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 Despite the fact that I got doused in the face with holy water by an overzealous deacon sending out a personal Mother's Day blessing during mass tonight, everything appears to be coming up roses at the homestead as evidenced by this gorgeous bouquet of stargazer lilies, roses, and crocuses perched on the dining room table. Total reminder of why I look forward to this holiday every year - minus the face dousing, that is.
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 Being an Italian Catholic, St. Patrick's Day doesn't exactly bring out any Irish-ness in me or the family. It does, however, make me feel like breaking out an afternoon bottle of Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of green food coloring as a festive touch. But to avoid that late-day crash - especially after getting in that power workout this morning, I opted for this fancy St. Paddy's Day dual-selfie, complete with holiday appropriate green University of Hawaii and Under Armour shirts.
Green beverages + crash can wait 'til later. What better day to shop for new eyeglasses than on Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday, the day upon which we celebrate the life, actions, and words of a leader who inspired all with visions of hope and unity. So in honor of MLK Day, the family and I took advantage of my newly acquired vision benefit by getting fitted with these swanky new glasses. And not only did I feel all excited about getting huge discounts, but I also felt special in having a paid holiday on which to celebrate and shop.
"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." — from "I Have A Dream" speech, Washington, D.C., August 28, 1963
I have seen my share of disappointment, desperation, and grief over 2018 which led me to new beginnings and unexpectedly uplifting opportunities. So while there are certain life events I would like to erase from the past year, I am also looking forward to all kinds of amazingly great stuff ahead. Biggest lesson learned? Life is too short and could end any time, so live every single day to the fullest and take care of that "Bucket List" now, because tomorrow is not guaranteed to even happen.
I AM SO ON IT.
Is there any better way to wish everyone a Merry Christmas than with Chevy Chase and family from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? Methinks not... so there you go.
CHEERS!
The worst part of being a new employee during the holidays? Lack of PTO ("Paid Tme Off"). The best part of being a new employee during the holidays? Other peeps have an abundance of PTO, hence leaving the workplace considerably empty compared to non-holiday times. So this week I'm doing all kinds of online training and enjoying my personal skyscraper view with NO. COMPLAINTS. WHATSOEVER.
 Thankfully, I am reading this ridiculously high temperature shown here on my Apple Watch from the comfort of my air-conditioned house on this fine Memorial Day weekend. And so far, the family and I have taken advantage of the cool comfortableness our our home by not grilling outside but instead cooking up some copycat Applebee's wonton tacos indoors, complete with a side of rice pilaf and fresh limes. So not only are we feeling all cool temperature-wise, but we're also eating way cheaper than we would have if we'd headed out to the actual restaurant. WTG, Fam.
 I'm remembering my visit to this place on Memorial Day last year, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which at the time seemed like the most appropriate location to spend the day honoring service members, past and present. And unsurprisingly, seeing this photo again brings back more emotion than I can possibly post in blog form, but if it touches anyone else in just a fragment of what I experienced, at least posting it here was worth the effort.
 What's an Empty Nester to do when a college student returns home for Easter? Color eggs, of course. And now the nest is looking all fancy with bright pastel-colored eggs, at least until said eggs end up in breakfasts and salads over the upcoming week. Must enjoy this pseudo-full nest while I can, in the meantime.
 This is how the CSM IT Team completes their holiday celebration - by sharing not only ONE but THREE types of desserts at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. I shall never leave this team, God help me.
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AuthorI am Brenda Swenson and sometimes I blog. Archives
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