An Added Bonus

So I was going to wait until tomorrow to post this, but I just couldn't wait... plus with new followers the pressure is on to keep it fresh!  :)

I was watching "Up in the Air" when I was visiting my mom this last week.  I knew that it was about a man whose job is to fire people, but didn't realize just how much it would focus on people learning that all their hard work was essentially for nothing... that hit a bit close to home.  There was a silver lining... at the end of the film (and don't worry it's not a spoiler), it went back to some of the people he fired and they talked about what got them through their tough time.  There was one girl, about my age, who talked about how money keeps you warm with buying heat and blankets, but nothing is better then falling asleep in her husbands arms.  It sounds really corny and cheesy I know... but it's true.  At the end of the day it's the little things that get you through this.  Shaun, my boyfriend, is amazing; he is there for me when I'm crying, laughing, when I'm pulling my hair out, when I'm nervous about an interview, he is there... period.

When I was working my 50 hours of overnights I missed out on a lot of stuff I didn't even realize I was missing out of, and cuddling with Shaun was just the beginning.  I lucked out that my unemployment started just before the holidays... and this holiday season was the best I have had in a long time.  Halloween was celebrated amongst friends who love our house for parties and wanted to make sure we had our traditional party... so much so they provided all the food and drink for the party... and we ran out of table space.  Those friends are the type of friends you wait your whole life to meet and keep forever.  Thanksgiving was great, I was able to attend both family dinners (mine & Shaun's) with no rush to get home early or being tired from working the night before.  I went shopping on Black Friday instead of setting up live shots while others got deals.  But the best was Christmas.

The past 5 years I was either drafted or volunteered to work Christmas.  I never minded it THAT much at the time, but with my family expanding (adding Shaun and his family) it was starting to get tiring.  This year I took full advantage of the time off.  I baked cookies galore (even baked cookies for a little cash for people), decorated the house, etc.  The best thing was spending time with friends and family.  From visits with friends and family (including seeing my G-Pa for what would be his last Christmas) to decorating cookies leading up to the big day, going to Wildlights, and then the two family celebrations.  Christmas was a bit cheaper this year, but was made up for 10 full with the memories that I will keep long after the fancy body soaps and chocolate.

Pictured: me, my niece Cara and nephew Clay at Columbus Zoo's Wildlights