These are just some of my favorite memories from this Christmas.
Our Tree Christmas Morning:
The View From My Kitchen Window:
Alexander Playing with his New Legos:
My Family Singing Christmas Carols:
And Finally, My Husband and Brother Wearing Their New Matching Shirts:
#87CEFA |
Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is lower than average - You don't stress out over things and don't understand people who do. Finishing projects may sometimes be a challenge, but you schedule time as you see fit and the important things all happen in the end, even if not everyone sees your grand master plan. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything. |
Twas my last day of work and all through my desk,
I was packing and rummaging and sorting the mess.
My files were all empty, the binders all full,
And I couldn’t help feeling a calm, peaceful lull.
My coworkers were settled with a larger work load,
And I was anxious to leave, lest their glares grow too cold.
With the stress almost off me and life bright ahead,
I knew I would sleep easier when I laid down for bed.
When from the back office their arose such a clatter
I sunk down in my chair, knowing I was the matter.
Out from the back office they flew like a flash,
Susan, and Karen, and Connie all dashed.
The look on their faces were sure to afright,
As I sat and I tried to look sorta contrite.
When what to my terrified eyes should appear,
But a meeting agenda and three hideous sneers.
With the entrance of three others in new power suits,
I knew in a moment my near victory was mute.
More evil than devils they sat in their chairs,
And they covered my figure with critical stares.
“Now onto the fighting and manipulative war!
We each have to win and we’re each taking score!
We came to attack you before you can flee,
(We had to come early, as you’re leaving at three).”
I had flinched when they shouted and swore in my head,
But I put on my game face and nodded instead.
Throughout the whole meeting the whippings ensued,
And I nearly screamed in frustration before it subdued.
Two hours later and painfully tired,
The devils all left and I officially retired.
But before I got far I was heard to exclaim,
“Goodbye all you suckers!” (And I fled with no shame).
I am a chicken.
I quit my job on Friday. I sent my boss an email putting in my two weeks notice and now I am terrified to go to work in the morning. I have no idea how my boss will react and I am afraid of how my coworkers will treat me the next few weeks. My only ally has gone and so I am left alone to face the wolves.
I am also terrified about the future. I always have a difficult time with transition and major change. I don't like not knowing the next step in my journey. I have always been afraid of the dark, and this has required me to step out of my comfortable light into uncertainty.
I don't know where I am going, but I think I will be spending most of the next few weeks in meditation, trying to decide the direction of my next step.
"When you come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: there will be solid ground to stand on or you will be taught to fly."
Author Unknown
I love my job. I love my job. I love my job. I love my job.
AAAHHH! IT'S SIMPLY NOT TRUE! I DON'T LOVE MY JOB!
Okay, now that we have that out of the way, on to other news. Last night was Halloween, the most celebrated of all Pagan holidays and widely loved by Christians around the world (ironic isn't it?). It's the one day a year that moochers are rewarded (except for of course those days when you see people holding up signs asking for money, but enough about that). Actually I would like to think of Halloween as a fashion show, and for the $10 I spent on candy, the models will dress up and come to MY door, I don't even have to leave the house! Now that's what I call service.
The best part of the evening was my husband, who in his infinite wisdom decided to dress up as the Big Bad Wolf when I showed him my Little Red Riding Hood costume. He was the life of the party, err, I mean fashion show. He played his part to the fullest extent, making little girls scream and cry and dozens of little boys envious of his complete coolness.
Honestly, the funniest part of the night was when one time when the doorbell rang Alexander threw open the door and growled, resulting in delighted screams from the three little girls. Their father thought it was especially funny (it helps when they know you from the ward). After that, a little family came with a 2 or 3 yr old girl who started bawling when Alexander opened the door, he didn't even try to scare them. She cried even more when he put candy in her bag. I laughed until my sides ached.
All in all it was a pretty successful fashion show and we gave out nearly all of our candy. For your viewing pleasure I have included pictures of the pimped out Big Bad Wolf and maybe one of Little Red from the 'Hood.
