What a week!

Today is finally Friday and the last day I am flying 'solo' on the phones and on this job. Whew. I have accomplished much, but still, it has been a very busy week. I've come in early and stayed late, trying to keep up on the job. I must admit that I am glad it is coming to an end. I'm in the office early as usual, but decided I was NOT going to start work just yet - I haven't written for a few days and decided it was time.

Lack of communication is a sore spot for me. I have a real issue when it affects me and communication does not get put out to myself, and those it affects. I have worked through breaks and lunch Monday through Wednesday because I believed I was the only one on this call line to take these specific calls. That is what we had been told in the beginning and there had been no communication since. Yesterday about 12:30PM the trainer comes flying over here and asks me if I have been taking lunches and breaks this week. I told her no. She asked why and I told her. She THEN informs me that the call tree has been opened up that those who are also (supposedly, but are not because they know I'm on) on the phones can take my calls as they should roll to them. I asked when that happened - she said two weeks ago. I just looked at her and said, 'well, it would have been nice had it been communicated down to those of us who are on the phones'. She walked away. So I got off the phones and took a hour lunch! There was leftover Mexican food in the lunchroom from a meeting and I helped myself. Yum, did it ever taste good!

I read Tuesday on my son's blog of a grandson's band concert last night. I had hopes of making it, even though I had not been 'formally' told about it - but ended up working late and not getting home due to traffic until after 6:30. Not sure what time it started, but judging from my daughter-in-law's posts on facebook about the rude parents, it may be good I didn't go. My daughter-in-law has the patience of Job and the love of Christ, and I wish I was more like her. I could tell she was frustrated, to say the least, about the example these parents were showing by talking during the concert and getting up and leaving as their group finished, rather than being polite and staying to the end. I know tonight (which I almost forgot but saw on facebook last night) is the children's play at church. Tonight at 7PM and tomorrow at 4PM. Tonight works better for me(I hope), so hubby and I will head over there as soon as I get home. Love to watch the grandchildren in their performances.

I'm hoping this weekend to start getting the grandchildren over to do some baking. Tradition is important to me, as I have probably mentioned many times before. I love having the grandchildren over to bake, to play. I don't get to do it near often enough. I keep telling myself that some day I will have that opportunity - but it may be my great-grandchildren - which wouldn't be so bad either. I would have the children and/or grandchildren over every weekend if it was up to me. They keep me young. Unfortunately, I feel like I'm getting older all the time. VERY sad, very depressing, but that is life in my world. Suck it up,lambchop.

The Christmas holiday usually does bring family together - for one reason or another. Usually it's an occasion for the family to gather together and exchange gifts, have a meal together, and just be together. It's all a good thing. With our family getting together at Thanksgiving, and as the busyness of life creeps in, Christmas has gotten to not be the 'gather all together' occasion anymore. And, as much as I love it, I encourage my children more and more to spend this extra time with their children. Now if they are going off to do other things - that is a different matter - however, an extra day to spend with their children is so important and they are making precious memories. Some good, some bad, I'm sure. Regardless, it's family time.

I haven't made the final decision yet as to how Christmas will be at our place. I had thought of having each family over for a meal and just celebrating then - but the thought of being home without anyone stopping by is sad. Maybe I will just leave it as it is. Still pondering, and I still have time.

But I am excited in that I have finished two of the gifts I have been working on - and am involved in the third one. I have one more to go - which may not finish this year. Oh well. No name on it - it's one of those I just love to do and give away. Regardless if I get the grandchildren or not, I will need to get some baking done this weekend and get it in the freezer to have for later. So many yet that I haven't a gift for - and am uncertain what that could be. I like to say that as grandparents we can get them anything cause it is up to their parents to supply their needs and wants. I remember getting coloring book and crayons in my teens from an aunt because that is all she could afford. What is even funnier, is that she got coloring book and crayons for an older brotgher another year and I think he was 16. I hope that our grandchildren will look back over the years with love, fondness, and great memories of special gifts and know how dearly they are loved.

Our microwave has finally quit. We bought it new from Sears about 3 months ago, and did not purchase the warranty. Kenmore is a great brand, right? About a month ago I fixed a roast in it - cooked it for 50 minutes. It quit on me. By yesterday, it will not even heat or cook. Since we didn't get the warranty, we are out not only the microwave, but $150 we paid for it. I'm going to check my Sears bill and see when I purchased it - I think I threw the receipt away since we didn't have a warranty with it. Then throw ourselves on their mercy and see if they will make it right for us. If they won't - I will refuse to buy a Kenmore product ever again - and discourage others from doing so - unless you get the warranty. We shouldn't have to buy a warranty for a product that should be made with excellence. Just another way to make money. Our Magic Chef microwave lasted us 18 years - and the only reason we had to get a new one was that the latch broke and we couldn't get it open - and when we did - we could not use it again.

So now I'm starting to ramble and will close this off. Need to check my Sears activity and see when I bought the microwave. Need to see if I can also do a little shopping without going to the mall.

Hope you have a good day - and a great weekend. Remember, it isn't about he hustle and bustle and the attitudes of all the people at the stores and mall - it's about love and giving and celebration of Jesus' birth. Let's keep our focus on the GIFT and not the gift.

Blessings!