Happy New Year 2022

 SO decided to write a post this being the first day of 2022.  I woke up trying to be positive after a somewhat un-even New Year's Eve.  I was devastated to hear of Betty White's passing, anyone who follows me on twitter can attest that it's pretty much all I have tweeted about since learning of it, which took place for me in the grocery store mid shopping. I was surprised by my reaction... I literally started to cry. My husband, in a very sweet response, told me to go to the car & he and Emily would finish the shopping. Bless him for putting up with my sensitive self!  I had just posted earlier in the day about her 100th birthday via a retweet of hers from Dec 28th, about her People cover & her 100th birthday celebration.  SO as strange as it sounds to be shocked by a 99 year old dying. I was. I think many of us were.  I grew up in the 70's and 80's so Betty was a fixture on day time game shows.  I remember watching Betty, along with her husband the HOST Allen, on Password with my Grandma & mom growing up.  "The Password is... " (in Allen's whispered voice)  It was always the best episodes when Betty White was on.   I loved her!   Of course she was famous for "The Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore show" & so many others as well.  BUT, my favorite acting performance of hers was in the movie, "The Proposal" with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock.  She was so damn feisty and scene stealing it that.  She has been in a way in my life, my entire life.  I was sure she was going to make it to see her 100th birthday.  Had she turned 100, I think it may not have affected me so much, but to lose her so suddenly without any known illness and after all the press about her 100th birthday, as foolish as it sounds I was shocked and so incredibly sad.  I didn't really know her but I felt like I had.  From the responses on twitter... it really seems like all the world did.  She was really good at being a great human.  RIP Betty White, and my sincere condolences to her family and her friends  You accomplished the greatest feat in a life in my opinion... being well loved.  Anyway... I just had to touch on that first, because well it did have a major impact on my NYE.  I had a really hard time shaking the sadness BUT... I was determined to have a nice night with the family.  It was just the 3 of us.  It was as perfect as it could be. We ate crap and played old board games and just enjoyed each others company.  It was so nice.  Emily is home from college.  Her winter break is over a month long, AND I've been enjoying every minute i have with her.  She doesn't go back til mid January.  I wish it was longer but have been told it is longer then some colleges give.  She did SOOOOOO well at college this semester- I really need to stop worrying as much, she constantly proves me wrong! Her grades came in about a week ago.  She got 3 A's, 1 A-, and a B+! To say we are proud is an understatement! I know there were a few hiccups for her, mostly being the fact she is an only child & never had to live with siblings or roommates, so it's been a big adjustment in that way.  Some left items in the bathroom & the likes... living with a roommate & a bunch of suitemates is very new.  She admitted that she got called out a few times for things like that, but she is learning. I think things were getting better in that regard by the end of the semester.  🤞  BUT as far as grades & getting around campus it certainly seems like she did AMAZING! She isn't much of a join-er (clubs and social events)and I'm hoping that aspect of college improves for her.  But while she is a sophomore, last year was 100% remote, so this was her first time  living in the dorms, and she amazed me with learning all she had to, and still doing so well academically. Like I said, I'm very proud of her and I know Brian is as well.  It's been so long, since I have written on here.   I have a lot to share.  First off, I don't have a job currently. I've been at retail too long & am really looking for a different thing to do.  It's been hard on me, and it's hard to admit but I'm a bit burnt out... especially during these Covid times. I know I'm good at it but I'm looking for something where I can use my skills, like customer service, etc but do something different.  Confession... ever since the 6th grade, nearly 40 years ago I've wanted to work in a library, after a much successful library aid volunteer experience I had, not to brag, but I won "Best Library Aid 1983-84" & $10 award. It might sound quite silly but it's true I've always wanted to work at one.   So maybe I can find a library job or at least work somewhere that respects me and I honestly enjoy doing.   Working at the last two retail jobs has been a bit waring on my body & my mind.  Busy, busy, busy and I just needed a physical and mental break.  We've talked it over, and I plan on making it a job to look for a job after Emily goes back to college soon.  Until then I am taking it a bit easy & getting a handle on some things at home that I've neglected from working and exhaustion.  I'm feeling much better because of the break, and beyond blessed to have such a loving and supportive husband.  Who basically said, "This isn't worth it" after a particularly rough night at work for me, and one massive panic attack, and encouraged me to give my notice.  I wasn't quite sure I should but he assured me it was what was best.   I love him for it, and so much more.  Speaking of Brian,  he got a new job at a start up.  He LOVES it so much, it is challenging & exciting.  I have never seen him happier!  He puts a lot of time in, even for him, a self proclaimed "workaholic"   but things are starting to slow down a bit, for a while he was working early in the morning til way late at night.  I'm sure at times it will still be like that especially during times of releases. However it has been a very big blessing in our lives, and of course as I previous mentioned Brian loves it! I'm very proud of him.  When I think of how difficult this year has been for so many, I know we have been incredibly blessed and this makes me grateful that we have been spared much of the hard aches so many are feeling.  ie: Brian is 100% remote so the high gas prices haven't been as hard on our household.  Please don't hate me for saying this, but I have no real complaints at the moment, (well aside of course from Covid. In that way we are all in the same boat)  Knock on wood.  Believe me, we've had enough years of hard times, and we were due.  lol.  It scares the crap out of me, since I'm always waiting for the next shoe to drop.  So far so good. We have been blessed to be able to get some things done to the house.  I've posted before about how much a weight it has been on my shoulders that we had just a long list of necessary repairs to get done on our older house. We continue to pay down some debts, and we got new gutters, & just two days ago got our heater (which had been barely hanging on... & completely died this year) replaced along with a new central air unit. We've been using window units for probably the last at least 10 years.  We still have much to do, and while no-one's life is easy we know we are very blessed at the current moment.  We are trying to stay positive and pay things forward in small ways as  we can.  There is a lot of ground to make up, but it's a start in the right directions.  Now if the job Gods will be good to me and help me find something I actually will love doing that would be great (Oh & since I'm asking here... can you please let it be part time-lol). I honestly hope that you all have a very Happy New Year and I wish you much love and blessings in 2022.  💓