Oh Brother!

Thanksgiving was great - my turkey turned out juicy, tasty, etc. Had a great time with the family and I was in heaven with my beautiful table setting. It's so much fun to use my china! However it was absolutely exhausting. I don't know how my mother-in-law does it. She has dinners like this all the time and makes it look so easy. I was so dead tired by 8:30 pm after cleaning up, that Tony told me to go to bed. Never mind you that his brother was still there. Tony finished up cleaning for me - oh I was so glad. I was asleep 30 seconds after my head hit the pillow. Below are a couple of pictures.

My grandma is back at the nursing home. She is just amazing!

Now for the news of the day! I was laid off from my job. I'll go ahead and tell you from where since I don't care any more - Big IT Company (I've decided to not mention my company's name since I first wrote this). The thing is that I will probably be back on the job in a couple of weeks. Here's the deal - I've been in one organization for the past 8 months now, but the new manager could not get me transferred from my old account due to the acquisition of Big IT Company by Big Hardware Company, most/all internal moves were frozen. Well my old manager had to cut people, so of course she picks me since I'm not even working for her anymore. Problem is that she didn't give my new manager any notice and she told him that she would - so he is super PO'd. He is escalating it and I should be able to be saved - however it won't be before they take away my email access tonight, and my laptop. Most likely I'll have to turn that in on Wednesday, then wait for my staffing requisition to go through. Then I'll be back on the job, but have to wait for a new laptop, etc. In the meantime I've backed up everything. I go on my cruise on Saturday so if anything I may end up getting the entire month of December off since I was already scheduled for vacation next week as well as the last 2 weeks of December. However, looks like I'll be shopping for a laptop later this week! We need one for home anyway.

I figure even if something happens and my new boss can't save me, then oh well. I've been with Big IT Company almost 17 years and although the economy sucks in Michigan, I'm confident that I'll find another job. In addition to my project management skills, I also speak fluent Spanish, which helps. I also have my soap & candle business to focus on, which is great since this is the busiest month of the year! Then I'd certainly have time to relax and get ready for our donor cycle in the new year.

My nephew and my youngest niece. Unfortunately it's my only people picture. I took most of the pictures before anyone got to my house, and then I was too busy cooking, serving, cleaning to get more people pictures. Ooops.

My beautiful bird

Table #1

Table #2 (although we ended up cramming everyone into the main dining room table anyway - we should've put the leaf in!

Grandma's beautiful platter