Read This

I wouldn't normally put a link to what someone else wrote on their blog, but this is a friend's blog and it's a great article worth sharing.

http://michaelsgray.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-is-what-i-know.html

And It Begins

Angel Tree. Yes, I know it's crazy. Yes, I know last year I said I would not do it again. Yes, I know that I told pretty much everyone that if I said I was going to do it again to just shoot me. Well, now I am asking that none of you shoot me. :) I have to admit that it's not really because I want to do it (although a portion of me for some crazy reason will always want to do it), but more that it will be helpful to have a little extra cash at the moment. The good news is that I have a more limited role than I did last year. In fact, the application process actually started a couple of weeks ago and I have not been a part of that. That was part of the deal...that I didn't have to work the crazy application process that drains a person of all Christmas spirit. Last night, I went to sign the paperwork to get hired back. For now, I will just be doing data entry when it fits into my schedule. Then, starting after Thanksgiving, the real fun starts in the warehouse and the collecting of toys and clothes. I'm not saying that sarcastically. That is actually the fun part, although, incredibly exhausting and most of my waking moments will be working my regular job and then Angel Tree. More good news, though, is that I had already planned a 4 day trip at the beginning of December so I'll have a break this year. Yeah! So, there you have it. It's more of a confession for those of you who I have hidden the fact that I decided to participate in the insanity once again. Oh, and a plea for your prayers to make it through yet another Christmas season without losing all the joy it's supposed to have.

Not a Fan...

...of mice in my workspace!!!! That's all I have to say.

Boston!

So, I realized that I never posted anything about my trip to Boston at the end of September. Well, I had a chance to go to Boston to see a Red Sox game, which was amazing! I've wanted to go to Fenway for a few years now and finally got the chance. I had two vacation days left, which made this one heck of a whirlwind trip. I flew out on a red-eye flight to Boston arriving at 5:00am.

Experienced a day of just hanging out in Boston before heading over to the ballpark at about 5:00 to purchase some tickets. Now, that was a crazy experience! But, we got our tickets for some amazing seats! We hung out outside the ballpark for a while as part of the festivities, then headed inside.

So, there is nothing like your first time at Fenway! Loved it! Our seats were Club Level, so we got about as close to the Green Monster as one can get without having tickets to actually sit atop it.

Another perk of these club level seats was the server that comes and takes your order, so you never have to get up or miss any of the game to get concessions. Oh, yeah, and if you order beer, they bring it in a cup with a lid. I guess so they don't spill it on the way to your seats.

It was such a fun trip! Yes, despite being so quick with little sleep and the chaos of getting back home, but that is another story for another day. :)

Thank God It's a Process

I just have to say that I'm thankful that I don't have to be perfect and that life is a process. Have you ever had a day where nothing in particular was wrong, but something got under your skin and you just weren't yourself? That's how my day was. I was in a good mood, but I was snappy and made some snide remarks. And I couldn't stop myself! Now, part of me is sarcastic anyway, but today was an extreme. I'm glad that there is grace with the people in my life and they will all still love me, and they'll be really glad when the real Connie is in place tomorrow.

Along these same lines...have you ever said something and a couple minutes later, thought of a much better way to say it - a more respectful way, or a kinder way, or even just a clearer way? I find myself doing that all the time! I gues that's just part of the process. Someday, I'll say things the way I want to say them. Until then, thanks for being a part of the process.