As some of you may know, Christmas 2006 was cancelled due to bad weather in Denver. As a result, I have been an intolerable crab and all around grump. I have inflicted my bah-humbugness upon pretty much everyone within a three state area but that, my friends, is about to end. God and Mother Nature willing, my son is going to come home next weekend and we will finally have our holiday!Before the Grinch stole Christmas, I had been in a very festive mood, decking my blog, decking the office and shopping up a storm. As a matter of fact, I did quite a lot of shopping while I was at state convention. Not only is it a place to learn a lot of conservationy things, it is also a great place to network (a.k.a. drink heartily and mingle). Probably the best thing about convention is the awards banquet, which is held the last night. It’s a really fun affair with entertainment, music and at the end, an auction of items brought in from all over the state.
I am usually able to contain myself and buy only a few reasonably priced items, however, this time it was different. To begin with I hadn’t slept much during the course of the event. The Democrats held their election soirée at our hotel and it was quite a party. A couple of my supervisors and I had a really good time with the “Fire Fighters for Tester”, so much so in fact that when I unloaded our watershed display; one of their posters was in the box. Not entirely sure how that happened…but I digress. As I said, this auction was different. Not only had I been out until the very wee hours of the morning, but our district took top honors in the state conservation newsletter contest (I’m the editor) and my district was awarded the MACD Presidents Award for Conservation. I was exhausted, but in very high spirits, not a good condition to be in at an auction.
The first item that caught my eye was a walking stick. My dad has Parkinson’s disease and is somewhat unsteady on his feet, so it seemed like exactly the right Christmas gift for him. The bidding started at $100.00. It was hand crafted and one of a kind. My excited, exhausted, wine soaked brain told me I had to have it…
Suffice it to say I spent an fairly obscene amount of money on it...but it wasn't nearly as expensive as the other object I bought. I can't tell you about it until after our Christmas though, because my s-o-n reads my blog.
17 comments:
ahhh. am so glad you are getting your holiday, belated or not, it's all yours.
Thanks Jen. I am so looking forward to it. I can't wait to see my son, dad and brother and we will have my uncle John over and our neighbor Lois, who is in her 80's. I'll take lots of pictures to share, I promise!
That is a kick ass walking stick, congrats on the newsletter win, and [giddy] YAY!!! for your son coming home.
My relatives couldn't make it home until a few days after Christmas, either, but it was so great to see everybody that the date on the calendar really didn't matter.
Have a good time!
At last! Patience is a virtue and you GOT IT. Enjoy your special time and keep everyone posted, please!
I laughed out loud reading of your shopping spree and your wine soaked brain :)
Congratulations on the award!
That walking stick is beautiful. I'm glad you got it for him. Now we'll have to wait to see what you got for your s-o-n. ;)
I'm glad you recovered your mood, and I think that it's a great walking stick. A real keeper.
The walking stick is very handsome. My old friend Walter, a sage, had a marvelous walking stick, also hand made, which he called "an early form of transportation." His was accessorized with such things as a tiny compass, a length of rawhide for tying things, and a little leather pouch for whatever.
Courtney, I know my dad will love it, now whether or not he uses it remains to be seen. You are right; I’m giddy with excitement over the upcoming weekend! I swear though, if the weather goes to crap, I’m gonna have a breakdown, for real!
Thomas, I’m glad they made it home, even if it was late. Christmas isn’t about the presents, it’s about the presence, and date doesn’t matter. I am over the moon happy that I will see him in only 5 days!
Mary, I promise to keep you posted. There will be oodles and oodles of photos! I was thrilled about the awards. The newsletter and the work website are my most favorite things to do; it was very nice having all the hard work recognized!
Peg, I will post pictures of my s-o-n’s face when he opens the p-r-e-s-e-n-t. Thanks so much for stopping by!
AC, My family is also very happy I recovered my mood, lol! I really fell in love with the walking stick; it’s so unusual. A rare find; just like my dad.
Joe, “An early form of transportation” is a wonderful phrase. I love the way Walter accessorized, I may have to pick up a small compass and leather pouch for dad on the way to Absarokee Friday. Thank you for planting that wonderful idea in my head.
MERRY CHRISTMAS in January!
Thank you very much Steve!
Finally!
My father-in-law had a couple of really cool walkin' sticks and one was a 'gnarly dude' like that baby!.
I guess you should get ready for the 2 year pre-election extravanganza that you folks get to enjoy...we get about 2 weeks of commercials and it's over.
HE, I rarely watch tv anymore, and that's their usual choice for propoganda. If it is on, it's set to one of the contemporary music channels. But you are right, it will be a two year onslaught and by the end of it we'll still have to vote for the lesser of two evils (the Democrat).
Laurie - Congratulations! Why am I not surprised? Your blog is creative and I know you apply your gifts as effectively in your career, too. Also the district award - it must be very satisfying to work with a good group.
I understand the lift being with a cherished child can bring into a winter weary heart. I hope you've had a great visit.
The walking stick is lovely and so thoughtful - bet your dad is enjoying it (if only to look at it standing gracefully next to the door)
Yep - I'm back on the internet. Had to travel a bit to get there:0)
It was sweet of you to drop by and say 'hi' even when the cupboard was bare.
Cathy, I am so glad you have internet again, and in such a lovely location.
My Christmas is actually this coming weekend...I was kind of vague about it in the post. I know it will be fantastic. I'm just finishing up a surprise gift for the family and I can't wait for them to see it.
As for work, well I love my job, what can I say. It's the job of my dreams. I can't imagine how it could be any better. Lucky lucky me!
Congrats on your awards...and it is a very nice walking stick. My dad collects them.....
Threecollie, I fell in love with it. Whether it was the excitement or the wine, I don't know, but I had to have it. I know my dad will love the craftsmanship. He was a carpenter and quite the woodworker in his day. The money went to charity, so it was well spent.
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