Happy New Year-Redux

Happy New Year, 2009! The couple above represents how we celebrate the holiday in our house. Actually, we are usually awake at midnight, but we may not be awake immediately before or after the hour of midnight. We long ago gave up partying on New Year's Eve because we choose to steer clear of holiday revelers who have had too much to drink. I used to be a little disappointed to be staying in, but now I like the quiet way we celebrate. Well, I do wish we could still rent some movies like we used to, but then I guess we'd have to get a new DVD player.

Like any year, 2008 had its ups and downs, but probably both were magnified a little more than usual, making it definitely a year to remember. Of course, there was a financial crisis that has affected life in the U. S. for many. Gas prices hiked to an outrageous high this past summer, taking about $300 a month more out of our pockets than should have been. There was a very long presidential campaign before the November election of a new president. The biggest crisis of the year was my dad's failing health. He started with a MRSA infection in February and continued to have a series of crises throughout the year. He is currently on 3 antibiotics for several different conditions, but we believe and pray that he is finally on the mend and that 2009 will be a better year for him. Doug and Kellie have been a casualty of the housing crisis, continuing to make payments on a house in which they do not live while waiting for it to sell in a slow market.

On the plus side, we are thankful that both of us seem to be quite healthy, aside from the usual aches and pains that accompany aging. After Terry's bad year in 2007, 2008 was quite a relief. Also on the plus side, we bought and furnished a lovely new house and then moved into it! And while our portfolio suffered some losses this year, we still have sufficient income from our investments , and we both have pensions. The financial crisis that is direly affecting many has not caused us great hardship. All of our kids and grandkids are doing well. Doug and Kellie moved to the farm and started on extensive renovations Chip got a better job and a substantial raise, allowing him to quit his second job. Alissa held on to her job in spite of cuts by Murray State. Nobody in our family has to depend on the taxpayers to support them. We are surrounded by a loving family and friends. Overall, we have been blessed, and life is good....Happy New Year, 2009!