Let me wish you a HAPPY and prosperous NEW YEAR!

We begin today, with a new slate. A clean one. One that has promise and possibilities. I haven't even marked on one single day in our new calendar. It is clear and pristine.

Oh, but give me a little time!

Best part is, the current date is right on the very front!

I had a busy day to finish 2008. I had a delinquent report I needed to file. I had been talking with an auditor about how spazzoid their website was. It would not grant me access because the e-mail address of the computer I was on was different from the address they had on record. Of course I was at the seasonal jobsite, on my laptop, and the ISP is different. He tells me I am a rare case, that the majority of people usually tap their website from the same computer time after time.

Long story short, I got back on my workstation at the house and was able to get in, after I changed my password.

Cost me $76 and some change for penalty and interest.

Then I had some banking and some vehicles that needed to be registered. But they needed to be registered in Garden City. So, I gathered by stuff and hit the road. On the way, my driver who is working on equipment at the shop called, needing in the supply trailer. I stopped by Memama and Pepa's to see if Pepa would unlock the trailer so I could get on down the road. Instead Pepa decided to go with me. We ended up taking his VW bug. I drove.

It was the first time I had ever driven this car, even though he has had it a few years. It will definitely run! I had about an hour and a half to go 108 miles not counting a 12 mile detour and a stop at the store to get my truck driver some lunch.

I drove pretty hard and arrived at the bank with five minutes to spare. Everything flowed pretty good and by the time we got back to Roscoe, I was almost an hour ahead of my mental schedule. I went to the farm shop, before heading East to home.

On my way home Krl called needing some items from the store. So I stopped in, and made a quick run through before checking out and completing my drive.

I wasn't sure what krl had decided we would have for supper, although we had narrowed it down. Spaghetti or green beef enchiladas. As I walked up the sidewalk I could smell the spicy aroma a green chilies on the stove. Krl had browned the meat and poured in our concoction of green chilies, tomatoes, onions and peppers, and was letting it simmer. It gave me some time to sit down and relax before we flash fried the corn tortillas and filled and rolled them with the delicious meat mixture! When the pyrex was filled we poured the remaining meat mixture over the top followed by green chili enchilada sauce and the remainder of the package of cheese. We stuck it in the oven and sat down for the thirty-five minutes it needs to cook and melt everything.

I've always contended that Krl and I cook much better as a team than we do individually. It is a lot more fun too. We did stop short of the ultimate enchilada last night. We didn't top these with lettuce and tomatoes with the fried eggs on top. But then what are left overs for?

I have nothing on my horizon for today. Maybe a quick jaunt to Anson to see my friend K.O.. Maybe not. He assured me if I came up he would have a crock pot of black eyed peas going!

I may go in the living room and see if Krl is watching any of the parades. Of course at some point we need to put our own pot of black eyed peas on!

I can remember as a small child, my grandfather requiring me to eat black eyed peas on New Years! I wish I knew how that tradition got started. What tie was there that tied black eyed peas "consumed" to prosperity in the coming year? Inquiring minds want to know.

Everyone needs to eat an extra spoonful to help Alton out!

Lucky for me, I like black eyed peas. Krl and I both prefer them with jalapenos. I may have to look in our fridge. I had some of Pat's homemade chow chow in there if it wasn't discarded when the fridge was cleaned out.

I had another weird dram night last night. Tj paid me a visit. I don't know what has brought on the onslaught of dreams about Fred and her. But they are kind of fun too.

We have been very concerned with Prissy. She has had a very difficult time with the bug the pups have had. Two days ago, Krl called to tell me I needed to take her in to have her euthanized. (Prissy, not Krl). I told Krl I didn't want to make a rash decision, of course Krl is concerned with quality of life. She does spend more time with the houndgirls than I, and is usually better connected with health issues. However, last evening Prissy seemed much better. Of course when I walk in, the little houndgirls get really excited and she may have been caught up in the moment. I told Krl if I had buried Prissy, she would have beat me home.

Being realistic, we know we are running on borrowed time. In three months and twenty-one days, Prissy will be 18. At 7 to 1 that would be 126. Surprisingly, if I had been a betting man I would not have wagered her to be the one to outlive the rest. She has always had some health issues.

If and when the time comes, I planned on burying her beside Lady Rachel beneath the small tree on the knoll of K.O.'s place. Krl plans on burying her in our backyard. I guess at some point we will have to hash this out.

Of course knowing what I know now, Prissy might outlive Krl and I both!

I talked with Rian briefly last evening. They were having a tailgating party on the parking lot at Greenlawn. They had been cooking burgers, hot dogs, and sausage wraps. It sure sounded loud when he called!

Here is who I am cheering for, anybody except Alabama or Florida. Throw USC in there too along with Ohio State.

In many cases it is who I like the least.

Go 'Horns, go Raiders! Do it to it Joe Pa!

Have a happy day and a happy new year!

FATHER, thank YOU for this new year. Thank YOU for the hopes and dreams we have for it. May it be filled with rich blessings, with good news and good happenings, but most of all, may it be filled with YOU! Bless-ed be YOUR name!