I keep meaning to come back here, but obviously haven't - and now here it is nearly Christmas!
My CA trip went well overall, but when I got back, DH tested positive for COVID! I somehow managed to not get it from him. He was fully vaccinated, so thankfully, while miserable for 5 or 6 days, did not get very sick. By day 10 he was pretty anxious to get back to work. I got pretty sick a few weeks later (not COVID!) So between the time I missed work waiting for COVID test results, and actually being sick - I was glad for paid sick leave in September!
I did just manage to win my Healthy Wage bet! (We won't talk about what has happened since then ...
A couple months ago my church started a Stitches of Love group. I joined in, even though it had been 30+ years since I had attempted knitting or crocheting. With the help of YouTube and a few ladies in the group, I have gotten a decent start at crocheting. My first scarf took me four weeks .. (undoing and redoing) but yesterday I was able to make an earwarmer for a little girl in just a few hours. Progress. I have not attempted a hat yet. I've made scarves, cowls, and ear warmers. I currently am also working on a virus shawl.
My mom just had her roof finished being fixed last week (from the storm in July!) She's glad of that - it ended up costing $17k for the roof/chimney AFTER insurance. She's had some health issues the past few months, and is starting to come around to the idea of Asst Living.
My brother and SIL bought a third home in Tahoe, with the intention of using it as a short term rental (Air BnB.) (They have a rental home in their town.) Unfortunately, due to the fires, etc., they closed on it two days AFTER a new ordinance was passed restricting STRs. His business is also having some growing pains, and their super sweet dog was dxd with cancer recently. 
DH is excited about news of one of his co-workers leaving soon. He is hoping to take over one of their shifts, and give up one of his current ones. That would be a change for us - he's had Sundays and Thursdays off our whole marriage - this would make it Friday's and Sundays.
I've also had a co-worker leave recently. The posting for their job went up yesterday. I'm contemplating. I'm just not sure that I want to go from a relatively low-stress, 40hr/week job, to a higher stress, salary job. I'd keep my same supervisor, and still work with the same people, just my responsibilities would be very different.If it were five or six years from now, I would more strongly consider it - being that much closer to retirement. But do I really want something like that 11 years out? I may throw my hat in the ring anyway - who knows if I'd even pass through to the interview process. Just see what happens.
Almost forgot - I got my booster shot on the 14th, and then took 3 vacation days. (Birthday mini-vacation!) Unlike with the first two shots, I had no ill effects from the booster.
December 19th, 2021 at 02:55 pm 1639925733
I totally get it about the job ... as my "new" job (been there a year and a half now after working 32 years somewhere else) is lower paying and less stress but we get by just fine financially and I love going to work every day! Such a big difference!
Hope to hear from you again soon!
December 19th, 2021 at 07:14 pm 1639941273
December 19th, 2021 at 08:50 pm 1639947028
December 19th, 2021 at 10:00 pm 1639951216
Sorry about DH's Covid, but glad he's better. Glad you didn't get it.
December 20th, 2021 at 04:01 pm 1640016115
Would the salaried position be a significant rise in pay? Sometimes, if there are expectations to work late, or weekends, it doesn't really translate to higher pay, just higher stress. I'd say go with whichever is the better fit for you.
December 20th, 2021 at 04:51 pm 1640019104
I was just thinking about you! Glad to see a new post from you. Happy holidays.