My head is all stuffy and my nose is running, due primarily to a fit of cleaning last night. The fans in my house run almost 24/7 through the entire summer, particularly this summer, as it was hot and humid continuously. Every year, before stowing them at the back of the closet, I pull out the screwdrivers, take out the hidden screws and wipe everything down.
Um, yeah. They needed it. You know how layered dust gets all felty and soft? Big pieces of that all over the living room floor (and that was only what didn't stick to the Swiffer 360 dusting wand, which I adore). In fairness, I cleaned multiple fans, including the monster from the bedroom; then I thoroughly vacuumed the living room floor.
Yesterday it finally sank in that my employers "gift of time" this coming Christmas (they are giving us 12/27, 12/28 and 12/29 as additional paid holidays) means we are off from 12/23 to 1/3: seven paid workdays. I usually combine holiday and vacation days at Christmas to take two full weeks - you can bet I'm going to do it this year as well.
May as well say it: Christmas is only ten weeks away.
Hmm. I think my "Simplify the Holidays" plan was supposed to start October 1st. I've picked out Christmas cards, does that count? Maybe I'll find the list from last year and actually order the cards this weekend. A good friend was more than happy to be given the six and a half foot tall, prelit tree I've barely used over the last six years, so I'm currently treeless. No sense in replacing it this year, as I'm not sure where I'll be next Christmas or what kind of tree will fit in my new digs.
We are being offered a new benefit next year - legal counsel services. The benefits are limited (no criminal law services, obviously) but would cover some things I might want some advice on next year, including home purchase, wills and healthcare power of attorney. It's cheap (after tax, of course), but without knowing whether the Bush-era tax cuts will continue, which in turn impacts any changes I'd make in my retirement contribution, which further goes to how quickly the house saving is funded...
Everything is interrelated.
Another free drink coupon from Starbucks came in yesterday's mail. Though from the looks of things, I'll have to wait around to get it. Thanks to the hot summer, I spent enough time in the coffee shop in the evenings to have earned a free drink every month for the last four; between those, and the free flavorings and milk upgrades, it has been worth it to use the prepaid gift card rather than cash or my debit card. On the other hand, I may have spent more because it came off the gift card, if you know what I mean.
I seem to be babbling, which is the norm for Friday afternoon. I need to go clear my head and make a list - I'm off to Target after work, then maybe next door to the grocery store for a halfway decent bottle of wine to have with dinner.
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