The New Water Cooler
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Glad you made it back safely and had a good visit. Gbaby time for the win!
The PowerBook fundraiser sounds like a terrific success. More books!
The air is heavy and stress is in the air. Leadership and all the high level people taking people’s jobs. Gross0 -
And I sure hope you do not have Covid!0
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Covid test was negative. I feel better today but just have to blow my nose often.
I volunteered at Power Books today and was standing the whole time unpacking boxes of books. My lower back is hurting since I have a weak core. I made goulash and biscuits for dinner and Russ baked acorn squash. Now I'm watching the new NCIS Origins show on Paramount.
I hope to get up for aqua fit tomorrow morning. I'm still tired but need to get back in my routine.
Is your department shrinking and is your job in danger?0 -
I'm glad you don't have Covid. Hopefully just recharging your batteries at home will be all you need.
I don't know where the cuts will be coming from - but would be surprised if my team doesn't take a hit or two or three. While my seniority should help, it all really boils down to who makes the cut list. And I don't have anyone to protect me anymore. No matter who and how many - it sucks for those who are really putting in the effort and those fake layers (Opex etc) will likely make it through.0 -
Sorry to hear that. It must be stressful and worrisome for you.
A squirrel ate some wires under Russ' truck which caused something not to work. The mechanic fixed it today and luckily the monetary damage wasn't bad.
I went to Aquafit today and only 10 of us were there. I like that size but it is rare. Our weather has been so nice so people may be enjoying outside or getting their yards in order for winter.
I took a nap again today after class. Still adjusting to life after the trip and time change.
Happy Wednesday tomorrow!
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I am grinding/clenching my teeth at night and waking up with a sore neck, head and teeth. I guess I better start to wear my night guard which I hate. I see the dentist for a cleaning in November. I bet he notices since he doesn't miss much.
My body is sore and I'm gaining weight. I have some Youtube senior exercise videos on my book marks and it is time to start doing them the days I don't go to Aquafit class. My menopausal belly is getting bigger. I'm sure it is sugar belly since I've had too many sugar cravings in this past year. I can never stick to a healthy eating plan. I have to get my head in the right place to eat right and not give in to sugar cravings.
Today is rainy and getting colder as the day goes on. So much for cleaning up the garden. I'm going to go visit Sarah this afternoon since I haven't seen her since before we left for our trip. I had hoped to ride my bike to town to see her but not today. I still need to unpack the rest of my clothes from my suitcase so today is the day. I also need to get my Roomba reprogrammed so it works again. It needs to remap the whole house which means I need to get cords and obstructions out of its way.
Off to get busy!0 -
today is fiscal year end and we are in the middle of the audit. It's tough. One sick part of me wants it to not go great because Michele always made sure we did well. But obviously it's bad for the team if it doesn't go well. They work hard, so ultimately I want it to go well for them. Not that it will save any of us. It makes me sick to think that most likely next week (after they let this group work themselves sick) there will be less of us.
It makes me even more stressed for Zach. with him struggling so much and now even more people out in the job pool - and these people will have experience.
I have been feeling really sore this week. My neck is just killing me. You think grinding your teeth makes your neck sore?
I have been doing a very little bit better with my eating. Until today, there was donuts and Jimmy Johns brought in. I passed on the donut (although I ate half an apple fritter on Monday) but that Jimmy Johns hit the spot. I haven't had that in forever. I am wearing a headband covered in minion fabric, and telling everyone that the Minion is on duty. People are getting a chuckle out of it.0 -
Work stress is the worse! I hope it all works out for you.
Yes grinding and clenching cause jaw and neck soreness and I get headaches too. Do you have a mouth guard?
Today I focused on exercise. I did 3 videos from Youtube. One was a warm up for seniors and the other two were exercises that focused on flexibility, strengthening and balance. All the same guy. They are for seniors so pretty simple but doable. Then I went to water yoga this afternoon. I hadn't been since July so it felt really good. Tomorrow I plan to do a video to work on belly fat. I will also start cleaning up the garden and prune my last lavender plant. I need to avoid sugars for awhile. I've eaten way too much sugar for the last 6 months and have gained too many pounds.
