HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was last night in a nutshell, our guests may not agree, tho'!!! House party it was....www.danzanes.com/flash/video5.shtml

As I read my own blog entries, it has come to my attention that my grammer and spelling is atrocious! Ha, Ali!! So bear with me as I attempt to be a more proficient writer and communicator. I many times update my blog in a hurry and in the middle of the night. Don't ask why, just remember my age!

Had a terrific time with the dinner party last night. Everyone stayed later than they anticipated and so when it was time to leave they were all joking who was to be the "designated driver". Not because of inebreiation, but because they weren't sure who could drive after dark. LOL Age again attacks out of nowhere!!!

I have been accused by many, aka relatives, that I don't update my blog often enough. Well, there is no room for new year's resolutions, but I will try harder. What can I say, my life is boring...............and busy! I dream of warm weather (even though it is raining now here in Michigan) and days off my feet. Off the feet is coming soon because I will be having foot surgery in February. A forced vacation I am not looking forward to however.

I am pleased to say after shopping today and actually in past week, clerks of various and sundry stores have greeted me with "Merry Christmas". So smile and say thank you and Merry Christmas. More of that will dissapate all this hullabaloo over what we should say this season. Isn't it what is reflected in our voices and attitudes anyway?

More company tomorrow for dinner. I am actually looking forward to three terrific older couples coming over because I and Steve "owe" them big time. The three men painted our hallway, living room, staircase and back entry for us last year. What a gift and blessing to us. Our textured, plastered walls are a pain to paint and it was a labor of love.

I have become aware of many who are struggling and dealing with some horrific situations in their lives right now. Remember a specific couple in your prayers, the McComiskey's. She was in an accident with her 18mo old son. She was rear ended by a milk truck and burned badley. Her son was killed. Her husband, who pulled her from the wreckage was burned also. This happened in front of their home. She is beginning come out of a drug-induced coma and they will need the strength and courage only God can give to deal with much in the near future days. I pray that I won't become so caught up in the festivities of Christmas to not help others, nor be thankful for what I do have and my family.

I have been baking like crazy, trying to get ready for the annual staff Christmas party, hosted by Steve and I this year. I like entertaining, but maybe going out is more my speed for staff parties. I am pooped, so everyone else will enjoy it and I will just collapse after it's all over. And I feel cramped in this house compared to one we left, next year would have been easier with the family room done in the basement. Oh well, where's the Christmas spirit anyway. Somewhere in one of the boxes we haven't unpacked yet probably!!!

This Nana has been recovering from "nana overload". It was a great time with Sydney and Makenzie, while mom and dad went on a cruise to celebrate their 10 years of marriage. But a reminder that we have children when we are young for very good reasons. The first and and most important is the physical. I was plum wore out; sure glad those two munchkins slept well and me too!!

While I was gone, Steve finished most of the landscaping we had planned this year. He has worked very hard trying to get this house in order. Buying a new home is not what it's cut out to be and not a piece of cake. There is more work involved than appears unless you just want pure white walls and no trees and grass. Or better yet, if you have mega bucks and hire someone else to do it.

Baked a little holiday goodies today. All the grandkids and families will be hear for Christmas day this year. What a ball we should have. But I am trying to plan ahead, so I can enjoy the festivities too. I just need to not place too many expectations on myself and not have everything a "certain" way. That is "my way" as my girls would say. Am a perfectionist? That is a bad word at my house!!

I am praying for more time with Steve during this time. Two weeks apart was way too much, a few years back I had promised myself that we wouldn't spend any great length of time apart; time becomes more precious to me each day. I feel an urgency to be with him more all the time; am I just getting older or is the outside world pushing itself into our lives too much. This includes the outside world of the church too. Family first! Easier said than done.

Nana aka "Cool"