Holiday Party Outfit & Spread The Kindness Link Up On the Edge #785
Tonight is Jeff’s annual company holiday party. He began working for a local HVAC company upon retirement from the Army nearly five years ago and he has been happier than I have ever known him to be. He absolutely loves his job and his job loves him as evidenced by the stellar way that he is treated by his employer and the respect he has garnered from his fellow employees.
Back in 2016, I watched an episode of The Voice where Jennifer Hudson was the guest mentor. The contestants had asked her for advice that they could take with them into their music careers and her response has stuck with me ever since. She responded, “It’s not always about how good you are, but how good you are to work with. If you are good to work with, you will always have work.”
I remember sharing these words with my husband at the time because they really do apply to life in general not just careers in the music or entertainment industries. As he embarked on his second career post-Army, I have noticed that my husband is very good to work with. People tend to love him. He is great at his job; he is respectful and kind; he gets stuff done in a timely and competent manner; he is calm, cool, and collected under pressure; and he is serious but always has something witty to add to make you laugh in times of stress. In sum, he is a person who is always good to work with and therefore he always has work. For this I am so grateful.
He first came to the company for an 8 week unpaid internship at the very end of his Army career and they hired him immediately upon his retirement. He started the internship as an HVAC technician and within two weeks he realized the job was not for him. He really struggled to understand the tech side of the HVAC world which made him stressed and irritable so he asked if they would switch him to a sheet metal intern. This shift proved to be most beneficial because he loves making the duct work much more than servicing the heating systems.
His official employment began in the sheet metal shop, working under the tutelage of a very skilled foreman. Within just a few years, he was promoted to sheet metal shop foreman as the company began reorganizing some positions. However, that job didn’t last very long as more company shifts were in the works. Before he could even think about it, he was promoted to head of sheet metal operations for the entire company. He is still learning the ins and outs of the new job but he loves it all.
Except for this week when he had to go out in the field to supervise a job…on a grocery store roof…in below freezing temperatures. While he doesn’t really enjoy freezing on outdoor jobs, he doesn’t complain much because the perks far outweigh the less desirable things. And like he always says, “At least the road isn’t exploding in front of me when I drive to work; nobody is shooting at me; and when I have to go to the bathroom, I don’t have to dig a hole in the ground and bury or burn my excrement.” See what I mean about his sense of humor. He keeps complainers in check with some Army perspective and it cracks me up every time!
Last week, Jeff received a very generous year-end bonus that made him exclaim out loud, “I freaking love my job. I have never been treated so well by any supervisor in my entire life.” And nobody is trying to kill him either! His comment very well may have cemented our decision to not move south when the kids are finished with school. Job satisfaction is hugely important to us and therefore we will remain for as long as Jeff is happy with his job and his employer is happy with him.
But there’s more…Not only is his employer generous to their employees, they are also very generous to their employee’s families. They are understanding of family obligations and accommodate the needs of their employees in a most admirable way. They even hired me on temporarily this summer to paint some offices. They welcomed me with open arms and made me feel very much a part of the team for the two weeks I was there. I enjoyed the work as well as the atmosphere and really appreciated the paycheck, too!
When it comes time for the company holiday party, it seems everyone looks forward to it. They host a lovely cocktail hour followed by a delicious buffet style dinner. Once dinner has concluded, there is a super silly trivia game that everyone participates in. Once you have answered your trivia question correctly, you get to choose a gift from a giant table loaded with all sorts of goodies ranging from various gift cards to huge blocks of fresh cheese to industry relevant tools to kitchen gadgets and even candles. There is pretty much something for everyone. In previous years, I have come home with a heavy duty work coat, a yoga mat, a headlamp, and I don’t even know how many gift cards.
On top of the trivia game that ensures every guest leaves the holiday party with a gift, they also hold a raffle for the employees. Each employee gets two entries of their choose for a selection of larger gifts. In previous years, Jeff has won a large screen smart tv, a beautiful piece of luggage, a Yeti cooler, and a fancy tool bag backpack.
Of course, everyone loves free stuff, but the holiday party is so much more than that. It is an opportunity to socialize and let loose with the people you spend your days with grinding away at the hard work. It is also an opportunity for your spouse/partner/significant other to mix and mingle and know the people who help make your world go round.
Since I really don’t get out much these days, I look forward to getting dressed up in a fancy festive outfit for this occasion. In previous years, I have worn this same velvet kimono over a solid black tunic and leggings, a green floral velvet burnout dress, and a black dress with a burgundy and gold robe.
