Our family celebration is December 22 every year - allows for less stress for adult off-spring to see inlaws - As a group of 30+ we do potluck and pull names for gift exchange - cousins play LOUDLY

Christmas eve is a quiet night, bake cookies and pies

Christmas day is an open house - people come and go around other obligations, snacks throughout the day - dinner at 4

New Year's Eve is our wedding anniversary, celebration includes lots of board games, cards, and old movies

@Bill Branstetter, for me, for quite some time now, I've viewed Christmas as a joyous time for children. I believe it to be a time of eye widening, jaw dropping mysterious and magical moments. The day of all days to look forward to.

I remember in 1977 my mom gave me a bright red snowmobile suit. Presents didn't matter much to me as a child, maybe because the tangible things didn't matter very much to me. I never really knew what to ask for because my mom earned $3.35 per hour.

But that Christmas when I opened that present, I felt a surge of emotion so intense that I knew right then I would always believe in Santa Clause.

Nearly every kid in the neighborhood had a snowmobile suit and at that moment I felt equal with all of them. The smile didn't leave my face until the early 80's.

All else around me ceased to exist as I slipped in and pulled up that hot tamale colored suit and glanced at my mom as she nodded her approval, even though it was still dark outside. I shot out the front door and ran down the sidewalk at full speed asking the sky to please let it snow.

It wasn’t that morning that I got my wish, but not long after the year 1978 began, more snow than I could hope to imagine blanketed the Midwest in the blink of both eyes, no different than when an Eskimo’s dream causes him to lose touch with his blanket and a part of him is able to bring it back and up over his head without waking up or remembering doing it. To this day, I have yet to be witness to such a blizzard. That was my favorite Christmas….

This year I am sharing the holidays with someone who has been drowning in depression for much longer than is bearable due to loss and separation from her children. I am revealing another way for her to consider the thoughts that she already thinks about.

As it hasn’t been easy for her, it has been extremely rewarding for me to see hope once again in her eyes, and the understanding that she is never completely alone. Had she not needed me, I would be spending this season alone with far too many of my own thoughts.

Later today I will surprise my daughter, whom I haven’t seen in months, and spend some much needed time with her. Yesterday I saw my mom and my grandma for a few minutes and got to hug each one so tightly the insides of both of my arms feel the same as when I forget to not tighten up when receiving my yearly flu vaccination … I am happy for that…

Bill, I hope you and the rest of those who stroll and contribute to the helpful pages of Jobcase have the best Christmas yet…

sounds good!

That's easily the best question I have heard this year. I've learned that from the struggles of life that comes at you from your blindspots the willingness to adapt and still maintain your focus is daunting to say the least. It's totally worth every effort you put into maintaining your highest degree of concentration in order to keep your focus. The little things that people have done for you are what actually helps you the most through the toughest times. At least it's my view of what I have learned and incorporated into my daily life and each day is a journey of unexpected experiences. Enjoy your free time and rest because it's more work than play because family every important to me and I will not miss the time to show and receive love.

Fran Drescher. I've been told I look like her and have somewhat of her personality. I find it interesting.

My family and I moved from Hawaii to Utah over 17yrs ago and after we moved, we saw a movie “Mobster’s and Mormons”. It actually portrayed our life including the exact same van we ended up with in Utah. It was like watching a movie of our life. Lol https://youtu.be/N0Kb0scg0jk?si=uFc9CCfxjsBwdZdD

I once worked in a French company where the owner was completely out of the box, not caring at all for the typical corporate mindset and wording. He used many bad words in his relations with other team leads and providers. He was also a super fast thinker, and I got along great with him, he was my kind of person and we had become partners. His foul language never hit me as something really that wrong because it wasnt truly vulgar and I cant stand the corporate mindset either but one day I saw the f word in a marketing email sent to thousands of existing customers.. even for me that was too much..

The craziest thing though is that only 1 customer complained about it...

My last lead, Richard, used the phrase, “that’s what she said” or “that’s what he said” all the time! A lot of times inappropriately even! I wasn’t a fan of that adolescent behavior. Now, I can kid and joke all day long, but when it becomes gross or nasty, that’s not ok. Not at work. I should have reported him. 🤔

@Bill Branstetter, My dream vacation is a harmonious fusion of the serene ocean and mystical mountains, where the rhythmic waves meet the mysterious silence of the never ending hills.

As I sit here now in this chilly fall breeze, I can picture my eyes opening to the sounds of gentle waves and breathing in the fresh, salty air from the sea. As the day unfolds I explore the unknown of the terrain, immersing myself within the serenity of nature with her twisted paths, jagged peaks and eye widening surprises.

This place I would feel at one with all. My worries, fears and doubts disappear the same as the tide rolls back to where it began. The earth moves in my hands and the power of all that is or has ever been lies open and reveals itself.

As the sun sets like the shadow that disappears in front of me, I breathe in the mist from the waves as it mingles with the song of the flames. I hear the laughter and stories of kind-hearted people, each feeling the same escape as I.

This dream vacations provides the best of all worlds: the calming embrace of the sea, the invigorating spirits of the mountains, and the joy of being surrounded by genuine, positive folks.

For now this dream vacation will remain but a dream with the belief it may one day come to pass…

I'm interested

I work as a nurse ..21 yrs at it..the new DON at our facility actually told me..IF YOU DONT STOP P _ _ _ING ME OFF..YOUR NOT GOING TO HAVE A JOB !..I said fine..I'll just quit !..well, when I told the administrator of this facility what had happened, the new DON denied saying it ! She looked me right in the eye and said..."ummm no..I don't recall saying that, I'm not that kind of person" I said..I see what kind of person you are..and yes, I had an attitude..and was told I was " ATTACKING HER CHARACTER " and they let me go !..soooo...I'm looking for a new job !

Former employer had us all sign papers to get workers let go for performance at will , some left without a notice now we can submit these to labor copies to labor board unfair business practices , it carries to next job ; all applications denied no 2 week however some of us have a copy of their evidence

Definatly UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN. as for why, I think it plays into almost everyone's dream or fantasy about being able to travel to a new beautiful country so full of history. Meeting amazing people that become lifetime friends/family. Finding a super cool old house and being able to fix it up and LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER !!..obviously this is not EVERYONES dream or fantasy life..but I'd do it in a heartbeat if I had the right partner with the same desire for taking a risk to find your dream life.

Favorite Books - Dune Trilogy… it took some time to match the trilogy with the on screen movies, but the last version of Dune movie was very good!.. someone was paying attention to details.

@Bill Branstetter although I'm not a veteran I do have several acquaintances that are and their #1 choice (and mine) is Uraguay. The reason being is that Uraguay is pretty progressive and a democratic culture for being a South American country. There are many ex-patriots who have moved there to retire or own small businesses and are thriving. The real estate market is less expensive and the government there is American friendly. They appreciate new business ventures and you don't have to live there or be a dual citizen to own real estate or a business. There are some strict import & export laws but the Embassy is there to provide support and guidance to American Citizens. English is widely spoken. You can become a dual citizen after 3 yrs and some areas are absolutely phenomenal to live in. Most ex-pats live in Montevideo but there are terrific cities all over. Uraguay borders the Southern most end of Brazil.

The Alaskan fjords, at a time of year when odds are good for seeing the northern lights