The Annual Christmas Letter

The Annual Christmas Letter

Greetings to Family and Friends,

Hope this letter finds you and your loved ones in peace and joy. It’s been quite the year around here. In fact “here” was very nearly “where?” Many of you know that and have assisted in various and much appreciated ways. I will try to condense the year into a sort of ‘Reader’s Digest” version, yet even so, I’d like to offer my apologies in advance for such a long, rambling letter. Hope I put enough postage on the envelope to get it to you.

January was the start of the year and also of my job hunt. Work was stressful and ominous things were happening. Little did I realize that being out of work also could be quite stressful. I have to brag a bit and tell you that I was one of a “final four” out of 60 candidates to get a good job. No, I didn’t get the job, but on January 10th a wonderful thing happened: my Grandson was born. I was the first non-medical person to see him. I’m not being biased at all when I tell you that he is the cutest baby who was ever born! Those of you who have seen him will have to agree.

In February I was injured at work and had a doctor-ordered five week vacation. The bosses at work didn’t like that much and were pretty mean to me when I returned. But I didn’t have to suffer long, they soon fired me and I was home for another vacation.

Summer went by quickly, with moving Mom to Assisted Care, cleaning out her two-bedroom apartment, finding places for her things and all. Big Brother and his family helped a lot, as did many of my friends, thank you! There was a temporary, minor glitch when Mom forgot she had chosen to live in her new digs and called Younger Brother (from out of state) to rescue her. All was soon straightened out. But only after he had driven through three states in a hurry to see her and make sure she was OK. Mom was living more or less happily in her one-room quarters and had forgotten that she had called him so desperately.

The parents of Cutest Baby received a low-mileage car when Mom “decided” not to drive (yikes!) any more. They came up with Cutest Baby to attend the annual and really fun Blues Fest. They stayed at my house for a week and then drove their new car back home. I was glad they had a place to stay while they were visiting, and that I had a place to stay, too. Keeping up with the Jones’ can be a bad thing when it means not being able to make the mortgage payment, like so many other people. What a copy cat I am! An interesting and curious fact that you may not know (I didn’t) is that when fired, a person doesn’t receive Unemployment Compensation. I utilized my time off with lots of writing and soon Worker’s Compensation agreed to pay 2/3 my former wage, drawn on former employer’s account, ho ho ho!

The Worker’s Comp people are sociable and they stop in often and delight in spontaneous visits with me. These are not merely meet-and-greet but long, serious conversations for two and a half hours. They are big on communication and encourage me to do more writing—of everything I do during the week days. They don’t just skim over my writing either, which is most flattering. They read every bit carefully and ask me a lot of personal questions about it. They are so fond of me that they have demanded that I stay in a 50-mile radius, so they will not have to miss the joy of spontaneous visits at my home. So I’m getting a lot of attention, as well as some money from them.

Well, until I got a part-time job. Now it’s been five weeks since I’ve received a WC check and the earned income from my new job doesn’t pay the bills. But the Worker’s Comp people are still really chummy and encourage me to keep up my daily writing. It’s good to have people who care about you.

The new job is really interesting with two bosses each telling me different things, being on call 24/7 and dealing with dysfunctional families. I’m trying to obtain more (paid) work hours from my new employer. But they appear to believe in the virtue of sharing, as they keep hiring on more people. I have gotten to know several other employers too, in special little intimate meetings, but so far no one else has hired me yet. Instead I have received the employer version of a “Dear John” letter, telling me that they liked someone else better, sniff. Well, “Boo” to them and their little job too.

On a brighter note, I have to tell you that I’m simply thrilled with the November election—because Mom received an ID card from her new state in time for her to vote! It only took me a couple of days, some phone calls and driving around, too. Those guys at the DMV who said they couldn’t give her one because of the terrorists had better be sorry now! OK, I suppose I shouldn’t really threaten them, even on paper….

This has been quite the year for vacations! I took yet another vacation, camping in my sleeping bag without even leaving home! I greedily took two vacations of four days each, with less than a week between them. I’m wondering if I could market that concept of “stay at home camping” as a boon to people without a lot of money? This type of vacation actually SAVES money because there’s no heating cost for the duration of it. Well, not if you do it the way I did (not recommended) as the repair bills will cost nearly as much as a “normal” camping vacation. But it may have some marketing potential, don’t you think?

