Now's a good time to evaluate family goals and decisions

The beginning of a new year seems like a perfect time to examine and evaluate decisions we make and how to live our lives.

I hope everyone had a safe celebration welcoming the New Year. If you didn't have the pressure to keep up with the Joneses that leads families into debt and conflicts over money. This is called "Affluenza" which can be explained as a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more.

Now is the perfect time to start the new year and not let affluenza pull families apart.

It was a surprise. What a better way to celebrate the 60th birthday of our Ann Gooden. Friends gathered at First Presbyterian Church last Saturday evening and waited until the honoree was brought in by her husband Jim Gooden, having told her they were having a church meeting. Ann says she had no clue of what was going on, she only started to wonder why so many cars were parked outside and some of the cars were familiar to her. When she came in the room, everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. It was a complete surprise. She was speechless and teary-eyed. She was happy to see so many members of her family and many dear friends. Tables were nicely set up and decorated in black and silver, so were the muffins, plates and silverware.

Ann's niece Rebecca Keels of Clear Lake did all the decorating and Ann's nephews and family did the cooking of the Mexican buffet-style dinner with all the trimmings served. Some of the guests were Rev. Debbie Cenko and her husband Russ Cenko, Retha and Royce Johansen. Retha was also celebrating her birthday, she said that they had celebrated Christmas all day long at the Johansen House with 25 members of her family who came from everywhere. Their children, grandchildren and, of course, her grandogs all attended.

Other guests were Ron and Sandy Sanders, Tom and Sharon Joines, Kay and Braxton Crickenberger of Rockport, Ann's sister Rose Johnson, Virginia Harrell, Coco Meadows, who left us early, Jo and Suni Harrell, Billie Coker, Lesley and John Dillard, Barbara Wingfield, another birthday gal that day, Bobby Kleas, Dianna and Tony Bone and Dianna's cousin Kathy Lites, Linda and Tom Runnels, Regina Bass, Sandy Wilkins, Julia Wright and Ben Wright, Ricki Johansen and Steve Zetsche, J.B. and me. I am sure I missed a few names. We are excited that our Ricki got a ring for that very special finger for Christmas from her beau, Steve. They have made no plans yet. They are taking a day at a time, so there is no hurry. Ann received many gifts and two big ones from husband Jim. It was a nice party with wonderful people to be with.

Ricki's daughter, Reeci and husband Justin Ellington, expect their first child due May 28.

Tony and Dianna Bone have plans to visit China.

Holly Marie Sohrt and Dustin Wade Kana united their lives in marriage on Dec. 29 at St. John's Catholic Church in New Taiton. Holly's parents are Mr. and Mrs. August Sohrt. Parents of the groom are Gary Kana and Christine Kana and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Buenger. Maid of honor was Brittany Cerny and best man Dustin's brother Coby Kana. Groomsman was Matthew Sohrt, the bride's brother Flower girls were Alexandra Sohrt, Holly's niece, and Gracie Naquin. Following the ceremony a reception, dinner and dance was held at the New Taiton Hall.

The church and hall were beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and poinsetias. We visited with many friends and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people from Hungerford. Ann and Dan Strouhal. Ann was telling me that Taiton and the area are her old stomping grounds where her family comes from. Edith Sohrt is a nursing home administrator. We visited with Tria Svatek, Jeanette Kalina, Mona Holmes, Nancy McLain, Megan and Phyllis Appling.

Megan is at U.T. and is one of the university cheerleaders, she was getting ready to go back to Austin.

Also there were Barbara Socha, Angie and Frank Jalufka, Shirley Poppe and daughter Kendra Charbula. We were at the Koenig table.

Alice and Frank Koenig had five of their children, grandchildren and spouses with them; Bill and Susie Koenig, son Joey and wife Elisha Koenig, Nora and Harry Solberg of Las Vegas, Nev., who returned home on Sunday; Frankie Koenig, Jimmy McMahan of Austin, Kyle and Torie Koenig of East Bernard, J.B. and I.