Good
morning my friends! Another week in
retirement is in the books and I’m happy to report it was a pretty darn good
one. I have the best circle of friends and loved ones and
for that I am truly, truly grateful. To
lend a bit more context as to why I am hesitant to leave my part-time job I
have “work kids” now that I absolutely love and it would be difficult to leave
them behind. It was totally unexpected
that I would have this opportunity to mentor and advise, offer moral support or
simply just listen to my younger co-workers and it has been such a blessing. One of them even calls me “Mama”. While I am filling a need for them they are
also filling one for me.
I
worked Friday (the one day of the week the toxic one does not) and took a group
of seniors out to lunch at a local restaurant in the next town over, which was
fun. After returning I had the rest of
the day off along with the weekend. Admittedly,
I had zero motivation to do much of anything over the weekend so for the most
part I didn’t. Laundry and dishes got done
as well as the vacuuming. I called that
a win!
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| The weeds are abundant this year! |
Due to
the warmer weather this winter the weeds have been growing like crazy. I was able to get outside and pull up a
bucket full and feed them to the chickens.
They were super excited for some freshly harvested greens. I don’t complain about the weeds when it
means FREE chicken food. The rain over
the weekend makes them easy to pull too.
I was back at work all day Monday, a half day Tuesday afternoon. Monday I arrived at work planning to update HR and serve my resignation, it had become that bad, however my manager intercepted me on the way to the scanner and we had a tearful discussion in the printer room. I agreed to hold off and before I knew it I was being approached by the toxic one and a change in her attitude complete with apologies and ownership of her behavior. We are now taking it one day at a time with the agreement that I am to call her out whenever she starts her toxic behavior up again, which I expect she will. We are two for two as far as good days, but I remain cautiously optimistic. It’s a start. We shall see.
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| I got some seeds started |
I was off Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday I did a little meal prep, some home administrative tasks like shredding paper and paying bills, as well as some writing as I stayed inside and hunkered down while the rain poured. Time spent in my kitchen always makes me happy, especially when I make something fabulous, which I did. Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and streamed broccoli. I will be sure to share the recipe soon.
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| So good! |
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| Stella is sitting a little too close to the TV |
On
Thursday it was cloudy and chilly so I puttered around the house tidying up
this and that, emptying trash and the recycling collection bin I keep in the
garage, watched some TV and relaxed with my kitties. I did some financial planning and got busy
planning my next get together with friends.
I’d say it was a pretty darn good week!
Wow! Congratulations on being a key player in getting Ms. Toxic to apologize and promise to reign in her bad behavior! And to be able to freely call her on it when she (eventually) starts up again? Perfect. I like that you're ready for backsliding, because longstanding behaviors are hard to change--even when the change is for the better.
ReplyDeleteI believe you will address her with tact and respect, but I also believe you won't let her get away with any more garbage, either. Her behavior has been hurtful and unacceptable and it must change. You are not calling her a bad person, but she must work harder to behave better. It's for her own good, as it will improve her other relationships in the world. LOVE IT!
Thank you very much Sue :)
DeleteI agree with Sue regarding your coworker. After a meeting with the director, 6 of us we had a similar resolution which worked for the short term at least. If nothing else, she knew her behavior wasn’t going unnoticed. Things like that are just EXHAUSTING.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
-Meg B.
Exhausting is the perfect word to sum it all up.
DeleteI was just talking to my boss who is convinced that the Blood Moon we just had was a factor in the crazy week we had t work! I'm glad you are being cautiously optimistic. Keep your guard up but expect the best. And send some of your rain to us, please.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina!
DeleteFingers crossed that the toxic coworker actually changes. Regardless, because it's been flag & noticed (and presumably she's been given very specific guidance on potential impact to her future employment), I do think it feels like a weight off, that you are not just holding this yourself.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked with a very toxic coworker, who then later got fired from a VERY senior C level job at a huge company for... wait for it, toxic behavior, it reminded me that people don't always change. Some do and are truly unaware of the impact they have on their coworkers. Others... remain the same. Hopeful for you that this person is in the first bucket.
Hawaii Planner
Thank you so much :)
Delete