Out with the old!

What a way to end the year!

What was, and has been, the only job I've ever hated:

As of January 31 at 4:00 is no more.

I interviewed back in November for a new job. I wasn't sure about it, and I only went to the interview because Robert encouraged me, and I wanted to leave work a few hours early that day.  It was also the oddest interview I've ever had. I almost withdrew my application right there (!!!!), and when I left, I told Robert it was the worst I'd ever done in an interview.

Three weeks later, I got a text from a friend, mentioning that someone had called for a job reference.  I honestly had NO idea who could have called her.  I eventually figured it out, and got the job offer later in the week--which included a 5% pay raise!

Goodbye, worst job ever!  I won't miss you, not one single bit. Ever.

(The story of) a picture of us

Robert and I do not take many pictures together, so when I get it in my mind, I'm pretty adamant.  At the Festival of Trees, I asked Holly and Trevor to get a photo, just like we did last year.

Me primping ahead of time.  My best pictures often turn out blurry. I can't quite figure that out. Look at Robert, so happy to wait patiently!

BLINK!  Oops!!!  Dammit!!!

Oh, nice one!!  I like it.  Wait a minute--Robert blinked.  It's so good of me, maybe no one will notice!!)

Good one of Robert + good one of me = Photoshop time!  (Well, I used GIMP, which is free, but basically the same thing.)  I'll just take my open eyes and paste them over my closed eyes, ending up with a really nice picture of us. 

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Interestingly, Trevor saw this photo and immediately could tell something was wrong.  He blew it up, trying to see it.  He wondered why my eyes were "buggy," and he said it was a horrible photo of me, that he wasn't afraid to say it because I don't really look like that.  He didn't believe that it wasn't immediately obvious to everyone. 

Since he was little, we've known--and have told him--that he sees things differently than most people.  I can't explain how, only give examples when he does.  I even took a small poll in a FB private FB group, and no one else saw it.  I still like the picture--and some people would say it is EXACTLY me, with eyes closed, and open eyes pasted on top. Haha!!!!! 

Random events and pics from December

MOST exciting was Trevor's acceptance into both GMU and Radford!!!!!!!!  Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!

December was super warm, mostly balmy. Lots of bbqing and open windows at night--really!


Both kids wrapped up the semesters, doing well in their classes.

Robert picked Holly up from school for Christmas break; Holly took us to dinner at her favorite restaurant, Cheddar's.

In other, lesser news, clearly a shortage of boxes at Amazon, as the only thing this box contained was two small containers of pencil lead.

Crochet at Peggy's. Everyone's laughing at my plan to begin in September--why wait?  Why not!!!!    A few weeks later, we had it at my house.  Quite an amazing group, meeting every single Tuesday since April.  What a blessing it's been to so many, me included.

Kurt got his driver's license.  SO very odd to drive up and see Judy's car here but no Judy!

Our only dusting of snow--

I was at the mall by 9:30, and it was totally deserted.  It never did seem to get terribly crowded this year, I guess that's a testament to how online shopping has changed things in so many way.

And the last bit of news is that I GOT A NEW JOB.  Happy dance at my house, like you wouldn't believe!!!!

Christmas Day

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


For the past several Christmas mornings, Robert and I look back and remember those times when we'd get up early, turn the tree lights on, set the fire, turn on soft music in the background, making sure the tree and the whole living room was PERFECT.  The kids would wake up, and we'd make them wait, on the stairs or down the hallway, until everything was juuuuust riiiiight.

Those days are GONE!  We had hours of time to do every/anything.  I finished wrapping. We read the newspaper. Robert went back to bed.  I VACUUMED.  I began dinner prep and wondered what to have for lunch.  It was after 11 a.m. before they finally got up!

The weather's continued to balmy, and we've slept with bedroom windows open for several nights.  So I found the fireplace video on Netflix. Wouldn't want to miss out on that!  As I do every year, I grabbed my notebook and pen to take details notes of presents.  As he does every year, Trevor sat by the tree and handed out gifts.

Robert, preparing to be dazzled--by the fire, by the tree, by happy children, 

or perhaps by my brilliant smile!!

We had a quiet day (what was left of it anyway!).  It was nice, it was good to have everyone here, and just do our traditional Christmas.

Dinner:  Prime rib (Robert's Christmas gift!) with horseradish sauce, twice baked potatoes, spinach Madeline, jello pretzel salad, homemade cranberry sauce (made by Holly), cranberry nut bread, and homemade creamed corn.  Robert, as usual, made pie for dessert.  Those pretty red chargers underneath the plates?  Those were my great Christmas present find for Robert--well, and for me too, I guess.

Oh, sure. TRY to make a funny face, and I'll post it anyway.

Our second Christmas tree is the random addition there.  Robert likes having a Christmas tree in the front window.  He did that once with our tree, but the rest of us rebelled.  We don't sit in the living room; we want it in the family room where WE can see it.  He sits in the living room a lot, while on his computer, listening to music, etc.  So several years ago, he bought a second tree for the living room.  Conveniently, it is pre-lit and stays assembled.  It gets wrapped up in a sheet when stored in the basement.  No muss, no fuss (although the ornaments come down each year).  It's a super pretty tree, isn't it?

 

He painted the Mr. and Mrs. Claus figures

 when he was in high school; one of his favorite decorations!

December and Christmas

Holly and Trevor decided we needed to do more Christmas things.  Holly requested Advent calendars, just like they had when they were little.

