It is hard to believe that Chris has been gone almost a year now. I miss him so much!!!! I am staying busy with school and I do a lot of hand crafts. I am currently knitting socks and learning to crochet. I am in a scrapbooking class once a month and in March I'll be taking a quilt class. I also do needlepoint, but that is more of a summer thing for me. Sometimes the days seem to drag, but doing the handwork keeps my mind and hands busy. The girls are doing well, both had great 1st semesters at school and are continuing this semester. Emily still plans on returning to Western Kentucky University in the Fall. I will miss her. Patches, our "pound puppy" dog is having a hard time with things. He hates storms (we had a few the other night !!) and get so worked up he makes himself sick. I have "doggie tranquilizers" from the vet that should help. School has been closed 4 days so far this winter-2 for snow/weather and 2 for illness. Fortunately, Emily and I have not gotten the flu stuff that is going around, Allison on the other hand is dealing with it this weekend. I was diagnosed with Grave's disease in early November. I was allergic to both of the medications used to treat this so on January 4th I had radioactive iodine which should take care of my over active thyroid. I will probably go on a medication (synthetic thyroid hormone -I think) in the next month or two. Everything with the thyroid takes time-you wait and wait to see what is going to happen. Speaking of waiting-we have waited to see how the UK Wildcats Basketball team would do with the new coach. They had a rough start, but seem to have settled down. They won today-their 4th game in a row. Well, I just wanted to let you know what was going on in my life. Take Care. Please keep us in your thoughts-this next month will be difficult for us all. MJ