Tuesday, December 16, 2008

U-Turn

I'm not going to mince words...November sucked. It was perhaps the worst month for us ever. Luckily, December is a lot better, & it's not even over yet.

Let me start with the biggest news - I got a promotion! Weird, huh? It wasn't a "Claire, you've done such a wonderful job for us over the last 6+ years, so now we're making you a manager" kind of promotion, but nonetheless, a promotion. You see, I was approached by a manager in my department about a job, & after talking about it & interviewing with a couple of different people, the job was mine. Yay, me! It's very scary stuff, though...I've never done what I'll be doing. In fact, I never even considered doing it, maybe because I thought it would never be an option. Hell, I can't even pronounce most of my job duties! Despite this, the stars aligned just so, & BAM! New job, with a 5.4% increase...not too shabby in this economy, & certainly not when upper management sent an email out not too long ago saying no one would get a raise this year. (I don't mean to be cryptic, but this is the internet, after all, & I'd rather not discuss specifics about my job. I know, you get it.) Just in time, too - I was feeling very trapped & beginning to wonder if my letter opener would be sufficient enough to slit my wrists. (Kidding...but I really did hate my job!) So, on December 29th, I start my new position....

....the day after we get back from Jamaica!

Go ahead, hate on me. You know you want to.... Ok, that's enough now.

This Saturday, Doug & I get on a plane & head to Couples San Souci! We haven't had a vacation since the end of April, & we're long overdue. To say that we're excited is putting it mildly. Very. We'll be gone for 9 days. Can I just tell you how much fun it is to spend Christmas on a beach? Away from the dysfunction, the craziness, the rushing around...it's bliss. Just imagine...an 80° Christmas with a swim-up bar, reggae, & a lot of rum. Dirty Bananas. Pina Coladas, Hummingbirds. Even the dreaded Bob Marley shot - hey, I'm no wimp. Shall I continue? No schedule, incredible food, & amazingly beautiful surroundings...sleeping, reading, playing, or just vegging out looking at the water. I can do that for hours. And the kicker? My husband, the scrooge, wants to bring a string or 2 of lights to hang on our balcony. If you could only know how major that is...

So yeah, December has treated us much better than its predecessor. Sure, Doug's mom & Charles (oh, how I miss that boy) are still gone & there's no bringing them back, but aside from what I was just talking about, both of our vehicles are running as they should, we ditched our colds (I can't tell you how great it was to enjoy wine!), & we've had a little bit of a break from our seemingly grueling schedule. Those are just a few things, but at the top of our list is the love & support we've felt from our friends. We've always known we have an abundance of outstanding people in our lives, & we feel very, very blessed.

Oh, & it's 18° out with snow & ice on the ground...but Doug & I just came in from our hot tub.

Yeah...we know how to roll.

14 comments:

Pamela said...

i am so happy for you!!! you totally deserved it.

Thom said...

I can only hate you a little bit because it is 80 degrees every day here, with beaches, palm trees and pointsettias gowing in my garden - OK, you can hate me a little bit now. Go have a wonderful time - you deserve it!

Teresa said...

You were totally due for a good month. I hope the trip is fabulous, and we need to have an El Nopal date when you get home!

Jennelle said...

Congrats on the promotion!

LucyinStLou said...

If anyone deserves some good news, it's you two! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. See you tonight!

sarah said...

I still have four pounds of dip in my fridge. :)

You guys are going to ADORE Sans Souci, just be prepared to climb lots of steps. I can still smell Jamaica and I'm extremely jealous that you don't have to deal with crazy families for Christmas. However, no one needs or deserves this trip more than you guys. I can't wait to have another pizza night when you get back so we can talk about it!

Have a blast and don't play shot bingo!

Anonymous said...

OK, let's see...you got a promotion, you're going to Jamaica and you have a hot tub.

Yep, I pretty much hate you.

:)

Jenn said...

CONGRATS!!!! I'm so happy December is looking up! And I'm still freaking jealous about the hot tub...oh and I miss you guys!!!

Mary said...

Congratulations! You definitely deserve the good things happening right now. You should be commended for getting a promotion AND a raise in this economy. Have a blast in Jamaica!

Vagablonde Bombchelle said...

Congrats on the promotion and have a great trip!

Jersey Girl said...

congrats on the new job! It should be a wonderful slightly new start for you. Enjoy Jamacia for the holidays too, have a mojito for me.

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if the hot tub was up and running.....and up until you mentioned that it was only 18 degrees - I was going to volunteer to fly out and watch the hot tub while you were away (wouldn't want it to get lonely).....Congrats on the promotion (isn't it nice to know they recognized your talent and hard work)....and have a great time in Jamaica.

joetalk said...

WHAT??? Jamaica??? Want a tag a long??? ;)

Have a blast, congrats on the promo, and glad to hear you're doing better!! As my friend Gracie told me yesterday when it snowed, "This snow is really unnecessary!"

Oh - and I get to have a bottle of my favorite desert wine when I go home for the weekend!!! Muscat Caneli by Messina Hof!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Danny said...

Hey Mahn......

Congrats on your promotion!