2011...Here We Come!

Time to say 'hello' to a new decade! I believe how fast 2010 flew by! Looking back, I really crammed a lot into this year! My nieces and I took a fabulous vacation together last winter, which we are planning on doing again when Bobby turns 40. Micah graduated from high school. Mike and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We said "good-bye" (or as Fr. Huber said, "Not good-bye, just 'see ya later!") to two very good friends as Frs. Huber and Dellaert were both re-assigned to different parishes. At the same time we say 'hello' to two new priests that we have the opportunity to get to know now. We also said 'adios' to Micah as we took him off to Loras to begin college life. Gabby settled into her life in Cedar Falls and her life with horses. Reed started his senior year in high school with more of life ahead of him. My dad gave us a scare with a couple of hospital stays. Mike had a phenomonal harvest season. The weather couldn't have been more ideal for him. We traded off the Expedition and got a Cadillac. We have already survived some major snow here in North Iowa. We also lost some loved ones this year...Marlys Kelly, Brad Broshar, Jim Wilhite to name a few. What could 2011 possibly hold? I guess if we knew, that would take all the mystery out of everything!

We began the year today by lounging around in our sweats and having "fake" cinnamon rolls (ones from a tube) for breakfast while watching the Rose Parade on TV. We then got cleaned up for a birthday party at the church. Marie Brcka turned 90 years old yesterday and her family had an open house party for her today. She looks so good and was thoroughly enjoying having all her family and friends around.

While we were getting ready to go to the party, the phone rang. It was Ryan Klobasa, the seminarian who spent last year in our parishes on his pastoral year. He wanted to know if we were busy so that he could come over an visit with us and especially Micah. How many of you remember the show The Big Comfy Couch? Well, that call sent us into "10 second tidy" mode when we returned from the party! The house wasn't that bad but after lounging around all day it looked a little yuck. The kids and I flew into the 'tidy up' mode while Mike sliced up a plate of cheese, summer sausage. Ryan arrived and we ate some cheese and crackers and had some pop and some good conversation. He is such a nice kid -- don't know how old exactly he is but he looks like such a youngster!

Tonight it looks like it is hunker down in the snuggies and watch tv (most likely football). Looking at the TV guide, it looks like more of the same is in store for tomorrow! Maybe I will surf the net on deals to somewhere warm. Anyone else game for that?