Another disease is going round the daycare. It is the fifth disease. We have two cases but they are in separate rooms. One is in the infant room and one is in my room. Grannybird, we use two commercial strength disinfectants to clean the rooms. We wash the toys every day. Every surface is cleaned with the disinfectants. We even add it to the laundry. At times like now I feel it is not enough.

Today, I was straightening my closet and I found a pair of shoes that I had forgotten I even owned. It was so exciting. They are exactly what I was wanting and planning to go shopping for. I can't remember when I bought them. I guess fashion might change but what I like doesn't change.

After reading about GB's washing machine trouble and hearing the clunk my dryer is making now, I did a little research on washers and dryers. I found that there is such a thing as a washer/dryer in one machine. You put your clothes in to wash and when you take them out they are all ready dry and ready to put up. I didn't know there was such a machine. I love the idea!



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I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 121

We have our first case of hand-foot-mouth disease at the daycare. Hopefully, it won't spread through every room.

A coworker brought the first king cake to work monday. We have had king cake every day and I hope no one brings another one next week. We did have a variety of flavors-blueberry, cream cheese, chocolate eclair, praline, and apple. I have to admit I cheated, I always waited until someone else found the baby in their piece of cake before I cut my piece.

Finally, we got a raise at work. Last year we didn't get a raise and were told we wouldn't get one until this year. We didn't get a guarantee on when or how much. It was more than I thought but less than I needed or wanted. But it is still a blessing. After taxes I will be bringing home $50 more a month.

The bird population is still low. I see an occasional cardinal, wren, or mockingbird. At one time I had an abundance of all kinds. But with the combination of the hawks that are nesting around here and the loss of trees from the hurricane and the tornado, I have too few birds. I am hoping when spring arrives the birds will flock back.


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Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

It has been a hectic weekend. Friday when I came home from work, I heard water running. I checked the bathroom and water was trickling from the bathtub tap. I tried to turn it off and couldn't. I went and got a screwdriver and tried tightening the screw on the faucet. This had helped a few times before. It only made matters worse, water started gushing from the tap.

I rushed outside to turn off the water to the house at the main line. You would have to see the two in ground water meter boxes to understand my next problem. Both boxes were filled with mud and muddy water. I couldn't find the valve and all I could think about was running water and how high my water bill was going to be and how much it was going to cost to repair the broken faucet. I "ran" and found the shovel and started digging out mud so I could turn off the water. My neighbor came and asked what was going on. I explained what was happening and he started rooting around in the muck. We found one valve and turned it and water came shooting into the air. It was the faucet the city uses to clean the water lines. He started digging the mud out of the other box and finally we could see the water meter and valve to the house. He turned it off for me. I came back inside called my dad, of course, hoping it was something he could help me take care of. I don't like calling him because he is eighty years old but I have depended on him all my my life.

Dad came saturday morning and was able to fix the faucet temporarily so I could turn the water back on. Something in the wall is going to have to be replaced. He knows a plumber who is going to do that for me. The man is also going to put a turn off valve for me at the house. I am very thankful.

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For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 1:9-17

Happy 2009 ya'll!!! I can't believe we are starting a new year, seems like we just did this for 2008. Yes, I am another year older, thanks birdie100. I get tickled when people say they would hate to wait a whole year before their birthday. Duh! Everyone has to wait a year, hahaha.

I was surprised with a cake at work. And they gave me a gift bag full of play money and gold costume jewelry. Now the card was suppose to be funny, my "younger" coworkers really got a kick out of it. I, on the other hand, laughed on the outside but was sad on the inside. It said-

Remember when we were happy to be
young and sexy on our birthdays?
Now we are just happy to be
alive and breathing!

I would have rather they gave me a card that said they liked me, not shove in my face how old my body is looking. I am still young on the inside. Oh well that's life.

I haven't made any new year resolutions. I never kept any I made so I won't continue that habit. Today I cooked the traditional black eye peas and ham hocks. I created a casserole for my cabbage, combining left over pork roast, cabbage, onions, cream of mushroom soup, and rice. It came out pretty good. I have garlic bread and salad to round it out. And of course iced tea. For dessert I will have leftover birthday cake.

My granny used to say what you did the first day of the new year, you will do the rest of the year. So I am going to try to set the tone for this new year by being calm, content, relaxed and happy.

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The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:3-6