Dear _____,

Motorist…  Um, do you really think that thing is safe to ride with a tire that flat?

Newsletters…  Somehow, having you on my to-do list always seems to inspire me to work extra hard…on everything else.  (But I am almost finished with it.)

“Christmas Cookie” scented candle…  You smelled exactly like one of the cookies I tasted Christmas day.  I was impressed.  (And thank you, Auntie Cheryl!)

Cranberry sauce…  So good to see (and taste) you again!  I’m not sure when I’ll run into you next, but it sure was fun having you on the table at Christmas.

Elbows…  Yes, dry season is here.  You have officially declared that.  Ouch!  (But I’ll take dry season any day over humid, clothes-sticking-to-you-all-the-time weather.)

Fireworks…  To be honest, I’m not sure why you were so popular before and on Christmas.  New Years I understand, but Christmas…?

“There’s a tea for that” t-shirt…  I think you’re probably the funniest t-shirt I’ve ever had.  You’ll make me smile and think of a certain dear friend every time I wear you.

Casino…  You know, for a supermarché, you’re rather unfortunately named.  I’d prefer that my grocery shopping not be a gamble.

Bites covering my ankles…  You itch!  But I’m really thankful that I don’t get bites (mosquito, spider, whatever…) very often, and even when I do, they don’t usually itch.  This time is just an exception to keep me on my toes.  Or something.

Jar of green olives…  I picked you up at the store the other day, and didn’t realize until I got home that I’d neglected to read the fine print on the label, which would have informed me that you still had the pits in.  (Can someone just tell me what exactly is the point of buying olives with the pits?  I mean, really.  You can’t eat them.  They don’t add flavor.  You have to spit them out.  Pointless, I say!)

Guy wearing a “Don’t mess with Texas” t-shirt…  Yeah, um, do you know how far away Texas is?  I’m pretty sure that won’t be much of a temptation.

Potted rose bush…  I’ve seen loads of bougainvilleas here, but hardly any roses.  (In fact, you may be the first; I’m not entirely sure.)  Now I could really stop and smell the roses.  If you even smell.

Neighbors…  Yes, that was me, singing the same Christmas song over and over and over after Christmas.  I can assure you it was for a good reason, and not simply to be annoying.  (Last minute practice for a duet with my friend Anna.)

Shaun the Sheep…  What an entertaining way to learn French!  We watch the cartoon (without the sound), and the helper narrates in French.  And, Shaun, for a little lamb, you have some hilariously grand escapades.

2014…  Ready or not, here you come!  Wow.  Crazy.  I know I do this every year, but I can’t believe this year went by so fast.  I don’t know what you hold, 2014, but two things I do know: it’s going to be a year of grace, and God is here with us.  And that is enough.