My family and I recently returned to Smithville after a short stay in Dallas where we visited family and took in some sites, including a tour of “Jerry’s House” (Cowboys Stadium) and the spy exhibit at the Children’s Museum: one outing for the big kids and one for the little kids.
The gifts have been opened (and returned or exchanged in some cases), the meals have been consumed, and at many homes, the Christmas decorations have been placed back into their containers and returned to the attic. That can only mean one thing is left before we can chalk up another complete holiday season – New Year’s Eve and all that is associated with it.

I must admit that I have become quite a homebody where New Year’s is concerned since becoming a parent. Admittedly, it is a holiday that is custom-made for young, single people. It involves staying up late in public, wearing crazy attire, and happily celebrating the passage of time while cheering the advancement of it. It’s not that older people aren’t allowed to celebrate the passage of time but rather some of us beyond our 20s prefer to savor each day and each moment rather than engage in full-out assault on what remnants remain on this year’s calendar.
Once everyone is safely back home on New Year’s Day and enjoying a full day of football, it becomes necessary to confront the New Year’s resolution. I’ve found that resolutions, when boiled down into their purest state, involve deprivation of one’s self in some capacity either directly (no more caffeine, tobacco, booze, junk food) or indirectly (learning a new language, learning how to play the piano, and getting in shape all deprive one of a bit of free time, comfort, and leisure).
The one resolution I was able to keep was to get in shape and stay in shape – for about two years or so.  Do resolutions have an expiration date? Maybe this year’s resolution should be to renew the only resolution I have been proven to be able to adhere to for a reasonable amount of time.
I guess I’ll see you guys in exercise class. You people know who you are. You are the ones who made the same resolution.

MARRS MAY BE VISIBLE NATIONWIDE
Dustin Marrs, a 2006 graduate of Smithville High School who is now a senior at Texas Tech University, will be firing the shotguns when Texas Tech takes on Michigan State at the nationally-televised Alamo Bowl game on Sat. Jan 2 in San Antonio. This is the final game in which he will be able to shoot the guns because he will be graduating in May. Two people who will definitely be looking for his television debut are his proud parents Rory and Pam Marrs.

GROWING INTEREST IN GARDEN CLUB
The next Health Initiative & Community Garden meeting is set for Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. at City Hall. The group will cover a lot of ground for the upcoming year including organization structure and key positions, brainstorming ideas for the spring and fall fundraisers and topics for cooking classes, plus planning some gardening and composting classes.
All who are interested in getting involved with this project are encouraged to attend. Questions can be directed to Jill Strube at 237-3282, ext. 2109.

LPAA FEATURING ABSTRACTS
The Lost Pines Artisans Alliance’s first show of 2010 will be “Beauty in the Abstract.” It opens on Saturday, Jan. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mary Nichols Art Center Gallery located at 301 Burleson (at Loop 230) in Smithville. The Artist Reception will be held the following Friday, Jan. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The show will feature several different mediums including paintings, photography, stained glass, mosaics, and pottery created in an abstract style. The display will run for the months of January and February, with the gallery being open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOCAL TV AS AN ART MEDIUM
Upstart Bastrop, producer of local programming, is starting work on ARC, The Annabelle Resource Center for Television, Movies and New Media. This is a program that has been created to draw
low-budget filmmakers to Bastrop County for some local exposure. Upstart can also give your group or community project free publicity on TV, Time Warner Channel 10, or on their website, www.upstartbas
trop.com
They currently produce a show called “Made in Bastrop,” where locals are featured performing their own works (poetry, stories, etc).  Check out the website for more information on how you can be featured on an upcoming episode.

STILL TIME TO SHOP LOCAL
There’s still time to get your Shop Local entry turned in at the chamber of commerce office before the drawing on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 10 a.m. at the gazebo. To get entered into the drawing, pick up a form at the chamber office (intersection of First and Main Streets) or from participating merchants throughout town. You could win $100 (or $125 if you claim your prize at the time of the drawing).

UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Happy New Year to everyone! And a happy 38th wedding anniversary to Paul and Barb Pape who are celebrating their special day today on the ski slopes of Ruidoso, N.M. with their three children and two grandsons.