I'm still alive...

Where does the time go? 2009 was a blur. So many things to do, so much going on...it slipped by when I wasn't looking.

Steve's dad is doing well. He had cataract surgery this week, did great. He's doing better in every aspect. With COPD, it is what it is. His lungs are trashed and there's no way to improve it. But he's managing that well.

My brother-in-law (Steve's brother) and his wife lost two of their beloved pets within 5 days. One had cancer and had undergone extensive chemo over the past year, so that wasn't totally a surprise. Their other dog, died unexpectedly, however he was up there in age. I feel SO sorry for them. Bad enough for one, but two in 5 days.

We had THE best holidays. We drove to NC to my step-sister's for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful day. Great food, fellowship, and fun. We had a good time.

We celebrated my brother's birthday with a surprise party, planned beautifully by his fiance, @ his house in NC. It was SO much fun!

For Christmas Eve, we were back in NC with Steve's family. We are enjoying our great-niece, Paisley. She was 1 year old in December. She's a beautiful child that laughs often. Christmas Day, we went back to NC to my step-sister's for Christmas. Again, it was fun.

Last Sunday, we went back to my sissy's for a surprise birthday party for my step-mom. Was SHE ever surprised. We had some pasta dishes, salad, and desserts that were out of this world. We played Mad Gab and laughed like children...hilarious. It was guys against girls...GIRLS won!

We lost a dear friend, Jim Conner, January 2. He was 79, but full of life until last year. He had become more short of breath, weak, refused to see a doc immediately. When he finally agreed, it was bad news. He not only needed a valve replacement, but had mega calcifications that could prevent a successful surgery. He also had an aneurysm. He went to surgery, did fine, came home New Year's Day late in the afternoon. He insisted on dinner with a few friends and family. He went, enjoyed himself, did well. The next day, 24hr later, he collapsed @ home. It was sudden death. EMS was there promptly, but he died. His dtr Cathy lived with him, cared for him, and was a selfless person. She's an only child who needs your prayers as she decides what to do with life now.

Hugs to everyone! Happy New Year! ...and "Baby It's Cold Outside"!!!!!!!!!!!

31 years later...

When I half-heartedly joined Facebook a while back, it was to keep up with a few close friends and family. I never knew just how many folks that I would connect with! Since we live nearly 2 hours away from most of my former high school classmates, it was rare we ran into each other...except for us going to a funeral, which is sad. I do have a handful of close friends from school that I have kept up with over the years.

In recent weeks, after connecting to first one former classmate, that connected me to another, and another, etc., we have quite a network going. It's wonderful seeing them. Tim Barrett, one of the guys that graduated one year after me, is gathering photos and posting them on Facebook of all of us. He has spent countless hours searching and scanning photos.

I will leave you with this...my senior pic...


Diane Brown - West Lincoln High School - Class of 1978