Note for Thursday 12/24

When driving down the road of life, Jenn, rarely do you know how good you have it, until you see it in the rear-view mirror.

Which is not to suggest that you should look back now, but to remind you that where you are today is more awesome and amazing than you probably realize.

Almost Christmas

It's my Friday. I'm off for the rest of the week for the holidays. Tomorrow is going to be a lot of fun. We are having a Christmas Eve pizza party for our nieces and nephews to give them their presents. They both have so much family to visit on Christmas, we decided we'd start a tradition for Christmas eve. That way, too, they get to enjoy what we have gotten for them for a little while before it's tossed aside for everything else they get.

It was fun this year shopping for the kids, though we went way over our budget. That's so easy to do, though, with kids. Especially David. He's into reading and there are so many books that I want to get for him. The girls are super easy to buy for too. Girls are always easier to buy for. Ryan was a little harder, but I found a great little digital camera by Crayola that he will get a kick out of. Giving it to him on Christmas eve is great too because he can use it at all the different places they visit on Christmas day. Maile is getting a dress-up chest with princess outfits and Payton a boombox with Hello Kitty on it. Both are getting Barbies, of course, and porcelain dolls. We started that tradition last Christmas. We want to give the girls and the boys something that they will, hopefully, keep for a long time. Dolls for the girls and coins for the boys. They seem to like it, though David is the only one old enough to really know what it means.

I've had such a hard time not giving presents out. I am not the type to be able to sit on things like that. We finished our shopping shortly after Thanksgiving, so I'd say I've done a fantastic job of keeping presents under the tree. I can't wait for everyone to open their gifts.

Christmas Party Rant

Our company Christmas party this year really made me angry. First of all, I have coordinated our Christmas party and company picnic for the past three years. This past year, one of the employees decided there should be a "Spirit Committee". She mentioned it to management and they said go for it. By default, I was half of the committee. What made me really angry about that was that I still did all the arranging, but this other employee now got to give the orders and get the credit. I rode with that for a little while, but then I couldn't take it any more. I am not the type of person who can sit back and do all the work while someone else gets the credit. So, I withdrew from the Spirit Committee. If this person wanted to dictate everything she could do everything. So officially, I'm no longer part of the committee. However, I didn't want to just drop it all in her lap (nice person here) so I offered my help when I could. I ended up arranging everything but the menu. So we are at the party and the CEO gets up to give his annual speech. First thing he says is "Thank you, Stephanie for arranging this wonderful party". I was so angry. In three years, I have never been thanked. Everyone took it for granted as part of my job. So this year, I arrange everything but the menu and Stephanie gets thanked. No one mentions me or thanks me. Plus, all evening, Stephanie keeps taking credit for what I did - the cute place cards, the gift exchange numbers, the location. No one says a word to me, least of all her. Did I mention I am not the type to sit back and do all the work while someone else gets the credit? I was so mad. I'm not touching arrangements again or even offering to help. Oh, except today. First thing this morning, Stephanie comes over and tells me to distribute a survey and make it say this, this and this. Didn't ask. Just expected it to be done. So I sent it. I arranged the whole thing, I might as well finish up. Never again though. Plus, if she gets a bonus for this (which wouldn't surprise me one bit), someone will get an earful of my opinions about the "Spirit Committee".

Note for Monday 12/14

Surrender to the magic, Jenn. That's why it's there. That's why you're there -- to learn that there really are miracles and that they abound, as if on command, once you understand the truth about your reality and heritage.

Surrender, yet prepare.

Ask, yet expect.

You can do this. You've been doing it your entire life. Be swift and awaken to the truth, because for the new souls now watching, your successes will also be theirs.

Note for Friday 12/11

Did you know, Jenn, that every time you cry there, harps go quiet here, angels stop dancing, and the stars look down in stunned silence?

Which is why we often say, "If Jenn ain't happy, ain't no one happy."

And did you know, Jenn, that every time you smile there, it's like sunshine here?

Note for Thursday 12/10

You see, life isn't supposed to be all "cakewalk" and no "baking."

Especially not for those who like to experiment, take risks, and be surprised.