Starting over

Long time..No post .
As of January 13th (luck date right?) I was laid off my job of almost 14 years. The business had sustained so many losses in my department, not of my doing, that it could not longer afford to pay me. pretty big blow for me.  Trying now to find my new normal, draw unemployment and hopefully find another job.
The hardest part for me is the betrayal by people I trusted and was very loyal to. . I asked 60 days ago if I needed to look for work. Was told no. It was obvious things were not going super well and there would be changes. I was also assured for years, if my department closed, I would have a place in another department. That did not happen. They cut me lose with one week notice.
I know if will find work again, hopefully sooner rather than later but it still stings...probably will for awhile.

I hope all is well in the world of my bloggy friends. I think of all you all often, hoping and praying that this year is starting kinder to you than it has me so far :)

♥ Suz

An Ode To Christmas Baking

Twas the week before Christmas at my house on the lane
Pretty sure Christmas baking driving me insane

Christmas tins and bags stacked neatly on the chair
Who am I kidding they are strewn every where

The time has grown short, the list very long
I  head to the kitchen put my apron on

I can do this I say, as I raise my fist
spilling the flour I was going to sift

The smoke alarm chirps as smoke fills the air
 I burned the toffee, guess that I won't share

chocolate bark,  &  peanut butter balls.
Is that Dutch processed cocoa tracked down the hall?

Superfine sugar, butter by the pound
Shortbread is done a beautiful light brown.

My eyes grow tired,there is frosting in my hair
my treats are all baked not a moment to spare

Then it is time to get goodies delivered
and for myself I don't save even a sliver

Whoo hoo I am finished I say with a shout
Merry Christmas to all and to all Peace out!

** this May or May Not have been inspired by actual events...I will never tell :)

November..already???

So much for being back here blogging on a regular basis.. Oh well that is how it goes I guess.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. YIKES! I am so not ready for the holidays and am completely annoyed by all the Christmas ads in the newspaper and on television. Come on!! It is way too early for that junk!  I digress....Thanksgiving will not be at my house this year (hooray!) One of the sister in laws is hosting. Should be interesting. They don't host often and she has never made a turkey. While they have a pretty big house, not sure where all 25 plus of us are going to sit. I guess if the days is nice, outside!

Work continues to be busy. We lost out on a huge project and I must say I am very disappointed about it. The collective "we" meaning me, have put over two years into prep and the bidding process. Countless hours on the computer and leg work. All for not. I am trying not to be upset about what I cannot control, I just take my work and what I put into it seriously. Maybe too much so. There are somethings that are simply out of our control.  

That is it in a nut shell for whomever is out in bloggy land. Hope this finds you well, in good spirits and enjoying life.

♥ Suz

Valentines day..and others

So you know it is valentines day. I think this "holiday" was a conspiracy to sell more cards, candy and flowers. I would prefer cards, candy and flowers on any other day. I don't want my husband to have to do something but want to. And I know he loves me always, not just today.

So I will give you a list of other holidays today if you are in the same boat as me and don't really care about valentines day.

It is national ferris wheel day. FYI  I have never ridden on a ferris wheel. I don't like them.

It is national read to your child day. I don't have kids but if you do, read to them today they will appreciate it.

It is national league of women voters day. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy.  (according to their website) It is national clean out your computer day. I keep my computer pretty cleaned up so  all good there. So there are a few other holidays to pick from to celebrate today if you don't like valentines day.  But just in case.. Happy Valentines Day! That all :) Suz

National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

In case you did not know, today is National Hot Pastrami  Sandwich Day. What I found out is pastrami  meat was created as a way to preserve meat prior to modern refrigeration. The beef is brined, dried, seasoned.smoked and then steamed. It was first served in New York Deli's in the 1880's.  I would guess first served at Katz Deli but I did not google that to find out.

I had no idea the meat went through that many processes to it's final product. Gotta admit I love it though!

There is your meaningless tidbit for the day, now go out and eat pastrami! Happy weekend :)

That's all

Suz

Saying Goodbye

Said goodbye to my little Pete yesterday. One of the hardest things I have ever done.I have a lump in my throat just thinking about him. We got 3 more months out of him than expected. But in the end, we gave him all we could, he gave us all he could and there was nothing left. He was suffering so it was time to let him go. Thank goodness the hubs went with me,  I really don't think I could have don't it by myself.
It was hard this morning to wake up and not see him and I know we will feel the void for a long time.

Rest well Pete, you were a good boy and we will miss you.

Can't please them all

This is going to be a bit of a rant. This is the only place to do it because some of my family members are on Facebook so I can't rant there :)
Any one else struggle to make EVERYONE happy for Christmas? To contort yourself in a box to make others happy or satisfy some one else? Come on, raise your hand..You know you want to!

Over the last several years, we have had our whole family Christmas celebration (4 brothers wives kids etc) a week before Christmas to accommodate one family my youngest brothers family. They have the only small kids left in the family so a few years ago my sister in law said she did not want to take the kids two places so they would not be joining us on Christmas eve or Christmas day. Now I understand wanting to create your own traditions with your kids and have family time. It is super important. But she will not concede any time for us over time with her family.  And apparently, she wears the pants in her family.
So, I changed the date for the family gig from the 19th to Christmas eve to better suit the majority of the family. We extended an invite but they declined because the kids are in a Christmas play at church in the evening and it would be too much for them to spend the morning with us and church at night. (Don't get me started on having Christmas programs on Christmas eve at church) My sister in law's comment was, do what you need to do, our feelings won't be hurt. What she fails to realize is it hurts our feelings she does not seem to want to be with us. And my brother really needs to grow a pair, seriously.
 I can no longer extend and change and contort our entire family's Christmas for the sake of one who will not bend or come our way at all.
So, you can't make them all happy and I have be ok with that and quit trying.

That's all