An Evening With My Husband

I called my husband from work and asked him if he might like to go on some errands with me after I came home from work and walked the dogs. Amazingly, he said he would. I came home, harnessed and leashed the dogs, and we (well, the dogs) gamboled and frolicked around the fields. We had a great time, but darkness fell, making me think that today I might carry a flashlight. We hopped in my car and headed to Staples, an office supply store. I want to give my dad a copy of his family tree, but the trouble is that the font is too small on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. The copy needs to be enlarged. I am expecting a call today with my options. We then headed to Big Lots to buy some Hongar dipping oil to give to my brother and sister and their spouses for Christmas. The sets are beautful--roasted garlic and tomato and basil dipping oil. On the way home, my husband asked if I would like to go to Steak and Shake. Not one to pass up the opportunity to have someone cook for me, we had a nice cheese steakburger and some fries. A Little Poem about Christmas Gifts that I read: "Something they want, Something they need, Something to Wear, Something to Read!" Yes!

Have tomorrow morning off

I have worked nine days in a row because of the passing of my work colleague's daughter. She desperately needed some time to regroup after the past year and the recent funeral. It is a small thing for me to do--work for her so she can do errands and heal. The president of the company is working for me tomorow morning, giving me time to get chores done at home and rest. One effect of working so many days in a row is that I make errors easily. For instance, I duplicated an order, but forgot to check the product pricing. The prices had been changed, so the store lost that money. I am trying to stay focused. Yesterday, the phones were not working at the main store (lines were down) so I had to calm stressed customers. One was calling about a wedding, another needed a receipt, another wanted to place an order. These customers were stressed when they couldn't get through to the other store. The company president plans to hang Christmas wreaths. It is good too, that he can see that there is a water leak in the restroom and around some flashing in the roof and that the light bulb in the foyer is missing. Next week, because of the time change, it will be dark at 5pm. I will work tomorrow afternoon, all day Sat, a short day Sunday and then have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off. Days to rest and relax.

A Small Gift

I spoke to the branch store manager on Sunday. She told me that she would not be working this week, that if the first order was a funeral order, she would lose her composure. She also mentioned that even though she could talk to me, she would cry if she spoke to the company president. I have worked since last Wednesday, working her days and mine. She is so sad and it is a small thing to do, a little gift. Hopefully, she will heal enough to come back to work next Monday. She had to go to the funeral home to pick up the floral gifts, had other errands to run concerning her daughter's affairs. Her sister had shoulder surgery this morning. I am trying to stay focused because after working a string of days in a row, I make mistakes. The president of the company is covering Friday morning and after working Saturday and Sunday, I am off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thought I Knew Where the Funeral Home Is...

All of the store employees planned to go to the visitation for our friend, the branch manager's daughter after work. It was a difficult day, anticipating the drive in rush hour traffic and then the consequent greeting of the family. I figured out a route only to discover that the road was closed. Lots of traffic on the alternate routes. I did not look up where the funeral home is because I thought I knew its location. So I drove into the city to the wrong funeral home twice, and even once got out of my car to go in before noticing the sign. I stopped at a church to ask someone but no one was around, except for members of a wedding party rehearsal. Finally I crossed the street and asked the two gentlemen at the party store, told them that I was lost. One of the men knew exactly where it was and gave me perfect directions. So after an hour of driving and walking, I arrived. I spent some time with the family members and work colleagues and then headed home.

Sad News

I received a call last night that the branch store manager's daughter passed away yesterday. So sad. I saw her last at a memorial service for my boss' husband. She was diagnosed with lung cancer that spread to her brain and spine. lived a year after the diagnosis. I think of the Easter song, "The strife is oer, the battle done..." Such a difficult time for the family. I am working at the branch store today. Had a difficult time getting here as there is construction on the route, and many other cars were on the alternate route. Because I was fortunate and many of the traffic lights were green, I made it to work with a minute to spare. Trying to figure out the best way to get home. The skies are grey and overcast, even shed a few drops of rain, as tears for the branch store manager and her family.

Birthday Surprise Was A Success!

Everone made it to Amish Acres to celebrate my husband and their Dad's 70th birthday. We did it in spite of having to work extra hours and getting caught behind a combine on country roads. He didn't figure out the destination until we got off the expressway and headed south, and even then he said, "I'll let you know if I figured it out." We gathered to eat around 7pm or so and then walked over to the red round theater to see "Smoke on the Mountain." The next day we toured the farm. The first time I visited the resort, the wagon was pulled by Clydedales. This time by a green tractor. We walked around the farm, stopping to visit a one room schoolhouse. We made friends with two piglets, a donkey, two billy goat kids, several peacocks, turkey and turkey hens. Also went on a historic tour of the farmhouses built in the 1900s. My husband especially enjoyed the farm property and said that he will always remember his 70th birthday. We ate pizza and then hit the road with the sun shining and the trees a blaze of reds, yellows and oranges. Happy happy 70th birthday!

Husband hasn't discovered the birthday surprise!

As you know, (but my husband doesn't), our eldest daughter flies in tomorrow morning to be here for her father's 70th bday. He'll probably say, "What are you doing here!" And then on Friday afternoon and evening, the entire family (except for our daughter's boyfriend) gather to celebrate a birthday dinner and show. And my husband has not figured it out! Thankfully, the inn does not charge us til we arrive. And no one has let it slip. My husband has been questioning my father and our son, but their lips are sealed. Now my husband is highly intuitive in matters regarding himself, figured out that we were getting him a bowling ball for Dad's day and when I asked him "Guess what I found today," he honed right in that I had found his folding knife. But this time, at least until we take off down the expressway, he does not KNOW. How sweet it is!