Oh, and here are my pumpkins :)
"It's just my job, not my life " - Annalee B. Strub, Aug 2007
This has become the most quoted quote in the office (Yay for the popularity award!). Sadly, there is a real reason why it is the current favorite. Everyone wants to quit! "Everyone?" you may ask? Yes, everyone and we are trying to make ourselves feel better about it. Warring Deans and VPs (aka political meanies) are ruining our peaceful world of conference planning. For a long time we have been able to run our little place by ourselves and decide how to do our own conferences, but now people who should have better things to do are sticking their unattractive (it's true!) heads into our business.
Even worse, this crap is leaking down from the upper levels and infiltrating our own office. People who love their desks and the corner they work in (me) are getting moved to the black hole of the department, into the old ladies room. Surprisingly, this is where they put the employees who happen to be old ladies. The boss claims she is moving me because she hired a new employee who is in a wheelchair and MY desk is the only one that's accessible. This is simply not true and I can only assume that she wants me where she can keep her ever constant, ancient eyes on me.
Okay, I admit that this sounds an awful lot like I am complaining. However, I am actually undergoing valuable psychiatric treatment that will enable me to go back to work tomorrow morning without my head exploding. So thank you readers, for putting up with this rant.
Oh, and P.S. - If you by chance know of a job that won't make my head explode please recommend me to the boss. :)
As you may know, "Let's Play!" is the slogan of the Utah Shakespearean Festival which is held annually in Cedar City, Utah. On Friday my co-worker, Susan, came into work and asked me if I was doing anything fun for the weekend. As usual, my answer was no, we were just going to hang out. However, as I thought about it, the more I felt that I desperately needed to get away (this happens on occasion, I get a spontaneous desire to immediately do something new which my husband has labeled as dangerous).
While doing the monotonous chore of entering registrations into our computer system, I began thinking of all the places we could go and things we could do. I thought about hopping on a plane and heading to California, but luckily for my husband, I talked myself out of that idea. I then thought about Jackson Hole, but realized it was a 5 hour drive and I didn't get off work until 2:00, and it would just be a little too long of a drive for a short weekend. I then narrowed my thoughts to Utah and remembered the Shakespearean Festival and had to go. By the time I got off work I had talked my husband into my little scheme, bought tickets for 3 plays, and made room reservations at a hotel. Okay, so maybe I wasn't working as hard as I should have that day, but hey, it was Friday!
We were on the road by 4:00 and racing down so that we could attend the 'Tempest' which started at 7:30. We barely made it, walking into the theater 5 minutes before the show started. The show was terrific! The actors were tremendous and we had a great time. Checking into the hotel I was thrilled to find out that I was getting a room with a jacuzzi! Yes! For those of you who don't know, my tub at home is not much of a tub so I never take baths even though I love them. When staying in hotels I always appreciate the big tubs. :)
Saturday morning my wonderful, charming, adorable husband let us go down to the outlets in St. George. As soon as we got on the road the skies opened up and sheets of water poured down. I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, the rain was so bad. This continued the entire way down. We finally made it to the stores and I found 60% off racks at the Dress Barn and I got three outfits there. We then each got super soft fleece windbreakers at Eddie Bauer and a pound of luscious caramel pecan fudge at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. It was an awesome shopping trip.
That afternoon we saw a play called 'Art' which was so well done. A comedic classic that questions what art really is and what friendship is worth. That night we returned to the theater for front row seats and Agatha Christie's 'Mousetrap'. The play is a murder mystery and is filled with Christie's trademark red herrings and interesting plot lines. We had such a blast!
Luckily for us, the rain cleared up over night and by Sunday morning it was bright and sunny, perfect weather for us to race home and be back just in time for church to start at 1:00. Needless to say we are a bit tuckered out and will be heading to bed shortly.
Reflecting upon the events of this weekend, I have been reminded that life needs to be lived to its fullest potential. People need to experience as much as they can and who you share those experiences with makes all the difference. I am lucky to be with such an amazing man who humors me and allows me to fulfill those spontaneous desires and takes the time to share those adventures with me. :)
