Happy New Year!

I did the sensible thing last night and went to bed before midnight. Many years have come in without me standing guard at the door and I figured 2011 can do the same. But over the years I have somehow developed an internal clock that wakes me up at whatever time I think I want to get awake. Right on time, I woke up at 11:58 and managed to stay awake long enough to see the clock roll over to 12:00. I heard the neighbors shooting, knew the year had been properly ushered in, and went back to sleep.

I started the new year by giving the house a good cleaning and getting rid of all the dirt left from last year. It looks much better around here! And of course, we had the traditional PA German pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes for lunch. I rarely cook a meal like that on a Saturday but traditions are traditions and must be upheld.

As I was cleaning I was reflecting on the things that happened in our lives in 2010. Some of the highlights were watching Gerald graduate from Alvernia University with a BSN and begin his career as an RN, taking a two-week trip to Canada to visit my brother and his family, finishing the book I was writing and having it accepted for publication. I was blessed with all sorts of other joys and pleasures scattered through the days of the year. There were, of course, some unexpected turns such as the accidental death of a nephew and smaller calamities. But overall, it was a good year.

When standing on the threshold of a new year, one always wonders what the year will hold. Sometimes it doesn't take long to find out. I remember looking at the calendar on Jan. 1, 1994, and wondering aloud what the year would hold. The next day our lives were changed forever when Steve was in an accident and never came home again. I certainly don't want a repeat of that kind of experience. Some of the things I do anticipate this year are helping Gerald get his house ready to live in and watching him get married on July 30. The wedding is still seven months away but it will be here before we know it.

There are a few other things I hope will happen. The first two that come to mind are losing another five pounds and seeing my seventh book in print. Things on my job list are scrapbooking my 2010 pictures, some sewing, and writing. I'm sure things will come up that I have not thought of yet. New ideas of things I should do seem to pop up like dandelions, but that's what keeps life interesting.

I guess we'll just do like we've always done---live one day at a time and see what happens. One thing I know, be it good or bad I am not alone. God is my refuge and strength. He is where I can find comfort in trouble and strength to meet the challenges of each new day of 2011.