Ho Ho Ho

This has been a really crazy week let me tell you. First I have to say that today was the best day of the week at work and I came home feeling very positive about my job again and then Chip got home from his company Christmas party with lots of surprises for me. See, my washing machine pooped out on us 3 weeks ago and believe me it was total chaos for me, who likes to have everything in order and under control. The first week I took the laundry to my moms, but that was really stressful. The second week we went to the laundromat which was yucky when you are used to having your own laundry room and equipment and then you have to sit in this cold dirty building with a bunch of strangers and look at each others underwear going in and out of the washers. Then last night I just filled the bathtub with hot water and Tide and washed the clothes in there, and that was more work than I had anticipated. But today, ladies and gentlemen, the part came. This would be the second part we ordered, to the tune of $165.00. The first part was $141.00 and did not fix the problem so we had to hold our breath that this one would work. Well, I am getting ahead of myself because I didnt know about the part coming and had just got home and checked my email to see if Karen had mailed me and then Chip got home so I went to see how his day went. He was dragging a big box into the basement and when he saw me he said that it was my Christmas present. It was a nice stationary tub. Ours is really old and nasty and rusted and it leaked so he just up and bought a new one. Plus it has a storage cabinet with it so I have extra storage ( a plus for an obsessive organizer ) . So I was already really happy and then he told me that the part had come in and then told me that he had installed it and THE WASHER NOW WORKS !!!! Yay!! I am so delighted. And thats not all... He also brought home a ham, a box of candy, and a bonus check!! Merry Christmas! And here all week I had been feeling like the world hated me. My husband is the greatest!

So all week work has been stressful and its been hard for me. The girls are acting funny and like they dissapprove of my methods for customer service. Hey, I AM a certified customer service specialist, thank you very much. But one of my coworkers ( who shall not be named) kept shaking her head and "tsk-tsking" me when I was helping a man on the phone who was being extremely friendly and was thanking me for all my help and wishing me a Merry Christmas. And of course I was so pleased that he was so appreciative and it made me feel valuable and then she had to go and tell me that I am TOO helpful. She acted really put off that I was trying so hard to help and like she was mad at me. So my feelings were really hurt and after two days of this I was in tears. So I did what any smart and desperate woman would do, I called Karen. And my wonderful Karen took the time to hear me out and let me "cry on her shoulder" over the phone and pep talked me back to sanity. I felt much better after that.

Its scary to say, but in the short time I have known her, Karen has become the best friend I have ever had. The scary part is being afraid that she doesnt feel the same way. And even though we dont see each other every day like we used to, we email nearly every day and I try to give her a call every so often at work and I hope we can get together a lot and scrapbook and ride the horses. But we clicked so well and so fast. I have never felt this way about a friend before. I have read books where women talk about their friends and wondered, "how can that possibly be? How can they be so close?" but Karen and I talk about everything. Stuff that I thought only my weird mind could conjure, you know, poop and stuff.

And today, J was back and stayed in the office with us and it was just me and A and her. I am using just initials because J is highly paranoid of the internet and out of respect for her feelings I will not identify her. But most all of the people I delt with were nice and friendly and a bunch of them complimented me on how helpful I was. (So there, co workers! ) And I just felt so much better. Plus I did some new things on my own today and I felt like I had come into my own, gotten my sea legs so to speak. Yeah, I am learning and I can do it. J even said that I am her after court work "pro". That made me smile too.

Well, its getting late so I must go and relax a bit. It has been a truly wonderful day and I am feeling high and happy and content. I cant wait to get my laundry room all cleaned up. By the way, today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Rejoice!

Blessings to all, and safe and happy holidays. We are all connected. Share the love.