me--best in class?

Thanksgiving turned out okay. I was of course sad, and quieter then normal but all in all it was a good time spent back at home seeing friends and family. I really loved seeing everyone.

Me, Grandpa Olszowy and cousin Jess and Christina with Mom's famous chocolate cheesecake. "she nailed it!"

Normally I would never want a Holiday to end but this year I am just happy I made it through and now I am saying to myself, one more Holiday and then it's the New Year...only a month to go.... It's sad that I am looking forward to the Holidays to end before they even come. I absolutely hate feeling this way since I love Christmas time so very much.

It's stressful now trying to figure out how to see all of my Family and coordinate the Christmas dinner. My Aunt Kim was sweet enough to host Christmas day this year but my Sister works at the hospital, we have to see Grandpa, we have Christmas Eve at the Close's, Chris and Aydan will be at Matt's.......I sometimes wish we lived back in MI so we could throw a huge Christmas celebration with ALL of our family and everyone would come, and it would be really special. For the past 5 years, we've put our tree up for three weeks and lugged all of our presents home to be spent in MI. We'll continue to do that even when the little one comes as I would never spend Christmas alone with just our little Family. Life is too short and I want to see all of my Family and Friends during this important time. I sure hope she's a good traveler! But I do hope one day we can host a big old fashioned Christmas like I had at Grandpa Griener's house growing up. Grandpa would be the only one allowed to pass the gifts to everyone from under the tree. We'd all sit in the living room, together as a family....Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, parents, Grandparents...it was perfect.

I did have one unexpected surprise over the Holiday weekend that I know made my parents proud. At SC Johnson, the most prestigious honor in Sales is the "best in class award" and I was recognized this year and given this award! I am most proud of this because of the year I've had. The fact that everything happened in April and I was able to come back, meet my business objectives and close the Fiscal year in June makes me happy. It wasn't easy to focus when I came back but I kept plugging along as best as I knew how...all for Mom and Dad. The hard work and dedication paid off and it's a good feeling being recognized. More so, then any promotion or salary increase that I have ever received. Thank you- Mom and Dad for giving me the courage to keep going and succeeding at work.

I only wish I had you to call to share the news with. When one succeeds, the best feeling is telling your parents.