I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We scaled back this year, and I think it was nicer than when we’d spend a ton of money on just “stuff”, you know? I scored a ton of Starbucks gift cards, two big collage frames, a ridiculously plush bath robe, the new RR cookbook, and a really cool measuring cup contraption from Paula Deen’s The Lady and Sons store in Savannah. I also got on of those wooden signs that says “Live well, Love Much, Laugh Often” that I’ve been wanting for a while. The dinner went well, although I nodded off for a bit and didn’t have everything ready by the time the family got here. I was rushed, but it all turned out great!

Yesterday, we were supposed to go out to eat with John’s parents and sister, then come back here for dessert and gifts. I have the flu so we did gifts first, then they went out to eat while I stayed home and died. I feel better today, but still look and feel like a truck ran over me.

That’s my wrap-up for the holiday. Hope yours was great. OH, I almost forgot one other present I got… A NEW JOB! I got the transfer to the other store that will be opening in March. I think that’s the best present I got this year. Happy New Year!

Been a while since I posted, other than on Twitter. I’ve been busy. The economy may be faltering, but it’s not stopping people from spending money, that’s for sure. I’ve seen more 1am work nights this year than I care to count. But it’s almost over. I’m making fudge and cookies and putting together food gifts for people, and I found a little time to winterize my little blog here. It’s not much, but I thought it was cute! And now, I’m off for another fun-filled night at work. Then I’ll be home to continue baking, because I need to have it done by tomorrow! Ugh. Caffeine and I are going to become intimate this week. Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!

Since we’re scaling back on spending this year, I’ve decided to do food gifts for everyone in addition to a very small actual gift (or money/gift card to somewhere) for the people on our Christmas lists. I know that a lot of times, recipients end up throwing the items away after letting them go stale… I’ve done it myself. What I like to do is make up a tin of goodies. Here’s what I’m including so far:

- peanut butter and/or chocolate fudge
- peppermint bark
- brown sugar shortbread cookies
- buckeyes (possibly, if I’m brave enough to make them)

What would make you NOT throw one of these gifts away? I’m going to tailor it somewhat to each person and include things I know they like, but I also need a master list of basics. I might try some gingersnaps or something, too. I saw an idea for using holiday-themed cupcake liners to arrange the cookies, etc inside the tin to keep it neat so I need to buy those before the stores run out. Throw your ideas my way! 

I have about three days to make a big decision about my job. We’re opening a new store in Lebanon, about 15 minutes from where we live, and 20 from our current store. I’ve been feeling The Burnout at my store for a while now, so I decided that I would probably look into transferring when the new one started hiring. Now it’s here and I don’t know what I want to do. I don’t want to go for the wrong reasons, but I don’t want to stay out of fear of change either. I’m in that comfort zone, and this will be a bigger store with bigger challenges and more responsibility. Most of me knows that I need that. I’ve been with the company for thirteen years, so I’m feeling a bit stale right now. Some of me is scared of the “what-ifs”.

What if I do go, and I hate it? There’d be no turning back, as our store is already over head count as far as managers go (they can’t make you leave if you’re doing a good job, but if you do leave, you couldn’t come back as a manager). What if I can’t handle the bigger store? What if I’m creating this big scenario where transferring will fix everything but it doesn’t and it sucks and I’m even more unhappy than I am now and and and….

I think most of my problem is fear of change. The best friend is applying too, but he would interviewing to actually move up a level. So if he went too, at least I’d know someone there and it wouldn’t be so bad. Our current boss is going there after Christmas, so I’d know her. I’m just stuck in the day-to-day comfort zone like I said, and that’s hard to break out of. I’m taking this weekend to think about it and talk it over with John, then I need to talk to my boss on Monday about it. Interviews are next Thursday. Advice?