The Playful Spirit: December 2022

We all have those years and I've decided this is one for us... so, here are family photos and well wishes from our family to yours!

Happy holidays!

May your year be filled with cozy times... as delightful as double mochas!

Here is our latest family update so you can see the latest at our home.

12/24/22

Hello everyone,

What a packed week! Lots of news and I’m including larger pictures this week… here we go!

Very carefully decorating… of course, Cameron had shattered a lid of oven-safe glass all over the kitchen that morning which might have made him a wee bit more careful with these baubles. He did crack me up by admitting to a decorating flaw, “I swear I’m over-thinking this!”

Cameron’s glee and Andrew’s horror at finding this preschool ornament

Ah, the friendly teasing… as Andrew put Cameron’s gifts under the tree, “One, lump of coal. Two, lump of coal. Three, lump of coal. Four, lump of coal. Five, lump of coal!” (Naturally with all different accents and cackling glee.)

I’m so excited that I’ve made it into the original roll-out for this device to treat migraines… could still be 6weeks away though before I get one: https://www.relivion.com/why-relivion/relivion-safety-and-results/

My child got a scholarship letter in the mail for… out of state students? Apparently, he didn’t check the box for in-state-student on the application and used $10k more of his college fund for his first semester than he needed to. We’ll see what Andrew can do to help address the issue during business hours. I know this isn’t life or death, but I admit this kind of thing really shakes me up and makes me question again if I’m making the right independence-choices. Parenting is tough. By the way, three A’s and two A-’s for his first semester at a 4-yr-college. The asynchronous challenges continue… he’s 14 and 24 at the same time depending on the situation and some life-situations are so complex!

At work, we kept up with all the coverage of students through staff sick-calls and I’m loving my cozy, new desk set-up

Yep, he loves them and Cameron is amused

Center closed today (Thursday only) due to dangerous temperatures! Poor puppers came back from going out limping and Andrew set up a bonus heater for snakes. Now that pets are cared for and all morning chores done… cozy times for humans 🥰

Awww, look at tracker peeking through to tell me on I’m on the wrong side of the fireplace

Doggie eye-roll. I did so much wonderful Qi Gong in-front of an all-day fire and both felt so good!

So many beautiful visitors over the day… big and small

(These two came today, but same spot.)

That would be my sweet boy shoveling again, unasked… I warmed some milk on the stove and sweetened it for him to enjoy when he came back-in (traditional treat from when he was living at home and came-in from the cold)

He got signed up for classes next semester too:

And I got so many mental warm-fuzzies in addition to all these wonderful physical-moments over the day… I read a lovely card from my manager who is leaving and I received this note from my chorus director regarding the award from a few weeks ago. Talk about a day filled with warmth of all varieties!

The Joy award is given from me to the singer in Skyline who exhibits Joy, and shares Joy.

This year's recipient manifests joy all the time. She leads from the risers, and always has a joyful smile and greeting. She sings with joy and seeks harmony while always looking for the good in others. Her positive and gentle spirit wraps the chorus in love. She is keenly observant of the many often unseen contributions that make our Skyline village successful, and is quick to express sincere gratitude for these efforts. This years award goes to Rachel Miner.

Vickie

International Speaker, Coach, & Author
Master Director 700, Skyline Chorus
Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors
Judge Specialist, Expression Category
Certified Expression Judge
Certified International Faculty

Manager note excerpt:

Thank you for being the heart of our center. You are the first person to celebrate a victory or notice when someone needs one. Your steady growth and willingness to seek and accept feedback are wonderful models for your colleagues. I am so grateful to have had you working alongside me as we rebuilt Denver to its former glory…”