Coming out of the fog

EEk! It certainly is not easy navigating those choppy waters.

;-)

The sun is shining, and the ice is melting - if you know what I mean!

Let's talk about something a little more positive, shall we? How about Christmas. Yes, I know.. I know..

But I am super excited about all of the opportunities to celebrate this blessed season.

On Wednesday, I get that final check before Christmas (if you know what I mean?) I have a few more gifts to purchase, and then prepare for my travels home.

I am still debating whether to take the entire two weeks off, or just a week and a 1/2. It would be nice is lay around in my pjs a few days before we travel. Decisions.. decisions.

Next week will be super busy at work. I have so many meetings, trainings and holiday parties. Which in all honesty, I am really looking forward to it all.

Monday I get to lead a training on our national casting call for the Go Red For Women Spokespeople for the NBC special that airs in September with Houda.

Tuesday I have our Holiday Luncheon (a fundraiser for AHA) and it is held at the beautiful Country Club of Birmingham. There will be a silent auction, holiday marketplace, lunch and a fashion show by Belk. I LOVE fashion shows!

Wednesday we have our Marketing/Communications Holiday phone party. Quirky, yeah? Basically we will be given a name of a fellow Comm Dir and we have to find a virtual gift, and on the call - there will be a net meeting share thing, and we discuss why we chose this gift for that person. Kind of fun, yeah? Then there will be holiday bingo by phone and prizes involved. Crazy to do it all virtually - but we are basically one person per state (outside of Florida - which has a couple of CDs) - and we are trying to save a buck by doing it without flying to an office. Odd - but creative.

Thursday I have to deliver a branding presentation to the staff. The AHA has changed it's look (for the first time in 5 years) and when that happens, there is a LOT to share. Kind of important, and kind of a crash course for me too!

Friday we have our Bham Holiday party at the VP's house. Basically playing a Dirty Santa game and everyone is bringing a dish. WHAT SHOULD I BRING???? Suggestions and recipes would be greatly appreciated. It is only a staff of about 10. Then that afternoon, there is a party at one of the magazines in town - B Metro - I plan to attend that. (I think magazine/publishing house holiday parties are the MOST fun!)

Then.. it is up to me to skip town or not. Decisions ... Decisions...

I have been eyeing a hotel deal in Nashville. I thought a quick romantic get-away might seal the deal again. See, in 24 hours we have reached a kind of renewal.. and working on communicating better. I think I am a tornado and he is a volcano. See the problem?

One thing we agree on - we are excited to see good friends and family for the holidays. We have a few friends having babies on or before Christmas, and I LOVE PRESENTS.

What do you have to look forward to this next week? The things to keep you busy before the BIG day?

Also - how did Hanukkah go for my dear Jewish friends?