A Look Back at 2008

These are some of my highlights of 2008:

1. I lost 30 pounds and have kept it off for 7 months by eating better and exercising regularly at the gym. (I guess that stuff really does work)
2. One of my daughters and son-in-law sold their house and are now building a beautiful new one.
3. Another daughter and son-in-law bought a beautiful house in the neat neighborhood of Oakhurst in Decatur, GA.
4. My grandson, Will, earned a golf scholarship to Auburn University and started his freshman year at college.
5. My granddaughter, Kristen, was one out of only 400 in the U.S. , accepted at Brevard Music School for the summer.
6. My stepson Andy, sold the store where he had worked for 26 years and started a new career as a driver with Maverick Truck Lines.
7. My son, Kirk, was involved in a car accident, broke his back and spent three months in the hospital in Birmingham this summer but pulled through and continues to amaze us with his courage and spirit.
8. My husband, John had quintuple bypass surgery in Birmingham and had to spend several weeks at home recuperating and has recovered in spectacular fashion.
9. My hometown basically lost its entire hosiery industry to South America - an industry which has employed several thousand people in Fort Payne since I was a young girl.
10. Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. (Four years ago when I heard him speak to the Democratic Convention, I turned to John and said, "One day that man will be President of the United States." )

This has been an eventful year - not without some trials and stressful times - but I have been blessed with the most awesome family one can have and they are always my source of strength.

I look forward to 2009 when I turn 69 years old and plan for the celebration of my 25th wedding anniversary with a fabulous trip to Italy! Ciao!

Brick Layers in Bangladesh

No Title Required. . . . .

A Visit to Chick-Fil-A

This weekend, I, along with some other family members, attended a Christmas Open House at Chick-Fil-A headquarters in Atlanta. The corporate headquarters building was beautiful and we were entertained by the Atlanta Boy's Choir and several other musical groups. We toured the product kitchens, the antique car display, the museum and also walked through the office of Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A.

As is the case of many successful people, Truett Cathy started very small - but with big ideas and a strong work ethic. He started as a short-order cook at a small grill in Hapeville, GA, and he now has Chick-Fil-A restaurants in 1000 locations throughout the United States.

I am always inspired by people who are successful but who never lose sight of the things that are really important - love of God, family and fellow man. It is obvious from touring his headquarters that Mr. Cathy has always embodied these principles.

Thank you , Mr. Cathy and Chick-Fil-A.

A Wedding and Baptism All in One

Living With Your Mother-in-Law

Since the Presidential election, news stories have circulated that Michelle Obama's mother will probably be moving into the White House with the Obamas.
Late-night talk show hosts have had a heyday with the news.

Jay Leno said, "Obama's mother-in-law may be moving to the White House. Joe Biden was right: Hostile forces will test the President within the first few months of this administration."
David Letterman's comment: "His mother-in-law in the White House? I thought this administration was against torture!"

Since the White House has 55,000 square feet of floor space, it's possible they could make it work but generally speaking, I think co-habitating with in-laws is a bad idea!
I am a mother-in-law and have a great relationship with all my "in-law children" - but I certainly haven't had any offers to move in with them - and I don't plan to ask any of them to move in with me either!

Now, in the event any of my "in-law children" make it to the Presidency and end up living in the White House where I would have access to full-time chefs, housekeepers, valets, gardeners, spa treatments, personal trainers, media rooms and huge libraries, I could see myself reconsidering my stand on this matter.