Tragedy in Paradise. There was an earthquake in Costa Rica on thursday – a really big one at 6.1 on the scale. There have been daily reports of people found dead and it is heartbreaking. At last report this afternoon there were 18 dead and they are still searching.

I did not realize that earthquakes were such a threat in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and the other Caribbean Islands. That has always been my idea of paradise, with the biggest threat to happiness being the ocassional hurricane. Earthquakes give no warning – they are killers. My heart goes out to the people of Costa Rica.

Gosh we had a nice little break for about a month on the price of gas. The cheapest I found it around here was $1.31 for a bout a week, out in Wilson County. Of course, it doesn’t make sense to drive all the way out there just to buy gas a few pennies cheaper per gallon, but if you happen to be going out that way it does make sense to go ahead and fill up while there.

Now it is creeping upwards again. I paid $1.59 per gallon last night near my house, and I see it is up to $1.69 out where I work. I hope this is a temporary spike and that it goes back down to give us a break.

I’ve never been a big fan of making New Year’s resolutions, but this year I am going to do it and I am going to find a way to make 2009 the best year ever. I will start focusing on myself and my needs instead of being a doormat for husbands, parents, bosses, and everyone else who has taken advantage of my good nature over the past several years. This is Sandra’s year!