Sunday Stealing

SUNDAY STEALING    

1. Who did you spend time with this year? I enjoyed the time I spent with my nephew lots.

2. Anything change with the pets in your life? Nope. Both my cats are healthy, and for that I am grateful.

3. What was your job like this year? What do you do? Did any roles or assignments change? If you aren’t employed, base this question on your work at home or volunteering. After a year off, I started a new job at the card shop around the corner. I'm always surprised customers know my name because I forget I'm wearing a name tag. This retail thing is new to me after 47 years of office work.

4. What was the best book you read this year?  How many did you read? I am almost done with my 45th book of the year. The best of the bunch was In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I know that's not the most Christmas-y answer, but there you go.

5. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? Did you feel differently? I turned 66 this year. I barely felt it because my birthday fell on the day before Thanksgiving and that damn turkey stole my thunder. Kwizgiver gave me a birthday shoutout and that was a highlight.

6. What political or social issue stirred you the most? If you come here often, you know the answer to this. On Christmas Eve, I'm not going there. Instead I'll invoke Chicago's Very Own.

via GIPHY

7. Who was the most interesting new person you met? Ceecee, my new boss at the card shop. A 30-something working mom, she has a refreshing attitude toward work and life. She says her #1 requirement of any of us is that we be kind. I just love talking to her. Then there's Rachel, the instructor of my yoga class. New to Chicago from Los Angeles, she is engaging and fun and very helpful. She also works pop culture references into the class, which makes it all more accessible for me. (Too much of the "woo-woo" and my mind wanders.)

8. What changed in your home? Not much.

9. What have you learned throughout the year? (Other than crafts)  Can be a new skill or a life lesson. "The supported fish pose" in yoga. It makes my spine feel so much better. Here is someone much more attractive than I doing it.

Learn more about it at Yoga Journal

10. What was your favorite outfit for warm weather? Cooler weather? What do you wear when you dress up? Any new clothes or accessories you really love? I'm happy to see my office attire again! There's no dress code at the card shop, but my nicer sweaters and blouses had been languishing in the armoire during my retirement and it's good to put them to use again.

11. Did you make or give up on any efforts to be healthier? Diet, water, exercise etc? I've been doing yoga almost exactly a year now. I still suck, but I feel better and that's the point, right?

12. Fave meals, snacks, desserts, restaurants etc? Eat out or eat in? Nothing new in this area. Pizza and cheeseburgers are still my favorites. Eat out or eat in doesn't matter, as long as I'm not cooking.

13. Did you learn any new crafts or techniques? What was your favorite thing you made? Sorry, but I've got nothing for you here.

14. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year?  (Some suggestions-family, travel, work, lifestyle, hobbies, pets, appearance) I'd like to make my home more liveable by getting rid of much of my stuff.

15. What was the best new/new-to-you thing you a) bought b) made c) acquired in some other way? I just bought an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Can't wait to try it. Hoping it will remove the tarnish on some of my pieces and make them wearable again.

 

 

Now it's Christmas

Last night I saw George Bailey on the big screen. My friend Elaine and I went to the annual holiday show at The Music Box Theater, which includes a singalong with Santa before the showing of a pristine print of It's a Wonderful Life.

First we had dinner at a local restaurant known for their chicken. She had the chicken salad, I had the rotisserie chicken, and I received two (count 'em, 2!) compliments on my Cubs Christmas sweater. Then it was off to the theater. 

This is a Chicago tradition. Santa comes in, sits atop the organ, and leads us in a singalong. We went to one of the evening shows. I'm told that during the matinees it's mostly families and very wholesome. I've only ever been at night, when it's a bit more raucous and we can hear beer cans being popped open throughout the singalong. I just love how many young adults know this classic film so well (you can count on hissing every time Mr. Potter appears on screen) and are willing to don Santa hats and come out for it. I got emotional about all of it and and bought the 40th anniversary commemorative mug.

Who needs another mug? Not me. But I had to have it.

I found it comforting that Elaine was grumpy. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. She was battling an upper respiratory infection -- caused by allergies, so she wasn't contagious -- and very snappish. She is usually far more thoughtful and generous than I am, so in a way I enjoyed seeing this more human side of her.

I went to sleep feeling more Christmas-y than I have so far this year.