And how was your day?

"I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people convinced they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference."

Ellen Goodman
Journalist

Pentagon has taken first steps toward repealing "don't ask, don't tell" policy, Defense Secretary Gates says.

When replying to an email with our Finance Department and our HR Consultant, I meant to ask our HR Consultant to request a list of people, but I typed "Can you please the list?".

Wow.

Also, a co-worker meant to tell a group of employees that they were in arrears, but instead she said they were "in the rears". WTF?

Blech!

"If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1749-1832, Author and Philosopher

"Life is too short to waste. Dreams are fulfilled only through action, not through endless planning to take action."

David J. Schwartz
Trainer and Author

"Whenever you're facing any form of resistance, gratitude has the power to quickly dissolve it. This is true whether the hindrance comes from inside of you or outside of you."

Peggy McColl
Author of Relax Your Way to Wealth

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."

Agatha Christie
1890-1976, Novelist

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."

William Shakespeare
1564-1616, Poet, Playwright, Actor

"The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it."

Pearl S. Buck
1892-1973, Writer

Last night, my Mom, Dad and sister did our gift exchange. My sister is spending Christmas with her Mom, so we had to have our "Christmas" last night. Feels weird to wake up on Christmas morning and not have anywhere to be. It's the first time ever in which Christmas morning was uneventful.

We're heading to my brother's house around noon today for a family dinner and more gifts. I'm really looking forward to spending the day with the kids.

So, this Christmas morning is a little blah for me. I had new flooring installed on Wednesday and Thursday. Guys were in and out of the front and back doors often leaving them open. Jack, my cat, escaped at some point yesterday. I haven't been able to find her. It was so cold outside last night -- I assumed she'd come home to be warm and eat. No such luck. Since she's feral, I seriously doubt she'll come back.

I realize it's been less than 24 hours, but I feel like I should pack up her toys, litterbox and food/water dishes.

Having Jack was definitely a labor of love. Starting out as a wild cat, she eventually become somewhat loving. She demanded that I pet her regardless of the time of day, but would never allow me to pick her up or hold her. She was really well behaved. She always used her litterbox. Well, except for the few times she peed on my laundry pile or that one time she peed on the clothes in my suitcase -- something I didn't know about until I was already at the hotel (I think she was mad that I was leaving). The cat she is today is completely different than the one I adopted more than 3 years ago.

So now I wonder if she's warm and if she's found food. It's cold. She's NEVER been outside for more than just a few minutes on my back patio. I hope she is OK and is just out investigating the neighborhood. My Christmas wish is for her to come back to me today.

I hate being so melancholy on Christmas, but I suppose it just is what it is.

"Christmas is when you try to get the whole dysfunctional family under the one roof and hope there won't be police involved."

"You only lose energy when life becomes dull in your mind. Your mind gets bored and therefore tired of doing nothing. Get interested in something! Get absolutely enthralled in something! Get out of yourself! Be somebody! Do something. The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have."

Norman Vincent Peale
1898-1993, Pastor, Speaker and Author

Year to date, I have sent 20,463 work emails. Good gawd.

My poor 'send' button.

"When you focus on something with a lot of passion, it makes it happen even faster."

Bill Harris

"The big rewards come to those who travel the second, undemanded mile."

Bruce Barton
1886-1967, Author, Advertising Executive, and Politician

"My success just evolved from working hard at the business at hand each day."

Johnny Carson
1925-2005, Television Host and Comedian

"Action makes more fortune than caution."

Luc De Clapiers
1715-1747, Essayist