1. I absolutely love my freaking job. Working with children is where I am called to be. I have a patience, understanding and connection with these young people that I simply cannot explain. I am going to miss being off for the next month. Such is the cons of working in the school system.

2. I used to hate my freaking job. I worked in Customer Service at a horrid place for three years before we moved to Highlands Ranch. It was good money and I was a wiz at what I did. But I was taken advantage of by my bosses, my coworkers were back-stabbing 6th graders and the owner of the company was a skirt-chasing biggot. I met a couple of good friends during my time there but I still count my blessings that I am no longer suffering from paranoid delusions and sleepless nights because of that shitty job.

3. I saw my mom on Saturday for the first time in six months. I had her over to make Chex Mix in my attempt to start some new traditions in my life. We had a really good time joking, cooking and recalling old memories. It was very nice to spend that time with her so close to the holidays.

4. Ever since then I’ve been having horrible dreams involving her again. I went through a long grieving process over my mother earlier in the summer when I had these kinds of dreams but they had subsided a couple months ago. Now they’re back with a vengance. Ugh.

5. I am obsessive compulsive about Christmas lights on houses. Not just mine, but everyone else’s. I love to look at the lights in the neighborhoods this time of year but I can’t help critiquing every single one of them. Basically, in my book, all of the lights have to be the same size and shape. Houses with big bulbs on the gutters and small bulbs on the trees are not acceptable. If the lights only make it halfway up the bottom of the tree, it fails. Three different shades of blue lights, half burnt out and two strands dangling loosely off the side is not good. See? I’m very particular.

6. My husband puts up with this and still takes me around to see the lights.

7. The magician that he is, he made my wishes come true this year when he put up fat multi-colored bulbs along the horizontal gutters of our house, and fat clear bulbs up the sides of the driveway. He did a wonderful job! I’ll get pictures of it and post soon.

8. I started reading the Chronicles of Narnia a couple weeks ago and loved it. I’m halfway through the third book and find myself suddenly bored. I had to go out and buy an adult book (Light on Snow) last night as a distraction. I’ll finish the Chronicles some day. Promise.

9. I finished all my Christmas shopping last week. Sure, I’ll probably buy a couple more things for my spoiled Honey but that doesn’t count. Now, I just have to get the out-of-state gifts in wrapped and in the mail ASAP!

10. Our nextdoor neighbor came over to bake pumpkin bread in our oven since hers broke down in the middle of her cooking. I came home to find my house smelling cozy and warm from the pumpkin bread. She let us keep part of a loaf that has chocolate bits in it. YUM! I’ve got a recipe and the ingredients. When I’m feeling better, I’m definitely making some!

11. My lazy dog sleeps all day in his sun chair in the front room of our house. He gets up and bounces around when Honey or I come home and then he’s back asleep again. He must think he’s a cat.

12. This and this are two of the coolest gift ideas I’ve come across so far!

13. Thirteen things doesn’t sound like a whole lot to come up with until you’re at number 6. Whew. I’m beat!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!