Merry Christmas

Well it's finally here. Christmas Weekend. If we aren't ready, if we didn't get anything done - too bad, it's showtime my friends! I was going to write all the things I was grateful for, but then I felt weird posting them so perhaps it's better I keep my list to myself. But I do want to say "thank you" to all the people who have to work and miss time with their families - all the police officers, firemen, nurses, doctors, pilots, all the "essential services" and of course those who look after the homeless people and the homeless animals. Thank you to everyone who works hard to help everyday of the year, but most especially on this holiday weekend.

Years ago in my twenties, I had a corner office on the 13th floor of a downtown Vancouver high-rise. The company I worked for paid most people quite well, and usually besides having a very nice Christmas Gala at a very nice hotel, we were given a Christmas bonus anywhere between $300 and $500. One year there was talk that we might not get our cash bonus and they may be giving us a Christmas turkey instead. One woman  I worked with was so furious she threatened that if she received a Christmas turkey instead of a cash bonus "she'd drop kick the damn turkey across the office". At the time as was surprised at her ungratefulness and being young, I was happy with any bonus (heck that bonus was sometimes 1/2 a months rent!). Fast forward to the company I work with today - there are no Christmas parties or lunches, there are few gifts and certainly no bonuses, and no matter how much we've helped a co-worker or how much money we've made for them - they do not provide any gift of appreciation. My direct boss  does give me a small gift certificate to a restaurant, and one generous co-worker and I exchange gifts. I'm not sure what other companies do today, but times sure have changed. I will never forget how ungrateful we were and how we expected the parties, lunches and bonuses "back in the day". At my current job, there  is no Christmas spirit and I am grateful for any gifts that I receive. I didn't realize how much the office Christmas tree or the 'secret santa' gift exchanges played a part in getting me into the holiday spirit; working from home, and being isolated makes it tougher for me to get in the holiday mood. What kinds of things happen at your office this time of year? 

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Now switching gears, I bring you an image of a little needle felted snowman and Christmas tree that I made -

I finally had a chance to do some crafting for myself, so I picked up my needle felting supplies - it felt good to do all that stabbing.

Have a very Merry Christmas - thank you for staying with me and reading and commenting on my posts, it's really nice. All the best to you and yours.