Hello Tired Reader...

Sitting there with your laptop open, are you? Or, sitting in front of your desktop computer? Either way, I'm glad you chose my blog to read as opposed to all the junk out there on the internet...LOL! For those of you who continue to read my ramblings, I continue to thank you. For those of you who are new readers, I hope you enjoy what I write as much as I enjoy writing it.

Well, first things first, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

As I am inclined to do, I fell asleep long before the new year rang in. Wally did wake me up when the ball dropped so I knew that 2012 had come but in my sleepiness, it wasn't too big a deal. We spent the holiday with friends in Georgia and a good time was had by all. I did a little cooking, did a little partying, did a little sleeping and did a lot of NOTHING. That was nice for a change.

I'll back up to Christmas for a bit since I haven't said anything about that holiday as of yet. It was quiet and relaxing for us this year. We didn't go anywhere and the visitors to the cabin were few. We loved the prime rib, though it is destined to only be a holiday tradition, it's a little too expensive to be on the regular shopping list...now if I had my own cow???? hmmmmm

The dogs loved the steak bones they were tossed and the horses gobbled down their sweet feed as if we owed it to them. My one lone rooster - now dubbed the "New Roo" helped clean up after the horses and he had his own full scoop of chicken scratch feed. Not to worry, we're looking into the possibility of getting some baby chicks in the springtime and with that purchase, should it occur, will come the addition of a hen house. Let me just say WOO HOO to that as I'm very excited about it. My very own hens, my very own farm eggs...what more could a girl ask for :) :) :)

I suppose the rooster will be happier than I... lol!

Christmas came without snow, sleet or rain and it came without too many of the usual trappings. It came with the anticipation of talking to the kids and knowing that they had gotten their gifts. It came with the happiness you feel inside just knowing that your loved ones are safe and good and in the watchful eye of others you can depend on. When you live in another state, these are the gifts that you get on Christmas and every day of the year.

For those things and many more, I have to thank Jack and Dizzy Debbie. Without them, Christmas from me to those in Florida wouldn't have been possible. Not only did they take care of the gift getting and delivery thereof but they did it without complaint. They did it because that's the kind of people they are. When something needs to be done, they just get right in there an do it. My heartfelt thanks to them for all they did and for all they continue to do to keep the closeness from 750 miles away. Great people they are!!

While I won't dwell on the subject of my Mom's recent illness because I know you get facebook updates from Neccy, I will say that we are ever so glad and every so relieved to know that they have finally provided her with a diagnosis. We're hopeful now that she will be released from the hospital and able to get back home and back into her routine. Whew!! We don't need anymore of that mess ever!

Speaking of facebook...I'm sorry to disappoint so many of you with my fake facebook sign up day. I wanted to enter a drawing for a $250.00 gift card and the only way to do it was to "like" the store on facebook. My friend Kris set me up and "liked" the store but alas I didn't win. I did however enjoy knowing that so many of you wanted to be my friend... aw, aren't y'all just pea-pickin sweet!!! To be clear, I still don't have access...

Whether or not you remember this time last year, it was a snowy and cold, time for me. I was enamored of the differences in weather conditions from state to state and I was still going through the transition from FL girl to TN girl. I'm not saying I've fully transitioned but I'm getting there :) and I still love every minute of it. I thought maybe I liked it all so much last year because it was new to me. Turns out, I like it just as much this year and I'm not sure that will ever change.

For many people, winter weather brings aches and pains in their bones. I have my aches and pains too but mine don't seem to be so bad. I really can't complain. I've been eating healthier than ever before and I do lots of walking and I've even added stair climbing at home and at work. Not that I have a choice at home LOL but I climb the stairs now even when I don't have to :) I drink my bone broth that I make on the weekends and while I should probably consume twice what I'm getting, I think I can feel a difference in my joints. They don't snap, crackle and pop in the mornings anymore and I'm better able to bend and squat when I need to without worrying about not being able to get back up. I'm sure some of you can relate to that!

I was going through last year's calendar and found written all the snow days I had taken. It's quite a different story this year, indeed, the weather has been remarkably beautiful so far. We had one day of snow and a few days of rain but really nothing to complain about. Today the high is 62 and the sun is shining brightly through the office window. Everyone is out walking or jogging! Here they even wear shorts when it's 62 degrees outside. Uh, not me, thank you very much but I did go without my jacket this afternoon. LOL that's as tough as I get!

You might be surprised to know that I made a New Year's resolution this year. Yep, that's right. I know I rarely do that but this year I thought of a good one....ready? I have resolved to use the dish washer at least once a week!! How 'bout that?? Pretty good one huh? I rarely have enough dishes to fill it up because I don't put my pots, pans, tupperware or knives in it but I've decided to reclaim the time it takes to wash even the few dishes, forks, spoons and bowls that will go in it. You're feeling pretty proud of me now, aren't you? lol

Well folks, the time has come for me to sign off seeing as how it's Friday and time for me to go. I'll try to get back on here Monday and update you on my resolution. So far I've been successful :) I used the dishwasher Tuesday night LOL. I had to take the globes off the lamps on the end tables but hey, whatever it takes to fill it up, right?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!  I know I will - we're going to see the meat man in the morning!!!