My predictions for the new year

But I love it. I love new beginnings. I was probably the only kid I knew growing up who could not wait for the first day of school, with the grape-popsicle smell of ditto sheets and the excitement of meeting a new teacher and learning a new routine.

True, as I've gotten older, I'm a lot less fond of change as a whole. I think that's nature's way of protecting families. As you mature, if you don't like change that much, you're much less likely to trade in the old model husband for a new model -- "mature" being the operative word.

But I still like the start of a new year and all the potential it holds. What landmarks did we see last year? My oldest graduated from high school, my youngest won blue ribbons at his art show, my middle got to be in several theatrical productions.

But what's coming this year? That's the great question. Will I finally finish my novel? Will my husband ever get his Christmas present installed? Will we ever get our new computers up and running at work?

In the vein of Jeane Dixon (with a little Johnny Carson thrown in) here are my predictions for 2009:

Bell Buckle and Wartrace will finally get their sidewalks done.

The Coach will win the Celebration.

Every building on the Square will have to come down and all of the businesses will move to Sanford.

There will be a booking mix-up; Shania Twain will play at Bonnaroo and the Flaming Lips will be at the Wartrace Musicfest.

John Carney will have his novel picked up by the Methodist publishing house and Oprah. Once the movie rights are auctioned off, Vince Vaughn will get the lead.

John Philleo will lose the weight he wants, quit smoking, and be asked to warm up the crowd for the Flaming Lips. They'll like him so much they'll want to take him with them, but he will refuse to leave his awesome job as T-G editor for the puny rewards of fame, groupies, and truckloads of money.

Since he did such a good job as Jack Frost in the Christmas parade, the T-G's David Melson will be called upon to portray the Easter Bunny, Uncle Sam, and a No. 2 pencil in upcoming Main Street festivals.

The T-G will clean up at the press awards. And some of us will actually clean up for the press awards.

Ben Reeves will get to perform in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Bell Buckle-Webb School Shakespeare Festival.

T-G publisher Hugh Jones will run in the Boston marathon.

Sadie Fowler will take Maria Sharapova's place in the Canon commercials, where everyone wants to take a picture of her dog, Lizzie, instead of her.

Doug Dezotell will discover the joys of being a grandpa. Brian Mosely knows what's in store for him this year, and it's going to be a lot more fun than he realizes.

Danny Parker will nobly sacrifice his tickets to me when the Titans make it to the Super Bowl.

Jaime Welsh will find Mr. Right and have the good sense to wait until she's out of school.

And me? I'll keep finding wonderful people doing wonderful things and loving every minute of it.

-- Mary Reeves is a staff writer for the Times-Gazette. She can be reached at (931) 684-1200, ext. 215, or by e-mail at mreeves@t-g.com. This column is scheduled to print every Wednesday.