Hello, Friends! I sure hope this letter finds all of y'all having one of the best holiday seasons ever! We all had a great time visiting and of course, openin' those presents, too. It was a mad house here with all those kids and their new toys running about, but friends, I love having them all around. I will say with all the great food, this girl is going to have to go on a diet soon! Ha. It sure was great being at the Ryman this past weekend. Nothing can top being out there on that stage singing. I still get as nervous as I was the very first time I sang in that beautiful building. As all of you know, every great artist has performed on that stage, and it humbles me when I think of all those legends that have walked that wooden floor. Seeing all of the people out in the audience, sure brings back so many memories of all those Saturday nights I got to perform there. It truly is like coming home every time I'm there! It sure was fun getting to sing "Table for Two" with Vince on Friday night. That song has to be one of my favorites of Vince Gill's.

It was the first time I'd seen my boys in the band since our last shows, and we laughed at how we all were gettin' cabin fever from being off the road. All of us are really looking forward to getting on the busses and heading out this coming weekend. It makes it even better since we are heading towards some warmer weather! We sure do hope to see all that can come see us at these shows, as well as all our concerts that are coming up, too! It looks like our schedule is really filling up, so be sure to keep check on this web site to see if we're going to be near you. I have my own music room here at the ranch, and sure have been using it writing, since we've been off the road. I return to the studio soon and hopefully will be releasing some of the recordings, before you know it! I'll tell you, we've been having such a great time just working on all the things we've recorded. It's amazing that we get so much done. We've worked on all the types of songs I've told you about, and I can't wait for y'all to hear them. Maybe that John Carter won't get too tired of me, before I'm all done. He sure has worked so hard with me on all these recordings. I just know his Daddy and Mama are looking down at him, beaming with even more pride! It won't be long before my ranch reopens for the season, but, Alan has never stopped getting things ready around here. I don't know how he does it all. Right now he is adding the old log cabins at the ranch entrance, and it sure does look great! These cabins have been on this ranch since way back before the Civil War, and I'm so glad that all of you will now get to see them up close! I told Alan that I'm gonna sneak down and stay in them sometime, though. Ha. It is amazing that it is already 2009, and sure seems that time flies faster each year. This new year to me brings excitement of all to come, and that it becomes one of the best years ever, for each of you, too! No matter how tough times seem to get, nothing can replace family and friends, so be sure to always remember these special people in your thoughts and prayers. Especially remember our kids still overseas, fighting to protect freedom and peace! Love you, Loretta Lynn