Tag: celebration

Paid Vacation

Yesterday I received a treat that I’ve not had for many years:

My vacation slip.

In my years of focusing upon my children, I would stay at home during summer vacations, taking so much time off from jobs that I rarely ever saw one of these.

In fact, I do believe I worked through the last paid vacation I earned. I needed the extra income in order to survive.

I squeed when I held that paper in my hands. It’s such a little thing to many but it represents something I’ve not experienced for far too long:

Freedom.

I am free from the burdens of child care, of worrying about anyone else but me. I am free from financial struggles and fears for the first time in longer than I care to remember. I may not be rich, but I’m doing rather well on my tiny little income.

This might be the very first paid vacation in my entire life where I’ve not had to worry about money.

I am going to enjoy every single minute of it.

I requested off the week of my 49th birthday. I didn’t even ask for specific dates; just asked for any time during that week, a small stretch of time in a row. That week I intend to totally, completely, take some time off from my life.

I am going to rest. I am going to read. I will hang out in the local coffee shop, visit the library, and explore the new businesses popping up in my little town.

I am going to spend that entire week giving thanks for the incredible life I’ve been given. While I’m sure I’ll end up piddling around the house and writing a bit, my primary goal is going to be the simple act of appreciation.I intend to give myself one physical birthday present to mark this year, to show that I’ve survived and triumphed. To celebrate the fact that it will be the first anniversary of becoming an investor I intend to acquire another small piece of precious metal for my collection. It may be a piece of jewelry. It may be some bullion. It may simply be a jewel. I don’t know what it will be yet; something will call to me around that time and I will buy it. I want something else to hold in my hand, wear on my person, or carry in my pocket for continued inspiration as I move forward.

What do you have to look forward to with the coming year? Please share your stories in the comments below.

A Bit of Holiday Fun

One of the things I am thankful for is that I have the freedom to do little things for fun at work. It started out during Halloween last year when the manager in charge of decorating the store gifted me with some spider pins for my smock. I ended up being the only other person who dressed up for the holiday. I donned a geeky bandanna from my collection and added a few other touches from my wardrobe to become a geeky pirate. Here I am with one of my bosses in a silly picture captured by a coworker.

My daughter got in on the fun by dressing up for her shift at the store next door. Here is a pic of her with my grandson when he came to visit us.

I started something that day. As each proceeding holiday rolled around both coworkers and customers began to ask if I planned to dress up again. My boss has even started gifting me with silly little hats and headbands for the season. I’ve donned reindeer antlers, Santa hats, bunny ears, and a myriad of other items designed to give the world a chuckle.

It doesn’t take a lot of money to have a bit of fun as you go through your day. Most of my acquisitions cost less than a dollar if I purchase them myself and will be used for many years. The smiles I receive in exchange are a priceless return on my investment.

While I still don’t bother decorating my home for the changing seasons, I have realized that doing these little things at work not only makes my day more enjoyable but lightens the mood of those around me as well. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when your cashier is sporting a goofy hat.

Here in a few minutes I will need to dress for the holiday and head to work. I’m rather looking forward to it.

Do you wear silly things to celebrate the holidays? Please share your stories in the comments below.