I am not a parent, but I'm pretty sure all the advice says that in any choice between sleep or something else, always choose sleep.

Truth. Sleep is always a good choice, particularly when you need to keep your immunity at peak performance.

I am so glad it's a short work week.

Tim's a little nervous because he has his 1-year performance review today, and he knows he's slow to complete some tasks and he assumes he'll be dinged for that. I told him if that's addressed in his review, that's a good opportunity to ask for help/suggestions for how to improve in that area. That's the whole point of having a manager. So, fingers crossed his review is basically okay. (This was a stressed-out weekend regarding our jobs at ol' Stately Beckmeyer Manor. We are not chill people.)

I'm home. I've cleaned out the fridges and freezers for trash day, ran a clean cycle on the washing machine, and now I'm laying down. I had a banana for breakfast because the little oatmeal cups I bought myself are nowhere to be found.

I was able to reschedule the parent teacher conference for Wednesday, but I already have her evaluation. You'll all be shocked to know she got the highest marks in self confidence.

((amyparker)) Can I borrow the idea of awarding a Very Poor Behavior Trophy?

Self-confidence is huge. I amuse my family and customers by always responding the same way to the frequent request:

Doctor: I have a question. Laura: I have the answer. DH: I have a question. Laura: I have the answer.

Seriously, I do this a dozen times a day, and they keep asking. Maybe I need to say look it up your own self a few times, but whatever, I don't mind being considered an encyclopedia.

In seasonal news! I have a boxed Christmas tree! We went with an LED lit variety. It stays in the box until the weekend. Also, because you know how much I truly hate shopping I ordered a list of 28 items to be delivered tomorrow afternoon from the grocery store, and was extra generous with the tip, because the stores right now are stupid busy. So worth it.

Laura: I have the answer.

Probably a better answer than, "Only one question? Yay!"

The one I hate is "Just a quick question...." It's never a quick question.

Calli, can you take a half day?

Oh, I'm taking a whole day, except for a Zoom meeting at 1.

Can I borrow the idea of awarding a Very Poor Behavior Trophy?

Absolutely you may! Now that I have a more complete picture of what's been happening, though, I'm gonna need the one we've been sharing around.

The closest I am getting to a lighted tree is this. Yes, that is a statue of a historically inaccurate Viking wearing a Santa hat. I love Poulsbo.

There's a little bit of decorating the apartment? Wreath and a silver-plated mistletoe sprig on the door, some mercury glass trees and a silver-plated reindeer candle holder on the dining room table, and a Swedish candelabra in the window facing the street; mine is from IKEA and is not offered this year, confirming my attitude of "Grab it when you see it". I still regret not picking up the small SINNERLIG table lamps. They looked like Lego heads!

I do say "just a quick question" but I tag an "I hope" on to it and usually it is and I can say "yay, it really was quick" when I get an answer.

I hope whatever it is passes, Calli. Not being able to get warm is a feeling I haaaaaate.

My boss bought me and a coworker lunch today for helping another coworker with unexpectedly huge orders on Friday. I usually find the "incentive" lunches not very rewarding, but for something specific like this it does actually feel pretty good.