Skip to main content

What You get for 15 Years

Last month I celebrated my 15th Anniversary at Holiday Inn.  Which, when you think of it, is really a pretty big deal.  Things haven't always gone smoothly between us.  Sometimes I feel like I'm part of a couple that should break up but doesn't know how.  Other times, I'm basically happy.  For 15 years, Holiday Inn and travellers all over the world have paid the bills, and for that I'm definitely grateful.

One of the perks of having hung on for 15 years is that you receive a catalog from which you get to order a service gift.  At 5 and 10 years, the gifts don't rate very high in value.  But the bar was definitely raised for 15.  There were several exciting things for me to choose from - a new camera, and a couple of golf clubs for instance.  But as soon as I saw one particular option, I knew it was the one for me (and you know it would have to be pretty special for me to not go for the TaylorMaid driver).  In the end, I chose...the Le Creuset 7.25 quart French Oven.  So what's the big deal with this oven, you're wondering?  Basically, it's a fancy schmancy, very expensive cast-iron cooking pot, that's been coated in ceramic enamel.  It basically functions as a dutch oven, but you can use it on the stovetop or in the oven.  It normally sells for around $250-300 retail. And you probably all know what a cheapskate I am, so it's something I would for sure covet, but never get for myself.



I placed the order last Friday, and it had arrived by Tuesday.  I can't even tell you how excited I am!  Among other things, it will be perfect for practicing my Beouf Bourgignone that I learned how to make in my French cooking class.  Of course, now I may have to upgrade some of my spoons - because I'm just not sure that the ones I have are worthy of being put to work in my Le Creuset.

Comments

Nice gift! I wonder what I should get for being a housewife for ten years.....ten more years? :) Congrats on having a good job for 15 years - I know our family has certainly enjoyed taking advantage of the Friends and Family discounts!!!! Love you

Popular posts from this blog

Goals

One of my goals this year is to go on a backpacking trip. It's something I've always wanted to do, but been too intimidated to try. Well, a few weeks ago, one of the girls in the Ward invited me on a backpacking trip to the Uinta's this summer. This time I immediately said yes. All was well until a few days later when reality set in and the thought of carrying 30-35 pounds of pack on my back while hiking in rough terrain just about made me cave. I did not have all the gear I would need, nor was I in good enough shape. The gear is something easily worked out. Most of it I can either purchase myself, or borrow from highly motivated friends. The physical conditioning was another matter altogether, so I decided it was time to get in better shape. I've been pretty good at exercising regularly, and I'm in ok shape for someone approaching a milestone birthday (if I say so myself). But I knew I needed to put in some extra miles, as well as add strength to my legs ...

Weird Al and Iowa

So a couple of weeks ago while watching TV, I happened to click on an A&E Biography of "Weird Al" Yankovic. Boy - did that bring back some fun High School memories. There were interviews with Dr. Demento (Weird Al started out on his radio show"), and snippets from some true comedy classics - for instance "Eat It", "Like a Surgeon", and others. I remember my best friend Jill really being into his "Polkas on '45" album. I went to High School in Iowa (Go Hawks!), and one thing about the midwest is that someone like "Weird Al" really fits in there. It's the land of brats and beer, and polka (I mean, the Iowa marching band's favorite song is the polka classic "In Heaven There Ain't No Beer"), and people there have a sense of humor - they don't take themselves too seriously. They work hard, have a good time, and are all about community. They take care of each other. When I get to heaven, there...

Company 5K

Friday evening was the company 5K, and most of my team and their families made the effort to participate. The weather was perfect, and the route took us through the neighborhoods around the main building. We ended up finishing in about 45 minutes. Here we all are at the Finish line (l to r: Dave, his daughter and son, Robin, me, Tiffany, her boyfriend Scott, Sudhir, Bindu, and their daughter Naomi) After the 5K, I decided I needed a post-race recovery meal, and got myself down to the local DQ for a pumpkin pie blizzard.