Breathe In, Breathe Out

Today was a bummer of a day. It was filled with anxiety and loss. I knew that layoffs in our Company were not far off, I guess I wasn't prepared for the magnitude of it. A lot of really great co-workers were let go. I miss them already.  

So what does one do to lift the blues? They long onto NPR and listen to Andrew Bird's new album. The album won't be released until the 20th, but they have been kind enough to post it for those of us who just can't wait.

It is blissful and temporarily breaks up the blues.

So if you are a fan go here and listen. Also go here to read more about it.

I am hoping tomorrow will be better even if it is a bit lonelier.

Turn that Bah Humbug upside down...

I have been in a bit of a funk. Work has been extremely stressful  and I have been slightly overwhelmed. It doesn't help that I now have a work laptop so I can conveniently continue to work when I arrive at home. Instead of relaxing I have been trying to catch up.

Because of this I have been in a Bah Humbug mood. So much so I have unfortunately taken it out on my family (I can't apologize enough). It doesn't help that I have to work Christmas Eve day and won't arrive in SLC until after the festivities have begun. I have come to realize that it is my choice to live so far from the family and  consequentially that affects some of my family this year. Thanks to Melissa who is willing to stay in town to pick me up and have a non-existent Christmas morning to drive to Idaho.

I love Christmas Season, not as much as my Mother or Sister who wish it was 365 days a year,  and so it was time to end this Bah Humbug mood.

A few of my favorite things this year:

~Pulling out the decorations and that peaceful feeling of sitting with all of the lights out except for the Christmas tree. 

~I love placing all of the various items that are seen once a year around the house, making it feel warm and cozy.

~My obsessive Santa collection (I haven't been able to find a new one I am in love with)

~Never getting tired of Luke 2

~Having friends over for dinner and another night of treats and present exchange.

~Treating cute kids to lunch.

~Baking all of the various goodies

~ Listening to Dean Martin sing "Baby it's Cold Outside"

~Watching a Christmas Carol with George C. Scott. My Favorite!

~Drinking Hot Chocolate with homemade peppermint marshmallows (thanks Masha)

~The San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker.

~Christmas lights on Temple Hill

~The Memmott Christmas Charity, thanks to Emily and Jake

~Anticipating the Snow

~The thought of soon being in the company of my loved ones

I now can't wait to board that plane to spend an unconventional Memmott Christmas with my Family and see the few friends that will be in SLC.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The tree is tiny and has A LOT of lights on it. It really lights up the room.

Alarm Clock

The day before a vacation is usually a really busy and bad day at work. Everything happens only because you are trying to get out of the office with as much done as humanly possible.
I planned on coming into work early to give myself some time should any "disasters" occur.

Instead my body decided to get sick, so when my alarm clock went off at an unreasonable hour I hit snooze, after several more times I decided that my body needed the sleep more than anything. So I changed my alarm to go off at the normal time and fell back to sleep.

An unusually loud bus passed my window and I startled awake. Thinking that it had been a very long 40 min, I took a gander at the clock. It was 7:24 am....NOOOOO! That is the time I try to walk out the door. I flew out of my bed grabbed my cell phone to call the office and hoarsely screaming that I was late. A-gril thought I was going to take a sick day, while momentarily speaking with her I glanced at my cell phone...it was only 6:45. REALLY....I had time to get ready with out calling in late. Instead of changing my alarm, I changed the time. Phew!

I rushed getting ready and started my commute 5 min later than usual. Traffic was bad considering I drive a reverse commute. I almost got into an accident in the Tunnel due to a driver who decided to come to a complete stop for no reason. Praying that no other car would hit me...listening to all of the squealing brakes behind. Then out of the tunnel a car decided it wanted my lane and just came over making me swerve into the emergency lane. My heart would have taken up permanent residence with my throat if there was room...darn sore throat.

I am now at work feeling at bit stressed out and hoping to turn this into a better day.

Camera Drama

Yes I know a very unflattering picture...but this is how I feel about my camera.

My Family will attest that I am the camera happy Aunt. I have taken so many pictures of my nieces and nephews that their parents rely on me to photograph their important events.

I can't say that I am a photographer, far from it actually. I like to document and share what I am seeing at the moment. Maybe it comes from living so far away from loved ones and I want them to experience what I am.

For the past 6 months my camera has been behaving badly. The lens likes to shut off right at that critical moment of getting the shot. You then have to play with it to turn back on. Meanwhile the subject is getting impatient or the moment has passed. It is rather annoying.

So in order to continue as the prime photographer in the family (Melissa will wish my camera were buried) I will need to start shopping for a new one. This is where you all come in, do you have any suggestions?  I think it is time I purchased a decent one.

Update

My car is fixed. It was "minor", just the Oxygen Sensor. However when driven it felt like it was going to stall.  The part wasn't delivered until today. 

The best part is that it was covered by the warranty. Yippee! I paid 0 dollars. That is one great thing about purchasing a Hyundai.

Really?... Come On!

Yes that is my car and Yes that is a Tow Truck.

So my engine light came on at lunch today. It was flashing madly at me. I have never seen an engine light flash. So I promptly drove back to work and parked it. This of course was without even getting food. I was starving because I didn't get a break until 2:30.  Yes I was having a spectacular day.

I called the dealer and they said "Don't Drive It!!" So I had to call a tow truck to take it less than 3 miles to the dealer. Once again AAA came in handy. However calling them conjures up bad memories from my last car.

I am a bit worried, this car is only a 1 1/2 years old and has run perfectly up until now. Cross your fingers that it is only minor. I also noticed that the back break light was out, so at least they will fix that. It is under warranty (PHEW!) so hopefully it won't cost a thing to get it fixed.

Part of me feels a bit blessed because it did happen today. I am leaving for Yosemite in the morning and it would have been a disaster if it happened on the way down.

Must Have More!

Dave had no clue what kind of day I was having when he sent me this link. It was the perfect stress reliever! I am obsessed with bubble wrap as it is. Now it is at my fingertips when ever I need it. 

As Dave said "I just can't stop", neither can I. Is that saying something about me?

Thanks Dave!