This morning I was feeling good that I didn't have to go back to school today. And since I almost never sub on Mondays, I felt sure they were not likely to call me. This led me to thinking about how much I subbed in December. Many, many days in many different schools and settings. And I thought, 'I'm a little tired of going different places. I wish I could go one place for a while...'

And the phone call came during Ladies Bible Class. It was on vibrate and I missed it! But, luckily when I called back, they were waiting for me to call. They needed me in one place for the next TWO weeks!! Just what I had hoped for just this morning. And the bonus----I am subbing my old job!!! Elementary PE at Sutton for the next 2 weeks. The girl who replaced me lasted one year. The girl who replaced her, and is also a good friend of mine, is pregnant. She had one miscarriage and one difficult pregnancy, so she is on bed-rest for the next 2 weeks. They are hoping she'll be back then, but maybe, just maybe, I might be in for a "Long-term" position. And what better place to do a long-term, than my old school where I know kids and staff members so well.

Pray for my friend and her baby and family. But keep me in mind too as I go back to work in an almost full time setting!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!! Was 2008 good to you? What do you expect/hope for in 2009????

2008 was good to Bill and me. The highlight would probably have to be the trip to Italy. But the Mentone house was great too. And other events. And having the girls for a week during the summer. I certainly enjoyed my first full year of retirement.

I am looking forward to trips to Georgia this year. And the Wickerham reunion this summer in Gatlinburg. Not sure what else it will hold.

I almost forgot about the living room remodel we started!! Maybe we'll actually finish it this year!! LOL

So, what about it? What do you remember from 2008 and what are you looking forward to????

Some of you knew we were going to be away for the holidays and some didn't. I want to share news of our wonderful week with you any way.

We rented a large house in Mentone, Alabama for the whole week of Christmas. Bill and I arrived on Saturday, December 20. Coulter and his family came on Sunday evening. And Tyler and Kelley arrived later on Sunday evening. Wilson, with a new job and no vacation days accumulated, did not arrive until Tuesday afternoon. All of us were so impressed with this lovely house that sat perched on top of Lookout Mountain. We had a view of the valley that ran between mountains. Kelley informed us that Mentone, Alabama is listed in that book about 1000 places to see before you die. I am thinking it is probably the cute little shops that line the one main street (a caution light, no "stop" lights!) that probably earn it this distinction--or maybe the surprising 5 star restaurant? But, alas, all of the stores were closed for the season!! And the restaurant was way too expensive!!!!

We worshipped on Sunday with a group in Chattanooga. It was a delightful visit. We even met a girl who goes to church with Wilson, Tyler, and Kelley at Lost River in Bowling Green. Small world. We sang a lot of songs I didn't know. I always find that to be uplifting.

Tyler and Kelley went skiing at Cloudmont Resort on Monday. None of us went with them. Tyler fell the most, but both came back on their own two feet. Lauren and I were happy to have Kelley helping in the kitchen each night (and some mornings and lunch). It was nice to have more females to balance things in the Wickerham household.

Wilson and Coulter slip/slid down our mountain one day. If you could see the rocky crag we were sitting on, you would understand that. After they got down the initial drop-off, they hiked the rest of the way down. Just to do it. It took them over an hour to hike DOWN, so they didn't want to hike UP. They were concerned it would get dark before they got up. So, they hiked an hour or so through the valley, hitched a ride in the back of a pick up truck on a dirt road, and ended up at a gas station some 6 miles later. They called Bill and he went after them. I'm sure it was a bonding moment neither of them will ever forget.

We exchanged gifts and had much fun with that. Coulter was totally surprised to get the biggest gift. He had asked for books. I gave him something Lauren suggested instead. He loved it. It is nice to have a good daughter-in-law to help with shopping ideas. She also suggested getting an easel for Emma who absolutely loved it. She drew a lot of lovely pics, including 2 faces! Well, Gammie could tell they were faces even if no one else could. And a doll stroller for Lydia. What a great suggestion. Lydia put in a Curious George monkey instead of a baby doll and George rode the rest of the week. (We exchanged gifts on Tuesday evening.)

We went to the Little River Canyon on Thursday afternoon. It was amazing. A huge waterfall at the beginning and then awesome scenery as we drove beside it. We stopped at one point and went to an overlook that had a trail down to the river. It started at 1200 feet (above sea level) and dropped to 700 feet. Tyler and Kelley were already with her family for Christmas, but Coulter, Lauren, Wilson, AND Emma and Lydia made the trek to the bottom. The old folks went so far before Wilson said, "Mom, you can't possibly go any farther than this." So, we didn't. Bill was kind enough to stay with me.

And Friday, we followed the directive to "See Rock City." How many times have we driven by and thought, 'We should go there one day...' Well, now we have. I think Kelley said it is on the list too? It was also an extremely interesting place. Lots of tight squeezes through huge boulders. We went to the overlook where you are supposed to be able to see 7 states. But, the weather didn't cooperate for that one. We could barely make out the one state we were standing in!!! It was pretty far below us. Emma was a real trooper and walked most of the way through. Lydia walked parts of it. But she really loved for her grandfather (who I am afraid is truly stuck with the name "Gandolf" now) to carry her.

