New Years' Resolutions~unearthed

New Year's Day, or January 1, is the first day of the year and is an occasion that witnesses the biggest annual celebration across all countries of the world. It is the time when we ring out the old year and welcome the present year with open arms, with eyes filled with new dreams and hearts replete with new expectations. With another year approaching soon, it's time again to gear up for New Year celebrations.



Instead of overloading ones' life with a list of resolutions...AGAIN!! Lists that overwhelm! They bring discouragement as the months' roll by and we see our determination wane. Dani suggests that we throw away these lists and pick One word! A word that encompasses all that we hope for the New Year.
So I am not going to make a list this year...I am going to take her suggestion and pick one word. Several came to mind but this one word made sense to me.....TRY!! So TRY is my word that will be my focus this year!
I will TRY to do new things. TRY to go to new places. TRY to be the best person I can be. TRY allowing myself to fail. TRY to meet life without fear. TRY new styles; new foods; new looks' new ways of making art! TRY....TRY...TRY!!! I will TRY!

This word takes the pressure off of my mind; my psyche! It sets me free to explore and hopefully experience life in a whole new way. I am really excited about this and I hope this encourages you to ponder your "word" of the year. Let's make 2010 the best ever. Visit Dani's blog and see what she has to say. Visit the other bloggers who are also using this one word to change their lives in 2010.

May you have a magical and fabulous day! May your New Year be more exciting than you expected!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot? And never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot? And auld Lang Syne?

CHORUS

For auld Lang Syne, my dear, For auld Lang Syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, For auld Lang Syne. And surely you'll get your pint mug! And surely I'll get mine! And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet, For auld Lang Syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the hills, And pulled the daisies fine; But we've wandered many a weary foot, Since auld Lang Syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared Since auld Lang Syne.

CHORUS

And there's a hand my trusty friend! And give us a hand o' thine! And we'll take a right good-friendly draught, for auld Lang Syne.

Christmas in Gallup, New Mexico~2009

What a wonderful celebration I have had with my family. We had a blast!
Before Christmas, Lisa (my eldest granddaughter), Georgia (my youngest granddaughter) and Lee, Jr. (my only grandson) all stayed with us until Christmas eve. We went to the movie and saw Alvin and the Chipmonks; the Squealqual! LOL! It was a fun movie and Lee Jr. thoroughly enjoyed it. The rest of us wanted to see Avatar; but Lee Jr. didn't want too...so Alvin it was! Youngest rules and we felt Avatar would be too intense for Lee! Then we went to Fuddruckers for hamburgers.
Got home and I finished wrapping a few last minute gifts and we all went to bed early.
Christmas eve morn we loaded the SUV up with suitcases and presents and we were packed in like sardines!!! (And the sleigh was packed with care) And off we went to Gallup, New Mexico! It was a three hour trip and we made it in record time. Soon we were at my son's house and mom was so glad to see the kids. She had a tree to finish decorating and some cookies to make. So we all set to work! We unloaded the car and that took all hands and we proceeded to fill the area around the tree. What fun!! Now the kids were really excited!!
We had pizza for dinner and John and I headed to the hotel for a good nights sleep. They wanted us back at 7AM!!!
We arrived Christmas Morn and all the stockings had already been opened and they showed us their goodies! Then after we got our coffee, the present distribution began. I did a Smilebox to give you a glimpse of Christmas day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hope you enjoy it! We did!
Later on we went to another movie and saw Sherlock Holmes. Boy did they capture the essence of the period. The pacing was a bit slow at times but overall an enjoyable movie.
We arrived home to finish the holiday dinner preparations. Some played Yahtzee and some watched another movie ( Push ).
For dinner we had roast turkey and baked honey glazed ham. Mashed potatoes with garlic, dressing, sweet potato casserole, veggie plate, fruit plate, deviled eggs ( a must), and a pasta salad. Yummy!!! Also offered was wine, pop, margaritas and mojitos. Another yum!
Since surgery, I can't eat very much (which is a good thing) but my few bites were really really good. LOL!!
After dinner we sat and talked and laughed and told stories of times past. All and all, it was a fabulous two days! I just love my family and any time I can spend with them is wonderful!!!!
John and I left the next day and made it home safe and sound.
When we walked into the door we could smell propane and John went and checked out tank and it was almost on empty!!! Oh! Oh! So we called the gas company and no one answered. We had the heat turned down while we were away so John just kept it at 65 degrees and tried to call later. Finally we got someone to answer the phone and told them our dilemma. He called a driver and we got our tank filled within the hour! What a blessing that was. The office was closed for the holidays but they opened up for us!! Praise God! When the driver arrived, he said all we had was fumes!! He was surprised we even had a pilot light; let alone the furnace running. John and he both declared this was a miracle and we let it go at that!!! Again, Praise God!!
It is now 6AM, Sunday morn and I am roasty, toasty warm. Now all I need is some coffee and I will be perfectly content!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration. Next stop....New Years' Eve!! We are going out with several friends for dinner and then to one of their houses for drinks and snacks. Should be another fabulous party!
Have a wonderful and magical day!
Hugging you all
SueAnn

