The Sunday Salon – December 21st Edition

Happy Sunday! The last two weeks have been every bit as intense as I thought they would be, but thankfully they are now behind me. Work was particularly insane with two inventories, budgets, board meetings, finishing up the monthly reports, and getting it all done with the same short staff we have had almost all year. Then, to top it off, there was the mother of all bombshells dropped on Friday afternoon that will have major repercussions for 2015. To say that I am exhausted is an understatement, but I have not been doing much this weekend as my own form of recovery. I do have to work Monday and Tuesday, but I know it will be quiet and much more relaxing than it has been. I plan to use these two days to do some system clean-up and prep work for the new year. I’m actually looking forward to a more leisurely pace. Of course, the prize of having the rest of the year off is even more enticing!

The kids are officially on winter break. Holly also has a dance break, for which she is thankful. I know she was beginning to feel some aches and pains, so a break will be great for her recovery. Connor will be using this time off to catch up on missing homework assignments and start studying for finals. He’s going to need all of that time to get everything done and needs all the help he can get in order to improve his grades to meet our expectations.

Jim’s company holiday party was this past Friday. His company really knows how to throw a party. This year, they rented out a resort for a Hollywood theme. The rooms were individual themes within the main theme. One was Napa Valley. Another was world influences. The most popular rooms were Casino Royale, complete with gambling tables, and The Wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This one was by far my favorite room. Not only did it hold all of the desserts, but they made the room look like the Great Hall during the holidays, complete with “floating” candles, broomsticks, cauldrons, owls, and the Sorting Hat made out of chocolate. There was Butterbeer and a mini-version of Honeydukes. I could have stayed in that room the entire night! We had a great time trying new foods, playing blackjack, and hanging out with Jim’s coworkers.

Jim also has a short work week this week, something we are all anticipating. My parents will be coming for Christmas, and we are looking forward to quiet days, traditions, games, movies, and relaxing. I’m in a bit of a reading funk, so I am also hoping to find that one book to get me out of my rut. I have plenty of options from which to choose!

In other words, things are definitely winding down for the entire Shannon family. I suspect this site will also become quiet as I am in need of a break from everything. I will be back in 2015, of that there is no doubt, but I want to take these next two weeks to reassess some things and potentially make some slight changes. It’s been a rough year personally, and I want to make sure I am both mentally and physically prepared for whatever 2015 may hold.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday and a peaceful holiday season. Have a great day and week, and happy reading!