Flower power

This is my last week at work before I start my new job next week. My coworkers gave me these lovely orchids at my goodbye lunch, along with a generous parting gift. I am really touched. These past few weeks have been very bittersweet for me as I clean out my desk and goof off with people I've known for years. I am feeling simultaneously excited about the new gig, and sad at leaving the old one.

I am also contemplating what to reward myself for landing this job that comes with a nice raise. I like the practice of celebrating milestones with a treasured keepsake, marking all your hard work with something nice to remember the achievement. When I finished graduate school Mr HD gave me a beautiful diamond eternity ring (technically a combination wedding anniversary/graduation present, but the sentiments were the same). This time around, I'm thinking...a nice new purse? A silver fountain pen? Hmm...being the magpie that I am, I am (of course) gravitating towards another sparkly, shiny piece of jewelry!