second to last

Almost the last day of the year, and I managed to return library books, sort through a bunch of clothes and books and donate them, redo my purple hair dye, and firm up plans for tomorrow to pick up my mentee, go to brunch and a sing along Sound of Music with my sister and a former work friend, and go to a New Year's Eve party. I think my reading total for the year will be 65; nowhere near where it's been for the past seven years, but still quite respectable, given the hours I've been working.

contentment

Tell a dog he's a good boy, put his bed in a sunny spot, and he will teach you the meaning of contentment.

it gets better

Every day for the next six months will be brighter than the last.

overdue

A fresh pedicure never fails to please.

good friday

Lunch at Google with a friend, Star Wars with coworkers, a gorgeous sunset (I never see sunsets anymore), a drink with my two work BFFs, a prank gift for one of them, a few rounds of our favorite video game, and a quick dinner out. A pretty good Friday.

cavalry

Reinforcements have arrived, and my new teammate is great. She knows all kinds of things I don't, and is fresh and ready to work. It's nice to have a peer, and I'm so glad she's joined.

scent hound

Last week, I suddenly had the illusion of a scent that I hadn't smelled in years. It smelled exactly like Fiver after he'd had a bath. I breathed it deeply and felt all the memories come back just like that. I haven't smelled him since he died, and I don't know why I thought I smelled it last week, but it was wonderful.

do gooders

Team volunteer event today, and fourteen of us sorted and packed over 5,000 pounds of food!

roll tide

Huge sigh of relief as Alabama elects a Democratic senator instead of the pedophile the Republicans ran. After a couple Dem governors were voted in last month, I'm starting to feel a little bit of hope after the debacle of last year.

a good book

Finally, after months of book drought, I've hit a streak of a few good books, including the great one I'm reading right now. Quiet house, sunny afternoon, couch, dog, blanket, book. I could do this every day.