- On Friday, I stood in line for the free holiday staff lunch, served by the management, where I ate a serving of dry roast beef, a twice-baked potato, limp green beans, and half of a brick-like wedge of cheesecake. I was not convinced that bringing in that piece of leftover meatloaf would not have been better, easier, and just as free.
- That afternoon, I fought the food coma and attended the annual awards ceremony to recognize people who had been with the company for 5, 10, 15, 25, 30, and 35 years. Sure, the numbers tapered off toward the end, but I could not get over the fact that over a dozen people had been working at this company for longer than I had been alive. Then, my ears were assailed by the daycare children’s rendition of “The Night Before Christmas” and two nurses singing a show tune. Let me just say that I am not thrilled about the prospect of the department holiday lunch tomorrow.
- At the end of the day, a company-wide announcement came out that those of us working on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (ahem) get to leave at noon! When you have to work every day except the corporate holidays, you take what you can get. Yay!
- JG’s blue-and-gold-themed birthday extravaganza of pizza, wings, yummy Funfetti cupcakes, and presents (UD football jersey, two CDs, and a tailgating caddy) went off without a hitch! Unfortunately, the team didn’t get the memo about it being his birthday and all, and the game was disappointing, even aside from the loss. I do not stand for poor sportsmanship, Blue Hens. Well, there’s always next year.
- After a marathon session at the coffee table, I wrote out and sent off forty Christmas cards on Saturday. Then, I crouched on the floor in one of the spare rooms (which is now covered in wrapping accoutrement) and finished almost all of my gift-wrapping. Usually, I check these things off the list much earlier, so now I feel just slightly less under the gun. At least there are presents under the tree now. If only Ted wouldn’t go for the pretty packages with twirly ribbon…
- Last night, I baked the first batch of cookies for the week; I’m delivering a silver gift bag full of them to my old office in honor of their annual cookie swap. I’m making another batch of cookies tonight for my contribution to the department luncheon, and then I’ll start in on whatever I’m bringing to my parents’ house. Next year, I need to look into freezing cookie dough that I can bake at any time — this whole business of producing freshly-baked cookies is getting old.
- Lest I get too high-and-mighty about being a competent pet owner, I was humbled last night when Ted got away from me during our evening walk. I was fiddling with something in my pocket when Ted was startled by a milk jug rattling across the street from the gale-force winds. He bolted and ripped the leash out of my hand. I shouted for him as he took off down the sidewalk; visions of Ted getting hit by a car flew through my head, and I ran for five blocks after him … right to our house. Ted had taken a direct route straight to our front stoop, where he sat, lightly panting, with an innocent look that said, “What took you so long?” Oh, Ted.
Workplace rituals, birthday cupcakes, to-dos, and a runaway
Monday, December 17, 2007 | 12:05 pm | Weekendery
8 comments
Wow, 40 cards! I’m so impressed. And you baked, and you pulled off a great party, and you wrapped? You are on fire over there.
In the interests of full disclosure, I must confess that the “extravaganza” involved JG, me, and one other friend… so if that counts as a party, then — yes! I did that!
Ted ran home. Precious!
AKA lucky for me!
You are such a good wife / friend / coworker / former coworker (!!!!). This year, I didn’t even manage to make my almond kringler coffee cake for Santa Lucia Day (December 13th). I am humbled by your gifty greatness.
Thankyouverymuch. I love love kringler…my mouth is watering now.
Glad JG’s birthday was a success, football game aside. Those cupcakes are adorable!
It’s so scary when the dog gets scared and bolts, isn’t it? What a relief that Ted was smart enough to run home — good dog!
It was a relief because there is absolutely no way that I can run as fast as Ted can. The dude is fast.
It does seem pretty insane for so many people to have been at their jobs for so long. Hopefully they like what they’re doing and are happy doing it! If so, it says a lot about the company you work for.
I’m really glad that people have such long tenures; it’s just odd to think that they’ve been at this job since 1972?! What?!
I speak from experience when I say 40 cards takes a LONG TIME!
Funny about lil Ted. Animals are so weird and cute sometimes.
Amen, sister. And my handwriting was much less pretty toward the end of it all.
It’s always scary when that happens. I’ve found that when they run off, if you just sit down where you are, they come to you.
Really? Ted is so fast that I don’t know if I’d ever try that…
Go you! You’ve been busy. Don’t forget that you can actually freeze cookies too - and not just the dough. Shortbread cookies freeze especially well (like spritz).
Um, hello - GENIUS! I need to investigate this…
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