A Beautiful Start to 2010

Well, here it is folks, a bright shiny brand new year. Now what are we going to do with it? We need to make plans, find a way to use it, decide on our goals. Of course all those ideas will probably end up being the basis for a great big universal joke on us. You know the old saying: "humans plan, God laughs" or something like that. That's okay. It's still good to plan and have our goals. It is also good to be flexible with our ideas, just in case the greater powers have other plans.

What did you do over New Years Eve? A few of us gathered over at Lane Wozniak's to make sure she didn't go to bed too early. The usuals included Paula Benton, Jessie Malin, Reno Smith and me. Added to the mix were Barbara Wheatley and Dail Gibbs. Dail is an old Rector boy who now lives in Auburn, AL. He is currently dog sitting for his brother Donald Ray Gibbs and has connected with some of his old school friends while in town. Barbara (Rust) Wheatly is one of those school chums and she and Jessie Malin had lunch with him.

This lead to an invitation to the New Years Eve celebration. Yeah, if you've paid attention to this guest list you already know Dail was the only guy. His picture, the one where he is totally surrounded by women, is already circulating the web, see Lane's facebook page, if you doubt me. He didn't seem to mind at all either. Who would have thought that one man could come to Rector for a few days and find himself smack in the middle of half a dozen fantastic women? The word "fantastic" is mine, not his, but I am sure he would have used it ... probably ... maybe.

Any way he seemed to fit right in and just maybe this started a New Year's tradition. He is still here so if you want to look him up there is still time.

Now some more about Barbara Wheatley. You know she lives in Paragould now, but was raised right here and lived here for many years until a few years ago. She and her daughter, Robin (Wheatley) Price, (you know Robin, she grew up here too), well they are moving this month to the other side of the state. I really hate to see them move but they will be close to Robin's boys and their families. It will be a good move for them and I wish them both a good life.

Many of you know that Jim Stone has been in the hospital in Pine Bluff. He has pneumonia and has been feeling pretty rotten. I spoke with Carol this morning and she says he had a good night last night and is breathing much better. No word yet as to when he will be released, but hopefully he will be out and about before too much longer.

Candy Hill spent several days in Little Rock where she sat with her cousin who was having surgery. It is really good to have family close when we are ill, isn't it? It is also good to be close when someone needs your help.

Ms. Cleta Simmons was visited by some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren over the Christmas Holiday. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Birch of Franklin, TN and their children and Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Hayes visited with parents Rosie and Tom Hayes of Paragould and they all came to spend some time with Ms. Cleta as well.

Pastor Velda Bell and her daughter Susie spent Christmas with their family in South Carolina. They left about 3:30 Christmas morning for the long drive east. There was much celebrating with Velda's sister and brother and their families. Susie got in as much roller skating as she possibly could. They both ate as much seafood as possible. Velda had her favorite, fried oysters. Mmmmmm. One of my favorites too. Velda warns that anyone planning a trip east might want to take the southern route as that rock slide on I40 is still an obstruction just outside of Knoxville.

I have also been informed that Rena Snow's Christmas celebration did not end after her Christmas Day with Paige. Her youngest son Craig, a RHS graduate and RHS thespian of considerable renown, flew in from his home in Wilmington, NC to spend a few days with her. According to my sources, this was a high energy visit and coupled with the week before, Rena probably needs a vacation. Maybe somewhere warm.

Because the other big news right now is that it is COLD and is going to be COLD for a few more days. It is COLD here and it is COLDER in other places. It could be the coldest weather we have ever had and if you remember last year, that means it is really COLD. Dress warmly and seek out the sunny side of the house.

That's about it for today. Here's wishing all of you a wonderful 2010. It is a new year. Make it your best year yet. Let me know what's happening with you. Give me a call or email me to let me know what is happening. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net. I want to know and share your news. Thank you so much for all your emails and phone calls. I love hearing from you.

Keep our soldiers in your prayers.