For Christmas I had the desperate inspired idea of making coffee and tea mixes and giving them out as gifts. Oops, sorry but that was kind of a spoiler! Well, you won’t know which mix your family will get, coffee or tea, so it will still be a surprise, right?

Well, it’s time to close down this year. Whew, I have to say that I’m not sorry to see it end. Here’s hoping that 2009 will be a much better year for us all! How could it not?

Love, PBS


I stole this idea from Violet Thanks! But really wouldn’t SEND this letter, even though I love getting Annual Christmas Letters from friends and family. It’s a great way to catch up with people that you don’t see much, or at all, during the year. I think this would make a great meme. Any meme-rs for an Annual Christmas Letter?

The Six Things Meme

Ordinary Girl who is not ordinary at all, has tagged me for the Six Things Meme. And you know how I feel about memes! (Love them)

These are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random, arbitrary things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I grew up on a farm, in the country. Of course it would be hard to have a farm in the city! We do have an urban chickens movement around here. The proposal went to the City Council several times and now, with a signed document from all of your neighbors, one can apply and pay for a permit to keep chickens in town. I like chickens but won’t be doing that.

2. The farm that I grew up on wasn’t the usual type of farm with lots of livestock. We had chickens and ducks but that was only when I was quite young. The farm was a berry and vegetable farm, sort of like a truck farm. And it was lots of work, but I have fond memories of it now and really enjoy gardening.

3. Right now I have no pets, not a single living thing besides plants in the house. I do currently have a visiting dog. My ex-dog is here with son and grandson. The two people are gone visiting other relatives in the area so it’s just me and my ex-dog.

4. As much as I like and am interested in people, I really am kind of a loner at home. That’s my deep, dark secret. I need lots of space and alone time. Can’t stand to have someone else around all the time. My son, Pseudo Son and now Grandbaby are the only exceptions. That’s not been conducive to long-term relationships! That’s why when finances were tough this summer, getting a roommate was NOT a good option for me to consider.

5. Pursuant to that (always wanted to use that phrase!) I’m not looking for or interested in finding another man/partner, at least not for now.

6. I’ve been “connected” now and then over the years and even married for a while but have spent most of my life single. And like it that way!

This is the part where I’m supposed to tag six other victims, I mean, people! Any volunteers? Are there SIX volunteers? Anybody with deep, dark secrets?

Meme Meme Meme Meme

Two-word meme, shamelessly stolen from another blog while blog-surfing today

1. Where is your cell phone?
In a cloth glasses case, in my small purse in my backpack. Guess I’m not going to hear it ring! But I have a land line too, because of dial-up.

2. Your significant other?
My house, maybe

3. Your hair?
Growing it out

4. Your mother?
Saw her yesterday, just like usual

5. Your brother?
Saw him on Friday. The other brother I saw a week or so ago.

6. Your favorite thing?
I’d have to make a long list.

7. Your dream last night?
Wandering through a strange convoluted building, I often dream different versions of that.

8. Your favorite drink?
Coffee, I’m back on the pot. (now THAT doesn’t sound so good!)

9. Your dream?
Selling this house, buying a smaller one and making it into an Art and Animal House

10. The room you’re in?
Living room, it’s huge plus it has a loft and vaulted ceiling. Smaller would be good.

11. Your ex?
Which one? Vegetable Man I miss, not the others.

12. Your fear?
What if I can’t find a job? And, just as scary, what if I DO get hired?

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Working only PT, doing art, hanging out with people and animals, growing things.

14. Where were you last night?
Out to dinner with my Mom

15. What you’re not?
Mean, cruel or insensitive.

16. Muffins?
Cranberry Nut or Lemon Poppyseed

17. One of your wish list items?
House with a fence, I've actually found just the one--except I need to SELL this one first.

18. Where you grew up?
Isolated in the country

19. The last thing you did?
Read the Sunday paper, looking for jobs in the Classifieds.

20. What are you wearing?
Two-piece dress with a jacket on because it’s cold in here, with shoes and socks. I’m wearing the only shoes I can fit onto my left foot and need them (shoes) to be able to (sort of) walk/hobble around.

21. Your TV?
I’ve been watching a whole lot more of it lately.

22. Your pets?
No pets, not a one right now. I miss having animals around terribly. In fact I’ve been looking in the Classfieds but since my house is for sale, that may not be such a great idea. Waiting to see how this all turns out would be wiser.

