That’s good to hear about your mom, erika! I had some good health news yesterday, too! I got a skin biopsy a few weeks back to be tested for Parkinson’s (I have a couple of minor for now symptoms and family history so neuro thought it would be worth it.) results came back normal which I wasn’t expecting at all. Doesn’t mean I won’t develop it later in life but I’m fine for now. Phew. Was very worried about how I’d tell my mom if it came up the other way. I also so the orthopedist yesterday and got cortisone shots for my knees so hopefully that will help the pain I’ve been having. She did say she’d give me a knee replacement now if I wanted one, the arthritis is that bad now, but we’re hoping the cortisone and meds I’m on help enough to stave that off for a few years. Helps to know she wouldn’t dick around if knee replacements become the only option.

I haven't really done Christmas shopping. I have no idea what to get anyone. Last year M's extended family did a name exchange but I have no idea what they are doing this year and neither does he. I've asked him several times to ask his brother and he says he will. He wants to do family gifts which I'm fine with . I think I'm leaning towards snack baskets for families. Not making anything but buying stuff. I don't know

I know food can add up quickly but I'm thinking of hitting up TJ Maxx and Five Below for different treats and just we provided the snacks to go with a family game or movie night.

Mom needs hearing aids. She had skin cancer removed and 7 spots frozen off her face

I skipped my dermatologist appointment because for some reason I made it for 9:30 on my day off

This morning I've already been subjected to a coworker ranting that people just don't want to work anymore and I pointed out job cuts and lay offs. And her reply was if someone gets laid off they should find any job they can even if it's flipping burgers. I pointed out that some places don't hire overqualified people and I got back " then you find some place that does. You don't sit around and do nothing and just get unemployment that's lazy . " And then I backed off because I remembered I'm talking to someone who is extremely bitter and barely does her actual job here and gets bitchy when she's told to do stuff and will leave early rather than do what needs to be done

Good to read the better health news. Quick recovery ~ma to all.

Yesterday was so hectic that I completely forgot to do my puzzles and blew all my streaks. Oh well.

I have no idea what to do for most people for Christmas. My son I am getting a kitty and the associated needs for care. One sister, who loves orange, I got this awesome t-shirt. [link] and that is about it. I need to focus this weekend on that stuff.

Glad for your good news, lisah!

I am once again glad that I have well established that December holiday gifts are not a priority. That was always stressful when I did have to shop and it's such a relief not to have that hanging over me. I can concentrate all my stress into 2026 revenue plan preparation

I haven't really done Christmas shopping. I have no idea what to get anyone.

I am in the same boat and Hanukkah starts MONDAY NIGHT.

The problem is I have one child who likes Things and is easy to shop for, and one child (the college student) who just wants money (which is easy but not satisfying as the gifter).

I've found myself growing appreciative of the low effort money/gift card presents as I've gotten older. That bit of excitement and satisfaction over tangible gifts doesn't really balance out the stress of shopping and squeezing through crowds of other shoppers in my curmudgeonhood. In related news, I finished my holiday shopping last night (mostly gift cards) and have just the wrapping plus the wait for delivery of one Christmas wreath to go.

I'm talking to someone who is extremely bitter and barely does her actual job here and gets bitchy when she's told to do stuff and will leave early rather than do what needs to be done

So when she says no one wants to work, she’s projecting. Sounds like she’s a delight.

I’m waiting to hear back from the best of the recent interview options this week. I interviewed with them last week, and they said they’d get back to me, one way or another, in “a few days.” Which I optimistically translated to a week or so. And it’s been almost exactly that. They didn’t seem like the ghosting type, but potential employers often don’t.

I’m waiting to hear back from the best of the recent interview options this week. I interviewed with them last week, and they said they’d get back to me, one way or another, in “a few days.” Which I optimistically translated to a week or so. And it’s been almost exactly that. They didn’t seem like the ghosting type, but potential employers often don’t.

As someone who used to work in HR you should know that it's very hard to get hiring done during the holidays because people who need to sign off on anything or advance your application are out of the office. So expect some delays and don't take it to heart.

Even people who are at work are kind of not working right now anyway.

Yeah, a friend of mine who used to work here and applied for a fully remote position with us recently asked me if we'd hired anyone because she hadn't heard anything one way or another in a while. We have not, but there are negotiations with a prospective hire, so I guess no one wanted to send out the the "we're going in another direction" letters yet in case he doesn't work out. It does make sense from our end but from her end it looks like ghosting.