Friday Wrap-Up

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There have been some significant policy changes at work that have impacted my ability to stay connected during the day - specifically a new "Electronic Media Use Policy" or, "Don't you dare log on to the internet or pick up your cell phone between the hours of 8:30AM and 5:00PM."

The official policy reads, in part:

Company computer systems, e-mail, internet connections, etc. are to be used for Company business only. Personal cell phones must be turned off or silenced during working hours, unless used for business purposes. Personal cell phone calls and/or text messaging is prohibited during work hours. Exception: Employees may have reasonable personal use of e-mail, internet connections and personal cell phone during non-business hours (i.e. lunch hour).

Violation of this policy may result in revocation of internet access and/or immediate termination.

I get employer concerns regarding productivity, but ... ummm ... yeah ...

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Speaking of work, performance reviews were given this week. To say mine was mediocre would be an overstatement, and I deserved the less than wonderful rating.

What I find bothersome is that the area I took a (deserved) BIG hit in has been at the same level for three years, but suddenly became an issue this year. It would have been nice had it been addressed during my first (or even second) year of employment here as it really is a critical job function.

More on this debacle next week. It is post-worthy.

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I've been going to the gym for 4 weeks now. Although my weight loss has been minimal in those 4 weeks (just short of 6 lbs total) I have seen a positive impact in other areas. I seem to have quite a bit more energy, I feel better about myself because I'm doing something to improve what I don't like, and I've seen noticeable improvement in my "bum knee" pain and discomfort.

I also took the plunge and signed up for 8-Week Lose Weight Challenge that begins March 1st. They are awarding prizes for the highest percentage of weight lost both at my local gym and nationally. I've set a (stretch) goal of losing 10% of my body weight over the course of the 8 week competition.

This is when my competitive nature can actually have a positive outcome.

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Guess what I'm doing at lunch today?? No! Guess!! What? You don't like this game? Fine ...

I'm getting a manicure ... again ...

I've decided that this is "luxury" I am going to indulge in every other week. After all, my hands are, in my oh-so-humble opinion, one of my best features. It's an expense that is fairly easy to squeeze into my budget and it makes me feel special ... and I'm slowly getting used to allowing myself to feel special.

Oh! Are any of you familiar with the Shellac™ Manicure? I have to tell you that I am beyond impressed with this polish system. Not only is it completely dry when you walk out of the salon (with ZERO dry time), but it is by far the longest lasting manicure I've ever had. Today marks two weeks from my last manicure and my nail polish looks as flawless as it did on day one.

Pretty cool!

So ... what do y'all do to make yourselves feel special on occasion? Anyone have any inexpensive yet satisfying ideas (don't go there)??

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Action Jeans

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Hey!

Where have y'all been?

What? Y'all have been around, but I haven't? Maybe if I had a pair of Chuck Norris' ACTION JEANS I'd be kicking ass and taking names, but alas, my pajama jeans aren't having the same effect.

So, what's been going on?

I've been at somewhat of a crossroads - feeling kind of like I'm standing at an intersection in an unfamiliar city - looking left - looking right - trying to decide which way to go to find the nearest Starbucks.

The problem? I'm so worried about choosing he wrong path that I'm not getting any closer to that Trenta!

The good news? One of my 2011 "To-Do" items has been crossed off the list! I joined the gym - specifically a Snap Fitness 24.7 gym here in Podunk. I've been getting up at 5AM weekdays to spend an hour on me. I even purchased my first iPod - a Shuffle - and am scavenging the library for free music to add to it!

If there is good news you know there is going to be not-so-good news, right?

In the past few weeks I've learned that talking to your kid about smoking pot - telling him that you don't approve of it - that you won't allow it in you your home - but that you realize you are helpless to keep him from doing it when you're not right there on his ass, translates into "My mom doesn't mind if I smoke pot as long as I don't do it at our house" when run through the brain of a 14-year old.

And that translation? When shared with the substance abuse counselor at a Therapeutic Day School? Results in mandated reporting to DCFS for child neglect and an ensuing DCFS investigation.

Not a place I thought I'd find myself after removing Cam from an abusive home where DCFS should have been called but never was.

I expect the results of the investigation will be "unfounded", however that doesn't make the process any less stressful.

I'm about to take a hard left at that intersection.

Maybe I'll run in to Chuck Norris and his Action Jeans ...

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