I jokingly told my wife yesterday that I was done with my 6 week work release program yesterday when I got home from work. It’s done as I predicted it would do, kept me in a whirlwind of box orders and customs from sun up to sundown. Today will be my first day since around mid November that I won’t be at work for anything. An actual rest day. We had around 60 plus boxes yesterday I pulled the plug on orders sooner than later this time my zest was waning.

It’s hard to explain how this type of work can exhaust you just as much mentally and physically. I sometimes think it’s just me but watching my other two work companions this last month I knew it wasn’t my imagination.

High volume arts and crafts

Another year in the books. Well as I always add the “except for new years” but my muscle memory will retain this motion for another week before I start to acclimate to a slower pace.

I woke up this morning with zero apprehension. Usually as soon as I wake up it’s “how much time do I have to myself before I have to head into work?”

I’m resting, somewhat exhausted but it’s a good day. We pushed I don’t know how many boxes this year it quite a few. I used to add them up but I don’t want to look at my Google calendar for the rest of the year.

They’re done and so am I.

Every order was ready on time

Every box was procured as it was meant to be.

Most importantly all customers were happy.

4.9 rating y’all. It matters unfortunately.

It’s Christmas morning. I love Christmas and always have. It went up 500000000% when my daughter was born. Every year I picture her running downstairs in her Christmas onesie that she seemed to outgrow overnight. Her smiles and giggles, her ferocity tearing wrapping paper with her tiny hands. I’d get to enjoy watching her play with everything Santa placed under the tree. I do miss the Santa days not so much that fucking elf.

My little party of three. I got up this morning and acknowledged a quiet moment of gratitude while standing in my yard gazing at the stars. I’m back in my little happy world after the holiday tetherment.

*big teary smile

I got retirement on my mind soon. No way how it’s going to happen but I’ve pulled harder shit out of my ass. Of course I’ll never retire retire I like toiling but I’m retiring from the game.

Just you wait and see

I’m at peace. I have a feeling I wrote this same exact thing last year around this time I may go back and look. I’ve mentioned several times I come out a different Chad every year after this I only began to acknowledge it two or three years ago.

My cat is sleeping peacefully next to my hip. It’s her annual Christmas gift to me. Her purring heals my aches.

Life is beautiful. And it only becomes more so when you sit still and reset.

This month was one for the books. The book is almost finished. That’s not meant to sound ominous in fact quite the opposite. I’ve got a full cup of coffee in a mug that reads “damn it feels good to be a Gangwer” as I stare into our Christmas tree lights.

Merry and happy holiday Christmas y’all.