The leaves are falling fast but still is pretty around our county.0 -
Today I tried a 15 minute Belly/Abdominal workout on Youtube for women over 50. I'll keep doing it when I can. I definitely need it!
I've been working on making English Muffins from my sourdough starter. Right now the dough is rising very slowly. Hopefully in the next hour I can roll it out, cut into circles and put on the griddle to puff up and brown them. Hopefully they are good. If so, I will give a few to Lynn and Becky, freeze some in vacuum seal bags and put some in the fridge for eating soon.
I mailed Jeff's bday card and money, and the FL kids Halloween cards with a few Fall/Halloween books, today. Hope they get them by Thursday. I should have done it earlier in the week. Mail seems to take a lot longer these days and is very expensive when sending even a padded envelope.
What is on your weekend agenda?0 -
Volunteered today at Power Books. Aquafit tomorrow. I still haven't cleaned out the garden. Hopefully tomorrow!
What are you up to?0 -
trying to get through another week. It looks like almost 50 direct (working on the floor) people got the ax last week. It will be sad and stressful to see what is coming to the indirect (office) folks. I know I've lived it before - but (1) - our team has no protection and (2) they have wasted so much money on their fluff and flavors of the day - the a lot of this could have been avoided.
I agree about the insanity about mail expenses. Aren't normal first-class stamps 75 cents? I think that prices me out of sending Christmas cards. I'll probably only do a few to the older folks who probably don't get much contact otherwise. I hardly get any anymore anyway.
I thought your english muffins looked delicious.0 -
50? That is a lot of people. How many are left on the floor? How many in your dept? I hope you get to keep your job even though it doesn't thrill you. Money is money and pays the bills for now.
I went to Aquafit this morning and worked myself pretty hard. The teacher was really distracted and got started late and fizzled out in the last 20 minutes. I did crunches on my own, stretched and went in the hot tub. She has been moving into a new house and the buyer backed out on their current home.
After lunch I went to visit Sarah at the nursing home and took her some dark chocolates for Halloween. She has a lot of candy treats in her room.
My sister Becky and I just bought tickets to the local movie theater (where I use to volunteer) for a documentary called The Razor's Edge. It is about the homeless population and they did some filming at the place she volunteers that feeds the homeless.
Tomorrow I drive Lynn to her doctor's appt in Traverse City. She is having a diagnostic on her spine due to chronic pain and needs me to drive her there and home. Thursday I will ride with Russ to deliver books around northern MI.
Some of the English Muffins were good but some were dense and not cooked through. We froze some and the ones in the fridge look dense.
I picked up some paint swatches today to begin choosing the exterior color of the house. We need to coordinate with shingle color, choose a roofing company, and find a painter for next spring/summer.
Half way through the work week tomorrow!
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I wish they'd hurry up and get on with it -0
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I just pulled a headcount report and we are sitting at 377 hourly and 232 salary - that is just over 600 total and we were at close to 900 overall a few years ago. But still, with how slow we are - it's too many salary folks. Too many of the fluffer nutter layers - the opex and crew - that layer needs to go. But whatever. I hate it. And, no, just because it makes me unhappy some of the times, doesn't mean I want to have to go, this is what I know and it's money I can (could) count on. Sigh.
Do you think you will paint your house a color? I have always kind of loved a yellow house.
Halloween - can't believe it. The weather finally started acting like fall yesterday. The temps have been in the upper 70's and 80's until yesterday they dropped to low 50's. Some places might have snow tomorrow. While I was/am ready to turn off my a/c - not wanting to start with the snow and ice.
Friday eve0 -
so, just had a meeting - talked about how slow it is and how it's looking like we will lose at least 2 million in the first qtr - but not losing anyone in our team. Supposedly. Just changing us from being direct into our business units to back to being central. Which, duh. That was never going to not happen. But honestly, I don't believe him. I guess I should be relieved, and I am. But I really don't think it's real. They can't sustain with the level of indirect we have. I mean not making cuts now means that at Christmas time they'll have to make more. Whatever. They are so not smart. Should have made adjustments to the tune of not hiring the fluff for the past year. Sigh. I'm tired.0
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I'm glad your job is safe for now. I hope it stays that way. Did Bernie ever come out of his attitude slump?
