From November 2007
This weekend was our annual Policy Council Retreat, which is when we take newly elected members of one of our governing bodies and train them. We usually take everyone out of town for an overnight stay and spend the day Saturday giving them lots of information on our program. But this particular year, I really felt it was a non-productive and useless event. It's so sad really... there was a lot of waste. Waste in time (we sat around as staff, waiting a lot), and waste of money (food and rooms were reserved, and people didn't show and we had to pay for it anyway). We really do need to change how we do it. Change would definitely be a good thing in this case.
And on top of all of this, I've had a rebounding migraine headache for the past 3 or 4 days (who's counting anymore?). I think it's a stress headache, but I'm also not sure that it might be a bit of a flu bug. So, I'm living on Ibuprofin and Excedrin Migraine pills, and I've got one more week until our big Federal Review. Sigh...
Showing posts with label STRESS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STRESS. Show all posts
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Life Goes On...
From November 2007
As usual, life has been busy. And it just occurred to me that I hadn't blogged in quite a while. I should have lots to write (or vent) about will all my busy-ness, but I think by the time I get home from work and do a few things around the house, I'm brain dead and have shut down mentally.
November is quickly passing, and with it comes a Federal Review at work -- the week after Thanksgiving Break. Federal Review is similar to an audit, except that it extends to all parts of our grant-funded preschool program, not just the fiscal part. We have one every three years, and so in the many years I've worked here, I've gone through about six. They are always stressful and taxing. But having it in November is pretty early in the school year and I'm glad that it will be over soon. However, until then, I feel like I'm on fast-forward and just can't seem to get enough done each day. I think pretty much everyone in my life thinks I've dropped off the face of the earth.
Sigh... life does go on though and soon I'll be back to my still busy, but less stressful pace.
As usual, life has been busy. And it just occurred to me that I hadn't blogged in quite a while. I should have lots to write (or vent) about will all my busy-ness, but I think by the time I get home from work and do a few things around the house, I'm brain dead and have shut down mentally.
November is quickly passing, and with it comes a Federal Review at work -- the week after Thanksgiving Break. Federal Review is similar to an audit, except that it extends to all parts of our grant-funded preschool program, not just the fiscal part. We have one every three years, and so in the many years I've worked here, I've gone through about six. They are always stressful and taxing. But having it in November is pretty early in the school year and I'm glad that it will be over soon. However, until then, I feel like I'm on fast-forward and just can't seem to get enough done each day. I think pretty much everyone in my life thinks I've dropped off the face of the earth.
Sigh... life does go on though and soon I'll be back to my still busy, but less stressful pace.
Another Crazy Work Day!
From October 2007
If the calendar didn't say differently, I'd swear today was Friday the 13th. It was just one thing after another going wrong. Maybe it's a full moon or something. Whatever it was, things were crazy today!! By 4:30 this afternoon, I was completely brain dead and exhausted.
So what caused all of this exhaustion? We had a teacher assistant quit after refusing to do some of the basic duties of her job. Another new hire didn't show up, causing us to worry about her, since the last time she was seen this morning she had told people that she was headed to work (she had become violently ill, unable to call or answer her phone). One of our cooks collapsed or fell in her kitchen due to some back problems she's been having and had to be rushed to the emergency room. We made a decision to let another employee go as well as put an additional one on a performance improvement plan based on performance so far. And to top it off I kept having difficulties with my computer (which wasn't that bad, but annoying on top of everything else.)
For dinner tonight I ate cookies and milk. Do you blame me?!
If the calendar didn't say differently, I'd swear today was Friday the 13th. It was just one thing after another going wrong. Maybe it's a full moon or something. Whatever it was, things were crazy today!! By 4:30 this afternoon, I was completely brain dead and exhausted.
So what caused all of this exhaustion? We had a teacher assistant quit after refusing to do some of the basic duties of her job. Another new hire didn't show up, causing us to worry about her, since the last time she was seen this morning she had told people that she was headed to work (she had become violently ill, unable to call or answer her phone). One of our cooks collapsed or fell in her kitchen due to some back problems she's been having and had to be rushed to the emergency room. We made a decision to let another employee go as well as put an additional one on a performance improvement plan based on performance so far. And to top it off I kept having difficulties with my computer (which wasn't that bad, but annoying on top of everything else.)
