Todd that is stupid and angry-making. I hope they are able to come up with some kind of compromise or recompence since it was an issue across the board. If not, may they all get tons of coal, a migraine, and may a camel spit in their tent.

eh ... I'm used to losing a day or two at the end of the year, since I always seem to get in these loops of not being able to take time off and then ending up with bunches at the end of the year. I'm hoping that when other people report having similar problems they'll change. And yes, I should keep track of the time - but when the reportiing system is screwing up, how are we supposed to keep track? I've set up something in Excel to track it independently, so we'll see if this continues. And the person who's responsible for the recordkeeping has been screwing up ... and then she giggles about it.

But it is frustrating and kind of ended the work year on a nasty note.

In semi-related news, I did make a co-worker cry.

She'd admired my key ring - rather than the usual split-ring deal, it's a u-shaped metal tube with a knob on each end, one of which screws off - much easier to get keys off and on. So I found one at Michaels that had a loop to attach a dangle on one knob, and I did one for her with a bead in her favorite color and a little key. For some reason this made her get all sniffly.

What? you think I was mean enough to make someone in the office cry? (If I did, I'd neve tell.)

Toddson, damn. That is some serious Grinch action, right there.

Okay! Here we go. Just an hour or so after I got to my parents' house yesterday, a UPS helper dashed up and left a biggish box on the doorstep. I was going to wait... and then I didn't. I opened the box to find a wrapped box nestled in bubble wrap. The paper has all kind of Christmas-y owls on it. OWLS. Owls under the mistletoe, tucked into a stocking, holding an ornament, on a bough... I'm totally going to be saving it for crafty purposes.

Inside I found a lovely and funny woodcut-style card saying, "Preserve Peace; Can the Holidays" which made me laugh. And then the prezzies, all wrapped in sky blue tissue paper! Coffee in a holiday blend, darjeeling loose tea with teabags; lotion and body wash I can't wait to try; salted caramels (already shared with the fam - DELISH), dark chocolate with pecans and bacon pecan brittle (not sharing, the precioussss); and presents for Frankie! dog cookies and a new poop bag dispenser (which I needed).

And the coolest for last... a beautiful book of illustrations, really two books in one. All kinds of different artists' representations of kickass women, both real and fictional. You can see examples here: [link]

Which would be more than enough, but apparently there's another bit coming after Christmas. So thank you, Anne W!! A wonderful and thoughtful assortment of delights, and so much fun to open.

Ugh, Toddson, that work thing is Teh Suck. But you're such a nice coworker!

Feel better, quester!

bonny, I'm so glad you liked everything! I did some snooping, and had some inspiration. And I'm glad Cagney liked the bone!

Well, my gift package has been mailed! Secret Santee, there will be one more piece to come.

And, I picked up a box from my tricksy Secret Santa! it had my address for both the mailing and returning address, and there is no note that I can find that tells me who my Santa is!

The box was full of TJ goodies: Sea Salt and Pepper Rice crisps, Lindor truffles, a Revolution tea sampler, ginger peach Longevity tea bags and a Godiva dark chocolate and sea salt giant bar! Plus, a gluten free brownie mix!

Thank you, Still Secret Santa!

people who requested cards should start getting them soon.

eeeeeee! I got my secret santa present today, from Suzi! Or should I say the rest of my present? A couple of days ago, I got the bubble calendar ita! linked to a while back [link] but Suzi pretended it was part of the thank you for the TJs stuff I sent (which also netted me two bottles of nice Colorado wine). Today, I got a box FULL of neat stuff, most of which was made in Colorado, like a few different kinds of candy, and an Almond Honey drenched sponge, plus some roller girl candy cigarettes.

WHEEEEEE

Yay! I'm glad the box got there in time, smonster! Isn't that wrapping paper adorable? I'm wishing I had bought a second roll while I had the chance. The dog cookies are made by a local baker, and the only grain in them is oats. As for the candy, that's from a local confectioner I discovered when some friends of mine had a chocolate tasting party there. So, so good...

I got secret santa'd! THANK YOU! I love the Gertrude Stein book and the kimchi paste is awesome. Also, the pistachio crack? Can't stop eating it.

Secret Santa is amazing!