Happy Turning of the Year! in Everyday Ramblings

It was good to read those who have been able to post with big life events going on during the last few weeks this morning.

I could do that because not only is OD back up for some mysterious unspecified period (quick get those back-ups done) but because I am not working today. Just for the record, I do enjoy not working when it is appropriate.

Like, say, on the weekends.

So my workplace had the Employee Appreciation party on Thursday and I did not go but Mr. New Guy, (who everyone adores, including me) did and I was thrilled because he won 8 hours paid time off. He is taking the day before and after Christmas off next week because he had family plans and was going to take them without pay but now he will get paid for one of them. He also played for me.

He won four hours off for me; and my interim boss (that I had for the last four months or so) and was at his table apparently told him to take a flyer and trade my four hours off in for a chance at a prize. She is normally very conservative but I hear tell she exclaimed, “Noko has tons of time off, go for the prize!” All the overtime I have been working has not gone unnoticed. He won me a very nice electric toothbrush.

I have one already so I am going to give it to Miss E., who I am going to see tomorrow!

My oldest sister and Miss E. are coming down to spend four days with Kes and Most Honorable. My poor sister, she is the one with the bad kind of Macular Degeneration (way too young!) and her eyes are swelling and her range of sight is getting more and more limited and what there is, is blurry as all get out.

When I asked her via email if she wanted to see me this trip, she said that would be really nifty. When my sister, an absolute master of understatement, says really nifty, it is a strong imperative. And kind of sweet.

Mr. Fine China buried his mother yesterday in South Dakota. I think the temperature got up to 7F at midday. I haven’t heard from him since before he left but he is getting inundated with condolences. He is a popular guy and his mother was a well-loved high school teacher in Omaha for 30 years.

Before he left though he did say, “Sometime I would love to show you where I live and the setting” and another sentence about someday sharing the Reiki energy with me and some of his experiences with it so my guess is I’ll be seeing him again sometime in the reasonably near future.

Kes and Most Honorable and I had a lovely, just lovely dinner out here in Portland last night. It was great to have them both all to myself. They are planning a kitchen remodel and are in the throes of decision making there.

I have to say though that I received my Christmas gift early this year and I firmly believe your sending good thoughts my way was an absolute key. In just a few weeks Mr. New Guy is doing more work more effectively than Pacifica ever did in 3 and ½ years job sharing with me.

He’s funny and he’s smart, communicates well, understands nuance and subtlety, has excellent people skills, a good work ethic and is healthy in his habits.

Oh and he is great at winning prizes…

My only concern at this point is that he rides a motorcycle to work and I fret about his vulnerability. He seems to make pretty good choices about the bike though.

Happy Solstice! We’re having a special solstice service at church and my friend Miss M is singing so I am heading off there shortly.