Happy New Year, Y'all!

Wishing every single one of you the very best 2018 has to offer! 

I Resolve...

...that I won't be changing quite a few things. I know myself too well. I don't make New Year's resolutions because I don't keep them. But there are things about me that just don't change. And I'm ok with that. SO---

In 2014, I will continue to:

1. Twist my hair when I'm tired. Or sitting still. Or bored. 
2. Complain about the weather being too hot.
3. Live here even though I complain about the weather being too hot.
4. Hate it when people talk on top of each other. And when people interrupt others in the middle of a sentence. Rude. And stupid.
5. Not understand Snapchat. Or Instagram. Or at least not understand the need for them.
6. Pick at my cuticles. 
7. Be disgusted by Miley Cyrus. Unless she grows the hell up PDQ. How proud her parents must be (please note that this sentence is dripping with sarcasm). 
8. Be disgusted by those who make excuses for their kid's bad behavior.
9. Be overweight. IF things go like they usually do. IF not, I'll gladly accept the loss. 
10. Roll my eyes when I read some of the things people post on Facebook. Seriously. NOBODY wants to know that much about another person. Not stuff like that anyway. 
11. Cringe when I hear someone use bad grammar. "If someone had just tooken the time to buckle up." And that was from a highway patrolman. Sheesh.
12. Give a snort of derision when the news stations talk about the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day out on Sullivan's Island. Yes, it's for a good cause. Yes, people have fun. BUT: There is NOTHING polar bearish about the weather or the water here on New Year's Day with the lowest water temp since 1995, I believe, being 41. Though it may be just cold enough to shake off the negative effects from the previous night's transgressions. LOL
13. Want to string up child molesters and animal abusers. And do bad things to them. Really bad. And painful.
14. Want to move to the coast of Maine and live in a lovely cottage there. Or somewhere similar across the pond. 
15. Enjoy every moment I get with the family all together.
16. Love football.
17. Use bad language when driving. Or watching football. Or listening to some people talk. Or reading. Or watching the news.
18. Keep hope alive. If I haven't lost it yet, I'm pretty sure I won't. 
19. Laugh. As much as possible. At anything I can.
20. Love and appreciate my wonderful friends.

That's my top 20. What's on your list?

Happy New Year, Y'all!

The Best of 2012

Can you narrow down your memories of last year to only one that is the best? Not me. There were just too many good memories in our family.

We had birthdays- those glorious days when the lovelies were born. Those four days that made my life so full and rich and happy. Breezy turned 27 in January; Deanie turned 25 in April; Birdie turned 24 in October; and DoodleBug turned 21! Of course, the husband and I got older too, but we won't go into that.

• Birdie moved back from Texas and got to go to London.
• DoodleBug started her senior year in college
• Our nephew and his sweet wife had a baby
• I started working at the elementary school the lovelies attended
• My dad completed his radiation and is doing well AND he got to go on a European vacay.
• Everyone was together for Christmas.

Sure, there were some bleak times. But we made it through and, I hope, we are all the wiser/stronger for having the experiences. Though I hope not to have similar experiences again. EVER.

Besides, I'd much rather dwell on the good/happy/fun times.

As we face the New Year, none of us know what to expect. But we can be filled with the hope that 2013 will be a good year...no, a GREAT year. OUR year. THE year.

A year full of miracles; positivity; love; laughter; peace; happiness; good times...

A year to beat all years. A year to grow and learn and experience.

Wishing all of you your best year yet! 

Ringin' In the New Year

The last night of 2012 was a blast as we celebrated with some friends at their Really Rockin' New Year's Eve Pary/Oyster Roast!

The master of the roaster --- a bit strange seeing someone else doing this besides the husband...

There were oysters---

And more oysters....

And then--- you guessed it! MORE oysters!

DoodleBug (on the right) and friend, J, since they were 2---

Our wonderful hostess and her sweet mother--

Two of my most favorite people in the world---I'm so blessed to be able to work with them--

No party is complete without a little goofing off for the camers---

My DoodleBug---

No, they weren't drinking---

They're just education majors---

Which means they don't mind one bit being silly---

And I mean really silly---

They'll be fantastic teachers!

Especially this one!

Some folks were inside watching the LSU/Clemson game. This is SC people, so they're Clemson fans. And quite pleased with the outcome!

Our hostess and her parents--- They are so SWEET!

Oh yeah, and then there were MORE FREAKING OYSTERS!

And a drinking or shot luge--- WHAT?!

So two people pour your shot down the luge while you wait, open mouthed, at the bottom---

Cah-ray- ZEE!

 But fun!

How did y'all ring in the New Year?

HaPpY NeW YeAr, Y'ALL!

What do you do when your kids are all grown up and one of them can't make it home for Thanksgiving and the family Christmas photo?

You wait and send out New Year's cards---

Please excuse the bad quality of the card- I had to take a picture of it because stupid Walmart wouldn't let me save it to my hard drive.

May this sweetest oldtime greeting
Heavily laden with good cheers
Bring content, and peace and plenty
Enough to last through all the Year.

Happy New Year, Y'all!