Happy 2011

I suppose since I have a new laptop, I should have no excuse for not blogging more often.  Here again, I probably won't have many pictures if I use my laptop b/c I save all my pictures on my main computer.
Here are some random thoughts:
Fall 2010 was a crazy, crazy busy time for me.  We helped organize the second annual (resurrected) church family camping trip to the mountains.  LOVE camping in the mountains.  For several weeks/months prior to the Oct. trip, we were busy getting ready for almost 60 people to join us for the weekend.  We were in charge of preparing two meals a day.  We went on Wed. and the group arrived on Friday.  The weather was absolutely perfect, although Sunday morning's temperature was 28!  We always warn the campers to come prepared for rain or cold weather.  They only have themselves to blame if they were cold.  Tom and I stayed an extra 5 days after the crowd left (along with another couple).  It was so wonderful to be in the mountains in the peak leaf season.  Beautiful!  Tom & I tent camped for 10 days.  YES, 10 days.  However, our fellow campers own a mountain house, so I did get to take a few hot showers.  Our plan is to try to purchase a pop-up camper this calendar year.  We once owned a travel trailer, but sold it when Mark went to Furman (b/c we were too busy to camp).  I'd love to think that we will have a new (used) camper before our long trip next fall.
When we returned from that trip, the very next day was Cady's 2nd birthday party.  What a fun day we had with the family and some of her friends.  The Wed. after that my sister Jane had surgery on her Achilles tendon.  She was off her foot for a while and recuped at our house for almost a month.  We had fun and I waited on her hand and "foot"! HAHA  When she went back home, Thanksgiving was days away and I hosted the family dinner at my house.  MUCH cleaning and cooking had to be done.  The day after Thanksgiving I quickly began to undecorate the fall things and began to decorate for Christmas b/c I had 12 ladies coming for a Christmas dinner on Dec. 2.  That week was maddening!  Then, of course, all the Christmas festivities began and before ya know it, it was Dec. 23.  That's the day my brother from Texas arrived for a long visit.  He's still here, as a matter of fact.  As much as I have enjoyed his visit and as much as I was so glad I could nurse Jane back to health, I am really looking forward to Jan. 15 when I will be home alone.  Wait a minute. . . . that night both Cady & Brie are spending the night.  Okay.  I'll look forward to Jan. 17. . . my first day to be alone with no particular plans, no particular needs must be met, no social events to plan, and I will have some much needed time to myself.  As much as I love being with others - laughing, talking and such - I really do love and need some alone time.  I therefore do declare Monday, January 17, 2011  as Joy Rucker Day.  I shall do whatever I want whenever I want to do it - or I shall do nothing at all!!!!