Winnsboro, Columbia, Blythewood, Mom, Shannon, Tucker, Jeannie, and Aunt Lou's 90th birthday

Spent another weekend in Winnsboro. Shannon and Tucker were there so it was most enjoyable to spend some time with my daughter and grandson. At sixteen months old, he is changing every time I see him. He enjoyed rides with me on the John Deere, even cried when I would get on the tractor and leave him in the yard! Jeannie popped by on her way from Virginia to Charleston and came back by on Sunday. Mom and I had gone to my aunt Louise's 90th birthday party as Shannon and Tucker had gone back to Easley after lunch since her husband Tim was in town from his Atlanta assignment. About forty relatives and neighbors showed up for the party, which was quite nice. Cousin Ruthie and her daughter Rachael organized the drop-in, and it was good to see seven of my sixteen Stevenson first cousins, plus two of their kids.

Weather was quite warm all weekend, especially for January. Temperatures were in the sixties and seventies, even through this morning. It has rained some today and is supposed to turn colder this evening as a front moves through.

My class meets this afternoon, and I am teaching the first chapter from the textbook. Did a PowerPoint last semester that looks good enough to use again! Picked up three more students last Thursday, so there are now twelve in the section (University Life 100).

Jeannie and I took Mom to neurologist in Columbia yesterday. She has carpel tunnel problems, and doctor recommended surgery to correct. Her family physician will set up out-patient surgery, probably on left hand first, with orthopedist in Columbia sometime soon. We met Gail (Stevenson Lyles---first cousin) at "D's" near Blythewood for lunch. Really nice. Got a great Reuben. Had enough left over for supper too.

Lunch time now and am ready to find some food. Would love to lose 20 or so pounds, but that ain't easy!

Welcome 2007

Yeah, it's been a long time since I posted. Spent most of December at the beach. Have done this for the past four years and value the opportunity to appreciate the coast. Can lease a two-bedroom condo in December most reasonably. Family members came down to beach some. Enjoyed them, especially grandson Tucker.

Santa was good to us. However, I cannot determine where he left my new Harley. I know he must have brought it, 'cause that was all I asked for. It's not in Florence or Winnsboro or at the farm house or at the beach condo or at Debra's or anywhere else that I can think of, unless it is still at Doug's HD here in Florence, where it was before Christmas. It's a 2007 Electra Glide Classic, back cherry with the pewter pearl insert---FLHTCI, and priced slightly over twenty grand, if you want to help Santa out.

In spite of my wanting to retire, I have told my boss I would stay on one more year, through June of 2008. As much as I want to get to the farm and do other retirement things, like motorcycling more, the money part was too good (and needed) to turn down. Oh well, what's one more year? Maybe the old carcass will hold out that much longer.....

Best to you in 2007. Pray that this will be a good year for us all and that the hostilities in Iraq will subside and our troops can come home. ---pd