Snow, Work, Eating, Booze and Neighbors

Yes -- the nasty snow traveling across the United States hit home yesterday and today. The snow started falling late in the afternoon yesterday, just as some of the previously fallen snow had melted. Getting around yesterday evening was not too bad, but it looks like more snow got dumped during the night and is still continuing.

Yesterday was a unique work-social day. My morning started with a breakfast meeting of all the directors in my area of the workplace. We ate at a popular local spot and had a nominal work agenda. After the meeting ended, I went into the office for a couple of hours to get ready for the lunch I arranged as a holiday celebration for my staff. Upon getting to my office, I was welcomed by seeing this sitting on my chair:

Not bad!

I arranged a lunch at a newly opened Mexican restaurant. Although we had heard some good things about it, my family, sans me, had tried it out and were very critical. Thankfully, almost all my staff thought it was a great place. And, although I requested that they save their money and not get a holiday gift for the boss, they ignored me and got me a gift card for this place:

 

Yes -- I work with a bunch of great people!

After the meal was over and most scurried off to pick up kids, go grocery shopping or just enjoy the rest of the afternoon, a few of the guys and I went to the bar to have a beer and just chat about guy stuff (Animal House, strip joints, beer, women, etc). I am fortunate to work with some guys that are like brothers to me.

After picking up my daughter from high school, I waited for my wife to get home and get dressed so that we could ... go to an evening party hosted the big kahuna of my workplace! Catered food, good wine, friendly co-workers -- a wonderful way to end an excellent day. I had had a difficult last week or two at work, so it was nice to be reminded -- in spades -- about how fortunate I am to have a job I have loved for twenty years  -- one filled with many quality people.

So as I lay snuggled in my bed writing this on my laptop this morning, I have found that, to my total amazement, apparently my next door neighbor is using his snow blower to clear my driveway and sidewalk! Considering that the neighbors in my area have never been very friendly to my family and considering that last year someone in the neighborhood, apparently tired of hearing the Christmas music that my wife had blaring with her flashing lights, stole the music master unit, only to return it a couple of weeks later, we are shocked. Several weeks ago, in raking up a ton of leaves that had fallen off our trees or had blown into our yard, I even raked some of the leaves in my neighbor's yard the had accumulated near the property line. Had that led to this act of generosity? Hmmm ...

To top off this excellent life run, it looks like I can get into a poker home game tonight. Yowsa!

If you are living in part of the great area blanketed by snow, enjoy your winter day.