For dinner tonight I ate cookies and milk. Do you blame me?!
A Venting Session
From 10/9/2007
Holy Crap! It's been a whole month since I added something to this blog. I have been trying to differentiate this blog from my other one on Yahoo. This one being saved more for some of my thoughts on how I could make life better, experiences that affect the way I interact with others, "a-ha" moments, belief systems I have, or different philosophies I'm adopting in life. I guess I just haven't had any significant thoughts or events to spark a blog entry. (I need to start reading The Secret again -- could use some positive thoughts.)
But today, I think it might feel good to just spend some time venting about my hectic, crazy work life. It's pretty typical to feel crazed and overwhelmed this time of year. It's just the nature of my job. But geez, I'm a bit fed up lately! I think it's because my two bosses are pretty much incompetent. And since I'm third in command, guess what I get to do? A lot of their jobs plus my own. It's nuts!! We have a federal review on our program in December (these reviews come around every three years--based on our grant funding). I think our management system is at it's worst right now. I so badly just want all of it to be "found out". I'm tired of working so hard to make up the difference... I'm ready to let "the chips fall where they may" and it be made known to our federal monitors that our director and her second in command can't do their jobs! Sigh... I'll just have to wait and see I guess. I do have the philosophy that "everything comes out in the wash eventually." You just have to have the patience to wait it out. Dishonesty on the level that they exhibit it can't be hidden forever.
Holy Crap! It's been a whole month since I added something to this blog. I have been trying to differentiate this blog from my other one on Yahoo. This one being saved more for some of my thoughts on how I could make life better, experiences that affect the way I interact with others, "a-ha" moments, belief systems I have, or different philosophies I'm adopting in life. I guess I just haven't had any significant thoughts or events to spark a blog entry. (I need to start reading The Secret again -- could use some positive thoughts.)
But today, I think it might feel good to just spend some time venting about my hectic, crazy work life. It's pretty typical to feel crazed and overwhelmed this time of year. It's just the nature of my job. But geez, I'm a bit fed up lately! I think it's because my two bosses are pretty much incompetent. And since I'm third in command, guess what I get to do? A lot of their jobs plus my own. It's nuts!! We have a federal review on our program in December (these reviews come around every three years--based on our grant funding). I think our management system is at it's worst right now. I so badly just want all of it to be "found out". I'm tired of working so hard to make up the difference... I'm ready to let "the chips fall where they may" and it be made known to our federal monitors that our director and her second in command can't do their jobs! Sigh... I'll just have to wait and see I guess. I do have the philosophy that "everything comes out in the wash eventually." You just have to have the patience to wait it out. Dishonesty on the level that they exhibit it can't be hidden forever.
I Survived!
From September 2007
The month has almost passed and I SURVIVED another year of startup and pre-service training at the preschool program that I work at. As usual this year's training schedule was hectic and crazy. All the new employees (as well as returning staff) sat through several days of mass amounts of information being flung at them and as usual they ended the day each day with a sort of "deer in the headlights" expression on their face. Poor poor people. I felt that way and I've worked there for over 15 years. I also gave a good portion of the training... so what does that say for my skills? LOL
Anyway, I'm glad it's over. The children start next Tuesday and then we will really be running in full swing. Fortunately, this year I get to miss the first day of school because I will be at a seminar in Charleston SC! I'm so excited!! It will make for a great get-a-way as well as give me a refresher on how to monitor the classrooms and teaching staff. I'll write all about it when I return.
The month has almost passed and I SURVIVED another year of startup and pre-service training at the preschool program that I work at. As usual this year's training schedule was hectic and crazy. All the new employees (as well as returning staff) sat through several days of mass amounts of information being flung at them and as usual they ended the day each day with a sort of "deer in the headlights" expression on their face. Poor poor people. I felt that way and I've worked there for over 15 years. I also gave a good portion of the training... so what does that say for my skills? LOL
Anyway, I'm glad it's over. The children start next Tuesday and then we will really be running in full swing. Fortunately, this year I get to miss the first day of school because I will be at a seminar in Charleston SC! I'm so excited!! It will make for a great get-a-way as well as give me a refresher on how to monitor the classrooms and teaching staff. I'll write all about it when I return.
