Catherine, the Great

This post is in tribute to my grandmother, who died on Christmas morning. She was 90 years old. Needless to say, this was not the happiest of holidays. I am so sad that I didn't get a chance to call and wish her a Merry Christmas and I hadn't talked to her in a while. I hate regrets. There are always regrets. Apparently her health had really been declining for about a month, and everyone in NY knew she wouldn't last much longer. Of course, no one told the family down here in VA. They didn't want to upset us. So apparently it's less upsetting when someone dies more suddenly than you expect them to . . . but I digress. My grandmother was a warm, funny, neurotic, wonderful lady who was always upbeat and loving. I have some really great memories of her, and I will really miss her. I'm heading out of town Thursday for the services on Long Island. May she rest in peace, and may my 91-year-old grandfather find a way to get through this.

As an aside, I heard a song that I used to sing in church on the radio yesterday, before I learned that my grandmother had died, and wondered why they were playing it, since it wasn't a holiday song. It was called "Let There Be Peace on Earth," sung by Vince Gill. Of course, the message is a very holiday message, but I had never heard this on the radio before. I like to think it was some sort of mystical acknowledgement of her passing.

Happy Holidays!

Here's the latest scoop on what I've been doing:

--Went out Weds night with my best friend to Las Tapas on King Street in Old Town, Alexandria. Highly recommended, great food and flamenco dancing.

--Friday was the last day in the office with the boss. She's on vacation and won't be back until after my last day at work, Jan. 2. I hope next week is quiet as I wrap things up. I have a lot of files to clean up.

--The new job sent me a nice little Christmas gift, very classy move!

--I'm finally done Christmas shopping, although I have to actually pick up the last gift tomorrow.

--My sis is in town from FL, so I'll enjoy hanging out with her.

--Jeffro's mom is coming into town tomorrow for holiday festivities. Needless to say I spent all day cleaning and I'm exhausted!

So basically all I'll be doing for the next two days is eating, drinking,and being merry. Hope you'll be doing the same! Happy Holidays!

Great Christmas CD

Looking for some cool new Christmas music this year? I stumbled on this new CD by accident in my recent holiday shopping excursions. Bath & Body Works Make-A-Wish Holiday CD is on sale for just $10 for a 2-disc set, plus $1 of each sale goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It features hot artists like Rascal Flatts, Rob Thomas, and Mary J. Blige. Pick up a couple stocking stuffers and make a nice holiday charity donation at the same time.

I spent most of this weekend Christmas shopping, but I timed it so the stores and roads weren't too crowded. However, I'm still not done. Three gifts left and counting. I also went to see the tree downtown, went to an Asian-themed Christmas party, and put up a little fake tree this weekend. I am exhausted! As far as work goes, 10 days left and counting before I start the new job.

Affirmation

Today made me realize why I really want to leave my job. It was quite a hellish day, with many tech-support-like phone calls that just drive me crazy. I also had a call from a customer who couldn't figure out how to use the website. I just deleted that message, I just couldn't deal. There's nothing I hate more at work than to be continually interrupted by phone calls. That is, unless it's to be continually interrupted by my psychotic boss.

I try to shove these tech calls over to the tech guy (go figure), and he tries to pawn them off on me. It's a constant battle and I'm just sick of it. Never in my life did I imagine the title "marketing director" would entail taking this ridiculous calls and being the friggin webmaster. If I never see another website in my life, I will be ever so happy. On top of that, a project I've been trying to finish has been hit with delays and now more delays or more costs. I just about lost it today. I need to figure out exactly how many more working days I have left until I can get out of there so I can post a big countdown.

New Year, New Job

Well, the counter worked. I got the salary I wanted, and accepted the position. I gave notice at my current job, and I start the new one January 2! Yeah! I can stop searching for a job now. I think it's going to be a great environment for me and I'm gonna start counting down the days!

This was a busy week, I had to give a speech in Toastmasters, which went ok. Jeffro and I are going to see some music tonight. I haven't done any Christmas shopping, so I'm on my way out today to join the crowds and hopefully get some stuff done. I'm about 1/2 way done with my Christmas cards.

And PS - Happy Birthday to MJ!

Offer Extended

Well, even though I have an interview with another company tomorrow by phone, I got my first offer today. It was not quite as good as I'd hoped, and I actually countered. They are going to get back to me tomorrow. So we'll have to see what happens. I was so excited to get the offer, until it was less than I wanted. But my fingers are crossed that they'll come through. If I accept, this means starting January 2, I will be starting the new year with a new job!

Wish me luck tomorrow, as I have this offer to deal with, a phone interview, and a speech to give at Toastmasters. Talk about a full day. Guess I'll go draft my resignation letter just in case.

Where U At?

How has an entire week passed since I blogged? Guess I've been busy. Let's see. Since we last chatted, I still haven't heard about the job I was excited about. Things are progressing, as they have called references, sent me benefits, etc. So we'll see.

To thicken the plot, however, I got a call today from what would be a very cool organization to work for. So now I'm kind of hoping the other job delays a little more so I can interview with this one! I'm so fickle.

This weekend was ok, the best part was eating out on Friday night, December 1 in Shirlington. Jeffro and I went to Guapo's and it was so warm we sat outside! Ironically, the next day I went to an oyster roast at the Old Dominion Boat Club and the Boat Parade of Lights in Old Town. A pretty nice time, but cooooold.

This week is going to be tough to get through, but then my office empties out for a convention next week, so hardly any of us will be there. The intern from hell is still from hell. I thought I would just about throttle her today with her incessant stupid questions. She just doesn't friggin get it. How is she ever going to get a real job? I feel sorry for her. Maybe I'll just kill her first, and she won't have to worry about it. I can't tell you how pissed I was at her today, and I got to the point where I nearly rolled my eyes every time she set foot in my office to jokingly remark, "You're never going to get any work done." Duh, bitch.