Sometimes you just have to get creative! Aurora, CO

Over this past year Dale and I have been trying to rid ourselves of unnecessary household items in anticipation of moving into our 5th wheel.  Consequently, most all of our holiday decorations are gone.  In October, when a friend came to visit he commented that all the other residents down our hallway had their fall decorations out by their door and all we had was "that pink thing".  It is a large floral arrangement in various shades of pink.  It makes me laugh when I think of it.  Well, now the Christmas season is upon us and we still have that "pink thing" out by our front door!  I have added our "Let is Snow!" wall decoration.

Yesterday, we got a call from the realtor that they have a showing booked for our place on Monday, Dec. 13th.  We thought it would be nice to have a little something Christmasy in the house but the only thing I had saved was a shoe box full of ornaments.

We didn't really want to go and buy anything, but, low and behold, the Lord provided.  The folks down the hall were getting rid of some things while cleaning out for a move.  Guess what?  One of items they were tossing out was a cute little 2 foot lighted Christmas tree, some small wooden ornaments and a little red sleigh!  We added a few of our ornaments and some candy canes and all of a sudden  "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"  Dale used the sleigh to spruce up the dining room table by cutting some pine boughs from the tree outside and added a few gold fruits I had saved from our dining room wreath.  We added a couple red candles I still had around  and our table looks festive, as well.

So, with a little cleaning and tidying up we are ready and anxious for the first showing of our place tomorrow!

At the Aurora Public Library where I work, we are busy getting ready to shut down the branch.  The City of Aurora like a lot of cities around the nation are having financial problems.   In November, an iniative was put before the voters that would have increased property taxes.  That increase would have created a General Improvement Fund that would have allowed the libraries to remain open.  Unfortunately, it failed to pass by a little over 3000 votes.  As a result, 4 of our 7 branches will be closing at the end of the year.

I work at one of those branches.   A lot of our materials will be distributed to the branches that will remain open but there is too much to be absorbed into the three remaining libraries.  This week we began to sell books, VHS movies and audio books on tape for $1.00 each.  What a deal for the public.  The items are flying out the door! 

About one half of the library staff will loose their jobs.   Those not being laid off was decided by seniority and position.  I am one of the fortunate ones that get to keep my job.  In January 2010, I will begin working at the main branch.  After working in the smaller libraries it will be a very different enviroment for me.  But, I am looking forward to the challenge.

It seems we have been in limbo since we have sold so much of our belongings and put our place on the market.  Since we do not have plans to go anywhere for Christmas we are just not into the holiday spirit.  All that could change if the folks coming to look at our place like it and want to buy it!  That would set us in  a tail spin!  :o)