It's That Time...
From September 2007
With September comes stress and I am certainly feeling it today as I sit on my sofa trying to relax from the day's events.
On Monday we start our pre-service training for all staff before children start classes. During the 5 days of training that are spread out over the next two weeks, I am the trainer of the teachers for a large amount of it. I don't mind training at all, however I haven't done much prep for it yet. Yikes!
Plus today, one of our teachers gave her notice that she was quitting. We've already struggled to fill several teaching positions for this school year, and FINALLY hired them all two weeks ago. Why did she have to wait till September to tell us?!
I'm also responsible for the purchasing of classroom supplies, toys, equipment, etc. So right now I'm knee deep in purchasing and receiving of boxes and boxes of supplies. Tomorrow I have a mound of them to open and put away. Sigh...
So... there is all of my whining for the day. And I'll end my entry now before I start up again.
With September comes stress and I am certainly feeling it today as I sit on my sofa trying to relax from the day's events.
On Monday we start our pre-service training for all staff before children start classes. During the 5 days of training that are spread out over the next two weeks, I am the trainer of the teachers for a large amount of it. I don't mind training at all, however I haven't done much prep for it yet. Yikes!
Plus today, one of our teachers gave her notice that she was quitting. We've already struggled to fill several teaching positions for this school year, and FINALLY hired them all two weeks ago. Why did she have to wait till September to tell us?!
I'm also responsible for the purchasing of classroom supplies, toys, equipment, etc. So right now I'm knee deep in purchasing and receiving of boxes and boxes of supplies. Tomorrow I have a mound of them to open and put away. Sigh...
So... there is all of my whining for the day. And I'll end my entry now before I start up again.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Blessed Friday
From April 2007
Some Friday's come and yes I am ever so happy that the weekend is here. Then other Friday's come along and you'd think I'd died and gone to heaven... like I couldn't make it another minute in my overstressed, frustrating work place. Today was that kind of day. I have been so busy at work lately, I can't seem to catch up on all the different tasks I have piling up. So when the weekend approached I seriously considered bringing some of that work home. But I defiantly decided NO! I probably wouldn't do any of it anyway. My time off from work is quite sacred to me and I don't like to ruin it with thoughts of or tasks from work.
It's kind of interesting to me how protective I am of my spare time. Not having kids or a husband, most assume that I have all the time in the world. But it's not true. Or at least it doesn't feel that way. In fact, I sometimes wonder how I would handle having little ones or a spouse that I would have to share that time with.
Tomorrow is a perfect example of feeling like my free time has been infringed upon. My mom is flying in from being in Colorado, so I'm picking her up from the airport. When I found out that I'd be traveling to the "big city", I thought I'd do a bit of shopping before going to the airport. But then a friend called to see if she could drop by in the morning for a visit. So I figured I could squeeze her in for just a bit before heading out of town. It shouldn't cut out too much of my shopping time. But then, just a couple of days ago, I was asked to prepare a dish for a dinner for some people tomorrow night. Knowing that I would be gone for part of the day, I added to my Saturday morning schedule some cooking time. Now I'm thinking I won't have much shopping time left in my morning...sigh... and once I pick up my mom, take her to her home in a nearby small town and then head back to my house, I'll have just enough time to finish the dish I need to make and deliver it. And pretty much there's my Saturday. I shouldn't complain so much. A lot of what I'm doing is helping others, and that's ALWAYS a good thing!!
I think I put too much of my energy into my job and so then when I'm actually off work, I don't want to do anything that keeps me from being carefree. Maybe it's time I changed that pattern a bit.