Russ and I drove all over northern MI today delivering books and learning bags to baby pantries, churches and health departments. We stopped for dinner in a town up the Lake MI shore and just got home. We left around 7am this morning. It is 5:30pm. It was nice to spend the day together and chat in the truck without phones, TV, and house chores interfering.
Our weather is in the 50's and the wind is blowing. Almost all the leaves are off the trees now.
I hope to go to water yoga tomorrow and I really need to knit the rest of Ellis' poncho! Bad me!
TGIF!!0 -
I knitted 20 rows on Ellis' poncho today. 3-4 more days of knitting and I can sew it together and finish it. I'm doing better than last year when I was frantically getting those Christmas stockings done!
Today I cleaned up the garden tubs, put down compost and put stuff away in the pole barn. Russ and I took the exterior paint swatches I brought home and narrowed it down to 4 choices, 2 dark greens and 2 dark blues. I made a deep dish quiche for dinner with fruit as a side. Busy day!
Tomorrow evening I am meeting Becky, sister, at the theater for the documentary on homeless and people who are challenged getting food to eat due to a affordability.
Russ and I need to vacuum and mop the floors in the morning since they haven't been done since before we left for AK.
I hope your weekend is going well.0 -
I somehow haven’t logged in in like a week it seems. My anxiety is through the roof with all the political stuff. I’m stressed about the results but also want it done.
My sister sent out a group text to me and mom wanting to have thanksgiving at her house. She sent hers like a day before I was going to text just her because I wanted to ask her if having mom and dad driving is safe. So I did text her but she thinks it’s fine as long as they spend the night at her house. Whatever. She did ask if we could get together this. So it sounds like we are going to meet Thursday or Friday. It’s been almost a year. I guess she’s ready to talk. So I’m anxious about that too0 -
and now after waking up and seeing the results I feel even worse.
and I'm anxious about seeing Michele - because I'm so hurt over everything. But is it really fair to express my feelings when (I'm guessing) a big chunk of her withdrawal is b/c of Caitlin's brain tumor. So it feel selfish to even admit to you that I'm struggling with her finally wanting to reconnect.0 -
I was wondering if she just wants to meet to plan Thanksgiving or is it to clear the air between you both? It soundsl like you feel she wants to discuss where she has been emotionally this past year. I hope you get your answers and I think it is normal for you to be nervous and unsure as to what to share with her. Let her start and see where it goes. I'm glad she will finally talk with you.
I am pretty upset about the election results and am scared about the years ahead. Woman have very little respect in this country and our rights may be further diminished. Feel free to express differently. I do respect other's right to have a different opinion and vote how they choose, but I'm struggling with Americans' intellect right now and what the vision is going forward.
I took my car in to get the snow tires on, oil change and have them inspect the brakes. My brakes need over $1200 worth of work! This day sucks!
I am eating my emotions today...0 -
In general I believe myself to be a conservative - but very mid - but also very pro choice (which is something I basically can't admit out loud at all since I would probably be banished from church - just like if my church knew I am not 'anti' gay - I probably am supposed to say LTBTQ etc - but I do struggle philosophically with trans...) anyway - my conservative leanings get pushed more and more when there isn't/wasn't any actual Republican candidates. So I don't even know how to 'identify' anymore. Not that there is a reason for me to vote (I generally do - but it's red - red-red here) no matter what psycho is on the ticket. You know I read this article a while back that the crumbling of the Republican party started when Mccain picked Palin over Lieberman. That sort of struck a chord with me.
And my homeowners insurance went up over 20% - but yeah - that's all going to change under 'him' - whatever.
crappy day indeed
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I am so stressed out about seeing Michele tonight. This day is taking forever and I don't even want to know how high my blood pressure is. I want to be able to express all the feelings I have had for the last year after being shut out by her - but again it feels selfish to even consider it.
And I'm just feeling unhappy and mad at everyone probably in response to all this anxiety coursing through me.0 -
I am probably a moderate to left liberal. My parents were Republicans in Indiana when the party was sane and had unified goals. They would be shocked at the strife within the party and that it has become the MAGA party surrounding Trump. They wouldn't like him at all but I wonder how they would have voted? My siblings and I all tend to vote democrat. In my first election I voted for Reagan, then Bush Sr. but have voted democrat after that. Amazing that our county was blue in this election. I think the only county in northern MI for Harris. Time will tell what Trump does to this country. Women's issues are my biggest concern and the idea that white men want to control women's health and bodies makes me breathe fire.
