My Book Club Weekend in Palm Desert

Last weekend was my annual Palm Desert weekend with my book club. There are 8 of us in the book club, but Teri was not able to make it due to her new busy work schedule. I know that I have mentioned before how important my book club is to me. This is a group of amazing, beautiful, strong, educated, involved women. Everyone comes from a different state/country, and has different life stories leading up to this time. We all worked together at some time or another on the Hickory Elementary PTA. Only 3 of us have students left in elementary school, and now a couple have college students, Lyn even has a graduate school graduate. It is so nice to take a weekend out of our busy schedules and enjoy the relaxing company of each other. We read, ate, sat out by the pool or saw a movie, and played charades. With the exception of me, the whole group does the "Relay for Life" which is a 24 hour walk that you do in teams to raise money for cancer research. One person from each team has to be on the track at all times for the duration of the event. To raise money for this event, the ladies knit scarves, baby hats, and other items to sell. They have named the movement, "Knitting for a Cure" so there was a lot of knitting going on this weekend. I am so proud of the work that these women do.

Oh My! Nathan, check this out.

Oh My! Nathan, here is your goal by age 13. She could only find 15 with such short notice. Congrats on the Stealers win. I am sure you guys are overjoyed!

Feelin' Fine in 2009

I am not one that enjoys "Ringing in the New Year". I would much rather be home, in bed, and asleep by the time the blessed event rolls around. I do not like being tired on the first day of the new year, or wasting half of the day sleeping in. That being said, I am so glad John and the kids made me go out this year. We went to a friend's house in Long Beach, the Woolvette's, and danced in the New Year. Thanks Carlos for the Dance Mix - all 80's music to the kids dismay. They spent most of their time in another room or the back yard listening to i-pods anyway. I do believe they were absolutely horrified by the "flashback to the 80's" dancing. By the time the New Year was upon us, we were worn out, sweaty, and hoarse. James made a prime rib that was out of this world and everyone brought incredible side dishes. Kirsten made a dessert that put us over the edge and left us with a "food hang-over" the next day.

I hope you all have a great '09. As our motto goes "Feelin' fine in 2009". (It was that or "Pass the wine in 2009" you take your pick.)