And of course, as I have mentioned them already a few times, I loved being with those sweet, sweet girls. Although during a whole week of being off schedule and out of routine, they would have a moment or two of fussiness, they were for the most part, very well behaved.

That's about it. I hope your Christmas was a merry as ours.

It seems that everyone around me is busily preparing for the upcoming holidays. In stores, people you barely know, and even strangers, will ask you if you are ready. So, am I ready?

I have bought most of my gifts. I have wrapped nothing. I have most of my stocking stuffers. May pick up a bit more this week. I decorated my house with restraint. Only the newly decorated living room this year. And that because I wanted to see how the tree looked with the new color. Lovely. I am grocery shopping (and hopefully finishing all other shopping) tomorrow.

And months ago, I rented a house on Lookout Mountain. The boys, their significant others, and my lovely granddaughters are meeting us there next Sunday. We will be there the whole week. What fun.

So, how are your preparations going????

My daughter-in-law, lolo on my friend's list, wrote about people she was thankful for and encouraged us to "pay it forward," by writing about who or what we are thankful for. Even though she left out her in-laws, I'll try not to be bothered by it as she left out her parents too. I am going to include her on mine anyway as you'll see below.

First of all, I am thankful for Bill. We have been married for 29 years now. I am thankful for what a great husband and father he is. He is a hard worker, tirelessly raking and raking and raking all of the leaves in our yard. He used to get help from our boys, and since then from other male-type friends and once in a while even from me. But, rake them he does. They are all in a pile by the street ready to be picked up. He also has been a big help to me this week. With hands that are still not quite recovered from surgery, I try not to have them in water any more than is necessary. So, he diligently came to the kitchen Thursday (until Kelley got there)to wash up what I had dirtied so I could work on the next dish. He also polised silver and made a hardly ever used dish look brand new. And he didn't complain or belittle (we don't have to use that) about any of it. I love him.

I am thankful for my three boys. I feel so blessed to have 3 nice young men who have remained faithful to God as they have become adults. They attended all of their lives with us. And now they choose to serve God as adults. Two are college graduates, making their way in the world of employment. Gainfully employed, not turning to Mom and Dad for support. That is big in these days of uncertainty economically. And Tyler should graduate in 2 weeks. He is confident he will get a job he has applied for at a bank. His words--"Why wouldn't they hire me?" I also enjoy talking with each of them as adults. Coulter certainly keeps me entertained with his creative ideas concerning politics. I love them.

I am thankful for my daughter-in-law, Lauren. I feel that we are truly becoming good friends. I hope she feels the same. We didn't know her very well when she and Coulter married. But in the past 4 years, we have grown closer and closer. I love to visit in their home, and she has never made me feel unwelcome. She is a good Christian wife and mother. She has been a good example to me to help me grow more as a Godly woman. I love her.

I am thankful for my granddaughters. You all saw that one coming, didn't you? Emma and Lydia bring such joy to my life. I love buying "little girl things." Buying dolls and kitchens and dishes and pink, pink, pink anything. I love to cuddle with them. I love when Emma talks to me on the phone. And I love when she says, "Yes, ma'am." when asked a question. See what a good influence Lauren is on my granddaughters. I didn't do a good job of teaching my boys to answer with "Yes, sir." and "Yes, ma'am." I love those girls.

And a new addition to my "love my family" list. She is not officially family yet, but I am thankful for Tyler's girlfriend, Kelley. What a sweet young lady. Kelley came with Tyler for Thanksgiving. She immediately pitched in and said, "What can I do to help?" Usually I would have said, "Oh, nothing for now." But with my hand problems, I put her right to work. She was a huge help!!!! I was shooting for eating at 2:00. We sat down at 2:08. Not bad. But not doable without her help. She brings out the best in Tyler, which I appreciate. She also teases and has a great relationship with Wilson. I know Coulter and Lauren will approve when they finally meet her at Christmas. Kelley is also a good Christian woman from a solid background. I know she will bring my future grandchildren up to be faithful Christians too.

And I am thankful for so many friends that I cannot possibly name them all. If you are reading this, consider yourself to be one of the unnamed friends!!!! But there are many others who never read Pleonast that are included as well. I am blessed to be surrounded by many godly women at church who support me and encourage me to grow more in the faith. We are studying I Thessalonians now in our adult class. I have sort of taken on "...excel still more.." as my mantra.

I was not going to name any friends, but I would be remiss if I didn't include the mention of the Casebolts. Our group at Southside has been so blessed with the arrival of John and Jane in Owensboro a few years ago. They are such a good example to all of us. (And we love John's song leading skills!) But that is not why I am mentioning them today. Many of you reading this know that John and Jane recently welcomed their little granddaughter, Mackenna, to their family. After all of the months anticipating her arrival, they were devastated to learn of some health issues with her heart. She had surgery within a week and few days of her birth. She is now home recovering. And is doing great considering. John and Jane spent T-giving with her and her mom and dad. They got to hold her and love her. (I wonder if Jane put her down at all the whole day?) I am thankful that medical science has improved to the extent that they were able to do surgery and bring an improved and lenghtened life to this tiny baby. (May it be a long and full life.) I am thankful that our God answered the many prayers on her behalf so that John and Jane could experience the wonder and joy of being grandparents.

See, I knew this would be too long..... But, what are you thankful for?