2008 was different!

I think a good word to describe my 2008 is bittersweet. Let me share the not so good things that happened this past year just to get them out of the way.

I lost my job of over 25 years on July 3 and have been receiving unemployment benefits since then. My regular paycheck allowed me the freedom to spend money on stamps, papers, cool other things, but my unemployment benefits are about $200 a week short of my regular payroll so that has really put a cramp in my style. Enough of that whining....

Levi, our precious black lab, disappeared one morning. We (or I) believe he was shot by one of the neighbor's. We think the neighbor probably mistook him for another black dog that roamed the neighborhood. Levi was not a roamer, but sometimes in the mornings, he would go across the street to see his other doggie friends. Anyway, the neighbor denies this...Enough of this...I have changed my mind about getting another dog, when I go back to work, I want to get another lab. Labs are so precious.

Now on to the good stuff....

My granddaughter, Harley Quinn Lanning, was born on June 24, 2008. She's so sweet, oh my goodness, I just want to eat her up. She's 6 months old now, and learning to sit up. She can roll from her tummy to her back, is cutting some teeth, likes applesauce, bananas, pears, sweet potatoes, carrots & apples & blueberries mixed. I love to shop for baby food. Laura is no longer breast feeding and she is thinking of going back to work, maybe part time. Laura is also thinking of taking the nurse entrance exam again.

My little scrapbook store is open: Emmcee's Emporium. I have some patterned paper, a few stamps, a lot of embellishments. I offer classes, too. I am a Stampin' Up demo. I didn't make my quota for the last quarter so I have to really work hard for the 1st quarter to make up for lost sales. The area of North Carolina I live in has been hit very hard with layoffs and people just don't seem to have extra money for hobbies, or if they do, they are not planning any new hobbies.

I have spent lots of time with Sherri Thacker (Iloveflipflops) this past summer. She's a lovely person and is so talented and so giving. I have spent about the same of amount of time with Ellie Warner (Ellie), and have met her sister Patty, and have also met Chelsea (spredbirds). I'm looking forward to going to Shackapalooza, and I'm saving whatever dollars & coins I can to make sure that happens. Ellie, Patty, Sherri and I went to the Enchanted Cottage one day this past summer and spent money. The Enchanted Cottage is like wall-to-wall stamps & paper & stuff. Then I went back with Sherri, Ellie and Chelsea. Still wall-to-wall stamps & paper & stuff. I also met Tami Bayer (Teabear) and hbpuppy (Heather Grow) in Riverside, CA. We had a fabulous time, shopping, talking, picture-taking, eating. Tami gave us a great tour of the Inn at Riverside.

I don't know how it is in other states, but in NC, a person who is receiving unemployment benefits must look for at least 2 jobs a week, keep a journal of this (in case you are called in for a review). I have had 3 interviews. Friday I applied for 4 jobs, and one of the places wants to see my references. I hope this is a good thing.

I had 3 vacations this year where I actually went somewhere. In March I went to California to spend a week with my sister Rosemary. We went to Catalina Island for the day. I could live there year round. We went to a filming of the Price Is Right, so much fun. I learned to make egg rolls, and went to Riverside where we all met up with Tami & Heather. I could live in CA all the time. In July, I went to Boone, NC for a couple of days with a group of friends, had a fun time eating, laughing & shopping. And at the end of July, my mom and I went to Northern Maine for a week, visiting friends & family and to a school reunion. I was hoping to meet up with Cindi, but that didn't work out as my family had other plans.

My daughter and I have really done a lot of cooking this past fall. Laura is turning into a great little cook.

More later. If you read this far.............