I am not quite sure where this week went, but I do feel like I should have accomplished more than I did. The work week flew by.
We also had a staff appreciation breakfast at work this week, plus a departmental celebration lunch. There are (17) in our department, and the director surprised us by buying (for staff use) a Kindle DX
, the Nook, and iPad and a MacBook Pro. Before, this happened there were (4) of us who volunteered to be a team leader for this exercise, so when we were done with that, she handed out these (4) items to each leader. (Lucky me, got the - Kindle DX. So the idea is that each of us will become proficient with the gadget we were assigned, and then, other staff members can request to borrow the item and come to us with questions. Pretty cool huh?
We are a multi-faith home, celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas (although, I have not put up a tree in over 10 years, just a wreath and the menorah). The holidays just have never been the same since the kids left home and the family passed on.
My husband really makes out (well I do too) as he gets gifts on both holidays. This year he was the lucky recipient of a Hanukkah, iPad, slippers and shirt. He got tired of hearing me gush about how much I've loved my iPad ever since it was released, so he wanted one. He LOVES it so much better than his net book, and finds it so much easier to use. Although I don't celebrate Hanukkah, I did get (2) new winter coats that I had been drooling over. Soon we'll celebrate again, with more, food, family and gifts (update to follow). I did get to wrap the gifts yesterday when my husband went to NYC to have lunch with his family (I wasn't in the mood for NYC December hustle and bustle).
This week is going to be an extremely busy week as well. Tuesday evening I will be going out to dinner with my old (yep) old high school friends, Wednesday is my birthday (yep old), and Thursday is a celebration with the College president, and Saturday is a house party with coworkers.
Other Stuff:
- I officially surrendered, admitted defeat to the above!
- Completed: A Cup of Friendship
; Deborah Rodriguez and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
; Walter Mosley (no time for reviews yet). I'm also almost done with the The audio book, The Lonely Polygamist
, Udall (surprisingly good)
- Lost my weight gained at Thanksgiving.
Have a great week everyone, and try to relax a bit!
wow - you have busy week! I look forward to reading your thoughts on a Cup of Friendship.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
your post was just beautiful today!
ReplyDeleteI think what your library did for that mother and her little girls was sooo touching and I am sure it is HUGELY appreciated! ((((hugs))))
I am happy your library rewarded all of you with "gifts" to use at the library! That is fabulous!
Your photo of the Menorah and Christmas decorations was beautiful! Your husband is one lucky guy to get double the gifts!
My first husband was Catholic and I did Christmas for him but we never did Chanukah...didn't bother me because I LOVE Christmas decorations sooo much and I used to go crazy putting them up! :)
Cat Chat http://opcatchat.blogspot.com
Great post! I love sponsoring a family at the holidays; we usually choose a family currently living in a homeless shelter. I think it's so important for my daughter to see that we help those in need when we can and that Christmas isn't just about getting stuff.
ReplyDeleteAnd getting gadgets at work! How cool is that?! Have fun with the Kindle. What a fun week you have ahead of you with old friends, a Birthday, and more! Enjoy
I am so impressed by your weight loss regimen and really MUST do more this upcoming year.
ReplyDeleteYesterday my granddaughter and I went to the gym, so I feel a bit better.
Love your holiday photo...so gorgeous! And what wonderful gifts you got.
Plus giving to that family, which reminds me of the years I spent in social work and how we would "give" to families by collecting donations from others. It did always feel wonderful to see the children's faces when we arrived with the bonanza of gifts.
Here's my Salon:
http://accidentalmoments.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/the-sunday-salon-dec-12/
My hubby likes his iPad too, Diane. He won it in a contest at work. So far he watches movies, reads and plays games on it. I can see why it's attractive to so many!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a busy but fun week ahead. Happy Birthday a few days early :-)
Such a pleasure to read your post. Ours is a multi cultural family. So we get to celebrate all sorts of festivals. Feasting is always a pleasure as is gifts..both giving and receiving!
ReplyDeleteHere is my Sunday Salon post!
