to you and the family.
Gosh no..wasn’t on purpose.
Welcome home Elaine! Sorry I couldn’t get there in time to get your house cleaned up for your arrival. It’s just such a heck of a long drive all the way from Vermont you know and the weather was lousy and…well, you know how it is.
Happy Moose Ear! (and no, I haven’t been drinking…more’s the pity)
Oh I know how hard it must have been to leave that little one behind Elaine.
TG that Bradford pear went the other direction! Those sure have a tendency to split in half during storms. My brother had 3 of his go down after a heavy storm one year. (put a Cleveland Pear in it’s place, the pear shape will hold better in storms)
Happy 2009 GF!!!
Wow, your poor pear tree gave you a dramatic homecoming; I am so glad it went the other way. Those resolutions seem like the right ones for achieving contentment and inner peace. I know it was hard to say goodbye to Cora, but you can look forward to another year of watching her grow–lucky you!
Glad you had such a super visit. I can understand how difficult it must be to leave Cora.
…and a relief that the tree missed doing major damage to your house.
Carole – Thanks and Happy New Year to you and yours as well!
Kirk- well why not?? It needed a good cleaning, was collecting dust bunnies in here.
Kimmy – thanks for the recommendation! It’s awful seeing a beautiful tree come down. Whatever goes in next has to be able to withstand high winds from that corner of the house. Will keep you updated come spring.
Cilicious – I am indeed lucky! And though this past year has been discouraging in so many ways I still have much to be thankful for.
Karen – she’s such a sweetie who definitely knows and loves her Grandma. The minute I get there her little arms reach out for me. Course she’s looking for Poco too, the little dog that she loves to chase around the house lol.
[...] I believe in fires at midnight — when the dogs have all been fed. A golden toddy on the mantle — a broken gun beneath the bed. [...]
Thanks for the very inspiring resolutions . I hope this year would be better for all of us. Happy New Year to all of you!
Happy New year to you also, Of course you would have the best Christmas in a long time being with Cora on her first Christmas, she must have been amazed at all the decorations, the Christmas tree and all the lights. to say nothing about the wonderment of all the new gifts she got……talk about gifts your greatest gift would be there with her…….looking forward to the pictures…….