Cellar Scribblings

[serious crayons]

As I read the afternoon and evening updates, I'm newly grateful for the long hours and overtimes/holidays journalists put in. Thank you!

Aww, that's really nice to say. We don't do long hours because the union really emphasizes not working for free. We don't get overtime, but we take a day off later. Holiday pay is you only work five hours and get paid for eight. I'm very grateful for the union!

But it's true, somebody always has to be there between about 9 a.m. and midnight or later, even on a holiday (Jewish colleagues are usually nice enough to take Christmas) or in a blizzard. Though working from home has helped with that, too. Years ago in Duluth I tried driving my Honda Civic into work but only made it about a block and a half; got picked up by an SUV and taken in. At least one person cross-country skied in.

Kind of like being a cop, firefighter or nurse, I guess. And usually less stressful than those things.

[CellarDweller]

Hiya BetterMost friends!!!!

Welcome to 2025!



I'm one of those people who keep their Christmas stuff up as close to the Epiphany as I can.  I decided to take the Christmas stuff down this weekend, except for the lights on the windows, which I will keep up until the Epiphany, taking them down on Tuesday.

So I started last night, and got the Christmas stuff taken out of the bathroom and kitchen, as well as the stuff off the coffee table in the living room.  Today was all the table top stuff in the living room, the Rudolph plushies, and all the ornaments and tree.

Sunday will just be a relaxing day, with no plans other to see mom and dad for lunch.

Monday, back to work as usual.

[serious crayons]

Monday, back to work as usual.

Dreading that! I was off from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1. Returned on Thursday, but only for two days. And I'd been taking Fridays off for a couple of months to use up PTO.

Monday begins the real January -- back to working five-day weeks, brutal cold, short days, only holiday MLK Day on Jan. 20, which in itself would be nice enough except this year it will be a day to dread for other reasons. Otherwise no work holidays until Memorial Day. (Easter is a Sunday, so not a work holiday and not one I do much to celebrate. Valentine's and St. Patrick's Days can be sort of festive, I guess, but they're not work holidays).

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer, and I know most of these are pretty First World problems. But as I often say, January is the Monday of months.

[CellarDweller]

Hiya BetterMost friends!!!!

It snowed overnight.  Not much, but it looks pretty out.

You can click the image to make it bigger.




Did some online shopping over the past week.  Nothing major, but I decided to get some things for my coffee table for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Pride.

I'll post pics when they get put out for those holidays.   Just some small things to brighten up the place.

Otherwise, things are pretty much status quo here. 

[Front-Ranger]

Looking forward to seeing your spring holiday pics, friend! Here, we have a rule that you can't stow your Xmas decor until the Stock Show is over (I think that really only refers to holiday lighting, but I'm taking a broader interpretation). So the holiday decor that I really like is still on display while I'm gradually filling up a storage box of the things I can do without.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Everything has been backed away here, except for the silk poinsettias and a small sprig of man-made holly. They'll remain until about March, when it will be time to switch to early spring flowers.

[Sason]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUCK!!

Have some cake!

[southendmd]

Happy birthday, Chuckie!  Wishing you lots of red velvet!

[serious crayons]

Looks like we've got a theme going! Happy birthday, Chuck!

[CellarDweller]