I'm finding I still don't like it....

The time clock, that is. But, it is what it is and I have to do what I have to do. Last week I had about 9 hours "overtime" but because we were off on Monday, most is straight time. Which is ok. I'm not trying to get overtime - in fact most days still I clock in - and out - and end up staying for another hour just to finish things up. I've complained all I'm going to. I have really thought about it this weekend (somewhat) and I'm just tired of it. I've even thought about retiring.... but that will never happen. We can not survive without this pay check. And I hate being in that position. But, for my life right now, that is the way it is.

I enjoy my job, I really do. But I must admit that at times I get jealous because others get to retire and travel and do things - and that will never happen for me. Every one of my siblings are either "retired" or "disabled" and drawing a check to where they don't have to work. I am the only one - the MIDDLE child, no less - who is still working. Sometimes I don't mind it, sometimes I wish I could take time off to do things I want to do - sometimes............

But this is my life. and so is the time clock. I would much rather be paid 40 hours regardless of how many hours I put in - except when I absolutely HAVE to work overtime. That's the way it used to be - and then I would only get an hour or two. BUT - I am hourly, they won't change it, and I have to clock in and out. Maybe I need to start taking the hour for lunch and go for a walk. Yeah, maybe I will start doing that today. Except I have so much to do! This morning I have to cover the front desk for two hours. I have 5 sets of minutes to complete and one meeting to prepare for on Thursday. Not counting my other duties.

Oh well. Quit complaining and just do it - right?

As I prayed about my job this morning I thanked God for it because it is a good job. I enjoy my job. I don't particularly like the 40 minute drive in to the office, but I don't mind it. The evening drive gives me time to call my older sister 3x a week and check on her. But it is a good job and although I'm not paid as much as I think I should be, I did agree to work for this amount of money so cannot say anything about it.

I am grateful for my job. It gives me life. I talk to other people. I am out of the house. I do things. This is my life.

But I still don't like the time clock. sigh.

Hope you have a good day. Time to get busy!

Blessings!

And so the meetings start!

At least this early meeting does! I was able to skip it last month as they made it a Christmas - oh, excuse me - a "holiday" party for their department, and I didn't have to attend. You would think that since I was in that department prior to this position, and because I have to be in their meeting every month taking minutes, that I would be included in their "holiday" party. But I wasn't. Interesting. Oh well. Today we have a real meeting and I will be there. I'm even bringing in the left-over store-bought cookies that hubby had left over from his meeting last night. Not many - but enough we don't want at home.

Work has been fairly busy the past couple weeks. Our printers (6 of them) are still giving us fits in different areas. Last Monday the one by me had a full toner cartridge. It doesn't take much to replace it, and inventory showed we had 7 in stock. Guess what. There are none to be found. So for two days I have had to print my items at a printer clear across the room - no kidding! It is nearly a straight line from my desk to the corner of the building - and I have to go all the way there to pick up my printing. A waste of my valuable time, for sure.

I am not liking - and liking - the time clock. This morning I clocked in when I got here (6:21 AM) as I need to prep for this meeting. Now I can do one of two things. I can count out my 8 hours (minus a 1/2 hour lunch) and then go home, or I can clock stay until I have been going home lately and get over time. No biggie. Anyway - I've been leaving about 3:45PM - 4:00PM because my boss has been gone for late meetings. I would stay if I had a meeting or if she needed me. I told her that I would make my hours 7-3:30PM - and I do enjoy getting out earlier cause that makes me home between 4:30 and 5:00PM. It just feels awkward - but I'm sure I'll get over that soon enough.

Well I need to get busy and pull my things together - that's what I'm here early for.

I prayed on the way in that God would not only protect me on the way in - but that He would open the lanes for me that I can move into them quickly, and that I would have safe travels. I love how He always answers. I can look in the rearview mirror to move into the next lane - and usually all the cars are about 20 car lengths back - which gives me plenty of time to move over. I love it when God determines my path! Ask Him to help you maneuver in traffic - He will!!

Blessings!

Back to Work!

Ugh. Had to get up at my 4AM time this morning for the first time in a week and head to work this morning. I awoke to hearing rain pouring down, but by the time I left at 6AM, the rain had stopped and the drive in wasn't too bad. A lot more traffic than the past couple of weeks, but it still wasn't too bad. I actually don't mind coming back to work - I was really getting lazy at home. And bored. I did get started on a Christmas present for next year, but still have a ways to go on it. And that's ok.

Hubby and I are doing our annual 21 day fast at the first of the year - and although I was enthusiastic about starting it, it has been difficult at times to maintain what I wanted to do. I have finally given in that I will eat chicken. I was going to stick to fruits and vegetables, but ... well, it has just worked out that way. I have been tempted to just give in and do chocolate - but I have resisted. I have my prayer list and am focusing on specific things - but of course God's thoughts are much better than mine, and He knows what will happen in the future so I just pray my prayers and leave the results to Him.

I had a fun time on Saturday with my daughter and granddaughter. We went to return an item, then had lunch and as we headed to the mall, my granddaughter mentioned we should do an 'adventure' together. She reminded me that two years or so ago I was willing for us to get our ears pierced (again) together. We talked about it and as we walked around the mall, there was a place that had a brief opening time, so the three of us got our ears pierced. It was funny taking photos of our faces when we got them done! My granddaughter and I laughed and just said "bonding time"! My daughter was not as amused. But it was fun.

Yesterday we headed up to Prescott Valley for church and visit with friends. It was a good time and we had fun just sitting around talking. It wasn't as much fun watching the Cardinals get slaughtered on TV. We turned it off when it was 36-6. Seriously? They have had a great season - and then blow off this game? Disheartening for sure.

And today I am getting my focus back on my fast and back on work. My boss is still off today, but I see I have 55 messages in my inbox so need to figure out how in missing one day of work that I could get so many emails. Job security?

Hope that you are doing well from the holidays and are ready to start the new year with a fresh outlook. I know I am. I'm focusing on those things that are important to me. God being #1.

Blessings!