This year, I am styling a red, black, and white plaid slip dress which I picked up on super duper clearance in the spring. I layered a fitted black turtleneck sweater underneath to transition this sleeveless dress for the cold winter weather. My red velvet kimono robe and red cowgirl boots are perfectly festive while still remaining true to my boho style. I accessorized with my black felt floppy hat adorned with my blingy rooster brooch, a multi strand chunky gold necklace, a long gold tassel necklace, a pair of bold tassel earrings, and some black velvet gloves.
I really love how this outfit came together. I wish I had more occasions to wear it!
And here we are…in a very blurry photo…all dressed up and ready to go…
Do you have any holiday parties this month? What will you be wearing?
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Wishing you all a very happy and blessed holiday season!
Keeping it festive on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
20 Comments
Pamela Graham
Very smart outfit Shelbee but still in the style! Enjoy your party and your festive season as a whole! We’re off to find the sun, see you in the New Year!
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Pamela! Enjoy the sun, my friend! Happy Holidays!
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
I’m so happy for your husband that he found a job he loves so much. Thanks for the party.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Amy! Happy holidays!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jeanne
I was so surprised to see that I was featured here! Thank you for featuring me! <3 Happy Holidays!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
You are very welcome, Jeanne! Thanks for joining us. And happy holidays!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
What a delight to see my post as one of the featured favorites from last week. And speaking of favorites, this holiday look of yours is a winner. A fabulous mix of textures, patterns, and detailing that make for a one-of-kind festive outfit.
Rena
https://finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aww, thanks so much, Rena! I was really pleased with this outfit! I hope you have a lovely holiday season, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
You look wonderfully festive in this plaid dress with that beautiful hat and those fun boots! It’s so important to feel needed and respected at your job. Mike had that for so many years when he was working. He worked for a defense contractor so Jeff may have actually used the thing Mike worked on…a SINGGARS radio…please ask him and let me know! Mike would get calls in the middle of the night from soldiers asking for help fixing something. They had been given his name as someone who had all the answers. At first, he was reluctant to answer the phone until I reminded him just exactly why he was being called and by whom. Unfortunately, the company lost its defense contract for the radio when it became something or other (open to other companies to build) and didn’t have anything in development. Luckily, Mike was of retirement age and was able to retire early with a full pension and paid health care for almost 8 months. I know he misses that respect and need to be productive. I keep reminding him he’s still an engineer. Tell Jeff I’m glad he’s not being shot at or having to bury his poop, too! Thanks for the link up, my friend!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, Marsha! Jeff and I were just got a good laugh from your comment. Yes, he has definitely used SINGGARS radios. He just launched into a very detailed explanation of what those are. And we are both very glad about him not getting shot at or having to bury his poo! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Jeff deserves all of that! And you to of course. More occasions to wear this outfit? Just wear it! It’s too beautiful to let it hang in the closet. Enjoy your weekend love!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aww, thanks so much, my friend! I have realized that most of my cowgirl boots are not very good in the snow so I don’t get to wear them very often through the winter months. Although I did purchase a pair work cowgirl boots that I can wear in the snow. I will have to see how they pair with fun dresses!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail Is This Mutton
I’m so glad your husband is happier than he’s ever been since retiring from the army. My dad loved life in the Royal Marines so much he was never the same when he left. He found work but didn’t enjoy it, and lost all his enthusiasm and zest for life. Sounds like Jeff found a fantastic company.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Gail. I feel so sad for your father that he didn’t have a happier transition out of military life. That must have been so difficult for him. And for you to watch him lose his zest for life. I wish you a very peaceful and blessed holiday, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
nicole orriens
I love the detail of the rooster on your hat!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nicole! My rooster brooch really makes me smile!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
Your husband’s perspective cracks me up but I guess much wouldn’t phase him after army life! Your holiday outfit is lovely. We do have one company Christmas party coming up this month for my husband’s job; it’s only the executiveas the company is much too big to host one party for ALL employees. They do however put on a small party at each of the plants for those employees and include gift cards or gifts for all.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! For sure, not much phases my husband after all his army years. I never worked for a place that had such lovely and generous holiday parties either. I always worked at very large corporations in NYC so there would be a big cocktail party but no one gave anyone gifts! You got drinks and dinner, which was appreciated, of course, but that was it. Company parties always leave you with a good story or two though, don’t they?! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Anaya Shrivastava
very nice
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Anaya! Much appreciated.
xoxo
Shelbee