Day After Christmas Sales

As many who celebrate holidays without family in the same city or like me even same state...the more holidays celebrated alone the less the holiday means.

This year I meet a great bunch of individuals through my job.  Many have become super friends and some have become part of my family. 

Friends at the Discovery Center's Christmas Party December 16, 2011

So this Christmas was fun!  I and my guy visited several different homes dropping off little gifts to those who have touched my heart.  The joy that those little presents brought to them was just what this ole fishlips needed!  Next Christmas I am already making plans for it & I haven't thought like this in a very long time!

I am taking the young woman I work with now out for a bit fun -  'day after Christmas Sales' madness.

Honestly not the best idea since she has behavior challenges but we are gotta try; even knowing that she can become angry at the slightest thing.  If it happens we leave and her day's outing is over.  Since she has a couple of new gift cards I am thinking she will be able to behave until all the money is spent!  Then it's Starbucks time!

Happy Holidays to all ...

And don't forget to return those gifts that just made you laugh and think "oh lord why me".  And yes I received one of those gifts from the young lady I work with...'a knee length robe' and I can never use it since she even stated to me several times during the course of working with her: "only old ladies wear robes". Since I am not an old lady, I refuse to be an old lady, I will always be a  young lady in my heart and soul while I'm working with this young woman; so this gift gets returned!

PS.  my mother sent me a beautiful full length robe that I adore.  So when I'm not around the young lady I work with I'll be wearing the one Mom sent!!!! 

Fitting a Round Peg into a Square Hole

When my sons where young I watched them figure out a simple toy that had colored wood blocks in various shapes.  Frustration the first few times playing with this toy would occur but once the shape & which hole fit it; then it was onto new and more exciting toys.  

In life there are days when the peg just doesn't fit into the hole you are trying to get it into. 

It's a choice one makes each day how they are going to view the day & it is as different as each of my readers are. 

Sometimes my view is square and other times I'm have a full circle view.

In my life I work with folks constantly battling the round peg fitting into a square hole dictated by society. I see the frustration and attempts to learn ways to fit  into society.  

It's not much different from those days long ago when I watched two little blonde hair boys work their way through fitting a square peg into a round hole. 

What's your view for the day?

Hard Core Bicycle Riding

Hard core winter bicycle riding. 

Yep in Alaska there are folks who defy common sense and ride their bikes year round.  Summer and Winter.  I live with a man who falls into that crazy category of hard core.  He was one of the first to be a winter rider some 30 years ago.

He rides daily.  Sun, rain, snow, ice, sleet, clouds do not deter him from getting on his two wheel mode of transportation and fighting with elements.  To me he is brave and just this side of crazy.  I love to ride my bike in summer but you will not find me dress in winter gear to fighting snow, wind and sliding cars!  And having studded snow tires on a bicycle is a whole another topic to me!

As luck had it Anchorages first snow fall came on October 31st this year. We awoke to about 1 1/2 inches covering the ground...it was more later.  Halloween trick and treater's had to march through blowing winds and falling snow later that evening. 

As he was getting ready for his ride of the day I snapped a picture off the front porch as he prepares to head over to the Discovery Center for the Halloween Party given by the staff for all to enjoy.  I on the other hand drove my car there!

And yes those are my snow tires for car leaning against the tree on each side of the sidewalk.  I'm awaiting my appointment at Johnson's Tire for my seasonal change over.