The sun is out today, but I can’t say that it is drawing me to the great outdoors. I can sit here at the computer and gaze affectionately out the window. I love my view. I have windows all over this house so that I can see in all directions. Russ says I have too many windows. It makes heating and cooling difficult. I usually counter with, "I don’t care; I like to see out." That usually sends him off shaking his head at my logic. Logic be hanged. God has given me this beautiful world in which to live, and I want to enjoy every minute of it. Mind you, I do not want to be outside in the cold. I believe I can enjoy it from my window. My sister Dee came south for some heat, but so far she is experiencing one of our coldest winters for some years. So much for global warming; Dave goes out and works clearing bush, seemingly indifferent to the cold. Dee stays in the house as much as possible. Bring on the warm!

At least it will warm up a little before the San Saba Stock Show. I recall it was quite chilly last year. I volunteered to work in the concession stand. Now don’t be thinking how nice that was or I’ll feel bad. Fact of the matter is the heater was in that room! I did have a great time and met some wonderful people. Of course, I watched all my kids enter their animals. I can’t say it is a warm fuzzy thing to do, since the barn is really cold, but I love watching the kids compete. We’re getting things ready for the youth fair as well. Without Mrs. Larrimore, we are going to be less organized this year. She was a huge motivating force for this competition. Mrs. Gossett will have a heavier burden to carry, but she is always willing to do things for our students. Speaking of Mrs. Gossett, our box tops count is down this year. Will everyone take a look around, and send some her way? We really need those box tops for our library. Parents, just a reminder, your student should be reading every night at home. They also need to be memorizing their times tables.

I’m told the new access system should be ready in the next week or so. That means teachers will have to put grades in promptly.Which also means students will have to get work in on time. Parents will be able to access the school system and their student’s grades at any time. It will take a little while to work out the bugs, but I believe it will be good for everyone. I will have to change my system, because I have been collecting homework on Friday and posting grades late Friday or early Monday. That was done to give the kids a little makeup time in case of games or family outings. I’ll have to put in daily grades so that grades can stay current. Like I said, it will take some adjustment, but it will be great for everyone. Let me make one exception to that. It will not be great for the procrastinator who doesn’t do their work.

I spoke with my son Scott and daughter-in-law Heather today. Heather was a little down because they haven’t found a house. It seems the system in Germany is a little different. They don’t work for free. In fact, they tell you up front that they will find you a house, but you will pay them the equivalent of one month’s rent up front! So they get paid for finding renters by the home owners, plus they get paid by the renters for finding the house. Quite the system for the real estate agents, but not so good for families who don’t have large sums of cash to hand out! I told them we were praying for a good home, and God would send the perfect place. The kids are enjoying the snow, as is their Lab, Coda. He loves to play ball. Heather says you can see him snuffling his way through the snow blowing little puffs of snow all around him! I can tell you that kind of stuff will give you brain freeze.

Mrs. Gossett is planning another blood drive. The tentative date was in February, but she thinks she may change it to March. Russ says he is not going if they don’t stop asking him all those stupid questions. It’s one thing to ask you if they don’t know you, but when you have been giving blood for years, it becomes ridiculous. Either way I’ll put my name on the list to give.

I was on the phone with the internet people at Centex yesterday. My computer keeps sending me messages that I can’t comprehend. They are always polite and helpful. I’m trying to get my Windows Live connection working properly. It’s the one that you use to talk to people face to face on your computer. I can see Scott, but the voice is breaking up. I sure do want it to work properly!

Wayne Powell has been sick with this sinus junk. That’s what I had to get the shot for last week. My hip is still tender! It just takes hold and you can’t get rid of it! I’m mostly better, but he wasn’t as of Sunday. Bernice Adams broke a bone in her arm. She’s sporting a nifty black cast. She said it’s not painful, only aggravating. It doesn’t stop her from taking care of all the shut-ins around town!

I bought Russ binoculars for Christmas. I can see leaves on trees in Cubby’s place and the McKinnerney place. They are huge, but very effective. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could see that clearly in all the things we do? The Bible says we see as "through a glass darkly." If we saw things clearly, we might do things differently. We might be a little less quick to pass judgment, or speak without thinking. We might lend a hand more freely, or take time to help those in need. Gives you something to think about anyway!

I hope everyone has a blessed week. May the God of peace bless your home. Please pray for our precious troops and their families, our government, our President, and our community. Share a smile and a helping hand if you get the opportunity. It sure beats a surly frown!