I keep trying to type in 2009. I think it’s because 2009 went by so quickly that I’m sure we dropped a month or two along the way to 2010. I’ve always heard that the older you get the more quickly the years go by, but this is just too ridiculous!

My sister Dee and Brother-in-law Dave are getting better weather now that our cold snap has passed by and returned to the North where it belongs. Dee is outside absorbing the sun. The rest of us are trying to overcome our frustration and disappointment that the Cowboys played so poorly. I guess they go home for the year. God willing, next year we’ll all be here to go through the same torture! The Australian Open starts today, so I get to watch some sports for a change.

I took Dave and Dee to the stock show and youth fair Friday and Saturday. Seeing our kids there competing just makes me happy. Justin Hallmark won overall prize for his Iroquois Log House. He called me at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning to pass on the good news. I saw many other names with ribbons on them Saturday. The Gossett kids all won ribbons in multiple categories. Joshua Padilla won a ribbon for his frog life cycle poster. Tarrin Ballin did also. The Youth Fair Committee will publish the results in the paper. Those are just a few that I remember seeing. We won’t even talk about the last minute rush getting the Genre Reports ready! I didn’t get to see Emily Smith, the Burkhart boys, and the Lusty kids show their animals. I did get to see Stephan Soto and Frankie Soto show their animals. It just makes your heart feel good to see them working so hard. I wish every last one of them could win first place!

I hope everyone has heard about the free flu shot event that is taking place at the school. I believe it will be Thursday, January the 28th.

This is a free clinic for anyone who wants the H1N1 flu shot. Parents can fill out the paperwork and send it back to school with their student. That way you do not have to be present for your student to get a shot. This shot is for adults and children. Anyone living in the community may come for the shot. They will be doing the nose spray, as well as the shot. If you did not get an information packet from your school student; please feel free to contact the school, and they will give you either another packet, or more information. Like the TV commercial says, "It’s not too late to inoculate!" The main idea is to get the word out.

Mrs. Gossett wants everyone to take their iron and get their arm ready for the big event. We have a few weeks left, so keep up all that good nutrition so that you can donate blood on February 5TH. She was hoping to change the date because it has been so hectic around here, but it looks as if things aren’t going to settle down next month either!

Wayne Powell is doing a little better, but he’s still not totally fit. Gladys gave everyone a scare last week. No bad news. She just needs to stay hydrated. Ginger and Donald went to a trade show to take a peek at all the new stuff coming out. We bought one of the new easy pull Stihl chainsaws last week. It is so easy even I can start it up. Mind you, I’m not committing to using it. Dave, Dee, and Russell have been clearing rocks out of the pasture. I have been assisting every now and then, after I get home from school. We cut down some Bunting habitat, but opened up some Meadow Lark habitat. We’ll have to see how that turns out. The Bunting is such a colorful bird; I hope we haven’t scared them away!

Are you saving your box tops? Mrs. Gossett is still looking for those wonderful little pieces of paper. It helps us buy many new books for our library. This week is School Board Appreciation Week. On behalf of the staff, our community, and our students, we want to thank you for giving up your time to serve the needs of your school district. It is a difficult job that often gives little or no appreciation back, for services rendered. Thank you.

I hope everyone has a great week. Dave and Dee are heading for Big Bend. I spent 10 days there on a Geology field trip a number of years ago. I recommend it to anyone who wants to take a step back into time. What a super place! Please pray for our President, our government and our country. If you want to send clothes to Haiti, I’ve been told UPS will ship anything under 50 pounds for free. Our hearts go out to all those grieving people. Include if you have time, our wonderful troops and their families. May God bring them all home soon. Have a blessed week; remember to pass along a smile of encouragement to those you meet.