This Christmas was just one mainly about "getting through it". The fire displaced us for 8 months, and when we did get to move home in mid-December, we had no furniture, boxes everywhere filled with cleaned and ruined stuff, and utter chaos on every level. So cards didn't get mailed, gifts didn't get bought, decorations weren't hung. Still, we managed to have a decent Christmas, trying to keep the focus where it belongs, on Christ's birth.

That said, I didn't get cards mailed!! If you didn't get one (and that's everyone), it wasn't because it got lost in the mail. I was simply busy doing things like trying to find a pan or two in which to cook supper. :o) I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of the pictures that I had reprinted to put in the cards; probably I'll send out cards in January, an abbreviated list, though...

I didn't do a "Newspaper" newsletter this year. I tried something different: I wrote a poem. Those of you know know me know that I hate poetry and have never written a poem in my life, but I thought it was kind of fun this time. So to replace the standard Christmas letter, here is the poem that everyone was supposed to get in their card:

2008
What an amazing year we've had! Nothing went really wrong...
None of the kids were very bad, But the year seemed pretty long...

First the boys got to fly a plane, A single engine one.
Miss rode in back popping a vein, Nikolai thought that was fun!!

In Feb. was Daytona's Big Race, While all the crowds had swarmed;
And the racecars all kept their pace, Missy and the boys performed!

A FIRE in April lit the sky, our house it seemed, was trashed...
But God said, Taborns, don't you cry, Don't let all your hopes be dashed.

"For kids and pets escaped unhurt, Forget not your scrapbooks, too!
Much of your stuff is black and burnt, But I will help you get through."

...We lived in a house, it's rented; A pool we had, a fence!
Our pay insurance prevented, and wouldn't pay our expense!

Some people we hired to help us; Nice people, mediators they.
They helped us to put up a fuss, So insurance wouldn't underpay.

Miss and Reese: 10 years together! A big year, to say the least!
A cruise to the islands whatever, "We're heading to south east."

"A Mayan ruins I must get to. My fav'rite vacation spot.
A boy like me is overdue, History I love a LOT!"

This year, so it seems, was hectic; Adventures: some good - some bad.
Though life is always eclectic, We're grateful for all we've had.

So as this year comes to a close; Friends, family are what are true;
Don't think you will ever impose, Good tidings from us, to you!!