Team work

I haven't written much about my workplace lately, mainly because I have had such a rotten time of it this year.

My assistant manager went off sick mid December and didn't return to work until April, and then it was for only three days a week for four weeks to ease her back in. I then took a week's holiday in May returning to find that she had only managed half that week and gone off sick again. I had been working fifty hours a week to cover her absence and I was thoroughly fed up. I should have asked my boss for some time off but didn't. Anyway after my holiday I promoted a member of staff to temporary assistant manager so that I could at least have a day off. Now, that wasn't the best move I have ever made as I had the added pressure of training her and she struggled with the office work and she knew she was never going to grasp it. I was tearing my hair out!

My assistant manager returned to work last week, and what a relief to have her back She is well again and we work so well together, each knowing what our duties are. I am actually enjoying my job again. I am able to work my contracted 38 hours a week and I haven't had to bring any paperwork home with me.

There is just one anxiety left. I can't go into any detail here suffice to say that myself and my staff have been subjected to some harassment over the last couple of months. I kept my boss informed what was going on and she came to the shop a couple of weeks ago and saw first hand some of what we have been subjected to. Next week my boss and the harasser's boss are having a meeting. My boss is not going to involve me as she doesn't want me to suffer any more stress.

I have to admit I am still having restless sleep although I really shouldn't be worried. I know my job inside out and I have a lot of years under my belt. I rarely see my boss normally as I don't cause her any problems. I work hard and have good results.

I still have three weeks holiday to take, so have booked a week in August to be spent by myself, a week in September when I, hubby and the dogs are going away to a little cottage, and then a week in November to get the Christmas shopping done.

Just where has this year gone, it'll soon be Christmas!

Twitterers

Daughter and son-in-law arrived last evening just as I got home from work. It was only a flying visit though as daughter wanted to get back home as she was planning on raising some money today by rattling a collection tin outside Pets at Home.

She was telling me they are trying to raise enough money for a deposit for new kennels and how they are being supported by Uri Geller who has an ex racing greyhound called Barney.
Uri Geller will be on ITV at 8 o'clock this evening in a documentary about his good friend Michael Jackson. Apparently Barney may make an appearance. I am now following Uri on Twitter, he's gelleruri.

Daughter is also following me on Twitter. She has chosen a lovely pic from her wedding day as her Twitter pic. She is very unconventional, no surprise that her bestman was Eric the lurcher and her bridesmaids were my Amber and Annie.

Currently reading

This book tells one woman's tale of spiritual and physical survival through
China's invasion of Tibet and her subsequent years of imprisonment. It is a
moving account, from Ani Pachen's happy childhood, her attempts to lead her
village in defiance against the Chinese and her years of imprisonment and
torture and finally her freedom her story is compelling. It graphically brings
to life an episode of recent history to many who may not be aware of this
tragedy other than as an event.

7/7

I should have written this post yesterday evening, but I was busy chatting on the phone to son who has decided to come and visit us again next week. When he was with us a few weeks ago he asked if either myself or his Dad would like to spend a few days with him in London, but we didn't think we could go because of work committments. So son is coming back to see us, he wants to spend more time with the dogs I suspect, and I have asked for a few days off work anyway.

Next time I go to London, I want go to Hyde Park to visit the memorial which was unveiled yesterday, to the 52 people who were murdered on 7th July four years ago.

Four years ago I was on my way to visit my Mum, unaware of the breaking news of the bomb attacks on the tube trains and bus in London, could barely believe it when she told me, and then fretting because I was unable to get hold of son who works for London Underground in central London. That day will stay in my memory forever.

Twitchers

At work today we were having a conversation about cherry flavoured sweets. I mentioned that I had a cherry tree in my garden, but have never eaten any cherries as I just leave them for the birds. I was asked why not eat them and I said because I suppose I've never been sure they were safe to eat. So I've been asked to take some into work tomorrow. We joked that if they were poisonous we could all be off sick together.




Then my sales assistant told me that last year she spotted some men hiding behind the bushes in her garden. They were wearing green coats and had binoculars. We found this very amusing, can you imagine the scene? Anyway, she went to ask them what they were doing and apparently they were birdwatchers looking for rare birds. I asked what the birds were called and she said waxwings.

I've done a bit of searcing on the RSPB site, and found that waxwings are usually seen on the east coast from Scotland to East Anglia but move inland in search of food. So I decided to search for waxwings in north Wales and found this forum. It's members give the exact location of her home!

I'm still chuckling. I'll be checking behind my bushes this winter!