We spent one evening driving back and forth searching out new Christmas lights.

This was an amazing display on acreage out near Boones Mill, in the middle of nowhere. Really incredible.

And any mention of this must include my apparent inability to make proper turns in the dark, and ending up south on 220 instead of back up near South County.  But we survived, and next year I'll know! 

We also stopped at a different living nativity; maybe our usual one will be back next year!

From there, we dropped Trevor off to see Star Wars (VII) with friends.

Holly, Trevor and I had our annual Christmas Shopping Day, including a trip to the mall and lunch out at Hibachi.  I don't think we had anything to buy, but it's been a long standing tradition since our early days in Colorado Springs, fun to look back on and fun to anticipate each year!

On Christmas Eve, we went to the Festival of Trees at the Hotel Roanoke.

This was our second year going; it's a nice new tradition for us to have!

Seriously--you've gotta love the Star Wars tree.

There are about three dozen total trees throughout the hotel.

It's part of a local fundraiser for United Way and has gone on for several years.

 

From an inside courtyard, you can see the nearby St. Andrew's Church.

From there, we headed home, stopping by our favorite nearby house, complete with lights synchronized to music that we can pick up on the car radio.  Definitely a quiet Christmas this year, but I hope that everyone thought it was good.

Aldi's -- Review

Aldi's is the new grocery store in town, and Judy and I went to check it out today. 

You pay a quarter to get a cart at the door, and when you return the cart, you get your quarter back. 

95% of the brands are off brands, unrecognizable.  Prices are good, virtually everything is less expensive than sale prices at Kroger.  The selections are not huge--there might be one choice of each kind of different bean or pasta, for example, but there was a great variety of items, including different kinds of stuffed olives, artichoke hearts, chipotles in adobo sauce. In addition to canned goods, there is a small produce section, dairy, and meat departments.

The worst part was that there was just one checker, and by the time Judy was done in line, it had backed up quite a bit.

Oh, and you have to bring your own bags, otherwise pay for each bag you use. That was okay.

It is also in an easily accessible location, handy to run in from the highway.  Definitely be going back.

From there, we went across the parking lot to McDonald's for coffee.  :)

Night Out

Schroes called at the last minute, wanting to know if we'd meet for dinner. So we did--Top Dawg, Robert, me, Charlie, Judy.

Hey, first picture of my highlighted hair!

And Trevor and Kurt.

This cutie finished up his college apps a couple of weeks ago. Now he waits to hear back.  Just when I start to think maybe I'll be okay in the fall, I realize NO, I CAN'T THINK ABOUT THIS EVER, and then I put it back into that little "ignore" corner of my mind.  Yikes!

 Fun time out!

Oh, yes, we did!!

Robert and I hit the mall early this afternoon.  It was surprisingly like any other Saturday.  I guess evyerone is doing a lot more online shopping?

I conveniently remembered that Krispy Kreme was having their 12/12 special--buy a dozen, get a dozen free. The drive through was a bit crowded, so we went inside and didn't mind waiting in line.

Haven't watched donuts being made in years.  :)  The tables weren't crowded, so we got coffee and ate ourselves into sugar comas. Recording it here for posterity:  14 donuts made it home.

 

It's really been a great week. All the little projects done.  I am caught up at work (happens a couple of times a year). Both kids are winding up the semester, with finals this coming week.  Christmas decorations up both inside and outside. Life is good.

Love

I'm so in love with my new manicure.

All of the sparklies!

Something I learned today:  It is a challenge to get a nice polish photo.

Mid December

Some things this week:

I made pork green chile.  Amazing stuff.  We had it over cheese enchiladas the first night, and Robert made egg and cheese enchiladas with it later in the week.

 Yeah, I know it can look like something the dog threw up.

I made both pumpkin soup and Italian wedding soup.

We sold the green truck and met some really great people.

Crochet night.

Robert got the lights outside finished, with help from Trevor.

I got the tree finished inside, with help from Trevor.

Oops, should have waited for that Christmas tree blanket!

December

Trevor and I went out for Korean food.

I'm super glad we tried it, but it was not my favorite.  We've eaten a lot of truly delicious Asian food in the past.

Kota ate garbanzo beans.  She's an odd little dog, at least in her eating habits.  Her favorite continues to be romaine lettuce ribs.  She's not so fond of celery. 

She's blurry because she is fast.  I am blurry because, well, I'm not fast, so I'm not sure why I'm blurry.  But I am famous for it among my Loopy Friends, and I kind of like that.

Thanksgiving

Robert went up to get Holly after class on Monday.  Some highlights of the week include:

Dinner at Cheddar's, followed by shopping at the Mall, dashing into say hi to my crochet buddies on the way home.

Robert did all of the baking, and Holly made the cranberry sauce.

Thanksgiving dinner.

Games played included Parcheesi, Scattergories, Clue, UNO, Stare, and LIFE.

Holly treated us to Chipotle.

Robert and Holly went back to the Mall during the weekend.

Oh yeah, somewhere in there, I did another puzzle.

I drove Holly back up to school on Sunday.  I had been dreading the 400+ mile round trip at the end of the holiday weekend, so we planned ahead that I would spend the night.  Perfect decision!! We unloaded the car (no small feat), grabbed lunch, picked up a few things at the grocery store, and hung out at her place, binge watching HGTV, playing more games, and breaking only to visit Starbucks downstairs. 

I rolled out of bed in the morning, rolled up the bedding, hit the road, and was home at 11:00 a.m.  It worked out so well!