Growth

Here we are as in olden days …. Happy golden days of yore. Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more … local stations switched to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving and I just want to know – where’d that Holiday go?

I’ll tell you, in my Random 5 from recent days of old:

1 ) I planned a glorious week off from work for the week of Thanksgiving — it started out great, with a fun-filled Saturday of thrifting and lunch out with my sister-in-law. Sunday brought Church, fellowship and a Sunday supper at home. Monday, I happily declined all calls/meetings scheduled and spent the day cleaning closets – I took 6 bags of clothes, jackets, books, suitcase(s), weekenders, and other trinkets to a local non-profit. Monday evening with my honey and then Tuesday morning I felt it . . . a scratchy sore throat, “hot” eyes and what felt like a cold coming on. Ugh, the body knows, and my body knows that if I have time off, I have “time” to be sick! Nooo……Blah!

2 ) Friday had me in Urgent Care, chest X-rays and a Pneumonia diagnosis. Pneumonia! Scary stuff. Loaded up with RX and Inhalers, home to bed I went, Hubbs watching gravely and checking in constantly. I slept and coughed and slept and coughed. My week off stretched into 2, then another ER visit and then came week 3, the out of office message on, phone ringer off, and others above learned to deal but mostly awaited my return. In the interim, a chaos orchestrator, and major source of my perpetual stress over the past 5+ years, parted ways with the company (AKA was fired). Being out sick gave me the perfect reason to miss the big fake “farewell” send off (web) call. Like the “Rat” before him, he operated in a similar fashion, “all hat and no cattle,” but was a smoother talker with a better wardrobe. I knew everything about him – we all did – because he told us all about himself, what he did/was doing/was watching/traveling to – in. every. single. call. In the 7 years we worked together he never knew the names of my husband or kids or anything else about me.

God has a sense of humor and I’m grateful.

3 ) Last year, on Black Friday, after having sworn them off entirely, I bought a Kindle Paperwhite. I know, I know. But opinions can change and with research, mine did. Moving 5 times over 22 years, I’ve gotten good at packing, moving and downsizing. I’ve always been a voracious reader but, over time, have learned not all books are meant to be kept. And – surprise – getting a Kindle actually increased my reading. I am not that patient, and being able to download a book immediately is the “bee’s knees.” Traveling as much as I do, whether it be in-state via car/overnights in hotels, or flying to corporate meetings and the odd vacation, this is something I use daily. Also – I found the coolest doodad for it – the FlexFlap airglo created by a flight attendant who saw a need for a phone / Kindle / iPad flexible stand that would allow users to read, watch movies or TV shows on flights. **** You fold it into the shape you want, and it folds flat for travel — best $16 I ever spent!

4 ) Being sick you’d think I would have all the time to read: yes, I had the time, but I didn’t have the ability. Not being able to breathe is exhausting and my head, chest, eyes and hair hurt. However, as I’ve recovered, I’m back reading again. Just started this book by Stephen King, and it’s twisty as can be. Now I stopped reading Stephen King in my 20’s, after some books were just too gory for me. However, I recently read and very much enjoyed “11/22/63,” which is a book about a time traveler who attempts to prevent the assassination of U.S. President Kennedy, which happened on 11/22/63. I’m still thinking about it. Under the Dome has me clamoring to get back to it. Now that’s a good read!

5 ) Another travel necessity I’ve used the heck out of is this LoveVook Travel Backpack (found on “Travel Tips by Laurie” YouTube page; she’s a pilot’s wife who creates video content with GREAT tips to make travel easier). I often use this as my overnight bag for in-state travel, and it pairs well with carry-on luggage; I’ve taken both on a 10-day trip with my sister, with room to spare!

It’s only a couple of weeks until Christmas. The tree is up and decorated, no cookies have been made, but presents are purchased and waiting to be wrapped. After 3 weeks “off,” and working some “behind the scenes,” I’m back at it tomorrow, full-time. I will pace myself, and yes, I will read every night, snuggled up in my chair, my happy place.

I leave you with this – my favorite read of 2023:

Any doodads you’ve found worth sharing? Happy Holidays!