What is a new year, really?

Yesterday was my birthday. Thursday is New Year's Day. While it may be a new year for the calendar, isn't an individual's birthday really the beginning of their own personal new year?

So, in that spirit, I've already made and started on my resolutions. (Son #6 calls them revolutions.) I'm going to continue to take better care of my health (started a diet last month and went to the doc's today for a checkup). I'm going to increase my jewelry inventory so I will have enough on hand for both in person and internet sales. I'm going to work on my internet presence, updating my web site and etsy shop at least weekly. That means I'm going to take more pictures of the jewelry too, of course.

I guess it's convenient that my personal new year comes so close to the calendar new year. But what about you? Will you be making any resolutions this week or will you wait until your personal new year/birthday? Or will you just skip it completely and let things happen as they happen?

Merry Christmas

This is just a quick note to wish everyone a merry Christmas.

Life has tossed some challenges my way lately but I'm still so very thankful that I'm here to enjoy the holiday and my loved ones are safe and healthy, even if we can't all be together right now. God has been good to the Burns family over the past 30 years and I have complete faith that things will work out the way they should.

I hope you and yours are having a healthy and happy Christmas and that 2009 will be an even better year for all of us.

Love you all!

Huh?!

Cat's name is Marvin. (Don't look at me. Son #4 named him.) He's perched atop a closet door. We're not quite sure how he got up there, but this is the same cat that lies on his back on the top of the entertainment center and tries to walk on the ceiling. You'd think that, after the first time he fell, he'd realize cats can only do that in cartoons.

He tried to figure out how to get down for about 5 minutes. Son finally helped him down, but not before snapping this picture with his camera phone.

Post-Thanksgiving Thoughts

What were you thankful for this year?

I'm thankful that 4 out of 6 of my boys were able to be with us for the holiday. I'm especially thankful that #5 son was able to be here before he ships out to Korea and that the sons who couldn't be with us were with friends on Thanksgiving.

I'm also thankful to a stranger. I met this fellow 2 days after Thanksgiving while selling my jewelry at the Heritage Crafters Gallery in the Lynchburg Community Market. It turns out that he's in the army and just returned from Korea in September. He reassured me that my son will be safe there and gave me some good information to pass on to my son, including his e-mail address. He gave me some Korean money for Pat, enough to buy a soda when he gets there. He was a very nice young man and his wife and 2 children are gorgeous.

I'm also thankful that my wonderful daughter-in-law was able to visit us. She's recovering from
Guillain-Barre Syndrome, also known as GBS, and is still in a wheelchair most of the time. However, she is able to stand for brief periods. The last time I saw her, she was in a hospital bed and very weak, so it was wonderful to see her back to her vibrant and funny self. I've designed a necklace in her honor and will post a picture soon.

I hope each of you had a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving. So? Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?