Great Start to 2009!

The first day of the year is proving to start the year off great!

Tree is down. I usually keep it up until Epiphany but I needed space. I was happy to have it out even though it was a beautiful tree. It is now on its way to be a dune protector for the Chesapeake Bay.

Unfortunately, there was an apartment fire nearby and 5 families lost their home but I was able to help one family provide for their baby. I had a bunch of 3-6 month clothing for a boy, diaper bag, blankets - all brand new. I was blessed by being able to help them. It makes me feel good to know he'll be toasty tonight and Mom will have a new diaper bag and other goodies for him.

Last but not least, I have gotten two cockatiels (well, I'm picking them up later this evening). I love birds. My cockatiel passed away before Christmas and it was devastating. As much as my mother complained when she called that she couldn't hear because of "that damned bird" singing, I miss the singing and chirping and his funny little antics.

Most people don't think of birds as having personalities. They think that to cuddle something, it needs to have fur. Now, my Irish Setter is a 95 pound lap dog that thinks he weighs 10. The cat lets us live here. But the birds are a delight. They are curious, social, sing to you, squawk when you've made them mad. They're adorable.

Cleaning the house has commenced to clean out the "old year" and prepare for the new. This has been very empowering as I get rid of "attachments" of things that really need to get out of my house. Dust gatherers. Hot spots of papers. Gone!

I'm looking forward to the New Year.

I hope you are too!