The Day After - or - Black Friday

Well, it's Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and the traditional Spend-all-the-money-you've-ever-made-on-gifts-your-people-don't-really-need-or-want day. But, here's the thing: I got all the Black Friday ads again this year, and there was really nothing worth going out for. OK, there are a few things that are on sale for a good price that I really could go out and pick up, but absolutely nothing worth getting up early and going out to fight the crowds for. Which is a good thing, don't you think? So I slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, and am now just doing some list making, recipe finding, and such. I will go out soon (primarily because we're out of bread and low on veggies) and I will pick up a couple things for Christmas, but not much. I am listening to Christmas music on the radio, though. (Yippee! Christmas music!)

And another thing: I refuse to say "Happy Holidays" across the board just to be politically correct. I do say things like "Have a good holiday" at times, but I say "Merry Christmas" most often, and I see nothing wrong with that. So, sue me, or just don't hang around me. Geez, if I keep writing stuff like this, I'll have quite a few less people hanging around me, and therefore, will have less to think about in the gift shopping department, too.

We went to Mike & Sammi's for Thanksgiving yesterday. They had a small group, but it was fun and we consumed more than enough food for the number of people at the table. Drank some wine, watched Get Smart, and got home well before it was time to fall asleep. Overall, a good day. Maybe we'll BBQ burgers tonight. That goes well with Christmas music. :)

Tuesday I turned 53 (OUCH!) and when I was at work, they all came out of the back singing and Jessika was carrying a raspberry cheesecake, which was fabulous. What a great group of people. Then, when I got home, there was a card on the counter and three crabs in the fridge, courtesy of my in-laws. Then Allen came home with roses, chocolate, and a new timed crock-pot, which I have been wanting for a few years. We had our study group Tuesday night, so we had a great dinner of crab, salad, and french bread Wednesday night, and I used the new crock-pot yesterday to keep mashed potatoes hot. I feel blessed on so many levels. I did have a little pity party due to missing my family, but Dad & Kitty called Monday night and Beth texted me and Dave called Tuesday, so I knew they were thinking about me.

I've probably dawdled long enough. It's 10:45 and all the early-bird shoppers should be home napping by now, so I guess I'll put my shoes on and head out. I'd much rather stay home and bake something.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

The Don't Song

The Don't Song from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

Check this out. It's absolutely hilarious. I can't decide if I like the hair or the big white teeth best! Enjoy!

Almost the end of Week One...

Well, it's Thursday night and I've been at the new job for 4 days; tomorrow makes the end of Week One. It's interesting work, but I'm still so new to it that I can't just take it and run, so I sometimes have to wait for my bosses to finish what they are working on to give me something else. It's usually only a few minutes, so not really a big deal, but I occasionally have to find something to do to fill my time. As in any office, during downtime there is always filing! I am learning new stuff each day, and hoping to have them just give me files to work on soon without asking for them. They seem to be pleased with my work, which is a good thing. The best thing about working there is that they are all so friendly and nice. After being someplace where they acted like I was the odd one if I said "Good morning", this is a welcome thing.

I made and labeled all the meals for this week, so have just had to heat them up on the right day, which is nice. Tonight I actually needed to toss a salad, too, but that's the most intense thing I've had to do to get dinner on the table. It's been 5 1/2 years since I couldn't be there to pick Dean up after school, so trying to make pick up arrangements is strange. I hate to burden my friends, but they did offer to help, so...

Tomorrow Dean goes to Mt. Hermon down near Santa Cruz (think curvy mountain roads) for a youth group weekend retreat. Hopefully, he will get in a car with someone who understands carsickness and is willing to let him sit in the front. There was one soccer game up in Boonville that had 3 kids in the same car that got sick on the way. Must be hard to play a good game right after you barf! Why is it that when a guy is driving, he is so reluctant to pull over and let the kid be sick? Moms will whip right over to the side of the road, but dads, well that's a different story, isn't it? Anyway, he should have lots of fun and we will have a busy weekend around the house. As usual, I'll miss him.

Well, I think that's about all the "news" I have to tell you right at the moment. My week is good, my friends are great, my family is awesome, and God is amazing. Oh, yeah, and it was about 70 degrees, beautiful, sunny & clear today. What more could I ask for?