23. Your computer?
Just got it fixed (so now it can’t multiply, ha ha!) It was deathly ill since last spring. It had a bad virus that no prescription seemed to knock out. I did a barter deal and a friend had her husband take it in to the computer hospital where it convalesced for over a week before he brought it back home.

24. Your life?
Strange, more solitary than I’d like right now, very up and down.

25. Your mood?
Thoughtful, a bit lonely.

26. Missing someone?
Yep, my friends.

27. Your car?
Needs repair before wintertime, new tires for better traction, too.

28. Something you’re not wearing?
Make-up. Normally I’ve been bedecking myself with jewelry and make-up right after I get dressed in the morning. It works to cheer me up, so maybe that’s why I’m a bit sad today.

29. Favorite Store?
Thrift stores and rummage/garage sales

30. Your summer?
Not long enough, sad to see it go.

31. Like someone?
My friends

32. Your favorite color?
Blue

33. Last time you laughed?
Last night at a movie.

34. Last time you cried?
This morning at a sad news story

35. You are with?
My computer: me ‘n my pal.

35. Who will re-post?
Whoever wants to, I guess. Go for it!

Monday Meme

Meme #4890 or something....
I saved up the questions from this meme a while ago. I love to do and to read memes, they give a little window into the real personality of the writer. It's perfect for this morning as I've not been online much at all this past week.

1)Were you named after anyone?

I was named after a popular song at the time, a favorite of my mother’s. My Dad complained (at first) that she was spelling it wrong. But my family didn’t call me by that name anyway. I’ve always gone by a nickname.

2)When was the last time you cried?

It’s been quite a while now and I normally cry quite easily. It was over that movie about Johnny Cash, “Walk the Line”.

3)Do you like your handwriting?

All through school I had bad, nearly unreadable handwriting. I even got a “D” in penmanship once! But as an adult I got a book about handwriting and now write very well. In fact I once worked as a card writer, writing the same greeting 1,200 times before going on to a different greeting. And a friend of mine who always complained about my bad handwriting couldn’t even pass the writing test to get hired!

4)What is your favorite lunch meat?
Thinly sliced turkey or that fantastic smoked salmon from downstairs of where I work. I don’t eat it much, though.

5)Do you have kids?

One son and a pseudo son who lived with us for six years.

6)if you were another person would you be friends with you?

Yes, it’s always nice to find a person who likes the same things to hang out with.

7)Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Yes, in fact I used it on the Rebuttal that I wrote for work. And got called on it, too.

8)Do you still have your tonsils?

Yes. But this is a boring question!

9)Would you bungee jump?

When I was even a little bit younger, yes, and I wanted to sky drive too. But not now, everything hurts already and I don’t need any more injuries.

10)What is your favorite cereal?

Oatmeal with things like raisens and fruit cut up in it. But lately I’ve just been having the fruit for breakfast.

11)Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?

Nope, I wear clogs, sandals, or ballerina flats. None of those have laces.

12)Do you think you are strong?

I was quite strong but now with several months of inactivity I’m certainly not. My arms aren’t very strong.

13)What is your favorite ice cream?

I normally don’t eat ice cream, just sherbet and Italian Ice.

14)What is the first thing you notice about people?

From far away, their clothing, but close up I notice their eyes and their smile.

15)Red or pink?

Red, I like deep rich colors. Rose is a good color, though.

16)What is your least favorite thing about yourself?

I’m constantly moving, thinking, dreaming so my life circumstances keep changing.

17)Who do you miss the most?

My Dad, who passed seven years ago this month.

18)You want everyone to blog this?

Not really, unless you want to do it.

19)What color pants and shoes are you wearing?

Bare feet and a nightgown right now.

20)What was the last thing you ate?

A salad from my garden with homemade orange-sesame dressing on it, yummy!

21)What are you listening to right now?

It’s early in the morning so the only noise is the hum of my computer.

22)If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Sky blue.

23)Favorite smells?

Freshly mowed grass, Bath&Body Works “Cotton Blossom”, Nag Champa inscense, “Wicked” perfume from Goth Rosary.

24)Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

Former Temp, who called me last night. We talked about work woes.

25)Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Nobody sent this but I like the person on whose blog I found it!

26)Favorite sport to watch.

Football, NASCAR.

