Work/exercise/work/life!
Still marching around outside the office complex during my lunch times, and to kick it up a notch, during this time, doing 4 sets of up and down 5 flights of stairs. Boy, does that make me sweat! Yuck. And yes, I still HATE coming back to my desk feeling less than pristine, even after abluting and tidying myself in our ladies room. It’s been the hardest part of exercising. Thank heavens the ladies room is relatively private.
Additionally, I splurged on something for myself. My friend J. of the seemingly unlimited funds, thoroughly researched and chose and purchased a product that is a system for a gentle 3 month colon cleanse and general detoxification. We met for Weight Watchers on Saturday and then went out for breakfast and she confided to me that she thought I would laugh. Quite the opposite. Although I have seen many positive articles in the media, as well as ads touting the benefits of colon cleansing and detoxification of the body, I have also read that most of this is pure marketing hype. According to my doctor, the human body is astonishingly sophisticated and is more than capable of handling most of what we throw at it. On the other hand, people rave about how good they feel and how much more energy they have after following such a regimen, and how good it is for the skin (sold me right there) so I still reckon there must be something to it. So…I said I’d do it with her. She had purchased three months worth of the products, and I bought one month from her. A little expensive, and in these trying times, I feel a little nervous about it. I like the idea that this is not a radical approach where you starve yourself for 5 days and only drink juice. You eat healthily all the way through. Anyway, I hope it makes me feel better and gives me a little kick start as well.
I started all that this morning. Knowing that I was going to start, I packed up quite a few groceries to bring to work. We have a little kitchen with a microwave, toaster, fridge and I brought in one of those small cartons of egg substitute, some wholewheat bread, salt/pepper, light margerine and a jar of roasted red peppers. The idea is that instead of using the cafeteria, I could quickly whip up an egg on toast for breakfast. I have enough to last me at least a week or two. I also brought in vegetable juice and some of my mom’s soup. That oughtta keep me going.
About 5 minutes ago, I was called into a room with my two fellow employees on the team and we were asked for one of us to volunteer to work one day less a week. I’d love to do that, but can’t see me and Neil affording a 25% reduction in pay. On the other hand, I could use that day to earn money elsewhere or look for another job. Oy. Two of us are married with kids. We’re almost exactly the same age, I think, but I’m drowing in tuition payments for college, my colleague, JR, is the father of young twins and is going through that whole after school day care thing. Our other colleague is a woman, JA, about 15 years my senior who is not married and has managed to put aside a lot of money for retirement. Unfortunately, she has seen her retirement savings depreciate over the last weeks by at least 40%. Interestingly, I noticed that our boss did not once look at her while she was making this request, instead, only making eye contact with me and JR. Interesting. She also asked us to give an answer by this afternoon. No can do. I need to talk to Neil, and I’m sure JR wants to talk to his wife first, too. JA said she needs to talk to her cat.
Why couldn’t they have done this before we had to commit to our benefits funds, such as medical? I could have had us switched to Neil’s, a safer bet.
Although I found her almost unbearable when I first met her, JA has become a friend. She’s very smart and has a good heart. She worries and frets over everything. In fact, I’ve never met anyone who worries more, or kvetches more (although my friend Serene could give her a kvetching run for her money). JA never, never, ever fails to find - and comment on - the lack of fairness in any situation. She once told me a story about herself as a buck toothed little girl where her father blamed her for something that either her younger brother or older sister had done (teasing her unmercifully about her buck teeth?), and how she had felt utterly outraged at the time. Aha, I thought…that explains a lot! A middle child! I teased her just now when she said she bets that our consultants had not been asked and what about the managers! Not them, for sure….and that’s not fair! “JA”, I said, “life’s not fair….that’s your middle child syndrome kicking in.”
Ah well, better go.
WHY, OH, WHY do they mess with a good thing–I’m having to log in EVERY time I want to leave a comment???? This suc*s.
Anyway, that’s certainly not your fault! WTG on kepping up with the exercise.
What an awful decision to be faced with; I’m not sure how I feel about the job making you all decide yourselves…good luck whatever you decide.
If you cut down by one day can you keep the full benefits? It might be something you can negotiate?
THese are really hard times. During normal times I personally might be inclined to accept such an offer, but in today’s world I dont know… I do have a lot of other interests (and I know you do too)
Its not reasonable that they ask for an answer without giving people time to discuss it - its not a decision that a person can take on their own (except if single) and it’s something that is needing to be carefully thought through. For me its the most troubling aspect of the request…
Good luck w the decision - must add a lot of stress to your life
Crap. So sorry to hear about this. I’m glad I’m a teacher. At least I have job security. Retirement security? I’m not so sure about that.
I don’t think it’s fair for them to ask you to do this. Up to me? I’d never volunteer to take a cut. If you have to, so be it. But volunteer?
So proud of you for keeping up on your walking! Awesome!
Dang, I hope JA chooses to do it. I know it sucks because often being an unmarried single woman with no kids - everyone always expects you to take up the holidays, working late etc but it’s NOT me so I hope she does it for you guys
That super sucks though RJ.
Super sucks.
geez.
xoxoxoxoxo
Oh man, you must be running a 100 different scenarios in your head trying to decide what to do. Just remember to put yourself & your family first, ahead your co-workers, however much you like them. No extra points for being nice when stuff like this happens!
Keep us posted Rubes on what is happening. I hope the single gal takes it on even thou her finances may suck too, but at least she is not the major bread winner for her family.
Hugs
xoxoxo