My New Year Resolution.

Here it is, the last day of the year, and I still haven't decided what my New Year's resolution will be. So, I've been thinking about it all day.

First thought - "This year I going to work out on my Cross Bow exercise machine every day." Wait a second. I think that was my resolution last year (and the year before).

Second thought - Peace in the Middle East. I could succeed where others have failed and become "Time's Person of the Year". Nah, I don't have time.

Third thought - Maybe something more domestic, like keeping my bathroom drawers organized. Too dull.

Final thought - Find joy in whatever I'm doing and keep laughing. Yes, I think I can do this. Hope you can, too.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Keeping the Christmas Spirit.



Grandson Cole opening his gifts!

 I know for sure the Christmas weekend is over. One sure sign was how hard it was to get my jeans buttoned this morning. Ouch. Back to reality.
First things, first.
Hide the caramels.
There.
Now I can concentrate.

The party is over but the spirit lives on. I've been busy these last few weeks (like everyone else) with Rubi J's orders and family planning. Fun but tiring. It's back to the grind; but let's don't go alone. Let's take the Christmas Spirit with us through each day's journey.

Daughter Stef and I made a committment to remember to keep giving throughout the year. We both have our favorite charities to which we donate; but we wanted to get more involved. So we decided to keep reminding each other to "do an extra". When we're at the grocery store, grab an extra item for the food bank. When we're shopping, pick up an extra pair of socks for the Open Door Mission. How simple is this?

I know this comes from watching Bill Murray's "Scrooged" too many times; (I still cry at the end) but what he says is true. "The more you give, the more you want to give." You just don't want that wonderful feeling to go away.

My family and I are so blessed. My husband's and mine favorite expression of endearment to each other (after "Love you") is "We're lucky people".

My daughter, Stef, and me. (That's Stef on the left.)

For you people that don't know me; that was a joke. Merry Christmas Spirit!

A Christmas gift suggestion.

Here's a suggestion for a Christmas gift that is probably not on everybody's list; but should be.

I have just submerged from a story so inspirational, I'll will never look at the world the same again. Laura Hillenbrand has just released her book about the the life story of Louis Zamperini. Ms. Hillenbrand's first book was "Seabiscuit" the race horse, which was made into an award winning movie. I loved, loved, loved that book; so, naturally I couldn't wait until her next was published. How a wonderful gift she has given us.

The book is called "Unbroken, A World War  II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption". This is the perfect title.

• Survival - Crashing into the Pacific Ocean during WWII and surviving 47 days in a raft.
• Resilience - Being captured by the Japanese and sent to several POW camps, enduring unthinking brutality.
• Redemption - Learning how to live in society when those torturous memories had stripped all humanity from you.

I have to admit, it was hard to read at times; what the POWs went through; but, this book is the most inspirational book I have ever read. Every citizen of the United States should read this book.

To me, it's the perfect Christmas gift.

Thank you, Louie, for your service.

The Riverine Rabbit

When Animal Tails added the Riverine Rabbit to their collection of endangered species, my first thought was "how adorable". Then, my second thought was "I can't imagine any rabbit being endangered". I, of course, was limited in my history of rabbits living in the middle of America. ("Pesky rabbits!")

Then I read about the Riverine Rabbit's plight.

They only live in one place in the whole world; Cape Province of South Africa. Would you believe there are only about 250 left in the wild? That puts them in the critically endangered group.
As with so many other endangered animals, one of the main reasons for their dwindling numbers is lost of habitat. So much of the dense marshes by the rivers are being converted to agriculture. Another reason, unlike most rabbits, these little guys only have 1 to 2 offspring a year; nothing like our home grown.

So, my hat's off to Animal Tails for bringing the Riverine Rabbit into the spotlight. And another tip of the hat to the South Africa's farmers that are using conservation practices on their land to help enable these beautiful little animals to survive. Thank you.

Check out the Riverine Rabbit design at http://www.rubij.com/. They're on the rompers, blankets, hats and t-shirts. The rompers and t-shirts are the current "Special of the Day".

The music in my head.

Dear Dr. Freud,

I know you're the one to go to for unlocking suppressed thoughts in the brain. I don't want to find out the meanings of my dreams. I'm too entertained by them. I'm desperate to discover why I keep having strange music coming in my head.

Some reasons are obvious. After seeing West Side Story a few weeks ago, I drove myself nuts with "Tonight, Tonight". (I should note I don't sing out loud. In my mind I sound just like the artist.) I finally had to put in my tape of "Les Miserables" to block it out. Funny, with all that powerful and beautiful music, the one that kept running through was "Keeper of House".

This happens to all of us. My husband changed his cell phone ring to a train chugging and whistle blowing. After a week, he changed it back. All he could think of was that old T.V. sit com "Petticoat Junction". He caught himself singing at work "there's Uncle Joe, he's moving kinda slow".

Back to my problem. Why songs that I don't especially like? For instance, last holiday season, with all the beautiful carols filling the air, the only one in my mind playing OVER AND OVER again was Elvis' "Blue Christmas"; complete with backup singers.

Today was weird. I was at the computer with "Sweet Child of Mine" serenading my mind along with Slash's guitar; when, out of the blue, Dean Martin steps in with "That's Amore". It's been in my mind ever since; ("When the moon hits your eye like-a big pizza pie, that's amore"). What the? I don't mind old Dino, but a favorite? No. ("Bells'll ring, Ting-aling-aling; Hearts will play, Tippi, tippi, tay") Where did these lyrics come from? What hidden secret am I suppressing, Dr. Freud.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this. I do seem to function okay. I just need to get this song out my head. Maybe there's an old tape of Barney lying about.

Thank you for your service.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. My husband is a veteran. Today we went to our granddaughter's Veterans Day salute at her school presented by her class. For the rest of the day, I had a lump in my throat.

We go to all our grandchildren's school functions. Love them all; but today was different.

These eight-graders presented their thanks to our veterans in such a heartwarming and inspiring way; I'm still in awe.

There were poems, essays and many others reminders of the sacrifices of what was given in the name and meaning of patriotism.

I had to keep holding back the tears, in fear of embarrassing our granddaughter in front of her friends.

Then, at the reception that followed, I learned I was not alone. We were all feeling the same emotion.

Scientists tell us the heart does not feel; it's the brain that controls out emotions. The feeling I had today, did not come from my head; it came from within my heart. I could feel it.

God bless our veterans and God bless America.

Cotton prices going crazy high!

I thought all of you would like some good news. It always puts me in a great mood when I learn I will be paying more for my husband's Jockeys.

So much for being sarcastic; let's get down to the facts. The price of cotton has been rising and will continue to do so. Several reasons. Inventories were lowered because of the recession; then Nature came into the equation. Bad weather and massive flooding ruined many last year crops worldwide.

The consumer shouldn't see any increases this fall and winter. I really don't know about next year prices. For Rubi J, it's a wait and see. I'm stocking up now.

Well, enough of that, let's move on.

For a limited time during the holiday season, Rubi J is offering Free Shipping.

Check out our current "Special of the Day" at http://www.rubij.com/ . Our popular Polar Bear in the rompers and long-sleeved tee are half off.

Half off and free shipping. That is good news.