A Happy New Year Message from Barbara

Hi, to all on this list, family and friends. I am overwhelmed this season with personal obligations, illnesses of dear friends, and helping to ease all their ills and shortcomings. Naturally, need I not say, my days run into nights, and I'm ' happy ' I'm the person I am, but my Christmas cards are sitting in the same spot they were on the 17th of December. Every day as I recieved your cards, I'd say, oh, I have to get out my cards tonight, but here it is the 27th, and I'm sending out my email friends a card I just recieved and know that I really appreciated recieving all of yours in the mail. I'm actually ashamed that I did not get mine written.

As for our health, Bill is doing much better, he actually has been out in the yard raking leaves. He hasn't been able to do that in 3 years. He had a surprise visit from a school friend from Alabama last month, and it pepped him right up.God is good.

As for me, Im still the 'energizer 'bunny' and don't know what hat to put on in the morning. I'm 71, but on my 'urn' it will say, 'FINALLY RETIRED'. I still write Cremations and love every thing about it, I am a bereament Minister for our church, and arrange the funerals for our Parishioners. I still care for my handicapped friend or 40 years, but, it's not work, It is who I am.. Now mind you it's not all work, as I still do my monthly classes for my Botanical Cutlery, making flowers out of spoons, knives and forks. Bruce and Brenda actually made me my own website to be ready for my CD and book. It is still in the building but check it out. BotanicalCutlery.com , keep in mind, we are still working on it.

Our Christmas was so very nice, We had both of our sons, and my daughter in law, Brenda, my cousin Herb, and my dear friends MaryJane, Wyn and Dennis for dinner. I stand corrected, they are 'not' friends but 'family'. We actually celebrated Jesus' birthday before the dinner blessing by singing 'Happy Birthday'.

We're at the age, that we lose dear friends and family, I lost my father's sister, aunt Ida On Nov. 9th this year, but she would have been 102 on Dec. 20th. I did get to see her on my visit to Fitchburg in Aug. She was a wonderful lady and the last of all my parents, brothers and sisters. I did loose a dear friend in March, and I also 3 close friends 2 weeks ago, another reason for my tardiness in my cards. Keep in prayer my friend of 43 years, Carolyn Lambert who is in serious condition.

MY niece Kristi and her husband had their second son, Tyler Lawrence on October 27, Their first born Robert was 2 this year. I know that my brother, is beaming from above.

I also went to Davie, FL to have a visit with my friend Sally and her husband Felipe visiting from Spain. So, you see all isn't 'gloomy'. We met our friend Doreene, and had a re-union lunch.

Keep in mind that my that my life is also a 'party', as I do HAPPY HOUR every Friday nite, with my friend Wyn. Nothing, , well almost nothing, stands in way of that. HAHA I still am the crazy, happy person you all know, and I take this time to wish you all a very

Happy New Year

Love,

Barbara and Bill

PS. I also have a new e-mail address, it's buckie1106 (at) botanicalcutlery (dot) com . The other name is still in effect.