A Little Work Holiday Tradition…

…that means a lot.

If you happen to know me, you know that my socks almost never match. What does this have to do with a holiday work tradition? Good question! We have a little tradition on my work team of having a holiday sock exchange. It’s a secret Santa but you get the the other person socks that fits their personality for $10 or less. It always SO much fun and I have gotten my favorite socks from it. Socks are good for men, women, or however you identify yourself. Everyone needs socks, wears socks almost daily, and hates buying them for themselves. It also give you an idea of how that person thinks of you. I have mermaid, beluga whale, and Hufflepuff socks from past exchanges and that sums up my interests pretty well. It’s easy to get socks for under $10. Even in this crazy pandemic year, with a small team of four people, we are doing the exchange by sending them through amazon. I love that this tradition is living on. I hope it goes on long past when I am there. My team is the greatest, always has been. This exchange just shows of their fun and playful spirits. If anyone from my team (past or present) is reading this know that I hold you in high esteem and thanks for making everyday as fun as sock exchange day!

A New Toy…

…can sometimes lift the spirits.

I got an early Christmas present in the form of an Apple watch. I wanted one for awhile and they went on sale and my dad and step mom got me one. It sound silly but it was really nice because it provided something else to think about other then worrying about COVID and it’s financial impact on my life. It was a bright light of fun and still is. I am in competitions to complete my rings which is a nice distraction. It’s just interesting how much it helps to have a little treat.

Marty also got groomed today and that came with a little surprise. His groomer made an ornament of him and it’s so cute! I love it so much. It brought me a little joy in a time where a little joy means a lot. On a less fun note, Marty now recognizes the door to the groomers. He pulled on his leash and started shaking. The groomer is great and does a wonderful job, he just doesn’t like to not be with me at home. So the positive experience of the ornament helped 🙂 So did picking him up hahaha

It’s also Christmas tree day for my dudes house. It will bring some much needed holiday spirit and joy. Toys can be great distraction and uplift the spirit.

Of the Fewer Firsts Left at 35…

… a root canal was one I was hoping to delay.

But I would not be so fortunate, as today was the day. I am not trying to say I don’t have a lot of life to live or that I don’t have any good ‘firsts’ left in my life. It’s just that I feel like I have experienced the majority of my good firsts already and today was not a great one. My head hurts and I am still numb. It wasn’t so bad though and didn’t take long (less then an hour). I put in my airpods and pushed my brain to a different place. That being said, it was by no means pleasant or an experience I would like to repeat. I am super hungry but don’t dare eat for fear of chewing the right side of my mouth to shreds. Also, I think it would all dribble out of my mouth. My right lower side always needs more numbing so it takes forever to wear off. I am going to attempt water soon. Once I am not numb I am switching to water and wine as my liquid diet. Dental work man. I am grateful it’s available (I have more filling then tooth), but it is expensive and tiring.

I bought a caramel candy flavor taste testing sampler from Trader Joe’s yesterday. HAHAHAHA that was stupid. I can’t eat it until I get my crown permanently cemented and now it’s taunting me from the cabinet. Dang you caramels! hahaha

Fabulous and Brunette: Dental Pain Sucks!

Every Dog Has His Day…

…and today is not mine.

This was my header for a blog post about my seemingly not so good day. I went to the Dentist where I found out I need a root canal. I had to borrow money to pay for the root canal (it was happily given, I just hate doing that to someone who I know worked hard for it -even if they have it to spare). Then I got the ‘you didn’t get the job’ email from a great museum. Then I lost an antler from my car being Rudolph (which is silly and I am not sad or mad I just like it and it piled on). I was ready to vent and complain about all these things (which are totally not the end of the world), when I remembered the date. December 7. I had been thinking so much about it being Dentist Day I forgot it is the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Not only an attack but the US entry into the war and a tough time where people lost their lives. That’s when I realized I have nothing to complain about. These minor annoyances aren’t that bad at all. I have the resources and help I need to get my tooth fixed, I don’t have to move from my life here for the job, and I can buy another antler on amazon. Suddenly, by changing my frame of mind – my day wasn’t bad at all. Know your history – might just bring you a little perspective (like it did for me today).

I hope you are all doing well in the pandemic age we are in. Especially my folks on the stay at home order like us. Stay home and stay safe!

Way Too Fast…

…and a little to slow – all at the same time.

Thanksgiving is less then two weeks away. Thanksgiving signals the end of my favorite season, Fall. I know fall technically goes until December 21, but we all know Christmas really started when the clock struck midnight on Halloween. The whole season takes over when the last piece of turkey has been carved. Don’t get me wrong! I love Christmas too but that means the best whole best part of the year is almost over (September 22 – December 25 in my book). It just went by too fast and felt so slow at the same time. I know that’s not crazy because I hear people say it often. It just really feels like that.

Until Thanksgiving at midnight it will be pumpkin flavored coffee and fall feelings. I am thankful for that!