27)Hair color.

Blondish-brown.

28) Eye color?

Blue with a bit of greenish in them. I’ve always loved big brown eyes and my son has those.

29)Do you wear contacts?

I did use to wear contacts or glasses before I had that eye surgery done.

30)Favorite food?

Fruit and salad.

31)Scary movies or happy endings?

I like the happy ending type of movie better as long as it’s fairly realistic. I watch movies for escape and stress release, not to get all keyed up and nervous about living alone!

32)Last movie you watched?

”Stage Beauty” a really weird movie set in old England where only men were allowed to play the women’s parts in the theater. Not sure I liked it that well.

33)What color shirt are you wearing?

Not wearing a shirt, but my nightgown (which is thick, because it’s gotten cold at night now) is black and gray.

34)Summer or Winter?

Spring and Fall.

35)Hugs or kisses?

I’m not a hugger really, but would prefer that to a kiss from people I don’t know well.

36)Favorite dessert?

Cheesecake, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had some.

37)Most likely to post this on their blog?

Anyone who doesn’t want to write a post, or who really loves memes, like I do.

38)Least likely to blog this?

Some bloggers never do memes, but there’s no law that they have to do them!

39)What book are you reading now?

”Gatsby’s Girl” It’s an OK book, not great but a bit interesting.

40)What is on your mouse pad

One of the free mousepads we were giving out at the convention.

41)What did you watch on TV last night?

I seldom ever watch TV but do get movies from the library very often.

42)Favorite sound?

I love hearing the rain, thunder, or the distant sound of a train at night.

43)Rolling Stones or The Beatles?

I like them both equally, for different moods.

44)What is the furthest you have ever been from home?

Drove to Central America for our honeymoon.

45)Do you have a special talent?

Not really. I do seem to be fairly good at finding new uses for old things. Also (related to the first thing!) helping people find jobs.

46)Where were you born?

Wisconsin

47)Whose answers are you looking forward to getting back?

No one in particular, but I love reading memes.

48)What time is it?

It’s a little after 5:30 AM and I need to get ready for work

The Power of Schmooze Award.

I have been tagged by Sumo from the blog Sumo Merriment for The Power of Schmooze Award. Thank you for the wonderful honor of including me among those blogs you designated for the The Power of Schmooze Award.

So, what does this mean?

FORMS: schmoozed or schmoosed also shmoozed, schmooz·ing or schmoos·ing, shmooz·ing, schmooz·es or schmoos·es, shmooz·es

Slang To converse casually, especially in order to make a social connection. A perfect definition of blogging!

It was a nerve-racking and difficult decision but here are my 5 recipients of The Power of Schmooze Award. First, I need to stop and explain, that there are several great blogs that I read which have become private, by invitation only. They are totally deserving of the award, yet in fairness to those who can't read them, I couldn't give it to any of them.

And, there are so many bloggers I read as often as I can who also totally deserve the award. To them I will have to say, sorry, we're only allowed to pick five. (So did that fill up my alotted quota of speaking?!) So without further ado (I always wanted to say that) here are the 5 recipients of The Power of Schmooze Award. drum roll....

Lorna in Wonderland:

Lorna is always 3E in my book: Elegant, Entertaining and Educational! I learn something every time I go to her blog, and also laugh a lot at her very clever writing and observations.

Stuff I Think About by Bikercandy

Bikercandy has interesting and lively posts and observations about everything from her family to her work and riding on her motorcycle. Don't you just love her name? (If you don't already read her blog), you will love her intelligent and funny posts too!

Just Eat Your Cupcake, by Maria
Maria has thought-provoking, honest posts about the difficulties and the funny-side of relationships and parenthood. So many of the things she writes about are so universal, yet rendered poignant and poetic by her delicate touch.

Lost Here and Beyond by Walker
Honest, funny, outrageous, he writes about his out-of-the-ordinary family and friends, with some very interesting fiction thrown in. You just never know what you are going to get when you go there to read Walker's posts!

Sumo Merriment
Passionate and intelligent writing about the state of the world. Some great recipes and political comics too. Guaranteed to make you think, and either laugh or cry (sometimes both).

So that about wraps up the The Power of Schmooze Award recipient list. The award winners now have been specially endowed and empowered (except for those who have already done this, or don't care to do it) to bestow this precious award to 5 bloggers of their choosing.