Sunday Salon - Dec 12th

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.

Our library adopted a family in need for the holidays. We don't know who they are, only that the family consists of a 20 year old mom and two little girls, ages 4 and 2.  We were able to buy everything on their list. plus a little extra with the money we collected.  I spent several hours with a coworker doing the shopping which was fun. We were able to buy: a gift card to a grocery store, sheets, towels, blankets, housewares, clothes for the girls, diapers and a few toys for each of the girls as well. Even though the mom did not ask for anything for herself of a personal nature, we selected a warm hat, scarf and gloves.  Others volunteered to wrap all the gifts, and campus ministry will see that the gifts are delivered. It felt WONDERFUL doing this.

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!