The Last Day of 2008

It's so hard to believe that 2008 is over. It seems they just fly by any more. But 2009 is going to be different! It has been 4 months, 3 weeks, 1 day, 22 hours and 7 minutes since I quit smoking. No, I'm not going to lecture any one about smoking-it's just nice not to have to make that resolution (knowing in the back of my mind that I would never keep it!)
So this year, no resolutions - just baby steps toward healthier living thru diet and exercise.
Happy New Year to all!

Day 3

Today on my way to work, I saw two hawks and a huge crow along the road near the airport. Now, I had my camera but debated trying to get a picture. I figured that by the time I turned around, the birds would all be gone. But, to my great surprise, I went back and they were all there. The largest hawk was on the ground guarding a rabbit which he appeared to have dragged off the road. The small hawk and crow were on the fence and both took off when I stopped along the road. However, that huge, amazing hawk looked at me, then down at his feet (which were deeply wrapped in that rabbit) and never moved. I snapped a couple of shots but I was on the opposite side of the road. I decided to take a chance and went down the road, turned around and came back up. Right in front of the hawk was a place where I could pull completely off the road. When I stopped and rolled down the window, the hawk flew and I thought he was gone. Not this guy- he really wanted that rabbit. He landed on the fence, stared at me for about a minute and then drifted back down to the rabbit. He was absolutely stunning. Here's a couple shots of him. Isn't he just fantastic? These photos are worth getting up at 4 am on Black Friday to buy this camera!

Day 2

Two days in a row! Don't count on this to continue-I'm notorious for starting activities and not keeping them up for long! Happens everytime I determine that I ought to start journaling.

So let's see- another of my favorite things is genealogy. I haven't worked on it much since I lost a lot of info in a computer crash (lesson learned?- BACK-UP YOUR FILES and then BACK THEM UP AGAIN!!) But I received an email from another Van Eman researcher and he's got me back trying to track this family again.- Thanks, Jack!

Anyone know who Nicholas Van Eman (ca 1725-Dec. 1781 Washington County, PA, m. Mary Wilson) belongs to? I've been tracking these two for well over 20 years! Learned alot about them and their descendants but their families are still a mystery.

It's cold and windy out tonight- glad I'm tucked up safe and warm and here's hoping you are too.

Opening Day

Day 1-
So I have a blog! With my boring life, it won't be an exciting one! Here's some of what I'm working on right now:
a) Decluttering-I put 25 listings up on Freecycle this weekend.
b) Digital Scrapbooking- I'll never get caught up but I'm giving it my best shot.
c) Photography- I'm taking an online course to improve my knowledge of my new camera.
d) PSPX2- I'm taking lessons to learn more about this program.

So I hope to share family info here and keep up with what everyone is up to!