1 Comment: You are my soul sister, I swear!!! I know you know I'm single, but I don't have children either, and all of my married friends always assume I have all of this time. Like I have more of it than the regular 24 hours a day they have. Or somehow I am able to put it in "reserves" because I don't have kids or a spouse. Isn't it funny??? I read your blog, and it sounds so much like me. You're my blog sister!!!! :-) Celia
Some Friday's come and yes I am ever so happy that the weekend is here. Then other Friday's come along and you'd think I'd died and gone to heaven... like I couldn't make it another minute in my overstressed, frustrating work place. Today was that kind of day. I have been so busy at work lately, I can't seem to catch up on all the different tasks I have piling up. So when the weekend approached I seriously considered bringing some of that work home. But I defiantly decided NO! I probably wouldn't do any of it anyway. My time off from work is quite sacred to me and I don't like to ruin it with thoughts of or tasks from work.
It's kind of interesting to me how protective I am of my spare time. Not having kids or a husband, most assume that I have all the time in the world. But it's not true. Or at least it doesn't feel that way. In fact, I sometimes wonder how I would handle having little ones or a spouse that I would have to share that time with.
Tomorrow is a perfect example of feeling like my free time has been infringed upon. My mom is flying in from being in Colorado, so I'm picking her up from the airport. When I found out that I'd be traveling to the "big city", I thought I'd do a bit of shopping before going to the airport. But then a friend called to see if she could drop by in the morning for a visit. So I figured I could squeeze her in for just a bit before heading out of town. It shouldn't cut out too much of my shopping time. But then, just a couple of days ago, I was asked to prepare a dish for a dinner for some people tomorrow night. Knowing that I would be gone for part of the day, I added to my Saturday morning schedule some cooking time. Now I'm thinking I won't have much shopping time left in my morning...sigh... and once I pick up my mom, take her to her home in a nearby small town and then head back to my house, I'll have just enough time to finish the dish I need to make and deliver it. And pretty much there's my Saturday. I shouldn't complain so much. A lot of what I'm doing is helping others, and that's ALWAYS a good thing!!
I think I put too much of my energy into my job and so then when I'm actually off work, I don't want to do anything that keeps me from being carefree. Maybe it's time I changed that pattern a bit.
1 Comment: You are my soul sister, I swear!!! I know you know I'm single, but I don't have children either, and all of my married friends always assume I have all of this time. Like I have more of it than the regular 24 hours a day they have. Or somehow I am able to put it in "reserves" because I don't have kids or a spouse. Isn't it funny??? I read your blog, and it sounds so much like me. You're my blog sister!!!! :-) Celia
Saturday, July 25, 2009
I AM JUST NOT IN THE MOOD...
FROM TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2006
I can tell I'm facing some grumpy days this week. I'm just not in the mood to be at work, to interact with people, and to deal with coworker's inadequacies. It's really bad timing to feel that way, since we are now full swing into our two weeks of "enrollment fair" where we have appointments every hour or so with various "parents" who are enrolling their children into the program. (Whew! That was a long sentence!!) But enrollment fair always brings on a crazed atmosphere around the office, and when ya gotta rely on computers, it can really be frustrating. I feel a bit sorry for our brand new tech person, who is in a bit over her head right now trying to handle all the computer issues without the full knowledge of how to. I kind of just stuck to my little corner of the world (otherwise known as my office), completed three enrollments this morning, and worked on some other high priority tasks this afternoon, while the rest of the building buzzed about. Thankfully, I didn't have any appointments this afternoon, because that was when quite a few of the computers decided to disconnect from the server and cause those who were doing enrollments to lose all their entered info. Yikes!
I can tell I'm facing some grumpy days this week. I'm just not in the mood to be at work, to interact with people, and to deal with coworker's inadequacies. It's really bad timing to feel that way, since we are now full swing into our two weeks of "enrollment fair" where we have appointments every hour or so with various "parents" who are enrolling their children into the program. (Whew! That was a long sentence!!) But enrollment fair always brings on a crazed atmosphere around the office, and when ya gotta rely on computers, it can really be frustrating. I feel a bit sorry for our brand new tech person, who is in a bit over her head right now trying to handle all the computer issues without the full knowledge of how to. I kind of just stuck to my little corner of the world (otherwise known as my office), completed three enrollments this morning, and worked on some other high priority tasks this afternoon, while the rest of the building buzzed about. Thankfully, I didn't have any appointments this afternoon, because that was when quite a few of the computers decided to disconnect from the server and cause those who were doing enrollments to lose all their entered info. Yikes!
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