friends in town

Friends in town for the next few days, lots of old jokes and catching up to do on recent developments. Good times.

got my back

When your CEO trusts your judgment on some pretty big stuff, then offhandedly mentions a bunch of things he's doing to make your life better because he wants you to stick around.

young people

Cambodian mentee stayed with us for a few days, and two girls who currently sing in my college choir stayed for the long weekend. Went to a concert with another choir friend, and got pulled up on stage to sing the signature song of the a cappella group and the Radcliffe alma mater and fight song. The nostalgia for college days was strong this month.

there is nothing

There is nothing quite like really liking the people you work with, especially when you like them enough to stay late to get some work and a lot of talking done.

sent

Finally got the first wave of invitations sent out for our crazy summer camp, and it's fun to see the RSVPs coming in. Can't wait!

warmth

All of the feathers in our down comforter shifted to Boyfriend's side, and last night, we flipped it to my side, and it was so warm and amazing.

it's people

When your coworker in Ops brings you boba one day, your HR BFF brings you a morning hot chocolate another day, and you can have a whole range of serious and silly conversations with your other work friends, you know you're working with good people.

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.

star wars marathon

Surprised a coworker with a Star Wars marathon today, and we had a great time eating, drinking, watching movies, and hanging out.

quitter

I haven't had coffee in four days, and I'm still alive.

feast finished

Forty hours of family, friends, and food complete. This year, we scaled it back, so we "only" had veggies, hummus, cheese, bread, smoked salmon, pork belly buns, prime rib, asparagus with eggs, Brussels sprouts with bacon, mashed potatoes, bourbon sweet potato souffle, and pumpkin pie with ice cream. Plus our traditional fondue the night before and crepes the morning after. Mischief managed.