I've been to aqua fit twice this week and may go to yoga tomorrow. It really makes me feel less stressed and my joints feel so much better. We have temps in the 50's and Fall weather. No snow yet.
Russ and I painted color samples on each side of the house today to see what we like. Two shades of green and two shades of blue. They need one more coat each to get the true color.
The AK grand daughters just called us on Facebook Portal to say thanks for their swim passes we gave them for their birthdays to the local aquatic center. They went swimming this morning and used them for the first time. They have snow now so have also been on skis in their yard.
You are probably with your sister about now. I hope it goes well and you both can establish a good relationship again. Thinking of you!0 -
well it went kind of how I feared. Not bad, just it was mostly pretending that there wasn't a rift. (Ok, maybe the rift feeling was only on my side - but still) She mainly just wanted to talk about Behlen (which she still knows more than me due to all the other people she still has contact with here), our folks (dear heavens at some point I will try to get into that). I did get a little bit about Caitlin - where I had thought/feared something was going on with Caitlin and her husband - it is really more issues with her work. Caitlin has been a foster care licensing specialist for over two years now. She has been getting grief from her boss due to being 'slow' on paperwork. Partly because her tumor is making reading harder for her, but mainly because her load is larger than anyone else's and she cannot work overtime per company rules. And then recently she was told she had to go pick up a child for removal, apparently all alone and the father took the girl before Caitlin could there and then the father proceeded to threaten her online and this man has familial relations to the largest gang in Omaha. Her bosses advice was to remove her personal picture from her Facebook account. Like seriously???? How about reporting it to the police??? And why didn't she have police support when they expected her to do a removal. WTF. And WTF writing her up because she is taking longer on some paperwork because they have given her more load than anyone else. Wow. And people wonder why no one wants to work in that industry. Michele is hopeful she will leave after her next round of tests. You know, it just sucks everywhere.0
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I really want to text Michele and ask her why she didn't feel she could talk to me about about her making the decision to look for other employment and why she couldn't share it with me until the day she turned in her notice. What do you think? I was hoping she would bring it up. Or do I just let the last year of being shut out go?0
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Wow, your niece is dealing with a horrible job. No emotional support and putting her in danger too. I hope she leaves. Did your sister say what the marital issues were? That is so sad too.
I think you have every right to tell your sister that you felt hurt that she didn't talk to you about Behlen or share that she was leaving her job. She may have wanted it to stay low key which is her right, but may also not know you felt hurt by her silence. Maybe you just need to discuss it with her rather than wonder why? Maybe in person instead of a text? Does she know anything about what is happening with lay offs and whether you are safe or not?
I went to the Y but yoga was cancelled. I swam laps for 30 minutes and then joined some ladies that had shown up for class to do some or our stretches in the therapy pool.
What's up with your parents?0 -
We got up early and took my car into Traverse City to get the brakes worked on. Russ and I went out for breakfast and to Menards to look for new kitchen lighting. He will drop me at Power Book Bags to volunteer this afternoon and then pick me up to go get my car. Luckily the original estimate for cost and what was wrong was not totally accurate. Instead of over $1200 to fix, it will be $500 and I will have new pads and rotors on all 4 tires.
It is really windy here today! Up to 35mph winds and it is roaring outside. I can't imagine being in a hurricane or tornado.
How are you feeling since your talk with your sister?0 -
I really enjoy watching various Holiday Baking Championships. But I despise the Holiday 'wars' or the Cookie ones. Weird right?0
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Glad your car bill is lower than quoted.
I'm feeling a bit better since the talk, but still off because I feel like she wants to brush off the last year. And I don't.0 -
I don't like the Wars or cookie shows either. I also can't stand the Halloween themed baking shows. We only watch the adult and kids holiday baking championships this time of year.
I went to aqua fit and then bought more exterior paint samples. The second roofing company came today to give an estimate for re roofing our house and pole barn. Wowzer!!!!! We have one blue and two green paint colors that we like. I am leaning towards green to blend in with our surroundings of the pine grove, orchards, and meadows.
Do you plan to talk to your sister soon?0