I Feel A Bit Stupid But…

…for some reason when this pandemic started I did NOT think it was going to last this long.

Or maybe I just hoped it wouldn’t. Wow – I am still part time and I am still a little worried everyday I go into work that today might be the day I get the ‘rona (my job is working with the public). All of this materials is ‘stay home stay safe’ but in order to pay rent to have a home I have to go to work…and work with the visiting public. There is no shelter at home choice for me and so many others. I am not a doctor, nurse, janitor, or other super important job that really really needs to work to help the world, but I need to work to help my world survive. I love my work and I know the risk I am taking but it is still a bit scary. Especially since I am taking that risk to barely get by. I guess I just thought some of this would have gotten a little better by now, but it’s getting worse.

That venting over with, I am very grateful to be getting by. My rent, bills, and food are somehow paid. Between work and UI benefits I am making it. Those UI benefits are essential to my survival. I promise you. I have no idea what I am going to do when Student Loans kick back in. That will put my bills past what I have coming to barely scrape by. I worry about it a lot. Although if you read this blog regularly you know I worry a lot in general, anxiety and all. I broke down and got myself some expensive dental insurance because I have a crown that is likely a root canal now. It hurts. I have been eating a lot of soft foods.

I don’t know how I have been scrapping by for so long during this pandemic, but I trust I will find a way to keep doing it for as a long as it takes.

Emotionally Moved in Unexpected Ways…

…while watching Kamala Harris accept the VP elect position.

I was excited when the Biden/Harris ticket won! I was at work when I got the news so I couldn’t fully focus on it. I had to run some errands after work but when I got home I turned on the news to watch the victory speech. After listening to Harris for about a minute I started to cry. I was so moved by seeing a woman become the Vice President. We are always told we can do anything as Americans, people, and women – but as we learned 4 years ago that isn’t really true…even if you are far ore qualified for a position. She said ‘I am the first woman in this position but I wont be the last’ and i just lost it. Seeing that strong woman in a leadership position just got me. I thought I might not ever see it. I thought of all the women who fought so hard and still fight so hard to pave that path. It is AMAZING and she is amazing.

Biden then addressed the nation with a wonderful speech about unity and working for the country – not just those who voted for him. That’s a leader.

Of course Marty and I are excited about the first rescue dog being in the White House too!

The work is just starting though – so much to do. Lets get started!

Division…

…not only my 4th grade nemesis but the nemesis of this country.

I have a clear side and opinion on this election – Ridin’ with Biden! BUT that doesn’t mean I think it’s the miracle bandage that’s going to solve this countries issues. We the People need to do that. This division has become too much. We are so Red vs. Blue focused I think we’ve forgotten we will play for the same team – team USA and Human Race. So let’s work together to address what needs addressing and fix what needs fixing. We can disagree about things and still find a comfortable middle ground. Don’t listen to those urging an emotional and potentially violent response so this election *cough cough that’s not what good President’s do* (there goes my opinion again). Let’s mend the division, work together, and address the systemic racism and sexism in this country, do our best to save the environment (because we need it and it’s great), quell this pandemic in this country, and get our economy back on track. Let’s work together through love instead of dividing through hate. The only thing I want to hate is division (both in our country and math).

Converse for Kamala, A Pantsuit for Hillary, and Pearls for Ruth…

…was a caption on someone person’s post today about voting.

They wore each item for each woman to honor them. I loved it instantly. This campaign I have said Kamala Harris is smart for many reasons but she always has comfortable shoes on which just makes a lot of practical sense to me. She still look professional and awesome but efficient as well. Everyone knows Hillary is the queen of the pantsuit! She rocked it and it became a symbol of power of sophistication. She could also poke fun at it which I love. Of course Ruth’s pearls. I find this one most powerful. When I think of pearls it used to be something a typical 50’s housewife wore. Then, Julia Childs rocked them when she lead the culinary world. RBG turned them into a symbol of female strength (perhaps it was to the housewife too but RBG transformed it and gave it power). It’s amazing the power of an accessory, the women who made them even more amazing.

I am nervous about the election today – I think everyone is. I can only hope we learned something the last four years and enact change. Four years ago I had no fear because I was so certain the most qualified person would be elected. I was very wrong. I hope for a better outcome for this country today. Most of all I hope for a peaceful outcome for all. I hope sense wins the day in all ways it can. Let’s listen to the wisdom of LMM.

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I Did Not Grow Up Doing This…

…stupid daylight savings time change and it messes me up every time.

Daylight savings time is stupid. I don’t know one person who thinks ‘Yeah this is awesome.’ Maybe it’s because I grew up in AZ where the time change isn’t done. AZ doesn’t get a ton of things right, but nor participating in this nonsense is one of them. I makes me feel off constantly. Sure for this one we get an extra hour of sleep one day (and I really needed it), but it’s also dark at 5:00 pm. The sun sets at 4:57 pm?! My eating schedule is all weird and my sleeping/waking time. Can we just get rid of this thing already? Whose with me?