Taken slowly by surprise

I was having my weekly call with my manager today, where he and I discuss some work things, but more of a "1 on 1" shooting the bull sorta session, to maintain a close rapport despite the 100s of miles between my home office and the plant, when I remarked that I'll be using up the rest of my 15 days of vacation later this month (I thought I had 8 days left).

My manager - who started within a month of me at the same company - and I both have 10 years of seniority, that gives us 20 days of vacation with our multi-national conglomerate. Not 15. Duh! I don't have 2 weeks left to work, I have 3 more full days, and (I've decided) 3 more half days, and I am DONE for 2009. I feel quite stupid that I didn't realize the 10th year's extra 5 days all accrue the year that the 10th anniversary falls in, regardless of what month. But it's better to realize it now, and not just work through them.

If I don't find some sort of distraction, there'll be a ton of blog postings later this month! But our son IS coming to visit in 13 days... so I won't be too idle.

My light hearted manager sent me a cookie recipe, that he recommended I take some time out and make over Christmas break. Here it is:

Christmas Cookie Ingredients:
> 1 cup of water
> 1 teaspoon baking soda
> 1 cup of sugar
> 1 teaspoon salt
> 1 cup of brown sugar
> lemon juice
> 4 large eggs
> 1 cup nuts
> 2 cups of dried fruit
> 1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality.

Take a large bowl,

check the Cuervo again,

to be sure it is of the highest quality,

pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer.

Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Check the Cuervo again,

Add one teaspoon of sugar.

Beat again.

At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still okay,

try another cup . . . just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit off floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something.

Who giveshz a sheet.

Check the Jose Cuervo.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.