Light Parade!!

Well, my son's family all arrived safe and sound. And we have been having a blast!!! Shopping and eating and shopping and eating and laughing and laughing and laughing.
We went to the Bio Park Light Parade on Saturday night and it is fabulous! We took a ton of pictures and I just had to share some with you.



That group photo is not all of us...and it isn't very good. We all look a little spacey; but it was very cold and we were overcome by the beauty of all the sights. And it truly was/is beautiful! Here are some more photos.
Unbelieveable! It is 6AM and all of us have been up since 4, talking and talking!!! LOL!!! Tiger Woods...economy...health care....jobs....democrats and republicans! And no fighting!!!! Isn't that wonderful?
My son and his wife and two of the granddaughters are going home today because of work schedules. The grandson and two of the remaining granddaughters will be staying with us and we will all be traveling on Christmas eve to meet up in Gallup, New Mexico. That is where they live. It is about a three hour drive so a movie will be in order! We are blessed to have a DVD player in our SUV...woohoo!!
Speaking of movies....we will take the kids to the movies on Wednesday. Not sure yet, which one we will see...probably The Chipmonks! LOL! I wanted to see Avatar but I think it will be too intense for the 10 year old grandson. We all want to see Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland!!! What about you? What movies do you want to see?
Well I am off to do some more wrapping before the kids get up! hehehehehehe And I need more coffee!
This will probably be my last post until after the holidays...so Merry Christmas and I will see you all in the New Year (or just before)!! May joy and peace fill your hearts and homes this Holiday season. Be kind to strangers and donate food, clothing and toys where you can.
Hugging you
SueAnn

Christmas Babe!

This wonderful new baby will be going to my eldest granddaughter for Christmas. She has been hinting at wanting one for a year now.
This is a preemie and is so tiny. Only weight 2 lbs. 2 ozs.!



Isn't she just so precious? I know Lisa (GD) will be thrilled. She is attending college at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM.
She is coming tonight to stay with us until the 23rd. Then we will all go to Gallup, NM to be with the family. They are excited to see her too!
In fact, the family is coming Saturday afternoon so we can go to the Festival of Lights at the Bio Park!! So I am not sure where everyone is sleeping yet...but we will have a blast!!
Have a magical and beautiful day!
Hugging you
SueAnn

Ten Days!!!!! Wow!

This morning isn't as cold as it has been. But we do have new snow on the ground. Just a few inches! I hope that is all we get because I have to go out today.
Well yesterday we started a fire in the fireplace and began the process of packing up the gifts that are going out of town. My mom is going to be so surprised. I am sending her a baby!!



I am also sending her two collages and a necklace I made using a Rose Quartz stone! She is going to be so excited. Can't wait till she gets this package.





Wish my presents looked this pretty. Found this image on photobucket. Beautiful!



See the snow on my yucca? And, as always, beautiful blue skies!! Love living in New Mexico!
I am now waiting on some last minute gifts that I purchased and once they are wrapped I am done!! Cards are out and firewood has been delivered. We are ready for a cozy, fun Christmas! Life just couldn't be any better! I feel so blessed.
My son and his family are coming this weekend to go see the festival of lights at our BioPark! I will take lots of pics and share them with you. I hear it is beautiful! It will be a fun weekend. They will also see all their wrapped presents and begin to get excited!!!! I love it!!!!
Well, I smell the coffee and I need it badly. So I will sign off for now!
May you have a magical and blessed day!
Hugging you
SueAnn