December 31

Nothing to brag about yesterday and most folks hate complainers so this note will be another struggle for me. Without a challenge once in awhile what would a person do? 'Use it or lose it', I believe also applies to ones mind. I think I read there was a medical study that showed an active and challenged mind can slow down the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is a lot more scary for me after I read a little about it. such as; The disease usually begins after age 60, and risk goes up with age. While younger people also may get AD, it is much less common. About 3 percent of men and women ages 65 to 74 have AD, and nearly half of those age 85 and older may have the disease. It is important to note, however, that AD is not a normal part of aging. I read one article that said it affected nearly one out of ten over the age of 65.

Hey, I'm sorry about this note! I just get started down a path and the next thing I know I've gone too far.

We're expecting the Krohn's and the Montgomery's to join us here for dinner on the first day of 2005. Black-eyed peas, Pickled Herring and maybe some collard greens are a few of items that's on the menu and either Bill or Carl must come into the house first.

The first visitor at your house on New Year's Day must be a male or you'll have bad luck.
Don't do laundry before 6 p.m. on New Year's Day or you'll wash someone out of your life.
You must eat black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year's Day. Black-eyed peas for luck, collard greens for money.
On New Year's Day, put an egg and a dollar in a bag, throw it out the window of a moving car, but don't look back. This will bring good luck.
I can't remember what the Pickled Herring does or prevents for you but I'd say eating a bite can't hurt.

I'm not sure how Glenda and I will stay awake until midnight so our plans are to ring in the new year watching the New York bash on TV. We can do that at 9:00 our time then go to bed.

I imagine I'll feel a little week come Sunday and will need to stay close to the house. I plan to eat two or three cans of collard greens myself and I'm positive the results of that will flush me out pretty good. We really could use a little money!