Happy Black Friday

Greetings and Happy Black Friday.  (Sorry I missed Thanksgiving.) Here is just little bits of life from my corner.

Just reread the last bog and wow its been six weeks!  Since then the Fall decorations outside have come and gone without any pictures.  Due to my busy schedule, in spite of my "Christmas AFTER Thanksgiving" philosophy, I decorated the outside for Christmas last weekend. 

Peter has made progress with his knee recovery.  He returns to the doctor Monday and I am a little anxious based on the last visit and Peter's lack of effort at home to do any recovery work.  He is currently attending PT three times a week.  Life for him is pretty much the same, school (grades are good right now, YAY), the couch and the remote.  

My folks had a great trip to Kansas and seem to be doing well.  I spent a few hours with them yesterday for Thanksgiving.  The weather was beautiful, mom made a nice Turkey dinner, and it was just good to be together. We are looking forward to spending Christmas at the beach.

So did I tell you about my part time job?  In August I started working as a Floor Set/Replenishment Team member at a nearby Bath and Body Works.  I  averaged working once a month until just recently. I go in after the store closes and help change out the displays. With the holidays I am working some during store hours to keep all those nice smelly things on the shelf.  I actually had my first Thanksgiving/Black Friday retail experience last night as I worked 5:30 pm to 1:30 am.  It was crazy but actually fun.  I spent several hours ringing jingle bells at the door and telling people about our specials.  I also restocked 29 plus flavors of hand soaps. Turns out I am pretty good at both of those.  I work the next couple of evenings as well. Between my preschool being open through this past Wednesday and working Thanksgiving weekend at Bath and Body Works, there hasn't been much "holiday break."  I was feeling pretty sorry for myself Thursday morning.  But while interacting with folks last night and stacking soaps I realized it wasn't so bad.  Probably better for me to be working than sitting at home overdosing on Hallmark Christmas movies. 

This semester I have been taking two classes at the local Technical College to complete a Childhood Specialist Teaching Certificate.  Sounds fancy but it just means I can keep doing what I love doing and that is teaching preschool.  It has actually been a great experience as the classes have enhanced my current job by the projects that have been assigned and the people I have met. I have just a few more weeks but there are several big projects to accomplish in the meantime.  

I really do love my job at the preschool. My co-workers are super, the kids are fantastic, and it is a great outlet for my craziness.  Where else can you work that you can declare the day a PJ day or get paid to do art and build tent forts. I recently took our class Pete the Cat (10 inch stuffed animal) on a weekend trip and did a photo shoot of his "vacation."  People look at you funny until you say "It's for my preschool kids."  Even then the Starbucks worker gave me an odd look when I put Pete on the counter and took a picture.

With the business of Christmas at my two jobs, school projects, and Christmas at the beach, I am thinking to really down play some of the Christmas hoopla.  But then again it is just the day after Thanksgiving, I may not be able to refrain from embracing the Christmas hoopla!

Thanks for reading my ramblings.  Thanks for being my friends.  Grateful for you. 

Now go out there and SHOP!!!!!! (Today is buy 3 get 3 free at Bath and Body Works!) Happy Black Friday!