Happy New Year!

Here's wishing each and everyone of you a Happy New Year!

Rhonda and I celebrated by going out to eat at my favorite restaurants, On the Border, and had a excellent dinner. The food was was wonderful, along with everything else. On the Border in Wichita Falls is one of the best Mexican Restaurants anywhere. Their management, along with staff serve excellent Mexican cuisine and serve it with style. If you are wanting great Mexican food, along with fantastic service, I highly recommend On the Border in Sikes Senter Mall. We closed out the new year with a movie at the new Cinemark Theatre. Rhonda had wanted to go The National Treasure (2nd sequel) and I gave in. I'm so glad I did. The movie was fantastic. It kept you on the edge of your seat the whole night.

The first was very quiet at our home; however, Rhonda made her usual Fried Chicken (yum, yum), along with Rice and gravy, black eyed-peas (of course), along with Lemon Meringue Pie. Whenever we have Lemon Meringue Pie, it reminds me of my mother. She made the most delicious Lemon Meringue Pie anywhere. We only have it once in awhile, being the pie has so many calories and I can't afford that many, since I'm on Weight Watchers. Everything was just great. We had a wonderful New Years' Day.

On the 3rd of January, everything changed. We woke up to sleeting outside, so both of us left a little early in order to get to work on time. On my way out the door, I slipped and fell on the sidewalk and walked back in to tell my wife, to please be careful; very slick and dangerous. We didn't want her falling on it, being she has just recovered from foot surgery and didn't need any other problems. She definitely stated she would be careful and even suggested she take her cane (the one she had after her surgery) to give her move support. I said, great! Very carefully, I made it to work and begin to lay out everything I wanted to get done for the day. About 9:15 AM, the phone rang and it was my worst nightmare come true. Rhonda was on the phone, stating she was in a car accident. I immediately asked, "Are you okay?" and she stated, she was. I asked her where she was at and she told me at Loop 11 overpass. I told her I would get there as soon as possible. I immediately called my boss, Billy Hall who graciously understood and told me to be careful. The ice seamed to be worse at this time and while I drove down Henry Grace Freeway, I began to notice Highway 287 South being backed up. More accidents!!!! As I drove further, Highway 287 North was being backed up, so I thought I would travel down Seymour Highway. About that time, Rhonda was on the phone, stating the ambulance was on the way and wanted me to meet her at United Regional Hospital. Arriving at the Emergency Room, I frantically waited for my wife, not knowing exactly how bad she was hurt. Finally, she arrived and I was able to see her. Upon my first glance, I said, Oh, no! She had a neck brace on; however, she explained to me it was just for protection. The nursing staff was wonderful as we waited and finally they were able to get some X-Rays. After a few hours (remember 119 accidents in all that day), the doctor came in and said everything looked really good. A sigh of relief!!! Cars can be repaired; however, our lives are very precious to us. We are so thankful that God had His hand upon Rhonda's life and spared her from a more serious accident. She is just a little bruised up and more than likely she will have Chiropractic care and return to normal. Isn't God great! He provided a way and the angels were in place that day. We would like to thank the wonderful Air Force pilots who so graciously stopped at the scene and placed all the torn fender's in the trunk. As bad as it was that day, someone else could hit the torn pieces and slid back into Rhonda's car, causing more damage and harm. Also, thanks to all of the staff at United Regional Hospital Emergency Room. They were gracious and so kind.

Having said all that, we do serve a great God! Hopefully, the remainder of the year will not be as nerve wracking.