Things I am enjoying
- That Jason has a job. The uncertainty, the loss of control, the not knowing when things will get better…it is finally, abruptly, over. Even on the worst days, I tried to find something, anything, that was positive (some days it was hard, to be honest). It was less of a mental gratitude journal and more of a way to fight the completely believable feeling that the only reason we were still alive was because the universe wasn’t done messing with us. Now things are so much better. The “situational depression” is gone and events that would have caused me to feel like the world was ending (2-hour commutes, car repairs) while Jason was unemployed now make me shrug my shoulders and say, “It is what it is.”
- The multi-colored Christmas lights on our backyard deck. When I look at them without my glasses, they look like miniature fireworks explosions.
- The fact that getting up one time at 5:30 a.m. so far didn’t kill me dead (according to initial tests; additional data needs to be compiled to form a definitive conclusion).
- That my two-week cold/laryngitis/cough whenever I take a breath/talk/laugh seems to be done. Finally.
- More post-apocalyptic reading. This time: Dies the Fire. Things I should stock up on, just in case: seeds, water, canned food, guns, knives, rope, tents, soap, salt. Things I should learn, just in case: archery, hide tanning, hunting, blacksmithing, how to make chain mail, carpentry, how to kill a man with my bare hands.
- How Abby snuggles up next to me in bed, all warm belly and icy paws, and how she warms those paws on my neck.
- That my Christmas shopping is 97% done. This weekend is free of chores and obligations! Bring on the Cici’s Pizza! (Seriously, we are going there and I am ecstatic.)
- The Vikings making the playoffs.
- Donating. Jason dropped off some of our coats and winter clothes a few weeks ago, my employer matched my contribution to a food bank, and next week I’m dropping off some items to our local animal shelter.
- This Friday is my last workday of the year. No more commuting, no more interruptions, nothing. I get to work from home next week and then I have the following week off. Working from home with no interruptions – I cannot even fathom how productive I will be. I have 484 documents to edit (all very short), but I think I will be done with them by early Tuesday (it would probably take me a month to finish them in the office, no joke).
- Christmas cookies. I don’t bake them myself, but I love going to other people’s houses and sampling their efforts. I’m partial to gingerbread cookies and chocolate-dipped pretzels, and Jason loves those mint green marshmallowy-looking things called Forgotten Kisses. How about you?
I am so, so happy for you that Jason has a job again. What a freaking relief. I can only imagine how much better everything else seems now that he’s employed.
My employer matched my charitable contribution too. So glad about that!
Enjoy your time off! You deserve it!
Comment by Jess — December 15, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
These are all great! I know you guys have to be thrilled with Jason’s job!
I’m making chocolate dipped pretzels for my co-workers, so I’m glad to hear that they’re a favorite! I hope they’re a favorite around here, too.
Comment by Shelly — December 15, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
I wouldn’t speak too soon about that 5:30 AM business. Sounds a bit risky to me.
Comment by Shelly — December 15, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
The Vikings are AWESOME, and will win the Superbowl. They have to. Otherwise my heart might break, thus causing me to shun football forever.
Also, I used to get up really early, and about this:
The fact that getting up at 5:30 a.m. won’t kill me dead (according to initial tests; additional data needs to be compiled to form a definitive conclusion).
Don’t bet on it.
Comment by amber — December 16, 2009 @ 7:52 am
hoooraaaaay for jason’s job!! so so great, seriously
and my cats do the same thing! with their icy little paws warming up on me. it’s hard to be mad at a purring cat, though.
Comment by Alice — December 16, 2009 @ 10:46 am
I think it’s amazing that you didn’t really mention the stress of Jason being out of work when he was out of work. “Even on the worst days, I tried to find something, anything, that was positive” – well done!
Way to go on the shopping. Me? I’m screwed. But I am done Friday too, so hopefully I can finish the rest of my shopping in one marathon day and enjoy the rest of my time off.
Comment by LoriD — December 16, 2009 @ 11:30 am
Mmm… cookies….
Comment by Nowheymama — December 16, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
YYYYYYAAAAA FOR CHRISTMAS COOKIES!
Comment by Chelsea Talks Smack — December 16, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
YAY FOR JASON’S JOB!!!
Please say you’re going to give us a list of the differing types of pizza you sample at Cici’s? I STILL think about that Big Mac pizza you told us about… way back when (when was that???).
Comment by Whimsy — December 16, 2009 @ 10:21 pm
Wow, I can’t imagine being home for 2 whole weeks even if you do have workplace work to do. Maybe they will see how productive it is and let you work from home more often! I’m going to be calling on some of my accounts in that area either Tuesday or Wednesday. I’ve got some Christmas sweets to drop off for you guys (including Forgotten Kisses). Instead of chocolate covered pretzels this year I made something a little different that I think you’ll like just as well. I’ll give you a call and drop them off if you’re at home. My favorite? I am partial to the Butterscotch candy I make from corn flakes, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter. This year I tried a new recipe that we love – a brownie cookie with a Hershey’s Cherry Cordial Kiss on top. Yummy!
Comment by Becky — December 17, 2009 @ 5:40 am