How quickly the last month went by! I've had some thoughts about updating this, but something always took priority.
We have completed our move to new office space and I am beginning to feel comfortable now. There are still numerous boxes to unpack, but none of them hold critical stuff. I'm also trying to shred unnecessary papers as I unpack, so that takes up some time as well.
Additionally, though the supervisory and admin stuff at the job keeps me from writing as much as I'd like, I did write two commentaries for the weekly newspaper. I enjoy keeping my hand in that now and then, but every time I sat down at the computer I was editing or changing my work and that kept me from updating this journal.
It's been a somewhat stressful month with the move and other things at work. I've been coming home, grabbing a salad or something and reading until I fall asleep. The weather has kept my asthma active too, and I frequently wake up coughing. The last few days have been much better, so hopefully that's under control now.
Friday I attended a luncheon for women veterans sponsored by the Disabled American Vets. It was wonderful, with ladies from all branches of the armed forces attending. They were all ages and served in numerous eras and jobs. One Air Force vet enlisted in 1955. Others served as nurses in VietNam. There were several who, like me, served in the Women's Army Corps, and lots of young women in uniform today. The food was great, but more so were the stories we heard. This was a terrific event and made me feel very special.
Tuesday I'll be taking photos at the annual Veterans' Day event in Fairbanks. This is always a very nice program, with a lot of veterans from WWII to Operation Iraqi Freedom. It's very patriotic and, like the women vets' lunch, instills in me a great sense of pride in having served. Be sure to thank a veteran for his or her service.
It's finally getting a little colder now. It broke the zero mark this past week at my house, with the coldest I've seen at the house about -6. I'm not crazy about this time of year, but realized that we're just about 6 weeks from gaining daylight again. I love winter solstice for that very reason.
I've been trying to get some Christmas gifts together early this year, and have been a little successful. I made note cards for my sisters, mother and some of my friends. I have gifts for one granddaughter and my dad, as well as a couple of friends. I'd like to get packages and cards mailed early for a change, so am dedicated to getting this done. I will NOT shop the day after Thanksgiving. I often say jokingly I'd probably end up in jail after assaulting someone. I went out one year, and thought many of the shoppers acted shamefully. I've seen better-behaved animals. I'm rather intolerant of rude, pushing, running people in public places. So I find the after-Thanksgiving shopping weekend stressful and not at all fun.
I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving with my daughter and her family here in Fairbanks. It was always a family day when I was growing up, first in my grandmother's house with my dad's two siblings and their kids. When we cousins grew up and married and had children, we moved across the street to the social hall at the fire house. It was a wonderful day filled with lots of love and great food. It always ended with my grandfather playing a fiddle that he had made himself. A lot of my favorite memories center on those Thanksgivings.
If I don't get back on here in the next couple of weeks, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
