NEW YEAR'S EVE

Today was my last day at the library.  It was a slow day.  I had a little rush when I was on the front desk, but kept thinking, "This is the last time I'll be here."  OK, I'm doing it to myself.  You don't have to tell me.  But this is a whole new thing to me.

I was 20 minutes late getting to work because I got stuck behind a trash truck one block from the library.  What a way to start your last day of work.

My friend Debbie (not to be confused with the guard Debbie) came in to get some books and to see me on my last day.  That was so nice of her.

We got out at 2 p.m.  After work Diane and I went to Dollar Tree.  I was trying to get a bayberry candle but I couldn't find any.  I'm going to look around and see if I have one around the house.  It's supposed to be good luck to burn a bayberry candle on New Year's Eve.  Some people do it on Christmas Eve.  The poem goes:
          A bayberry candle burned down to the socket
          Brings food to the larder and money to the pocket.
I am not superstitious and do not think that burning a candle does anything, but it's a nice custom.

As I said, I couldn't find a bayberry candle but Diane found these Crackling Wood candles so I got one of those.  It smells like a wood fire burning and the wick is a small piece of wood that makes a crackling sound like a campfire.  I'm going to burn it when I turn on the fireplace heater.  I also got some new tablecloths for over at church and a couple of wine glasses for us to toast in the new year.

We have all kinds of snacks for tonight -- cheese, summer sausage and crackers from my sister, Elaine.  Tortilla chips and salsa.  Veggie chips.  Cake.  Sparkling grape juice.

I'm wearing my "Celebrate" T-shirt that I wear every New Year's Eve.  I tried to get a shot of me today, but it just didn't work.  It's this same shirt that I'm wearing in this picture.

I'm having salmon, rice and mixed Asian veggies for dinner.  I'm going to start it in about an hour.  It's already dark out at 5 p.m.  The day is dying and so is the year.

So many people came and went at the library this year.  We had cold weather and snow in January and after several postponements got to celebrate my brother Larry's and my birthdays in Lancaster.

In February I helped my friend and co-worker Diane to move.  What a job that was!  We celebrated Valentine's Day and had a Friendship Feast at church.

I was in a church choir for Easter.  It was so much fun!  And I went to the King George Inn with my family and friends for dinner.

April brought "All Staff Day" at work -- everyone's least favorite day.  We'd all rather work than listen to all day lectures.  Even if we do get free food.

We had a big celebration at church for Joe's birthday in May.  I went to a Memorial Day picnic at my sister's house and enjoyed the huge Memorial Day parade that goes by my house each year.

The tall ships came to Philly in June.  It was wonderful seeing them.

In July I took part in a photo challenge and spent a week with Elaine for Sister's Week -- something we've done for many years.  The best day of the week was when we went to the Constitution Center and walked around Olde City.  The Sunday of that week was Pastor Justin's last day as our pastor and Elaine's birthday celebration at Peddler's Village.

August gave us a Super Moon and September held Labor Day, T-shirt Sunday at church, National Coffee Day and my ninth wedding anniversary.  We also remembered Patriot Day.  Who could forget?

October brought Harvest Day at church, Halloween, and a cute little kitten named Pumpkin.

November I went to the community where my Aunt Alice lives and enjoyed the Holiday Bazaar.  I plan on going in 2016 also.  Of course November brings Thanksgiving.

And December is now almost over.  Christmas has come and gone and so has my last day of work.  It has been an eventful year and I am so looking forward to what the new year will bring.

I hope all of you have a safe and happy new year's eve.  See you all tomorrow for 2016's first post!




Kathy