Wednesday, December 31, 2008

This time last year, and ending the year close to home!

This time of the year always brings reflections about the past year. We have been so blessed this year with good health and happiness. New Year's Eve always makes me think about what we were doing at this time last year!


This picture is of us last year in Rome on New Year's Eve in front of the Spanish steps. We had a wonderful time there! We traveled with a group from New Orleans, LA.

And for this year we are much closer to home!

Yesterday, on the eve of New Year's eve, Connor and I rode the Amtrak from Laurel MS to Meridian. My sweet sister was generous enough to take us to Laurel to catch the 10:10 train to Meridian. It was Connor's first time to ride the train. I have been on a train before....but was too young to remember it!

Austin, Connor and myself waiting on the train in Laurel, MS.

Connor and Austin in the dining car of the Amtrak.

We don't have big plans for tonight or tomorrow. It will be kinda nice to be at home or close to home.

Last year at this time, I didn't even know what a blog was. I discovered the world of blogging in May while playing around with family pictures. I have enjoyed blogging so much! It's amazing how many wonderful friends I've met through blogging.

I want to wish each of you a Happy New Year! You all have enriched my life through your blogs and your comments.

Thanks for stopping by,

25 comments:

April said...

Happy New Year to you, too, Diane. So glad our paths crossed!

I can't believe you got to go to Rome...how very exciting! That's one place I've always wanted to visit!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Diane...may you have a safe and blessed year to come..and girl I am with you when I first heard the word blog...it liked like a horror movie to me..the BLOG that eat New York etc..and now here I am doing one haha!! I just love blogging and getting to meet wonderful people as you...hugs and smiles Gloria

Sue said...

I am sure Connor enjoyed the ride so much. We plan on riding the train from Birmingham to New Orleans on one of our visits to see our son...I think it would be fun! I didn't know what blogging was last year either but I am so glad I found out!!! I met so many wonderful "friends" and I look forward to visiting with them each day....you are one! Happy New Year!

Darlene said...

Morning Diane,

I bet that was too much fun on the Amtrak! How neat to have been in Rome on New Year's Eve! We always just stay home and are usually asleep now....we hardly ever are still awake to welcome in the new year..old age I guess..lol!

I am like you and discovered blogging in June. I am SO GLAD I DID! What a whole new world of on-line friends!

Happy New Year and I look forward to blogging with you in 2009!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you, too! Blogging was one of my wonderful discoveries in '08, too, and so glad to have met you!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Diane, I hope you know how special you have become to me! You are just the sweetest, and I have grown to love you and your family. Isn't it amazing how we can love other people without really meeting them, but blogging brings the world close and right into our living rooms! :-)

Happy New Year, and thank you for all the help and encouragment you've been to me. Sending you and yours tons of love and happiness for the New Year!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Diane! All the best in 2009.

Three years ago, this coming May, my daughters and 2 granddaughters treated me to a weekend in Chicago. I took Amtrak from St Louis with Xanti and Kim. Terrie Michelle and Gabi flew, from St Louis. The train left STL at about 4:30 AM. We had the most wonderful time during the 6 hour ride. I had not traveled by train since I was a youngster, when we took several trips to Texas from Missouri. My flying family members left about 9:30AM. We all arrived at the hotel in downtown Chicago, at the same time. We also enjoyed the trip back to STL. I've often tried to talk J into taking the train from St Louis to KC. I think it would be a blast!

Dawn said...

Good morning Diane! A train ride sounds like such fun! When Tim was little we took him to a local train station to take a ride around a portion of the Cape. That's about the extent of my train riding. I'm sure Connor will remember how much fun he had for years to come!!!!

I am glad you found blogging, because I wouldn't have found you or your friendship otherwise!

A very HAPPY NEW YEAR to you.

take care,
Dawn

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Happy New Year, Diane! I'm so glad we met this year!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What cute children, and what a fun adventure! Of course, being in Italy for New Year's sounds like a fun adventure too! Wishing you a wonderful 2009! laurie

Missy Wertz said...

That is a fun train ride. I have ridden it from Decatur, AL to NO, LA. Very nice ride! Happy New Year!

Lorrie said...

Happy New Year to you Diane! How cool to spend New Year's in Rome! Your train ride looks like such fun!

Ramona said...

Happy New Year Diane ~

I am so glad you discovered blogging...the blog world is a better place because of your blog...cha, cha, cha!

Have a safe and fun~filled evening.

Smiles ~ Ramona

Lady Katherine said...

How fun! I always wanted to go ride the train, Hubby went years ago on a field trip with the girls and they went to Hazelhurst,MS to start the ride. I think they came back to Jackson,MS. He said it was fun!

nikkicrumpet said...

Happy New Year Diane. It's been so much fun visiting here in 2008 and I look forward to sharing bits of our lives and many smiles and laughs in 2009! All the best to you and your family!!!

Magnolia Memories08 said...

Diane I know the boys enjoyed the
train ride. The year that I was in Waynesboro our Kindergarten class
caught the Amtrak in Hattiesburg and rode to Meridian. We brought the children to see the Polar Express movie. Connor was only about
two and just was the best during the train ride and movie.Thanks for
sharing..

Shell in your Pocket said...

Happy New Year to you, Diane! Wishing you a new year of happiness!
-sandy toes

Georgia Girl said...

I am so glad I found you also Diane...I love coming and visiting your place and seeing those beautiful grandbabies of yours...Oh yeah..your header...got to disagree with you...that picture is showing me more than a 1000 words....I can't get over how cute that is of them to...I could just squeeze them up...so precious!

I am also staying around the house this year...

Rome...now that was a love affair I am sure.

WOW...during St. Patricks they have a train well it is an old railcar that comes here and takes reservations for families to ride the train and y0u have your meal on the way to Macon...I am going to do it this year I hope...Last year was the first year they did it and it sounds so fun.

looks like Conner had a wonderful time on the train.

Anonymous said...

Diane, what a fun thing to do with Connor and Austin. I am sure it was a thrill for the boys. I would have been thrilled. Your photo in Rome is awesome. Lucky you to visit Rome.

We have been running the roads with our daughter and our grands. Busy and having fun makes it hard to get to my computer to visit.

Wishing you a Happy New Year with all good things in 2009.

Blessings and love...Jeanne

Bo said...

Hi Diane...you have become one of my favs in Blogland with your sweet stories of your family & sharing your lovely home...I'm looking forward to more blogging fun with you in 2009!
Happy New Year! ;-) Bo

SmilingSally said...

Trains are an important experience in a young child's life. Happy New Year!

The Raggedy Girl said...

Diane:
Happy New Year and how exciting to get to ride on a train.
Roberta Anne

MARIA said...

Sooo nice!

Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku!

Rhondi said...

Hi Diane
I am happy to have met you this year in blogland. Hope that 2009 is full of wonderful memories for you.
Hugs, Rhondi

Southern Lady said...

What a wonderful experience for Connor ... and for you, Diane. He is so blessed to have a grandmother who takes the time to make such sweet memories for him.