Appreciation at Work

I guess sometimes they pay attention...


I got these on Tuesday. The Dock at work called saying I had flowers…OK…why? It's not my birthday, it's not any holiday, can't think of anyone that would send me any (although my first thought, of course, jumped to the idea that a certain boy might have sent me some, but the only boy I would’ve wanted to have send them I don’t think even knows where I work and the idea of him sending me flowers when there is nothing going on between us is a laugh, at least nothing that would make him think to send me flowers)…then I had a second message that my co-worker also had flowers…hmm…We had been working on project from hell for the last two weeks, I was guessing that is what they were for, and yes, that is what we got them for. They are very pretty and I instantly thought spring when I got them. I would’ve posted about them sooner, but kept forgetting to bring my camera in and I wanted to include a picture of them. They smell very springlike…

We are also being taken out to lunch next week for an extra thank you. Now don’t get me wrong, I definitely love the fact that we are being appreciated (particularly after I was semi ignored on a lot of what I do last September at our legal retreat, which I still haven’t blogged about), but to be honest, it’s part of my job…falls under “special projects” and instead of receiving flowers (pretty as they are) and a lunch, I’d much rather be remembered with a good review and raise…I deal with cost of living stuff as part of my once a year project. We increase fees on some of our clients based on what the government puts out as the cost of living. This year it’s 3.5%...I know I won’t get that for a raise. Last year the cost of living was 2.3% and I got just under 3% for a raise, which while not a lot, actually made me happy as it was at least above cost of living, but still isn’t great…anyway, I’d still like a much bigger raise (wouldn’t we all) and honestly with my background and experience level I should actually have more, but this is the nature of the work I am in. I need to find something else as I really would like to, and should be making more…heck, I’m making less now than when I graduated college and started a job…

In other news. Yesterday I was scheduled for a 10 mile general aerobic run. I went for 4 miles at lunch, at a slow pace (didn’t wear a watch again) and 20 minutes of strength training. I felt drained yet again and that’s all I could do. Plus another few loops around the island would’ve made me loopy (that’s where I was running, today I’m venturing off campus again). I was going to run last night then when I got home, but instead I sat down and was drained so instead I watched Grey’s Anatomy and ate way too many graham crackers with frosting to put me way over my calorie limit for the day…sigh…and the scale showed it this morning…double sigh…Today will try to be better. At least it doesn’t look like I’m going out for pizza tonight as previously thought (friend doesn’t want to go out on the roads tonight since there is potential for snow). I can eat less then and, since I am driving and there will be snow, I won’t be drinking…again, fewer calories!! I’m going to run at lunch and maybe a second run after work today (I’m running 6-7 at lunch and then might do a 4-5 after work, kind of make up that 10 miler from yesterday, today is scheduled as a rest day, but I had plans to do the 10 yesterday and 4 today anyway). We’ll see how I feel. Regardless I’ll still have my planned mileage for the week, just cutting it back a bit to try to let my body recover and rest. I just can’t take a rest day though. It just makes me feel fat and guilty!