CLAY AND WATTLES

Happy New Year!

Sher and I talked almost two hours last night while watching the Kennedy Center Awards. I almost never sit down to watch a program like that. By the time Paul goes to bed, after switching back and forth among the various talk, sports, Discovery, History programs, I'm too tired to get involved in any program. But she and I watched and commented on the honorees, the songs, the women's gowns, hairstyles, the "good old songs": George Jones, Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, Twyla Tharp (who has a really good book on creativity), two members of The Who (Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey). Was funny watching George Jones sitting beside Pres. George Bush and both keeping time to GJ’s country songs being sung – the newspeople and comedians would have a good time with that – GB really wanted to let go but of course he was being all dignified. I felt sorry for GJ when (I forget who sang it) sang “I Stopped Loving Her Today,” I thought of him and Tammy Wynette. I love Streisand’s song “The Way We Were.” Beyonce sang that and it was beautiful.

Sher said she would write in her journal today or tomorrow - her annual entry - about what she wants to accomplish for 2009 and looking back, how she did with 2008's list. (She's so good at goals!) I keep thinking of little things I want to do, but of course I never am where I can write them down. Things like keeping the checkbook in better shape (so easy using debit card I have to backtrack and write down the expenditures); eating only one Dove chocolate a day; getting the carpets cleaned; keeping the refrigerator cleaned out; leaving for work 10 minutes earlier; getting prints of pictures so I don't get so far behind; organizing them; Mama's scrapbook; throwing away old lipstick. Other important things like really getting into the Bible (new study begins January 7 at 6:00 p.m. at Wynne Baptist - Welcome, Ladies!); actually handwriting in a journal on a regular basis and finishing one before I begin another; eating healthier; really serious things. But also have fun: good movies, good books, more time with The Girls (more auctions and breakfasts!), finishing that cross-stitch (I guess I'll worry myself about it till I dig it out and do it! Hey, that's no fun! But I want to finish it...), actually clip good articles from magazines - this is a major hang-up with me - I have to keep the whole magazine! OK, more fun things: children's and young adult books; calligraphy; playing with paints and colors. Generally giving myself permission to make a mess and have fun doing it. I'll make some time to muse over this tomorrow...

Sher said she had thought of coming to Wynne but didn't want to spend that much time on the road. "See, we've had as good a visit as if we were sitting next to each other watching this," she said. Not quite. I could hear her eating popcorn. I didn't get any.

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Oscar seemed to like the olive oil on his food. He looked pretty, fluffy and shiny again after his bath in his new "soapless" shampoo. Dr. Harmon said we (we?) could bathe him 2 or 3 times a week if we wanted and it would be okay - wouldn't dry his skin out. I think once a week is enough! It could be done, but drying time especially in winter is too long; he doesn't like the hair dryer, either. Hopefully the itching will go away soon. I'm still putting Benadryl on the hot spots and gave him antihistimine last night. I didn't hear him scratching as much.