Merry Christmas 2024!

 December is winding down and 2024 is coming to a close. Change is on the horizon, just like it lingers in our past. Early January brings a CPS hearing for me. The incident that occurred during breakfast in our daycare toddler room (this one) will finally see its appeal. I may or may not have attained counsel... (He's a friend of a friend and we haven't communicated extremely well.) If I am completely honest, anything having to do with OCFS or CPS adversely affects my entire body. Just the sight of the return address on an envelope is triggers a stress reaction. I feel better off putting it completely out of mind. Call me avoidant. Avoidance, though not necessarily healthy, has been my go-to response ever since I can remember, especially when I am helpless to change a situation.

My new job is going well. Getting up early will always come with effort, but I generally enjoy the company as well as the environment. It comes with state mandated sick pay, but no paid vacation time. Now that Christmas is behind us, it's time to start beefing up my savings account again so I can pay my income taxes. I spent my savings fixing my brakes and paying my car insurance for the year. I have a home, I am more than well-fed, and I am clean and warmly dressed. All is well.

We spent Christmas Eve here at home with Nathan and his four children, and had a nice Christmas celebration at the home of my eldest daughter on Christmas day. I saw all of my local kids and grandchildren, and took a phone call from my faraway, once Minnesota, now Florida oldest son. The kids got me a banding wheel to do my pottery. I guess I will soon be back to making those awesome coffee mugs. LOL! Hannah surprised me with a heavy bottomed, stuffed Eeyore (and a gift card) and made my Christmas morning complete. It took me back to another Christmas in this house about 50 years ago when another Eeyore came to stay. (He's still here, treasured, and well loved.)