How a POOR OLD Southern Mountain Family
Survived Another Year to Send You
Another Cheap Christmas Card
and NO Presents
GREETINGS:
Another busy year survived with only minor scathing and a few surprises (which I hold for a little later in this novel). The Readers Digest, American Publisher's Clearinghouse and Georgia Lottery have failed to come through either. Hence why you are still only getting a card and letter from me and not a VCR or color TV. Even the real good store coupons are getting harder to come by. Susan's Mom sends me my best coupons from Florida where the snowbirds keep up the diligent pursuit of the elusive "bargain" at the grocery store. One thing crafters are good at is finding bargains, that and knowing about more gray area business tax deductions than a Philadelphia CPA. I believe Jimmy Hoffa was once a Crafter. One of our cohorts won the New Jersey Lottery this past year, and when asked what he was now going to do, was quoted as saying, "Well I thought I'd continue in the craft business till the lottery winnings ran out."
Enough about my Rich and Famous life style, let me update you on the rest of the clan. Let's start with the biggest news of the year (No, I haven't gone back to school to learn not to talk like a hillbilly). Actually the biggest change in our family has been in the line of structuring the family tree. Two new branches have sprung out of the old Tidwell trunk, Melissa's husband, Andy, and my brand new straight from the factory grandson, Kristopher Kyle. (Get up off the floor now).
Andy is currently based in Orlando, Florida where he is in Naval school training for submarine duty. Melissa and Kyle are staying here with us right now, but will be moving down next week as Andy has arranged an apartment for them right next to the base. Melissa just took her GED and feels she did real well on it, should hear back on it in 4 to 6 weeks (bureaucracy). Kyle was born on Oct. 5 while I was doing a 19 day show in Gatlinburg, TN. Melissa, Andy, and Kyle are all doing fine and me and Grandma are real proud of them all.
Now let's move on to our next up and coming soon to be teenager (thank God just one more to go!) Carrie had a very busy year clogging and now is taking piano, or as we say here in the South, PI…ANNO teachins. I have great hopes you may soon here usins on the radeo, Carrie playing the ivories and me and Mom on the washtub and Whisky jug. Ah to have goals, and such realistic ones too. Carrie also has settled right in to the role of Aunt. I believe she's really going to miss Kyle and Melissa when they move to Florida, as are me and Grandma (all that Quiet in the house). All in all Carrie's doing just fine and is growing like a weed; she's taller than Susan now and will be my height soon (actually I think I'm starting to bend lower with age… 41 now!)
Now about the OLD Lady. Grandma. I just love it! It's been a very busy year for her, what with the wedding, being Melissa's birthing coach, and keeping up with mine and Carrie's comings and goings. She's still working at Fannin Hospital in the newly named Health Information Management Department (what's in a name? certainly not money). Susan doesn't get to travel with me to my shows as I tell people she's at home supporting the family and I'm just out creating tax deductions. Just like her little Geo Prism with 136,000 miles, she's holding up pretty well with all the mileage and her age considered.
My parent's health has given them trouble this past year but they keep on hoping things are going to turn around for the better. Both of them are on dialysis and must go to Canton for treatment 3 times a week which my 2 sisters and I are helping them with (not a chore, payback on an unpayable debt). Poor health of anyone around you makes you appreciate the things so often taken for granted. We have become friends with many of the families at the treatment center and see great strength in both the patients and their families.
Susan's Mom down in Florida has had her troubles also but refuses to give in to it, and if it weren't for her weekly care packages of coupons for me my bargaining at the grocery store would be severely curtained as I hate to pay $2.00 for an Atlanta Sunday paper. We will miss having her here for Christmas this year, but the warm weather down there and her job are keeping her in Florida this year. I'm hoping since Melissa, Andy, and Kyle will be living close to her that may help brighten things up somewhat.
My treasured lifelong friends, I can remember when all of our friendships began (I'll have to write them down soon as I understand being a Grandad brings on loss of …. loss of … what was I saying? Oh well couldn't have been that important.) I know some of you haven't heard my voice in many years, and our only contact may be this abbreviated (but very well written and grammatically correct) Christmas letter, but I hope you know that my friendship and need for yours will continue on forever. The saying, "If ever you need a friend, call on me" is what I'm saying to you and your families. Last year I stood on my soapbox and preached, "Enjoy Life, as it tends to rush past so quickly". This year I second that chorus and add, "One of the joys in life is knowin that good friends are forever, and will always be there if you need them."
So, from our modest southern home nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains we wish all of you our lifelong friends a Happy, Merry, and warm Christmas and New Year. You've got our address (as does all my creditors) and phone number so call if you need us or just to say hello and get a few laughs hearing somebody who thinks and talks like Jedd Clampett.
Your friends,
Buddy, Susan, Carrie, Melissa, Andy, Kyle, Tigger (cat), Madison (cat), Alex (dog), Buster (dog), Julie (dog), Billie (bird), etc., etc..
