Stay Awhile…

 Here’s hoping you had a purrrrfect holiday!  Meowy Christmas from Hazel, Randy and I! XO

Christmas Wrapping…

 

Does anyone wrap gifts in boxes anymore or do we just put them in holiday bags, stuff it with tissue paper and call it good?  

I’m asking because I recently saw a meme that struck home.  It was about boxes.  The observation was, that you know you are getting old when you save ‘good’ boxes.  Now, with home delivery as it is, we have a glut of boxes available if we need them.  And I clearly remember my Mom saying, “This is a good box.  Run it to the basement in case we need it.”  I guess you just can’t be too careful when it comes to good boxes.

So today at Rite Aid I noticed some very good boxes that the stock person had unpacked.  Randy and I are preparing to move (more on that later!) and we mostly use the ubiquitous rubber tub.  But these boxes looked amazing and I snatched them up-just in case.

I’m old, I own it and I know a good, solid box when I see it.  (I think I need to get a life!)

Merry Christmas to you all sweet Dolls.  Just be sure to save those boxes!

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…

I generally don't think Christmas is 'the most wonderful time of the year.'  That said, I am happy and relieved to announce that the 15th. annual, official, R.S. Dale Holiday Bash is in the books-whatever 'book' that is!

The ever fabulous Bath City Bistro once again was the location of said party.   The restaurant is one of our very favorite places and they generously stayed open on a Sunday afternoon just for us.  The wait and bar staff are the best in the business and they hustled their butts off, taking care of about 90 revelers.  We enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour with apps as well as a delicious dinner buffet.  The desert table was off the chain and could rival any high end specialty bakery. (Thanks, Katie!)

Randy and I look forward to this event every year to enjoy our employees and guests while they can really let themselves relax and let their hair down.  And did we ever!  Much mixin' and minglin' happened while the annual R.S.Dale Reindeer Games took place.  The competition was heavy and there was cheering, moaning and groaning as well as celebrating happening as wins and losses were realized.  Fist pumping and 'Hell yeah's abounded!  (is abounded even a word?)  The evening wrapped up with some feather bowling, causing more laughs as those ungainly 'pucks' wobble down the aisle towards that tiny feather.

But best of all was the comradery of everyone hanging out as friends-and not just co-workers.  I truly hope this party fosters understanding and tolerance among everyone.  Friendship, understanding and tolerance-the true reason for the season.  (Well, that and one very important birthday!)

Peace, goodwill and blessings to all of our employees-we couldn't do 'it' without you!  XOXO

THAT’S WHAT I WANT…

 Four beautiful children gone too soon, tragically and totally unnecessarily.  Families grieving with lives that are forever changed.  Friends trying to cope and understand the unspeakable injustice of it all.  A community stunned and broken.   

And one boy with a gun.

I grew up with guns in the house.  We were taught respect as well as fear of them.  I believe in our right to bear arms, but what has changed here that school shootings are becoming more commonplace?  Are guns not stored properly?  Do we not value the lives than can be permanently gone in an instant?  Are the parents not teaching the proper lessons?  Have video games violence pretend shooting made real deaths unreal?  Where in the hell is the value of human lives? 

I don’t even pretend to have any answers but I know something for sure-these tragic massacre's have to be understood and stopped.   Prayers and support for the families of these children, may they somehow find peace.  Compassion for the very troubled gun man, his suffering will too, be forever.  And may the rest of us find a way to forge on, fearlessly and with hope.  My heart aches.