* No, PseudoCorp hasn't hired me. DANG IT. But today I volunteered to learn a new job-specific skill that hopefully increases my value to the company. I asked fully expecting to get shot down, because it's a Very Important Duty, but didn't. WIN! I will ingratiate myself to them until they make me an offer, SO HELP ME GODIVA.
* Oh, right. TOWDM is on vacation for a while. A good long stretch free of One Who Dislikes Me-ness! Not that she's ugly to me, really, anymore. She's as pleasant to me as she is to anyone since I made my peace offering, but she "doesn't like to converse" and it's weird when we work side-by-side for eight hours with ZERO SMALLTALK. I don't even try anymore, since it pisses her off. The day before she left for vacation, though, PseudoCorp had VIP visitors and The One Who Dislikes Me was wretched enough to those of us below her station in general that I don't think anyone will miss her; there's a much different feel to my job without her around. More people stopping at my desk to chat, more friendly banter, etc. It's nice.
* PseudoCorp = corporate FEEDER. Holiday lunch. Holiday dinner for lunch in the cafeteria. Free gourmet boxed lunch from place that has been featured on Food Network. Cookies from vendors. Cookies (OMG TRANSCENDENTLY FABULOUS COOKIES) from The Boss (who, I have since found out, used to be a professional pastry chef). Box of chocolates from my department. Holy wow. I've still continued to lose weight overall, however, as the ticker reflects.
* The power company let us get back on budget billing. As you may recall, they booted us off for no apparent reason, and I'd been worrying about the upcoming very-cold months (Casa MFA has electric heat) resulting in monster bills despite our efforts to be energy-conscious, because that's just how it is when the furnace has to run around the clock to maintain a remotely livable temperature for weeks at a time. We'll still have the monster bills, but we'll pay a fixed amount that is doable. YAY! I have also ordered some window insulation film kits to install next week, and am eager to see what kind of results we get from those.
* The holiday shopping is ALL DONE and the stuff has ALL ARRIVED. This is huge, because I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to GET holiday gifts this year (I only bought stuff for the kids, really, as Hotter asked if he could subscribe to something for recreation purposes as his gift...I was kind of pissed because I'd picked out something for him and gotten excited about the idea, but he's a big boy and can pick his own gift if he wants to and this way I know he's happy with what he got, but I think they will be happy). I actually got everyone really NICE gifts, even, in part by starting months ahead and doing my bargain-hunter thing and in part thanks to readers Becca and Devivo and the ever-fabulous Dr. Anon, the self-appointed elves who helped me take care of the final touches after things went to hell. I still need to wrap everything, but Hotter and I are practically giddy in anticipation of watching the MFA Children's reactions to their loot.
* I'm not working AT ALL this weekend, nor am I taking on any work if any of the temp agencies call me. Instead, I am doing some house-stuff, grooming, bathing, and preventative-caring both dogs, and baking panels to build gingerbread houses with my family. WHOO TITS!
* Big Child's results from the county's Gifted Testing came in today's mail, and he is officially gifted in the areas of English and Social Studies. This is good news in that he is eligible to participate in enrichment activities and opportunities that I can't afford to expose him to, on the school system's dime, and I think he's going to love it. It's BAD news in that he was already kind of insufferable. HEE!
* I think I'm finally on the way down the other side of the misery mountain, and apologize for the recent sparse posting. Tell me how all of YOU are doing!
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