The World Around Me

I realize I haven't written in quite a while. I'm waiting for someone else to write something. I guess I could be that someone.

It was a lovely holiday season. Christmas was spent with family up in Bellingham. We were all together for the first time in a few years. The kids are getting bigger and way more fun. Mahina and I went geocaching - not very successfully, one for four; but I think we can do better next time. :) Still, she's a good walker, and a fun person and she is smart and funny and original. She love Mary Poppins, so she comes out with these totally anachronstic expressions. "Mahina, would you like to watch a movie?" "Of course I would, if you please." She was excited to help make dinner - Timbalo on one hand and French Silk Pie on the other - but in truth really only enjoyed the chocolate (French Silk) pie. Good call.

New Year's was out with friends - many of the same crew that were at last new year's, crammed into Nate & Charles' little apartment... this year at Nate's brother's townhouse, which was a bit easier to move around in. It was a really easy-going party... at midnight we popped poppers, and then all went back to hanging out.

Around that, work was quiet, the weather was reasonable, and I think everyone got a bit more sleep than normal. Made this past Monday a bit brutal, but that happens every year...

Today I was working from home, and a random person with an envelope came up to my door. He handed me a flyer - a neighbor who is out of work, going door-to-door offering his services - auto mechanic and light handyman... makes me horribly sad. I might actually be able to create enough of a junk pile to have him haul it away, esp. if I clean out my shed.

On the other end of life, while it was not a great year for retail, we did hit our sales plan for the year. And given the economy and the ability to make a deal, we did really well in terms of gross margin. So we will be getting a bonus this year. I can now dream about what I'd like to do with it, although that will later be tempered by reality.

I feel like I'm about ready to start new things. This is exciting. Stay tuned.