Hello new year 2026... Summer, Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve have passed in a blink of an eye. Another year gone, another year older and hoping 2026 is at least a fair year; kinda in the middle between Good and Bad.
I am here again. I always tell myself "I gotta get back to writing" and I never do. I am going to make an effort this year to keep this up and write because writing gives me an escape.
Time is truly flying. My kids are getting older and I miss them when they were little and when they truly needed me. My mother is getting older and it's sad to see her that way because she can't do many things like she used to and she also walks very slow that at times she needs her walker. I am getting older too... my birthday was on Dec. 31st and I didn't do much but celebrate my bday at home; had a slice of my son's bday cake (his was on Dec. 29th) so I didn't bothered to get myself a bday cake for me.
Halloween came... my favorite time of the entire year. All October is my favorite month. To bad we don't decorate our outside house with ghost, ghouls, skulls, skeletons, spiderwebs, and all things spooky like we used to. My kids are grown and they aren't into that, it's a lot of work to decorate the outside, then buy a lot of candy for the trick-or-treaters and be on stand by at the door to hear the doorbell ring and give candy. Maybe I'm getting old? But, I still enjoy the spooky atmosphere October brings. I do decorate the inside of our home.
Thanksgiving came... I went to my mom's and we drove to my sister's. Both of my sons went with me plus my youngest's girlfriend also went; we stayed at my mom's for another day and we came back on Saturday.
Christmas came... gifts were not as fun as it used to be. I did went to my mom's for Christmas Day; this time alone. I only went for that day and came back because we had to go back to work on the 26th (Friday). Christmas is not as it used to be; it gets sadder and sadder every year. I actually bought a fake xmas tree (9 ft) this time as I didn't like our current one that was small and thin as a pencil. I like fat big trees so I bought one and a lot of new ornaments... that made me happy to see our xmas tree.
Then, my son's 25th birthday came... bittersweet moment for me. Two days later, my birthday and new year's eve. My husband made dinner but no presents nor cake for me. I like balloons but no balloons either. It's ok. I received the new year in my jammies on the couch all comfy and warm.
Now, I am on a two-week vacation that started on Jan. 5th. I'm going to be back at work on the 20th. I didn't had any vacation since I started working at the Institute 3 years ago. I had to use those hours because I maxed out and I wasn't earning any more vacation hours. I didn't go anywhere but I am enjoying my time off as it is nice to wake up a little late and not before 5am.
When I go back to work, my work-buddy (B) will be transferring to another department in the institute... so his last day with our department will be on Jan. 23rd as he will be starting his new position on the 26th. Sad to see him leave our department as he was a joy to work by his side. Now, I'm going to be by myself until who-knows-when the department will hired a new person; which I hope soon. Just glad I took this time off now and not later because that would've been impossible or harder to take time off with one less person. Everything happens for a reason.
I'm supposed to be saving money for a down payment for a new car but it was difficult to do that in the months of November and December. I decided to be in line at 3:45am at the doors of Starbucks for that Hello Kitty collection they had and I was able to get 3 tumblers plus another one for my work-buddy's wife. I wasn't aware of those bear cups because I would've gotten two... my focus was hello kitty. But, no worries because I was able to get me a Starbucks bearista cup later and it's my pride and joy. I also got a glass tumbler that Starbucks Hong Kong did a collaboration with Kuromi... why was this not in the U.S.? I don't regret wasting my money on that nor the xmas tree and its ornaments; worth every penny.
Now, to start fresh in this new year and save as much as possible because this Chevy of mine is not going to last much longer.