S is for Santa

The Season ended with a beautiful Santa tin with 3 caramel/chocolate covered apples and a note from our friends Deanna, Tracy and Britany! Those stinkers! How sweet are they?!

Christmas was a busy but amazing day. We started out on the Eve with Lindi's extended family, eating mostly vegetarian (with the exception of the turkey of course) and watched Sage open presents for the first time. She's almost 2 an she definately got the concept of opening presents!

We then went home and had Christmas with our little lesbian family - we were all so spoiled.

Christmas Morning, back at Lindi's Mom's house for their family Christmas. Breakfast was amazing. We only made Lindi's Mom cry twice, so I guess that was good. Again, we were spoiled.

Christmas afternoon was spent with my family, more turkey, and more spoiling.

We decided this year was a lot of thoughtful presents - our families really put thought behind them and that was wonderful! I got a LOT of Pampered Chef and cooking supplies. I am stoked.

I start my new job tomorrow. I wish I could say I am excited, but I am really not. I didn't want to start over again. I hope the job will welcome me and I can make ti my own.

I hope you all had a joyous holiday with family and friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY CHANNUKAH, BLESSED SOLSTICE!

A is for Angel

Our Secret Santa struck again!

A beautiful Silver Angel was on our doorstep this morning. I guess it sums up our feelings about this season - so many Angels blessing us all throught the year.

M is for Music

Christmas wouldn't be complete without music - and that's what the Secret Santa brought for is! Celine Dion's Christmas CD. Beautiful and perfect for all the WRAPPING I have left to do!

I never did tell you what happened at Lindi's Christmas Party! Everyone was so sweet to me - I am sure they all knew what had happened since we had to get Sarah on Lindi's insurance right away. No one mentioned eBay or how my job is going, which is usually a big topic of conversation.

We were at the Loco Lizard which is wonderfully modern Mexican with the best Margaritas ever! It was beautifully decorated and there was a HUGE table full of presents for the Managers. Her bosses buy 20 different lovely presents for their Managers, ranging from iPods to Jazz tickets to CDs and DVDs so they can play White Elephant exchange and still have a really nice gift when they leave.

Earlier in the week, Lindi had mentioned she wanted to get me an ipod for Christmas, when she noticed that her boss had bought 5 of them for the Managers. She was hoping to win one of the iPods for me for Christmas.

Anyway, during the dinner, Lindi's boss handed her a bag and told her it was something she had left at the office. Puzzeled, she looked in the bag and saw an iPod - one of the ones her boss has bought for the game. She took her boss in the next room and asked her what this was for. Her boss told her that with the recent events (losing my job), they wanted to make sure Lindi had a really nice present to give me for Christmas. Lindi was stunned and taken aback quite a bit. She told Lindi that she is family - and family takes care of each other. Her boss also knows I have a few health problems and wanted to make sure Lindi knew that if we needed anything - a loan, an advance, anything, that she could come to them and they are there for her.

I also found out that her boss didn't know that their Managers didn't have the option to add their Domestic Spouses to their insurance (the crew can) and would be checking on that immediately with their benefits broker.

Maybe losing my job and bringing the plight of committed partners who lose health insurance will have a ripple effect - this could mean workplace equality for Lindi and the other Gay and Lesbian managers in the business - perhaps this might trickle up to the Corporation and McDonalds will finally be able to call itself truly LGBT friendly. They have always been very warm and welcoming, so I don't doubt that they would consider this as a positive thing.

Who knows. At any rate, this may affect a little change. And Lindi knows how very loved and appreciated she is. What a Christmas Blessing!

T is for Towel

A beautiful Christmas Tree kitchen towel was the next present in the Secret Santa Bag - and it is very lovely. We are so blessed!

In other news, I got a new position a mere 5 days after being canned from eBay. It must be some sort of record. Naturally, it's not a permanent position, it is temp to hire, but I have no doubt that it will turn into a great opportunity. It is with ADP as a Benefits Admninistrator. When I talked to the placement executive, she told me she had been trying to fill the position for weeks, but no one she found was qualified. She actually told me I was the answer to her prayers, which made me feel fantastic!

Good news - $2 more and hour than eBay. Bad news - can't wear sweats to work anymore. Bummer.

S is for Stocking

OK, now we know that whoever is doing this knows us. 3 cute stockings filled with goodies with our initials on them were delivered to our doorstep from the Secret Santa. Now this is getting really fun - we keep trying to guess who it might be but we are totally at a loss.

I is for Ice Scrapers

How fun! 3 nice and sturdy ice scrapers were our gift from the Secret Santa. Very thoughtful! :)

R is for Reindeer

Especially those who rock back and forth signing "Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer."

The Secret Santa strikes again!

H is for Hot Cocoa

Our Secret Santa made his guest appearance last night with three beautiful Christmas Mugs with Snowmen on them, each with a Hot Cocoa Cone in different flavors like Peppermint, Toffee and Triple Chocolate.

H is for Hot Cocoa
warm in the tummy
make some up nice and yummy!

(or something like that)

We were in the living room and heard a quick knock then fast running. I purposefully didn't race to the door - this is kinda fun. I've never had a Secret Santa before. I wonder what R will be tonight!


We also got our Christmas Cards in the mail so I can send them out. YAY!

I think I am finally getting in the Spirit of things.

C is for Candle

About 9pm last night while I was gathering up my nightly sewing, there was a knock on the door. I asked "Who is it?" to no reply.

I peeked my head out the door to find a present - a beautiful Watermelon candle from Salt City Candles. The note said "C is for Candle" and to expect a wonderful Christmas!

Looks like I have a Secret Santa.

A Grand Weekend

I love 3 days weekends. It really gives me a chance to recharge a bit.

Sunday was Lindi's Dad's b-day, so of course, i made him a cake. he's abig Nascar fan, so I made just a regular butter cream frosted chocolate/raspberry cake, and created a little dirt oval with fandant, and decorate with mini Oreos (tires) Matchbox cars and fondant flags. We thought it was really cute - another idea of Lindi's.



Monday was lazy day for me, then Lindi and I got to go to dinner at Madeline's Steakhouse. Um um, good! It is highly recommended.

Tuesday I went up to Huntsman for a followup mammogram, called a compression or "spot" mammogram. Basically, they saw some growths and needed a closer look. Since I have all that wonderful scar tissue, after #3 view, I was in full blown wracking sobs. I had 6 done. Luckily for me, the spots are just calcifications, but I need a repeat in 6 months. Yay, more pain! Ha ha ha.

Anyway, back to work today. Sorry, not much of a talker today. But I did get these in the mail from Surfas.




For Fun



For Valentines



For Poker Night

Thanks to Hilary for the great recommendation!