Possible last post for 2009

Still don't feel much like posting. I am getting ready for work after a good night sleep. Pug stayed on my pillow, snuggled up to my head all night. Scared the bad dreams away, he did! I slept with my Christmas lights plugged in. It was nice to fall asleep to the pretty colors, and wake up to them. once in a while, the joy doing that brings me is worth the few extra pennies.
I'll be at home for New years eve and day. I'll be hanging with a friend, crafting, sipping margaritas, and going for walks. Nice and relaxing. I have felt like I have spent no time at home the last few months, and when I do it is all rush rush rush. I know that isn't true, but I am ready to dig in here and get a few things done as well as just spend time here NOT doing anything.

Happy New years everyone. May 2010 be better than 2009. If not, maybe we can jump it in the school parking lot and teach it to fear us and behave!

I don't feel much like posting about Christmas, or any other thing for that matter. I need some sleep and I will be fine. I do promise to tell you all about it and post pictures from my new camera when I get home and have time to settle back in. Now I am going to eat a big burrito dinner and make every one around me sorry that they fed me burritos.

let it snow!

I am in town, staying with a friend because it started snowing. My friend felt I shouldn't go home, even though the weather report said there wouldn't be more than a smattering of snow. Well, 2 1/2 inches later it's still coming down and I will be staying in town tonight. I guess I'll get chains for my car tomorrow if the store still has them.

I am fat and happy this Christmas night!

Christmas madness followed by a Belated Birthday dinner

Spent from 8am until 1:30pm doing the Christmas shopping thing. As much as I wanted to make gifts this year, I simply must face the reality that I do not have the time. So, I had a sweet and wonderful friend join me so he could be my GPS system and keep me company. He was a great help. I am getting the last few bits done tomorrow so I have time to wrap the presents all pretty!

Went out to that Macaroni Grill for a belated Birthday celebration. I was taken out by a handsome man that I have started seeing. I dressed up all pretty and showed off my lovely legs to any who would peek. Might as well, while I still have cute legs to show! I dined on bread fresh from the oven, calamari, twice baked lasagna and a salad. Washed it all down with a pomegranate martini and some water. To stuffed to try their dessert, so maybe that will have to be a follow-up Belated Birthday Celebration. Yeah! I like that idea!

I am a delight, so HA!

So, my attorney and I have been sending emails back and forth, clarifying some details so he can make a demand and we can get this damn car claim settled. The last few emails have mostly been about mileage. He started by wanting a general estimate of miles accumulated from doctor appointments.I gave him an exact number, because I was anal and made a nifty little mileage chart to kept track. I even offered to send him my chart and the key I had made for it so he could read it correctly. He declined the chart, saying he knew he had a copy, but didn't want to find it (long story here, but not his fault).I think he was a little astounded by the number (almost 5000 miles), so he asked me to simply give him a few estimates of how far some of the doctors were. I gave him specifics, and offered to send him my chart and the key I had made for it so they could read it correctly. Again. He again declined.Later he recanted, so I excitedly sent him my chart and the key, and told him he'd love it because, really, it was a cool chart!Then I sent him a picture of Pug in the bubble wrap and told him about the neighbor lady and all the strays she was helping. I told him I knew this had nothing to do with the accident, but thought he might enjoy a cute kitty picture and something non-work related.
This is the comment I received from him in his latest email;"Thanks so much Sylvia you are a delight as a client in the often vast and desolate wilderness."
I love being able to make people 'delight' during their day!

Christmas bits.

I arrived home to a little package from my friend Sandra. She mailed me some Hickory Farms cheeses!I threw the box it arrive in onto the floor like the clean little swiss girl I am and Pug got his toy stuck in it. He had a blast trying to get it out. So, it's like a 2-for-1 deal. Love that!

This Christmas is wearing me out. I thought about my Christmas in Switzerland for about the billion-ith time today. I definitely want to do that again. It felt like Christmas, where as this year doesn't because of the retail craziness. I am thankful, thankful thankful for a job. However, I wish there was some way to make this holiday feel the way it should. Crabby customers and the crazy, busy pace really drain me and suck any Christmas spirit right out. However, I have come up with some very creative lyrics for the cheesy Christmas songs we are playing over the sound system at work. I guess Michaels IS where creativity happens!

Oh, I made a pretty little candle holder for a tea light. Then I scented the house with a little cedar by doing something my mom used to do. I heated a few cedar sprigs over the flames. It was a nice relaxing way to end the work day.

Pug is laying on my computer desk intently watching the cursor zip across the page and make word. Hahaha!

The river is frozen!

Pug thinks he is a dog!

Pug followed me on a walk today. It was the cutest damn thing I have ever seen! Like a dog, he followed me across the street and down the trail, He hung out while I collected an armful of fallen pine boughs to decorate my front doorway. He was careful about crossing the street. He stayed alert for things that could pounce on him from the bushes. However, he wasn't anxious. He ran around close to me and played, flopped down on the trail for pets, and never strayed far. He's now warming his toes up and holding the tablecloth on my drafting table down.
What a strange little guy he is.

Must be getting better

My tummy rumbled a little bit this afternoon, so I bundled up and wandered to the grocery store for sprite and yogurt. I feel a little better with food in me that doesn't try and come back out.

Being sick has it's perks.

Yes, I am sleeping quite a bit, but I am also using what energy and time I have to make Christmas cards and gifts. Not really moving at a fast pace, but at least I am getting something accomplished. Finally.

I decorated my home last week. I was able to put out a few things that otherwise would have had to stay packed if I were still in Mist. It feels good to have a few Christmas decorations up.

My snowflakes

My candles

My lights

My vase of ornaments

My manger that mom made and the cinnamon sticks I made.

Cheap insulation

One of the benifits of working at Michaels is all the free packing stuff. Boxes, styrofoam, and bubble wrap. We get huge sheets of bubble wrap in our framing freight. Keeps the glass from breaking. I took a bunch home recently and Richard helped put it on my windows. Just in time for this cold snap. I think I'll bring home a bunch more for the neighbors. They have the same cheap windows I have, and it really cuts the amount of cold that comes in.

Of course, it is also Pug approved!

Cold Kitties

I worry a bit about the cats around here. In particular, the three cats that have befriended me. I tightened up the blankets around Smudge and Misty's little covered house last night, and added to them. Pug stayed in all night with me. This morning while I was replacing the block of ice in the water dish outside with drinkable water, I put Smudge in my apartment and made her stay an hour to warm up. She is walking so stiffly from the cold. I think I might force her and Misty to sleep inside tonight. Should be easy enough. I'll simply bring their entire house inside. They get along well enough with Pug that it shouldn't cause to much cat drama.

The weather has been horrible in the sense of how cold it has been. However, the sunshine, the clear blue sky and all the pretty white frost has made it a joy! I am enjoying all this crisp cold air. I am sure I will get tired of it all, but for now...