Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas! I haven't forgotten about blogging, just wasn't as important as some other things happening in life.

After thinking about maybe listing all the bad and good in '09 I figured that really was just still too negative. We are where we are at today because of it all - good AND bad.

After losing our house in February, we were able to move into a duplex - all of us. This included our daughter and her two children. They are still blessing us by living here and helping with expenses now that her divorce is final. Money has never been tighter.

Bill and I both found excellent jobs a little over a year ago after having to shut down our business. The pay puts a roof over our heads and food on the table, but that's about it. But there are many other rewards over and above just making ends meet - barely. Bill has excelled in his field and is in love with his job and his clients. I, too, love my job along with the people and patients I come into contact with every day. Everyone has a story - and we love to hear them.

I had my knee scoped in December and made a very rapid recovery. Bill's eyes are still giving him problems about every 6 months - it's time again to go see the specialist. It does make playing poker with him a bit challenging! But he still handles it with a great attitude, but it obviously does wear him down. But I think it would take a lot more than that to keep his attitude negative. The flu hit only one of us so far this year - me. After going nearly 13 months of perfect attendance at work, I have missed over a week now with the surgery and flu. Anyway, whatever it was - it's gone. Thank goodness!

At the company annual Holiday Party, I was surprised by an award out of nowhere. With over 100 employees, they hold vote every December in 3 employee categories - all of which are voted on by the employees anonymously. They bestowed the honor of "Most Positive Employee 2009" award clock with inscription in front of the entire crew. What a feeling THAT was. :) I can now say I have a 'major award' and it's even better than a leg lamp. Ha Ha!

Here it is Christmas day, quiet in the house because of the major blizzard we are having, working on a computer that decided is didn't want to work anymore and had to go back to the factory settings with a system recovery. :( After NOT finding any of my photos, pdf files or other needed information yesterday, I proceeded to sit for an hour and have a martini and shed some tears. Thankfully, Shawna called her boyfriend (who was still working) to tell him what happened. If it weren't for him being patient and knowing how much all the work I'd done on here meant (and photos) he would not have been able to come upstairs mid-evening last night and say "Merry Christmas" Karen, I found all your pictures - they weren't gone. BEST Christmas present ever. Does that mean I can return his gift now? LOL Oh, yeah, that's right - we weren't able to get him one anyway. He and Shawna are the best at understanding how tight things are for us all.

I have made and sold over 15 newboy hats for kids and adults in the past 3 weeks and that has helped a lot in affording some holiday extras. I have more orders to complete after the holidays - pretty cool. I can't wait to pick up my 'fun' knitting though. There are babies coming next year for 5 co-workers, so there will be things to do to keep plenty busy. But then again, am I ever bored? :D

I've rambled - but now you know we are still here. Trying our best. Working hard. Trying to do the right things.

May you all have a blessed Christmas and the fullest of New Years!