Good morning Worldlies. Sorry I didn’t post over my long weekend. I’m still not completely caught up, but I’ll get there.
==
Ceejay – Did you find more of the fiber optic trees you wanted? You sound like you’ve been keeping busy at home and at work filling in for L. How’s that downward dog yoga pose going??
Annie – I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin’s diagnosis. So very sad. On the flip side – so cute that little J calls you “my Nanna”. Sweet. What a joy he must be. Not like the kids you had to deal with over the weekend… Being out in the snow driving yesterday when we got just a little bit - but enough to goof up the PM commute – makes me happy to not have to drive to work!! Hope you got your gifts shipped out!!
Happy – How’s it going with the real tree this year?? Are the cats still leaving it alone?? I can see not wanting to have a big tree to decorate. Ours isn’t as big as many (thinking of bf’s brother’s tree), but it’s too big for us. I too have a lot of favorite ornaments, and I like them and the memories associated with them. But I suppose it would be fun to go with a certain color scheme… Sort of goofy all the stuff from one order being shipped separately. I get they have their reasons, but it doesn’t seem like it could be profitable to do it in so many shipments. Let alone environmentally responsible!!! Count me in as another one who has experienced BART, but just a couple times. Airport runs, from Oakland once, and to/from the SFO airport another time. RE the homeless – I can’t say I noted a problem, but I’m either accustomed to that, or wasn’t in the same areas while I did my assignments out there. Great post from Mel re the Christmas party and the spending spree at TJ’s. I love that place! It’s a good thing I usually don’t go in there alone – I end up being so tempted to try all kinds of stuff. I was in there yesterday and luckily only ended up with a couple things outside the usual – a loaf of sourdough bread and some vanilla-cinnamon tea bags. All the holiday goodies were calling out to me though!!
Michelle – I’m sorry I didn’t get to respond more timely to your post re advice on which position you should accept. I do agree with the others – big red flag re the change from a perm position to a short-term contract one for the one you preferred. That would scare me right off. Then again, I prefer the stability of the longer contract with good pay and benefits. And being accustomed to a long-ish commute, that wouldn’t bother me quite that much since a lot of the time is on the train. The time on the train is mostly your own, and not stressful like a 100% driving commute. I hope it all works out well for you whichever you choose. Hope you’re all ready for your move this coming weekend. Those piles of paper you mentioned are the bane of my existence!!
Shad – I know contract work is very very common in the tech area, but it’s just scary to think of more and more employers going that route. No Peanut yet??
Susie – I hope you’re able to get caught up at work. I like to think I can do some of that, but I just this morning have gotten word of a big project that we’ll be working on the next few weeks. Sigh. Anyway, i’s nice you at least get OT pay for all the extra hours you put in
==
So I think I said I’d pack on Thursday night and shop/wrap/pack/ship on Friday morning before we left town. Ha. Don’t recall what we did Thursday evening, but I didn’t pack. That happened Friday morning. Our drive up was alright, but a 40 mile portion was under construction and was 2 lanes and even 1 lane part of the way. Traffic wasn’t heavy, so it wasn’t horrible, just slower than desirable. My friend D and her sister happened to be at nearly the same point in our drives (different routes though), so we met at a Wendy’s in Janesville where bf and I ate a quick lunch. I bought a mega millions ticket for that night’s drawing. I’m back here at work today, so you know I didn’t win big (no one won it), but if I understand the game correctly, I did get match the mega ball and might have one $1.00.
I will use that to buy another ticket for tonight’s drawing.
Friday night we went to dinner with a big group, then had cake to celebrate the 50th bday of one of our friends. After that we spent time in the pool/whirlpool.
Saturday a smaller group of us met for breakfast, then went shopping at an outlet mall right behind the hotel. I found a couple nice things. The vow renewal/reception was nice. It started off a bit quiet, but finally got going very nicely after the couple had their first dance (and we all had a drink or two under our belts).
Sunday bf and I slept in a bit and then drove home, different route so no construction to deal with. It was nice to get home to doggy, even if I did have to brave the cold to take him out for his walk.
Yesterday I did my shopping/wrapping/packing and got over to the post office to ship my gifts. Glad that’s done. I got over to the library and picked up a few books and watched some telly.
The scale was not kind to me this morning, so I just went ahead and ate breakfast and wore whatever clothes I wanted with no care to dress "lightly" or consistently with what I usually wear on my WW weigh-in days. I’ll take my lumps at the scale today and get back on track with eating and exercise this week.
TTFN!
I turned the plant off and called my boss. He didn't hesitate to get there either. It was the motor but still yet we can't run it until a new motor comes. I'm running another set of wells. For about 4 hours yesterday I ran on one well. The other well was down also, but our electrical crew got it to going. Always something exciting and new in my line of work. I thought of Mel when the fire dept called.
Loved the ones you picked. Especially this morning's one. It's 15 degrees out there. We are laughing - HEAT WAVE! 
I've got to get some boxes packed of things to take over to D's. I'll be moving in there this weekend; I'm a bit nervous and excited. The nervous part is moving into a household with three men (D, his brother, and a disabled man that D rents a room to). 
