see you next year!

I can't believe that 2008 is almost over! Time does seem to go faster the older I get. It honestly doesn't feel like I have been out of grad school for a year and a half, out of college 4 years, and high school 8 years! I can say, though, that a lot has happened in the past year and I am looking forward to a new year with hopefully much happier things going on. My Granny is in the hospital again, she went in this past Sunday so anyone reading this please say some prayers for her and our family. It doesn't appear to be anything too serious, but you just never know. On a much happier note, I hope that everyone has a wonderful New Year's and I'm sure I will have a good story after being at Alex's tonight... he always seems to build a fire that attracts the fire dept! 

The family zoo and the real zoo!

Saturday was the day my Mom's family got together. We went to my Aunt Betty Jo's house in North Carolina. We were only missing 3 people out of the family, so we had almost everyone there. We ate plenty and enjoyed a few presents. I think the highlight was when my Grandmother gave my little cousin a singing reindeer that sang "Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer!" My cousin wasn't really sure what to do, he just stared at it. There is always something interesting that happens when this family gets together. It was also entertaining when my aunts dog took a leap from the couch to an ottoman and misjudged. She jumped right into the side of it and landed sprawled on the floor. It just so happened that she did this while we were all very quiet, but it definitely woke us up... and yes the dog is ok. 

My sister came home Saturday evening and yesterday we spent lots of family time together. We couldn't decide what we wanted to do last night so we ended up going to see the Hollywild lights.  I had not been in about 8 years and my Dad and sister said it was longer than that for them. So, we of course waited in the car for about 2 hours before getting to the entrance but we had lots of fun in the car. The lights were great and worth seeing. The deer forest was really cool... there had to have been at least 300 deer, they were everywhere and they just let everyone drive all around in the fence with 

the deer. We noticed a pack of cars not moving and realized there were 2 zebra (well one was a zebra, the other looked like a 1/2 zebra 1/2 donkey). Well one of the zebras had walked up to a van and stood right against the van's hood and would not move. There was a car right behind the fan, so the van was trapped. We watched the zebra for about 10 minutes and he never moved. Meanwhile, his friend decided to come visit us to see if we had food, he stuck his head in the car and when he realized we had nothing, he went on his way! I'm guessing the other zebra eventually moved, but I think he was trying to get warm by the engine heat. Who knows... but it was again entertaining! 

I guess between the dog leaping to the floor and the zebra getting warm it was a fun and interesting weekend! Now I have 2 weeks off and I am soo excited! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Spirit...

I'm really starting to get into the Christmas spirit now! You can see I'm in the process of making something for the teachers and other psychologists I work with. No way can I buy anything big, but taking the time to make something is fun and low cost. I love my new shivering monkey stamp and it fit just right with the one that said "May the spirit of the season warm your heart all year long." Of course I paired it with some yummy hot chocolate (my favorite!) that was even on sale at the store today! So, I'm just hanging out with Dixie making some treats for tomorrow!

Seasons Greetings...

 Ok, so I got behind again! I often think about what I want to put on here, but actually doing it is another thing. Besides, there are probably only about 2 people that actually read it. Anyway the first Saturday of December, every year, at 12:00, my Granny's family gets together for the "Smith Reunion." I think they have been doing this for over 30 years. And this year, with 3 less family members it was very bittersweet. I was a little anxious about going because I really wasn't sure how happy of a time it would be. Not only were we without 3 people, it was 3 major people... the heads of the family. My Papa, My Granny's sister - Ethel, and my Granny's brother - Oscar. But of course the entire family had no doubt that we would still have the reunion. And so on Dec. 6th my Dad, Georgia, and I went to Matthews, NC for the reunion. I have to say that I could not have been more wrong about how it would be this year. Yes we talked about those we were missing and there were a few tears, but I think everyone was more determined than ever to make it a happy time. We had so much fun talking, catching up, and of course the music was great. It's always been a tradition for my uncles to play along with anyone else that wants to. My Dad has even been up there since he has taken guitar lessons. I have several cousins that play and of course we have a few singers. You can see in the pictures that the little ones love to use the microphone and my Uncle Arthur still amazes me. He is 87 years old and in a wheelchair, but he can still play "Guitar Boogie" just like when he was 20. I just love to hear him play, and it's special every year because I know he won't be with us forever. It's also special to see the other family members up there, especially my Dad. He sits at the back away from any microphones, but he really enjoys being up there. 

     On another note, I just LOVE Christmas decorations, the cuter the better. So, this weekend while Alex did his manly things outside working on stuff, I stayed inside and made decorations. I had seen a few things online and thought I would try it out. I made a peppermint wreath and then used styrofoam cone shapes to make 

two trees... one with gumdrops and one with berries and cinnamon candies. I'm not sure how they will be packed up for next year, but I will definitely use them well this year!! It's fun to go and buy decorations, but I really like to make things when I have the time. And I have to say, I only burned myself twice with the hot glue gun, which is pretty good for me :)