What a lovely thing your library has done. When I was a Girl Scout we did this one year. Of all the things we did as a troop this is the one that sticks in my mind. We met the family, yet looking back i feel this was a mistake. It was nice to do something for a family yet it was a little awkward to meet them.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of your Menorah set in with your Christmas decorations. I do this too yet many of my guests do not understand. Oh well, I enjoy both holidays.
I think that it is absolutely wonderful that you were able to help a family out in need, and in such a personal way too! My husband is always really good for reminding me that we need to include a donation and gifts for those less fortunate in our Christmas list.
ReplyDeleteOh, and a Kindle to play with! That's wonderful!
I don't think that I could handle the NYC hustle and bustle right now either. As much as I enjoy the holidays, I don't enjoy the shopping. In fact, I have lots left to do and it's stressing me out a little! Oh, well, time to get the 'ol butt in gear!
What a wonderful week, and such a fun post to read. I love the picture you posted, too! Enjoy the dinner with old friends, and early wishes for a Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHelping out a family in need is accomplishing a lot. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you could help out a family for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI failed at a lot of challenges this year, and I'm planning to post the wrap-up when everyone's busy and won't read my post, lol! :D
Have a great week!
What a wonderful thing that your library has done. To bring Christmas to a family that may not otherwise afford it is amazing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're busy, busy. Have a great week!
I like your week very much! I would have liked to have done something like that instead of just reading and walking in Melbourne!
ReplyDeleteOurs is also a multi religious household - Hindu and Catholic. A nice mix as well. You get the best of both, there is no worst at all.
Your leader at work must be a very considerate and thoughtful person. Those gifts are very nice.
A very happy Christmas and belated greetings for Hanukkah as well.
I so love that idea of having each of you become proficient at those devices..now, how do I talk my principal into that one?? I gained back weight too...I figured after the holidays I will get serious again!!! Giving is always better than receiving!
ReplyDeleteYou have had a busy week-no wonder you were not in the mood for NYC-how lovely that you were able to get everything for the family.
ReplyDeleteLucky you getting to try out the e-reader.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah to your family.
Adopting a family in need is what Christmas is all about. Sounds like the mother and her two little girls are going to have a wonderful Christmas thanks to you and your co-workers.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have been busy. I'm sure you will enjoy the Kindle DX. Have fun with it.
How interesting and inspiring to adopt a family in need over the holidays, a time when shortage is particularly felt.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful thing that your library has done for the family!
Hope you have a great week ahead! :)
I think you did a lot this week Diane! It sounds like you and your husband are enjoying the holidays.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I would love to work where you work! Not only do you get the use of cool gadgets, but you get the chance to help out a family who really needs it this holiday season. What a great holiday for everyone involved!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing that your library did for that family!!! Thanks for sharing about it! Hope you have a great week of reading :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you got to help out this little family. I'm sure it did feel good ... and provided some real holiday spirit!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd how cool that you all get to play with these gadgets!!!
Sponsoring a family is always a lot of fun and so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteYou lucked out with the Kindle DX. My work did the same thing and I managed to snag the iPad for a bit. BUT, since I have a MacBook Pro already, I just use the iPad at the office.
Wow, what a noble thing to do! And I am sure it feels very good doing it.
ReplyDeleteWow a Kindle, awesome :)
I might also Quit, because I am not done with the books I had thought I would do :-|
My husband and I love our iPads, too! I've started using my (to blog-hop) while I walk on the treadmill. Much easier than my old netbook!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday early! I hope you have a wonderful day. I'm celebrating mine (today) by staying inside where it's cozy and warm. I have the day off and will wrap a few gifts and then curl up with my book rather than do housework or errands. :)
Congrats on your continued weight loss. I'm up a pound or two, but am back on track with my exercise, so I'm not worried. :)
How wonderful that the library organised something like that! This is yet another reason why libraries matter so much.
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome that your library adopted a family in need like that. That is why I know we cannot live without our libraries!
ReplyDelete